"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
00:00Science is often experimented on certain animals to determine if they have memories, and we've heard many tales about an elephant's memory, especially toward those who have done him evil.
00:16In fact, there's an old saying, he has a memory like an elephant.
00:21Bill Henry, Stumpy, and Gray Wolf are going to find out, to their amazement, how a grateful dog can remember those who helped him.
00:29Actually, the help the fellas gave the dog, small and almost insignificant in a ranger's busy day.
00:36But the fact remains that they did stop and help a canine in trouble.
00:40Well, suppose we get started with our story, The Dog That Didn't Forget.
00:46Our story opens on the hog farm owned by Roscoe Dickens and his son Larry.
00:59The brood sows have recently delivered their fall litters, and there are hundreds of little oinkers running around in their pens alongside their mothers.
01:07Roscoe and Larry keep a watchful eye on their valuable sows and pigs, because they've seen some large eagles flying about overhead, eyeing a nice tender porkchop dinner for themselves.
01:18Right now, father and son are about to go into the house to have lunch.
01:26Well, we better take our boots off, Larry.
01:29I guess so, Dad. We'll never get all this mud off of them to mother's satisfaction.
01:34Yep, she'll still be alive if we drag mud all over the floor.
01:38Right. Sit down on the step, Dad. I'll pull your boots off.
01:41Okay. Age before youth, eh?
01:45No, it's the respect of youth for its elders.
01:48Eh. Eh. Eh, you got a glib tongue, young fella.
01:54I suppose you use the same smooth talk on your girlfriend, huh?
01:59Aw, Dad, come off her, will ya?
02:02What's that?
02:04Oh, it's them pig-loving eagles. Maybe I can get a shot of them this time.
02:09Hey, Dad, you forgot your boots.
02:11It's no use, Dad. They're too fast.
02:31Aw, you don't say that again.
02:33From now on, one of us will stay here and stand guard.
02:38It's foolish of me to let us both go away at the same time.
02:42How many did they get?
02:43Six. There were three eagles, and they took a pig in each claw.
02:47Eh, well, you go on up the house and have lunch, and I'll stand guard.
02:52Them flying pig-spealers come back again, I'll fill them to the full with round shots.
02:57I'll have to walk home.
03:01What's so funny?
03:03You.
03:04Me?
03:05Sure, you're standing there, you're stocking feet with mud up to your ankles.
03:16I shouldn't laugh. After all, this is serious.
03:19But you look so funny.
03:22Well, son, there ain't no reason why we can't have a legitimate laugh, even in the face of trouble.
03:29Sometimes that's the best medicine in the world for high blood pressure and hot tempers.
03:35Give me some clean socks and my boots when you come back from lunch, will you?
03:39Sure thing.
03:40And if them eagles come back, I'll kick mud pies out of them.
03:55Briscoe and Larry Dickens aren't the only stockmen in the Naughty Pine area who are having trouble with eagles stealing their livestock.
04:02The Bruce brothers have been battling the eagles for several weeks as the giant birds carry off lambs from their flocks.
04:09Right now, Biff and Andy Bruce are using their rifles like anti-aircraft guns as they pour out a barrage of hot lead into the sky.
04:20Give us those bucks, Andy!
04:24Hit one!
04:26Look at them feathers coming down.
04:28Keep it up! Keep going away!
04:31We might as well stop shooting, Biff. We're out of accurate range now.
04:36Yeah, I guess you're right there.
04:39I don't think they got any lambs this trip, do you?
04:42Didn't seem to get any.
04:44Boy, I sure wish we could get those lamb butchers.
04:47I heard the other boys are complaining about the eagles, too.
04:51Suppose I mosey around and find out who's having trouble and what they're doing about it.
04:55Good idea.
04:56I'll stand guard with this lead pill dispenser while you're gone.
05:11Well, it appears that the eagles have quite a fancy appetite.
05:15Not only do they like pork and lamb, but they have their beaks set for veal as well.
05:20Let's drop over to the Sears ranch as Clarence and Jonathan Sears ride through and around their herd of prime beef cows.
05:27The boys sure aren't happy about what they see.
05:32Those pesky eagles have been after the calves again, Clarence.
05:35Yeah, they sure have.
05:36Look at the talon marks on this calf's back.
05:39Better have the boys come out and patch up the wounded calves.
05:44Uh-oh.
05:45There's another calf over here with a hide almost torn off his back.
05:49I'd like to give those eagles an infection.
05:51Yeah, a hot lead infection.
05:53We've got to do something about this.
