‘Billy Jack’ Was A Huge Movie Smash Hit And Had A Significant South Dakota Connection

It was released in 1971 and...flopped. There were problems with studio's, with distribution, with money, with...well, just about everything!

But those things got 'cleared up' and the film eventually became a huge hit.

That was the story of 'Billy Jack'.

The movie starred Tom Laughlin in the title role and his real-life wife Delores Taylor as his leading lady in the movie. While critic's generally gave it, uh, less than good reviews, that didn't matter. Audiences loved it and in fact, there were two sequels made.

But what does all that have to do with South Dakota?

Quite a lot, actually. Delores Taylor grew up in Winner, South Dakota and Tom Laughlin met his future-wife at the University of South Dakota in 1953. They were married a year later. And it was they who developed the character we know as 'Billy Jack'.

Tom Laughlin, a Minneapolis, Minnesota native, passed away in 2013 at the age of 82. Delores Taylor is now in her 80's.

Oh, and do you remember the huge musical hit that came out of the movie? Sure you do.