American radio and comic writer
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The show revolves around the thrilling escapades of a reporter aspiring to uncover the truth behind a violent incident involving her husband. As she navigates the dangerous underworld and the unscrupulous business practices of a rival, the Green Hornet emerges as a pivotal figure in the unfolding drama. The narrative explores themes of ambition, deception, and the quest for justice, culminating in a tense confrontation and unexpected twists.TakeawaysThe aspiration to be a reporter drives the protagonist.The investigation reveals deep connections to the underworld.The Green Hornet plays a crucial role in the narrative.Business rivalries can lead to dangerous consequences.The importance of courage in the face of adversity.Unexpected alliances can form in the pursuit of truth.The impact of violence on personal relationships is profound.Strategic thinking is essential in high-stakes situations.The narrative showcases the complexity of moral choices.The story emphasizes the power of the press in uncovering corruption."The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.The Green Hornet Radio Show: "The Green Hornet," a thrilling radio adventure series, first buzzed onto the airwaves in January 1936, captivating audiences with its tales of a masked vigilante battling crime. The initial portrayal of Britt Reid/The Green Hornet was voiced by Al Hodge, who was later succeeded by several other actors, most notably Brace Beemer, who became synonymous with the role for many listeners. Kato, Reid's loyal valet and skilled martial arts expert, was famously voiced by Tokutaro Hayashi and later Rollon Parker. The show's central premise revolved around Britt Reid, a wealthy newspaper publisher who secretly operated as The Green Hornet by night. Using his resources, along with Kato's fighting prowess and their signature gas gun, they fought criminals while maintaining Reid's public facade as a playboy. The target audience for "The Green Hornet" was broad, appealing to both younger listeners with its action and adventure and older audiences with its suspenseful storylines and charismatic lead. The original radio run spanned over fifteen years, concluding in December 1952, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture. Throughout its run, the show featured contributions from various talented actors and writers who helped shape its enduring appeal, including Fran Striker, the creator of both "The Green Hornet" and "The Lone Ranger."
The Green Hornet Radio Show: "The Green Hornet," a thrilling radio adventure series, first buzzed onto the airwaves in January 1936, captivating audiences with its tales of a masked vigilante battling crime. The initial portrayal of Britt Reid/The Green Hornet was voiced by Al Hodge, who was later succeeded by several other actors, most notably Brace Beemer, who became synonymous with the role for many listeners. Kato, Reid's loyal valet and skilled martial arts expert, was famously voiced by Tokutaro Hayashi and later Rollon Parker. The show's central premise revolved around Britt Reid, a wealthy newspaper publisher who secretly operated as The Green Hornet by night. Using his resources, along with Kato's fighting prowess and their signature gas gun, they fought criminals while maintaining Reid's public facade as a playboy. The target audience for "The Green Hornet" was broad, appealing to both younger listeners with its action and adventure and older audiences with its suspenseful storylines and charismatic lead. The original radio run spanned over fifteen years, concluding in December 1952, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture. Throughout its run, the show featured contributions from various talented actors and writers who helped shape its enduring appeal, including Fran Striker, the creator of both "The Green Hornet" and "The Lone Ranger."TakeawaysThe Green Hornet is a vigilante who intervenes in crime.Firefly is a racehorse at the center of a murder mystery.A character named Jerry is murdered, raising suspicions.The race is suspected to be fixed by professional gamblers.The investigation reveals connections to a gambling syndicate.The Green Hornet aims to restore integrity to the race.Characters express doubt about the true identity of Firefly.Tension builds as the race day approaches.The story highlights themes of justice and corruption.The narrative combines elements of suspense and action.Green Hornet, horse racing, murder mystery, race fixing, Firefly, gambling syndicate, crime, investigation, suspense, thriller
EPISODE 443 - Stephen G Eoannou - Creative Stories From Buffalo NY, Fran Striker creator of the Lone RangerStephen G. Eoannou is a first-generation Greek American writer from Buffalo, New York. He graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a BA in Communication and went on to earn an MA in English from Miami University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte. His short story collection, Muscle Cars, was a Literary Awards Program Winner from SFWP. "Swimming Naked" from that collection was awarded an Honor Certificate from The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. "Slip Kid", also from Muscle Cars, won the Best Short Screenplay Award at the 36th Starz Denver Film Festival. His debut novel Rook, a Silver Falchion finalist, is based on the true story of Al Nussbaum, a bank robber who led a double life and whom J. Edgar Hoover once described as the most cunning fugitive alive. His follow-up novel, Yesteryear, tells the magical story of how radio playwright Fran Striker created the Lone Ranger. Yesteryear, was awarded the 2021 International Eyelands Award for Best Historical Novel, The Firebird Book Award for Biographical Fiction, and BookFest's 2024 Fictional Biography Award. His third novel, After Pearl (SFWP 2025), is a neo-noir mystery and introduces us to private investigator Nicholas Bishop and his one-eyed dog Jake. After Pearl was a 2022 Claymore Award finalist. Eoannou continues to live in Buffalo, New York with his two children and a one-eyed dog named Coco.https://www.sgeoannou.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca
