Radio
Legends:
Have Gun, Will Travel, Volume 1
Liner notes written by Harlan Zinck
In
the 1950s, it was fairly common for a long-running radio series to be adapted
for television -- but it was practically unheard of for a successful TV series
to make its way to radio. But, on November 23, 1958, that's exactly what
happened when the CBS Television series "Have Gun, Will Travel" came to CBS
Radio.
Created by Herb Meadow and Sam Rolfe, "Have Gun, Will Travel" was first aired on
CBS-TV September 14, 1957 and starred Richard Boone as Paladin, a cultured,
educated, and sophisticated man with an eye for the ladies, a taste for gourmet
food, wine, and cigars, and enough skill, nerve, and well-oiled artillery to
make him a top-notch gunfighter. Headquartered at the fashionable Carlton Hotel
in San Francisco, Paladin had earlier attended West Point and was also a former
Army officer, but now chose to finance his luxurious lifestyle by being a
combination go-between, negotiator, and hired gun - a white knight, as it were -
for those who needed such assistance. Unlike the more scruffy gunsels of the
wild west, Paladin relied on his brains as much as his nerve -- and made his
reputation by use of a distinctive business card that featured the symbol of a
white chess knight and read, simply, “Have Gun, Will Travel. Wire Paladin, San
Francisco.” When one hired Paladin to do a job, he did it...for a sizeable fee,
of course. Questions of morality did come into play - Paladin was, after all,
intending to be more of a protector of the helpless than a murdering hit man -
so, throughout the series, most who eventually came to face to face with the
barrel of his custom-made six shooter had already done quite a lot to deserve
their fate. (He also had the good sense to conceal a derringer under his belt,
as well as a few expensive cigars in his boot. Classy guy.)
On
radio, Paladin was played by John Dehner, a talented character actor who had
made his name in featured roles on similar radio series such as "Gunsmoke" and
"Frontier Gentleman." (Dehner, whose portrayal of Paladin was a bit more arch,
suave, and sleek than his TV counterpart, had in fact earlier turned down the
leading role of Sheriff Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke" for fear of being typecast in
western roles.) Dehner was understandably concerned about becoming nothing more
than a pale copy of Richard Boone, and so insisted on making the role uniquely
his own; radio historian John Dunning describes Dehner's portrayal as “a
streamlined version, perhaps slighter of build...but just as deadly.”
The same
smooth and slightly menacing voice that had made him such an effective villain
on such series as "Escape" and "The Adventures of Philip Marlowe,"
made him an equally effective Paladin -- someone you might enjoy an intellectual
discussion with over a glass of decent sherry, but also someone you wouldn't
want to disagree with too aggressively for too long.
There were, of course, many similarities between the TV and radio series,
particularly since many (though not all) of the radio scripts were based on
earlier television episodes. Both programs used the same musical themes and
bridges and relied much more upon dialogue and atmosphere than rip-roaring
action to attract audiences. (Paladin, who was well versed in the classics, was
frequently given to quoting Shakespeare and recalling obscure bits of history
when considering the best way to deal with his various assignments.) On radio,
"Have Gun, Will Travel" also benefited from the presence of "Gunsmoke" and "Fort
Laramie" producer/director Norman Macdonnell as well as writers Marian Clark and
Les Crutchfield, sound effects men Tom Hanley and Ray Kemper, and a host of
talented performers such as Sam Edwards, Jack Moyles, Larry Dobkin, and Harry
Bartell. The stories were rich with detail, realistic, and typical of the more
adult types of western that had evolved in the 1950s; less shoot 'em up, more
reflection.
"Have Gun, Will Travel" was one of the last continuing radio dramas to leave the
airwaves, ending a two-year CBS run on November 27, 1960. (The TV series lasted
a bit longer - six years in total - and closed up shop on September 21, 1963.)
While it lasted, however, "Have Gun, Will Travel" demonstrated that, even with
television capturing the largest audiences and the most advertising dollars,
radio could still effectively hold its own when given the opportunity to present
quality programming. Heard today, even those who have never experienced quality
radio drama firsthand can enjoy the programs simply as effective and engrossing
pieces of well-produced audio entertainment.
This Radio Legends collection offers the first twenty episodes of "Have Gun,
Will Travel," dating from 1958 and 1959.
Here is the complete content of this ten-CD collection:
Strange Vendetta (#1)
Sunday, November 23, 1958 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Food To Wickenburg (#2)
Sunday, November 30, 1958 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Ella West (#3)
Sunday, December 7, 1958 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
The Outlaw (#4)
Sunday, December 14, 1958 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
The Hanging Cross (#5)
Sunday, December 21, 1958 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
No Visitors (#6)
Sunday, December 28, 1958 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Helen Of Abajinian (#7)
Sunday, January 4, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
The Englishman (#8)
Sunday, January 11, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Three Bells to Perdido (#9)
Sunday, January 18, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
The Teacher (#10)
Sunday, January 25, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
A Matter of Ethics (#11)
Sunday, February 1, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
The Killer's Widow (#12)
Sunday, February 8, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
The Return of Doctor Thackeray (#13)
Sunday, February 15, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Winchester Quarantine (#14)
Sunday, February 22, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Hey Boy's Revenge (#15)
Sunday, March 1, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
The Monster of Moon Ridge (#16)
Sunday, March 8, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Death of a Young Gunfighter (#17)
Sunday, March 15, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
The Five Books of Owen Deaver (#18)
Sunday, March 22, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Sense Of Justice (#19)
Sunday, March 29, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
Maggie O'Bannion (#20)
Sunday, April 5, 1959 - 25:00 - CBS
Multiple sponsorship
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