"Ranger Bill" is a classic Christian radio program from the 1950s, produced by Moody Radio.
The show features over 200 episodes and stars Miron Canaday as Ranger Bill, a forest ranger in the fictional town of Knotty Pine, located in the Rocky Mountains. Alongside his friends Stumpy Jenkins and Grey Wolf, Ranger Bill tackles various adventures and moral dilemmas, often with a strong Christian message.
The show remains a beloved piece of old-time radio history and is still enjoyed by many fans today.
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/
Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon
Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
The show features over 200 episodes and stars Miron Canaday as Ranger Bill, a forest ranger in the fictional town of Knotty Pine, located in the Rocky Mountains. Alongside his friends Stumpy Jenkins and Grey Wolf, Ranger Bill tackles various adventures and moral dilemmas, often with a strong Christian message.
The show remains a beloved piece of old-time radio history and is still enjoyed by many fans today.
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/
Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon
Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
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FunTranscript
00:00Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous
00:19trails, showing rare courage in the face of disaster, in the air.
00:24On horseback, or in a screaming squad car, Ranger Bill, his mind alert, a ready smile,
00:54unswerving, loyal to his mission.
01:00And all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done.
01:06I'm shot!
01:09Sorry Stumpy, guess I shut that door a little too hard, didn't I?
01:19It's just another headache you're giving me.
01:23Can I give you something for it?
01:24You can have it for nothing!
01:27I don't think a pill is what Stumpy needs, Henry.
01:31I have a feeling he'd feel a lot better if he thought you'd given up that idea of fighting
01:36fires with us.
01:38Huh?
01:39Oh, Stumpy, we've gone over and over that.
01:43I'm old enough to look after myself.
01:46I know the ways and techniques backwards.
01:49I've even worked out in the drills and practiced with the equipment.
01:53Uh, by the way, this arrived for you earlier, pal.
01:56Oh boy!
01:57It's that gas mask and air tank that I bought.
02:00Heh, there it is.
02:03Where'd you get that kind of money?
02:07I saved for a long time, believe me.
02:10So, you can see, Stumpy, I have a feeling that Henry is not about to give up the idea
02:15of fighting fires with the Rangers.
02:17I can see how he might have got carried away with the idea, Bill, but I can see why you
02:24would encourage him the way you do.
02:27If you'd ever come out to a drill and watch him work, you'd understand.
02:32Henry's surprisingly quick at picking up the ideas and the methods.
02:37Drills and fires are two different things.
02:41Wow, look at this, Bill.
02:44That's a good-looking mask, pal.
02:47Good-looking.
02:48Man for Mars, if you ask me.
02:51Now, I'd appreciate a little quiet while I finish typing this report.
03:01Well, Bill, uh, did you say you had some filing for me to do?
03:05And how, pal.
03:07The reports for last month are all in now from the tower station, just waiting to be
03:11taken care of.
03:13Now, they're in this drawer.
03:17There.
03:20That ought to keep you busy.
03:22Ah.
03:23Heh.
03:24That's what he ought to be doing, running around after fires.
03:29Heh.
03:31Hey, wait a minute, Henry.
03:32What time is it?
03:34Four o'clock.
03:35I almost forgot, isn't this the day we're invited to the Hansons for dinner?
03:39Why, so it is.
03:42Best news I've heard all day.
03:44Yeah.
03:45I think we'd better close up early and clean up a bit.
03:48After all, Mrs. Hanson's cooking deserves a fresh shirt any night.
03:52You can say that again.
03:54Let's get going.
03:56I thought you wanted to finish that report, Stumpy.
03:59All right, you young whippersnapper.
04:02Never mind the kit wagon.
04:03Let's get going.
04:04I'm right behind you.
04:15I can't get over you just dropping in on us like you did, Clare.
04:19It's been so long since we've seen you.
04:21Well, I had an extra day off this week, and I've been meaning to come for a month.
04:26Besides, I hadn't seen Susan's new dog.
04:29New?
04:30Goodness, we've had him so long now he's a member of the family.
04:33I'll tell you, Clare, I don't know how long it's been since I've seen him.
04:37It's been a long time since I've seen him.
04:40Goodness, we've had him so long now he's a member of the family.
04:43I'll tell you, Clare, I don't know what Susan would do without him.
04:46Seeing eye dogs really are wonderful.
04:49I see them occasionally when I'm on duty at the hospital.
04:52Prince is her eyes, Clare. He never leaves her side.
04:58There.
04:59The salad is done.
