Tales of the Texas Rangers

Like some other reviewers, I too have been influenced greatly in my life by watching Willard Parker play Jace Pearson in this series between ages 4-8 and after. Things ranging from my career choice to my respect for courtesy and civility and friendliness were shaped by the way this actor fleshed out this character for young people to watch. His introductions of each episode provided my earliest and most vivid image of the concept of authority--the crisp uniform appearance, his athletic build, his somewhat older age, and especially his voice. For me, his were the voice and words of an authoritative, trusted guy. Like others whose reviews I am just now appreciating for the first time, I played "Jace and Clay" with my brother. I am older, so I got to be Jace. Tons of memories in that, and I still think of the character of Jace Pearson, as portrayed by the actor I agree is woefully underrated, Willard Parker. For that matter, Harry Lauter is way underrated as well, and did a great job of being a Texas Ranger and Jace's partner and friend.

I liked many, many westerns in the 50's and 60's, but this one has a uniquely special place in my mind to this minute. Whatever factors cause people to develop very strong affinities for particular others sure worked hard on me with respect to Willard Parker. I wish I had been smart enough to track him down and thank him for his gifts to my life, although I suppose it might have seemed odd to him that a stranger could be so influenced. Such is the power of the acting profession in combination with the human imagination. Anyway, I thank the 10 people who preceded me in reviewing this show respectfully and appreciatively.

SONY has the rights to the 13 unreleased episodes of the Tales of the Texas Rangers. They indicated that if enough people and/or dealers show interest, they will sell them on the market. In other words, it is up to us to contact SONY; or SONY may find it more convenient to just sell the entire 52 stories as one package. Suggest we fans move to request it. Unreleased: Both Barrels Blazing, Bandits of El Dorado, Last Days of Boot Hill, Whirlwind Raiders, Ambush, Warpath, Double Edge, Midway Kewpie, Quarter Horse, Jail Bird, Buckaroo from Powder River, Panhandle, Key Witness, Traitor's Gold. This was a very good series for its time and Willard Parker was an underrated actor

Harry Lauter used to turn up in so many shows during the 1950s and 1960s that my dad and I used to keep track of them so we could catch repeats. Yes, Harry was that good; an actor who came across as someone who could carry off any character with aplomb.

This series had probably the best theme outside of 'The Adventures of Superman'. Though I've not seen 'Texas Rangers' for decades, I can replay that theme, words and picture, in my mind without any trouble at all.

A series I'd love to find one day on DVD.

My father retired from the Texas Rangers in 1951, when I was about four years old. He and I watched this program every Saturday. Its tech adviser was Captain Clint Peoples, for whom my dad worked in his last years with the Rangers. I KNEW that Capt. Peoples played up his own role in all the episodes (???), but I also recognized my father's contributions (as he revealed them). In sum, when I look back, I think that there was a lot more realism than my fellow eight year old viewers knew. I am incredibly gratified, though, that kids from New Hampshire felt exactly as I did about the show. Small world. Thanks to you all "Yankees" for sharing your memories. If you're curious, my father's favorite TV crime show in the years before he died was Hawaii Five-O.

As a child growing up in the 50s Tales of the Texas Rangers was my favorite show. It had the most unusual idea for that time anyway to have alternating time frames using the same stars. The most vivid memory was the way the show started. It would be one Ranger then as he walked down the street more and more joined his side until he had a whole company with him by the end of the opening walk. Conversely when the show ended and the music played the opposite happened a full company dwindled down to just one as the show closed out. Ingenious! Maybe the Western Channel from Encore can find this lost gem. I wonder does anyone know if there are copies of the shows available.