05:55Before you know it, those cloned brahmins will have all of our calves scratched to bits.
05:58I wonder if any of the other boys are having the same trouble.
06:01I don't know, but there's one way to find out.
06:03You mean over at Ben's store?
06:05Sure, why not?
06:06Ben listens to the boys as they talk.
06:08He's better than a newspaper or a party line phone.
06:25Well, howdy, Ben.
06:27Howdy, boys.
06:28Drop a barrel and set a spell.
06:30Thank you, Ben.
06:31What's new out your way?
06:33Oh, nothing much.
06:34Hey, lean over here, Ben, and I'll tell you something.
06:38Now, what's the matter?
06:40You got something secret here?
06:42Exactly, Ben.
06:43You heard any of the boys talk about, uh, eagles?
06:46Eh?
06:47Did you say something about eagles?
06:49Yeah, that's what I said.
06:51You heard the boys talking about eagles.
06:54Larry, I have, Jonathan.
06:56Hello, Roscoe.
06:57You having eagle trouble, too?
06:59Man, how.
07:00I take it that you fellas are being pestered by them, too.
07:03We sure are.
07:04They're ripping out calves to shreds.
07:06Andy, did you hear that?
07:08Yeah.
07:09Them buzzards sure have a selective appetite.
07:12What do you fellas plan to do about getting rid of them?
07:15We haven't any plans yet.
07:16We thought we'd drop around and find out if any of you fellas are having the same trouble.
07:20Yeah, Ben.
07:21You ever heard fellas having this kind of trouble around here before?
07:23Yep.
07:24Good.
07:25What do we do about them?
07:26Well, let me think a spare here.
07:28Yep.
07:29Just, uh, just five years ago this month, the boys in Shady River Valley had the same trouble.
07:33On to getting rid of the big birds.
07:35Don't rightly recollect.
07:37All I know is that they was gone all of a sudden-like.
07:41Well, who was it?
07:44I got it.
07:45It's...
07:46Now I remember.
07:47Sure enough.
07:48Who was it?
07:49It was that little ranger fella, Bill, uh...
07:53Bill, uh...
07:54Oh, you know who I mean.
07:56Bill Jackson, the boss ranger?
07:57That's the fella, Roscoe.
07:58Yes, sir.
07:59He done it.
08:00Got rid of them there eagles right sudden-like.
08:05Hello, ranger headquarters.
08:22Henry Scott speaking.
08:23This is Roscoe Dickens.
08:25Bill Jefferson there?
08:27No, Mr. Dickens, he isn't.
08:29Can you get a hold of him quick?
08:31Perhaps I can this evening.
08:33He's out on the trail and he plans to stay out for another week or so.
08:36However, I talk to him almost every evening by radio.
08:39I'd sure appreciate it if you could get a hold of him this evening.
08:43It's quite urgent.
08:44Well, I'll try my best, Mr. Dickens.
08:46Is there a message I can give him?
08:48Uh, yeah.
08:50Tell him I'd like to have him come over to my ranch.
08:53We need his help.
09:03Bill, Stumpy, and Gray Wolf have been out in the forest a number of days now mapping fire lanes.
09:09Each year, old fire lanes have to be cleaned of brush and scrapped trees.
09:14Also, it's necessary to cut new fire lanes every few years to meet the changing fire hazard conditions.
09:20The fellas are using the conventional surveying equipment.
09:23Stumpy's using the transit, which is a small telescope on a tripod.
09:28The instrument has special gauges and scales on it that tell the surveyor what his readings and elevations are.
09:34Bill and Gray Wolf do the footwork for the old-timer.
09:37They carry the long sticks that have height markings on them.
09:41Mapping's a rough job because it involves miles and miles of walking.
09:45Stumpy is mumbling unhappily to Bill.
09:48You must be fiery and happy, Sonny.
09:51How many new ones did you have cut, anyhow?
09:55Well, by the looks of this map we're working up, I'd say we cleared out quite a few.
10:00Uh, Stumpy's one good eye. I get tired looking through transit.
10:04Now, see here, you young whippersnapper.
10:06I got two perfectly good eyes.
10:09They both work fine.
10:11I'm no surveyor.
10:13I'm even a worse mapmaker.
10:15And I will say I get a little cross-eyed peeping through this pipe with a knothole at each end.
10:22Yeah, go on, run your line. I'll watch you.
10:25I knew you'd see it our way, Sonny.
10:27We only have a dozen more firelings tonight.
10:31Them fellers think I'm Columbus looking for the United States.
