Readers of The Purple Sage Bookstore
Red Ryder and Little Beaver
 | short history |  |
Stephen Slesinger and Fred Harman's comic strip cowboy hero Red Ryder was later adapted for comic books, films (27 features and a 1940 serial),
two obscure TV series, a radio show, cast member live stage show appearances, and lots of merchandise, most famously various models of the Daisy® air rifle.
Fred Harman grew up around Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, Colorado; he was a true cowboy, but loved to draw; he started the "Bronc Peeler" comic strip in 1934, but it was picked up by only a few newspapers, and soon failed. Working in New York City as an artist, he found marketer Stephen Slesinger who spent a year working with Fred to develop the "Red Ryder" comic strip. "Red Ryder" was an immediate success from 1938. "Red Ryder" comic books were produced under license from 1940 to 1957, with even more success as Spanish-language comic books published by Novaro from 1954 to 1984. The comic strip ended in 1964.
Whitman published a series of "Red Ryder" Better Little Books from 1939 to 1956.
A 12-chapter Western movie serial was released in 1940, followed by 27 feature films from 1944 to 1949.
The "Red Ryder" radio show ran from 1942 to 1951. "Red Ryder" merchandise included practically everything, even a 'Red Ryder Corral' brand clothing section in J.C. Penney department stores. Various models of the Daisy® air rifle are merchandised as Red Ryder models to this day.
Fred was living in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the 1960s, and that is where he constructed the Little Beaver Town theme park, which lasted from 1961 to 1964.
Fred retired from drawing the daily comic strip in 1963 and moved back to Pagosa Springs. In his retirement, Fred produced fine art Western paintings and was a co-founder of The Cowboy Artists of America in 1965.
The Red Ryder trademarks & copyrights are owned by the Slesinger family, thru Red Ryder Enterprises, Inc. [est. 2000] in Tampa, Florida.
Red Ryder entry at Wikipedia
search books on keywords 'Red+Ryder' (returns 200 items} at Amazon
search videos/DVDs on keywords 'Red+Ryder' (returns 90+ items} at Amazon
search credits on keywords 'Red+Ryder+series' (returns only 19 titles) at IMDb
comic strip, 1938-64
The "Red Ryder" comic strip by Fred Harman was reprinted in Dell's Crackajack Comics from Issue #9 to Issue #35.
 | "Red Ryder" from Dell's Crackajack Funnies, 1939-41 what seems to be happening here is that the Kindle Edition contains the full content of each issue and the book versions are 'Red Ryder' content only 434-page Kindle Edition from HardPress [7/2019] for $2.95 142-page CreateSpace 11x8½ pb [2/2016] for $24.99 132-page CreateSpace 11x8½ pb [4/2015] for $32.99 |
"Red Ryder" Books, 1939-56
Several "Red Ryder" comic strip multi-week storylines were novelized as hardcover books, some regular-sized and some in the 4½-inch by 3½-inch
'little books' format; not especially prized by collectors, thus information and usable cover graphics are scarce.
 | "Red Ryder Brings Law To Devil's Hole: A Fast-Action Story" [1939] by Fred Harman
greeen + maroon + yellow Kindle Edition from ... [9/00] for $0.00 PUB pb [8/00] for $0.00 hardcover [8/00] for $0.00 out of print/used http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Brings-Devils-Hole/dp/B000ESFKTE/ |
 | "Red Ryder and Little Beaver On Hoofs of Thunder" [Big Little Book #1400 1939] by Fred Harman greeen + maroon + yellow PUB pb [8/00] for $0.00 hardcover [8/00] for $0.00 out of print/used http://www.amazon.com/Ryder-Little-Beaver-Hoofs-Thunder/dp/B0018O8AIQ/ |
 | "Red Ryder and The Adventure At Chimney Rock" [1939] by Fred Harman
greeen + maroon + yellow Kessinger Publng 9x6 pb [3/2007] for $26.95 Whitman Publng hardcover [1946] out of print/used https://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Adventure-Chimney-Rock/dp/B004BHZ6U2/ https://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Adventure-Chimney-Rock/dp/1164492721/ |
