The Monroes (1966–1967) User Reviews

The Kids Stand Their Ground

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 25 January 2009]

The Monroes was an unfortunately short lived series that never found its audience in the year it was on television. My guess is the expense of shooting the show completely on location in Wyoming was a factor in its cancellation.

The Monroe family had homesteaded a piece of ground that was in the middle of a pair of feuding cattle barons. This is reminiscent of the plot of the classic William Wyler western, The Big Country. The barons were the British Liam Sullivan, a very proper English gentleman, but who was rich and employed people who made sure he got his way. And the other group was headed by Robert Middleton who was a self righteous fellow a whole lot like Burl Ives from The Big Country.

There was no organized law around, these two guys made the law wherever their territory was. Adding to that was that The Monroes were orphans. Eldest son Michael Anderson, Jr. and eldest daughter Barbara Hershey barely teens themselves try to keep their younger siblings Keith and Kevin Schultz and Tammy Locke together as a unit. If this was civilization, they'd have been dumped on some relative or sent off to an orphanage.

Both Sullivan and Middleton would love to buy them out, but the kids stand their ground and attempt to make a home in the wilderness. The Monroes was a beautifully photographed family show and it was unfortunate it wasn't given more of a chance.

Dog's name was Snow

[michaeldouglas1 · 8/10 · 19 February 2015]

Underrated TV western that sadly only lasted a season. The sweeping vistas on location in the Grand Teton National Park were memorable. Nice theme song by David Rose, who would later do "Little House on the Prarie". Michael Anderson and Barbara Hershey were creditable as the older siblings, while the younger ones were thankfully un-precocious! All and all among the more realistic westerns of the era. One of the twins, Kevin Schultz, would go on to portray Tom Sawyer in live action/cartoon "New Adventures of Huck Finn" later in the 1960s. My folks loved the big white Great Pyrenees dog so much that our next dog was a Great Pyrenees! In answer to an earlier reviewer, the dog's name was Snow.

In Wyoming of the 1870s, a family struggles to build a home.

[bertkauf · 8/10 · 18 June 2007]

Beware: the premise for the series is in it own way a spoiler. If you are lucky enough to be able to view it, do so rather than reading on.

Filmed on location, "The Monroes" centers on five orphaned siblings trying to fulfill the dreams of their parents to build a homestead in the Wyoming Territory circa 1875. In the opening episode, the parents drown in a river crossing. The children, ages 18 to 6 must decide whether to proceed or turn back. They proceed with the help of a renegade Indian against the elements of Wyoming in general and a greedy British cattle baron specifically.

I remember the series with great fondness. Unfortunately it didn't seem to find its audience and lasted only one season. As much drama as western, it focused on the hard decisions of the older siblings forced prematurely into responsibility. The show was well acted, most notably by Barbara Hershey, memorable as the older sister Kathy Monroe.

My short TV career

[genes-2 · 21 April 2005]

As a young man growing up in Jackson Hole I had the privilege of working as a stunt double, stand-in for one of the Schultz twins on the TV show "The Monroes". My cousin provided the horses for the show and got me the job for the summer. My favorite person on the set was Ben Johnson who played the one armed cowboy Sleeve. He played football with us kids and was very kind to us when we were treated mostly as invisible or in the way by the other stars especially Barbara Hershey who was a perfect snob. In nearly all of the episodes when you see one of the twins from the back or from far away or in any rough action that is really me.

I Was A Stunt- Rider

[tom-182-849489 · 10/10 · 13 January 2019]

My family produced a weekly rodeo in Jackson the summer of 1966. I was 20 years old and had just finished a successful season attending college on a rodeo scholarship. One of the stars of The Monroes was Ben Johnson who, in 1953, as a professional cowboy won the world calf roping championship! Ben Johnson and I became acquainted and he introduced me to Jack Sonntag, the production manager of The Monroes who hired me as an extra to ride horses. I was given one, short speaking part coupled with a stunt which involved my getting shot off of my horse in the middle of the creek. All in all, it was a fun summer in Jackson Hole Wyoming, rodeoing on the weekends and making movies during the week. Two years ago I discovered that the Monroe series was available on DVD and of course I ordered it but I was disappointed with the quality of the DVD; they are way too dark. My grandkids watch the videos and think it's neat for their old grandpa to be in-the-movies.

Dog's name

[aussiebrum · 8/10 · 13 May 2009]

I used to love this series. The Monroe family had a beautiful white dog. I think it was a Pyrenean Mountain Dog. I can't see any credits for the dog in the cast. Does anyone remember the name of the dog? I can't remember the theme, but I'm sure it had a lovely theme too. I'd love to see this back on TV. The episode that I remember most was one about a "monster" that Jim the Indian called "kinkajou" or "carcajou"? (I can't quite remember now, but I was only about 11 when I saw this series.) It ended up that the "monster" was a wolverine. I loved all the episodes, and loved the idea of living in a log cabin. Does anyone know if this series ever screens on any of the cable channels? Or if it's for sale as a series? I'm only asking lots of questions now because IMDb has a "10 line minimum submission" rule. IMHO it must put a lot of people off from submitting a comment!

The Monroes

[roygarton-fl · 6/10 · 23 December 2006]

Lived in the little town of Jackson, Wyoming at the time they shot this series here. They filmed this series mostly in Grand Teton National Park until the weather got too cold in the late fall and then they went back to LA and rebuilt the cabin set on a sound stage which you could easily tell. The location shots had a wide view of the Teton range with few trees and the interior sets had all these trees with a painted vista of the Tetons. That is also when the ratings went downhill on the latter episodes and ABC axed this show. It was quite neat to see the major guest stars fly in and out of Jackson and Barbra Hershey was actually very cordial. The little Twins on the series were cute as well. Anyway a good western.

