Westerns-OTR

Gunsmoke "Gun Smuggler" (01-30-54)

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:50:26 -0700

Gunsmoke was created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston - The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. The series starred William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Deputy Chester Proudfoot. Doc's first name and Chester's last name were changed for the television program. Gunsmoke was notable for its critically acclaimed cast and writing, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest old time radio shows. Some listeners (such as old time radio expert John Dunning) have argued that the radio version of Gunsmoke was far more realistic than the television program. Episodes were aimed at adults, and featured some of the most explicit content of the day: there were violent crimes and scalpings, massacres and opium addicts. Miss Kitty's occupation as a prostitute was made far more obvious on the radio version than on television. Many episodes ended on a down-note, and villains often got away with their crimes.

THIS EPISODE:
January 30, 1954. CBS network. "Gun Smuggler". Sustaining. The Pawnees have killed a family of homesteaders using guns smuggled to them by a white man. Marshal Dillon, Chester and an Indian scout track the Indians, hoping to find the white gun smuggler. The script was used on the Gunsmoke television series on September 27, 1958. William Conrad, Georgia Ellis, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Barney Phillips, Jack Edwards, Norman Macdonnell (director), Rex Koury (composer, conductor), Howard McNear, George Walsh (announcer), John Meston (writer). 24:43.

Fort Laramie "Never The Twain" (05-06-56)

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:20:45 -0700

Fort Laramie opened with "Specially transcribed tales of the dark and tragic ground of the wild frontier. The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of empire and the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry". When Norman Macdonnell created Fort Laramie in late 1955, he made it clear to his writers that historical accuracy was essential to the integrity of the series. Correct geographic names, authentic Indian practices, military terminology, and utilizing actual names of the original buildings of the real fort, was insisted upon. So when the radio characters referred to the sutler's store (which is what the trading post was called prior to 1870), the surgeon's quarters, Old Bedlam (the officers' quarters) or the old bakery, they were naming actual structures in the original fort. While Macdonnell planned to use the same writers, soundmen, and supporting actors in Fort Laramie that he relied upon in Gunsmoke, he naturally picked different leads. Heading up the cast was a 39 year old, Canadian-born actor with a long history in broadcasting and the movies, Raymond Burr. He had begun his career in 1939, alternating between the stage and radio. He turned to Hollywood, and from 1946 until he got the part of Captain Lee Quince in Fort Laramie in 1956, he had appeared in thirty-seven films. A few were excellent (Rear Window, The Blue Gardenia) some were average (Walk a Crooked Mile, A Place in the Sun) but many were plain awful (Bride of Vengeance, Red Light, and Abandoned). With Burr in the lead, Macdonnell selected two supporting players: Vic Perrin as "Sgt. Goerss" and Jack Moyles as "Major Daggett", the commanding officer of the post. (The original Fort Laramie usually had a Lieutenant Colonel as the C.O. but Macdonnell probably preferred a shorter military title.) Perrin, a 40 year old veteran radio actor had been in countless productions, but had achieved name recognition only on The Zane Grey Show where he played the lead, "Tex Thorne." Jack Moyles was also a busy radio actor, having started in 1935 in Hawthorne House, with later major roles in Romance, Twelve Players, Night Editor as well as the lead in A Man Called Jordan. From 1947 to 1948 he was a regular in The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, which Norman Macdonnell directed, although this may not have been their first association. By the mid-1950s when Fort Laramie began, most of the actors on the west coast were doing some television and movie work so the program was rehearsed and taped for transcription during the evening. Once a week the cast and crew gathered at CBS Studio One in Hollywood to tape the show. In 1956 this was the last radio production studio in use in California. The series debuted on January 22, 1956 with an episode entitled "Playing Indian." Fort Laramie aired forty one episodes from January 22, 1956 to October 28, 1956. An audition episode was recorded on July 25, 1955.

THIS EPISODE:
May 6, 1956. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "Never The Twain". The daughter of Spotted Tail and a soldier fall in love. The program was recorded April 12, 1956. Don Diamond, John Stevenson, John Dehner, Lillian Buyeff, Ralph Moody, Raymond Burr, William N. Robson (writer). 1/2 hour.

Dr. Six-Gun "Indian Chief's Son Poisoned" (09-02-54)

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:43:15 -0700

Doctor Six-Gun - Karl Weber as Dr. Ray Matson, "the guntoting frontier doctor who roamed the length and breadth of the old Indian territory, friend and phsycian to white man and Indian alike, the symbol of justice and mercy in the lawless west of the 1870s. This legendary figure was known to all as Dr. Sixgun." Bill Griffis as Pablo, the doctor's typsy sidekick, who told the stories.

