Television Cowboys - Hopalong Cassidy by L. A. Keller
Where would the lore of the old west be without our television cowboy heroes? Since that was my first exposure to the genre, I thought it might be fun to step back in time to when a cowboy was king.
One of the first television series was Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd. This show ran from 1949 to 1954 in the age before we all had color televisions. Hopalong was actually the creation of author Clarence E. Mulford in 1904. Mulford created a series of short stories which were later developed for film. The original character was not the clean cut persona I remember but instead a rough talking, dangerous fellow who had a wooden leg. I'll bet you can make the connection to how he became hop-along.
Before all the good guys wore white, Bill 'Hopalong' Cassidy was dressed in all black including his hat and rode a brilliant white horse. His sidekick was first played by Gabby Hayes, who became a star as a supporting character in dozens of films.
When the studios decided to stop producing Hopalong for movies, William Boyd sold everything he had in order to purchase the rights and continue the character for television. It was a wise decision as the series and character hit new heights and made him a very rich man.
It's interesting to know that Louis L'Amour wrote four of the Hopalong novels which are still in print.
Happy Trails,
Leslie
Leslie's Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Menu for Murder Cocktails at Sunset
One of the first television series was Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd. This show ran from 1949 to 1954 in the age before we all had color televisions. Hopalong was actually the creation of author Clarence E. Mulford in 1904. Mulford created a series of short stories which were later developed for film. The original character was not the clean cut persona I remember but instead a rough talking, dangerous fellow who had a wooden leg. I'll bet you can make the connection to how he became hop-along.
Before all the good guys wore white, Bill 'Hopalong' Cassidy was dressed in all black including his hat and rode a brilliant white horse. His sidekick was first played by Gabby Hayes, who became a star as a supporting character in dozens of films.
When the studios decided to stop producing Hopalong for movies, William Boyd sold everything he had in order to purchase the rights and continue the character for television. It was a wise decision as the series and character hit new heights and made him a very rich man.
It's interesting to know that Louis L'Amour wrote four of the Hopalong novels which are still in print.
Happy Trails,
Leslie
Leslie's Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Menu for Murder Cocktails at Sunset
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