Premier Collections: 
Fort Laramie, Volume 2
Liner notes written by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr.

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"The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of empire…"

With the introduction of "Gunsmoke" on April 26, 1952, network radio ushered in what came to be known as the era of "the adult western." "Gunsmoke," it can be argued, was definitely not your father's western - particularly since previous radio oaters concentrated primarily on kiddy-oriented fare like "The Lone Ranger," "The Cisco Kid," and "Hopalong Cassidy."

Old-time radio fans are practically unanimous in their agreement that "Gunsmoke" was the greatest radio western of all time - but as to what would follow it in the Radio Hall of Fame...well, spirited arguments will usually be the result of such discussions. OTR historian John Dunning has nominated the short-lived 1958 series "Frontier Gentleman," a truly fine program and one of the bright lights in radio's declining years. But in the opinion of this author, "Fort Laramie" is a more-than-worthy contender; this series, heard over CBS Radio beginning January 22, 1956, should be seriously considered for at least the runner-up position.

"Fort Laramie" was sired out of "Gunsmoke's" stables; its producer-director was Norman Macdonnell, and many of Laramie's high-quality scripts were contributed by the same scribes who wrote for "Gunsmoke": John Meston, John Dunkel, Kathleen Hite and Les Crutchfield, just to name a few. The realistic sound effects or "sound patterns" that made "Gunsmoke" a mesmerizing listening experience were also a big part of its sired show, thanks to the moonlighting efforts of Bill James, Ray Kemper and Tom Hanley.

"Laramie" also took advantage of the repertory company of actors that worked frequently on "Gunsmoke," notably Lawrence Dobkin, Sam Edwards, John Dehner, Virginia Gregg, Ben Wright and Jeanette Nolan. "Gunsmoke's" lead actors, William Conrad and Georgia Ellis, were conspicuous in their absence on "Laramie," but co-stars Parley Baer and Howard McNear made the crossover; McNear, in particular, played the recurring role of Pliny, the fort's "sutler."

It was producer-director Macdonnell's intention to cast different performers in the roles of the main characters he created for "Laramie," and hiring Raymond Burr to play the part of the lead, Captain Lee Quince, is certainly evidence of that. At the time he was working on this series, Burr was a year-and-a-half away from the role that would make him a household name: Perry Mason on the long-running CBS-TV series. Pre-Mason, he was primarily recognizable on the silver screen in various villainous "heavies" ("The Blue Gardenia," "Rear Window"), but in the meantime he'd also built up an impressive radio resume, frequently cast alongside his good friend Jack Webb on programs like "Pat Novak for Hire" and "Dragnet."

Appearing alongside Burr in the supporting role of laconic Sergeant Ken Gorce was "Dragnet"/"Gunsmoke" veteran Vic Perrin, and Jack "Rocky Jordan" Moyles essayed the part of crusty Major Daggett, the fort's commanding officer. (In a rare break with the authenticity for which "Fort Laramie" was noted, the real commanding officer at the fort was a Lieutenant Colonel, but Macdonnell apparently preferred a shorter title.) Later, Macdonnell added another character to form a foursome: a not-yet-wet-behind-the-ears officer named Lieutenant Richard Siberts, played by another frequent "Dragnet" and "Gunsmoke" player, Harry Bartell. Siberts was originally a minor player introduced in Laramie's debut episode, "Playing Indian," but his presence was considerably "beefed up" by the seventh episode, "The Shavetail." (A "shavetail" was an epithet bestowed upon officers newly minted out of West Point; it was borrowed, according to OTR historian Jack French, from the custom of "shaving or docking the tail of an untrained horse so the troopers would be wary of such a mount.") Bartell was forty-two years old at the time he took on the role of Siberts, but it's a testament to the man's talent that he could convincingly play the youthful and inexperienced junior officer.

