Straight Arrow

Straight Arrow was a juvenile western adventure series that aired on radio from 1948 through 1951. The program followed the exploits of Steve Adams, a mild-mannered rancher who secretly moonlighted as the heroic Comanche Indian known as Straight Arrow. Whenever danger threatened innocent people or evil-doers plotted against justice, Steve Adams would disappear and in his place would come the mysterious stalwart Indian, wearing the dress and war paint of a Comanche and riding the great golden palomino Fury, galloping out of the darkness to take up the cause of law and order throughout the West.

The series was written by Sheldon Stark and aired twice weekly, first on the Don Lee network and later on the Mutual Broadcasting Company. The protagonist, Steve Adams, was played by actor Howard Culver, who skillfully portrayed both the mild-mannered rancher and his heroic Comanche alter ego. Steve’s sidekick, Packy McCloud, was played by Fred Howard. Gwen Delano portrayed the tough but sweet Mesquite Molly.

The Stars

Howard Culver was the heart and soul of Straight Arrow, bringing both Steve Adams and the legendary Straight Arrow to life with his versatile acting. Culver had previously appeared in many episodes of the popular Dragnet television series, and his rich, authoritative voice was perfectly suited to the role of the heroic Indian warrior.

Fred Howard as Packy McCloud provided able support as Steve Adams’ loyal friend and confidant, the only person who knew of his dual identity. Gwen Delano’s portrayal of the feisty Mesquite Molly added a touch of romance and adventure to the proceedings.

Key Dates

• Straight Arrow debuted on radio on May 6th, 1948.
• It initially aired on the Don Lee network before moving to the Mutual Broadcasting Company in 1949.
• The series ran for a total of 292 episodes, with the final broadcast occurring on June 21, 1951.

Other Information

The Straight Arrow radio program was sponsored by Nabisco Shredded Wheat cereal, and the show often featured product placement and references to the sponsor’s brand.

In addition to the radio series, Straight Arrow also spawned a comic book published by Magazine Enterprises, which ran for 55 issues from 1950 to 1956. There were also two Straight Arrow comic strips, a daily strip that ran from 1950 to 1951 and a Sunday strip that ran in 1953.

Collectible cards featuring Indian crafts were also inserted into boxes of Nabisco Shredded Wheat cereal, further expanding the Straight Arrow brand.

In 2019, the rights to the Straight Arrow character, including the trademarks, were transferred to the Education Is Our Buffalo Community Centre, a Canadian-based Indigenous organization.

Overall, Straight Arrow was a beloved and influential juvenile western adventure series that captivated young listeners with its thrilling tales of heroism and justice. The show’s positive portrayal of the Native American protagonist and its emphasis on the role of the Indian in the development of the West were seen as distinguishing aspects of the program.