Western Theater

The Story of Gunsmoke

TPW (Robert) — Wed, 8 Jul 2015 02:23:00 -0500

Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West.
The radio version ran from 1952 to 1961, and old time radio expert John Dunning writes that among radio drama enthusiasts "Gunsmoke is routinely placed among the best shows of any kind and any time." The television version ran from 1955 to 1975 and is one of the longest-running prime time series (tied with The Simpsons), and the second-longest running prime time fictional program in U.S. television history, its record surpassed only by the Disney anthology television series and Hallmark Hall of Fame.

The radio series starred William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon; Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams; Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell; and Parley Baer as Dillon's assistant Chester Proudfoot.

The Story of Gunsmoke.mp3

Screen Director's Playhouse 51-09-07 (119) Broken Arrow

TPW (Robert) — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:45:00 -0500

Broken Arrow from Screen Director's Playhouse aired September 7, 1951. Starring in their original roles is James Stewart as Tom Jeffords, Jeff Chandler as Cochise and Debra Paget as Sonseeahray (Morningstar). Broken Arrow is the story of a land, of the people who lived on it in the year 1870, and of a man whose name was Cochise. He was an Indian leader of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. The performances of James Stewart, Jeff Chandler and Debra Paget are outstanding and Broken Arrow is one of the first westerns to portray Native Americans in a balanced, sympathetic way. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, and won a Golden Globe. Interesting is that the world premier was at the Nusho Theater in downtown Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Screen Director's Playhouse 51-09-07 (119) Broken Arrow.mp3

Hollywood Radio Theater 55-02-22 Shane

TPW (Robert) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 21:37:00 -0600

"Shane" from Hollywood Radio Theater aired February 22, 1955. Shane tells the story of a gunfighter who comes to a recently settled farm area near a quiet town and fights for the rights of homesteaders against the long-entrenched hard-bitten open-range cattlemen who control the majority of the land. Alan Ladd, Van Heflin, Ruth Hussey, Parley Baer and Howard McNear.land.

Hollywood Radio Theater 55-02-22 Shane

The Fastest Gun Alive part 2-2

TPW (Robert) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:15:00 -0600

Here is a specially edited version for radio of "The Fastest Gun Alive" in two parts about notorious gunslinger George Kelby Jr. (Glenn Ford) and his wife Dora (Jeanne Crain) who settle down in a peaceful little town under assumed identities to avoid having to continually face men out to become famous for shooting down the "fastest gun alive". George becomes a mild-mannered tea-totaling shopkeeper with little respect by some townsfolk.

One day, the whole town hears the news that outlaw Vinnie Harold (Broderick Crawford) has gunned down Clint Fallon, reputedly the fastest gun in the west. George's pride is stung. Also starring Leif Erickson as Lou Glover and John Dehner as Taylor Swope.

The Fastest Gun Alive part 2-2

The Fastest Gun Alive part 1-2

TPW (Robert) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:00:00 -0600

Studio One - Singing Guns by Max Brand

TPW (Robert) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 01:00:00 -0600

Singing Guns was aired by Studio One on October 21, 1947 starring Myron McCormick and Gary Merrill. The story is dramatized from the novel Singing Guns by Max Brand, who you may remember created the Western character Destry, featured in several filmed versions of Destry Rides Again, and his character Dr. Kildare was adapted to motion pictures, radio, television, and comic books.

Singing Guns is about a sheriff, Owen Caradac, who is saved from certain death by the legendary killer Rhiannon, and the two forge a bond that changes Rhiannon's life.

This is a top notch story and the acting is outstanding in this one hour western drama.

Studio One 471021 26 Singing Guns

TPW 053 Columbia Workshop 41-03-02 Roadside

TPW (Robert) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 22:03:00 -0500

"Roadside" from the old radio series Columbia Workshop aired March 2, 1941 on CBS with Burl Ives. A farce of the old West.

TPW 053 Columbia Workshop 41-03-02 Roadside

TPW 052 Hollywood Radio Theater (Lux AFRS) 53-01-12 (812) The Story of Will Rogers

TPW (Robert) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 21:37:00 -0500

"The Story of Will Rogers" from Hollywood Radio Theater tells the biography of humorist and movie star Will Rogers. Starring in the production was Will Rogers, Jr. and Jane Wyman.

William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was a Cherokee cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer and actor. Known as Oklahoma's favorite son, Rogers was born to a prominent Indian Territory family. He traveled around the world three times, made 71 movies (50 silent films and 21 "talkies"), wrote more than 4,000 nationally-syndicated newspaper columns, and became a world-famous figure.

By the mid-1930s, Rogers was adored by the American people, and was the top-paid movie star in Hollywood at the time. Rogers died in 1935 with aviator Wiley Post, when their small airplane crashed near Barrow, Alaska Territory.