05:01Now what can I do?
05:03Let's see.
05:05Everything seems to be just about done now.
05:09Mm-hmm.
05:10Oh, I know, if you like, you could start the coffee.
05:13Sure.
05:15Has the doctor said anything more about Susan's sight?
05:19The last time I saw you, you said that he wanted you to come for another examination.
05:23It was the same thing, no change.
05:25He says there isn't likely to be any change from now on either.
05:29It's so good to see how you and Ted are taking all this.
05:33Well, it took us a long time to get used to the thought that Susan would be blind.
05:39I can't tell you what strength God has given us to accept it.
05:43You don't have to tell me.
05:45I can see it.
05:48There.
05:49And the coffee's on.
05:51What time are the rangers supposed to get here?
05:54Oh, any time now.
05:57I know you'll enjoy meeting them, Clare. They're wonderful people.
06:00So I've heard.
06:01You sure you won't stay for dinner now?
06:03All those men might like things evened up a bit.
06:06I wish I could, really.
06:08But, unfortunately, I've made other arrangements for dinner.
06:13Which reminds me, I'd better get home.
06:16I hope all goes well with your dinner tonight, Betty.
06:19Thanks again for your help, Clare.
06:21And stop in when you can stay longer.
06:23Tell your boss at the hospital to give you more time off.
06:28♪♪
06:45Oh, I always eat way too much when we go to the Hansons.
06:50Me too.
06:54Then I'm ready to turn in.
06:57I know what you mean.
07:00Hey, you two will be putting me to sleep with all that talk.
07:06You'd better stay awake, Bill.
07:08Somebody's got to drive.
07:13Oh.
07:14What is it, pal?
07:15I was just thinking of little Susan Hanson and that seeing-eye dog of hers.
07:20It's amazing, isn't it?
07:21It sure is.
07:24I've seen pets that, you know, followed their masters around and were real loving and all.
07:30But that dog...
07:31It's almost as though the dog knows he's Susan's eyes.
07:35Do dogs and other animals have any intelligence, Bill?
07:39Do they really think...
07:40That's a good question, pal.
07:43You saw tonight how much a dog can be taught, almost to the point of making decisions.
07:48Sure seemed like it.
07:50I suppose most people would say it was just training or what they call conditioning.
07:56But the problem in all this is the question about how we learn.
08:01If we learn things basically the same way a dog does, I guess you'd have to say that animals have intelligence.
08:09Boy, I never stop being amazed at how much you know, Bill.
08:14Stay in school, Henry, and pretty soon you can start telling me things.
08:20I'm surprised you didn't have some comment about us learning things like animals, Stumpy.
08:26Stumpy?
08:32Looks like that old dog has decided to take a nap. Now he's in bed.
08:50Oh, that's the fire buzzer.
09:08Uh, Bill...
09:10Just a minute, Henry.
09:13Hello, Tom. What's the trouble?
09:17Uh-huh.
09:18How bad is it?
09:21Okay, Tom. I'll get the crews out there in the double. Goodbye.
09:25Is it a fire, Bill?
09:26It sure is, pal. Tom says it's spreading eastward.
09:29Toward Knotty Pine, huh?
09:30That's what it looks like. Uh, just a second, Henry.
09:37There. That ought to get them here in a hurry.
09:40Bill?
09:41Yes?
09:42Do you remember what you said? About the next fire, I mean?
09:47You mean about you going out with the firefighting crews?
09:50Uh-huh.
09:51Yes, I remember, Henry.
09:53You sure you want to do it?
09:55Yes, sir.
09:56Okay. Let's get over to the station and start collecting the gear.
10:00There's a fire out there to fight.
10:03I guess this is as good a time as any to break you in.
10:17That wind is too strong. Can't seem to get ahead of the fire.
10:22Oh, look at him out there, Sonny. He's getting closer to Knotty Pine all the time.
10:29Let's pull back, then. We'll set up a stand by the edge of town.
10:33Sonny! He's getting closer to Knotty Pine all the time!
10:37Let's pull back, then. We'll set up a stand by the edge of town.
10:42Hi, Bill.
10:57Now, are the people in those houses along the edge of the woods evacuated yet?
11:02No, the last of them are on their way, Bill.
11:04I got a small group of the men from the homes organized to spray their houses with water.
11:08Good.
11:09Bill?
11:11Mrs. Hanson, what are you doing here?
11:13We live right over there, Bill.
11:15Oh, of course. I've been so busy trying to figure out what to do with this fire that I didn't even notice where we were.
