The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang

The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang is a 1979 American Western television film directed by Dan Curtis about the Dalton Gang. It is not entirely accurate, as noted at the film's beginning.^[1]

The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang
Film poster
Written by	Earl W. Wallace
Directed by	Dan Curtis
Starring	Cliff Potts Randy Quaid Larry Wilcox
Narrated by	William Woodson
Theme music composer	Bob Cobert
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producer	Joseph Stern
Cinematography	Frank Stanley
Editor	Dennis Virkler
Running time	142 minutes
Production company	Dan Curtis Productions
Original release
Network	NBC
Release	November 20, 1979 (1979-11-20)

Plot

The film follows the story of the Dalton Gang from their beginnings in Montgomery County, Kansas to their attempt to rob two banks simultaneously in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Main cast

• Cliff Potts as Bob Dalton
• Randy Quaid as Grat Dalton
• Larry Wilcox as Emmett Dalton
• Sharon Farrell as Flo Quick
• Matt Clark as George "Bitter Creek" Newcomb
• Royal Dano as Pa Dalton
• Julie Hill as Julie Williams
• John Karlen as Charlie Powers
• Mills Watson as Bill Dalton
• Elliott Street as Potts
• Terry Kiser as Nafius, the reporter
• Bo Hopkins as Billy Doolin
• John Fitzpatrick as Texas Jack Broadwell
• Eric Lawson as Willie Powers
• Dennis Fimple as Blackface / Charlie Bright
• James Crittenden as Hugh McElhennie
• R. G. Armstrong as Leland Stanford
• Don Collier as Frank Dalton
• Dale Robertson as Judge Isaac C. Parker
• Jack Palance as Will Smith
• Harris Yulin as Jesse James
• Harry Townes as Rev. Johnson
• Jorge Moreno as Archulleta
• Tony Palmer as Stationmaster
• Mitch Carter as Gunfighter
• Don Scarbrough as Clay
• Larry Block as Leroy Keenan
• Bubba Smith as Luther
• Thor Leif Erickson as young Emmet
• Buff Brady as Buffalo Bill
• Dick Autry as Cole Younger
• Dean Smith as Parker Deputy Sheriff

Production

Filming took place in Bronson Canyon, Columbia State Historic Park, Jamestown, and Sonora, California. The railroad scenes were filmed on the Sierra Railroad in Tuolumne County, California.^[2]

Broadcast

The film was aired in a three-hour block at 8:00 p.m. on November 20, 1979.^[3]

Reception

John J. O'Connor of The New York Times complained that the film's three-hour length was "enough to ruin any spice."^[3]