10:36I'll keep them hopping as soon as I get all this contraption set up.
10:40Okay, take meeting now.
10:42Yeah, what do you think I'm doing?
10:44Waiting to see a robot go on my neck.
10:47What's the matter with them guys, anyhow?
10:49Hey, Gray Wolf, look out behind you. There's a wolf.
10:55Where did you see the wolf, Stumpy?
10:57Right in back of Gray Wolf.
10:59He was in this here brush.
11:01How big was Wolf?
11:02Well, pretty good size, Sonny.
11:05If he'd have jumped, you'd have had your hands full.
11:07I'm glad you see Wolf through transit.
11:09Hold it, fellas.
11:10Huh?
11:11You find pale signs, Sonny?
11:13I sure did.
11:15Look here.
11:16Oh, he's plenty big fellow, all right.
11:17I'll say so.
11:19Well, we've scared him off.
11:21Might as well finish surveying this new fireland and call it quits for the day.
11:26Yeah.
11:27I sure could deal with some widows.
11:30Then have a nice quiet evening around the campfire before turning in.
11:48Well, I've just finished the gospel of John.
11:52Read it lots of times, but just as new to me as the first time I read it.
11:57That tells me that the Bible is God's word, because I not get tired of it.
12:02Well, that's the great truth of the scriptures, fellas.
12:05God's word is just as new and fresh and powerful as when it was written.
12:11Men have been trying to fathom all of the Bible's truths for thousands of years.
12:16They'll continue to do so until the Lord comes again.
12:20Not right.
12:22I guess it's almost time to turn in.
12:25Hey, I almost forgot to call Henry.
12:28I'll set up the radio.
12:30Yeah.
12:31Why bother, Bill?
12:33Let's leave everything peaceful and quiet the way it's been for days since we've been out here.
12:39I wish I could, Stumpy.
12:41Better check in, though.
12:43Well, I guess I'll stretch my legs before hitting the hay.
12:49Hey, what was that?
12:50A wolf.
12:51I see him.
12:52Sit still, fellas.
12:53I'll have old Betsy a bargain before you can bat an eye.
12:56Where is Stumpy?
12:57Don't shoot, Stumpy.
12:59That's a dog, not a wolf.
13:02Well, great day in the morning, if it ain't.
13:06You're right.
13:07He hurt, too.
13:08Let's try and get him to come over to us.
13:11I'll fix some food that should coax him in so we can help.
13:27Keep coaxing him, Sonny.
13:29He's weakening.
13:30He's plenty hungry.
13:31Food smell will overcome his fears of us.
13:34Come on, boy.
13:35Right over here, fella.
13:37That's right, my friend, Bill.
13:39Now you do a good job.
13:40Atta boy.
13:41Just a little more.
13:42You seem a little more relaxed now.
13:43Okay, fella.
13:44You're doing fine.
13:46All right, here's your food now.
13:50Look at him go for his food.
13:52Poor fella probably hasn't had anything to eat since Hector was a pup.
13:56Ah, he liked warm fire, too.
13:58All right, let's leave him be for a while, fellas.
14:02I think he'll stay with us until we can get a look at his injured leg.
14:07♪♪
14:17Okay, fella.
14:19Hold still now while I take a look at this leg of yours.
14:22Good thing he'd come for help.
14:24The leg would begin to fester.
14:25Soon blood poison set in.
14:27That leg looks like it got tangled up with a small animal trap.
14:32That's what I was thinking, Stumpy.
14:35Now give me the first aid kit.
14:37We'll have our friend patched up in a jiffy.
14:39Right here on top of gear.
14:41Say, Bill, you want to talk to Henry on radio?
14:44Thanks, Gray Wolf.
14:46Oh, I forgot all about talking to Henry.
14:49Now see if you can get him while I bandage our friend's leg.
14:52♪♪
15:12Ranger headquarters calling Bill Jefferson.
15:15Ranger headquarters calling Bill.
15:23♪♪
15:28Hey, that's the phone.
15:30♪♪
15:37Hello, Ranger headquarters. Henry Scott speaking.
15:40Henry, this is Roscoe Dickens again.
15:43Have you been able to get a hold of Bill?
15:45No, I haven't, Mr. Dickens.
15:47I've been trying for an hour.
15:49How much longer will you try to contact him?
15:52Oh, about half an hour.
15:54If he doesn't answer then, he won't until tomorrow evening.
15:57Will you call me and let me know what happens in, oh, half an hour?
16:03Surely. I'll be glad to.
