Ranger Bill

Updated on Oct 07, 2024

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Country United States Starring Miron Canaday		Home station WMBI-FM
Running time 15 minutes (1950-1954), 30 Minutes (1954-1964) Written by Charles Erkhart, John Rowan Directed by Charles Christensen, Jim Grant

Ranger Bill is a Christian radio program from the 1950s, produced by Moody Radio. With over 200 episodes produced, Ranger Bill stars Miron Canaday as the title character and Stumpy Jenkins and Ed Ronne, Sr as Grey Wolf. The main character, Ranger Bill, is a forest ranger located in the town of Knotty Pine along the Rocky Mountains. The show describes the various tales of the adventures of Ranger Bill and his friends.

Radio Program

The Moody Bible Institute originally aired on October 2, 1950 in 15 minute episodes. The series later aired in half-hour episode format, with the earliest known episode airing May 14, 1954. The series continued through 1964, and was later syndicated through to the present in 30 minute episodes.

Crew

Charles Christensen - director

Jim Grant - director

Charles Erkhart - writer

John Rowan - writer

John McCombe - sound effects

Main characters

Bill Jefferson is the chief forest ranger. He lives with his mother in the small town of Knotty Pine. He's described as a well-built leader capable of accomplishing nearly anything.

Stumpy Jenkins, another forest ranger, is often referred to as "The Old Timer". Known for his superb marksmanship, he likes to tell jokes and travel around with his rifle. A good description of his rifle is given in the episode "The Prehistoric Monster".

Henry Scott is the teenage ward of Ranger Bill, who helps out in many park ranger tasks.

Gray Wolf is a Native American of the Dakota tribe, and also a forest ranger. Although he talks in broken English, he is knowledgeable in both modern forest management and the traditional ways of his people. Drawing on both, he makes a valuable contribution to the rangers.

Minor characters

Ralph, a forest ranger.

Sheriff Cal, the county sheriff

Jo Jo, a friend of Henry's

Pat O'Roark, Knotty Pine's chief of police.

Frenchy DeSalle, chief lumberjack in the area.

Colonel Anders, Ranger Bill's boss.

Moose McBain, a local fur trapper.

Maggie Murphy, Stumpy's housekeeper in "The Battle At Jenkins Manor" and cook at summer camp in "Mrs. Murphy's Chowder" and also {cook} aboard the "River Giant."

George Benton, Replaces Col. Anders temporarily in "The Hard Head."

Jane Reeves, Fire watcher in "Petticoat Rangers."

Jock McIntosh, Knotty Pine's blacksmith in "The Wrong Valley."

Annie McIntosh, Jock's wife. Also appears in "The Wrong Valley."

Dutch Vanderhaven, Knotty Pine's own version of "The Self-Made Man."

Mary Lu, a friend of Henry's in "Mystery Island" and "The Measure of a Man."

Location Universe

Knotty Pine, the central focus of the Ranger Bill series.

Junction City, a town about an hour from Knotty Pine and comparable in size.

Border Town, a town of questionable character located just outside the park rangers' jurisdiction.

Central City, the nearest major city to Knotty Pine.

Listen Online

https://archive.org/details/OTRR_Ranger_Bill_Singles

Opening Lines

Intro 1

"Ranger Bill, Warrior of the Woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill. Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snows, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done."

Intro 2

"Ranger Bill, Warrior of the Woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, showing rare courage in the face of disaster, in the air, on horseback, or in a screaming squad car. Ranger Bill, his mind alert, a ready smile, unswerving, loyal to his mission. And all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done."

References

Ranger Bill Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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