Legend of Custer (1968)

The Legend of Custer is an expanded version of the pilot film for the weekly Custer television series. Wayne Maunder stars as "Old Yellow Hair," who in the early 1870s is shipped off to command a Cavalry post in the Black Hills. Here he is introduced to a crew of misfits and goldbricks, whom he must whip into shape. Like the Custer series itself, the film doesn't address the complexities of General Custer's personality, and, understandably stops well short of Little Big Horn. The series' regulars include Slim Pickens as California Jim Milner, Peter Palmer as Sgt. James Bustard, Grant Woods as Capt Keogh, and Michael Dante as Crazy Horse. Appearing the "special guest star" category in The Legend of Custer are Mary Ann Mobley, Alex Davion, William Mims, Rodolfo Acosta. Custer debuted on September 6, 1967, surviving a mere 13 weeks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi