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Fort Laramie

When Gunsmoke went to TV, Macdonnell and Meston created a second perfect adult Western radio program, Fort Laramie. Starring Raymond Burr: Fort Laramie told stories about the good times and bad times on the frontier of a young United States. The show featured stories about Captain of Cavalry, Lee Quince and the men who stood between a harsh land and the settlers heading out to settle the wild west.

Fort Laramie

41 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 20 hours, 112 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
21 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from February 05, 1956:

"Squaw Man"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Raymond Burr in Fort Laramie

Western Drama (1956)

Gunsmoke was not the first "adult Western" to grace the airwaves, but it was the most successful. Producer/director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston were trying to put the thrill of Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe into a frontier setting and they succeeded more than they could have imagined. Combining the gritty reality of Jack Webb's Dragnet with the grandeur of the Old West resulted in the perfect radio drama. So perfect that Macdonnell and Meston were upset with CBS for trying to 'reduce' it for the small screen.

Raymond Burr

The network got their way, of course, and with a twenty-season run, it is hard to say that they were wrong. Gunsmoke remained on the radio for several seasons as well because it was such a great radio program. Macdonnell and Meston took another shot at creating a perfect adult Western for the 1956 radio season with Fort Laramie.

The Adult Western subgenre differentiated itself from the typical 'White hat Good Guy vs Black hat Bad Guy' shoot-'em-up Westerns by dealing with mature themes and explored the psychological motivation of both its heroes and villains. In addition to radio's Gunsmoke, Hollywood had explored the genre in Duel in the Sun (1948), The Gunfighter (1950), High Noon (1952), Shane (1953), and Giant (1955).

Fort Laramie was a military drama that explored what the United States Calvary was doing on the frontier when they were not arriving in a nick of time to save the settlers from marauders. The show focused on career soldier Captain Lee Quince masterfully played by Raymond Burr. As a soldier, Quince had developed a personal code of right and wrong which was just as strong or stronger than that of Marshall Dillon. As a relatively junior officer, Quince would have been encouraged to accept the Army-way as the Right Way, but he was experienced enough to know that a human factor often had to be considered. In one heart-breaking episode, Quince has to balance an enlisted man's love for his horse with the needs of the service, and the result is not a happy one.

Fort Laramie

The stories often take us deep into Indian territory and the show generally treats the Native Americans with a good deal of respect, and characters who did not often got their comeuppance. The Indians were sometimes cast as the show's villains, but when this happened they usually had been duped or cheated by the white man in some way. A more common foe was the sheer magnitude of the American West.

As perfect as he was for the role of Capt. Quince, Raymond Burr was not the first choice for the character. John Dehner played the role in the audition recording but as one of the busiest actors in CBS's stable, simply did not have time to assume the role. Mr. Burr turned out to be the perfect Capt. Lee Quince, but in the end, the television network would be responsible for the torpedoing of this Macdonnell and Meston masterwork.

Fort Laramie aired at 5:30, Sunday afternoons, but failed to gain a steady sponsor. The network was not particularly enthusiastic to maintain a sustained program, and two-thirds of the way through the season Burr had been cast to bring Perry Mason to TV. In theory, Dehner could have reassumed the role of Quince, but in the 1957 season, he would be starring in the radio version of Have Gun-Will Travel.

For more great westerns, see also Frontier Gentleman, Have Gun Will Travel, Six Shooter, and Gunsmoke.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

    40
    30     10


    COMMENTS

    Fort Laramie doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. Like Frontier Gentleman, the plots feel rooted in authentic American history. Well acted and well written, often gripping stories. I wish TV was this good.

    Candace Verified Purchase

    It's shame this series only ran one radio season. Raymond Burr left to begin filming Perry Mason.

    Bruce Verified Purchase

    I like Raymond Burr. He has always put a lot into his character. I have FT. Laramie on tape (no working tape player). I can visualize the seen very clearly. Very good writing.

    Mike Verified Purchase

    Really good show. Raymond Burr also played various captains in Dragnet.

    Josh Verified Purchase

    Ft Laramie is GREAT!! The stories are well written and acted. The performances almost become visuals in my mind. Raymond Burr is great, and I discovered that John Dahner once played the lead. I have been a fan of OTRCAT for quite some time, and don't see slowing down any time soon!

    Michael Verified Purchase

    Burr also played one of the Captains, in radio Dragnet!

    Vince Verified Purchase

    From what I've heard, the stories were true about things that actually happened at the real Fort Laramie. Fort Laramie was great. Love the dynamic between Quince and Seiberts. Good series, solid scripts and good characterizations. Surviving episodes are pristine.

    Shaun Verified Purchase

    "The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of empire, and the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry."

