Rango is an inept, bumbling Texas Ranger in the Old West[2][3][4] who has been assigned to the supply room at the quietest post the Rangers have, Deep Wells Ranger Station, so as to keep him from creating unnecessary trouble.[3] He seems to bring his own trouble with him, however, as after his arrival, crime suddenly returns to the Deep Wells area, a place that had seen very little of it during the previous 20 years.[3]
Rango's assistant in the supply room is Pink Cloud,[2][3] an overly assimilated American Indian who is very fond of the ways of the white people and prefers reading a book in a comfortable bed to living the traditional life of a Plains Indian.[3] Pink Cloud's command of the English language is generally better than those of the white people around him;[3] for example, in one episode, he says, "Rango say him return when sun high over teepee. By that, I presume he meant that he would be back by noon."[3]
Also at the Deep Wells Ranger Station is Captain Horton, Rango's long-suffering company commander.[2][3] Horton wants to transfer Rango out of Deep Wells, but cannot because Rango's father is the head of the Texas Rangers.[3]
Tim Conway previously starred in McHale's Navy from 1962 to 1966 and in two theatrical films spun off from the series, McHale's Navy in 1964 and McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force in 1965. Rango was the first of several unsuccessful attempts at giving Conway a starring role in a situation comedy of his own.
TV Guide ranked the series number 47 on its "TV Guide′s 50 Worst Shows of All Time" list in 2002.[6]
Broadcast history
Rango premiered on ABC on January 13, 1967.[2][3] It lasted only half a season, and its 17th and final new episode aired on May 5, 1967.[4] Reruns of Rango then aired during its regular time slot until September 1, 1967.[2][3] The show was broadcast at 9:00 pm on Friday throughout its run.[3][4]
Rango believes he has reformed an outlaw, but is unaware that the outlaw's gang plans to steal a gold shipment. Guest stars: Paul Richards and Robert Strauss
While trying to play the role of a detective, Rango finds two prime suspects from a gun-running gang. Guest stars: John Harmon, and Paul Mantee
6
"What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing Holding Up a Place Like This?"
Unknown
Unknown
February 17, 1967 (1967-02-17)
After Rango mistakes a female bank robber for the governor's daughter, he unwittingly helps her case the bank she plans to rob. Guest stars: Carolyn Jones, Richard Deacon, Peter Leeds, Ruben Moreno, and Michael Carr
While transporting a female prisoner, Rango mistakes a disguised Captain Horton for a member of her gang. Guest stars: Myrna Fahey and William Mims
11
"Viva Rango"
Unknown
Unknown
March 24, 1967 (1967-03-24)
Rango is lovesick, and a little white lie leads to big trouble when he is ordered to guard his girlfriend's jewels. Guest stars: Vito Scotti and Toian Matchinga
After Rango jails two robbers, they secretly tunnel from their jail cell to a safe next door. Guest stars: Tom Stern, Martin West, Don Gazzaniga, Herbie Faye, and Barry Kelley
16
"You Can't Scalp a Bald Indian"
Unknown
Unknown
April 28, 1967 (1967-04-28)
Rango impersonates an Indian to capture Chief Angry Bear, but complications ensure when Angry Bear's daughter decides she wants to marry Rango. Guest stars: Anthony Caruso, and Muriel Landers
17
"The Rustlers"
Unknown
Unknown
May 5, 1967 (1967-05-05)
Rango tries to prove a family of sheepherders is really a gang of rustlers. Guest stars: Ellen Corby and Walter Burke
^ abcdeMcNeil, Alex, Total Television: The Comprehensive Guide to Programming From 1948 to the Present, Fourth Edition, New York: Penguin Books, 1996, ISBN0 14 02 4916 8, p. 683.
^ abcdefghijklmBrooks, Tim, and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime-Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–present (Sixth Edition), New York: Ballantine Books, 1995, ISBN0-345-39736-3, p. 853.
