About this season
Brave Eagle is a 26-episode half-hour western television series which aired on CBS from September 28, 1955, to March 14, 1956, with rebroadcasts continuing until June 6. Keith Larsen, who was of Norwegian descent, starred as Brave Eagle, a peaceful young Cheyenne chief. The program was unconventional in that it ⁕ reflects the Native American viewpoint in the settlement of the American West and ⁕ was the first series to feature an American Indian as a lead character. Larsen's co-stars were Kim Winona, a Sioux Indian, as Morning Star, Brave Eagle's romantic interest; Anthony Numkena of Arizona, a Hopi Indian then using the stage name Keena Nomkeena, appeared as Keena, the adopted son of Brave Eagle; Pat Hogan as Black Cloud, and Bert Wheeler of the comedy team Wheeler & Woolsey, as the halfbreed Smokey Joe, full of tribal tall tales but accompanying wisdom. The episodes center upon routine activities among the Cheyenne, clashes with other tribes, attempts to prevent war, encroachment from white settlers, racial prejudice, and a threat of smallpox.
Episodes (26)
1. Blood Brother
Aired 28 September 1955 • 30 min
Keena saves the life of a young Cree brave and, in the Indian tradition, becomes his blood brother. Not long afterward Keena is taken gravely ill, and he learns the wisdom of this old tradition.
2. Cry of the Heron
Aired 5 October 1955 • 30 min
An innocent joke starts a chain of events that may lead to war between the Cheyenne and the Blackfeet if Brave Eagle can't put a stop to it.
3. Treachery at At-Ta-Tu
Aired 12 October 1955 • 30 min
4. Gold of Haunted Mountain
Aired 19 October 1955 • 30 min
5. Search for the Sun
Aired 26 October 1955 • 30 min
6. Moonfire
Aired 2 November 1955 • 30 min
A stubborn young white girl who is staying at Brave Eagle's village refuses to leave with her uncle, a cavalry officer. The uncle believes she is being held against her will and determines to "rescue" her. In order to avert a war, Brave Eagle must resolve the situation.
7. Mask of the Manitou
Aired 9 November 1955 • 30 min
8. The Flight
Aired 16 November 1955 • 30 min
9. Code of a Chief
Aired 23 November 1955 • 30 min
10. Face of Fear
Aired 30 November 1955 • 30 min
11. Voice of the Serpent
Aired 7 December 1955 • 30 min
12. Shield of Honor
Aired 14 December 1955 • 30 min
13. The Challenge
Aired 21 December 1955 • 30 min
Chief Brave Eagle is challenged by a warrior who wants to take his position as chief--in a fight to the death.
14. Medicine Drums
Aired 28 December 1955 • 30 min
15. The Spirit of Hidden Valley
Aired 4 January 1956 • 30 min
16. Papoose
Aired 11 January 1956 • 30 min
17. The Storm Pool
Aired 18 January 1956 • 30 min
18. The Gentle Warrior
Aired 25 January 1956 • 30 min
19. The Strange Animal
Aired 1 February 1956 • 30 min
20. White Medicine Man
Aired 8 February 1956 • 30 min
21. Death Trap
Aired 15 February 1956 • 30 min
22. War Paint
Aired 22 February 1956 • 30 min
Keena, Brave Eagle's adopted son, has defied his father and joined the tribe in an attack on renegade Indians who have attacked a white settlement, and has been captured by the renegades. Brave Eagle sets out to rescue him.
23. Valley of Decision
Aired 29 February 1956 • 30 min
24. Witch Bear
Aired 7 March 1956 • 30 min
25. Trouble at Medicine Creek
Aired 14 March 1956 • 30 min
26. Ambush at Arrow Pass
Aired 21 March 1956 • 30 min