 | "Red Ryder and The Secret of Wolf Canyon" [1941] by Fred Harman novelization by S.S. Stevens {pen name for Stephen Slesinger}, Illustrated by Peter Alvarado Kessinger Publng 9x6 pb [5/2005] for $26.95 Whitman Publng hardcover [1941] out of print/used Whitman Publng hardcover [1941] out of print/used http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Secret-Wolf-Canyon/dp/1417998776/ http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Stevens-SECRET-CANYON-Whitman/dp/B089KNJCMQ/ available as free online flip-book at Internet Archive |
 | "Red Ryder: The Fighting Westerner - with Little Beaver" [1940]
greeen + maroon + yellow PUB pb [8/00] for $0.00 hardcover [8/00] for $0.00 out of print/used http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-the-Fighting-Westerner/dp/B01N54FS71/ |
 | "Red Ryder & The Secret Canyon" [1941]
greeen + maroon + yellow Whitman Better Little Books hardcover [1941] out of print/used |
 | "Red Ryder and Western Border Guns" [1941]
cover says "See'em Move - Just flip the pages {arrow}" Whitman Better Little Books hardcover [1941] out of print/used |
 | "Red Ryder and The Mystery of Whispering Walls" [1941] by R.R. (Russell Robert) Winterbotham [1904-71] greeen + maroon + yellow Kindle Edition from ... [9/00] for $0.00 PUB pb [8/00] for $0.00 hardcover [8/00] for $0.00 out of print/used http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Mystery-Whispering-Walls/dp/1164488597/ http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Secret-Whispering-Walls/dp/B00FF2YKH2/ |
"Red Ryder and The Code of The West" [1941] by Fred Harman
http://www.amazon.com/Ryder-Code-West-Fred-Harman/dp/B003DHOC6A/
"Red Ryder In War On The Range" [1945] by Fred Harman
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Range-Fred-Harman/dp/B079HPNG1T/
 | "Red Ryder and The Squaw-Tooth Rustlers" [Better Little Book #1414 1946]
illustrations on every other page Whitman Better Little Books 4½x3½ hardcover [1946] out of print/used |
 | "Red Ryder and The Secret of The Lucky Mine" [1946] said to be written? or illustrated? by Carl W. Smith or H.C. Thomas Red Ryder and Little Beaver intend to settle down on a ranch near the White River in Colorado, but old enemies who have escaped from prison have other ideas . . . Whitman Better Little Books hardcover [1947] out of print/used Whitman Better Little Books hardcover [1947] out of print/used Whitman Better Little Books hardcover [1947] out of print/used |
"Red Ryder and The Secret Canyon" [Better Little Book #1454 1948] by Fred Harman
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Secret-Canyon-Better/dp/B01N0YXABT/
"RED RYDER AND THE OUTLAW OF PAINTED VALLEY" [1948] by Fred Harman
http://www.amazon.com/RED-RYDER-OUTLAW-PAINTED-VALLEY/dp/B001PL04RW/
"Red Ryder and The Rimrock Killer" [1948] by Fred Harman
http://www.amazon.com/Ryder-Rimrock-Killer-Fred-Harman/dp/B001L6EUJO/
"Red Ryder: Acting Sheriff" [New Little Better Books 1949] by Fred Harman
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Acting-Sheriff-Little/dp/B00LW9222C/
"Red Ryder and Circus Luck" [Better Little Books 1949]
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Circus-Luck/dp/B002N7Q3JA/
 | "Red Ryder and The Riddle of Roaring Range" [1951] by Jerry McGill
greeen + maroon + yellow Whitman Better Little Books hardcover [1951] out of print/used Whitman Better Little Books hardcover [1951] out of print/used |
"Red Ryder and Gun-Smoke Gold" [1954] by Jerry McGill
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Gun-Smoke-Gold/dp/B000NZ62DG/
"Red Ryder and The Thunder Trail" [1956] by Jerry Mcgill
http://www.amazon.com/Ryder-Thunder-Trail-Jerry-Mcgill/dp/B000J2702A/
comic books, 1940-57
The "Red Ryder" comic strip was reprinted in Dell's Crackajack Comics Issue #9 thru Issue #35.
Dell Comics launched its "Red Ryder Comics" in August 1941 for a run of 151 issues, ending in 1957.
"Red Ryder" had even more success with the Spanish-language comic books published by Novaro Publishing [1949-1985] from 1954 to 1984.