The OTRNow Radio Program 2024-001Fibber McGee and Molly. May 19, 1942. NBC net, WMAQ Chicago aircheck. Sponsored by: Johnson's Wax. Fibber has great news! The McGees are going to be rich (again)!. Jim Jordan, Marian Jordan, Harlow Wilcox, Billy Mills and His Orchestra, The King's Men, Bill Thompson, Isabel Randolph, Gale Gordon, Don Quinn (writer).The Lone Ranger. September 19, 1938. Program #881/106. Syndicated. "Dan Latham". Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. Dan Latham is threatening to "make trouble" for Mary Frisbie. Tonto is shot in Eagle Pass while trying to protect her!. Earle Graser, John Todd, Fran Striker (writer), George W. Trendle (creator, producer). The Lux Radio Theatre. September 18, 1939. CBS net. "Wuthering Heights". Sponsored by: Lux. The classic story of love on the moors of England. The story was heard again on The Lux Radio Theatre on November 4, 1940 (see cat. #8352) and September 14, 1954 (see cat. #10530). Charlie Forsyth (sound effects), Sanford Barnett (director), George Wells (adaptor), Grace Nielson (The Modernettes Trio: commercial spokesman), Charles MacArthur (screenwriter), Ben Hecht (screenwriter), Emily Bronte (author), Sarita Wooten, Douglas Scott, Rex Downing, Clarence Derwent, Reginald Sheffield, Eric Snowdon, Lou Merrill, Lee Millar (doubles, one part is a dog), Barbara Stanwyck, Brian Aherne, Ida Lupino, Cecil B. DeMille, Vivian Edwards (The Modernettes Trio: commercial spokesman), Catherine Carleton (commercial spokesman), Jo Campbell (The Modernettes Trio: commercial spokesman), Kemball Cooper, Marga Ann Deighton, Melville Ruick (announcer), Thomas Freebairn-Smith, Louis Silvers (music director). The Line-Up. October 04, 1951. CBS net. "The Wild, Wild Woman Case". Sustaining. Jewelry stores have been held up around the country by a man and women. John Tynan seems to have been the robber, but the victim fails to identify him. Irene Oldham is the name of Tynan's accomplice. William Johnstone, Wally Maher, Eddie Dunstedter (composer, conductor), Jaime del Valle (producer, director), Dan Cubberly (announcer), Howard McNear, Peter Leeds, Hy Averback, E. Jack Neuman (writer), Ray Hartman, Herb Butterfield, Dan Cubberly (announcer), Jeanette Nolan, Gil StrattonThe Shadow. October 24, 1937. Mutual net. "The Temple Bells Of Neban". Sponsored by: Blue Coal. The Shadow battles a most formidable enemy, the niece of the yogi who taught Cranston the secret of invisibility! She knows the Shadow's secret identity and all of his tricks. A good story!. Orson Welles, Arthur Whiteside (announcer), Agnes Moorehead, Elsie Thompson (organist), Ray Collins, Carl Frank, Jeanette Nolan, Everett Sloane (quadruples), Stefan Schnabel, Mark Smith (doubles), Thomas Coffin Cooke (commercial spokesman).
Quarter-Bin Podcast #201Green Hornet Golden Age Remastered #6, Dynamite Entertainment, cover-dated 2010. Stories reprinted from Green Hornet Comics #4, Helnit Publishing, 1940.5 stories, all by Green Hornet creator Fran Striker, with art credited to Bert Whitman Associates.What happens when Professor Alan heads back to the Golden Age of Comics, to cover stories based on radio dramas?Listen to the episode and find out! Click on the player below to listen to the episode: Right-click to download episode directly You may also subscribe to the podcast through iTunes or the RSS Feed. Promo: Comics for Fun & ProfitNext Episode: S.W.O.R.D. #1, Marvel Comics, February 2021.Send e-mail feedback to relativelygeeky@gmail.com "Like" us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/relativelygeekyYou can follow the network on Twitter @Relatively_Geek and the host @ProfessorAlanSource: World's Greatest ComicsMusic in the episode:Red Lips by Deoxys Beats | https://soundcloud.com/deoxysbeats1Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
In this episode, we sit with author Steven G. Eoannou to discuss his latest novel, Yesteryear. Steven gives us a brief history of the Lone Ranger and then talks about how he took the famous character's creator, Fran Striker, and made up a fantastical history that celebrates the author by turning him into the hero of his own story. If you're looking for a fun yet gritty noir story with real-world roots, check out Yesteryear by going to: https://www.sgeoannou.com/ Amazon SFWP You can also follow Stephen on: Twitter (X) @StephenGEoannou Facebook Yesteryear Synopsis: It's 1930s Buffalo, New York. The Great Depression rages, and scriptwriter Fran Striker's job is on the line at WEBR. He must write the pilot for a new radio show but, to do so, he needs to overcome writer's block, defeat a Gypsy curse, foil a plot to assassinate FDR, deal with an insane, alcoholic midget, and recover stolen diamond rings belonging to an equally insane, alcoholic boxing champion. Who was that masked man? Based on the real-life and often controversial story of The Lone Ranger creator Fran Striker, Yesteryear takes us on a magical journey that led to the iconic hero's debut, a show that provided hope to Americans during the country's darkest days. Populated by characters who lived during that era—radio actor John L. Barrett, Mafioso Stefano Magaddino, former boxing champion Jimmy Slattery, and president-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt -- Eoannou breathes new life into the immortal Lone Ranger and the man who struggled to create him.
Yesteryear is a magical novel based on the true story of Fran Striker, a struggling radio play scriptwriter who would eventually create The Lone Ranger. Set in Buffalo, New York during the early 1930s, Yesteryear explores the events and magical influences that led to the show's debut, a show that provided hope to Americans during The Great Depression and made The Lone Ranger and Striker heroes. To write the pilot, Striker needs to overcome writers block, a Gypsy curse, foil a plot to assassinate FDR, deal with an alcoholic midget, and recover stolen diamond rings belonging to an equally alcoholic boxing champion. Populated by characters who lived during that era—radio actor John L. Barrett, Mafioso Stefano Magaddino, former boxing champion Jimmy Slattery, and president-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt--Yesteryear is written in the same spirit as W.P. Kinsella's Shoeless Joe, Bernard Malamud's The Natural, and Daniel Wallace's Big Fish.
Yesteryear by Stephen G. Eoannou It's 1930s Buffalo, and the Great Depression rages. Playwright Fran Striker needs to write the pilot for a new radio show but, to do so, he must overcome writer's block, defeat a Gypsy curse, foil a plot to assassinate FDR, and recover stolen diamond rings belonging to an alcoholic boxing champion. Who was that masked man? Based on the controversial true-life story of Lone Ranger creator Fran Striker, Yesteryear takes us on a magical journey leading to an icon's debut, a show that provided hope to Americans during the country's darkest days.