    Dave Verified Purchase

    Excellent adult writing on a high level like Gunsmoke. Enjoyed the military musical background.

    James Verified Purchase

    One of Raymond Burr's finest performances as Captain Lee Quince. I thoroughly advise any Western fan to listen. First class show.

    Denis Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    41 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 20 hours, 112 min
    41 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 20 hours, 112 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 41 shows – total playtime 20 hours, 1 minutes
    2. Fort Laramie 550725 00 Audition.mp3
    3. Fort Laramie 560122 01 Playing Indian.mp3
    4. Fort Laramie 560129 02 Boatwrights Story.mp3
    5. Fort Laramie 560205 03 Squaw Man.mp3
    6. Fort Laramie 560212 04 Woman At Horse Creek.mp3
    7. Fort Laramie 560219 05 Boredom.mp3
    8. Fort Laramie 560226 06 Captains Widow.mp3
    9. Fort Laramie 560304 07 Shavetail.mp3
    10. Fort Laramie 560311 08 Hattie Pelfrey.mp3
    11. Fort Laramie 560318 09 Beasley Girls.mp3
    12. Fort Laramie 560325 10 Coward.mp3
    13. Fort Laramie 560401 11 Lost Child.mp3
    14. Fort Laramie 560415 12 Stage Coach Stop.mp3
    15. Fort Laramie 560422 13 New Recruit.mp3
    16. Fort Laramie 560429 14 Quinces Capture.mp3
    17. Fort Laramie 560506 15 Never Twain.mp3
    18. Fort Laramie 560513 16 War Correspondent.mp3
    19. Fort Laramie 560520 17 Black Hills Gold.mp3
    20. Fort Laramie 560527 18 Sergeant Gorces Baby.mp3
    21. Fort Laramie 560603 19 Dont Kick My Horse.mp3
    22. Fort Laramie 560610 20 Young Trooper.mp3
    23. Fort Laramie 560617 21 Winter Soldier.mp3
    24. Fort Laramie 560624 22 Loving Cup.mp3
    25. Fort Laramie 560701 23 Troopers Widow.mp3
    26. Fort Laramie 560708 24 Talented Recruits.mp3
    27. Fort Laramie 560715 25 Old Enemy.mp3
    28. Fort Laramie 560722 26 Spotted Tails Return.mp3
    29. Fort Laramie 560729 27 Nature Boy.mp3
    30. Fort Laramie 560805 28 Massacre.mp3
    31. Fort Laramie 560812 29 Assembly Line.mp3
    32. Fort Laramie 560819 30 Goodbye Willa.mp3
    33. Fort Laramie 560826 31 Chaplain.mp3
    34. Fort Laramie 560902 32 Return Of Hattie Pelfrey.mp3
    35. Fort Laramie 560909 33 Buffalo Hunters.mp3
    36. Fort Laramie 560916 34 Payroll.mp3
    37. Fort Laramie 560923 35 Woman At Horse Creek.mp3
    38. Fort Laramie 560930 36 Small Beginning.mp3
    39. Fort Laramie 561007 37 Galvanized Yankee.mp3
    40. Fort Laramie 561014 38 Still Waters.mp3
    41. Fort Laramie 561021 39 Indian Scout.mp3
    42. Fort Laramie 561028 40 Army Wife.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    41 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 20 hours, 112 min
    41 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    550 MB – total playtime 20 hours, 1 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 41 shows – 550 MB – total playtime 20 hours, 1 minutes
    2. Fort Laramie 550725 00 Audition.mp3
    3. Fort Laramie 560122 01 Playing Indian.mp3
    4. Fort Laramie 560129 02 Boatwrights Story.mp3
    5. Fort Laramie 560205 03 Squaw Man.mp3
    6. Fort Laramie 560212 04 Woman At Horse Creek.mp3
    7. Fort Laramie 560219 05 Boredom.mp3
    8. Fort Laramie 560226 06 Captains Widow.mp3
    9. Fort Laramie 560304 07 Shavetail.mp3
    10. Fort Laramie 560311 08 Hattie Pelfrey.mp3
    11. Fort Laramie 560318 09 Beasley Girls.mp3
    12. Fort Laramie 560325 10 Coward.mp3
    13. Fort Laramie 560401 11 Lost Child.mp3
    14. Fort Laramie 560415 12 Stage Coach Stop.mp3
    15. Fort Laramie 560422 13 New Recruit.mp3
    16. Fort Laramie 560429 14 Quinces Capture.mp3
    17. Fort Laramie 560506 15 Never Twain.mp3
    18. Fort Laramie 560513 16 War Correspondent.mp3
    19. Fort Laramie 560520 17 Black Hills Gold.mp3
    20. Fort Laramie 560527 18 Sergeant Gorces Baby.mp3
    21. Fort Laramie 560603 19 Dont Kick My Horse.mp3
    22. Fort Laramie 560610 20 Young Trooper.mp3
    23. Fort Laramie 560617 21 Winter Soldier.mp3
    24. Fort Laramie 560624 22 Loving Cup.mp3
    25. Fort Laramie 560701 23 Troopers Widow.mp3
    26. Fort Laramie 560708 24 Talented Recruits.mp3
    27. Fort Laramie 560715 25 Old Enemy.mp3
    28. Fort Laramie 560722 26 Spotted Tails Return.mp3
    29. Fort Laramie 560729 27 Nature Boy.mp3
    30. Fort Laramie 560805 28 Massacre.mp3
    31. Fort Laramie 560812 29 Assembly Line.mp3
    32. Fort Laramie 560819 30 Goodbye Willa.mp3
    33. Fort Laramie 560826 31 Chaplain.mp3
    34. Fort Laramie 560902 32 Return Of Hattie Pelfrey.mp3
    35. Fort Laramie 560909 33 Buffalo Hunters.mp3
    36. Fort Laramie 560916 34 Payroll.mp3
    37. Fort Laramie 560923 35 Woman At Horse Creek.mp3
    38. Fort Laramie 560930 36 Small Beginning.mp3
    39. Fort Laramie 561007 37 Galvanized Yankee.mp3
    40. Fort Laramie 561014 38 Still Waters.mp3
    41. Fort Laramie 561021 39 Indian Scout.mp3
    42. Fort Laramie 561028 40 Army Wife.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    41 recordings on 21 Audio CDs. Total playtime 20 hours, 1 min
    41 recordings on 21 Audio CDs
    total playtime 20 hours, 1 min