James Westmoreland/Ruel Jaxon

[janmckellogg · 10/10 · 16 February 2019]

A wonderful series! A beautiful theme song by David Rose, gorgeous scenery and great characters portrayed by Ron Soble, Ben Johnson and Liam Sullivan. However, the only reason I feel in love with this series was the incredibly handome James Westmoreland who portrayed Ruel Jaxon ( a fabulous cowboy name!), who is one of Major Mapoy's ranch hands. I was thirteen years old and I made sure I never missed an episode. I wrote Mr. Westmoreland a fan letter and he graciously set me a glossy 9 x 11 photograph and a very kind note thanking me for taking the time to write him a letter and for appreciating his performances on The Monroes. Both items were personally written to me and autographed. Over fifty years later, I still treasure these items. Purchased the DVD set and I am enjoying it as much as I did many years ago. Very enjoyable! Would love to see more programs like this back on the air

Great Show For All Ages- so glad it is available now on DVD!

[tikva274 · 10/10 · 10 October 2014]

This show was broadcast before I was born, but I am so glad to have it available now on DVD! It is the type of entertaining, wholesome, quality show that I wish were still being made today. The story lines are interesting for all ages, and there is nothing offensive to screen out for younger children. My children have been enjoying playing the Oregon Trail (5th edition) computer game- they really love all the choices, options, and repercussions of those choices! I believe playing that game is helping them to make wiser choices in life, as well as making history very interesting. They have really been eating up anything we can find on the subject of the Oregon Trail, so it's been a great opportunity for history to come alive. We have also enjoyed the movie Seven Alone and Oregon Trail shows on PBS. There is another 1 or 2 season TV show, I believe from the 70s, called Oregon Trail- we are ordering that soon. I highly recommend you get a set of these dvds and gather your family around the "hearth" to enjoy them! I know of several who had trouble finding it, but I got mine from http://www.ioffer.com/i/the-monroes-TV- western-largest-set-168237887, and am so glad I did!

Hello

[amyk479 · 9/10 · 11 April 2005]

Just had to Comment.

Well I wanted to say that this show was on the air when I was conceived, and my Mama just loved the little redhead girl Amy played by Tammy Locke, so much so she named me after her. I finally got to see an episode a few years back on the Western Channel and when I looked it up on here actually got to see a picture of Tammy Locke. Gotta Love the internet it made my day. Thanks to all who make this site possible. Keep up the good work, I've book marked your site and I use it often. Maybe some day I will be able to make a few user comments on movies I've seen and help others choose what to watch.

Wonderful

[moirazollinger · 14 April 2006]

I was only ten/eleven, but remember this series as though it was yesterday. I think any girl my age at the time would have loved to be one of the Monroe family. It never occurred to me that they would have a hard life! It was a very romantic adventure and it was a shame it didn't last longer. I loved this brilliant series and will never forget it as one of my childhood loves.

If course at ten, I was deeply in love with Michael Anderson Jr. and Barbara Hershey has always been one of my favourite actresses, although even as I watched Hannah and her Sisters, I still associated her with the Monroes!

Terrific story!

[marymillikin · 10/10 · 3 April 2021]

I enjoyed this program back in the sixties and just purchased the remastered version from Amazon. I am amazed. Every episode is gripping. The stories of survival, coping with wild animals and both friendly and unfriendly Indians, and good and bad people, kept me on the edge of my seat. The fact that many of my favorite actors, including Ben Johnson and Barbara Hershey, are in the series, makes it even better. The episode with the wild animal stalking the family is terrifying. I think the best of all is seeing the beautiful Teton Mountains, Jackson Lake and Jenny Lake in every episode. The music is great, but the dialogue is a bit difficult to hear unless the volume is turned up. I recommend this series wholeheartedly.

Great series for the family

[jeffbass-163-626228 · 10/10 · 21 December 2017]

Although it started tragically, the series is an inspirational one with plenty of excitement, beauty and life lessons. Just so people know it is now available on DVD. I bought it and I'm happy to say it's still fun to watch even as an adult. They take in an Indian friend whom helps save their daughter from an illness and earns their trust after first seeming like a threat. I was sad when it went off the air because it was one of the few shows that I would NEVER miss. The network should have stuck with it because many series don't get traction until the second year (Seinfeld, Family Guy, Simpsons). It's a shame that there just aren't any good family programs on now that kids can watch without getting brainwashed by Hollywood's political correctness. This series teaches family, standing up for yourself, treat others fairly, and fight for what is yours.

Liam Sullivan, Major Mapoy

[decollete · 11 February 2001]

I was 12 years old when the series aired (was it really only one season?) but I have kept a special place in my heart for Liam Sullivan. He was so much more of a man than those boys, Clayt Monroe (Michael Anderson Jr) and John "Brad" Bradford (Buck Taylor). Sullivan managed to take a small, supporting role and create a full-bodied character. He was a great actor.

30+ years ago, Barbara had talent!

[cayhec · 28 September 1999]

My generation, I actually remember and liked "The Monroes", glad she got out of the sea gull stuff,

Look forward to seeing her on Chicago Hope. Is she the new "stong woman"? It'll be hard to top Christine Lahti, I'll watch just to see Barbara.