THIS EPISODE:
September 2, 1954. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. The first show of the series. Aaron Gault is determined to get rich off a young Indian boy with the measles. Ernest Kinoy (writer), Fred Weihe (director, transcriber), George Lefferts (writer), Karl Weber, William Griffis. 1/2 hour.

Tales Of The Texas Rangers "Wild Crop" (11-18-51)

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:32:23 -0700

Tales of the Texas Rangers, a western adventure old-time radio drama, premiered on July 8, 1950, on the NBC radio network and remained on the air through September 14, 1952. Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Texas Ranger Jayce Pearson, who used the latest scientific techniques to identify the criminals and his faithful horse, Charcoal, to track them down. The shows were reenactments of actual Texas Ranger cases. The series was produced and directed by Stacy Keach, Sr., and was sponsored for part of its run by Wheaties. Captain Manuel T. "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas, a Ranger for 30 years and who was said to have killed 31 men during his career, served as consultant for the series. The series was adapted for television from 1955 to 1957. During the opening and closing credits of the TV show, the actors would march toward the camera and sing the theme song, "We are the Texas Rangers", to the tune of "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You", which is also the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad".

THIS EPISODE:
November 18, 1951. NBC network. "Wild Crop". Sustaining. After a cowboy is found beaten to death, the smell of marijuana gives Jace Pearson the clue needed to track down the killer. Joel McCrea, M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzaullas (technical advisor), Stacy Keach (producer, director), Tony Barrett, Michael Ann Barrett, Hal Gibney (announcer), Sam Edwards, Barney Phillips, Parley Baer, Joel Murcott (writer). 29:27.

Tom Mix "Vanishing Village" Pt1 (08-10-45) Pt2 (08-13-45) Pt3 (08-15-45)

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:06:02 -0700

Tom Mix - In 1933 Ralston-Purina obtained his permission to produce a Tom Mix radio series,Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters, which, except for one year during World War II, was popular throughout most of the 1930s and into the early 1950s. (Mix never appeared on these broadcasts and was instead played by voice actors.) His last screen appearance was a 15 episode serial for Mascot Pictures called The Miracle Rider (1935), for which he was paid $40,000 for four weeks of filming. Also that year, Texas governor James Allred named Mix an honorary Texas Ranger. Mix went back to circus performing, this time with his eldest daughter Ruth who had appeared in some of his films. In 1938 Mix went to Europe on a promotional trip, while his daughter Ruth stayed behind to manage his circus, which soon failed. He later excluded her from his will. He had reportedly made over $6,000,000 (approaching $400 million in early 21st century, inflation adjusted values) during his 26 year career in the movies.

TODAY'S SHOW: The Mystery Of The Vanishing Village (3 episodes (8-10-45)(8-13-45)(8-14-45)

August 10, 1945. Mutual network, WOR, New York aircheck. "The Mystery Of The Vanishing Village". Sponsored by: Ralston Cereals (Whistling Sheriff's Badge premium). Breyer's Ice Cream (local), Longines Watch (local). 5:45 P. M. A movie director is in Smithville shortly after the entire town had disappeared and two people found dead. Curley Bradley, Don Gordon (announcer).

August 13, 1945. Mutual network. "The Mystery Of The Vanishing Village". Sponsored by: Ralston Cereals (Whistling Sheriff's Badge premium). 5:45 P. M. Mary has escaped from the missing village with a crushed skull. Just as she's about to be operated on when the power fails in the hospital. Curley Bradley, Don Gordon (announcer).

August 14, 1945. Mutual network. "The Mystery Of The Vanishing Village". Sponsored by: Ralston Cereals (Whistling Sheriff's Badge premium). 5:45 P. M. The village mysteriously returns as strangely as it had vanished. A Mutual net closed circuit follows the program: The Fulton Lewis, Jr. broadcast is cancelled tonight as he is covering a press conference. Curley Bradley, Don Gordon (announcer). 15:08.

