My Friend Flicka

My Friend Flicka is an American children's Western television series. The series is based on the novel of the same name by Mary O'Hara and the 1943 film My Friend Flicka by 20th Century Fox. It was one of the first television series produced by TCF Television Productions (later 20th Century Fox Television and 20th Television). Though filmed in color, it was originally shown on CBS in black-and-white from February 10, 1956 until May 18, 1958. Only one season was produced, but was broadcast in syndicated reruns for many years, starting in September 1957 on NBC. Synopsis The series takes place around 1900 on the fictional Goose Bar Ranch near Coulee Springs, Wyoming. Gene Evans played horse rancher Rob McLaughlin, Anita Louise was his wife Nell McLaughlin, and Johnny Washbrook played their son Ken. Frank Ferguson was their ranch hand Gus Broeberg, and Pamela Beaird had a recurring role as Hildy Broeberg, the niece of Gus. Stories dealt with the struggles of earning a living as a rancher, and problems that neighbors and friends encountered. Each adventure centered around young Ken and his horse Flicka. Sometimes Ken's wrong choices caused problems, but the series taught the importance of learning from your mistakes. Rob would tell the youngster: "You did what you thought was right son, and that's the important thing". Production Interior shots were filmed on the old William Fox Motion Pictures Studio, and exterior locations were at the 20th Century Fox Movie Ranch, which is now part of Malibu Creek State Park. The series had higher-than-average production costs, with the finest camera work and other technical attributes. At a time when most viewers owned black-and-white televisions My Friend Flicka was filmed in color, though it was originally broadcast in black-and-white.