Available on Amazon and leading online bookstores worldwide. It' s 1930s Buffalo, and the Great Depression rages. Playwright Fran Striker needs to write the pilot for a new radio show but, to do so, he must overcome writer's block, defeat a Gypsy curse, foil a plot to assassinate FDR, and recover stolen diamond rings belonging to an alcoholic boxing champion.Who was that masked man? Based on the controversial true-life story of Lone Ranger creator Fran Striker, Yesteryear takes us on a magical journey leading to an icon' s debut, a show that provided hope to Americans during the country' s darkest days. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-lucas66/message
David Ault brings us the second half of our Sonic Summerstock 13 season with the incredible John Barber and Reimagined Radio's "The Lone-Green Challenge Tribute" in which they feature three uniquely connected radio drama series, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon. Produced by George Trendle, owner of WXYZ radio, and written by Fran Striker, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon are each examples of pioneering radio storytelling! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
David Ault brings us the second half of our Sonic Summerstock 13 season with the incredible John Barber and Reimagined Radio's "The Lone-Green Challenge Tribute" in which they feature three uniquely connected radio drama series, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon. Produced by George Trendle, owner of WXYZ radio, and written by Fran Striker, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon are each examples of pioneering radio storytelling! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Eoannou's two novels share something in common: A Buffalo, New York setting and real people in the cast. In Yesteryear, he chronicles the adventures of radio write Fran Striker on the eve of launching his greatest creation, The Lone Ranger.
Steve Eoannou's two novels share something in common: A Buffalo, New York setting and real people in the cast. In Yesteryear, he chronicles the adventures of radio write Fran Striker on the eve of launching his greatest creation, The Lone Ranger.
Yesteryear, the latest book from Stephen G. Eoannou. A first-generation Greek American writer from Buffalo, New York. He graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a BA in Communication and went on to earn an MA in English from Miami University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte. His short story collection, Muscle Cars, was a Literary Awards Program Winner from SFWP. "Swimming Naked" from that collection was awarded an Honor Certificate from The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. "Slip Kid", also from Muscle Cars, won the Best Short Screenplay Award at the 36th Starz Denver Film Festival. His debut novel Rook is based on the true story of Al Nussbaum, a bank robber who led a double life and whom J. Edgar Hoover once described as the most cunning fugitive alive. Yesteryear will be published in 2023 and tells the magical story of how radio playwright Fran Striker created the Lone Ranger. Yesteryear was awarded the 2021 Eyelands International Book Award for an unpublished historical novel. After Pearl is a neo-noir mystery and introduces us to private investigator Nicholas Bishop and his one-eyed dog Jake. After Pearl was a 2022 Claymore Award finalist. Eoannou continues to live in Buffalo, New York with his two children and a one-eyed dog named Coco.
Yesteryear, the latest book from Stephen G. Eoannou. A first-generation Greek American writer from Buffalo, New York. He graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a BA in Communication and went on to earn an MA in English from Miami University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte. His short story collection, Muscle Cars, was a Literary Awards Program Winner from SFWP. "Swimming Naked" from that collection was awarded an Honor Certificate from The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. "Slip Kid", also from Muscle Cars, won the Best Short Screenplay Award at the 36th Starz Denver Film Festival. His debut novel Rook is based on the true story of Al Nussbaum, a bank robber who led a double life and whom J. Edgar Hoover once described as the most cunning fugitive alive. Yesteryear will be published in 2023 and tells the magical story of how radio playwright Fran Striker created the Lone Ranger. Yesteryear was awarded the 2021 Eyelands International Book Award for an unpublished historical novel. After Pearl is a neo-noir mystery and introduces us to private investigator Nicholas Bishop and his one-eyed dog Jake. After Pearl was a 2022 Claymore Award finalist. Eoannou continues to live in Buffalo, New York with his two children and a one-eyed dog named Coco.
Episode aired November 14 1942. The Green Hornet is a superhero created in 1936 by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, with input from radio director James Jewell. Since his 1930s radio debut, the character has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of media. The Green Hornet appeared in film serials in the 1940s, The Green Hornet television series in the 1960s (which costarred Bruce Lee in his first major adult role), multiple comic book series from the 1940s on, and a feature film in 2011. The franchise is owned by Green Hornet, Inc., which licenses the property across a wide variety of media that includes comics, films, TV shows, radio and books.
The Lone Ranger Rides by Fran Striker audiobook. Fans of the old radio shows and the TV series The Lone Ranger will recognize the characters in this book - the Lone Ranger, his faithful Indian sidekick Tonto and his trusty horse, Silver. The Lone Ranger Rides, a wonderful western story in itself, also details the origins of why a Texas Ranger would strike out on his own, wearing a mask at all times, and how he met his companions Tonto and his ever dependable equine friend Silver.