11:22You'd better get away from here while you can, Mrs. Hanson.
11:26That fire is roaring this way. Doesn't seem to be a lot we can do to stop it.
11:30That's why I'm here, Bill. We can't leave.
11:32Can't?
11:33Yes, that's right. It's Susan's dog friend.
11:35He seems to know there's danger outside, and he won't let Susan leave the house.
11:39Wow. Excuse me for listening, but I was just coming over...
11:43Henry, you can help out.
11:44Me?
11:45Go back to the Hansons and help them get Grimms out of the house.
11:49You can take the dog over to the ranger car and keep him in there until the danger's back.
11:53But Bill, I thought...
11:54You can be the most help doing that, Henry.
11:56This fire is too tricky to have to worry about you. Go on now.
12:01Whatever you say.
12:03Come on, Mrs. Hanson.
12:04What's the matter, Henry?
12:06Oh, nothing.
12:09Grimms seems to know so much, you almost forget he can't understand things like this.
12:15Uh-huh.
12:16Isn't Mr. Hanson home tonight?
12:18No, Henry. He's been put into a group who are spraying the homes in the area with water in case the fire gets this close.
12:25I think it will get this close, Mrs. Hanson. That little wind is pushing through the woods in this direction.
12:30Oh, well, we'll have time to get away, won't we, Henry?
12:32Oh, sure. Lots of time. As long as we keep right at it.
12:36Huh. That's funny.
12:38What is?
12:39There's a car there in front of our house. Now, I wonder who...
12:42Betty! Is that you?
12:43Oh, Claire. It's so good to see you.
12:45I heard about the fire coming this way, so I came to see if I could help.
12:49Susan told me you'd gone for someone.
12:51I suppose she told you about Prince.
12:53Yes. Oh, this is Henry Scott. He's Ranger Bill Jefferson's ward. He's come to help us get Susan out.
13:00How are you going to go about it?
13:02I don't know. Henry?
13:05I thought maybe I could take Prince into another room while you carried Susan out.
13:09After you were gone, I'd take him out. He'd probably come out a lot easier if Susan was gone.
13:14Mm-hmm. Yes, that sounds like as good an idea as any, Henry.
13:19I'll have to wait for you and Prince in the car.
13:21We'd better hurry. That fire is getting closer all the time.
13:35Everything all right, Mrs. Henson?
13:37Yes, Bill. We're just waiting here for Henry to bring Prince out.
13:40Then we're driving... Oh, Bill, you haven't met my friend Claire, have you?
13:45I'd like to, when we have more time. Right now, I don't think you'd better wait here for Prince.
13:51Henry will bring him right out, Bill. He said he'd just be a minute.
13:54No time. That fire's about to jump out of the house.
13:57We'd better hurry.
13:59Henry will bring him right out, Bill. He said he'd just be a minute.
14:02No time. That fire's about to jump out of those woods.
14:05I don't want even one civilian here when that happens.
14:08What about Prince?
14:09We'll take care of him. Bring him over as soon as we can.
14:12Now, please get moving.
14:14Let's go, Betty. The rangers know what they're doing. Prince will be okay.
14:19Oh, all right. Thanks, Bill. Do watch Prince.
14:22I'll keep Henry with him every minute. Now, hurry!
14:29Henry!
14:31Yes, Bill?
14:33Get Prince out of the house and into the ranger's car. On the double!
14:37I'll send Cal over to drive you to Mrs. Hanson's and Susan's.
14:40I've got to get back to the fire. It's not waiting for anyone.
14:59I know, Prince.
15:02Everybody's out there doing what they can to stop that big blaze.
15:05While you and I are stuck in here just watching.
15:11Want to listen to the radio? No, I guess not.
15:14Besides, I forgot. This is the ranger car.
15:17The only radio in here is for police calls and things like that.
15:21Besides, Cal will be here in a minute.
15:25Take it easy, Prince. Boy, the way you watch your house over there.
15:29It's like the fire's getting closer to it all the time.
15:35You sure are a pretty dog. Smart as anything.
15:39We're a lot alike right now, you know, Prince.
15:43Here you are, a big, powerful, well-trained dog.
15:47And all you do is lead a little dog around.
15:51And here am I. I know all about fighting fires.
15:55But I'm stuck here watching you.
16:01Wow, look at the fire. It's come out of the woods.
16:05Looks like your house is going to get it, Prince.
16:09Where's Cal? Bill said he would be right here.
16:13Easy, fella. It'd be no good going down there.
