Tales of the Texas Rangers

Tales of the Texas Rangers  -  Listen to episodes below

Tales of the Texas Rangers was a modern Western police procedural drama. The show aired on NBC Radio from 1950 to 1952.

Film star Joel McCrea played the fictitious Texas Ranger Jace Pearson, who used the latest scientific techniques to solve crimes. His faithful horse, Charcoal helped Pearson track down his prey. The radio shows claim to be faithful reenactments of actual Texas Ranger cases.

Pearson's cases would normally begin when a request was made by a local sheriff. The majority of the crimes he investigated were murders that were committed in smaller towns with limited police resources.

Joel McCrea was a popular actor during the era, having over 90 acting credits that included starring or co-starring roles in many major Hollywood movies. McCrea was also an excellent horseman, having learned to ride as a teenager when he worked on a ranch.

The majority of crimes on the show involved the use of automobiles, however it was very common for circumstances to require Pearson to ride his Charcoal in his pursuits, giving the show a modern day western feel.