16:05Goodbye.
16:14Henry calling Bill.
16:16Henry calling Bill.
16:18Come in, Bill. Over.
16:21Bill to Henry. Bill to Henry. Over.
16:26Boy, am I glad I got you, Bill.
16:28I've been trying for an hour.
16:30Roscoe Dickens wants to see you right away. Over.
16:34You know why he wants to see me, Bill?
16:37No, I don't, Bill.
16:39But I'll meet you and the fellows out at his ranch if it's all right with you.
16:42Okay, pal.
16:44We'll pack up right away and meet you there as soon as possible.
16:47Over and out.
16:59You ready to shove off, fellas?
17:01Yep. I'm ready to scoot like a rabbit, Sonny.
17:05Hey, where's our friend with the bad leg?
17:09Well, I don't know, Stumpy.
17:12Did you see him leave, Grey Wolf?
17:14I don't know. Maybe he go off while we listen to Henry and you talk.
17:19Could be.
17:21Oh, well, he's in good shape now.
17:23I think he can take care of himself.
17:25Sure. He'd have stayed around if he wasn't.
17:28Maybe he's the kind that likes to be lonesome.
17:31Roscoe Dickens has relayed the good news over the party line phone,
17:45and all the ranchers and sheep men in the valley have gathered at the Dickens' home.
17:49Henry arrives there in a ranger patrol car,
17:52and an hour later, Bill, Stumpy, and Grey Wolf walk in.
17:55In a few short minutes, Roscoe brings Bill and the fellas up to date on what's happened
18:00and why they've been called so urgently.
18:03So, now you've heard our problem, Bill.
18:06We need your help, and we need it quick.
18:10Will you help us get rid of the eagles, or should I say, will you get rid of them for us?
18:15We don't have the slightest idea how to go about it.
18:19Yes, gentlemen, we'll get rid of the eagles for you.
18:23Oh, that'll be wonderful. We sure appreciate your help.
18:27How long will it take?
18:29Well, it may take days or weeks.
18:32We've got to hunt the eagles' nests and get them there.
18:35That'll be pretty dangerous, won't it?
18:37Yes, Henry, I suppose so.
18:39That's why I suggest we go along.
18:42We're trained for this work and used to it.
18:45Let's go, fellas. I want to be up in the mountains by sunup.
18:49Oh, boy. I haven't seen Heiden or a hair of an eagle.
18:53We're not up high enough yet, pal.
18:56You mean we've got to go higher than this?
18:59You said it, sonny. Those birds are high flyers.
19:03They're probably nesting somewhere in those peaks up ahead.
19:20Oh, soon we come to highest point.
19:23You said it, Braywell.
19:25If I fell from here, I wish I had a parachute.
19:27Hey, look at there! An eagle!
19:30Nice watching, Stuffy.
19:32He flew from the top of the highest peak.
19:42Hey, wait for me!
19:46I ain't as nimble-legged as you youngsters, you know.
19:49Here, here, grab my hand.
19:52I don't want to be in on the kill, too, you know.
20:02I think somebody's making this peak higher as we climb it, Bill.
20:07A little more patience, pal. We'll be to the top soon.
20:16Hooray! We made it!
20:20There's Eagle's Nest!
20:23But there ain't nobody to help!
20:36Them there eagles ain't very cordial.
20:39Here they got house guests, and they let us sit here like bums all along.
20:43Not for long, Stuffy.
20:45You think so?
20:46Yeah, he sure does, Stuffy. Here come three eagles.
20:48All right, let's get our positions, fellas.
20:51Pick your targets.
20:52Yeah, I'll take the one on the right.
20:53I'll take one in the middle.
20:54You ain't got no choice! I'll shoot for the other one!
20:57Fire when ready and make it count.
21:06Good shooting, boys.
21:08All right, let's go home.
21:14The End
21:22You ought to see Bill and the fellas now.
21:25They're really taking it easy at headquarters
21:27after almost running up the mountains after the eagles.
21:30Stuffy's got a generous supply of liniment,
21:33and it's warm, relieves his aching muscles,
21:36and the smile spreads over his face.
21:39There's a look of sleep in his eyes as he leans back in his chair.
21:43Bill, Henry, and Gray Wolf sit back with contentment on their faces
21:46because they've just completed a tough job.
21:49The bandit eagles will rob no more.
21:53Roscoe!
21:54That's right, Bill.
21:56Thought you said you shot all the eagles.
21:58Yes, I did say that.
22:00Well, I guess you fellas can't count to three.
