Скачать или смотреть BW - EP90—002: The Hollywood Radio Western Boom—Barton Yarborough, Elliott Lewis, and Hawk Larabee

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This episode was originally released April 2019.

On Independence Day 1946, CBS debuted a western as a summer replacement for The Adventures of Maisie. Originating from the Columbia Square Studios in Los Angeles, it was called Hawk Durango and produced and directed by William N. Robson.

This first incarnation starred Barton Yarborough as Brazos John and Elliott Lewis as Jim Carter. Carter was an easterner who came west only to learn his father, Hawk Durango had been murdered.

After avenging the killing, Carter decides to stay in his father’s town of Sundown Wells. There he runs a hotel and gambling establishment, taking on his father’s moniker.

In this episode from August 2nd, a woman comes to Sundown Wells for an arranged marriage to a wealthy older rancher. She becomes attracted to Brazos John, who reminds the woman of her father.

The episode features William Conrad, Frank Lovejoy, and Junius Matthews.

Eventually the woman, her aunt, and fiance leave town. They are robbed en route to the ranch.

Hawk and Brazos, having heard of the impending attack, save their lives.

Afterwards Brazos gives credit to Hawk, telling the woman that he was one of the bandits so that she’ll move on from him to a better life.

Hawk Durango ended its original run in August, but returned on October 3rd, 1946 as Hawk Larabee. Elliott Lewis was no longer with the show. Barton Yarborough now played Hawk. Barney Phillips was added to the cast as Somber Jones. The duo traveled from one location to another finding adventure along the way.

The series was unable to find sponsorship and in September of 1947 Lewis was brought back as Larabee with Yarborough once again playing Brazos John. CBS then offered the show for local sponsorship through its Cooperative Program with affiliates. Despite Hawk Larabee’s relatively short run, it had at least five script writers, who took authenticity very seriously.

Elliott Lewis, with his New Yorkese, often found it amusing to star in a western. Hawk Larabee went off the air after the February 7th, 1948 episode, but working for Bill Robson provided invaluable experience for Elliott Lewis. He would soon become one of the most prolific radio professionals on the air, attached to shows like Broadway is My Beat, Suspense,

… and Escape.

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