    Fort Laramie Disc A001

    1. Fort Laramie 550725 00 Audition
    2. Fort Laramie 560122 01 Playing Indian

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A002

    1. Fort Laramie 560129 02 Boatwrights Story
    2. Fort Laramie 560205 03 Squaw Man

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    Fort Laramie Disc A003

    1. Fort Laramie 560212 04 Woman At Horse Creek
    2. Fort Laramie 560219 05 Boredom

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    Fort Laramie Disc A004

    1. Fort Laramie 560226 06 Captains Widow
    2. Fort Laramie 560304 07 Shavetail

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    Fort Laramie Disc A005

    1. Fort Laramie 560311 08 Hattie Pelfrey
    2. Fort Laramie 560318 09 Beasley Girls

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A006

    1. Fort Laramie 560325 10 Coward
    2. Fort Laramie 560401 11 Lost Child

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    Fort Laramie Disc A007

    1. Fort Laramie 560415 12 Stage Coach Stop
    2. Fort Laramie 560422 13 New Recruit

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    Fort Laramie Disc A008

    1. Fort Laramie 560429 14 Quinces Capture
    2. Fort Laramie 560506 15 Never Twain

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    Fort Laramie Disc A009

    1. Fort Laramie 560513 16 War Correspondent
    2. Fort Laramie 560520 17 Black Hills Gold

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    Fort Laramie Disc A010

    1. Fort Laramie 560527 18 Sergeant Gorces Baby
    2. Fort Laramie 560603 19 Dont Kick My Horse

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A011

    1. Fort Laramie 560610 20 Young Trooper
    2. Fort Laramie 560617 21 Winter Soldier

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    Fort Laramie Disc A012

    1. Fort Laramie 560624 22 Loving Cup
    2. Fort Laramie 560701 23 Troopers Widow

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A013

    1. Fort Laramie 560708 24 Talented Recruits
    2. Fort Laramie 560715 25 Old Enemy

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A014

    1. Fort Laramie 560722 26 Spotted Tails Return
    2. Fort Laramie 560729 27 Nature Boy

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A015

    1. Fort Laramie 560805 28 Massacre
    2. Fort Laramie 560812 29 Assembly Line

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A016

    1. Fort Laramie 560819 30 Goodbye Willa
    2. Fort Laramie 560826 31 Chaplain

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A017

    1. Fort Laramie 560902 32 Return Of Hattie Pelfrey
    2. Fort Laramie 560909 33 Buffalo Hunters

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A018

    1. Fort Laramie 560916 34 Payroll
    2. Fort Laramie 560923 35 Woman At Horse Creek

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A019

    1. Fort Laramie 560930 36 Small Beginning
    2. Fort Laramie 561007 37 Galvanized Yankee

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A020

    1. Fort Laramie 561014 38 Still Waters
    2. Fort Laramie 561021 39 Indian Scout

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Fort Laramie Disc A021

    1. Fort Laramie 561028 40 Army Wife

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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