TPW 052 Hollywood Radio Theater (Lux AFRS) 53-01-12 (812) The Story of Will Rogers

TPW 051 Sgt 45-12-10 Along Came Jones

TPW (Robert) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:32:00 -0500

"Along Came Jones" from The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater aired December 10, 1945 on CBS starring Gary Cooper. A mild mannered cowpoke is mistaken for a badman with a $1000 reward offered for his capture.

TPW 051 Sgt 45-12-10 Along Came Jones

TPW 050 Lux Radio Theater 49-04-18 (654) The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (HQ)

TPW (Robert) — Sat, 7 Jan 2012 08:20:00 -0600

"The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre" from the the radio series Lux Radio Theater aired April 18, 1949 on CBS. A story of gold and greed in the mountains of Mexico with Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston and Frank Lovejoy.

TPW 050 Lux Radio Theater 49-04-18 (654) The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (HQ)

TPW 049 Lux Radio Theater 55-03-22 Rawhide

TPW (Robert) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:17:00 -0600

Rawhide from Lux Radio Theater aired March 22, 1955 starring Donna Reed and Jeffrey Hunter. Jim Zimmerman, a fugitive murderer from Huntsville Prison disguised as a deputy, and three other ruthless escapees take over the station and imprison a man, a woman and a baby.

TPW 049 Lux Radio Theater 55-03-22 Rawhide

TPW 048 Lux Radio Theater 51-11-12 Winchester 73

TPW (Robert) — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 05:55:00 -0500

"Winchester '73" from the series Lux Radio Theater aired November 12, 1951 on CBS sponsored by: Lux. 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. Jimmy Stewart, Stephen McNally, Julie Adams, Dan Riss, Herb Butterfield, Wally Maher, Tim Graham, William Johnstone, William Conrad.

TPW 048 Lux Radio Theater 51-11-12 Winchester 73

TPW 047 Sears Radio Theater 790716 Punishment and Crime

TPW (Robert) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:26:00 -0500

Sears Radio Theater was an anthology radio drama series which ran weeknightly on CBS Radio in 1979, sponsored by the Sears chain. Often paired with The CBS Radio Mystery Theater during its first season, the program offered a different genre of drama for each day's broadcast. This selection "Punishment and Crime" is a story of the old west hosted by Lorne Greene starring Parley Baer and Howard Culver. The story was writtrn by Percy Grainger and produced by Fletcher Markle.

TPW 047 Sears Radio Theater 790716 Punishment and Crime

TPW 46 Escape 49-12-06 Command

TPW (Robert) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:15:00 -0500

"Command" from the old radio series Escape aired December 6, 1949 on CBS. A good story about the U. S. Cavalry being menaced by hostile Indians. One young officer thinks his commander is a fool. James Warner Bellah (author), William N. Robson (director), Elliott Reid.

TPW 46 Escape 49-12-06 Command

TPW 045 Maverick 58-04-13 Seed Of Deception

TPW (Robert) — Tue, 9 Aug 2011 17:02:00 -0500

"Seed of Deception" edited for radio from the old TV series Maverick aired April 13, 1958 starring James Garner as Bret Maverick and Jack Kelly as Bart Maverick. Riding through the town of Bonita, Bret and Bart are mistaken for Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday and stumble onto a bank robbery plot.

TPW 045 Maverick 58-04-13 Seed Of Deception

TPW 044 Hollywood Radio Theater - The Cowboy And The Lady

TPW (Robert) — Sun, 7 Aug 2011 07:47:00 -0500

"The Cowboy and the Lady" aired on Hollywood Radio Theater starring Gene Autry and Merle Oberon. Poor Mary Smith can't go night-clubbing or have any other fun because any hint of scandal could damage her father's political career. She decides to rebel and convinces her two maids to let her go along with them on a blind date with some rodeo performers. She tells her date....

TPW 044 Hollywood Radio Theater - The Cowboy And The Lady

TPW 043 Screen Director's Playhouse 51-06-07 The Gunfighter

TPW (Robert) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:33:00 -0500

"The Gunfighter" from Screen Director's Playhouse starring Gregory Peck aired June 7, 1951. Aging notorious gunfighter, Jimmy Ringo, trying to leave his past behind rides into town to find his true love, who doesn't want to see him. He hasn't come looking for trouble, but trouble finds him around every corner. This is a fantastic story, and without question, one of the best Westerns ever made. Old gunfighters can't just fade away

TPW 043 Screen Director's Playhouse 51-06-07 The Gunfighter

TPW 042 Gunsmoke 1955-07-09 Uncle Oliver

TPW (Robert) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:54:00 -0500

"Uncle Oliver" from the series Gunsmoke. aired July 9, 1955 on CBS sponsored by L & M, Chesterfield. Oliver and Viney Stang decide to get Chester's job, and the easiest way to do that is to shoot Chester...which is exactly what they do! The script was used on the Gunsmoke television series on May 25, 1957. William Conrad, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, Vic Perrin, Harry Bartell, John Meston (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Rex Koury (composer, conductor), Tom Hanley (sound patterns), Bill James (sound patterns), George Fenneman (commercial spokesman), George Walsh (announcer).

