My Friend Flicka (1955)
Synopsis
My Friend Flicka is a 39-episode western television series set at the fictitious Goose Bar Ranch in Wyoming at the turn of the 20th century. The program was filmed in color but initially aired in black and white on CBS at 7:30 p.m. Fridays from February 10, 1956, to February 1, 1957. It was a mid-season replacement for Gene Autry's The Adventures of Champion. Both series, however failed in the ratings against ABC's The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. After the initial Friday airing, viewers could still find the series on CBS Saturdays at 7 p.m. Eastern during March 1957, on Sundays at 6 p.m. from April to May 1957, and on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. from June to August 1957. NBC carried the program in color at 6:30 p.m. Sunday from September to December 1957 and at 7 p.m. Sunday from January to May 1958. In subsequent years, the series aired mostly on Saturday mornings on all networks. The Disney Channel ran it on Monday evenings in the mid-1980s. Over the years many viewers were unaware that the series produced episodes for only a single season. My Friend Flicka starred native Canadian Johnny Washbrook as Ken McLaughlin, a boy devoted to his horse Flicka, Swedish for "little girl", but actually an Arabian sorrel named Wahana. Gene Evans played the authoritarian father Rob McLaughlin, a former U.S. Army cavalry officer. Anita Louise was cast as the gentle-spirited mother, Nell. Frank Ferguson portrayed Gus Broeberg, the loyal ranch hand. Flicka is based on a novel by Mary O'Hara, written at the Remount Ranch, located between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Some Internet sites say that the series is set in Montana, where some of the filming was done. The majority of the filming, however, was at Fox Movie Ranch. My Friend Flicka holds the distinction of having been the first television series filmed by 20th Century Fox. A 1943 film, My Friend Flicka, starred Roddy McDowall as Ken.
Network
CBS
Episodes
One Man's Horse
Flicka is stolen when Ken discovers an outlaw's identity.
Blind Faith
When Flicka is accidentally hit by a hunter's bullet, Ken begs the hunter, who is also a surgeon, to operate on the horse.
A Case Of Honor
A sheep herder moves into the valley and argues with the cattle ranchers over grazing land rights.
A Good Deed
Ken, Flicka, and a young colt try to help a crippled boy overcome his fear of horses.
Cavalry Horse
Sgt Tim O'Gara discovers that his old horse may be put to sleep.
The Accident
After a riding accident leaves Ken immobile, a stalking cougar meets him face to face.
The Stranger
A wounded, escaped prisoner captures Ken and forces him to help with the getaway.
The Wild Horse
After refusing to sell Flicka to some strangers, Ken's horse mysteriously disappears.
Rogue Stallion
When a captured stallion attacks its captor, Flicka is blamed for the deed.
The Little Secret
When an Indian girl leaves Ken with her sick papoose, Ken almost ends up in the middle of an Indian revolt.
Act Of Loyalty
When Flicka helps an escaped fugitive, Ken is accused of assisting.
The Silver Saddle
Ken is accused of allowing a horse to escape to eliminate Flicka's competition for a silver saddle.
The Phantom Herd
Rob decides to sell his ranch when all of his horses escape from the corral.
The Little Visitor
While visiting the McLaughlin ranch, a spoiled city boy learns an important lesson.
The Golden Promise
When Ken and Gus neglect their gold hunting duties, Rob fractures his leg trying to handle the ranch alone.
Black Dust
A mine construction crew threatens livestock by contaminating water and blocking mountain pastures.
The Night Rider
Ken and Flicka unearth an old murder mystery involving a ghostly rider.
The Settler
When a man's horse bolts, the McLaughlins offer him and his family shelter.
Wind From Heaven
Even though Ken's father and the rest of the ranchers are at war with a family of nesters, Ken befriends one of the youngsters.
The Whip
When a wild stallion injures his trainer, Ken takes over.
The Runaways
Flicka and Rebel, a wild stallion, disappear from Rob's corral.
The Cameraman
When a cameraman attempts to photograph a herd of wild horses, the horses turn and stampede in his direction.
Old Danny
McLaughlin's niece runs away with a dog, when the neighbor blames the dog for killing chickens and threatens to get rid of it.
Rough And Ready
Ken unknowingly saves his father's grazing land, by helping a fellow fisherman land a big catch.
The Royal Carriage
While stopping by to pick up parts for his family's carriage, Ken discovers a beautiful royal carriage at the blacksmith's shop.
Mister Goblin
After finding a white colt, Ken learns the difficulties of growing up for both people and horses.
Rebels In Hiding
Ken befriends two runaway Indians from a neighboring reservation.
Lock, Stock & Barrel
Settlers move near Ken's father's ranch and try to claim all of his property, including Flicka.
The Unmasking
Ken tries to retrieve stolen horses from a rodeo veteran-turned- horse thief.
Refuge For The Night
While Ken's father is away on business, a cattle rustler visits the ranch.
Against All Odds
Ken finds a puppy in one of his rabbit snares, creating havoc in the McLaughlin home.
The Old Champ
When Ken learns of Rob's decision to join a traveling medicine show, he wages Flicka in a bet that Rob is sure to win.
The Medicine Man
Prejudiced neighbors interfere when Ken asks a young Indian doctor to treat his ill mother.
When Bugles Blow
After listening to the stories of his old cavalry buddy, Rob considers re-enlistening in the Army.
The Recluse
Ken and two boys learn about kindness from an old woman they thought was a witch.
The Foundlings
Ken rebels against his father by running away, but regrets it after me meets two young orphans.
Growing Pains
Ken's father purchases a prize bull and a young girl visits the ranch.
Lost River
The Mclaughlin ranch is on water rationing. Rob buys a horse from a horse trader. The horse is suppose to be bad luck because of his markings on the face. Rob's new well is dry. The horse is not bad luck, he finds water.
Big Red
Rob and Ken must find a valuable show horse that has fled from a fire.
Cast
Details
Original Title
My Friend Flicka
Status
Ended
Seasons
1
Episodes
39
Production
TCF Television Productions