The Six Shooter "The New Sheriff" (06-10-54)

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:33:26 -0700

The Six Shooter brought James Stewart to the NBC microphone on September 20, 1953, in a fine series of folksy Western adventures. Stewart was never better on the air than in this drama of Britt Ponset, frontier drifter created by Frank Burt. The epigraph set it up nicely: "The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged: his skin is sun dyed brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother-of-pearl. People call them both The Six Shooter." Ponset was a wanderer, an easy-going gentleman and -- when he had to be -- a gunfighter. Stewart was right in character as the slow-talking maverick who usually blundered into other people's troubles and sometimes shot his way out. His experiences were broad, but The Six Shooter leaned more to comedy than other shows of its kind. Ponset took time out to play Hamlet with a crude road company. He ran for mayor and sheriff of the same town at the same time. He became involved in a delighful Western version of Cinderella, complete with grouchy stepmother, ugly sisters, and a shoe that didn't fit. And at Christmas he told a young runaway the story of A Christmas Carol, Substituting the original Dickens characters with Western heavies. Britt even had time to fall in love, but it was the age-old story of people from different worlds, and the romance was foredoomed despite their valiant efforts to save it. So we got a cowboy-into-the-sunset ending for this series, truly one of the bright spots of radio. Unfortunately, it came too late, and lasted only one season. It was a transcribed show, sustained by NBC and directed by Jack Johnstone. Basil Adlam provided the music and Frank Burt wrote the scripts. Hal Gibney announced.

**Information from John Dunning’s "Tune In Yesterday The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio".

THIS EPISODE:
June 10, 1954. NBC network. Sustaining. The Six-Shooter supervises the town election and finds himself elected sheriff...and mayor! This is a network, sponsored version. Basil Adlam (music), Carleton Young, Junius Matthews, Frank Burt (writer, creator), Jimmy Stewart, Jack Johnstone (director), Dal McKinnon, John Wald (announcer), Paul Richards, Frank Gerstle. 29:27.

The Cisco Kid "The Man Trapped In The Cave" (07-29-52)

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:52:36 -0700

The Cisco Kid - Western Drama mainly for the young ones or maybe just the young at heart. I say the young at heart, because The Cisco Kid and his likeable but simple partner Pancho were a couple of lovable rogues and because there was usually a lovely senorita around in every episode who fell madly in love with Sisco, there may well have been an element of lady listeners included in the audience rating figures. Here they were, these two Mexican bandits, travelling from sunset to sunset (because that's where they always road off to at the end of each episode) robbing the rich, but I wouldn't say giving it to the poor. At least they did it in a kind and humorous way. It was more a question of the victim being relieved of the heavy burden of his or her riches, rather than having some of their prized possessions taken away from them. Half the fun in the series was listening to Pancho try to explain in his simple Mexican way that the sheriff's posse was hard on their heels and to quote him, "Ceesco, eef they catch up with us, perhaps they weel keel us." At the beginning The Cisco Kid was played by Jackson Beck then later Jack Mather took over the role. Whilst Pancho was played first by Louis Sorin then by Harry Lang. Originally the Announcer was Michael Rye and the Director Jock McGregor and during the days of Jack Mather and Harry Lang the Producer was J. C. Lewis with the series being written by Larry Hays.

THIS EPISODE:
Program #3. Mutual-Don Lee network origination, Ziv syndication. "Lee Grant's Ranch". Commercials added locally. A throughly rotten money-lender named Jack Graff threatens to foreclose on a ranch when the owner Les Bryant discovers gold. The program number is subject to correction. The program title may be "The Man Trapped In The Cave." Jack Mather, Harry Lang. 1/2 hour.

Gunsmoke "Arsolom" (03-07-53)

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:45:12 -0700

Gunsmoke - The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. The series starred William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Deputy Chester Proudfoot. Doc's first name and Chester's last name were changed for the television program. Gunsmoke was notable for its critically acclaimed cast and writing, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest old time radio shows. Some listeners (such as old time radio expert John Dunning) have argued that the radio version of Gunsmoke was far more realistic than the television program. Episodes were aimed at adults, and featured some of the most explicit content of the day: there were violent crimes and scalpings, massacres and opium addicts. Miss Kitty's occupation as a prostitute was made far more obvious on the radio version than on television. Many episodes ended on a down-note, and villains often got away with their crimes.

THIS EPISODE:
March 7, 1953. CBS network. "Arsolom". Sustaining. Marshal Dillon suspects foul play. George Walsh (announcer), Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, Jerry Hausner, Joe Cranston, Lawrence Dobkin, Les Crutchfield (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Parley Baer, Vivi Janis, William Conrad. 30:00.

