Fawn 9/26/53 Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "Planted Gold" 10/8/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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Wild Bill Hickok - 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: October 21, 1954. Program #243. Mutual network. "The Trail Of The Cougar". Sponsored by: Kellogg's Sugar Corn Pops, Kellogg's Variety. Old Dad Winters' herd is being whittled down by a "killer cat." The system cue is added live. The date above is approximate. Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Charles Lyon (announcer), David Hire (producer), Paul Pierce (writer, director), Richard Aurandt (music), Ralph Moody, Leo Curley, Frank Gerstle. 24:52.

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The Screen Guild Theater was a popular radio anthology series during the Golden Age of Radio that was heard from 1939 until 1952 with adaptations from films in programs starring top Hollywood actors of the time. The show had a long run, lasting for 14 seasons and 527 episodes. It ran on CBS from January 8, 1939 until June 28, 1948, continuing on NBC from October 7, 1948 until June 29, 1950. It was broadcast on ABC from September 7, 1950 to May 31, 1951 and returned to CBS on March 13, 1952. It aired under several different titles: The Gulf Screen Guild Show, The Screen Guild Players, The Gulf Screen Guild Theater, The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater and The Camel Screen Guild Theater. THIS EPISODE: "The Ox-Bow Incident" from "The Screen Guild Players" aired September 18, 1944 starring Edward Arnold, Harry Davenport, William Eythe and Jeff Lee Brooks. Two drifters are passing through a Western town, when news comes in that a local farmer has been murdered and his cattle stolen. The townspeople, joined by the drifters, form a posse to catch the perpetrators. They find three men in possession of the cattle, and are determined to see justice done on the spot.

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Gunsmoke - The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. It was created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. 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: February 23, 1957. CBS network. "Impact". Commercials deleted. Is Lonnie Welsh trying to kill the elderly Miss Larkin? There have been several "accidents" on the ranch, and Marshal Dillon is suspicious. William Conrad, Les Crutchfield (writer), Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Sam Edwards, Ben Wright, Norman Macdonnell (produer, director), John Meston (editorial supervisor), Georgia Ellis, Tom Hanley (sound patterns), Bill James (sound patterns), Virginia Gregg, George Walsh (announcer). 21:03.

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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.

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There Never Was 9/19/53 Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "Law of the Forty Four" 10/6/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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The Hollywood star playhouse (Hollywood Star Time) , well written and performed, presented many original plays and popular Hollywood stars. Some of those who accepted roles in this great series included Jimmy Stewart, William Conrad,Deborah Kerr, Vincent Price, Harry Bartell and Betty Lou Gerson. Highlights included an episode entitled The Six Shooter and which later became it?s own series staring James Stewart. In 1952, Marilyn Monroe made her radio debut on The Hollywood Star Playhouse. This 30 minute anthology program was heard over three different networks during its three seasons. Many leading Hollywood stars appeared before the microphones for this programs original scripts. Marilyn Monroe made her radio debut on the 08/31/52 broadcast. Several programs were intended to become new series. On 04/13/52, the broadcast # 99 of The Six Shooter w/James Stewart did indeed become a new NBC series The Six Shooter in 1953, while the broadcast of 05/18/52 #104 Safari w/Ray Milland failed to make it. There was a title change to this series. During the third network change to NBC the series picked up the sponsorship of the American Bakers and the series was called Baker?s Theater Of Stars. THIS EPISODE: Riders of the Purple Sage (May 12, 1946) is Zane Grey's best-known novel. Originally published in 1912, it was one of the earliest works of Western fiction and played a significant role in popularizing that genre. Riders of the Purple Sage tells the story of Jane Withersteen and her battle to overcome her persecution by members of her church. The events depicted in Riders of the Purple Sage occur between the mid-spring and the late summer of 1871. This radio version is from Hollywood Star Time on May 12, 1946 starring George Montgomery and Lynn Bari.

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The Lux Radio Theater strove to feature as many of the original stars of the original stage and film productions as possible, usually paying them $5,000 an appearance to do the show. It was when sponsor Lever Brothers (who made Lux soap and detergent) moved the show from New York City to Hollywood in 1936 that it eased back from adapting stage shows and toward adaptations of films. The first Lux film adaptation was The Legionnaire and the Lady, with Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable, based on the film Morocco. That was followed by a Lux adaptation of The Thin Man, featuring the movie's stars, Myrna Loy and William Powell. Many of the greatest names in film appeared in the series, most in the roles they made famous on the screen, including Abbott and Costello, Lauren Bacall, Lucille Ball, Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, Charles Boyer, Claudette Colbert, Gary Cooper, Joseph Cotton, Bing Crosby, Dan Duryea, Ava Gardner, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, Vivien Leigh, Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra, Ann Sothern, Barbara Stanwyck, James Stewart, Gene Tierney, John Wayne, Jane Wyman, Orson Welles and Loretta Young. THIS EPISODE: Winchester '73 aired November 12, 1951 starring James Stewart as "Lin McAdam" and Stephen McNally as "Dutch Henry Brown". Lin McAdam rides into town on the trail of Dutch Henry Brown, only to find himself in a shooting competition against him. The prize, a one-in-a-thousand Winchester rifle. The competition is hosted by the western legend, Wyatt Earp. One of the great Westerns.

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Screen Director's Playhouse - From 01/09/49 to 09/28/51 this series was greatly enjoyed by the radio listening audience. It opened as NBC Theater and was also known as The Screen Director?s Guild and The Screen Director?s Assignment. But most people remember it simply as Screen Director?s Playhouse. Many of the Hollywood elite were heard recreating their screen roles over the radio. John Wayne in his rare radio appearances, Cary Grant, Edward G. Robinson, Lucille Ball, Claire Trevor, Tallulah Bankhead and many others were on the air week after week during these broadcasts. Many of Hollywood?s directors were also heard in the recreation of their movies. The President of the Screen Director?s Guild appeared on 02/13/49, and Violinist Isaac Stern supplied the music for the 04/19/51 broadcast. THIS EPISODE: August 5, 1949. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "Fort Apache". A classic western about Cochise battling the cavalry, with a group of travelers caught in the middle. AFRTS program name: "Sagebrush Theatre." The program is also known as, "Hollywood Screen Directors." John Wayne, Ward Bond, Paul McVey, Lou Merrill, Tony Barrett, Jimmy Wallington (announcer), John Ford (guest screen director). 25 minutes.