Red Ryder Comics #6: America Famous Fighting Cowboy! by Kari A Therrian and K.K. Publns | Dec 31, 2014
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-America-Fighting/dp/1505865832/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-Exciting-Western/dp/1530174139/
Red Ryder Comics #7 by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-Exciting-Western/dp/1530174201/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-America-Fighting/dp/1505866189/
Red Ryder Comics #9: by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-Exciting-Starring/dp/1530174880/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-America-Fighting/dp/1505866901/
Red Ryder Comics #11: by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-11-Exciting/dp/1530175100/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-11-Fighting/dp/1505867126/
Red Ryder Comics #12: America's Famous Fighting Cowboy! by Kari A Therrian and K.K. Publns | Dec 31, 2014
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-12-Americas/dp/1505867673/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-12-Thrilling/dp/153032937X/
Red Ryder Comics #13: Exciting Western Action from the Comic Legend - All Stories - No Ads by K.K. Publns | Mar 5, 2016
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-13-Exciting/dp/1530393396/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-13-Americas-Fighting/dp/1505867940/
Red Ryder Comics #14: The Western Legend in His Own Comic - All Stories - No Ads by K.K. Publns | Mar 5, 2016
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-14-Western/dp/1530393434/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-14-Americas/dp/1518600409/
Red Ryder Comics #15: Exciting Western Tales of Comic's Greatest Cowboy - All Stories - No Ads by K.K. Publns | Mar 5, 2016
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-15-Exciting/dp/1530393477/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-15-Americas/dp/1518600484/
Red Ryder Comics #16 by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-16-Exciting/dp/153048152X/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-16-Americas/dp/1518600514/
Red Ryder Comics #17
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-17-Thrilling/dp/1530481597/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-17-Americas/dp/1518600530/
Red Ryder Comics #18 by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-18-Stories/dp/1530481627/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-18-Americas/dp/151860062X/
Red Ryder Comics #19 by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-Thrilling-Adventures/dp/1532919743/
Red Ryder Comics #22: by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-22-Thrilling/dp/1532919808/
Red Ryder Comics #23: America Famous Fighting Cowboy! by K.K. Publns and Kari A Therrian | Jul 17, 2014
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-23-Fighting/dp/1500555304/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-23-Stories/dp/1532919832/
Red Ryder Comics #24: by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-24-Exciting/dp/1532919875/
Red Ryder Comics #25 by Dell Comics / Western Publishing | Oct 20, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Comics-25-Americas/dp/1532919956/
Red Ryder [1962] spanish flipbook
http://www.archive.org/details/redryderno901962/
Movies & Television
search on keywords 'Red+Ryder+series' (returns only 19 titles) at IMDb
search videos/DVDs on keywords 'Red+Ryder' (returns 90+ items} at Amazon
 | "Red Ryder In The Movies" [1983] by Bob Carman & Dan Scapperotti illustrated with all 23 {sic} Red Ryder movie posters (starring both Wild Bill Elliott and Allan Lane) and six publicity stills, all reproduced in full-page size in b&w 28-page self-publd 11x8½ pb [1983] out of print/used |
"The Adventures of Red Ryder™" 12-chapter serial [Republic Pictures June 1940]
 | A banker is killing ranchers to gain control of all the land in the area and make a big profit selling it to the railroad; filmed at Lake Sherwood, Simi Valley, Newhall, and Iverson Ranch in Southern California. Chapter Titles: 1. Murder On The Santa Fe Trail; 2. Horsemen of Death; 3. Trail's End; 4. Water Rustlers; 5. Avalanche; 6. Hangman's Noose; 7. Framed; 8. Blazing Walls; 9. Records of Doom; 10. One Second To Live; 11. The Devil's Marksman; and 12. Frontier Justice • Produced by Hiram S. Brown Jr.; directed by William Witney & John English; starring Don 'Red' Barry {as Red Ryder}, Tommy Cook {as Little Beaver}, Noah Beery Sr., Maude Allen, Vivian Austin, Harry Worth, Hal Taliaferro, William Farnum, Bob Kortman, Carleton Young, Ray Teal, Gene Alsace & Gayne Whitman
V.C.I. Video b&w DVD [10/2000] out of prodn/used V.C.I./F.F.I. b&w VHS [9/2000] 2 tapes for $5.00 serial credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia |
watch official serial trailer [10/2014 upload; 1:48] online at Internet Archive
watch all twelve chapters [4/2019 uploads] online at Internet Archive: Chapter 1 [28:16] • Chapter 2 [17:09] •
Chapter 3 [17:09] • Chapter 4 [17:44] • Chapter 5 [17:12] • Chapter 6 [17:09] • Chapter 7 [17:10] •
Chapter 8 [16:60] • Chapter 9 [17:11] • Chapter 10 [17:04] • Chapter 11 [17:06] • Chapter 12 [17:17]
more info on movie serials on the Silent & Sound Movie Serials Pages at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store
"Tucson Raiders" Western feature [Republic Pictures May 1944]
