Hawk Larabee


Hawk Larabee was one of CBS’ early attempts to bring western radio drama to an adult audience. Its first incarnation was under the name Hawk Durango, a seven-episode 1946 summer series . Hawk Larabee made its debut in October 1946 and lasted until December 1948. Most all of the episodes have not survived. Durango and Larabee were two of the stepping stones to the legendary Gunsmoke series almost five years later. Gunsmoke defined the adult western genre, first for radio, and then television. The episode in the Hehn collection is 1947-12-27 titled “Brannigan,” and is also known as “The Pilgrim.” * * * These recordings are part of the Joe Hehn Memorial Collection. Mr. Hehn (1931-2020) was a pioneering collector of radio recordings when the hobby emerged in the 1960s. Digitizing his collection of reel tapes and discs is the effort of a wide range of North American volunteers, and includes assistance of some international collectors. The groups supporting this effort with their funds, time, technology and skills are the Old Time Radio Researchers and a small group of transcription disc preservationists who refer to themselves as the "The Knights of the Turning Table."

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.