The Silver State Chronicles

My Favorite Song From Phantom Empire

Last Thursday’s Gene Autry song ‘Don’t Bite the Hand That’s Feeding You’ was such a hit here at The Silver State Chronicles that I decided to post another great tune from the Autry collection!

This time, I looked into one of my alltime favorite movie serials, Phantom Empire. Now an extended discussion of PE would require a well researched book, but for now let’s just describe it as a Musical-Western-Science Fiction tale. Indeed, it’s quite an adventure – both mesmerizing and confusing at the same time.

Well, Gene Autry is the star of the 12 chapter serial, and in between episodes of fighting futuristic villains, he finds time to get back to the ranch for the daily live radio show. During one of those broadcasts, Gene (along with his posse which includes his longtime sidekick, the legendary Smiley Burnette) sing this classic little tune, ‘Uncle Noah’s Ark.’

Enjoy!

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Just The Facts…

I came across this wonderful article about Mr. Jack Webb, from the 1950s Hollywood gossip magazine TV People. Honestly, in many ways it reads like a press release, and was probably published to soften his image a bit. I still dig it!

The article was reproduced by the great folks at the website that honors Mr. Webb and Dragnet, Badge 714.

AT LONG LAST! The JACK WEBB Story That MUST be Told

by BEN ALEXANDER (from TV People, October 1957)

I have just completed a six-week swing around the country.

Personally meeting swarms of fans is a most gratifying experience, of course. But here and there a grating note crept in.

Several long-time followers of “Dragnet” and “Badge 714″ asked me, “Is it true that Jack Webb is a moody, unapproachable person in real life?”

And my categorical answer to them is this: Nothing could be further from the truth!

Whether he’s a police sergeant or Marine sergeant, Jack doesn’t change the stripes of his character. And, you can take it from me, that means he’s the same swell guy I met for the first time six years ago.

This sort of stuff has been going on for the past several years, and I don’t understand why.

The truth is that Jack works hard. Very hard. But he does not work so hard in order to escape from unhappiness, as some writers hint. He works hard just because he likes to work!

When I’m not portraying Frank Smith, no one is happier than I am when I’m at my Ford Agency, selling…. I just love to sell! Jack just loves to work on TV and movies. That’s all. It’s an all-absorbing passion with him.

Let me tell you a few things about Jack Webb, as he really is, and not as some papers and magazines have painted him.

Read more…

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