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Captain Midnight -
The alias of Captain Jim Albright (a.k.a.
"Guardian of the Safety of the World"), a
private citizen and leader of "The
Secret Squadron" on the adventure CAPTAIN
MIDNIGHT/CBS/1954-56.
Captain Jim Albright (Richard Webb) received his
nickname during WWII while, as a young American
pilot. he returned to base after completing a
dangerous mission just as the church steeple
clock struck twelve midnight.
With the assistance of the members of the Secret
Squadron, Captain Midnight battled
mobsters and other enemies of freedom. The
Captain's code sign is SQ1.
"On a mountaintop high above a large city stands
the headquarters of a man devoted to the cause
of freedom and justice, a war hero who has never
stopped fighting against his country's enemies,
a private citizen who is dedicating his life to
the struggle against evil men
everywhere...CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT!" --
Opening
The members of the Secret Squadron included:
- Sid Melton as Ichabod "Icky" Mudd, the
Captain's trusty mechanic who maintained the
sleek jet fighter known as the
Silver
Dart. Icky's code sign is SQ2.
- Olan Soulé as Aristotle "Tut" Jones, an
eccentric scientist. His code sign is SQ3.
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Program
Title |
Midnight's
Office |
Tut, Ikky &
Captain |
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Communicator |
The
Captain's Car |
Silver
Signet Ring |
When the series went into syndication
Captain Midnight's name was changed to JET
JACKSON
(still played by Richard Webb).
Because The Wander Company, the maker's of
Ovaltine still owned the rights to the Captain
Midnight name, the name of Captain Midnight
was overdubbed with the name of "Jet Jackson."
when the show aired.
The Captain Midnight character was created by
Robert Murit and Wilfred Moore. It originated on
radio in 1938 on station WGN in
Chicago.
It's first sponsor was Skelly Oil Company
(1938-40), followed
by The Wander Company,
the makers of "Ovaltine."
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Excerpt from an Ovaltine
Commercial |
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"Captain Midnight calling
all members of the Secret Squadron.
Your first duty at all
times, is to keep your self in first class
condition, ready and able to do your best
and meet the test when your turn comes to
undertake some vital mission.
Because some day you may
be the one called upon to parachute to a
secret rendezvous or interpret radar
warnings for civilian defense, or to
cooperate with the Coast Guard and patrol
the shores in times of danger, to bring
much needed aid and confort to disaster
victims.
And when the time comes,
when the test comes, you've got to be
ready for it with plenty of stamina in
reserve. That's why I want all Secret
Squadron members to drink Ovaltine,
everyday, as I do.
Yes, chocolate flavored
Ovaltine, either hot or cold, because Ovaltine gives you the nourishment you need
for strength and staying power." |
Ed Prentiss, Bill Bouchey and Paul Barnes all
played Captain Jim "Red" Albright, (Captain
Midnight) on radio.
Dave O'Brien played in
Columbia Pictures' 15-episode serial Captain
Midnight (1942).
Richard Webb (TV's Captain Midnight) died at the
age of 77 from a self-inflicted wound on June
10, 1993 at his home in Van Nuys, California. He
left a note saying he was despondent over a
chronic respiratory problem (People Weekly
6/28/93).
TRIVIA NOTE: In 1952, The Wander Company brought Captain
Midnight to the small screen as the host of
"CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT'S ADVENTURE THEATER." The
program featured re-edited chapters of old
Republic movie serials, and "Ovaltine"
commercials. This version of the Captain
Midnight franchise was short-lived. Below is a
sample:
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[Sound of a bell
tolling, the whoosh of a jet plane] |
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Announcer: |
Caaaaptaaaain Midnight! |
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The Captain: |
This is Captain Midnight.
I'll be on the ground in just thirty
seconds with this week's exciting
adventure. So stand by. |
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Announcer: |
Stand by for "Captain
Midnight's Adventure Theater." brought to
you each week at this time by Ovaltine,
sweet chocolate flavored Ovaltine Here's
the way to start the day with your own
delicious nourishing cup of Ovaltine, the
right hot drink for children with
breakfast. Ovaltine, the heart of a hearty
breakfast That's the way to start the day.
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Singers: |
Ovaltine! Ovaltine! That's
the way to start the day. |
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Announcer: |
Right, Captain Midnight? |
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The Captain: |
You bet your life it's
good. Now let's get to today's adventure. |
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Announcer: |
Now back to Captain
Midnight. |
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The Captain: |
Captain Midnight ready for
takeoff. See you next week at this same
time. |
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Announcer: |
Tune in next week at this
same time for another exciting chapter in
CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT'S ADVENTURE THEATER
brought to you by Ovaltine [sound of
bell tolling]. |
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