16:18Easy, fella. It'd be no good going back to it now.
16:22You'd only be burned to death. Why are you trying to get out?
16:26Hey, what is it, Prince?
16:30You think little Susan is still in there? Is that it, fella?
16:34Nah, she isn't. We got her out.
16:38Hey, settle down, fella. Take it easy.
16:42Cal will drive us to Susan any minute now.
16:47Hey, Prince. Hey, come back here. Hey, don't go into that house.
16:51It's starting to burn. I've got to get him out of here.
16:57Wow, the whole house is exploding into flames.
17:01Prince, come out of there. Hey, maybe I can get in there.
17:05It's hard to breathe as opposed to the fire.
17:09It's hot. Don't think I can get any closer.
17:13It's hot. It's hot.
17:33Henry! Where are you, Henry?
17:38Henry!
17:42You check over in that direction, Stumpy.
17:46I'll look over here. Okay, Bill! Henry!
17:50Oh, where am I? This field.
17:54How did I get here?
17:58Henry! Henry! That sounds like...
18:02Bill! He's over here, Stumpy!
18:07Henry!
18:13You all right, pal? I guess so.
18:17I don't really know. You look like you might have swallowed
18:21a lot of smoke. I'd better get you over to the hospital.
18:25No, I'm all right, Bill.
18:29What happened? That's what I was going to ask you.
18:34You and Prince were gone. Is the young whippersnapper okay?
18:38I think we'd better take him to the hospital, Stumpy.
18:42Don't think he looks too good.
18:46Little green in places where you ought to be pink, if you ask me.
18:50Can you stand by yourself, Bill? I guess so.
18:54Here. Give him a hand, Stumpy.
18:58Okay. There.
19:03How's that? I sure am dizzy.
19:07I'll carry you back to the car, Henry.
19:11You'd better get you over to the hospital on the double.
19:23That's right, Betty.
19:27They brought the boy in just a few minutes ago.
19:32I haven't heard a thing about Prince,
19:36but I don't think you'd better get your hopes up.
19:40Where? Oh, they found the boy in a field
19:44about a block away from your home.
19:48It looks like he got scared when the fire swept out of the woods
19:52and ran, leaving Prince on his own.
19:56Sure, Betty. I'll keep you up on whatever develops here.
20:01You stay in my place until you can find another house.
20:05Sure, Betty. I wish I had better news.
20:21Doctor says other than a little smoke, you're in good shape, Henry.
20:25I want you to rest up here for a few days.
20:29I, uh, don't know if this is the time
20:33to ask you or not, Henry. About Prince?
20:37If the dog was just a house pet, I wouldn't be so concerned,
20:41but he's, uh, was a seeing-eye dog
20:45and a little more than a pet.
20:49I haven't thought of anything else since, Bill.
20:53You want to talk about it? There isn't too much to say.
20:58I was sitting in the car with Prince when the fire jumped out of the woods
21:02and caught the Hansons' house. The dog was pretty nervous
21:06about the whole thing anyhow, but when he saw the house start on fire, he almost
21:10went crazy. Probably thought little Susan was still in there.
21:14That's what it looked like. Then all of a sudden, he must have hit the door
21:18handle the right way with his paw. He got out. He ran for the house.
21:22Then what happened? Well, he dashed into the burning house.
21:27I chased him and was going to go in after him when I, I guess I just got scared.
21:31The flames and noise, so hard to breathe.
21:35I guess you know. You've been in enough forest fires
21:39to know what it's like. Mm-hmm. Go on, pal.
21:43Well, I don't remember anything after that
21:47until I woke up in that field.
21:51Oh, I must have just turned tail and run like a coward.
21:55And you left Prince in there to burn? No. We didn't hear you come in, nurse.
21:59I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just broken out like that, but
22:03the Hansons are friends of mine and I... I understand.
22:07They're friends of ours, too. The dog, he's
22:11dead? I'm afraid so, nurse. I see.
22:15Excuse me.
22:19Bill? Yes, Henry? That's the way
22:23everybody will feel when they find out, isn't it? Oh, I don't know.
22:27I do. They'll say I was a coward
22:31and I let Prince burn because I got scared and ran. All right.
22:35Take it easy, Henry. Easy? How can I?
22:39I was feeling so big and important, thinking I'd be a great
22:43firefighter, and I ran away from the only chance I ever had
22:47to prove myself. That dog was more faithful than I was.
22:51He went right in when he thought little Susan was in trouble.
