Dude - where's my ranch?
May 18, 2007 3:26 AM Subscribe
Yipee ti-yi - zap! The original Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry, defends his Radio Ranch (Autry was a radio star at the time) from gunslingers and Indians evil scientists, and robots from an underground civilization, in a 1935 twelve-chapter movie serial. It's Autry's first movie role (playing a singing cowboy named Gene Autry), and the first talking science fiction film. Longer plot summary of Chapter 1 and Chapter 4.
Aw, yeah - Junior Thunder Riders forever!
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:25 AM on May 18, 2007
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:25 AM on May 18, 2007
Don't forget the Cowboy Code:
Autry created the Cowboy Code or Cowboy Commandments in response to his young radio listeners aspiring to be just like Gene.
1.The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.
2.He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.
3.He must always tell the truth.
4.He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.
5.He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.
6.He must help people in distress.
7.He must be a good worker.
8.He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.
9.He must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws.
10.The Cowboy is a patriot.
posted by Floydd at 6:28 AM on May 18, 2007 [1 favorite]
Autry created the Cowboy Code or Cowboy Commandments in response to his young radio listeners aspiring to be just like Gene.
1.The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.
2.He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.
3.He must always tell the truth.
4.He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.
5.He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.
6.He must help people in distress.
7.He must be a good worker.
8.He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.
9.He must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws.
10.The Cowboy is a patriot.
posted by Floydd at 6:28 AM on May 18, 2007 [1 favorite]
Many many years ago, before PBS pledge drives had turned into a never-ending list of repeat doo-wop music specials, the guys who programmed WCBB in Lewiston, ME (where I grew up) were always trying new things, and I will never forget spending an entire Saturday GLUED to the little B&W television in my bedroom watching this serial (using the inevitable breaks for pledging to use the bathroom, refill my drink. etc.)
They did the same thing another time with one of the Flash Gordon serials, too.
posted by briank at 6:33 AM on May 18, 2007
They did the same thing another time with one of the Flash Gordon serials, too.
posted by briank at 6:33 AM on May 18, 2007
I actually bought this on DVD. It's put together from the serial. "Radio Ranch" It is so wonderfully bad it's great.
Sci-Fi cowboys are so random.
posted by cccorlew at 8:40 AM on May 18, 2007
Sci-Fi cowboys are so random.
posted by cccorlew at 8:40 AM on May 18, 2007
I watched this as a kid on Saturday mornings. Those bad guy costumes really gave me nightmares and the cliff-hanger at the end of each episode used to really tick me off! For years I'd try to explain this show to others: the underground city, Queen Tika, getting back to the ranch to sing . . . and folks always considered me delusional.
posted by ahimsakid at 9:47 AM on May 18, 2007
posted by ahimsakid at 9:47 AM on May 18, 2007
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