Frontier Town "Sixgun Justice" (12-05-52)

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:07:25 -0700

Frontier Town - Chad Remington, played by Jeff Chandler for the first 23 shows, was a two fisted lawyer in the town of Dos Rios. Chad's sidekick, Cherokee O'Bannon, played by Wade Crosby, who performed his role in a WC Fields dialect. Mr. Chandler remained in the lead role for the first 23 shows and was replaced by Reed Hadley who played Remington until the end of the series. FRONTIER TOWN was a syndicated Western that ran through the 1952-1953 season.

THIS EPISODE:
1952. Program #11. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Six Gun Justice". Music fill for local commercial insert. Judge "Peg Leg" Cooper of Roaring River comes to town, and brings his strange brand of justice with him! Jeff Chandler is billed as "Tex" Chandler. The date is approximate. Jeff Chandler, Wade Crosby, Bob Mitchell (organist), Ivan Ditmars (possible organist), Bill Forman (announcer). 1/2 hour.

Red Ryder "Trouble In Milersville" (Part3 of 3) 02-14-42)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:45:27 -0700

Red Ryder was a newspaper comic western hero, and was a natural for the radio kids. Known on the air as "America's famous fighting cowboy," he was still an upstanding cowboy action hero. The hero was first seen in a series of short stories by writer-cartoonist Fred Harman, who adapted it as a comic strip for the Los Angeles Times in 1938 before it finally became a radio show. For almost a decade, Red Ryder starred in half-hour cowboy adventures featuring a great cast of characters including his pal Buckskin and his little indian boy ward, "Little Beaver". The ranch homestead was cared for by the "The Duchess," actually Red's aunt. Red Ryder was always ready for adventure with his pals, Buckskin Blodgett and Rawhide Rolinson. Little Beaver was beloved by the kids who thought it would be great to be like Little Beaver and be in on all the western action! At one point, Red Ryder was pitted against The Lone Ranger in the radio "badlands," and did really well against the more famous and well established masked man. In the later years, the show played on the West Coast via Don Lee productions, as sponsored by regional bread maker Langendorf Bread. It remained a mainstay of West Coast juvenile radio for all the little pre-TV buckaroos. After the radio show went off the air, Red Ryder and "little Beaver" continued to please 50's kids who avidly read his latest adventures in the popular "Red Ryder" comic books.

April 13, 1944. "Muder in Millersville" A three part series. An audition recording, sponsored by ficticious Malt-O-Wheat cereal. Reed Hadley. 15:32.

Red Ryder "Trouble In Milersville" (Part2 of 3) (02-12-42)

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:47:16 -0700

This Episode:

Trouble In Milersville (Part2 of 3) (02-12-42) - Red Ryder. "Muder in Millersville" A three part series. An audition recording, sponsored by ficticious Malt-O-Wheat cereal. Reed Hadley. 15:32.

Red Ryder "Trouble In Milersville" Part1 of 3 (02-10-42)

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:16:24 -0700

THIS EPISODE:

April 13, 1944. "Muder in Millersville" A three part series. An audition recording, sponsored by ficticious Malt-O-Wheat cereal. Reed Hadley. 15:32.

Gunsmoke "Doc's Reward" (04-29-56)

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:33:41 -0700

April 29, 1956. CBS net. "Doc's Reward". Sponsored by: L & M, Chesterfield. Doc kills a stranger trying to stop him from seeing a patient. The stranger's brother arrives in town and starts keeping his eye on Doc. The script was used on the Gunsmoke television series on December 14, 1957. The system cue has been deleted. William Conrad, Howard McNear, John Meston (writer), John Dehner, Vic Perrin, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, George Fenneman (announcer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Rex Koury (composer, conductor), Ray Kemper (sound patterns), Bill James (sound patterns). 24:43.

Frontier Fighters "Episode24 and Episode25" (1935)

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:12:49 -0700

FRONTIER FIGHTERS This is not your typical western drama -- it is a series that will transport you back in time to the days of the wild, unsettled west. Retrace the steps of heroes who, despite the odds, fought and conquered the West. Frontier Fighters was a syndicated series that ran sometime during the 1930s. Each show dealt with some bit of history about the early West and ran for approximately 15 minutes..

TWO EPISODES:
Ep.24 "Custers Last Stand At Little Big Horn" and Ep.25 "Stephen F. Austin"

Program #24. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Custer's Last Stand". Music fill for local commercial insert. The story behind the famous Indian battle. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Company Of America (Transco). . 14:43.

Program #25. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Stephen F. Austin". Music fill for local commercial insert. The story of the founding of Texas. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Company Of America (Transco). . 14:43.

