Frontier Gentleman

Frontier Gentleman is a short-lived radio Western series originally broadcast on the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) radio network from February 2 to November 16, 1958, initially heard Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) through March when it moved to 7 p.m.[1]

Frontier Gentleman
GenreWestern
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Home stationKNX
SyndicatesCBS
StarringJohn Dehner
AnnouncerJohnny Jacobs
John Wald
Dan Cubberly
Bud Sewell
Created byAntony Ellis
Written byAntony Ellis
Directed byAntony Ellis
Original releaseFebruary 2, 1958 – November 16, 1958

Format

Frontier Gentleman was one of several "adult westerns," along with Gunsmoke (1952-1961), Luke Slaughter of Tombstone and others, that appeared on radio and television in the early 1950s. The genre was described as "grittier, more realistic, and clearly intended for an older audience. Adult westerns were less the descendants of their juvenile predecessors than they were cousins of western feature films such as Shane (1953), with Alan Ladd and High Noon (1952), starring Gary Cooper"[2]

The program was set in the post-Civil War United States.[3]

Opening

The program opened with a trumpet theme by Jerry Goldsmith and this introduction:

Herewith, an Englishman's account of life and death in The West. As a reporter for The Times of London, he writes his colorful and unusual accounts. But as a man with a gun, he lives and becomes a part of the violent years in the new territories. Now, starring John Dehner, this is the story of J. B. Kendall, Frontier Gentleman...[4]

Main character

The character's full name is Jeremy Brian Kendall. This was revealed in the episode "The Lost Mine." Kendall was described as an "elegant and icily effective ... veteran of the British Army in India."[5]

Personnel

Written, produced 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,[6] 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 (later also on television), Vic Perrin and Barney Phillips.

References
  1. Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Pp. 273-274.
  2. Sterling, Christopher H. (ed.) (2004). Encyclopedia of Radio. Fitzroy Dearborn. ISBN 1-57958-249-4. P. 1500
  3. "KNX Airs 'Frontier Gentleman'" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting. February 10, 1958. p. 80. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  4. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. Pp. 125-126.
  5. "Dehner In New Series". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. February 16, 1958. p. 56. Retrieved April 11, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. P. 245.

Listen

Further reading
  • Ohmart, Ben. It's That Time Again. (2002) (Albany: BearManor Media) ISBN 0-9714570-2-6
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