 | Painted Valley has come under the rule of Governor York, standing in the way of The Duchess; she sends for her nephew Red Ryder who is framed for murder when he arrives . . . • Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet; written by Joseph O'Donnell & Anthony Coldeway, based on the comic strip by Fred Harman; stunts by Yakima Canutt {Second Unit Director}; starring Bill Elliott {first movie as Red Ryder}, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Robert Blake {as Little Beaver}, Alice Fleming, Ruth Lee, Peggy Stewart, LeRoy Mason, Stanley Andrews, John Whitney, Bud Geary, Karl Hackett, Tom Steele, Marshall Reed, Tom Chatterton, Ed Cassidy
VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available • full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia |
"Marshal of Reno" Western feature (1944) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"The San Antonio Kid" Western feature (1944) starring Wild Bill Elliott
http://archive.org/details/TheSanAntonioKid-BillElliott1944 53.21
"Cheyenne Wildcat" Western feature (1944) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Vigilantes of Dodge City" Western feature (1944) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Sheriff of Las Vegas" Western feature (1944) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Great Stagecoach Robbery" Western feature [Republic Pictures Feb 1945]
  | Red Ryder and his aunt are running the stage line in Blue Springs; Hollister, a stage robber just released from prison has decided to return the money from the robbery five years prior; an outlaw leader persuades Hollister's son to join the gang and then murders the boy's sister in cold blood, laying the blame on Red Ryder . . . • Directed by Lesley Selander; screenplay by Randall Faye, based on the comic strip by Fred Harman; starring Wild Bill Elliott {as Red Ryder}, Robert Blake {as Little Beaver}, Alice Fleming, Don Costello, Francis McDonald, John James, Sylvia Arslan, Bud Geary, Leon Tyler, Freddie Chapman, Hank Bell, Lucille Byron, Horace B. Carpenter, Grace Cunard, Bobby Dillon, Dickie Dillon, Fred Graham, Fred Howard, Tom London, Patsy May, Dorothy Stevens, Robert J. Wilke, Henry Wills, Chris Wren, Raymond ZeBrack •
full credits at IMDb
DVD/Blu-ray not available • V.C.I./F.F.I. b&w VHS [6/2002] out of prodn/used |
"Lone Texas Ranger" Western feature (1945) starring Wild Bill Elliott
http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Texas-Ranger-Wild-Elliott/dp/B0041V6P4Y/
"Phantom of The Plains" Western feature (1945) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Marshal of Laredo" Western feature (1945) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Colorado Pioneers" Western feature (1945) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Wagon Wheels Westward" Western feature (1945) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"California Gold Rush" Western feature (1946) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Sheriff of Redwood Valley" Western feature (1946) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Sun Valley Cyclone" Western feature (1946) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Conquest of Cheyenne" Western feature (1946) starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Santa Fe Uprising" Western feature (1946) starring Allan Lane
"Stagecoach To Denver" Western B-movie [Republic Pictures Dec 1946]
 | Gang leader Lambert has the stagecoach wrecked, killing the Land Commissioner so that a phony replacement can alter Coon-skin's land survey; when Red Ryder exposes the survey hoax, Lambert has his stooge Sheriff put Red in jail • Produced by Sidney Picker; directed by R.G. Springsteen; original screenplay by Earle Snell, based on comic strip characters of Fred Harman; starring Allan Lane {as Red Ryder}, Robert Blake {as Little Beaver}, Martha Wentworth, Roy Barcroft, Peggy Stewart, Marin Sais, Emmett Lynn, Ted Adams, Edmund Cobb, Tom Chatterton, Robert Hyatt, George Chesebro, Ed Cassidy, Wheaton Chambers, Forrest Taylor, Chuck Baldra, Budd Buster, Herman Hack, Chick Hannan, Cactus Mack, Lew Morphy, Frank O'Connor, Stanley Price
http://www.amazon.com/Stagecoach-Denver-Remastered-Allan-Lane/dp/B00QN6LIQ0/ Digitally Remastered Reel Enterprises b&w DVD [2/2008] for $6.95 56-minute The Film Detective digitally-restored b&w DVD [7/2014] for $9.99 53-minute FilmRise digitally-remastered b&w DVD [12/2015] for $9.99 full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • watch full b&w movie [6/2013 upload; 53:29] online at YouTube |
"Vigilantes of Boomtown" Western feature (1947) starring Allan Lane
http://www.amazon.com/ed-Ryder-Vigilantes-of-Boomtown/dp/B075B4SYY2/
http://www.amazon.com/Vigilantes-Boomtown-Detective-Restored-Version/dp/B01LTI976E/ (The Film Detective Restored Version)
"Homesteaders of Paradise Valley" Western feature (1947) starring Allan Lane
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Homesteaders-Paradise-Valley/dp/B00BQMP2YK/
"Oregon Trail Scouts" Western feature [Republic Pictures May 1947]
 | Red Ryder battles a fur thief named Hunter, who kidnaps Little Beaver, the grandson of Chief Running Fox; movie is essentially an 'origin myth' for the Red Ryder comic strip. {Connection in title to Oregon Trail is uncertain.} • Directed by R.G. Springsteen; written by Earle Snell; starring Allan Lane (as Red Ryder}, Robert Blake {as Little Beaver}, Martha Wentworth {as The Duchess}, Roy Barcroft, Emmett Lynn, Edmund Cobb, Earle Hodgins, Ed Cassidy, Frank Lackteen, Billy Cummings, Jack Kirk & Thunder the Horse
DVD/Blu-ray not available • V.C.I. Video b&w VHS [2/2004] out of prodn/scarce full credits at IMDb |
"Rustlers of Devil's Canyon" Western feature (1947) starring Allan Lane
"Marshal of Cripple Creek" Western feature [Republic Pictures Aug 1947]
56-minute b&w Red Ryder B-movie Western that has nothing to do with Cripple Creek, or even mining.
