Fort Laramie - Single Episodes
Fort Laramie opened with "Specially transcribed tales of the dark and tragic ground of the wild frontier. The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of empire and the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry." Created by Norman Macdonnell in late 1955, the series emphasized historical accuracy, featuring correct geographic names, authentic Indian practices, and military terminology.
Raymond Burr starred as Captain Lee Quince, supported by Vic Perrin as Sgt. Goerss and Jack Moyles as Major Daggett. The series debuted on January 22, 1956, with an episode entitled "Playing Indian" and aired a total of forty-one episodes until October 28, 1956. The program was rehearsed and taped at CBS Studio One in Hollywood, the last radio production studio in California at the time.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
Select a chapter to play
| Audition | 30:40 | |
| Playing Indian | 29:31 | |
| Boatwright's Story | 29:43 | |
| Squaw Man | 29:32 | |
| The Woman at Horse Creek | 29:48 | |
| Boredom | 29:32 | |
| Captain's Widow | 29:39 | |
| Shavetail | 29:42 | |
| Hattie Pelfrey | 29:05 | |
| The Beasley Girls | 29:10 | |
| The Coward | 29:13 | |
| Lost Child | 29:55 | |
| Stage Coach Stop | 30:00 | |
| The New Recruit | 30:11 | |
| Quince's Capture | 30:08 | |
| Never the Twain | 29:51 | |
| War Correspondent | 30:21 | |
| Black Hills Gold | 30:14 | |
| Sergeant Gorce's Baby | 30:07 | |
| Don't Kick My Horse | 29:53 | |
| Young Trooper | 30:11 | |
| Winter Soldier | 29:49 | |
| The Loving Cup | 30:09 | |
| Trooper's Widow | 29:50 | |
| Talented Recruits | 30:00 | |
| Old Enemy | 29:54 | |
| Spotted Tail's Return | 29:36 | |
| Nature Boy | 29:26 | |
| The Massacre | 30:11 | |
| Assembly Line | 29:59 | |
| Goodbye Willa | 29:48 | |
| The Chaplain | 30:00 | |
| The Return of Hattie Pelfrey | 29:41 | |
| The Buffalo Hunters | 29:45 | |
| The Payroll | 30:17 | |
| The Woman at Horse Creek | 32:36 | |
| A Small Beginning | 29:38 | |
| Galvanized Yankee | 24:49 | |
| Still Waters | 24:46 | |
| Indian Scout | 24:51 | |
| Army Wife | 24:41 |
Reviews
The West comes alive at Fort Laramie
WileL
Historically accurate as a John Ford film. Militarily and geographically accurate. Sound affects enhance the imagination. As if one was reading a good western novel. If only it was longer than 30 minutes. But, think it takes a lot of work to put on such a good program. Treating the indigenous people with respect. Through the eyes of a field officers against bureaucrats from the Government.
It's a great show...a great series...I just think others are better
XMinusOne
Fort Laramie has excellent research, writing, and sound effects; it has excellent acting. It's as good as any show, not just any western, but for some reason I can't explain, I'm not a fan of the show and have never gotten into it. I like The Six Shooter, Frontier Gentleman, and most of Gunsmoke, much much more than Fort Laramie. I think Fort Laramie is considerably better than The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, Hopalong Cassidy, or other old time radio westerns. And,as I said, I have no idea why I'm not a fan of the show. That said, if I was going to recommend an Gunsmoke as a serious and authentic western old-time-radio show, it would almost certainly be Fort Laramie on second thought. I would almost certainly, on first thought, say The Six Shooter or Frontier Gentleman but they're not nearly as authentic.
Fab Fort Laramie
mittens13
Having been very impressed by Gunsmoke,I came to Fort Laramie with high expectations. I must admit it didn't grab me straight off(Gunsmoke must of spoiled me!) but after a couple of episodes I was well away with this series. Excellent storyline,superb acting and aces sound effects. Was a nice touch having Gunsmoke regulars Howard Mcneer and Parley Barry appear in some of them:) My only gripe about Fort Laramie would it's a pity there weren't more episodes,well you can't have it all. 5 stars. Thanks to OTR and Librivox for making this available,cheers!
Wonderful
Debsw
After trying the outstanding radio series Gunsmoke, as a newcomer to Westerns I thought I would try Fort Laramie and I was not disappointed. An exceptional series with great storylines and the wonderful Raymond Burr supported by a stellar cast. It inspired me to research the real story about this era and I learnt a great deal. That's the beauty of trying something new. It makes you curious. I can't recommend this series highly enough.
Raymond Burr as Lee Quince Captain of Cavalry
wilebo
Historically accurate portrayal. As if living a L'Amour western. Sound effects helps one to imagine the way it was. Short versions of a John Ford Western. Makes one want to listen rather than watch. It probably took alot of work to make this program. Many artist are familiar to the 'Boomer Generation".
Happily surprised by how well made this series was
albie
First of all I'm not a Western fan but decided to give this a try because of Raymond Burr,Harry Bartell and other familiar voices, but I was hooked from the start and have just listened to the last,41st,episode ,truly a very well made series, recommended to all.
Can’t Get Past the Racism
Elf
I realize that this show is from a far different time, but there are books written almost a hundred years before this radio show that have excellent story lines and far, far less racism. What I can’t get past is not even the racism itself, but how glorified it is.
If you like Gunsmoke you should also like Fort Laramie
Coash Road
The quality of the acting and writing is top notch. This includes the "sound patterns." Finally, the sound quality is amazing. These recordings sound like they were made yesterday.