Tales Of The Texas Rangers "Dead Give Away" (10-15-50)

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:38:41 -0700

Tales of the Texas Rangers, a western adventure old-time radio drama, premiered on July 8, 1950, on the NBC radio network and remained on the air through September 14, 1952. Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Texas Ranger Jayce Pearson, who used the latest scientific techniques to identify the criminals and his faithful horse, Charcoal, to track them down. The shows were reenactments of actual Texas Ranger cases. The series was produced and directed by Stacy Keach, Sr., and was sponsored for part of its run by Wheaties. Captain Manuel T. "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas, a Ranger for 30 years and who was said to have killed 31 men during his career, served as consultant for the series. The series was adapted for television from 1955 to 1957. During the opening and closing credits of the TV show, the actors would march toward the camera and sing the theme song, "We are the Texas Rangers", to the tune of "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You", which is also the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad".

THIS EPISODE:
December 2, 1951. NBC network. "Dead Giveaway". Sustaining. A boxer named Johnny Buck is poisoned...in the middle of a fight. The date and story title are subject to correction. Joel McCrea, Will Gould (adaptor), Tony Barrett, Herb Ellis, Herb Vigran, Peggy Webber, Nestor Paiva, Parley Baer, Stacy Keach (producer, director), Hal Gibney (announcer). 29:32.

Lightning Jim "Races Against Death" (1952)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:20:27 -0700

Lightning Jim - Only about 41 Lightning Jim broadcasts have been located. The program originated in the 1940s and was called The Adventures of Lightning Jim. At this time it was a West coast program. The program returned to the air in the 1950s and a total of 98 radio programs were produced.

THIS EPISODE:

1952 - Program #5. ZIV Syndication. "Lightning Jim Races Against Death". Commercials added locally. Jim tries to prove the innocence of the man about to be hung for murder. . 1/2 hour.

Fort Laramie "The Massacre" (08-05-56)

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:14:13 -0700

THIS EPISODE:
August 5, 1956. CBS network. "The Massacre". Sustaining. The peaceful Shoshone Indians are attacked by a fanatical army major. The program was recorded July 12, 1956. Raymond Burr, Kathleen Hite (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Bill James (sound patterns), Tom Hanley (sound patterns), Amerigo Moreno (music supervisor), John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, Sam Edwards, Lou Krugman, Tim Graham, Jack Moyles, Harry Bartell. 31:01.

Cisco Kid "Gunman For Hire" (03-19-53)

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:13:58 -0700

The Cisco Kid - Western Drama mainly for the young ones or maybe just the young at heart. I say the young at heart, because The Cisco Kid and his likeable but simple partner Pancho were a couple of lovable rogues and because there was usually a lovely senorita around in every episode who fell madly in love with Sisco, there may well have been an element of lady listeners included in the audience rating figures. Here they were, these two Mexican bandits, travelling from sunset to sunset (because that's where they always road off to at the end of each episode) robbing the rich, but I wouldn't say giving it to the poor. At least they did it in a kind and humorous way. It was more a question of the victim being relieved of the heavy burden of his or her riches, rather than having some of their prized possessions taken away from them. Half the fun in the series was listening to Pancho try to explain in his simple Mexican way that the sheriff's posse was hard on their heels and to quote him, "Ceesco, eef they catch up with us, perhaps they weel keel us." At the beginning The Cisco Kid was played by Jackson Beck then later Jack Mather took over the role. Whilst Pancho was played first by Louis Sorin then by Harry Lang. Originally the Announcer was Michael Rye and the Director Jock McGregor and during the days of Jack Mather and Harry Lang the Producer was J. C. Lewis with the series being written by Larry Hays.

THIS EPISODE:
Program #70. Mutual-Don Lee network origination, Ziv syndication. "Gunman For Hire". Commercials added locally. In the town of Dry Creek, Walt Phipps hires Race MacKenzie to pick a fight with Sheriff Hayes and shoot him in a "fair" fight. Jack Mather, Harry Lang. 27:34.

Frontier Town "Opening Of The Tiogo Reserve" (11-21-52)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:28:08 -0700

THIS EPISODE:
Opening Of Tioga Reserve - November 21, 1952. Program #9. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Badman Laredo and The Land Rush". Music fill for local commercial insert. Chad Remington tackles "Laredo" during the Tioga Land Rush, and is ambushed and shot! Jeff Chandler is billed as "Tex" Chandler. The date is approximate. Jeff Chandler, Wade Crosby, Bob Mitchell (organist), Ivan Ditmars (possible organist), Bill Forman (announcer). 28 minutes.

