Tom Tyron is Texas John Slaughter, a former Texas Ranger running a ranch in Arizona with his wife Viola and his two children from a previous marriage, Addie and Willie.
One day, Apache ride up and kill five of his cattle for sport. Texas John heads off to the neighboring Apache reservation to have a talk with his good friend Natchez (Jay Silverheels).
Seems the trouble was caused by a brazen young Apache named Geronimo (Pat Hogan), who’d rather die fighting than live caged on a reservation.
Natchez does what he can to keep Geronimo under control. But eventually, those efforts fail and the job falls to the cavalry and Gen. Miles.
And who does Gen. Miles turn to for help? None other than Texas John Slaughter, or course.
With the help of Corporal Ben Jenkins (Harry Carey Jr.), another former Ranger, they come up with a plan that might lure Geronimo out of his hiding place in Mexico and
stop the raids once and for all.
Tom Tyron as Texas John Slaughter, trying to teach his young son a lesson in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Pat Hogan as Geronimo, about to order an attack in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Review:
Nice mix of family film and Western action courtesy of the folks at Walt Disney. The show ran as part of Walt Disney presents with 17 episodes airing over three seasons between 1958 and 1961.
The family aspect focuses on the two children’s efforts to adapt to their new stepmom and vice versa. Betty Lynn, who plays the part of Texas John’s wife, is best remembered as Barney Fife’s girlfriend on The Andy Griffith Show.
The action part features a surprisingly well done Apache attack on a supposedly undermanned wagon train carrying repeating rifles, cargo designed to lure Geronimo into attacking.
Of course, there’s a bit of 1960s TV Western silliness. At one point, Texas John brawls with a captured Apache. He wins the brawl, then turns the captive over to Gen. Miles. Having been beaten, the Apache is suddenly willing to answer all the general’s questions.
This is one of at least a trio of theatrical releases made by editing together portions of the televised episodes.
Betty Lynn as Viola Slaughter, making her husband fulfill his promise and teach their children to dance in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Onslow Stevens as Gen. Miles, the man who calls on Texas John Slaughter to help subdue the Apache in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Directed by:
Harry Keller
Cast:
Tom Tyron … Texas John Slaughter
Betty Lynn … Viola Slaughter
Darryl Hickman … Ashley Carstairs
Brian Corcoran … Willie Slaughter
Annette Gorman … Addie Slaughter
Pat Hogan … Geronimo
Jay Silverheels … Natchez
Onslow Stevens … Gen Miles
Harry Carey Jr. … Ben Jenkins
James Edwards … Batt
Don Haggerty … Wes
Runtime: 77 min.
Harry Carey Jr. as Ben, a cavalryman who once served in the Texas Rangers with Texas John Slaughter in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Jay Silverheels as Natchez, the Apache chief who is friends with Texas John Slaughter in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Memorable lines:
Geronimo to Natchez: “The white man’s word. Santana believed it and it cost us the river. Mangus Colorado believe it, and we lost the prairie. Your father, Cochise, believed it, and now there’s very little left to take.”
Natchez, speaking about Geronimo to Texas John Slaughter: “Hatred was his father. Trouble was his mother. He will never change.”
Viola Slaughter, as her husband prepares to ride off with Gen. Miles: “I’ll worry.”
Texas John Slaughter: “About what? I probably won’t get without 10 miles of an Apache.”
(Editor’s Note: Which would have made for a very boring episode of Texas John Slaughter)
Texas John Slaughter, who’s having the cavalrymen pretend to get shot to lure Geronimo closer: “Hey, Ben, you alright.”
Ben, playing possum, waves his hand.
Texas John: “You die beautifully.”
Brian Corcoran as Willie Slaughter, admitting he broke the family organ in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Annette Gorman as Addie Slaughter, calling her stepmom a tattle tail in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Darryl Hickman as Ashley Cartairs, the men who helps defend Texas John Slaughter’s family when Geronimo comes calling in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964
Harry Carey Jr. as Ben and Tom Tyron as Texas John Slaughter, planning a trap for Geronimo in Texas John Slaughter — Geronimo’s Revenge (1964)
Texas John Slaughter: Stampede at Bitter Creek (1962)
Directed by:
Harry Keller
Cast:
Tom Tyron … Texas John Slaughter
Stephen McNally … Bill Gallagher
Norma Moore … Adeline Harris
Sidney Blackmere … Sam Underwood
Bill Williams … Paul Forbes
John Larch … Frank Boyd
Grant Williams … Mike Forbes
H.M. Wynant … Yancy
Don Kelly … Jed
Runtime: 70 min.
Texas John Slaughter: Gunfight at Sandoval (1961)
Directed by:
Harry Keller
Cast:
Tom Tyron … Texas John Slaughter
Harry Carey Jr. .. Ben Jenkins
Dan Duryea … Dan Trask
Beverly Garland … Mrs. Amanda Barko
Norma Moore … Adeline Harris
Judson Pratt … Capt. Cooper
Ann Doran … Mrs. Chadwick
Robert Foulk … Mr. Pitts
John Daheim … Pvt. Jeff Clay
Bob Hoy … Jim
Henry Wills … Brown
Runtime: 72 min.
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