The OTRNow Radio Program Thanksgiving Show-02The Abbott and Costello Show. November 23, 1944. NBC net. Camels. Lou goes over to Bud's house for Thanksgiving dinner. The cook is none other than Mr. Kitzel! Someone seems to have stolen Lady Jennifer's pearls. Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Ken Niles (announcer), Freddie Rich and His Orchestra, Connie Haines (vocal), Artie Auerbach, Virginia Gordon (?). The Lone Ranger. November 25, 1953. Program #3256/2477. Syndicated. "Bob Haliday"/"Thanksgiving In Modoc City". Music fill for local commercial insert. Dan Reid appears in the story. He wants to travel west and spend Thanksgiving with his uncle John and Tonto. This program was rebroadcast on August 3, 1955. Brace Beemer, Fred Foy (announcer), George W. Trendle (creator, producer), Charles D. Livingstone (director), Betty Joyce (writer), Fran Striker (editor), John Todd. Father Knows Best. November 23, 1950. NBC net. Maxwell House Coffee, Post Wheat Meal. Thanksgiving without the kids is not much of a celebration. Robert Young, June Whitley, Rhoda Williams, Ted Donaldson, Ed James (writer), Bill Forman (announcer), Roy Bargy and His Orchestra.Anthology. November 21, 1954. WRCA, New York. Sustaining. A program in honor of Thanksgiving Day. Harry Fleetwood (host), Agnes Moorehead (recording), Steve White (producer), Draper Lewis (writer, director), The Fred Waring Glee Club (recording), The New England Conservatory Alumni Chorus (recording), James Pease (baritone, recording).Fibber McGee and Molly. November 19, 1940. NBC net. Johnson's Wax. Fibber and Molly take the train to visit Uncle Dennis. Jim Jordan, Marian Jordan, Harlow Wilcox, Billy Mills and His Orchestra, The King's Men, Don Quinn (writer), Bill Thompson, Harold Peary, Isabel Randolph. The Adventures Of Sam Spade; Detective. November 24, 1950. NBC net. "The Terrified Turkey Caper". Sustaining. Who's trying to kill Thom Turkey...on Thanksgiving Day?. Steve Dunne, William Conrad, Lurene Tuttle, William Spier (producer, editor, director), Lud Gluskin (music), Robert Armbruster (conductor), Dashiell Hammett (creator). The Great Gildersleeve. November 16, 1941. NBC net. Kraft Parkay. It's Thanksgiving, and Gildersleeve is trying to invite some soldiers to share his turkey. Earle Ross, Hans Conried, Harold Peary, Jim Bannon (announcer), Lillian Randolph, Lurene Tuttle, Walter Tetley, Billy Mills (composer, conductor, billed as "William Randolph")SOURCES: Wikipedia and The RadioGoldindex.com
Re-Imagined Radio pays tribute to three uniquely connected radio drama series, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon. Produced by George Trendle, owner of WXYZ radio, and written by Fran Striker, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon are each examples of pioneering radio storytelling. Through voices, music, and sound effects we are there as the The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and Sergeant Preston keep the criminals in check. Each character stands for something, and never backs away from their guiding principles. The larger than life characters, the adventurous plots, even the classical music themes have all contributed to making The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon among the best of all Old Time Radio programs. This Re-Imagined Radio "Lone-Green-Challenge Tribute" honors that legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Re-Imagined Radio pays tribute to three uniquely connected radio drama series, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon. Produced by George Trendle, owner of WXYZ radio, and written by Fran Striker, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon are each examples of pioneering radio storytelling. Through voices, music, and sound effects we are there as the The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and Sergeant Preston keep the criminals in check. Each character stands for something, and never backs away from their guiding principles. The larger than life characters, the adventurous plots, even the classical music themes have all contributed to making The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon among the best of all Old Time Radio programs. This Re-Imagined Radio "Lone-Green-Challenge Tribute" honors that legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
David Ault brings us the second half of our Sonic Summerstock 13 season with the incredible John Barber and Reimagined Radio's "The Lone-Green Challenge Tribute" in which they feature three uniquely connected radio drama series, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon. Produced by George Trendle, owner of WXYZ radio, and written by Fran Striker, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon are each examples of pioneering radio storytelling! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
David Ault brings us the second half of our Sonic Summerstock 13 season with the incredible John Barber and Reimagined Radio's "The Lone-Green Challenge Tribute" in which they feature three uniquely connected radio drama series, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon. Produced by George Trendle, owner of WXYZ radio, and written by Fran Striker, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and The Challenge of the Yukon are each examples of pioneering radio storytelling! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend, Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a radio show on WXYZ (Detroit), con ceived either by station owner George W. Trendle or by Fran Striker, the show's writer. The radio series proved to be a hit, and spawned a series of books (largely written by Striker), an equally popular television show that ran from 1949 to 1957, comic books, and several films. The title character was played on the radio show by Earle Graser for some 1,300 episodes, but three others preceded him, according to The New York Times: "a man named Deeds, who lasted only a few weeks; a George Stenius [actually George Seaton according to the Los Angeles Times], and then Brace Beemer; the latter became the narrator of the program. Clayton Moore portrayed the Lone Ranger on television, although, during a contract dispute, Moore was replaced for a season by John Hart, who wore a different style of mask. On the radio, Tonto was played by, among others, John Todd and Roland Parker; and in the television series, by Jay Silverheels, who was a Mohawk from the Six Nations Indian Reserve in Ontario, Canada.