Although "Fort Laramie" was larded with the same talent that made "Gunsmoke" a radio classic, it was sadly overlooked during its all-too-brief run in 1956. In his book "On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio," author John Dunning points out that "Laramie" wasn't quite as intense as its sister program:

Producer Norman Macdonnell saw "Fort Laramie" as "a monument to ordinary men who lived in extraordinary times"; their enemies were "the rugged, uncharted country, the heat, the cold, disease, boredom, and, perhaps last of all, hostile Indians." Men died at Fort Laramie: some died of drowning, some of freezing, some of typhoid and smallpox. "But it's a matter of record," Macdonnell said on the opening, "that in all the years the cavalry was stationed at Fort Laramie, only four troopers died of gunshot wounds."

Perhaps the series' lack of gunplay contributed to its muted reception but, though its run was short and sweet, "Fort Laramie" proved to be every bit as grand as the critically acclaimed "Gunsmoke." The gods of old-time radio must have recognized "Laramie's" potential as well; all forty episodes (forty-one, if you include the pilot) of the series have survived the ravages of time and are available to be enjoyed by new audiences today. And with that, Radio Archives is pleased to present the final twenty broadcasts of an outstanding series in this new 10-CD Premier Collection:

The Winter Soldier
In the springtime, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. But among some cavalry soldiers - nicknamed “snowbirds” - thoughts of desertion crowd out any stirrings of l’amour toujours. With Joe Cranston, Paul Dubov, Howard Culver, and James Nusser.
Sunday, June 17, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

The Loving Cup
Major Daggett confides in Captain Quince that Lieutenant Siberts suffers from a lack of confidence whenever he’s in Quince’s presence - and that something needs to be done. Quince then comes up with an innovative way to restore self-assurance in his junior officer. With Helen Kleeb.
Sunday, June 24, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Trooper’s Widow
Lieutenant Blade Stocker’s new wife Hess finds it difficult to make the transition from civilian to cavalry life - particularly when it comes to handling a pistol. Stocker can’t bring himself to tell his bride why she would ever have cause to use firearms. With Lynn Allen, Lawrence Dobkin, and Jeanne Bates.
Sunday, July 1, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

The Talented Recruits
A medicine show impresario named Feeney and a Shakespearean ham actor named Meriwether escape their down-on-their-luck financial situation by enlisting in the Army. They soon learn to their dismay that soldiering is much, much more than "three hots and a cot". With Parley Baer and John Dehner.
Sunday, July 8, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

The Old Enemy
A new trooper named Patchen has joined Captain Quince’s outfit, and it’s somewhat like Old Home Week since he fought along aside Quince before during the war. But Patchen holds a grudge against his new commanding officer, and creates nothing but problems in his new environs. With Sam Edwards, Paul Dubov, James Nusser, and Herb Vigran.
Sunday, July 15, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Spotted Tail’s Return
Captain Quince and Sergeant Gorce are keeping a sharp eye on the main camp of Fleet Bear, nephew of Sioux Chief Spotted Tail. When word gets to Quince that Spotted Tail is moving his entire tribe off the reservation, Quince takes sixty troopers out to learn the reason why. With John Dehner, Tim Graham, Lou Krugman, and Ralph Moody.
Sunday, July 22, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Nature Boy
Quince has orders to escort an individual with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and his family to the fort. The Quiring family, with their passion for bird watching and other nature-related activities, prove to be quite a handful. With Howard McNear, Virginia Gregg, Shirley Mitchell, John Dehner, and Parley Baer.
Sunday, July 29, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

