If you haven’t gotten a chance to see Mackintosh & T.J., look for it on Amazon.com or on your late-night channels. It is a wonderful film (not that I’m prejudiced). Here are excerpts from the review Rex Reed did on the film when it came out in 1976, and he was a tough critic!
Roy Rogers, a movie legend who still lives in the hearts of little boys like me, has come out of retirement to make this heartwarming, lyrical toast to the New West. He’s exchanged his horse Trigger for a Ford pickup, and wife Dale Evans has been replaced by a shelf of the world’s great books. The Republic backlot has turned into the real West, with the peppermint mesas and cobalt-blue skies of the Texas panhandle serving as a panoramic backdrop for an affectionate yarn about a dusty cowpoke of yesterday and his bracing friendship with a cocky would-be delinquent of tomorrow.
The film is weak in some of the narrative essentials–plot and conflict–but it has a nice, easy way of defining and developing character. There’s homespun music by Waylon Jennings, magnificent cinematography, and a sweet gingham softness to the way real people in a still-rough area of America are shown, without Hollywood sensationalism.
Time has been good to Roy Rogers. He’s in perfect physical shape and has developed into a genuine, deeply moving actor in his autumn years. The film, like the man, is full of good, healthy thoughts. It’s the best American Western since Will Penny, offbeat and thoroughly satisfying.
How’s that for a great review?!!!
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Hi Cheryl. I got the Macintosh and tj movie from Tim Penland the producer a couple of years ago. Amazons DVD I ordered was not viewable and determined as I was I found Tim Penland online and emailed him. He was so gracious and I asked him if I could buy a copy and he said yes. He also sent a very nice letter with it about working with your dad. I was pretty happy about it all. Nice man. Thanks for the emails and may your day be filled with happy. Joyce Ann
Hi Cheryl, I’ve seen Mackintosh and TJ when it came out. It was good to see your dad again. I’m still watching him on CD’s and youtube. That is where I found your interview and your website.
Saw his very last movie in 1975 with my youngest brother. We rode our bikes for miles to the Seminole Mall in Seminole FL (St. Pete Metro Area). It was based in modern times and in my opinion was his best movie. I’ve never seen it again anywhere. I would sire like to find a DVD of it. VHS on Amazon is almost $200.00. It was my only experience seeing a Roy Roger film in a theater. Loved him an your Mom on TV. Hearts of gold.
The producer of this film recently passed away. RIP Roy Tim Penland.. you can go to his website before it is closed. His family is selling the last 40 DVD’s left. Hurry!
http://penlandproductionsinc.com/
When I came to California in 1964, the U. S. Census Bureau says California was a little over 18.15 million people, now it’s over 40 million!!! Things have sure changed over the years. It must have been a really beatiful site in California in the twenties and thirties and during the early years of your Dad’s career even though it was tough for him and others to make a living and keep bread on the table. The air must have been clear and clean and give breathtaking sights of the mountain ranges back then, when your Dad was picking peaches and just starting his singing career in 1931.
About 6 or 7 years ago, I and my Hungarian wife, visited your Mom and Dad’s graves in the Apple Valley area. People say “the good old days” but, sigh – I truly think they were better then. I missed the WWII and was born at the tail end of it, so I grew up when the country was just blooming and booming AFTER WWII, and we were watching your Dad and Mom on our new black & white TV around from 1951 to 1957, when they had a half-hour western drama titled The Roy Rogers Show. It was always a corny simplistic “good versus evil” plot, but “boy” we kids sure liked it a lot, and when we were in the second grade we used to use our pointed fingers as guns to shoot at each other and take turn playing your Dad or the bad guy on the playground in the first and second grades. LOL! If we had a set of cap guns like your Dad had on TV with real holsters, we were really in “hog heaven” and our dreams had come true at Christmas time! Odd how those things mean so much to kids when they are kids and at that age.
But — the one thing that can be said with certainty, — your parents weren’t perfect – but they were about as close to being perfect as anyone gets here on earth, – in so far as I know anything about them. — and considering their past fame and fortune – that’s really saying something and is a merit and testimony to their lives!!! Long live their memories! – and may God bless you and all your siblings’ who follow in their footsteps. 🙂 David Wells – Fresno, Calif.
while the movie is not available on Amazon or broadcast TV – it can be found at mackintoshandtj.com
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Thanks for the information, Chris. All you Roy Rogers fans out there, this is a really good movie and I hope that you will have a chance to see it.
