Henry Darrow To Attend The High Chaparral Reunion in Tucson

March 10, 2014 - PRLog -- The High Chaparral Reunion has announced that Henry Darrow, who played dashing Manolito Montoya on the series, will be joining other cast and crew at the annual gathering at Casino del Sol Resort March 20-23 in Tucson, Ariz.  Event Project Manager Penny McQueen said, “We’re very excited Henry is attending again this year.  Manolito is a highly popular member of the show and those coming will be thrilled to have a chance to meet Henry and hear how he brought his character to life.”

Darrow played the rascally womanizing brother-in-law to Big John Cannon (played by Leif Erickson) during the entire series which aired from 1967 to 1971.  He and Cameron Mitchell, who played Big John’s brother Buck, were famous for their humorous antics and close friendship on the show.  He is also noted for his comical arguments with sister Victoria (played by Linda Cristal), Big John’s wife.

In some of his other works, the award-winning Darrow donned the persona of Zorro in “Zorro and Son” with co-star Paul Regina in 1983, and he played Zorro’s father, Don Alejandro, in the Family Channel’s “The New Zorro” from 1990 to 1994.  He recently released his autobiography, “Henry Darrow:  Lightning in the Bottle,” with co-author Jan Pippins in 2012.

The High Chaparral Reunion will also feature cast members Don Collier (Sam Butler), who will present “Confessions of an Acting Cowboy;” Rudy Ramos (Wind), who will premier his one-man play, “Geronimo, Life on the Reservation;” Kent McCray, the show’s production manager and wife Susan McCray, casting who will each do a presentation;  stuntman Neil Summers (Longmire);  actor Stan Ivar (Little House on the Prairie:  A New Beginning); and Western film author Boyd Magers.

The High Chaparral aired on NBC television from Sept. 10, 1967 to Mar. 13, 1971.  In addition to Darrow, Collier, Ramos, Erickson, Mitchell and Cristal, the show also starred Mark Slade as Blue Boy. Other cast members included Bob Hoy as Joe Butler, Rudólfo Acosta as Vaquero, Roberto Contreras as Pedro, Ted Markham as Reno and Jerry Summers as Ira Bean.  Susan McCray’s father, Oscar-winning composer Harry Sukman, orchestrated the show’s music.

The High Chaparral is historic because it promoted Latino and other minority actors during the height of the Civil Rights movement, a time when many acting opportunities weren’t open to them.  The show is currently being shown in syndication on the ISPN channel.

McQueen says there will also be a Sponsors’ Dinner and show featuring the award-winning music of the show’s composer, Harry Sukman, as played by special guest musicians, The Vinnie Falcone Trio. The Reunion also coincides with Old Tucson’s Wild West days where many of the show’s exteriors were shot.