Old Time Radio: Hopalong Cassidy and the "Phantom Panther"
As a kid, my father showed me how to make a crystal radio. It was kind of neat watching him put that thing together, allowing me, now and then to insert something here or connect a wire there.
I was intrigued and curious about the mechanics and technology, especially when we strung the long thin wire for the antennae. But the power of the thing rocked me on my heels when I heard the voices coming from the ether with stories, and more stories and even more stories. That's what they were broadcasting mostly, way back then.
Something about cowboys and the west caught my attention at a very early age. I suspect it was in my blood given that my great- great-grandfather, L.B. Harris, watched the Battle of San Jacinto from the bed of a wagon in 1836 at 14 years-old and went on to become a Texas Ranger and successful cattleman.
I loved Hopalong Cassidy, the Lone Ranger, Sky King and the Cisco Kid on early TV. Later it was Bonanza, Wyatt Earp, High Noon and even later, The Shootist, starring one of my heroes, John Wayne.
Anyway, I thought I'd bulk up on some old radio offerings here at The Texana Review with a heavy emphasis on westerns.
Here's an early Hopalong Cassidy radio show...
| Listen... |
| 26:40 minutes |