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Lightning Jim - Stereotypical portryayals of Native Americans, the history of the Union-Pacific railroad, and other Western related subjects. It is a delight and a rarity for all Western radio fans. 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: Program #11. ZIV Syndication. "Union Pacific" 1944. Commercials added locally. Jim foils a plan by Wolf Paw and his renegade Indians to wreck the railroad. . 1/2 hour.

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Prairie Happy 9/12/53 Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "His Honer The Killer" 10/1/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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Straight Arrow was the story of Steve Adams, a young man of Commanche decent who was taken in by a ranching family and raised as a white man. In early adulthood, Steve was told an indian legend about a fabulous warrior who would someday appear to save his people. He himself was to fulfill that destiny, riding out of his secret cave astride a magnificent golden horse. May 16, 1948 to June 21, 1951. Initially west coast Don Lee Network. 30 minutes, Thursdays at 8:00PM, Pacific Time. Mutual Network, coast to cost from February 7, 1949. 30 minutes, Mondays at 8:00PM until January 30, 1950.Often augmented by early evening broadcasts, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5, this becoming it's standard time in 1950-51.Nabisco was the sponsor throughout the series. STARS: Howard Culver as Steve Adams/Straight Arrow, Fred Howard DIRECTOR: Ted Robertson WRITER: Sheldon Stark SOUND EFFECTS: Tom Hanley, Ray Kemper. The announcer and narrator was Frank Bingman. Steve Adams was a rancher, who in times of trouble, became the commanche warrior Straight Arrow. Fred Howard as his sidekick, grizzled ranch hand Packy McCloud. Gwen Delano as Mesquite Molly.

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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. It was created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. 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 13, 1954. CBS net. "Confederate Money". Sustaining. Neil Butler is fired by his boss Fate Ender when Lee Shin comes to town. Fate is bushwacked and wounded. He swears to get Neil for the crime. Barney Phillips, George Walsh (announcer), Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, Jimmy Ogg, John Meston (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Parley Baer, Rex Koury (composer, performer), Vic Perrin, William Conrad. 24:42.

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Sugarfoot - Back in the 1950s, when the television landscape was literally crawling with tales of sagebrush, Wagon Train was one of the most popular tube oaters?and classiest (the average cost per episode hovered around $100,000?compared to $70,000 for something like Sugarfoot?Sugarfoot?easy lopin?, cattle-ropin? Sugarfoot?sorry?got carried away there for a sec). From 1958-61, it was the No. 2-ranked series in the Nielsens, beaten out by Gunsmoke?but in the 1961-62 season it sent Marshal Dillon and Company packing and claimed the top spot. Writers: Russell Hughes, Mauritza & Morty Pittman Tom Brewster.................................Will Hutchins Mary Reader...............................Barbara Hutchins Ed Rollands..................................Carl Kowalski The Stranger................................Michael Blowen Davey...........................................Ray O'Hare Farley..........................................John Chase Yates.........................................Alan Chapman Frankie........................................Kris Hughes THIS EPISODE: Brannigan's Boots, adapted for radio, from the classic show Sugarfoot which aired September 17, 1957 starring Will Hutchins as Tom Brannigan. Crooked politicians in Bluerock appoint Tom sheriff after noting his poor shooting aim. Tom, however, takes the job seriously, and in the sheriffs office he dons a pair of boots standing against the wall. A pretty girl who is watching him says he's not man enough to fill her father's boots and, to prove her wrong, Tom sets out to find her father's killer.

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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. This entertaining educational collection brings history to life and is organized by year. These events are dramatized episodes of old time radio shows such as American Trail, Cavalcade of America, Destination Freedom, Frontier Fighters, Mr President, You are There and many others. Also in the collection are turn-of-the-century Edison Wax Cylinder recordings. TWO EPISODES: Ep.28 "The Hero Of Fort Kearney" and Ep.29 "Oklahoma Land Rush" Program #28. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "The Hero Of Fort Kearney". Music fill for local commercial insert. Because of the bravery of John Phillips, a fort on the Bozeman Trail was saved from the Indians. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Company Of America (Transco). . 14:49. Program #29. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Oklahoma Land Rush". Music fill for local commercial insert. The Federal government ignores its promise to the Indians and opens the Indian Territory to settlers. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Of America (Transco). . 14:43.

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The Sutler 9/5/53 Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Red-Headed Cowpoke" 9/29/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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Suspense was one of the premier programs of the Golden Age of Radio (aka old-time radio), and advertised itself as "radio's outstanding theater of thrills." It was heard in one form or another from 1942 through 1962. There were approximately 945 episodes broadcast during its long run, over 900 of which are extant in mostly high-quality recordings. Suspense went through several major phases, characterized by different hosts, sponsors and director/producers. There were a few rules which were followed for all but a handful of episodes: Protagonists were usually a normal person suddenly dropped into a threatening or bizarre situation. Evildoers must be punished in the end. THIS EPISODE: From CBS aired "A Killing In Abilene" December 14, 1950 starring Alan Ladd. It was sponsored by Auto-Lite. An hombre rides into town to get the man who killed his brother, only to find him about to be lynched for another murder! Also in the cast is Parley Baer, Jeanette Nolan, Joseph Kearns and Barton Yarborough.

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Hopalong Cassidy - What red-blooded kid of the early 1950s didn't listen to Hopalong Cassidy on the radio. A western that was greater than The Roy Rogers Show or Gene Autry's Melody Ranch. Hoppy was a hero to one and all. He and his sidekick, California Carlson, roamed the Southwest in thrilling stories week after week. Almost every tale had a little mystery in it, and almost every story ended with Hoppy's boiserous laugh. Clarence Mulford, the author of the Hopalong Cassidy stores, created a hard- fisted, rough and tought cowboy. Nowhewre's near or liked the loveable Hoppy of the movies and radio series. He became a hero in black and on a white horse - a super hero of the West. He rescued damsels and cowboys in trouble, along with ranchers and bankers and railroad owners always against the bad guys - robbers, thieves, rustlers and the like. William Boyd was Hoppy and his sidekick was played by either Andy Clyde or Joe DuVal. Boyd who began his movie career in the days of silent films was a forgotten man until he was asked to portray Hopalong Cassidy in the movies of the 1940s. By 1946 or so he had been in over 60 Hoppy movies and was crowned the king of the cowboys. William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Walter White Jr. (producer, trasncriber), Herb Purdum (writer).