Transcript of The First Kato, a short biography of Raymond Tokutaro Muramoto: [Play Flight of the Bumblebee from 1m27s of The Green Hornet radio episode “Citizenship Insurance Racket,” broadcast 5 May 1938.] January 31st, 1936. When the first episode of The Green Hornet aired on WXYZ radio in Detroit, the voice of Kato was Tokutaro Hayashi1. [Clip of Reid talking, followed by Kato. Citizenship Insurance Racket 13m40-14m.]The station's Dramatic Director James Jewell “renamed him Toyo.” That's according to Wyxie Wonderland: An Unauthorized 50-Year Diary of WXYZ Detroit by Dick Osgood. In ads and newspaper articles, the actor was billed as Raymond Hayashi or Raymond Toyo. Six years later, he was credited as Raymond Muramoto in this item:“Kato of the fascinating radio program, ‘Green Hornet' of Station WXYZ is here in person among us colonists. He is none other than Raymond Muramoto, a Seattlelite, formerly of Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Muramoto who portrayed Kato was brought to the limelight by Mr. James Jewel, director of the program, while managing the Parkstons Hotel. After numerous radio tests, he was selected by Mr. George Trendle, president of the station. Mr. Muramoto was the only Japanese besides Hize co-EE-kay (Koike), opera singer, who was under contract to N.B.C. for six years. He also served as assistant sound technician on The Lone Ranger program for the past four years.” That's from the May 30th, 1945 edition of Information Bulletin, published by prisoners in the Tulelake, California concentration camp where he was held during World War Two.The “Coming Marriages” column in Billboard magazine on July 29th, 1939, began with “Raymond Toyo, actor on station WXYZ, Detroit, who plays Kato in The Green Hornet, and Tsuruko Kuranishi, … of Auburn, Washington.” They were married on August 3rd in Seattle.The 1940 census lists a Ramon Hayashi, born in Japan in 1902, living on Prentiss Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. Others in Household: Tsuru Hayoshi, 27 years old, Female.What nationality was the character Kato? Why did it change over the years? My guess is that the rich, white men who created and adapted The Green Hornet didn't invest as much thought in it as later fans might have. They didn't make the hero's servant Japanese out of concern that representation matters. They were filling in blanks on a formula. WXYZ had succeeded with The Lone Ranger, a masked crime fighter in the Wild West. When they were brainstorming a name for his Native American sidekick, one of the brainstormers looked at a map of Arizona and saw the Tonto Basin1. When the same execs decided to write a modern story about a rich playboy who fought crime in a mask, they wanted a Tonto for him. According to Dick Osgood in Wyxie Wonderland, they settled on a Japanese servant as The Green Hornet's sidekick. Dramatic director James Jewell wanted a Japanese actor and ignored suggestions that they use a Chinese actor instead. Narration in the first two episodes called Kato “oriental.” In the third episode and for a few years of the series, he was introduced as [clip of narrator saying “Kato, his faithful Japanese valet” from Citizenship Insurance Racket, 2m39s-2m41s].2 The show started describing him as “Oriental” again in January 1938, presumably because Japan had begun attacking China and the US was on the side of China. A broadcast on June 21st, 1941, several months before Pearl Harbor, labeled Kato Filipino. His nationality wasn't mentioned again until January tenth, 1942: [Narrator from The Green Hornet episode “Poor Substitutes for a Prison, 40s-47s. “With his faithful Filipino valet Kato, Britt Reid, daring young publisher, matches wits with racketeers and saboteurs…”]2The timing may have led to the rumor that his Japanese nationality was dropped immediately after Pearl Harbor.In the 1940 and 1941 film serials, Kato was played by Keye Luke and described as Korean. Bruce Lee starred as Kato in The Green Hornet TV show from 1966-1967, where he was described as Chinese. And in the 2011 feature film, they joke about it, maybe using Britt Reid's ignorance as a stand-in for the historical confusion over Kato's nationality. Jay Chou as Kato says he was born in Shanghai. Reid says, “Yeah, I love Japan.”3 What else do we know about Tokutaro Hayashi, or Raymond Toyo, or Tokutaro Raymond Muramoto? He arrived in the US in 19204. He ran a restaurant when he was recruited by the Jam Handy Organization to act in commercial films. But he didn't switch careers completely. He continued to manage the restaurant. He was good at playing pool. While at WXYZ, he beat the best player in the studio and taught some of his coworkers how to play1.From Wyxie Wonderland1, quote:“Raymond had first worked in Detroit for a prominent automotive executive who had given him the financial backing for his Japanese restaurant. By the time he was sent to Jewell he was prosperous. He was having so much fun playing Kato on the radio that he forgot to collect his paychecks. They did not amount to much, of course, but they did pile up. Finally Jewell …. forced him to take the checks.“Then, without warning, he just didn't show up. Inquiries at his restaurant revealed that he had gone to Seattle to greet some girls from Japan. One he married; the others he brought back with him to be waitresses in his restaurant.“Another actor managed to fake Kato until Raymond's return. Jewell explained firmly to the … man that actors had a responsibility to be present when required. To make amends, Raymond invited the entire cast to his restaurant and served them a Japanese dinner of many courses–with sake.” End quote.He convinced Al Hodge (the voice actor behind Britt Reid) to have his wife Tsuruko work unpaid as a maid in Hodge's two-room apartment until she could find another job. Tokutaro asked another WXYZ staffer to join him in buying a car wash. They didn't go through with it1.At some point after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tokutaro was informed the government would send him to Japan. He asked his colleague Dick Osgood to intervene. An occasional voice actor and quiz master, Osgood had been broadcasting a series tied in with the war effort called March to Victory. Scripts for the show were supposedly vetted by six departments in Washington. Tokutaro might have thought Osgood had some influence but he couldn't help. In his book, Osgood says Tokutaro “disappeared, presumably to a concentration camp in the west. No one at WXYZ ever saw Raymond again.”1Raymond Tokutaro Muramoto is the name on a draft card registered February 15th, 1942. Place of birth is given as Kanazawa, Japan, February 11, 1900. His residence is listed as Seattle, Washington. Muramoto's father-in-law, Masaichi Kuranishi is listed as next of kin5. Muramoto arrived at the Tule Lake “War Relocation Center” in California on May 27, 19426. He was involved in theater there and put in charge of a Radio Drama Division at the camp. They presented a mock radio broadcast “to give persons practical experience in the radio field as artists, announcers, commentators and sound effects technicians.”7Muramoto left the concentration camp on October first, 19456.Information about his life after that is sparse. Raymond Muramoto lived in Seattle according to city directories from 1951, 1953 and 1982. Airplane passenger manifests show a Raymond Muramoto flying from Honolulu to LA in 1957, and from Tokyo to Seattle in 19588.A petition for naturalization, October 12, 1955 gives a snapshot of his life at that time. “My full, true and correct name is – Raymond Tokutaro Muramoto. My occupation is – truck driver. … The name of my wife is Tsuruko Muramoto. … One child, Florence Reiko, female, born October 8, 1937.” His petition was approved9.The main writer of The Lone Ranger, Fran Striker, appeared on the tv game show “To Tell the Truth” in 1960. If Muramoto had appeared on the show, we might know more about his life. Or at least his real name.After scouring databases of newspaper articles, census records, airplane passenger manifests, marriage records, and other information, the puzzle is still incomplete. The surname “Toyo” was assigned to him by James Jewell out of QUOTE convenience UNQUOTE1. When he arrived in the US at age twenty, he probably picked the common American name “Raymond.” Most official documents call him Tokutaro Muramoto. It's only the 1940 census and the promotional materials and articles about his radio work that list his last name as “Hayashi.” If his life were an episode of The Green Hornet, Britt Reid might speculate he had changed names in order to hide from the law or gangsters. Maybe he just picked Hayashi as a stage name before the radio station gave him another name.Raymond T. Muramoto died July 26, 1988 in King County, Washington, at the age of 8810.