Lancer is a television western that ran from 1968-1970 on ABC. The series revolved around a wealthy Californian rancher, Murdoch Lancer (played by Andrew Duggan), and his two estranged sons. Scott Lancer was played by Wayne Maunder, and his brother, Johnny, by James Stacy.

 

At right, and in the insert, is the late Pernell Roberts, as seen in the Lancer episode Welcome to Genesis, 1969, in which he plays a world-weary doctor in a remote town.

 

In the pilot, The High Riders, Murdoch Lancer sends for his sons via the Pinkerton Agency. An agent locates Scott back in Boston, and the younger son, called Johnny Madrid, is discovered awaiting his turn in front of a Mexican firing squad by another Pinkerton agent. Both accept an offer of one thousand dollars to go to Lancer to talk to their father.

 

The brothers meet for the first time on the stage to Morro Coyo (a small town near Lancer ranch). Neither knows of the other's existence until they are met in town by Teresa O'Brien (played by Elizabeth Baur), Murdoch's ward. Teresa explains to the two confused young men that they are half-brothers.

 

On arriving at the ranch, the brothers find out that Lancer is under attack by 'land pirates'. Murdoch offers his sons one-third partnership each in the ranch in exchange for their help in defeating the marauders. Eventually, both brothers agree to the partnership and defeat the high riders. Thus begins the journey of three strangers trying to build a family and a dynasty.

 

Lancer lives on today through its many fans, web sites and fan fiction across the internet. For more about Lancer - articles, episode charts, maps, descriptions and lots of pictures from the show, enter TVWestern.com and enjoy the world of Lancer!