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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 #54. Mutual-Don Lee network origination, Ziv syndication. "Run On The Bank". Commercials added locally. Not auditioned. Jack Mather, Harry Lang. 27:22.  

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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. THIS EPISODE: May 16, 1942. Program #41. Blue net, Pacific coast. "Wildcat Wire". Commercials added locally. A young student of electricity uses the barbed wire on a ranch to fix a cut telephone line and call the cavalry to the rescue. . 26:20.

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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 NormanMacdonnell 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.) THIS EPISODE: October 14, 1956. CBS network. "Still Waters". Sustaining. Mrs. Feemster and the "Committee On Moral" improvement visits the Fort...and eliminates beer! The program was recorded September 27, 1956. Raymond Burr, Kathleen Hite (writer), Jeanette Nolan, Howard McNear, Sam Edwards. 25 minutes.

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Gunsmoke - The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. It was created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. 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 6, 1953. CBS net. "Sundown". Sustaining. Marshal Dillon and Chester find an Indian squaw dying on the prairie and suspects foul play. A good story! William Conrad (writer, performer), John McIntire, Michael Ann Barrett, Parley Baer, Lawrence Dobkin, John Dehner, Georgia Ellis, Norman Macdonnell (director), Rex Koury (composer, conductor), Howard McNear, Roy Rowan (announcer). 30:05.

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Lightning Jim - Stereotypical portryayals of Native Americans, the history of the Union-Pacific railroad, and other Western related subjects. It is a delight and a rarity for all Western radio fans. 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. Program #9. ZIV Syndication. "The Snake Strikes". Commercials added locally. Jim fights this Mexican bandito after he kidnaps his Deputy, Whitey. . 1/2 hour.

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Hopalong Cassidy - What red-blooded kid of the early 1950s didn't listen to Hopalong Cassidy on the radio. A western that was greater than The Roy Rogers Show or Gene Autry's Melody Ranch. Hoppy was a hero to one and all. He and his sidekick, California Carlson, roamed the Southwest in thrilling stories week after week. Almost every tale had a little mystery in it, and almost every story ended with Hoppy's boiserous laugh. Clarence Mulford, the author of the Hopalong Cassidy stores, created a hard- fisted, rough and tought cowboy. Nowhewre's near or liked the loveable Hoppy of the movies and radio series. He became a hero in black and on a white horse - a super hero of the West. He rescued damsels and cowboys in trouble, along with ranchers and bankers and railroad owners always against the bad guys - robbers, thieves, rustlers and the like. William Boyd was Hoppy and his sidekick was played by either Andy Clyde or Joe DuVal. Boyd who began his movie career in the days of silent films was a forgotten man until he was asked to portray Hopalong Cassidy in the movies of the 1940s. By 1946 or so he had been in over 60 Hoppy movies and was crowned the king of the cowboys. He became the hero of kids around the world and this lasted until another resurgence in the form of the Hoppy radio series. Once more he attained the fame and regards of kids and adults. During the radio years, TV versions of his early films began appearing on televison. His early movies were edited for televison of the day and once more Bill Boyd entertained his fans. There's more - with the success of these old movies, still another series of original TV films came. And once again Bill Boyd as Hoppy was an immediate success The radio series were a hard sell. And the owners could find no takers. When this series began it was offered to the various networks. They wanted nothing to do with it so the owners had to sell it in syndication. But, af- ter a short time it became extremely successful that later on it was heard on the Mutual and CBS networks. THIS EPISODE: November 16, 1948. Program #23. Commodore syndication. "Death Paints A Picture". Music fill for local commercial insert. Hoppy solves the Kingsley murder...a surprising conclusion! William Boyd, Andy Clyde. 29:53.

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Have Gun, Will Travel - was a popular American Western television series that aired on CBS from 1957 through 1963. 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 Richard Boone on television, and by John Dehner on radio), who preferred to settle problems without violence, yet, when forced to fight, excelled. THIS EPISODE: May 31, 1959. CBS network. "Blind Courage". Sponsored by: Longines Watches, Mutual Of Omaha, Look Magazine. Paladin is hired by the fabulously wealthy Mr. Sutherland to teach him how to shoot, even though he's blind! The system cue is added live. John Dehner, Ben Wright, Hugh Douglas (announcer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Tom Hanley (writer, sound effects), Jack Moyles, Tracy Roberts, Barbara Eiler, Sam Edwards, Frank Knight (Longines commercial), Bill James (sound effects), Sam Rolfe (creator), Herb Meadow (creator). 25:31.

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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: November 25, 1956. CBS network. "Tail To The Wind". Sponsored by: L & M. Bert Reese and his son Spike, the town bullies, are picking on Hezzie Nuller, a meek man who refuses to defend himself. The script was used on the Gunsmoke television series on October 17, 1959. William Conrad, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Parley Baer, Ralph Moody, John Dehner, Helen Kleeb, Rex Koury (composer, conductor), Les Crutchfield (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), John Meston (editorial supervisor), Ray Kemper (sound patterns), Bill James (sound patterns). 24:40.

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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 1, 1952. Program #49. Mutual network. "Gunsmoke Pass". Sponsored by: Kellogg's Rice Krispies. Who is trying to keep a surveyor from building a road into Hidden Valley? The story of the discovery of "Jingles Pass." The system cue is added live. Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Frank Gerstle, Tyler McVey, Fred Howard, Charlie Lung, Charles Lyon (announcer), Richard Aurandt (music), David Hire (producer), Paul Pierce (director). 25:01. *Show notes from Radio Gold Index

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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: July 6, 1958. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Education Of Kid Yancy". A wild Texas boy meets a savvy dance hall girl...with surprising results. AFRTS program name: "Sagebrush Theater." John Dehner, Antony Ellis (writer, producer, director), Eddie Firestone, Vic Perrin, Jack Moyles, Jean Carson, Charles Seel, Bud Sewell (announcer). 25 minutes.

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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.26 "Oregon 54-40" and Ep.25 "Nevada and the Comstock Lode" Ep.26. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Oregon 54-40". Music fill for local commercial insert. The story of how Oregon became a United States Territory, without our going to war with Canada. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Company Of America (Transco). . 14:54. Ep.27. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Nevada and The Comstock Lode". Music fill for local commercial insert. The big bonanza puts the state on the map. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Company Of America (Transco). . 14:45.