[Pause]You've been listening to “The First Kato,” a short biography of Raymond Tokutaro Muramoto, by Robert Thomas Northrup. For credits and a poorly formatted bibliography, visit http://DayjobsPodcast.blogspot.com. And go listen to my pulpy superhero podcast at https://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com based on hours of listening to Raymond Muramoto and his colleagues. Thanks.References:1. Osgood, Dick (1981). Wyxie Wonderland: An Unauthorized 50-Year Diary of WXYZ Detroit. Pages 110-184.2. Mikkelson, David. Snopes.com. “Did ‘The Green Hornet' Change Kato's Nationality After Pearl Harbor?” P ublished 16 August 1999. Accessed 11 March 2022.https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/green-hornet-change-kato-after-pearl-harbor/3. Wikipedia. 2022. “Kato (The Green Hornet).” Last modified March 8, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kato_(The_Green_Hornet)4. Ancestry.com. Washington, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1965 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006. “Tokutaro Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022.5. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. “Raymond Tokutaro Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022.6. Ancestry.com. U.S., Japanese Americans Relocated During World War II, 1942-1946 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2005. “Raymond T. Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022. 7. Cooperman, R. R. (1996). Nisei theater: History, context, and perspective. Pages 208-209.8. Ancestry.com. Washington, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1965 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006. “Tokutaro Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022.9. Ancestry.com. Washington, U.S., Petitions for Naturalization, 1860-1991 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. “Raymond Tokutaro Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022. 10. Ancestry.com. Washington, U.S., Death Index, 1940-2017 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2002. “Raymond T. Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022.Bibliography:Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. “Ramon Hayashi.” Accessed 11 March 2022.Ancestry.com. U.S., Final Accountability Rosters of Evacuees at Relocation Centers, 1942-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. “Tokutaro Raymond Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022. Ancestry.com. U.S., Japanese Americans Relocated During World War II, 1942-1946 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2005. “Raymond T. Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022. Ancestry.com. U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. “Raymond Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022.Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. “Raymond Tokutaro Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022.Ancestry.com. Washington, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1965 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006. “Tokutaro Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022.Ancestry.com. Washington, U.S., Death Index, 1940-2017 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2002. “Raymond T. Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022.Ancestry.com. Washington, U.S., Petitions for Naturalization, 1860-1991 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. “Raymond Tokutaro Muramoto.” Accessed 11 March 2022. Cooperman, R. R. (1996). Nisei theater: History, context, and perspective. Pages 208-209.“Green Hornet,” Information Bulletin, No. 3 (30 May 1942), Tulelake Colony. Found on Online Archive of California, Accessed 11 March 2022. https://oac.cdlib.org/view?docId=ft600006cv;NAAN=13030&doc.view=frames&chunk.id=d0e83&toc.depth=1&toc.id=&brand=oac4Merchandise-Pipes-General Outdoor: Coming Marriages. (1939, Jul 29). The Billboard (Archive: 1894-1960), 51, 71.Mikkelson, David. Snopes.com. “Did ‘The Green Hornet' Change Kato's Nationality After Pearl Harbor?” Published 16 August 1999. Accessed 11 March 2022.https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/green-hornet-change-kato-after-pearl-harbor/Osgood, Dick (1981). Wyxie Wonderland: An Unauthorized 50-Year Diary of WXYZ Detroit. Pages 110-184.Radio: RICKER PROMOTED. (1936, Jan 29). Variety (Archive: 1905-2000), 121, 38.The public domain Green Hornet radio episodes excerpted in this piece were broadcast 5 May 1938, titled “Citizenship Insurance Racket” (mentioning “Japanese valet”) and 1 Feb 1949, “Poor Substitutes for a Prison” (mentioning “Filipino valet”).
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend, Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a radio show on WXYZ (Detroit), con ceived either by station owner George W. Trendle or by Fran Striker, the show's writer. The radio series proved to be a hit, and spawned a series of books (largely written by Striker), an equally popular television show that ran from 1949 to 1957, comic books, and several films. The title character was played on the radio show by Earle Graser for some 1,300 episodes, but three others preceded him, according to The New York Times: "a man named Deeds, who lasted only a few weeks; a George Stenius [actually George Seaton according to the Los Angeles Times], and then Brace Beemer; the latter became the narrator of the program. Clayton Moore portrayed the Lone Ranger on television, although, during a contract dispute, Moore was replaced for a season by John Hart, who wore a different style of mask. On the radio, Tonto was played by, among others, John Todd and Roland Parker; and in the television series, by Jay Silverheels, who was a Mohawk from the Six Nations Indian Reserve in Ontario, Canada. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dwight-allen/message
Episode of June 25, 1954. The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend, Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a radio show on WXYZ (Detroit), conceived either by station owner George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, the show's writer. The radio series proved to be a hit, and spawned a series of books (largely written by Striker), an equally popular television show that ran from 1949 to 1957, comic books, and several films. The title character was played on the radio show by Earle Graser for some 1,300 episodes, but three others preceded him, according to The New York Times: "a man named Deeds, who lasted only a few weeks; a George Stenius [actually George Seaton according to the Los Angeles Times], and then Brace Beemer; the latter became the narrator of the program.
