According to James Garner in an interview with the Archive of American Television, he and eventual star Dick Simmons were the last two actors up for the role, but he decided to pass to pursue film work.
Musician 'Ray Stevens' recorded and released a comedy single parodying Sgt. Preston (with Yukon King doing the actual detective work, while Preston took all the credit), when the series was still airing. The producers sued Stevens (and his then-label, Mercury Records), but agreed to drop the lawsuit if the record was taken off the market and off the airwaves.
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According to his backstory, William Preston was an American from Chicago, who originally came to the Yukon to help solve his own father's murder. Working with the Mounties assigned to the case brought out his natural talents as a policeman, and Preston was invited to join the force after he helped track down and capture the killers.
The theme song is adapted from the "Overture to Donna Diana" by Nikolaus von Reznicek.
Fran Striker, the creator of The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and Sergeant Preston, was a driven man.
His intention was to make as much money as he could, and spend the least.
For this reason he only chose music in the public domain for the themes for his characters.
The William Tell Overture for The Lone Ranger.
Flight of the Bumblebee for the Green Hornet, and for Challenge of the Yukon (Sergeant Preston of the Yukon), it was the Donna Diana Overture, or rather a recurring theme from that piece.
Fran Striker, the creator of The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and Sergeant Preston, was a driven man.
His intention was to make as much money as he could, and spend the least.
For this reason he only chose music in the public domain for the themes for his characters.
The William Tell Overture for The Lone Ranger.
Flight of the Bumblebee for the Green Hornet, and for Challenge of the Yukon (Sergeant Preston of the Yukon), it was the Donna Diana Overture, or rather a recurring theme from that piece.