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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 #60. Mutual-Don Lee netwok origination, Ziv syndication. "The Feud". Commercials added locally. Not auditioned. Jack Mather, Harry Lang. 27:27.

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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. THIS EPISODE: April 1, 1956. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "Lost Child". Major Barlow believes in treating Indians as Captain Custer does...harshly. The story is also known as "Major Barlow's Survey." The program was recorded March 1, 1956 and originally scheduled for broadcast April 8, 1956. The writer is reported to be Les Crutchfield, not Gil Doud. The program may also be dated March 15, 1956. Raymond Burr, Vic Perrin, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Gil Doud (writer), Bill James (sound patterns), Ray Kemper (sound patterns), Amerigo Moreno (music supervisor), Lawrence Dobkin, Clayton Post, Ralph Moody, Jack Moyles, Dick Beals. 1/2 hour.

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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: June 14, 1959. CBS network. "Kitty's Kidnap". Sponsored by: Longines, Mutual Of Omaha, Turtlewax, Old Spice, Casite Tuneup, Look. Pete Brass is arrested for robbery and murder, but his men kidnap Kitty and offer to "horse trade" with Marshal Dillon. William Conrad, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, Ken Lynch, Harry Bartell, Vic Perrin, James Nusser, Marian Clark (writer). 1/2 hour.

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Jesse 8/29/53 Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "Black Jack Larue" 9/29/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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. THIS EPISODE: May 20, 1954. NBC network. Sustaining. Who shot the bank robber named Wyatt King? He was also known as, "The Wyoming Kid." Was it the Six-Shooter? Of course!  Jimmy Stewart, Jack Johnstone (director), Basil Adlam (music), William Johnstone, Herb Vigran, Barney Phillips, Junius Matthews, Frank Burt (creator, writer), Joel Cranston, John Wald (announcer). 29:42.

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The General Mills (CBS) Radio Adventure Theater Known as "General Mills Radio Adventure Theater" the first time this series aired in 1977, and then renamed CBSRAT for the repeat season later that year and into early 1978, there were only 52 episodes for this series geared toward younger listeners, hosted by Tom Bosley. The series was an excellent presentation, always well acted and notably produced. THIS  EPISODE: Remember The Alamo - The Battle of the Alamo was fought in February and March 1836 in San Antonio, Texas. The conflict, a part of the Texas Revolution, was the first step in Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's attempt to retake the province of Texas after an insurgent army of Texan settlers and adventurers from the United States had driven out all Mexican troops the previous year. Mexican forces began a siege of the Texian forces garrisoned at the Alamo Mission on Tuesday, February 23. For the next twelve days, Mexican cannons advanced slowly to positions nearer the Alamo walls, while Texian soldiers worked to improve their defenses. Alamo co-commander William Travis sent numerous letters to the acting Texas government, the remaining Texas army under James Fannin, and various Texas communities, asking for reinforcements, provisions, and ammunition. Several times small groups of Texians ventured outside the Alamo walls, occasionally skirmishing with Mexican soldiers. Mexican forces received reinforcements on March 3. The Texians were reinforced at least once, when 32 men from Gonzales entered the fort, and may have received additional reinforcements. Additional Texas settlers and American adventurers gathered at Gonzales to prepare for the march to San Antonio.

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Screen Director's Playhouse - From 01/09/49 to 09/28/51 this series was greatly enjoyed by the radio listening audience. It opened as NBC Theater and was also known as The Screen Director?s Guild and The Screen Director?s Assignment. But most people remember it simply as Screen Director?s Playhouse. Many of the Hollywood elite were heard recreating their screen roles over the radio. John Wayne in his rare radio appearances, Cary Grant, Edward G. Robinson, Lucille Ball, Claire Trevor, Tallulah Bankhead and many others were on the air week after week during these broadcasts. Many of Hollywood?s directors were also heard in the recreation of their movies. The President of the Screen Director?s Guild appeared on 02/13/49, and Violinist Isaac Stern supplied the music for the 04/19/51 broadcast. THIS EPISODE: Whispering Smith aired September 16, 1949 starring Alan Ladd. A railroad detective tries to bring in a gang of train robbers and a lost love. In the Rocky Mountain division of a western railroad, the Barton brothers, Blake, Leroy and Gabby, a trio of thieving assassins, murder a guard on the Cheyenne express train. Railroad detective Luke Smith, called "Whispering" for his secretive way of investigating, is assigned to the case.

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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: February 27, 1953. Program #23. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Thunder Over Texas". Music fill for local commercial insert. Doc Slavin and his henchman "Cinco" kill the land agent to keep Danish Dairy farmers from moving to Sunbeam Valley. 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). 28:19.

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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: March 2, 1958. CBS network. "The Lost Mine". Sustaining. The story of Shorthorn Tom, an old prospector with a large nugget and the location of the mine from which it came! The public service announcements are partially deleted. The program is also known as "Gold Colic." John Dehner, Joseph Kearns, Virginia Gregg, Herb Ellis, Antony Ellis (writer, producer, director), Don Diamond, Wilbur Hatch (composer, director), John Wald (announcer). 24:32.

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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.

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Gone Straight 8/22/53 Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Key of Death" 8/20/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 early1950s. (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.

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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.

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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 wasusually 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The $5,000 Reward" 7/21/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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. 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.

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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. 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.

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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: 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Boy 8/1/53 Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Seven Devils" 7/16/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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. 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.

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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 wasusually 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.  

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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: 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.

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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.

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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 oneof 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 theWestern 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.

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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.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Fort Disaster" 6/19/53

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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.

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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. 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.

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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 NormanMacdonnell 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.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "The Trail Driver" 6/19/53

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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.

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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.

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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: January 25, 1959. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Teacher". A school teacher insists on teaching the truth, which almost gets her school-house burned down! The script was used on the "Have Gun, Will Travel" television show on March 15, 1958. John Dehner, Ben Wright, Virginia Gregg (doubles), Harry Bartell, Hugh Douglas (announcer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Sam Rolfe (creator, writer), John Dawson (adaptor), Helen Kleeb, Richard Perkins, Joel Davis, Herb Meadow (creator), Bill James (sound effects), Tom Hanley (sound effects). 25 minutes.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "On The Prod" 6/5/53

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Hickok   7/25/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  5/23/52  "The Shotgun Swindler"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "Gun War at Oak Pass"  7/14/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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 wasusually 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 #68. Mutual-Don Lee net origination, Ziv syndication. "The Son Of Whitey King". Sponsored by: Commercials added locally (public service announcements added). Not auditioned. Jack Mather, Harry Lang. 28:52.  

