| Hopalong Cassidy |
 |
| NBC Network |
| 1952 - 1954 |
| Drama |
| 30 Minutes |
William "Hoppy"
Boyd starred as Hopalong Cassidy, a
silver-haired western hero dressed in black who
helped maintained law and order in the Old West
assisted by his sidekick, Red Connors (Edgar
Buchanan). Hoppy rode a white horse named
Topper.
When Hoppy and Red were not taking it easy at
the Bar 20 Ranch, they had many adventures
together. Sometimes, they battled smugglers or
land swindlers; and other times they came to aid
of someone injured, sick or framed for a crime
they did not commit.
Red Connor and
Hoppy talk with a cowboy
Here are just a few of their many exploits:
- Help an innocent Mexican
framed for murder.
- Thwart the theft of rifles
meant for the army.
- Save a man from a lynch mob.
- Battle evil land swindling
lawyers.
- Intervene in a feud between
ranchers.
- Reveal a preacher is
actually a robber.
- Aid an amnesia victim from
land swindlers.
- Trap thieves using a fancy
necklace as bait.
- Search for a missing Chinese
miner.
- Help a prospector framed for
a gold robbery.
- Investigate the death of
Chinese immigrants.
- Discover a printer is making
counterfeit money.
- Investigate White terrorists
posing as Indians.
- Hoppy & Red are lured into a burning
building by a robber.
Listen to
Theme Song
Theme Song Lyrics
Here he comes, here he comes
There's the trumpets, there's the drums, here he comes.
Hopalong Cassidy, here he comes.
[humming]
There he goes, on his way,
Down the moonlite trail to where cowboys graze.
Hopalong Cassidy, Hopalong Cassidy.
He returns, soon again,
There's no use to say goodbye until then.
Hopalong Cassidy, so long Hopalong.
Memorabilia
TRIVIA NOTE:
Reedited feature films from 1945-49 also
appeared on early television networks. Gabby
Hayes or Andy Clyde were Hoppy's film sidekicks.
Hoppy derived his nickname from his creator, New
York writer Clarence E. Mulford (1883-1956) who
originally conceived his hero in the novel
Bar-20 (1907) as a tough, tobacco-chewing,
hard-drinking cowboy with a limp, hence "Hopalong."
However, when William Boyd took the reigns of
the character, he cleaned up the foul-mouthed
western star and transformed him into a pristine
cowboy hero dressed in black who rode tall in
the saddle atop a white horse named Topper.
About the only thing he didn't discard was his
name "Hopalong." The limp was explained away
with a simple healing of his leg.
William Boyd purchased the rights to his own
films in the 1940s and subsequently received
seventy million dollars when he sold his feature
film rights to television.
Throughout
his career as a western movie star, William Boyd realized his
importance as a role model to children and so, he set forth
principles by which they should behave. He called them his "Creed
for American Boys and Girls." These ten commandments of good citizen
ship are listed below.
|
1. |
The highest badge
of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be mindful at all
times. |
|
2. |
Your parents are
the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their
instructions. |
|
3. |
If you want to be
respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every
way. |
|
4. |
Only through hard
work and study can you succeed. Don't be lazy. |
|
5. |
Your good deeds
always come to light. So don't boast or be a show off. |
|
6. |
If you waste time
or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift
in all ways. |
|
7. |
Many animals are
good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them. |
|
8. |
A strong, healthy
body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean. |
|
9. |
Our country's laws
are made for your protection. Observe them carefully. |
|
10. |
Children in many
foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud
you are an American. |
Obituaries: William Boyd: 09/12/1972; Edgar
Buchanan: 04/04/1979.
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