starring Allan Lane, Robert Blake, Martha Wentworth, Trevor Bardette, Gene Roth, William Self & Helen Wallace
V.C.I. Video b&w VHS [2/2004] for $7.95 •
full credits at IMDb
"Ride, Ryder, Ride!" color feature [Equity/Eagle-Lion Films 1949] /tt0180098/
starring Jim Bannon, Don Reynolds/Little Brown Jug, Emmett Lynn, Marin Sais
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Ride/dp/B07WK95Q4T/ prime only
"Roll, Thunder, Roll!" color feature [Equity/Eagle-Lion Films 1949] /tt0180105/
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Roll-Thunder/dp/B07WT7RN4Z/ prime only
"The Fighting Redhead" color feature [Equity/Eagle-Lion Films 1949] /tt0179809/
"Cowboy and The Prizefighter" color feature [Equity/Eagle-Lion Films 1949] /tt0178352/
"Red Ryder" 30-minute b&w Western TV series [1951 and 1956, possibly pilots only]
bare & mixed-up credits
1951 cast: Jim Bannon [1911-84] as Red Ryder, Louis Lettieri [b. 1944] as Little Beaver, Olive Carey as Dutchess
1956 cast: Allan 'Rocky' Lane [1909-73] as Red Ryder, Louis Lettieri [b. 1944] as Little Beaver, Elizabeth Slifer as Dutchess
 | "Lost TV Classics" on DVD [2013] "Red Ryder" [1956] episode "Gun Trouble Valley": Allan 'Rocky' Lane reprises his big-screen role as the fearless & heroic Red Ryder, with the help of his trusty steed Thunder and his sidekick Little Beaver; "Kimbar of The Jungle" [1949]: starring muscleman Steve Reeves and set in darkest Africa; "From The Files of Jeffrey Jones" [1952]: starring Don Haggerty; "Bulldog Drummond" [1952]: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. hosts an adaptation of H.C. McNeile's popular character, Robert Beatty is Drummond, while Michael Ripper plays his faithful pal, Kelly; and "The Storyteller" [1952]: Marvin Miller hosted this syndicated series that began on radio as "The Story Behind The Story" 1-hour 40-minute? Alpha Video DVD [10/2013] out of prodn/used |
Red Ryder Western Double Features on DVD
25 of the 27 Red Ryder feature Westerns released from 1944 to 1949
   | the two Red Ryder films not included in this V.C.I. Video series are the 1949 color features "Ride, Ryder, Ride!" & "Roll, Thunder, Roll!" Double Feature, Volume 1: "San Antonio Kid" [1944] & "Cheyenne Wildcat" [1944] http://www.amazon.com/RED-RYDER-DOUBLE-FEATURE-Vol/dp/B000067J2M/ Double Feature, Volume 2: "Stagecoach To Denver" [1946] & "Vigilantes of Boom Town" [1946] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Western-Double-Feature/dp/B000087F3L/ Color Double Feature, Volume 3: "Fighting Redhead" [1949] and "The Cowboy and The Prizefighter" [1949] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Western-Double-Feature/dp/B0001EQIHY/ Double Feature, Volume 4: "Oregon Trail Scouts" [1947] & "Marshal of Cripple Creek" [1947] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Western-Double-Feature/dp/B0001EQIGU/ Double Feature, Volume 5: "Colorado Pioneers" [1945] & "Wagon Wheels Westward" [1945] http://www.amazon.com/Ryder-Double-Feature-Vol-Video/dp/B00UGP8U5Q/ Double Feature, Volume 6: "Conquest of Cheyenne" [1946] & "Sun Valley Cyclone" [1946] http://www.amazon.com/Ryder-Western-Double-Feature-Vol/dp/B00028G6DU/ Double Feature, Volume 7: "Great Stagecoach Robbery" [1945] & "Phantom of The Plains" [1945] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Western-Double-Feature/dp/B0006N2ESM/ Double Feature, Volume 8: "Santa Fe Uprising" [1946] & "Rustlers of Devil's Canyon" [1947] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Western-Double-Feature/dp/B0006N2ET6/ Double Feature, Volume 9: "Tucson Raiders" [1944] & "Marshal of Laredo" [1945] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Double-Feature-Vol/dp/B000A6CKXY/ Double Feature, Volume 10: "Marshal of Reno" [1944] & "Sheriff of Redwood Valley" [1946] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Double-Feature-Vol/dp/B000A6CL3I/ Double Feature, Volume 11: "Vigilantes of Dodge City" [1944] & "Sheriff of Las Vegas" [1944] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Double-Feature-Vol/dp/B000JJSJE6/ Triple Feature, Volume 12: "Lone Texas Ranger" [1946], "California Gold Rush" [1946] & "Homesteaders of Paradise Valley" [1947] http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Triple-Feature-Vol/dp/B000JJSJEG/ |
