Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion is a made-for-TV movie starring Leif Garrett, Milo O'Shea, Bibi Besch, John Quade, and Ann Doran which aired November 6, 1977, on NBC. Brad Rearden, Mitchell Ryan, John Anderson, Charles Tyner, Ned Romero, Jimmy Lydon, Phil Mead, Bill Hicks, and Robert Tzudiker have supporting roles.
The film is based on the novel San Domingo, The Medicine Hat Stallion by Newbery Medal award winner Marguerite Henry. The film was developed and produced by Ed Friendly and directed by Michael O'Herlihy from a teleplay by Jack Turley. In 1978 Peter Lundy was awarded the Bronze Wrangler for Outstanding Western Fictional Television Program by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum."Heritage Award". News Record, March 10, 1977.
Plot Peter Lundy (Leif Garrett) is a 15-year-old boy growing up in pre-Civil War Nebraska Territory with his father Jethro (Mitchell Ryan), mother Emily (Bibi Besch), and Grandma Lundy (Ann Doran). Peter resents the tyrannical way his father treats him and hates the bleak life at their prairie trading post. He raises a foal that was left at the trading post as a payment until it becomes old enough to ride. Peter and his horse then win a job with the Pony Express to carry correspondence and messages between the East and West coasts. It is a rough, hard, and dangerous job but Peter learns what he is made of and earns the respect of his father.
Cast
Leif Garrett as Peter Lundy Milo O'Shea as Brisly Bibi Besch as Emily Lundy John Quade as Adam Ann Doran as Grandma Lundy Brad Rearden as Jim Baxter Mitchell Ryan as Jethro Lundy John Anderson as Alexander Majors Charles Tyner as Lefty Slade Ned Romero as Red Cloud Jimmy Lydon as Muggeridge Phil Mead as Hugo Rummelholf Bill Hicks as Bolivar Roberts Robert Tzudiker as Pee Wee
Production Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion was filmed in New Mexico.
Ratings Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion tied for 442nd with the deciding sixth game of the NBA Finals.
Awards Won Western Heritage Awards Bronze Wrangler (1978) for Fictional Television Drama - Film/Television Ed Friendly (producer) Michael O'Herlihy (director) Jack Turley (writer) Leif Garrett (actor) Milo O'Shea (actor)
Nomination Primetime Emmy Awards (1978) Outstanding Children's Special – Ed Friendly (producer)
Other awards Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence Southern California Motion Picture Council Golden Halo American Humane Society Award for outstanding contribution to the production of a motion picture with animals.
References
Sources
See also Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1972 film)
External links
San Domingo, The Medicine Hat Stallion, Archive.org National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Southern California Motion Picture Council Golden Halo Awards Marguerite Henry New York Times Obituary Ed Friendly's Life and Legacy (littlehouseontheprairie.com)