The Six Shooter "Sheriff Billy" (11-29-53)

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:38:54 -0700

The Six Shooter brought James Stewart to the NBC microphone on September 20, 1953, in a fine series of folksy Western adventures. Stewart was never better on the air than in this drama of Britt Ponset, frontier drifter created by Frank Burt. The epigraph set it up nicely: "The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged: his skin is sun dyed brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother-of-pearl. People call them both The Six Shooter." Ponset was a wanderer, an easy-going gentleman and -- when he had to be -- a gunfighter. Stewart was right in character as the slow-talking maverick who usually blundered into other people's troubles and sometimes shot his way out. His experiences were broad, but The Six Shooter leaned more to comedy than other shows of its kind. Ponset took time out to play Hamlet with a crude road company. He ran for mayor and sheriff of the same town at the same time. He became involved in a delighful Western version of Cinderella, complete with grouchy stepmother, ugly sisters, and a shoe that didn't fit. And at Christmas he told a young runaway the story of A Christmas Carol, Substituting the original Dickens characters with Western heavies. Britt even had time to fall in love, but it was the age-old story of people from different worlds, and the romance was foredoomed despite their valiant efforts to save it. So we got a cowboy-into-the-sunset ending for this series, truly one of the bright spots of radio. Unfortunately, it came too late, and lasted only one season. It was a transcribed show, sustained by NBC and directed by Jack Johnstone. Basil Adlam provided the music and Frank Burt wrote the scripts. Hal Gibney announced.

**Information from John Dunning’s "Tune In Yesterday The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio".

THIS EPISODE:
November 29, 1953. NBC network. Sustaining. Sheriff Bill Riddle is the law in Dawson. He faces down an escaped killer without a gunfight...and with good reason. Jimmy Stewart, Alan Reed, Frank Burt (creator, writer), James McCallion, Ken Christy, Basil Adlam (music), Jack Johnstone (director), Hal Gibney (announcer), Howard McNear. 29:35.

Have Gun Will Travel "Monster On Moon Ridge" (03-08-59)

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:45:26 -0700

Have Gun Will Travel was a popular American Western television series that aired on CBS from 1957 through 1963. It was the #4 show in the Nielsen ratings in its first year, and #3 for the next three years.[citation needed] It was one of the few television shows to spawn a successful radio version. The radio series debuted on November 23, 1958. The show followed the adventures of Paladin, a gentleman-turned-gunfighter played by John Dehner on radio, who preferred to settle problems without violence, yet, when forced to fight, excelled. Paladin lived in the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, where he dressed in semi-formal wear, ate gourmet food, and attended opera. In fact, many who initially met him mistook him for a dandy from the East. When working, he dressed in black, used calling cards and wore a holster which carried characteristic chess knight emblems, and carried a derringer under his belt. The knight symbol is of course in reference to his name — possibly a nickname or working name — and his occupation as a champion-for-hire. The theme song of the series refers to him as "a knight without armor." In addition, Paladin drew a parallel between his methods and the chess piece's movement: "It's a chess piece, the most versatile on the board. It can move in eight different directions, over obstacles, and it's always unexpected." Paladin was a former Army officer and a graduate of West Point. He was a polyglot, capable of speaking any foreign tongue required by the plot. He also had a thorough knowledge of ancient history and classical literature, and he exhibited a strong passion for legal principles and the rule of law.

THIS EPISODE:
March 8, 1959. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Monster Of Moon Ridge". Paladin discovers the secret of the half-man, half-bear spotted on Moon Ridge. The script was used on the "Have Gun, Will Travel" television show on February 28, 1959. John Dehner, Herb Meadow (creator), Sam Rolfe (creator), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Ben Wright, Gene Roddenberry (writer), John Dawson (adaptor), Lawrence Dobkin, Virginia Christine, Jess Kirkpatrick, Jeanne Bates (doubles), Hugh Douglas (announcer), Bill James (sound effects), Tom Hanley (sound effects). 25 minutes.

Red Ryder "Terror In Pecos Valley" (03-07-42)

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:22:34 -0700

Gunsmoke "Ben Slade's Saloon" (05-24-52)

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:00:03 -0700

Gunsmoke - It was created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. The series starred William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Deputy Chester Proudfoot. Doc's first name and Chester's last name were changed for the television program. Gunsmoke was notable for its critically acclaimed cast and writing, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest old time radio shows. Some listeners (such as old time radio expert John Dunning) have argued that the radio version of Gunsmoke was far more realistic than the television program. Episodes were aimed at adults, and featured some of the most explicit content of the day: there were violent crimes and scalpings, massacres and opium addicts. Miss Kitty's occupation as a prostitute was made far more obvious on the radio version than on television. Many episodes ended on a down-note, and villains often got away with their crimes.