22:03Huh? What do you mean?
22:05We sure can count to three.
22:07What's more, we shot three eagles better than a tombstone.
22:10Well, then there must be a fourth eagle.
22:12Are you joking?
22:13No, sir. The largest eagle I've ever seen just attacked my pigs.
22:28Listen to that birdie cut loose with a war cry.
22:31Oh, boy. He sure is a whopper, all right.
22:34See if you can pick him off from here, stubby.
22:37Eh, I don't think I can do it, Bill.
22:40I'll sure give it a try.
22:45Eh, ain't no use, honey. We got to go after him.
23:05Be careful, fellas.
23:07This is dangerous climbing.
23:09That's a good thing we don't have to go straight up.
23:12Yeah, and how?
23:14I've had enough climbing halfway straight up.
23:17What's up, stubby? What's wrong?
23:19I got a mushroom cramp in my leg.
23:21Here, I'll help you with stubby.
23:23Go on, get that eagle.
23:25He'll catch on as soon as I get this cramp rubbed out.
23:35It's not too far now.
23:37You better rest here, Henry.
23:39You're pretty winded.
23:41The air is getting rarer by the minute.
23:43Yeah. Yeah, Bill.
23:45I think I'll sit down and rest.
23:48Yeah, I'll catch up in a few minutes.
23:51That's a good boy.
23:53Come on, Gray Wolf. It's up to us now.
23:57Easy now.
23:59We're going to have to walk right into him.
24:01There's no other way to get Eagle.
24:03Am I ready?
24:05Only a few more steps.
24:07We'll be right in his nest.
24:09I wish this big rock weren't in our way so we could shoot from here.
24:13Look out, Bill!
24:15The giant eagle has descended on Bill and Gray Wolf.
24:18Gray Wolf tripped and stumbled backwards, striking Bill in the back.
24:22The giant eagle has descended on Bill and Gray Wolf.
24:24Gray Wolf tripped and stumbled backwards, striking his head on the huge rock.
24:28Now Bill fights the massive bird alone.
24:30He tries desperately to get his rifle up into firing position, but he can't.
24:34So now he's using it as a club to ward off the angry eagle.
24:37Bill moves like a boxer.
24:39Then suddenly he slips on the gravelous rock and he trips halfway over the edge of the mountaintop ledge.
24:44He tries desperately to hang on and crawl back, but he can't get a good grip with his hands.
24:49The giant bird sees his advantage and swoops down for the kill.
24:52Henry quickly sizes up the situation and comes running, but he's too far away to help.
24:56The big rock is in the way of his line of fire.
25:00Bill is a goner. The eagle's almost on him.
25:03Henry's wild shots didn't scare off the vicious bird.
25:06Bill will never be able to hold on and fight the bird.
25:09The eagle's wings and beak will drive him off the ledge.
25:12A wolf! A wolf is fighting off the eagle!
25:15No, it's a dog!
25:17After an eagle battle, Henry crawls across to the wind and swoops over and pulls Bill back on the ledge to safety.
25:23Bill grabs his rifle and quickly draws a bead on the eagle.
25:38Oh, boy. That was close.
25:42If that eagle had got you, Bill, you'd be dead now.
25:44I'll say I would, pal.
25:46Three thousand feet straight down.
25:49Thanks to our canine friend, I'm alive.
25:51Now, where'd that dog come from?
25:53I didn't see him following us.
25:55None of us did.
25:56Who knows where he came from?
25:58Thank the Lord that he did, Oliver.
26:00It's the same dog we helped the other night.
26:03Where dog now?
26:04Hey! He's gone again!
26:07Now, where do you suppose he ran off?
26:09I don't know.
26:11He's probably satisfied that he repaid us for our kindness to him.
26:15Hey, showy! There's one dog that didn't forget!
26:28You're right there, old-timer.
26:30Animals do have memories.
26:32At least some of them do, and it's a good thing for Bill that a dog did remember.
26:37Boys and girls, when someone helps you, remember it.
26:40You may not be able to repay the same person who was kind to you,
26:43but that doesn't stop you from doing the same thing for someone else.
26:46Remember, the Lord said,
26:48we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
26:52We'll see you next week for more adventure with...
26:55Ranger Bill!
27:13Hi there, boys and girls, this is Ranger Bill,
27:32back again for just a third of a minute
27:35with an extra word of thanks to you for joining us today.
27:39Hope you'll team up with the Rangers every week at this time
27:43when your local station gives us this chance to get together.
27:46See you then!