In 1933, producer George W. Trendle and writer Fran Striker had the Lone Ranger ride out of the western sky, and it was "Hi Oh Silver, Away!" from then on via Mutual nationally until 1954! Always at his side was his faithful indian companion, Tonto, portrayed by John Todd, who was a loyal, intelligent and resourceful indian - very different from the way indians usually were portrayed on the silver screen. Brace Beemer began as announcer, but after the tragic auto death of Earle Graser in 1941, took the role of The Lone Ranger. He could be tough as nails with the outlaw types, but gentle and understanding with the honest townfolk. His quest for justice in the west was detailed in hundreds of episodes, and always, it seemed, Tonto and The Lone Ranger rode off before they received the thanks they were due. Though directed toward the kids, The Lone Ranger half-hours had a wide following, for the stories resonate with that righteous purpose, selfless dedication and a ongoing struggle against lawlessness and corruption.
Written by Fran Striker (Photo) This episode 2561 aired on ABC Radio and syndicated to markets where ABC affiliates did not clear the program. For example the ABC Radio affiliate in Philadelphia WFIL became an all pop music format and the transcribed programs were aired on station KYW. The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend, Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a radio show conceived by WXYZ (Detroit) radio station owner George W. Trendle, and by Fran Striker, the show's writer. The radio series proved to be a hit and spawned a series of books (largely written by Striker), an equally popular television show that ran from 1949 to 1957, comic books, and several movies. The title character was played on the radio show by George Seaton, Earle Graser, and Brace Beemer.
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend, Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture.[7]He first appeared in 1933 in a radio show on WXYZ (Detroit), conceived either by station owner George W. Trendle[3][4][5] or by Fran Striker,[8] the show's writer.[9][10] The radio series proved to be a hit, and spawned a series of books (largely written by Striker), an equally popular television show that ran from 1949 to 1957, comic books, and several films. The title character was played on the radio show by Earle Graser for some 1,300 episodes, but three others preceded him, according to The New York Times: "a man named Deeds, who lasted only a few weeks; a George Stenius [actually George Seaton according to the Los Angeles Times], and then Brace Beemer; the latter became the narrator of the program.[11][8]
A gang of cattle rustlers wounds the sheriff and kills a marshal. The sheriff's son is part of the gang, but dies a hero's death.Original Air Date: June 11, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
A gang of cattle rustlers wounds the sheriff and kills a marshal. The sheriff's son is part of the gang, but dies a hero's death.Original Air Date: June 11, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
A plan to sabotage a railroad being built uses iron pyrites to get the workers to quit the construction.Original Air Date: June 09, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
A plan to sabotage a railroad being built uses iron pyrites to get the workers to quit the construction.Original Air Date: June 09, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
A plan to steal an army payroll from aboard a river steamer leads to a 'dual to the death' with six-shooters aboard the ship.Original Air Date: June 07, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
A plan to steal an army payroll from aboard a river steamer leads to a 'dual to the death' with six-shooters aboard the ship.Original Air Date: June 07, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
An evil lawyer frames an honest-but-poor rancher for a robbery.Original Air Date: June 04, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
An evil lawyer frames an honest-but-poor rancher for a robbery.Original Air Date: June 04, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
Episode released on June 4, 1954. The character of the Lone Ranger was believed to have been inspired by Texas Ranger Captain John R. Hughes, to whom Zane Grey had dedicated a novel in 1915. The radio show was developed by writer Fran Striker and WXYZ station owner George W. Trendle and was a major network radio hit which led to numerous books, comic books, movie serials, a television series and major motion pictures.
The son of a recently executed badman is forced to work on a stagecoach robbery with the Bisbee brothers, who were responsible for his father's death.Original Air Date: June 02, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
The son of a recently executed badman is forced to work on a stagecoach robbery with the Bisbee brothers, who were responsible for his father's death.Original Air Date: June 02, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
Episode 2555 May 31, 1954. The Lone Ranger first appeared in 1933 in a radio show conceived by WXYZ (Detroit) radio station owner George W. Trendle, from original scripts by Fran Striker, the show's writer. (photo)
Original Air Date: May 31, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
Original Air Date: May 31, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
Original Air Date: May 28, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
Original Air Date: May 28, 1943Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto)Writer:• Fran StrikerProducer:• George W. TrendleMusic:• Ben Bonnell
Challenge of the Yukon is an American radio adventure series that began on Detroit's WXYZ and is an example of a Northern genre story. The series was first heard on January 3, 1939. The title changed from Challenge of the Yukon to Sergeant Preston of the Yukon in September 1950, and remained under that name through the end of the series and into a television adaptation. Background. Following the success of The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet on Detroit's WXYZ (now WXYT), the station owner, George W. Trendle, asked for a similar adventure show with a dog as the hero. According to WXYZ staffer Dick Osgood, in his history of the station, Trendle insisted that it not be "a dog like Lassie because... this must be an action story. It had to be a working dog." Writer Tom Dougall, who had been influenced by the poems of Robert W. Service, naturally chose a Husky. The dog was originally called Mogo, but after criticism by Trendle, Dougall re-christened the canine King. Dougall likewise created Sgt. Preston and the French-Canadian guide. Fran Striker, who also wrote for The Lone Ranger, contributed show scripts. However, Trendle's criticism of Dougall may have had another reason behind it. Shortly before the two Trendle series aired (Lone Ranger and Challenge of the Yukon), popular author Zane Grey had a book in circulation (The Lone Star Ranger) about a Texas Ranger like the Lone Ranger and a comic book series in circulation (King of the Royal Mounted) about the adventures of Sgt. King, a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman like Sgt. Preston. From 1922 a series of novels by Laurie York Erskine featuring Renfrew of the Royal Mounted warranted enough popularity to begin a radio series of the same title in 1936 and a film series beginning in 1937; the latter featuring a canine sidekick. Challenge of the Yukon began as a 15-minute serial, airing locally from 1938 until May 28, 1947. Shortly thereafter, the program acquired a sponsor, Quaker Oats, and the series, in a half-hour format, moved to the networks. The program aired on ABC from June 12, 1947, to December 30, 1949. It was then heard on The Mutual Broadcasting System from January 2, 1950, through the final broadcast on June 9, 1955. In September 1950, when the show moved to three broadcasts a week, the title was changed to Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. Details. The program was an adventure series about Sergeant Frank Preston of the North-West Mounted Police and his lead sled dog, Yukon King, as they fought evildoers in the Northern wilderness during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. The serial began on radio in 1938 and continued through 1947, after which the series moved to television. The original television program ran from 1947 through 1949 on ABC and was sponsored by Quaker Oats. In January 1951, the radio version was resurrected, running until 1955 , when the show moved once again to television as Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. The show starred Richard Simmons. The theme music was Emil von Reznicek's overture to Donna Diana, an old opera, though the overture remains a concert staple to this day. The show's episodes ended with the official pronouncement, Well, King, this case is closed. Sgt. Preston. Preston, according to radio historian Jim Harmon, first joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to capture his father's killer, and when he was successful, he was promoted to sergeant. Preston worked under the command of Inspector Conrad, and in the early years was often assisted by a French-Canadian guide named Pierre. During the course of the series, Preston successfully puts down a rebellion, and captures assassins. Each episode has him battling a new crisis, whether it be tracking down a murderer, a gang of thieves, or claim jumping miners..
