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Gene Autry's Melody Ranch

Gene Autry's Melody Ranch
Gene Autry publicity photo
Other namesDoublemint's Melody Ranch
GenreCountry music
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Home stationCBS KNX Playhouse, Hollywood, CA
StarringGene Autry
Announcer
Original releaseJanuary 7, 1940 (1940-01-07) –
May 16, 1956 (1956-05-16)
Audio formatMono
Opening theme"Back in the Saddle Again"
Sponsored byDoublemint

Gene Autry's Melody Ranch is a Western variety radio show in the United States. A 15-minute pilot show aired on December 31, 1939. The program ran from January 7, 1940 to August 1, 1943, and from September 23, 1945 to May 16, 1956.[1] The show's entire run was broadcast over the CBS radio network, sponsored by Doublemint gum.[2] The approximately two-year interruption resulted from Autry's enlistment in the United States Army to serve in World War II. Initially titled Doublemint's Melody Ranch,[3][4] the show's name was changed to Gene Autry's Melody Ranch in early 1941. Episodes were 30 minutes long except for a 15-minute version that ran from September 23, 1945 to June 16, 1946. The theme song was "Back in the Saddle Again".[5]

In its early years the show was broadcast live before a studio audience from the CBS Columbia Square KNX Playhouse at Sunset and Gower in Hollywood[6] and preserved on acetate disc. Later on it was taped prior to airtime, usually at KNX.[7] When on tour, the show would originate through the facilities of local CBS affiliate stations. Sometimes it took place at a special event. In 1951 the program had an 8:00 p.m., Saturday night, 30 minute time slot.[8] The show for August 11, 1951 originated from the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Springfield, Illinois. The guests were Governor of Illinois Adlai E. Stevenson II and 12-year-old 4-H Club member Shelby Jean Thomas of Kilbourne, Illinois.[9][10]

  1. ^ French, Jack & Siegel, David S. (eds.) (2014). "Radio Rides the Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air, 1929-1967. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-7146-1. p. 75.
  2. ^ Dunning, John. (1976). Tune in Yesterday: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, 1925-1976. Prentice-Hall, Inc. ISBN 0-13-932616-2, p. 236.
  3. ^ Doublemint's Melody Ranch cast publicity photo, circa late 1940, CBS KNX Playhouse, Sunset and Gower, Hollywood, California, left to right: Frankie Marvin (steel guitar, standing), Frank Nelson ("Reno", seated), Dwight Muma (violin, standing), Hoarce Murphy ("Shorty", seated), unidentified (violin, standing), Mary Lee Wooters (kneeling), Lou Bring (leader, standing), Carl Cotner (violin, standing), Michsa Russel (violin, standing), Gene Autry (standing), Eddie Tudor (guitar, standing), Jimmy Wakely (seated), unidentified (accordion, standing), Johnny Bond (seated), Dick Reinhart (standing), Doc Whiting (bass, standing)
  4. ^ Johnny Bond, Reflections: The Autobiography of Johnny Bond, JEMF Special Series, No. 8, John Edwards Memorial Foundation, University of California, Los Angeles, 1976, Melody Ranch cast photo with IDs and location, Johnny Bond Scrapbook Excerpts between pp. 38 and 39
  5. ^ French, Jack & Siegel, David S. (eds.) (2014). Radio Rides the Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air, 1929-1967. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-7146-1, pp. 77-78.
  6. ^ Rigney Graphics, List of Existing Melody Ranch Radio Show Transcriptions 1939-1954 with song/drama titles, artists/cast, studio/station/location, and notes by Karla Buhlman and Mike Johnson (no longer available on the website)
  7. ^ Bond, Johnny, 30 Years on the Road with Gene Autry, Riverwood Press and the Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History, copyright 2007 Sherry Bond, pp. 32-33,170
  8. ^ Toledo Blade August 11, 1951, Peach Section, Radio and Television Programs, Saturday Radio Programs, 8 p.m., WJR, Gene Autry, see: https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7WVRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VAAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3243%2C4424484, p. 16, lower left
  9. ^ Schaden, Charles, Speaking of Radio, Pat Buttram Interview and Gene Autry's Melody Ranch show of August 11, 1951. To listen to the show click Here and scroll down the page to Gene Autry's Melody Ranch. Then hover over and click on the play button at the left. You may need to enable Adobe Flash Player. The date given is August 1952 but clues in the show and the list of Illinois State Fair Grandstand Performers from 1946-2016 indicate the airdate to have been Saturday, August 11, 1951.
  10. ^ Illinois State Fair Grandstand Performers, 1946-2016 - see performers for 1951 and 1952
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