Described as “a moving photo album of ranch life in Texas in the mid-1970s,” “Mackintosh and T.J.” was shot in 1975 on various locations throughout West Texas, including the fabled 6666 Ranch, by Emmy-winning director Marvin J. Chomsky (“Roots,” “Holocaust,” “Inside the Third Reich”).
In 2021 the movie was digitally remastered for Blu-Ray, suitable for streaming, and will be shown Saturday, August 14 at the Palace Theater in Spur.
Veteran screenwriter Paul Savage, best known for his work on such TV series as “Gunsmoke,” “Laramie,” and “The Big Valley,” wrote the movie with Roy Rogers specifically in mind to play the lead role of Mackintosh, a seasoned ranch hand who becomes a father figure for T.J., a homeless youngster, after their paths cross in rural Texas.
T.J. is played by Clay O’Brien Cooper, who dropped his last name while working in film and TV during his 1970s acting career — he also costarred with such notables as John Wayne (“The Cowboys”) and James Garner (“One Little Indian”) — before finding fame and fortune as a real-life cowboy. A seven-time World Champion in team roping, Cooper was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1997.
In 1975 when the movie was filmed, another Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer had a cameo in the flick: five-time World Champion Larry Mahan plays a ranch hand.
Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings contributed music to the soundtrack.
Locals from Dickens and Motley Counties recalled the movie being made in 1975 and shared their remembrances of encounters with Rogers during the filming at locations throughout this area on Facebook, and we have shared them with you here. (See Happy Trails ran through Dickens County, page 1.)
Saturday night at the Palace Theater the fun gets under way at 6 p.m. to make time for bids on Western collectibles at a silent auction. Items will be available for viewing in the lobby during the entire movie, and winners will be announced immediately following the movie.
A special program will be presented during intermission with Dickens County Judge Kevin Brendle as emcee. Festivities include a best western costume contest, adult and youth, and the audience will have a chance to tell their stories about when Hollywood came to Dickens County.
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