THE ADVENTURES OF CHAMPION/CBS/1955-56 starred Champion the Wonder Horse, a once mighty leader of a herd of wild horses who was befriended by a twelve-year-old boy named Ricky North (Barry Curtis).

Ricky lived on a ranch in the Southwest in the 1880s with his Uncle Sandy (Jim Bannon) and Rebel, a German shepherd (Blaze the dog). 

During each adventure, Champion the Wonder Horse was guaranteed to come to the rescue of Ricky, Sandy, Rebel or any other strangers in need and thwart the evil plans of various bad guys or resolve precarious situations. 

 Champion's challenges included:

• Save a herd of wild horse from an unscrupulous horse trader
• Prevent Indian uprising when Red Cloud is framed for murder
• Escaping from the clutches of a traveling carnival

Locals Will Calhoun (Francis McDonald) and Sheriff Powers (Ewing Mitchell) were also friends of the North family.

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Listen to Theme Song

Theme Song Lyrics

Champion the Wonder Horse!
Champion the Wonder Horse!
Like a streak of lightning flashing across the sky
Like  swiftest arrow whizzing from a bow
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly
You'll hear about him everywhere you go
The time will come when everyone will know the name of
Champion, the Wonder Horse!

Music by Norman Luboff
Lyrics by Marilyn Bergman

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Opening Credits from  The Adventures of Champion

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Memorabilia

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TRIVIA NOTE: The TV show (26, 1/2 hour episodes) was based on the 15-minutes Mutual Network 1949-50 radio serial, The Adventures of Champion, about a young boy named Ricky West, who was raised on a ranch by his Uncle Smoky and had adventures with a stocking-legged chestnut stallion known as Champion.

Champion (a chestnut Tennessee walking horse) also appeared on the western adventure THE GENE AUTRY SHOW/CBS/1950-56.

Obituaries: Jim Bannon - 07/28/1984

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External Links

• The Adventures of Champion (IMDb)

 

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