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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: July 29, 1950. NBC network. "The Broken Spur". Sponsored by: Wheaties. Based on the events of June 5, 1948. A dead man found in a burned out house, a broken spur and a fat man with small feet! Joel McCrea, Stacy Keach (producer, director), Tony Barrett, Frank Martin (commercial spokesman), Hal Gibney (announcer). 29:36.

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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: January 24, 1954. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. Helen Bricker is ostracized by the town because of her outlaw husband. A mob plans to burn her out after her husband is hanged. Jimmy Stewart, Jack Johnstone (director), Basil Adlam (music), Lillian Buyeff, Will Wright, Parley Baer, Herb Vigran, John Wald (announcer), Frank Burt (creator, writer), Ken Christy. 30:45.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Bullets for Boot Hill" 5/29/53

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Wild West   7/18/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  5/21/52  "Bandits of Badwater"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Golden Bullet"  7/9/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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: January 6, 1957. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "Devil's Hindmost". After Rancy Weber leaves her abusive husband, she goes to work at the Long Branch and meets a handsome gambler named Frisco Bates. After Buck Weber swears revenge, a murder takes place in Dodge. William Conrad, Parley Baer, Les Crutchfield (writer), Vic Perrin, Harry Bartell, Virginia Christine, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), George Walsh (announcer). 25:24.

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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 #10. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "The Gambler, The Mayor, and High Taxes". Music fill for local commercial insert. The tax collector of Medicine Creek blows the whistle on municipal corruption and gets a bullet for his trouble. 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.

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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 13, 1952. Program #52. Mutual network. "The River Boat Killers". Sponsored by: Kellogg's Sugar Corn Pops. A gang of bandits uses semaphore signals to coordinate robberies on the Colorado river. The opening is slightly upcut, the system cue is added live. Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music). 25:07.

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This week E.L. Huffman  presents Family Theater - "The Littlest Angel" - 12/21/49. Wagons West is another one of the great Yesterday USA Old Time Radio Show Programs.After being broadcast on YUSA, this famous program is now available thanks to a special arrangement between Radio Nostalgia Network and Yesterday USA. Listen Live to Yesterday USA , http://yesterdayusa.com

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Grass   7/11/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  5/16/52  "The Champion of Faro Flats"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "The Case" 5/22/53

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "Prophet of Boot Hill"  7/7/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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Bonanza chronicled the weekly adventures of the Cartwright family, headed by wise widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright (played by Lorne Greene). He had three biological sons, each by a different wife: the oldest was the intelligent and moody Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts); the second was the fun and lovable Eric, better known to viewers by his middle name: "Hoss" (Dan Blocker); and the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or "Little Joe" (Michael Landon). The family's cook was the Chinese immigrant Hop Sing (Victor Sen Yung). The family lived on a thousand-square-mile ranch called "The Ponderosa", on the shore of Lake Tahoe in Nevada; the name refers to the Ponderosa Pine, common in the West. THIS EPISODE: The Saga of Annie O'Toole adapted for radio from Bonanza aired October 24, 1959. Annie O'Toole and her father head out to the Washoe Diggings after her boyfriend, Swede Lundberg, returns with the deeds to two mines. Annie takes one of the deeds in return for the grub stake she gave Swede. Upon her arrival in Nevada, her father dies and she meets up with the Cartwrights. Against Adam's advice (and with his help), Annie decides to open up a restaurant to supply meals to the hungry miners. Things seem to be going well until Swede shows up with another man who claims that Annie's mine is his.

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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 NormanMacdonnell 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.) THIS EPISODE: February 19, 1956. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "Boredom". Private Soothey is bored with garrison duty. He has a plan for getting a little action out of the Indians. The Cheyenne oblige. The program was recorded February 16, 1956 and is also known "Unknown Disease At Fort." Vivi Janis, Raymond Burr, Joe Cranston, Les Crutchfield (writer), Parley Baer, Sam Edwards, Jack Kruschen, Howard Culver. 25 minutes.

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Gunsmoke - The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. It was created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. 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: August 20, 1955. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "Indian Scout". Amos Cartwright is half-breed Comanche hated by both his tribe and the Whites...and with good reason! The script was used on the Gunsmoke television series on March 31, 1956. William Conrad, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Barney Phillips, Joseph Kearns, John Dunkel (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Rex Koury (composer, conductor), Ray Kemper (sound patterns), Bill James (sound patterns). 25:48.

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Dirt   7/4/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Open Range"  Part 2 of 2.

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  5/14/52  "Two Plus Two"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Hoodoo Driver"  7/2/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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 oneof 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: June 21, 1959. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "North Fork". Paladin protects the Mennonite community in North Fork from a town determined to drive them out. The script was used on the "Have Gun, Will Travel" television show on May 24, 1958. John Dehner, Ben Wright, Virginia Gregg, Lou Krugman, Jess Kirkpatrick, Harry Bartell, Vic Perrin, Joseph Kearns, Hugh Douglas (announcer), Irving Rubine (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), John Dawson (adaptor), Tom Hanley (sound effects), Bill James (sound effects), Sam Rolfe (creator), Herb Meadow (sosound effects). 25 minutes.

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The Lone Ranger was an American long-running early radio and television show created by George W. Trendle (with considerable input from station staff members), and developed by writer Fran Striker. The titular character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West, who gallops about righting injustices, usually with the aid of a clever and laconic American Indian sidekick called Tonto, and his horse Silver. He would famously say "Hi-yo Silver, away!" to get the horse to gallop. On the radio and TV-series, the usual opening announcement was: ? A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty 'Hi-yo Silver!' The Lone Ranger! ?In later episodes the opening narration ended with the catch phrase "Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.... The Lone Ranger Rides Again!" Episodes usually ended with one of the characters lamenting the fact that they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!" as he and Tonto ride away. The theme music was the "cavalry charge" finale of Gioacchino Rossini's William Tell Overture, now inseparably associated with the series, which also featured many other classical selections as incidental music including Wagner, Mendelssohn, Liszt, and Tchaikovsky. The theme was conducted by Daniel Perez Castaneda. Inspiration for the name may have come from The Lone Star Ranger, a novel by Zane Grey. Karl May's tales of Old Shatterhand and Chief Winnetou may have influenced the creation of the concept; they in turn were influenced by The Leatherstocking Tales of James Fenimore Cooper. The legends of Robin Hood and the popular character Zorro were also a likely inspiration. THIS EPISODE: March 30, 1938. Syndicated. "Mack," (Black) Mike". Music fill for local commercial insert. Two bad guys plan to rob the night stage from Paso Doble to Dalton, by switching the signs to lead the coach to a bed of quicksand. Tonto's horse is called "White Feller," not "Scout." Earle Graser, John Todd. 28:40.  