Happy trails, Cheryl
I was a very young age as i was born in 69 but i lived in Matador Tx when and where part of this movie was filmed it was so nice mee t ing Roy i would Love to find a copy of this movie
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You might try Amazon or EBay. I believe that both of the producers of the film have died. The film was pulled from the theaters after just a couple of weeks because the producers sued each other. Now that they have died, I have no idea who has the rights to the film. Cheryl
Hi Cheryl and All,
I’m still running my Dad’s site and selling his DVD’s for $24.95 (this includes shipping) direct thru our Penland Productions website. We do not sell on Ebay or Amazon, so if you find the DVD’s there, they are likely bootleg copies.
If anyone would like one they can email me directly at kristinpenland@gmail.com
Thanks everyone!
Thanks so much for your preservation of Roy’s memories. I was born in 68 and love his movies and all I have read about him. One of the very few people who I believe was real on set and off set. I am saddened I never got to see the museum. He has set my goals as a man and a father. It is a very high bar to strive for. BLESS YOU
Saw the movie when it first came out at a theater in Lubbock, Tx. Worked for the Pitchfork Ranch during the filming, but did not see any of the filming. Spent a Summer in the Half/Dugout that was in the movie after the filming. Would like to find a copy of the movie and watch it again. Thanks
My husband and I saw this movie on our first date. He was in grad school at Baylor and I was teaching outside of Waco. My husband grew up in the part of Texas which is the setting of the movie. I really would like to have a copy of the DVD but haven’t found one. God bless. Jolene Morrison
I recently (May, 2020) purchased this movie through Kristin Penland, the producer’s daughter (see her reply for her email address). She replied to my email quickly, and shipped out the movie to me in a timely manner. Thanks Kristin. I am not only a Roy Rogers fan, but a fan of Clay O’Brien Cooper as well. It’s a very good movie, and worth the price. The chemistry between Roy and Clay worked very well. I was not disappointed.
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I think this is one of DAd’s very best movies. I’m glad you like it too.
Cheryl
Hello All, Is there anyone who was connected with the filming of Mackintosh & T.J. that could answer a few questions about the filming? I live in West Texas and would like to visit some of these places. Thanks! Happy Trails.
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Hi Kim, If you send me a list of what you want to know, I will try to get answers for you. Most of the people who worked on the film have passed but a couple are still this side of the grass. Cheryl
Cheryl, Thanks so much for getting back. Specifically, I’m interested in the very last scene where Mackintosh (Roy) and T.J. are driving off with the ending credits. The highway looks very familiar but I just can’t place it even though I know it was probably shot near the 6666 Ranch. It would be nice if someone knew the exact Texas highway number. Kim.
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Hi Kim, I doubt that I will be able to find someone who knows where that was shot but I will try. Cheryl
I appreciate you trying. 🙂 Happy Trails!
That is highway 70. That scene was shot on the road into Matador, TX. We were on the highway the day that scene was shot. And also the day the town of Matador was where the town shot. Had Roy Rogers Day. The 6666 ranch was where the majority of the film was made, excluding the bar scene that was filmed in Lubbock TX
I was visiting in Dickens when some of the filming was going on. I did not get to go watch any of it, but ever since then I’ve been looking for the movie. I did not remember that it was Roy Rogers starring in it, if I had I probably would of found it sooner. I just kept watching for it to come to the theatre, and never heard more about it. I finally did another search today, and found the movie! I’m anxious to watch it now – hope I can find a way to.
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Macintosh will be on TV this Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8 Eastern, 7 Central, 6 Mountain or 5 PST. It is being shown on INSP or MeTV or? depending on the service you have. Please look on your TV Menu or Guide. The only thing I’m sure of is the time. After that, it will be available on DVD or BluRay after the first of 2021 at Amazon. Happy Trails, Cheryl
Ack! I missed the first 40 minutes of it and really want to see the whole thing. Do you know if it will air again?
