The Zane Grey Show

The Zane Grey Show is an American Western radio drama that was broadcast September 23, 1947 - February 24, 1948, on the Mutual Broadcasting System[1]

Overview

The Zane Grey Show was a part of an emphasis on adventure programs at Mutual.[2] The New York Times noted in a preview story that Grey's works until then had "received comparatively little attention from a script-hungry radio industry" and that the series "could be the forerunner of a cycle of Western fare for adult listeners".[3] Tex Thorne, a Pony Express rider, was the main character in the series, which was reported to draw from 47 unpublished stories by Zane Grey as well as all of his published material.[4] The series was set in Purple Sage, a frontier town near the Rocky Mountains.[5]

Vic Perrin initially portrayed Thorne, but Jim Bannon took over that role in the series's second episode.[6] Executives at Mutual said that they thought Perrin "sounded more like a villain than a hero".[7] Don MacLaughlin portrayed Thorne when the series originated from New York.[1] Bill Forman was the narrator.[2]

Episodes

The September 30, 1947, episode had Thorne failing to resolve conflict between a rancher and the man who wanted to marry his daughter. Thorne eventually apprehended the man, who had wounded the rancher and killed the marshal who tried to arrest him. Thorne insisted that the man had mental problems, which led to a life sentence in a prison hospital.[5]

In the January 6, 1948, episode, Thorne rescued the husband of a rich sheep rancher from an erroneous murder conviction during the times of range wars in the old west.[8]

The February 17, 1948, episode dealt with the social and cultural problems that arose when a Native American young man fell in love with a white girl after he left his reservation and became a famous athlete in college.[9]

Production

Stephen Slesinger was the producer. Directors included Paul Franklin and Emmett Paul. Franklin also wrote for the series. Harry Zimmerman led the orchestra.[1] The series initially originated from Hollywood.[10] It was moved to New York beginning with the October 21, 1947, episode.[11] The half-hour program was broadcast on Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.[1] Priced at $2,500,[12] the show was sustaining.[6] Hawley Publications, which published the monthly Zane Grey Magazine, underwrote some of the program's expenses.[12]

The trade publication Variety reported that The Zane Grey Show ended because it never met expectations of network executives and because of "disputes over control and the question of where the show should originate".[13] Its competition included The Fred Waring Show on NBC.[6] It was replaced by The Casebook of Gregory Hood.[14]

Critical response

A review of the premiere episode in Variety said that The Zane Grey Show "reduces the late Zane Grey's popular Westerns to practically Lone Ranger fare" and added that it followed a formula typical of Westerns.[2] The review called the acting "undistinguished ... without major flaws" and said that the directing and writing were "capable".[2]

The trade publication Billboard said in a review of the same episode, "Action was frequent and violent", with sound effects such that "for minutes at a time it was difficult to tell who was doing what to whom".[6] The review added that Perrin's portrayal "made Tex sound properly infantile, dashing, and romantic."[6]

Media critic John Crosby commented on the use of cliches in the program, writing, "the dialogue employed on this show is even more historic than the plots".[15] He also noted, "There's a good deal of shooting but no one - not even the rustlers - gets hurt much."[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Dunning, John (May 7, 1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 744. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Zane Grey Show". Variety. October 1, 1947. p. 25. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Gould, Jack (May 27, 1947). "The News of Radio: Zane Grey Show to Arrive in Fall — Guild's Season Extended — Other Notes". The New York Times. p. 50. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "Zane Grey Show begins Tuesday". The Roanoke Times. September 28, 1947. p. 16. Retrieved November 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b French, Jack; Siegel, David S. (November 14, 2013). Radio Rides the Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air, 1929-1967. McFarland. pp. 205–206. ISBN 978-0-7864-7146-1. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e Chase, Sam (October 4, 1947). "Zane Grey Show". Billboard. pp. 12, 18. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  7. ^ "Meet Zane Grey: Villain". Variety. October 1, 1947. p. 22. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "Zane Grey Show". The Vicksburg Evening Post. January 6, 1948. p. 10. Retrieved November 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "W E S Bests". The Era. February 17, 1948. p. 9. Retrieved November 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Lohman, Sidney (September 21, 1947). "Along Radio Row: One Thing and Another". The New York Times. p. X 9. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "From the Production Centres: In Hollywood . . ". Variety. October 15, 1947. p. 28. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Zane Grey Show Slated For Mutual Preem in Sept". Variety. May 28, 1947. p. 34. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  13. ^ "Exit Cues". Variety. February 11, 1948. p. 34. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  14. ^ "'Gregory Hood' gets revival on Mutual". Variety. February 18, 1948. p. 22. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Crosby, John (December 19, 1947). "Radio in Review". The Salisbury Times. p. 15. Retrieved November 11, 2024.