The Massacre
Quince’s plans to escort Chief White Dog and his tribe to their hunting grounds are scotched thanks to the howling of a coyote, which the Chief interprets as a bad omen. When a fanatical Army major attacks the peaceful Shoshone tribe, it would appear that the coyote’s presence proved prescient. With John Dehner, Sam Edwards, Lawrence Dobkin, Lou Krugman, and Tim Graham.
Sunday, August 5, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Assembly Line
Insisting there’s an Indian uprising in the air, Indian agent Jim Lack sends a telegram to the fort requesting military intervention. Quince and Siberts take a patrol down to investigate…and quickly learn the reason for Lack’s certainty: his own arrogance. With John Dehner, Joseph Kearns, and Vivi Janis.
Sunday, August 12, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Goodbye Willa
On patrol, complaints from Major Daggett and some of the troopers about being away from their wives and home so often begin to have an impact on Captain Quince…who decides he may take the matrimonial plunge with Miss Willa, the sutler’s daughter. With John Dehner, Virginia Gregg, Delores Penard, and Parley Baer.
Sunday, August 19, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Chaplain
An outbreak of scurvy hits B Company, putting fifty-nine men in the hospital ward. The fort is being billed for fresh fruits and vegetables, but there’s no evidence of this potential cure in sight. With Lawrence Dobkin, Parley Baer, and Paul Dubov.
Sunday, August 26, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

The Return of Hattie Pelfrey
Captain Quince and a reluctant Corporal Harrison return to the cabin of eccentric Hattie Pelfrey for a visit. The two men find no trace of the fiery old dame, but upon returning to the fort Quince gets word that a deathly ill woman is there to see him - it’s none other than Hattie, who claims Lee is her son! With Virginia Gregg, Sam Edwards, and Paul Dubov.
Sunday, September 2, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Buffalo Hunters
Captain Quince and his men are investigating the site of a buffalo slaughter, and Quince is convinced that it’s the work of buffalo hunters. After Quince and Sergeant Goers learn the identities of the two men, they lay a trap to capture them…but the two hunters prove craftier than expected. With Barney Phillips and James Nusser.
Sunday, September 9, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

The Payroll
With the paymaster four months’ late with the men’s wages, morale takes a nose dive at the fort. Sergeant Gorce and Corporal Harrison attempt to extend their credit with Pliny the Sutler, and Captain Quince looks for a loophole to spirit some money from the Post Fund. With Clayton Post, Sam Edwards, and Howard McNear.
Sunday, September 16, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

The Woman at Horse Creek
The soldiers at the fort take up a collection for widow Anita Dennis, a woman now living alone on the prairie. It's not safe for a woman to be out there by herself, not with the threat of Indians...or even soldiers, for that matter. (This is a repeat performance of a program originally broadcast February 12, 1956.) With Virginia Christine, Barney Phillips, and John Dehner.
Sunday, September 23, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

A Small Beginning
Daggett assigns Quince the task of traveling to the Black Hills and locating Sitting Bull. Accompanied by Siberts and Harrison, Lee’s assignment is to invite the great chief back to the fort for a peace parlay. With Sam Edwards, Jess Kirkpatrick, Jack Kruschen, John Dehner, Howard Culver, and Lawrence Dobkin.
Sunday, September 30, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

The Galvanized Yankee
New recruit Private Medford is an ex-Confederate cavalry soldier assigned to B Company…and he’s still carrying a grudge against any and all Yankees. With Frank Cady, Paul Dubov, Lawrence Dobkin, and Parley Baer.
Sunday, October 7, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Still Waters
Complaints about the quality of the fort’s dress parade fall on (tone) deaf ears until Major Daggett steps in. New instruments are needed for the band, but the money to pay for such is jeopardized when tee totaling Mrs. Feamster starts a crusade to ban beer and wine at the sutler’s canteen. With Jeanette Nolan, Howard McNear, and Sam Edwards.
Sunday, October 14, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Indian Scout
Quince and Gorce tend to the wounds of an injured Indian named “Charlie” - who turns out to have a taste for “firewater” and stealing horses. Nevertheless, the patrol is forced to rely on Charlie to lead a patrol into Cheyenne country. With Lawrence Dobkin.
Sunday, October 21, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

Army Wife
Jessie Hale finds herself a widow when her husband Thaddeus is laid to rest. With nearly thirty years’ devotion to her husband and his career, she must bravely move on when her quarters are needed at a moment’s notice. With Helen Kleeb, Parley Baer, and Sammie Hill.
Sunday, October 28, 1956 – 30:00 – CBS, sustaining

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