Red Ryder Double Feature: "Vigilantes of Dodge City" [1944] & "Sun Valley Cyclone" [1946] from grapevine
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Double-Feature-Vigilantes/dp/B00J44VKB6/
theme park
Little Beaver Town was opened in July of 1961; the 44-acre minor theme park was located adjacent to Route 66, several miles east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Half of the property featured an 'Indian village', complete with teepees, adobe buildings, and souvenir shops; the other half consisted of an Old West main street, with stagecoach rides, daily gunfight re-enactments, and souvenir shops; a miniature railroad train ran between the two sections. Unfortunately, the Red Ryder comic strip rode off into the sunset, ceasing publication in 1965; Little Beaver Town closed its swinging saloon doors a few months earlier in 1964 having failed to become a major tourist destination. The property was not torn down, merely abandoned; for the 60 years since, Little Beaver Town has slowly disintegrated back into the New Mexico desert.
merchandise
Red Ryder Victory Patrol, 1942-1944
Langendorf Bread sponsored the 15-minute "Red Ryder" radio show on the West Coast from June 1942 over the Mutual / Don Lee Network, which included K.N.X. in Los Angeles;
the radio show ended in 1951, largely due to the success of television. Langendorf Bread was founded in San Franciso in 1896, moved to larger headquarters in San Jose
in the 1930s, and opened other factories as they grew, such as in Seattle, Washington and in Bell Gardens and City of Commerce, near Los Angeles. Langendorf Bread
also sponsored the "Hopalong Cassidy" and "Hawk's Trail" radio shows, and the "Davy Crockett" TV show, with promos on each breadloaf wrapper and tie-ins
where listeners could send in for a membership kit, such as the "Red Ryder Victory Patrol" offer.
"The Adventures of Red Ryder" radio show entry at Wikipedia
Daisy® air rifle from 1940
Daisy Red Ryder: A History (2003) (Video)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000086/
Red Ryder Bundle - 5 Items - Daisy Carbine BB Gun, Starter Kit, Christmas Story Decoder Pin,
Daisy 25ct Pack of Targets, Daisy 350 ct BB Tube
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Ryder-Bundle-Carbine-Christmas/dp/B08NXVTDQG/
principal people
the character of Red Ryder has been portrayed by
Jim Bannon [1911-84] in the 1949 color movies and the 1951 TV series pilot /nm0052435/
Don 'Red' Barry [1912-80] in the 1940 movie serial
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0057983/
Wild Bill Elliott [1904-65] made 15 feature films as Red Ryder
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0254381/
Reed Hadley [1911-74] on radio
Allan 'Rocky' Lane [1909-73] in 7 movies and in the 1956 TV series pilot /nm0485226/
actor David Saunders [1933-2017] of Albuquerque, NM
portrayed Red Ryder in the 1950s & 1960s as 'mascot' for Little Beaver Town and for Daisy® BB guns, and in personal appearances at state fairs and such
credits not found at IMDb •
David Saunders obituary - behind the paywall
the character of Little Beaver has been portrayed by
actor Robert 'Bobby' Blake [1933-2023]
Tommy Cook [b. 1930] in the 1940 movie serial /nm0177320/
Louis Lettieri [b. 1944] in the 1951 & 1956 TV series /nm0504809/
Don 'Little Brown Jug' Reynolds [1937-2019] in the 1949 color movies
"Don 'Brown Jug' Reynolds: The Last Little Beaver of The Movies" [2006]
http://www.amazon.com/Don-Brown-Jug-Reynolds-Little/dp/B004FVNW3C/
producer Stephen Slesinger [1901-53]
incomplete credits at IMDb •
official website {parked} •
entry at Wikipedia
the Red Ryder trademarks & copyrights are owned by the Slesinger family
Red Ryder Enterprises, Inc. [est. 2000], 5108 W. Longfellow Avenue in
Tampa, Florida
Slesinger founded two companies in 1945: Tele-Comics, Inc. in New York City and Telepictures, Inc. in Hollywood;
the New York company was still active in 1951, but little footage survives.
