Yancy Derringer (Jock Mahoney), an ex-Confederate soldier turned gambler, was a suave lady’s man in New Orleans, Louisiana. In reality, he was working for John Colton, the civil administrator of the city. Yancy’s job was to prevent crime and if necessary, arrest the culprits. His constant companion was Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah (X Brands) an Indian who watches Yancy’s back.It should be noted that Yancy’s last name is “Derringer” whereas the famous small pistol was named for its inventor, Henry Deringer Jr. Yancy points out the difference in spelling and states there is no relationship between the family named Derringer and the family named Deringer in at least two different episodes.
Sharp eyed viewers may notice that Jock Mahoney favored moccasins or other footwear without heels. In some shows he can be seen to be wearing boxer’s shoes that lace up from the toes to the high top. With Mahoney being exceptionally tall he didn’t need boots with very tall heels like short actors like Robert Conrad did in his western series, Wild Wild West.
The owner of a riverboat named the Sultana and a family plantation, The Waverly, Derringer is a Southern aristocrat seemingly devoted to gambling, but in reality he is a secret agent authorized to help maintain law and order and justice in the city by any means that may become necessary.
His constant companion is Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah, a fierce Pawnee Indian who communicates with Yancy only by hand gestures, and appears ready at a moment’s notice to use the shotgun that he always carries. Yancy’s weapons of choice are a Sharp’s four-barrel Derringer carried in his hat, another in his vest and a rapier in his cane. The beautiful Madame Francine, Frances Bergen, is the proprietor of the Sazarac, a famous New Orleans private gambling house and is Yancy’s love interest in the series.
As Yancy and Pahoo make their way through the gambling casinos, riverboats and picturesque streets of New Orleans, they cross paths with rogues, aristocrats, sinners and saints, always ready to thwart crime and help the helpless.
Character to watch: Jock Mahoney as Yancy Derringer.
Journal your answers to the following questions after you watch the series.
- How does this particular character’s journey compare with yours?
- Did the character develop certain characteristics during the movie that you have or that you would like to have? If so, what are those characteristics?
- What obstacles did this character face? What was his or her biggest challenge?
- What would you have done differently if you had been in the same position as the character?
- Is this character the type of person you would be friends with? Why or why not?