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Mutual Radio Theater (Sears Radio Theater) (SRT) was an anthology series of radio drama which ran weeknightly on CBS Radio in 1979, sponsored by the department-store chain; in its second year, 1980, it moved to the Mutual Broadcasting System and became the Mutual Radio Theater; the MBS series was repeats from the CBS run, until September of 1980, when a short season of new dramas was presented. The Mutual run was still most often sponsored by Sears. Often paired with The CBS Radio Mystery Theater on those stations which cleared it in its first season, the SRT offered a different genre of drama for each day's broadcast. Monday was "Western Night" and was hosted by Lorne Greene. Tuesday was "Comedy Night", hosted by Andy Griffith. Wednesday was "Mystery Night" with Vincent Price as host. Thursday was "Love And Hate Night" with Cicely Tyson doing honors as host. Finally, Friday brought "Adventure Night", first hosted by Richard Widmark and later by Howard Duff and then by Leonard Nimoy. Though less long-lived than NPR's Earplay or the Mystery Theater, it was an ambitious if not particularly critically-favored attempt to reinvigorate a neglected field. THIS EPISODE: The Goodnight Loving Trail aired on April 14, 1980 hosted by Lorne Greene starring Jeff Corey and Jack Edwards. Before the Civil War, the Shawnee Trail led Texas cattlemen to markets in Kansas City and St. Louis. Following the war, increased settlement closed that route, and in 1866 Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving blazed a trail west to the New Mexico and Colorado markets, called the Goodnight-Loving Trail. Soon, however, railheads in Kansas led cowboys up the Chisholm Trail to Abilene, and up the Western Trail to Dodge City and points north.

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Flashback   6/27/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  5/9/52  "Alkali Justice"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "Dynamite in the Blue Chip Mine"  6/30/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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.

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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: September 2, 1950. NBC net. "Play For Keeps". Sustaining. Based on events of December 12, "several years ago." Jace Pearson tracks down the crooked constable who killed Sheriff  Smithers in cold blood. Joel McCrea, Stacy Keach (producer, director), Hal Gibney (announcer). 29:30.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Open Range"  Part 1 of 2.

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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. This entertaining educational collection brings history to life and is organized by year. These events are dramatized episodes of old time radio shows such as American Trail, Cavalcade of America, Destination Freedom, Frontier Fighters, Mr President, You are There and many others. Also in the collection are turn-of-the-century Edison Wax Cylinder recordings. TWO EPISODES: Program #22. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. Music fill for local commercial insert. General Dodge and Leland Stanford complete the first transcontinental railroad after the Civil War. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Company Of America (Transco). . 14:44. Program #23. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "The Massacre At Taos". Music fill for local commercial insert. After the governor of New Mexico is killed by a mob, civilization slowly comes to the territory. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Company Of America (Transco). . 14:43.

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Wind   6/20/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  5/7/52  "The Black Canyon Gang"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "Devil Town"  6/25/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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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: "Theman 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: January 17, 1954. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. A trip through a mountain pass with two strange companions...with a strange purpose. See cat. #59603 for a network version of this broadcast. Basil Adlam (music), Forrest Lewis, William Conrad, Hal Gibney (announcer), Frank Burt (creator, writer), Eleanor Audley, Frank Gerstle, Joe Cranston, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Johnstone (director). 1/2 hour.

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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, 1959. CBS networek. "Wagon Show". Sponsored by: Pepsi Cola. There's an elephant on Front Street in Dodge! The circus is in town! With the circus comes Maggie Bannock "the strongest lady in the world," and her Confederate flag! Part of the Pepsi commercial, the other commercials and the program closing have been deleted. William Conrad, Tom Hanley (writer), Ralph Moody, Jeanette Nolan, James Nusser, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Vic Perrin, Howard McNear, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), John Meston (editorial supervisor). 25:03.

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Luke Slaughter of Tombstone was a very short series and aired only from February 23 through June 15, 1958, discontinued after only 16 broadcasts. Sam Buffington enacted the title role on Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, another of CBS's prestigious adult Westerns. The series was produced and directed by William N. Robson, one of radio's greatest dramatic directors and Robert Stanley producer was aired from February 23 through June 15, 1958. Buffington portrayed the hard-boiled cattleman with scripts overseen by Gunsmoke sound effects artist (and sometimes scriptwriter) Tom Hanley. Each program had an authoritative opening statement: "Slaughter's my name, Luke Slaughter. Cattle's my business. It's a tough business, it's a big business. I got a big stake in it. And there's no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it away from me." Junius Matthews was heard as Slaughter's sidekick, Wichita. I think the show was cut short to quick, because it is a very entertaing adult western show.

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Spring Term  6/13/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  5/2/52  "Jingles, The Ladies"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "3-7-77"  6/23/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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This week E.L. Huffman  presents Ozzie & Harriet - "No Snow For Christmas" - 12/26/48. Wagons West is another one of the great Yesterday USA Old Time Radio Show Programs.After being broadcast on YUSA, this famous program is now available thanks to a special arrangement between Radio Nostalgia Network and Yesterday USA. Listen Live to Yesterday USA , http://yesterdayusa.com

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Trouble Rides the Range"  

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HAWK LARABEE was first heard 07/12/46 as HAWK DURANGO, the program soon changed its name to HAWK LARABEE and starred Barton Yarborough as Hawk. Barney Phillips played the sidekick role, Sombre Jones. Barton Yarborough also played the sidekick to Elliott Lewis' role of Hawk Larabee in a different version of this program. Last heard 02/07/48. Barton Yarborough (October 2, 1900 ? December 19, 1951) in Texas, was an American actor born in Texas, and died in Pasadena of a heart attack. He worked extensively in radio drama, and was probably best known for his roles as Doc Long on Carlton E. Morse's "I Love a Mystery" and Sergeant Ben Romero on Dragnet. His other work includes the role of "Skip Turner" in Adventures by Morse, also by Carlton E. Morse. In the 1940s, appeared in "Hawk Larabee" radio show with another future "Dragnet" co-star, Barney Phillips. Yarborough ended his career playing Sgt. Ben Romero in the first (1951) season of television's Dragnet. THIS EPISODE: November 7, 1946. CBS net. Sustaining. Hawk becomes a deputy preacher to convert Tillie McGoon and her desperado friends. Barton Yarborough, William N. Robson (writer). 1/2 hour.