THIS EPISODE:
May 24, 1952. CBS net. "Ben Slade's Saloon". Sustaining. A series of murders of men who have been lucky while gambling leads Marshal Dillon to a most unusual killer. William Conrad, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, Norman Macdonnell (director, writer), Hy Averback, Jack Kruschen, Dick Beals, Anne Morrison, Herb Ellis, Rex Koury (composer, conductor), Roy Rowan (announcer). 30:22.

Frontier Gentleman "Indian Lover" (09-21-58)

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:43:04 -0700

Frontier Gentleman was a radio Western series heard on CBS from February 2 to November 16, 1958. Written and directed by Antony Ellis, it followed the adventures of J.B. Kendall (John Dehner), a London Times reporter, as he roamed the Western United States, encountering various outlaws and well-known historical figures, such as Jesse James and Calamity Jane. Written and directed by Antony Ellis, it followed the adventures of journalist Kendall as he roamed the Western United States in search of stories for the Times. Along the way, he encountered various fictional drifters and outlaws in addition to well-known historical figures, such as Jesse James, Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. Music for the series was by Wilbur Hatch and Jerry Goldsmith, who also supplied the opening trumpet theme. The announcers were Dan Cubberly, Johnny Jacobs, Bud Sewell and John Wald. Supporting cast: Harry Bartell, Lawrence Dobkin, Virginia Gregg, Stacy Harris, Johnny Jacobs, Joseph Kearns, Jack Kruschen, Jack Moyles, Jeanette Nolan, Vic Perrin and Barney Phillips.

THIS EPISODE:
September 21, 1958. CBS networkl. "Indian Lover". Sustaining. Crow Dog, an Indian accused of murder makes no defense...then escapes! A good story. The system cue is added live. John Dehner, Ralph Moody, Joseph Kearns, Stacy Harris, Jack Moyles, Antony Ellis (writer, producer, director), Bud Sewell (announcer). 24:08.

Wild Bill Hickock "The Treasure Of Old Number 9" (02-08-52)

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:40:58 -0700

Wild Bill Hickock -This juvenile western followed the same format as the TV show of the same name that ran throughout the same years. This format certainly was not new as the charismatic hero and comic side-kick was something that had been done before with Hopalong Cassidy and The Cisco Kid, and to some extent with the Lone Ranger. FIRST BROADCAST: May 17, 1951 LAST BROADCAST: February 12, 1956 SPONSORS: Kellog CAST: Guy Madison and Andy Devine. ANNOUNCERS: Charlie Lyon PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS: Paul Pierc. The storylines for Wild Bill Hikock are anything but challenging. The basic plot is usually along the lines of Hickock and his sidekick, Jingles, blundering into trouble, fighting their way out of it somehow, and then riding off into the sunset in readiness for next weeks trials and tribulations.

THIS EPISODE:
February 8, 1952. Program #51. Mutual network. "The Treasure Of The Old Number Nine". Sponsored by: Kellogg's Rice Krispies. The "Choya Gang" specializes in robbing trains. The clue to their identity comes from a telegraph key, and a Morse code message sent by Wild Bill himself! The system cue is added live. Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Charles Lyon (announcer), Richard Aurandt (music), David Hire (producer), Paul Pierce (director), Frederick Shields, Lou Marcell, Bill Baukum. 25:00.

Tales Of Texas Rangers "The Lucky Dollar" (12-10-50)

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:13:50 -0700

Tales of the Texas Rangers, a western adventure old-time radio drama, premiered on July 8, 1950, on the NBC radio network and remained on the air through September 14, 1952. Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Texas Ranger Jayce Pearson, who used the latest scientific techniques to identify the criminals and his faithful horse, Charcoal, to track them down. The shows were reenactments of actual Texas Ranger cases. The series was produced and directed by Stacy Keach, Sr., and was sponsored for part of its run by Wheaties. Captain Manuel T. "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas, a Ranger for 30 years and who was said to have killed 31 men during his career, served as consultant for the series. The series was adapted for television from 1955 to 1957. During the opening and closing credits of the TV show, the actors would march toward the camera and sing the theme song, "We are the Texas Rangers", to the tune of "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You", which is also the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad".

