1967-68 Television Season 50th Anniversary: Cowboy in Africa

The television western had three major successful series during the 1960s: Bonanza and The Virginian on NBC, and Gunsmoke on CBS, which had begun a second life on CBS during this 1967-1968 season with a move to Monday nights. ABC was always on the lookout for the next big thing in television westerns, with The Big Valley offering ABC its best hope of a successful television western drama.
For the 1967-68 season, ABC was active in trying out a wide variety of ideas for a family western, including The High Chapparal, Hondo, The Guns of Will Sonnet and perhaps the most innovative of the group, Cowboy in Africa.
Cowboy in Africa starred Chuck Connors as Jim Sinclair, champion cowboy who transplants to Africa to help introduce modern western methods to a game ranch in Kenya. The concept of the series was quite unique, and Connors, who had starred in another short lived series in the mid-1960s called 'Branded', was his always vibrant and entertaining self. But the series never quite caught on, and ran for just the one season on ABC, from September 11, 1967 to April 1, 1968.
Chuck Connors had a long and successful career on television (and in feature films). His big hit television series was The Rifleman, which ran on ABC from 1958 to 1963. Connors also had some success in professional sports, playing in both MLB and NBA in the 1940s and 1950s. He passed away in November 1992, and will long be remembered as one of television's most engaging and larger than life actors and characters. RIP Chuck.
This video clip is presented here on CZcams for the entertainment and informational value of the viewer, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Enjoy.

[@Themaddprof]

This is one of the earliest shows I remember watching on television. I was around 3-4 years old at the time, and my cousins and I would go in the woods in my grandmother's backyard to pretend we were out on the jungles of Africa. Who knew then that 50 plus years later, I would visit Senegal and Gambia West Africa and see the real thing.

[@regionalunityproductions6204]

I've never heard of this television series before, and I have a good long memory of 1960's T.V.

[@ronharding4936]

I was just a kid when this show was on and I loved it. I was disappointed when it was canceled after only one season.

[@thefurrybastard1964]

I loved this show when I was a Kid. I first saw it back in 1970. Ivan Tors put out some quality stuff back in the day.

[@miami8089]

The kid playing Sampson is actor Gerald Edwards who also was the voice of Weird Harold in the Fat Albert cartoons

[@chefonsafari7465]

My love of Africa started with this now 50 years on, i own Wildlife Dreams " Bringing you closer to wildlife" #wildlifedreams

[@washingtonluizeleoterio5615]

Bons TEMPOS. Gostava demais!

[@lindycorgey2743]

MATTEL made a COWBOY IN AFRICA Fanner 50 cap gun and holster set. I have the holster. The cap gun in the holster is a Fanner 50 from the 1950s.

[@toyman81]

Why is this not available on DVD?

[@Gregory_TheWatchman]

@ 3:59...Reminds me of "Speed Buggy"...From the headlights to the roll bar.

[@mikeschneider5077]

This show appears to be based on the 1962 John Wayne film "Hatari", which had a similar theme of a ranch in Africa.

[@calypsopress]

Based on Africa Texas Style theatrical movie starring Hugh O'Brien .Released in 1967

[@susanhorton9492]

where can i get the episodes on dvd?

[@quickdrawmcdraw7645]

Chuck Connors was a "Cowboy " in at least three television series. (1)The Rifle Man, (2) Branded, (3), Cowboy in Africa.

[@quickdrawmcdraw7645]

I own a Mattel's FANNER 50, with the Cowboy in Africa grips.

[@michaeldanello3966]

Just a point that may be of interest. Ronald Howard was the son of respected actor Leslie Howard of Gone with the Wind fame. He also did a long-running British series, filmed in France, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes which was very well done

[@eddstarr2185]

I was 10 years old in 1967, and I noticed something. The spillover effect from the movie, "Born Free", as well as the success of "Daktari" on CBS, may have provided a false sense of the public appetite for a series set in Africa. Ivan Tors concept for this show may have worked if the "cowboy" element had been replaced by "animal researcher". Just a thought.

[@rosenvaldogoncalves9907]

ESTE FILME E DUBRADO EM PORTUGUES

[@janeroyal5365]

I liked Tom Nadini

[@ameliadiaz8040]

This adventure series was no more far-fetched than Sea Hunt and/or Ripcord.

[@analopez4319]

Quiero verlo en español

[@higinioreyes1473]

I want see it un spanish

[@higinioreyes1473]

I can see en spanish

[@rosenvaldogoncalves9907]

QUERO VER ESTE FILME EM PORTUGUES