TPW 042 Gunsmoke 1955-07-09 Uncle Oliver

TPW 041 Sugarfoot 57-09-17 Brannigan's Boots

TPW (Robert) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:29:00 -0500

"Brannigan's Boots" edited for radio from the classic show Sugarfoot aired September 17, 1957 starring Will Hutchins as Tom Brannigan. Crooked politicians in Bluerock appoint Tom sheriff after noting his poor shooting aim, however, Tom takes the job seriously.

TPW 041 Sugarfoot 57-09-17 Brannigan's Boots

TPW 040 Hopalong Cassidy 50-01-08 The Rainmaker of Eagle Nest Mountain

TPW (Robert) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 10:08:00 -0500

"The Rainmaker of Eagle Nest Mountain" from thew old western radio series Hopalong Cassidy aired 50-01-08 with William Boyd and Andy Clyde. Hoppy wants to retire at Eagle Nest.

TPW 040 Hopalong Cassidy 50-01-08 The Rainmaker of Eagle Nest Mountain

TPW 039 The Story Of Hopalong Cassidy

TPW (Robert) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 20:37:00 -0500

Hopalong Cassidy is a fictional cowboy-hero, created in 1904 by Clarence E. Mulford and appearing in a series of popular stories and novels. In print, the character appears as a rude, rough-talking 'galoot'. Beginning in 1935, the character, played by William Boyd was transformed into the clean-cut hero of a series of 66 immensely popular films, only a few of which were based on Mulford's works. Mulford actually rewrote his earlier stories to fit the movie conception, and these led in turn to a comic book series modeled after the films. This story is about Hoppy portrayed on the screen. The juvenile lead was played by James Ellison, Russell Hayden, or Rand Brooks. Gabby Hayes originally played Cassidy's grizzled sidekick Windy Halliday. After Hayes left the series due to a salary dispute with producer Harry Sherman, he was replaced by comedian Britt Wood as Speedy McGinnis, and finally by veteran movie comedian Andy Clyde as California Carlson. Clyde, the most durable of the sidekicks, remained with the series until it ended.

TPW 039 The Story Of Hopalong Cassidy

TPW 038 Frontier Gentleman 1958-04-06 Powder River Kid

TPW (Robert) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 07:34:00 -0500

"The Powder River Kid" from the old western radio series Frontier Gentleman aired April 6, 1958 on CBS. The Powder River Kid has been shot, gangrene has set in and he doesn't have long to live. What about the reward? John Dehner, Joseph Kearns, Paula Winslowe, Lawrence Dobkin, Barney Phillips, Antony Ellis (producer, director), Wilbur Hatch (composer, conductor), John Wald (announcer).

TPW 038 Frontier Gentleman 1958-04-06 Powder River Kid

TPW 037 Have Gun Will Travel 1958-11-23 Strange Vendetta

TPW (Robert) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 07:20:00 -0500

"Strange Vendetta" from the series Have Gun, Will Travel aired November 23, 1958 on CBS sponsored by Kent and Lysol. The first show of the series. Senor Miguel Rojas has been knifed and is dying. Before passing on, he hires Paladin to deliver his body to Mexico. There's more than one surprise inside the coffin! The script was used on the "Have Gun, Will Travel" television series on October 26, 1957. John Dehner, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Hugh Douglas (announcer), Ben Wright, Lillian Buyeff, Harry Bartell, Joseph Kearns, Howard Culver, Ralph Moody, Vic Perrin, Ken Kolb (writer), John Dawson (adaptor), Bill James (sound effects), Tom Hanley (sound effects), Herb Meadow (creator), Sam Rolfe (creator).

TPW 037 Have Gun Will Travel 1958-11-23 Strange Vendetta

TPW 036 Hawk Larabee 47-11-01 Blind Chuck-A-Luck

TPW (Robert) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:49:00 -0500

"Blind Chuck-A-Luck" from the series Hawk Larabee aired November 01, 1947 on CBS. Larabee's name is mud in Silverbull. Elliott Lewis, Barton Yarborough

TPW 036 Hawk Larabee 47-11-01 Blind Chuck-A-Luck

TPW 035 Gunsmoke 520719 Doc Holliday

TPW (Robert) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:42:00 -0500

"Doc Holliday" from the old radio western series Gunsmoke aired July 19, 1952 on CBS. Doc Holliday has come to Dodge to kill Big Jack Finley. But Big Jack's son, Thorne Finley, is the real problem. Harry Bartell, Herb Purdum (writer), Lee Miller, Nestor Paiva, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Parley Baer, Ralph Moody, Rex Koury (composer, performer), Roy Rowan (announcer), Tom Tully, William Conrad.

TPW 035 Gunsmoke 520719 Doc Holliday