The High Chaparral is a Western-themed television series which aired on NBC from 1967 to 1971. The show was created by David Dortort, who had previously created the hit Bonanza for the network. The theme song was also written and conducted by Bonanza scorer David Rose.

Cast and characters

The show starred Leif Erickson as "Big" John Cannon, a rancher who lived in the Arizona Territory in the 1870s. He ran the ranch with his brother Buck (Cameron Mitchell) and son Billy (Blue Boy) (Mark Slade). Blue Boy's mother Annalee (Joan Caulfield) was killed in the first episode by an Indian arrow through the window, and to ensure his future, John Cannon courted and later married Victoria (Linda Cristal), the daughter of the powerful Don Sebastián Montoya. His marriage to Victoria Montoya brought her brother Manolito (Henry Darrow) into the picture, and he also came to live with the family. Cameron Mitchell was offered the part of Buck following an airline flight to Tucson where he had sat next to the series originator and his wife.

Among the guest stars were Anthony Caruso, Roberto Contreras, Dennis Cross, John Dehner, Paul Fix, Ron Foster, Ron Hagerthy, Ron Hayes, Myron Healey, Don Keefer, Robert Loggia, Tyler McVey, Ricardo Montalban, Ned Romero, Frank Silvera, Barry Sullivan, Dub Taylor, and Morgan Woodward.