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Hi Bonnie, I don’t know if or when it will be on TV again but it will be available for purchase through Amazon after the first of the year.
I’m glad you liked it! I think it is one of Dad’s best performances and a beautiful movie. Cheryl
Dear Cheryl, I visited my 87 year old mother this morning and she was raving about a movie called Macintosh and TJ she saw last night on TV. My mother was raised in that area and she recognized the 6666 Ranch, the landmarks in the movie, and she claimed she even recognized some of the extras in the movie. She was so excited, and said it was one of the best movies she ever saw. Just wanted you to know how much she enjoyed it.
I recorded it to watch on a dvr and it was accidently deleted when I went to watch it today. I am glad it will be available after the first of the year.
Thank you Cheryl, for existing — I see the photos of, not so long ago, — and remember the quality of goodness.
I think it’s the road between Dickens and Matador.
I saw Macintosh and TJ last Saturday night on TV. I don’t think I have never heard of the movie before then. Growing up in the 50’s we knew that Roy Rogers was King of the Cowboys, but I was in my early twenties in 1975, I was doing other things when the movie came out. I was very surprised to see his name in the opening credits, it really blew me away. I really like the character he played, a modern cowboy, and true to his good moral character of his older movies and his personal life. It was a very good movie and I hope they show it again on TV. It has added a new deminsion to my image of Roy Rogers.
Dear Cheryl,
Recently had the pleasure of watching Macintosh and TJ – what a delightful movie! I’m so grateful that the dvd will be available for purchase, just wish it would be in time for Christmas. My brother is a die-hard Roy Rogers & Dale Evans fan and I wanted to get give him this movie for Christmas since he’s never seen it. Can hardly wait to surprise him! BTW, I was blessed to have a chance – twice – to visit the museum in Victorville. Those are memories I will cherish forever. Love your website! Best regards, Cindy White
I would like to buy the dvd
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My understanding is that the DVD will be available on Amazon after the first of the year.
Cheryl
Love your dad dearly. I want this movie. but I want to know where I can find all of your dad’s movies.
Love this movie! I stumbled across this after I heard James Hampton passed and I was looking for a film to watch in his honor. I saw this and something told me it was good and boy was it. I can’t stop watching it because it gets better every time. It’s so well done in every way from the casting to the acting to direction to the soundtrack to the stunts to the story and the dialogue and the character development. A good example of character development is how you find out the Peeping Tom is actually a good guy that is key to the plot. Every frame of this film has meaning and made me care and want to know more about the main characters and it left me imagining these two finding happiness in the ups and downs of taking care of each other in the future. I can’t say enough about this move. I wish there were more like it.
I just watched this wonderful film last night, on the new blu-ray that came out this past Tuesday. The new HD transfer looks great, and it was such a treat to see Roy in his final film. I hope it sells well.
I’m presently watching McIntosh and TJ and in the scene where McIntosh was putting his things out on the chest , he had a picture frame of “his wife and child”. was that a real picture of Dale Evens ?
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No, that wasn’t a picture of Mom or any of us kids.
Cheryl
For whatever reason, this movie came up in my suggested list on YouTube recently and while I’m not a hardcore cowboy movie fan, I do enjoy watching movies from the period. So, I gave it a chance and what a great movie. I remembered the younger actor from an episode of Little House on the Prairie (he was one of Laura Ingalls’ crushes.) I was also really impressed by your father’s performance. And the cinematography was excellent. The first thing that occurred to me after watching it, was that it would have made a great TV series, following their trek around the US to the Pacific Ocean.
Best regards,
Dean
I grew up watching Roy and later Dale in early films and on TV. I just watched Mac&TJ tonight on Peacock but don’t how long they will be showing it. It is well done and I enjoyed the film so much. Roy’s performance was excellent – a real professional.
We all grew up wanting to be Roy. My mother even called her broom Trigger.
Postscript:
Someone mentioned James Hampton performance in Mac&TJ. I alway enjoyed his roles is so many entertains films and TV shows. I ran into James at the Ft. Smith Arkansas Airport around 1970. We both had a long wait in that small airport and had time for a good visit. He was on his way to some new project. A fine man and an excellent actor.