22:55You did your best, Henry. It wasn't good enough. I just
22:59let Prince die.
23:11God, you know
23:15that everyone in Knotty Pine is down on me since the fire.
23:19I don't blame them. I messed things up.
23:23Now everything looks pretty black, Lord.
23:27I need to know what to do about it.
23:31I've thought about running away, but I can't run away from
23:35myself. Susan needs a seeing-eye
23:39dog, Lord. I know the Hansons can't afford to buy one.
23:43So please help me find a way to help
23:47them. And in helping them, maybe
23:51people will change their minds about me.
24:03How are you feeling these days, Henry?
24:07I haven't heard you say too much. Oh, pretty good, Stumpy.
24:11I still have that funny cough sometimes. I noticed.
24:16What you got there?
24:20Oh, my gas mask and air tank.
24:24Looks like you got it all back in the box the way it came.
24:28What are you fixin' on doing? Gonna sell it. Sell it?
24:32But I thought... I don't think I'll need it anymore.
24:36So I thought I'd sell it. Besides,
24:40the Hansons could use the money for a new dog. Well,
24:44that don't be at all. You really feel bad
24:48about that dog being burned, don't you? It was my fault.
24:52Maybe I can try to make it up to them a little.
24:56I don't know if I could do that if I was you.
25:00What do you mean? Well, knowing how the Hansons
25:04will probably feel toward you, I don't think I'd have
25:08the nerve to go over to them and hand them some money.
25:12I'm pretty scared to face them myself, but
25:16Stumpy, I have to. That does it! I didn't believe it before
25:20and I don't believe it now. In fact, I'm more sure of it than ever.
25:24What are you talking about, Stumpy? I'm talking about you, Henry.
25:28Any fella that would do what you're about to do,
25:32a straight, hard, honest thing like that,
25:36well, I just don't believe you got scared and ran away from the fire
25:40like folks think you did. But you know where you found me.
25:44I don't care what it looks like. I don't think you acted like
25:48the coward you think you did. I really appreciate
25:52the way you feel, Stumpy, but facts
25:56are facts. What facts? You know,
26:00it just occurred to me that we don't have any idea
26:04at all what you did. From the time you sort of blacked out
26:08till the time we found you in the field.
26:12It's pretty clear, Stumpy. Oh, good, he's here. Come on in, folks.
26:16Mrs. Hanson. Hello, Henry. Stumpy. Howdy!
26:20Hi, Bill. How are you? You too, Cal.
26:24I know Henry will be interested in what you have to say. I believe you're right, Bill.
26:28Oh, hi, Henry. Excuse me, Cal,
26:32but maybe I should say something right away before the rest of you get started.
26:36Mrs. Hanson, the only reason I haven't come over and told you how sorry I was
26:40about Prince, because I've been trying to figure out a way
26:44to get some money for you to buy a new dog. I don't think I can tell you...
26:48Henry. Yes? Very sweet of you, Henry, but I don't
26:52think it'll be necessary. We've found out a few
26:56things that you maybe ought to know, Henry. Huh?
27:00Maybe you ought to tell him, Cal.
27:04I don't know whether I ought to tell him or punch him in the nose.
27:08What? You see this bruise on my cheek,
27:12Henry Scott? You gave it to me. Me? When?
27:16I mean, how? Well, I was fighting with you to get you out of Hanson's house.
27:20You see, the way I figure it, when you went in after the dog,
27:24you almost got us both killed. But
27:28the field, how did I... Well, there was a whole lot going on about that time,
27:32I didn't have time to do much more than take you out of the house and
27:36leave you far enough away from danger. I knew it!
27:40Now I hear tell, I think you ran out on things.
27:44I even hear you think so, too. We're awfully sorry to have lost
27:48Prince, Henry, but we're even more sorry to have blamed you wrongly for the whole
27:52thing. Say, what's this, pal? Looks like your
27:56gas mask and tank. That's what it is, all right.
28:00I'm going out to sell that equipment, so you'd have some money to give
28:04Mrs. Hanson here. I have a feeling you'll
28:08need it one of these days now, Henry.
28:12You see, you never can tell when a fire's going to break out.
28:16And I've increased the number of firefighters by
28:20one experienced man.
28:30You know, boys and girls, God never
28:34says he'll put us into the most important jobs, but he
28:38does expect us to do our best in the jobs we have.
28:42Well, see you next week for more adventure
28:46with Ranger Bill!
29:00Music
29:04Music
29:08Music
29:12Music
29:16Music