For the first time on DVD comes Sergeant Preston of the Yukon: The Complete Season 2. Starring Richard “Dick” Simmons the series had a three year television run opposite the very popular Lone Ranger series. Sergeant Preston’s television run followed a successful beginning as a radio show (under the moniker Challenge of the Yukon) inspired by the Lone Ranger and Green Hornet programs. The plots are centered on Sergeant Preston (a Canadian Mountie) as well as his “wonderdog” and horse as they patrol the Yukon Territory during the Goldrush of the 1890’s.
Throughout the 23 episodes (“In Full Color!”) included here Preston proves himself to be a fair-handed gentlemen, concerned only with safety and the equitable treatment of all men. It’s as idealistic as any superhero series for sure and the use of the animals as actual characters goes a good ways towards separating the show from its then main competition, The Lone Ranger. As with all TV shows of this era, there’s a good bit of cheesiness involved in this series but that just makes it that much more endearing in my opinion. Whether it’s the season opener where Preston captures a sinister duo scamming people into buying mines they themselves goldusted for quick sale or near the end of the season when Preston joins forces with some kids to foil the plans of an evil miner, this show is always on task and truly family friendly.
The only thing that could have made this set nicer would have been some documentary footage so that those of us who are just now being introduced to this delightful series could get up to speed quickly. The show looks fairly good for the time period and the plots hold up well if you are any kind of history buff. If you are looking for something new and you love the classic stories of truth and justice then Sergeant Preston of the Yukon: The Complete Season 2 is exactly what you need.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