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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: August 26, 1951. Program #14. Mutual network. "The Secret Of Arroyo Diablo". Sponsored by: Kellogg's Corn Pops. A baby is found covered with blood and clutching a large gold nugget. The system cue is added live. Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Charles Lyon (announcer), David Hire (producer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music), Jack Moyles, James Nusser, Mary Lansing, Tyler McVey, John McGovern. 24:27.

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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 oneof 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: December 28, 1958. CBS net origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "No Visitors". Paladin comes upon a woman and child in the desert, possibly with Typhoid fever.  The script was originally used on the "Have Gun, Will Travel" television show on November 30, 1957. John Dehner, Ben Wright, Virginia Gregg, Vic Perrin, Lou Krugman, Jeanne Bates, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), John Dunkel (adaptor), Don Brinkley (writer), Hugh Douglas (announcer), John James, Bill James (sound effects), Tom Hanley (sound effects), Herb Meadow (creator), Sam Rolfe (creator). 25 minutes.

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Sundown   6/6/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  4/30/52  "A Hornet's Nest"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "Blazing Guns at Love Bend"  6/18/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Glory Trail"  

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Screen Director's Playhouse - From 01/09/49 to 09/28/51 this series was greatly enjoyed by the radio listening audience. It opened as NBC Theater and was also known as The Screen Director?s Guild and The Screen Director?s Assignment. But most people remember it simply as Screen Director?s Playhouse. Many of the Hollywood elite were heard recreating their screen roles over the radio. John Wayne in his rare radio appearances, Cary Grant, Edward G. Robinson, Lucille Ball, Claire Trevor, Tallulah Bankhead and many others were on the air week after week during these broadcasts. Many of Hollywood?s directors were also heard in the recreation of their movies. The President of the Screen Director?s Guild appeared on 02/13/49, and Violinist Isaac Stern supplied the music for the 04/19/51 broadcast. THIS EPISODE: "YELLOW SKY" A band of bank robbers on the run from a posse flee into the desert. Near death from lack of water they stumble into what appears to be a ghost town, only to discover an old prospector and his granddaughter living there. The robbers discover that the old man has been mining gold and set out to make a quick fortune by robbing the pair. Their plan runs foul when the gang leader, Stretch (Gregory Peck), falls for the granddaughter (Anne Baxter), which sets off a showdown between the entire gang. Written by E.W. DesMarais

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THE LUX RADIO THEATER was first heard on NBC October 14, 1934 as a Sunday afternoon show. On July 19, 1935, it moved to CBS and into it's long running Monday night time slot. All shows were one hour long. Less than a year after it's arrival on the air, the series' ratings began to drop. Danny Danker, an executive working for the advertising agency handling the Lux account, was given the responsibility to improve the show. What the show needed was extravaganza, and what the show got was Cecil B. DeMille. With DeMille as host, THE LUX RADIO THEATER brought in big name stars and brought the show back up to the top of the charts. DeMille became an institution on the show, conveying an almost frantic "the show must go on" attitude. Mr. DeMille left after the Jan. 22, 1945 show. The role of show host changed a number of times through the remainder of the show's history. William Keightley was the last host, remaining for the show's last curtain call on June 7, 1955. The CBS series ran through the Summer initially. It was off for the Summer every season after the first season. In 1953, CBS offered the Lux Summer Theater, a series of 14 hour-long shows, that aired in the same time slot as the regular Lux series. Both times that Lux was heard on NBC was for a single season. THIS EPISODE: MY DARLING CLEMENTINE (4-28-47) Wyatt Earp and his brothers Morgan and Virgil ride into Tombstone and leave brother James in charge of their cattle herd. On their return they find their cattle stolen and James dead. Wyatt takes on the job of town marshal, making his brothers deputies, and vows to stay in Tombstone until James' killers are found. He soon runs into the brooding, coughing, hard-drinking Doc Holliday as well as the sullen and vicious Clanton clan. Wyatt discovers the owner of a trinket stolen from James' dead body and the stage is set for the Earps' long-awaited revenge. Written by Doug Sederberg vornoff@sonic.net

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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: April 26, 1959. CBS network. "The Badge". Commercials deleted. A not-too-bright bank robber named Augie shoots Marshal Dillon just because he wants his badge! His pal Rack does his thinking for him, and plans to keep Dillon alive for his own reasons! The program closing has been deleted after the cast credits. The script was used on the Gunsmoke television series on November 12, 1960. William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Marian Clark (writer), John Meston (editorial supervisor), Harry Bartell, Vic Perrin. 24:22.

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Fall Semester   5/30/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  4/25/52  "Bullets at the Silver"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Duel"  6/11/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Sundown Valley" 

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Luke Slaughter of Tombstone was a very short series and aired only from February 23 through June 15, 1958, discontinued after only 16 broadcasts. Sam Buffington enacted the title role on Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, another of CBS's prestigious adult Westerns. The series was produced and directed by William N. Robson, one of radio's greatest dramatic directors and Robert Stanley producer was aired from February 23 through June 15, 1958. Buffington portrayed the hard-boiled cattleman with scripts overseen by Gunsmoke sound effects artist (and sometimes scriptwriter) Tom Hanley. Each program had an authoritative opening statement: "Slaughter's my name, Luke Slaughter. Cattle's my business. It's a tough business, it's a big business. I got a big stake in it. And there's no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it away from me." Junius Matthews was heard as Slaughter's sidekick, Wichita. I think the show was cut short to quick, because it is a very entertaing adult western show.