THIS EPISODE:
December 10, 1950. NBC network. "The Lucky Dollar". Sustaining. Based on events of August 14, 1945. A store-keeper is murdered by a robber who shuts off the electricity inside the store. A special kind of dollar leads the Rangers to a young Mexican girl and a "Dandy" suspect. A "Texas Ranger Prayer" premium is offered. Joel McCrea, Tony Barrett, Lou Krugman, Barney Phillips, Nestor Paiva, Peggy Webber, Herb Butterfield, Byron Kane, Wilms Herbert, Hal Gibney (announcer), Stacy Keach (producer, director). 28:59.

The Six Shooter "Battle At Tower Rock" (02-21-54).

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:21:37 -0700

THIS EPISODE:
February 21, 1954. NBC network. Britt comes to Tower Rock to visit the fair and finds himself the judge of the preserves competition. He must decide how to judge between two feuding sisters. The public service announcements and system cue have been deleted. Jimmy Stewart, Frank Burt (creator), Jack Johnstone (director), Basil Adlam (music). 27:27.

Fort Laramie "War Correspondents" (05-13-56)

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:30:29 -0700

Fort Laramie opened with "Specially transcribed tales of the dark and tragic ground of the wild frontier. The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of empire and the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry". When Norman Macdonnell created Fort Laramie in late 1955, he made it clear to his writers that historical accuracy was essential to the integrity of the series. Correct geographic names, authentic Indian practices, military terminology, and utilizing actual names of the original buildings of the real fort, was insisted upon. So when the radio characters referred to the sutler's store (which is what the trading post was called prior to 1870), the surgeon's quarters, Old Bedlam (the officers' quarters) or the old bakery, they were naming actual structures in the original fort. While Macdonnell planned to use the same writers, soundmen, and supporting actors in Fort Laramie that he relied upon in Gunsmoke, he naturally picked different leads. Heading up the cast was a 39 year old, Canadian-born actor with a long history in broadcasting and the movies, Raymond Burr. With Burr in the lead, Macdonnell selected two supporting players: Vic Perrin as "Sgt. Goerss" and Jack Moyles as "Major Daggett", the commanding officer of the post. (The original Fort Laramie usually had a Lieutenant Colonel as the C.O. but Macdonnell probably preferred a shorter military title.) Perrin, a 40 year old veteran radio actor had been in countless productions, but had achieved name recognition only on The Zane Grey Show where he played the lead, "Tex Thorne." By the mid-1950s when Fort Laramie began, most of the actors on the west coast were doing some television and movie work so the program was rehearsed and taped for transcription during the evening. Once a week the cast and crew gathered at CBS Studio One in Hollywood to tape the show. In 1956 this was the last radio production studio in use in California. The series debuted on January 22, 1956 with an episode entitled "Playing Indian." Fort Laramie aired forty one episodes from January 22, 1956 to October 28, 1956. An audition episode was recorded on July 25, 1955.

THIS EPISODE:
May 13, 1956. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The War Correspondent". A reporter from a New York newspaper comes west to tell the "truth" and also to learn of the "real" west. The program was recorded April 19, 1956. Raymond Burr, Kathleen Hite (writer), Sam Edwards, Parley Baer, Lawrence Dobkin, Lou Krugman, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Amerigo Moreno (musical supervisor), Bill James (sound patterns), Ray Kemper (sound patterns), Harry Bartell, Jack Moyles. 29:51.

Gunsmoke "The Army Trial" (06-25-55)

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:51:03 -0700

Gunsmoke - The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. The series starred William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Deputy Chester Proudfoot. Doc's first name and Chester's last name were changed for the television program. Gunsmoke was notable for its critically acclaimed cast and writing, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest old time radio shows. Some listeners (such as old time radio expert John Dunning) have argued that the radio version of Gunsmoke was far more realistic than the television program. Episodes were aimed at adults, and featured some of the most explicit content of the day: there were violent crimes and scalpings, massacres and opium addicts. Miss Kitty's occupation as a prostitute was made far more obvious on the radio version than on television. Many episodes ended on a down-note, and villains often got away with their crimes.

THIS EPISODE:
June 25, 1955. CBS net origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Army Trial". Jed Cook has deserted from the army to run off and marry Della Masters. Bill James (sound patterns), Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, James Nusser, Lawrence Dobkin, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Parley Baer, Rex Koury (composer, performer), Tom Hanley (sound patterns), Vivi Janis, William Conrad. 25 minutes.