Slesinger was best friends with Romer Zane Grey [1910-1976], son of the great Western author Zane Grey [1872-1939]
cartoonist Fred Charles Harman II [1902-82]
Fred Harman drew daily comic strip panels from 1933 to 1962; he lived out his retirement as a fine art painter and died in 1982 at age 79.
co-founded The Cowboy Artists of America in 1965.
wife Lola Andrews Harman [] - married 1926
son Fred Harman III [1927-?] and his wife Norma Harman [-2019]
Fred Harman entry at Wikipedia
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0363409/ fred since 1922
56 books
Fred Harman Art Museum [open circa 1985], 2560 W. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
the museum in Colorado devoted to Fred Harman and his art is now owned by the city, and is being remodeled {2021}
watch official museum promo/video [too-loud 1/2011 upload; 4:01] online at YouTube
 | "Bronc Peeler: The Lone Cowboy - Based On The Famous Newspaper Strip" [Big Little Books 1937] by Fred Harman Fred Harman drew the 'Bronc Peeler' daily & Sunday comic strip from 1933 to 1938, but not enough newspapers signed up to be able to make a living at it Literary Licensing, LLC 9x6 pb [10/2011] for $41.95 Literary Licensing, LLC 9x6 hardcover [7/2011] for $56.95 |
 | "The Great West In Paintings by Fred Harman, Cowboy Artist" [1969] Introduction by Dean Krakel includes 32 full-color plates and 57 b&w plates, each with commentary by the artist Sage Books/Castle Books hardcover [1969] out of print/used |
 | "Fred Harman: Comics y Western" [1982] {Translated?} by Jordi Buxade [1930-97] of Spain two adventures of Bronc Peeler and Red Ryder in 150 pages Toutain 10¾x8¼ pb [1982] out of print import/scarce |
works about Red Ryder
 | "Buckaroo Bugs" cartoon [Looney Tunes Aug 1944] Bugs Bunny is a carrot thief {from the Western town's victory gardens!}, and Brooklyn's inept Red Hot Ryder must try to bring the Masked Marauder to justice • Produced by Leon Schlesinger; directed by Robert Clampett; written by Lou Lilly; voices of Mel Blanc & Robert C. Bruce; music by Carl W. Stalling • full credits at IMDb watch color opening credits & excerpt, closing credits [1/2020 upload; 3:02] online at YouTube |
 | "Red Ryder & Little Beaver: Painted Valley Troubleshooters - Fred Harman's Newspaper Comic Strip Heroes In Comic Books, Novels, Radio Shows & Motion Pictures" [2013] by Bernard A. Drew BearManor Media 9x6 pb [3/2013] out of print/scarce BearManor Media 9x6 pb [3/2013] out of print/scarce |
radio, stage, other media
± ±
"The Adventures of Red Ryder" radio show ![click here for Adventures of Red Ryder radio show intro & theme music [1:19]](images/tinymusic.gif "click here for Adventures of Red Ryder radio show intro & theme music [1:19]")
[Mutual Radio Network 1942-51]
 | weekly adventures of "America's famous fighting cowboy" with his pals Buckskin Blodgett, Rawhide Rolinson, and Little Beaver; starring actor Reed Hadley [1911-74] from 1942-44, followed by Carlton Kadell [1904-75] in 1945, and Brooke Temple [1906-82] from 1946–51; announcers on the show included Ben Alexander & Art Gilmore • radio show entry at Wikipedia |
 | Old Time Radio "Red Ryder" radio shows, 1942-45 "Red Ryder" radio shows on MP-3 CD [undated] 39 tracks for $5.00 O.T.R. also sells twenty of the shows on audio CD, at $5.00 each: total $100 ! |
 | "The Adventures of Red Ryder" Radio Show on CD [2004] from Radio Spirits
cover says '3 hours' so probably six shows on 2 disks Radio Spirits CD [9/2004] for $14.98 |
 | "Red Ryder" old time radio episodes [2011] from A.M.F. Radio
A.M.F. Radio MP-3 CD [2011] 64 tracks - out of prodn/used 64episodes copied from Muzak's 'air check' archives |
 | "Adventures of Red Ryder" old time radio Western series on CD [2012] from oneSmedia
oneSmedia MP-3 album CD-ROM [2012] 67 tracks for $8.00 total playing time: 29:51:29 |
 | "Classic Radio's Greatest Western Shows, Volume 1" [2014] from Hollywood 360