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THE REAL MCCOYS - A happy-go-lucking West Virginia mountain family picks up stakes and moves to a ranch in California's San Fernando Valley. Center of the action, and undisputed star of the show, was Grandpa, a porch-rockin', gol-darnin',consarnin' old geezer with a wheezy voice who liked to meddle in practically everybody's affairs, neighbors and kin alike. His kin were grandson Luke and his new bride, Kate; Luke's teenage sister, Hassie; and Luke's 11-year-old brother, Little Luke (their parents were deceased). Completing the regular cast were Pepino, their loyal farm hand; George MacMichael, their crusty neighbor and Amos' best friend; and Flora, George's spinster sister who had eyes for Amos THIS EPISODE: Grampa Sells His Gun adapted for radio aired on October 24, 1957. The Real McCoys was a situation comedy that aired on the ABC network from 1957 through 1962. It aired for one more season on CBS before its end in 1963. The series revolved around the lives of a mountain family who originally hailed from West Virginia. The McCoys moved to California where they became dirt farmers. The family consisted of Grampa Amos McCoy, the head of the family played by Walter Brennan, his grandson Luke played by Richard Crenna, Luke's new bride Kate played by Kathleen Nolan, teenage sister Hassie played be Lydia Reed, and 11-year-old brother Little Luke played by Michael Winkelman. The Real McCoys paved the way for such rural hits as The Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy Griffith Show.

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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 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.

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  4/11/52  "The Deadlock at Silver Creek"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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Print Asper 5/23/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Trail of the Blood Red Sun"  6/9/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Sixgun Lawyer." 

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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: September 27, 1953. NBC network. Sponsored by: Coleman Home Heaters. Everyone knows that Will Fedder is a coward because he won't wear a gun. However, a man can be pushed just so far! Jimmy Stewart, Howard McNear, Michael Ann Barrett, Will Wright, Frank Burt (creator, writer), Basil Adlam (music), Jack Johnstone (director), Hal Gibney (announcer), Herb Ellis. 29:34.

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The Lone Ranger was an American long-running early radio and television show created by George W. Trendle (with considerable input from station staff members), and developed by writer Fran Striker. The titular character is a masked TexasRanger in the American Old West, who gallops about righting injustices, usually with the aid of a clever and laconic American Indian sidekick called Tonto, and his horse Silver. He would famously say "Hi-yo Silver, away!" to get the horse to gallop. On the radio and TV-series, the usual opening announcement was: ? A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty 'Hi-yo Silver!' The Lone Ranger! ?In later episodes the opening narration ended with the catch phrase "Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.... The Lone Ranger Rides Again!" Episodes usually ended with one of the characters lamenting the fact that they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!" as he and Tonto ride away. The theme music was the "cavalry charge" finale of Gioacchino Rossini's William Tell Overture, now inseparably associated with the series, which also featured many other classical selections as incidental music including Wagner, Mendelssohn, Liszt, and Tchaikovsky. The theme was conducted by Daniel Perez Castaneda. Inspiration for the name may have come from The Lone Star Ranger, a novel by Zane Grey. Karl May's tales of Old Shatterhand and Chief Winnetou may have influenced the creation of the concept; they in turn were influenced by The Leatherstocking Tales of James Fenimore Cooper. The legends of Robin Hood and the popular character Zorro were also a likely inspiration.

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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 late1955, 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.INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY Old Time Radio Researchers Group (http://otrr.org/) THIS EPISODE: April 22, 1956. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The New Recruit". The story of a man who was in the army...but never really a soldier, who re-enlists, but for a strange reason. See cat. #55348 for a network version of this broadcast. The program was recorded March 29, 1956. Raymond Burr, E. Jack Neuman (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Vic Perrin, Amerigo Moreno (music supervisor), Bill James (sound patterns), Ray Kemper (sound patterns), Lawrence Dobkin, Lou Krugman, Sam Edwards, John Dehner, Jack Moyles, Paul Dubov, James Nusser. 1/2 hour.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "Western Empire "  Jeff Chandler,  Bill Forman (announcer).

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  4/18/52  "The Secret of Sandy"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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The Big ConGunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radioversion ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Golden Slugs of Rainbow Falls"  6/4/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburnin supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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The Tom Mix Ralston Straightshooters "The Mystery Of The Green Man" (6-30-44) and "The Mystery Of The Border Smugglers" 12-15-41) SHOW1--June 30, 1944. Mutual network. "The Mystery Of The Green Man".  Sponsored by: Ralston Cereals. A strange swami offers to buy the house being haunted by "The Green Man," a large catus that cam make a house disappear! A good show. Curley Bradley. 14:39. SHOW2--December 16, 1941. Blue Network. "The Mystery Of The Border Smugglers               ". Sponsored by: Ralston Cereals, Ry-Krisp. "The Mask" ties up Tom, Pecos, and The Wrangler and sets fire to the ranch house! A secret coded message is sent to Starightshooters listening in! Russell Thorson, Curley Bradley. 14:45. Audio condition: Very good to excellent.

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Wild Bill Hickok. 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: March 4, 1953. Program #135. Globe Sound syndication. "Gun Belt Treasure". Commercials added locally. Returning from Mexico, Wild Bill and Jingles are held up, but all the robbers take are Jingles' bullets! This syndicated version uses canned music instead of Richard Aurandt at the organ. The date is subject to correction. Guy Madison, Andy Devine, David Hire (producer), Paul Pierce (writer, director), Joseph Du Val, Frank Gerstle, Forrest Lewis, Charles Lyon (announcer). 21:01.

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Western Wednesday Presents Frontier Town "The Coach That Arrived "  Jeff Chandler,  Bill Forman (announcer).

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Cowboy Theater presents Wild Bill Hickok.  4/16/52  "A Snap For Snooper"  Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Cliff Arquette, Clayton Post, John Stevenson, Jack Moyles, David Hire (producer), Charles Lyon (announcer), Paul Pierce (director), Richard Aurandt (music).

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The Buffalo Hunter   5/9/53Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories took place in or about Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest radio dramas of all time; the television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and still holds the record for the longest-running U.S. prime time fictional television program.    

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This weeks The Cisco Kid presents "The Rustlers"  6/2/53 The Cisco Kid came to radio October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. With Vicki Vola and Bryna Raeburn in supporting roles and Michael Rye announcing, this series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956. Join us week as we  listen to each exciting episode of The Cisco Kid.

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This week E.L. Huffman  presents Frontier Gentleman - part1 and Music of Gene Autry. Wagons West is another one of the great Yesterday USA Old Time Radio Show Programs.After being broadcast on YUSA, this famous program is now available thanks to a special arrangement between Radio Nostalgia Network and Yesterday USA. Listen Live to Yesterday USA , http://yesterdayusa.com

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