Death Valley Days was a long-running American radio Western series that dramatized true stories of pioneer life in the American West. It was one of radio’s earliest and longest-lasting programs, airing from September 30, 1930, to September 14, 1951, on the Blue Network/ABC, CBS, and NBC.
The program was known for its historical accuracy and attention to detail, and it won numerous awards from state governors, historical societies, and educational institutions.
The Stars
As an anthology series, Death Valley Days had no continuing cast of characters other than The Old Ranger, who introduced and narrated each episode. This role was originally portrayed by former vaudevillian Leo Cleary, and was later played by a variety of actors including Jack MacBryde, Tim Daniel Frawley, George Rand, and Harry Humphreys. In the later versions of the show, titled Death Valley Sheriff and The Sheriff, the host/narrator was Sheriff Mark Chase of Canyon County, California, portrayed by actors such as Robert Haag, Donald Briggs, and Bob Warren.
Key Dates
- Death Valley Days debuted on September 30, 1930, and ran until September 14, 1951.
- In 1944, the program was renamed Death Valley Sheriff, and the following year it became simply The Sheriff.
- The show was one of radio’s earliest and longest-lasting Western dramas, spanning over two decades on the air.
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Other Information
The program was sponsored for most of its run by the Pacific Borax Company, manufacturer of 20 Mule Team Borax. The show’s scripts were written by Ruth Cornwall Woodman, who traveled to Death Valley each summer for 14 years to gather information and material for the upcoming season’s episodes.
Death Valley Days was known for its historical accuracy, winning awards from state governors, historical societies, and educational institutions. The program also featured Western songs performed by John White, known as “The Lonesome Cowboy”, for nearly six years. After the radio series ended, Death Valley Days was adapted into a successful television series that ran from 1952 to 1970.