This week the Pete's once again travel back to yesteryear for part two of a look at the one who started it all, The Lone Ranger! We will continue our discussion of the original radio plays, the TV series starring Clayton Moore, as well as visiting 2 attempts at a cartoon series, another TV pilot, and the 2013 box office disaster "The Lone Ranger". We also present a special interview with comedian Jay Thomas about his meeting Clayton Moore. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver....................!! John Reid was born in 1850 and was the sole survivor of a group of Texas Rangers who were ambushed by outlaws who killed five rangers, including his older brother, Daniel. The IndianTonto found him and nursed him to health. Reid then donned a black mask made from his dead brother's vest, mounted his stallion, Silver, and roamed the West as the Lone Ranger to aid those in need, to fight evil, and to establish justice. The character was created in the Lone Ranger radio program by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker. First aired on radio station WXYZ in Detroit, Michigan, in 1933, the radio program was carried by more than 400 American stations by the end of the decade. It was radio that made the Lone Ranger's theme song, Gioachino Rossini's William Tell overture, a familiar tune in every child's repertoire, and it was radio that made “Hi-yo, Silver, away!” a familiar playground exclamation. The Lone Ranger's first movie serial appeared in 1938. In 1949 a television version of the radio show debuted on the ABC network, and the sounds were linked to images and actors who became equally familiar. Clayton Moore played the Lone Ranger for the majority of the episodes, and Jay Silverheels became the embodied Tonto. Although the radio program ended in 1954 and the television show in 1957, the Lone Ranger's adventures continued in various forms, including the movies The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) and The Lone Ranger (2013). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-adventures-of/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-adventures-of/support
This week the Pete's travel back to yesteryear for part one of a look at the one who started it all, The Lone Ranger! We will discuss the original radio plays, the TV series starring Clayton Moore, and take a peek at the 1981 movie "The Legend Of The Lone Ranger" From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver....................!! John Reid was born in 1850 and was the sole survivor of a group of Texas Rangers who were ambushed by outlaws who killed five rangers, including his older brother, Daniel. The IndianTonto found him and nursed him to health. Reid then donned a black mask made from his dead brother's vest, mounted his stallion, Silver, and roamed the West as the Lone Ranger to aid those in need, to fight evil, and to establish justice. The character was created in the Lone Ranger radio program by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker. First aired on radio station WXYZ in Detroit, Michigan, in 1933, the radio program was carried by more than 400 American stations by the end of the decade. It was radio that made the Lone Ranger's theme song, Gioachino Rossini's William Tell overture, a familiar tune in every child's repertoire, and it was radio that made “Hi-yo, Silver, away!” a familiar playground exclamation. The Lone Ranger's first movie serial appeared in 1938. In 1949 a television version of the radio show debuted on the ABC network, and the sounds were linked to images and actors who became equally familiar. Clayton Moore played the Lone Ranger for the majority of the episodes, and Jay Silverheels became the embodied Tonto. Although the radio program ended in 1954 and the television show in 1957, the Lone Ranger's adventures continued in various forms, including the movies The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) and The Lone Ranger (2013). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-adventures-of/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-adventures-of/support
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_of_the_Yukon Created by Fran Striker & George W. Trendle & Stars-Paul Sutton as Sgt. Preston
Writer and radio broadcaster Steve Darnall joins us to talk about his past works in comics. Steve worked in the fringe genres as the comics market struggled to survive after the speculation era went bust. You'll hear about his collaboration with Alex Ross on the 2 part UNCLE SAM prestige series , to his parody of classic romance comics for Slave Labor Graphics and his own companmy Funny Valentine.We also talk about Steve's current job hosting 2 radio shows which present classic Old Time Radio programs Those Were The Days and Yesterday USA, where he puts a historical context while presenting dramas comedies and documentaries made from the 1930s-1950s. As opposed to a nostalgic "Remember When" angle that older hosts use for a geritatric audience, Steve's show is one of discovery for a younger generation who come to these programs with a fresh perspective.Then we talk about the radio superheroes some of which predate the 1938 debut of Superman. Darnall talks about the origins of The Lone Ranger and Green Hornet, created by Detroit radio station WXYZ owner Geoge W Trendle and writer Fran Striker. We also look at the 1940 Superman radio serial. You'll learn how many of the common phrases and plot points of the comics originated on radio like Jimmy Olson, kryptonite, and the infamous lines from Metropolis citizens "Look, up in the sky ..." .