From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Erle C Kenton August 1 1896 January 28 1980 was an American film director He directed 131 films between 1916 and 1957 He was born in Norborne Missouri and died in Glendale California from Parkinsons disease Kenton and Edward Ludwig were the principal directors of the 19581960 CBS television series The Texan starring Rory Calhoun as Bill Longley a Robin Hood of the West who drifts through the region helping persons in need