Black Eye Ent./Blackstone Audio MP-3 CD [11/2014] for $19.23 contains 12 half-hour original radio broadcasts from "The Cisco Kid" starring Jack Mather & Duncan Renaldo; "Fort Laramie" starring Raymond Burr; "Frontier Gentleman" starring John Dehner; "Frontier Town" starring Jeff Chandler; "Gene Autry's Melody Ranch"; "Gunsmoke" starring William Conrad; "Have Gun - Will Travel" starring John Dehner; "Luke Slaughter of Tombstone"; "The Adventures of Red Ryder" starring Reed Hadley; "The Roy Rogers Show" starring Roy Rogers & Dale Evans; "Tales of The Texas Rangers" starring Joel McCrea; and "Wild Bill Hickok" starring Guy Madison & Andy Devine |
The Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo and July Fourth Celebration [since 1949] in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
the 2021 rodeo #71 dates are Friday July 2 to Sunday July 4
official website •
official sponsor Pagosa Springs [Colorado] Chamber of Commerce [est. 1976]
The co-creators of Red Ryder owned adjacent ranches in Colorado's Blanco Basin, near Pagosa Springs. Each summer, Fred Harman's Red Ryder Ranch and
Stephen Slesinger's Little Beaver Ranch hosted outdoor programs for settlement house boys and other youth. In July 2020, the Red Ryder Cowboy Honor Club
celebrated the 80th anniversary of these outdoor youth programs.
® ®
"When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" stageplay by Mark Medoff [1974]
  | Original stageplay by New Mexico playwright & educator Mark Howard Medoff [1940-2019] won an Obie Award for the 1974 off-Broadway premiere; the 1979 film version was adapted by Medoff and directed by Milton Katselas • A rundown diner in the New Mexico desert employs Stephen 'Red' Ryder as night waiter; the waitress arrives for her day shift, the owner of the gas station stops in, an upscale couple arrive for gas and a quick bite, and a creepy and nervous fugitive arrives with his girlfriend; tension builds up to a robbery, a shooting, and the locals being held hostage . . .
stageplay entry at Wikipedia • Medoff's official website is shut down (2021) playscript: Dramatists Play Service 7½x5 pb [1998] out of print/used playscript: James T. White hardcover [1974] out of print/used The 1979 film version is regarded as one of the great lost films of the 1970s, distribution apparently blocked due to rights issues on the music; author Medoff greatly expanded the story, adding a sheriff, a Mexican family, and others; location filming at Las Cruces & White Sands in New Mexico, USA and in El Paso, Texas; co-produced by Melvin Simon, Marjoe Gortner & Paul Maslansky; directed by Milton Katselas; adapted by Mark Medoff from his stageplay; music by Jack Nitzsche; starring Peter Firth, Marjoe Gortner, Candy Clark, Pat Hingle, Lee Grant, Hal Linden, Dixie Harris, Stephanie Faracy, Anne Ramsey, Bill McKinney, Alex Colon, Joe Hernandez, Leon Russell, Audra Lindley, Sherry Unger, Elaine Story, Riley Hill, Carmen Ledoux, Tiny Wells, Ron Soble, Robert Easton, Barry Cahill, author Mark Medoff {as a faith healer}, Alberto Piña
|
Image Gallery
L i n k s
Red Ryder entry at Wikipedia
search books on keywords 'Red+Ryder' (returns 200 items} at Amazon
search videos/DVDs on keywords 'Red+Ryder' (returns 90+ items} at Amazon
search on keywords 'Red+Ryder+series' (returns only 19 titles) at IMDb
Fred Harman Art Museum in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
The Cowboy Artists of America [est. 1965]
the Red Ryder trademarks & copyrights are owned by the Slesinger family
Red Ryder Enterprises, Inc. [est. 2000], 5108 W. Longfellow Avenue in
Tampa, Florida
here on the Red Ryder & Little Beaver Page at 'Readers of The Purple Sage' Western Bookstore
top of page • short history • comic strip • Better Little Books • comic books • movies & TV • theme park • merchandise •
principal people • works about Red Ryder • radio, stage, other media • image gallery • links
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