I was jawbonin’ with my buddy Gerry the other day. I stop by his metal shop every now and then just to shoot the breeze. Figurin’ he needs a break? Meantime I enjoy our sophisticated (?) good ole boy confabs.
Like many folks lurkin’ unnoticed along life's byways, his unique perception of our complicated world often enlightens mine. He’s a pretty a good listener. But he’s a grand story teller!
With the usual lamentations, we expounded on the declining condition of the world today. Politics and the sleazy side of it (there’s another?). Crime and it’s ramifications for regular folks effected (partakin’?). The dire state of our schools failure of emphasis on “important” studies (American history for example).
Today our deliberations meandered (again) back to simpler times (not that long ago). Focusing fondly on old TV shows we recollected. Broadcast in black and white, since color TV was scarcely known when we were kids (did I mention, not that long ago?). The ones we seemed to recall most fondly might today seem kinda corny? We realized they surely would for kids in todays world. How sad.
The shows we reminisced about showcased something special with each episode..., Heros. Though the shows didn’t follow a story line week to week, they called them “episodes” back then? Like the weekly movie “serials” from heydays of previous decades (fergit it kids, hard to explain, ya had to be there).
Most of the shows might be considered violent even nowadays (like old cartoons are!?). Lot’s of “shoot ‘em up” action. Folks dyin’ left an’ right from gunshots, knives, explosions and such nonsense (surprisingly little blood). Nothing like the gratuitous blood and gore (and sex) in todays films and TV fare. It was grand entertainment!
I refer to that innocent violence as “nonsense” because even us kids understood completely that it was only “entertainment”. Not a reflection of real life just outside many family living rooms today? Somehow even todays parents miss that point? I ‘spose ‘cuz the kind of shows “entertaining” our kids today too often reflect events taking place down the street (for real).
During our recollections we happily noted one constant in those old shows (two actually).
Cowboy stars proved themselves to be “heroes” every week, who always stood for “right”! Second thing? There was a moral lesson in nearly every show. Kids watching those shows every week (day?) over the years (unwittingly) absorbed those lessons.
As if by osmosis (an’ ya know how I hate science!). We learned things.
We learned good triumphs evil. Not just in the shows, but on the playground. We learned lies catch up with you. And while ya might not die from ‘em, told or heard, they hurt. We learned you treat a lady with respect (even when she isn’t). We learned not to steal, cheat or lie, or side with those who did. We learned heroes could exist for real (not just on TV).
We learned being a good guy made ya feel good. Our heroes smiled a lot, which made ya feel good. Gazin’ back into that quaint past, we realized why those heroes could smile so much (even right after the fight). Because they always did the right thing!
Dozens of those heroic characters were welcomed into our homes weekly through the television. Reruns of movie “serials” from movie theaters of the 30s and 40s joined the “new” ones made in TV land in the 1950s.
We spoke wistfully of many wonderful ol' cowboys. Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Red Ryder, The Cisco Kid, John Wayne and others. TV cowboy shows ruled the airwaves in those days! Bonanza, Paladin, Rawhide, Wagon Train, The Roy Rogers and Dales Evans Show.
Roy Rogers!? Right there I got excited! I was about nine when my folks loaded us into the old Buick for an extended trip from our house. They wouldn’t say where we were going, but it seemed awfully long. Once we arrived I saw it was a big country fair (Allentown it turned out). I thought, Boy! this is gonna be fun!
But after a brief visit to the midway we made our way to the grandstand seats. Waiting, I quickly grew impatient. Suddenly from behind the grandstand, Roy Rogers, white hat wavin’ high overhead, came galloping out on Trigger! Followed shortly by his sidekick Pat with his Jeep, NellieBelle. My Hero Roy Rogers! Silver trimmed saddle gleamin’, boot spurs spinnin’, pearl-handled pistols smokin’! Right there, mere feet away, TV cowboy hero come to life! The crowd roared!!
I Don’t Know About You..., Life for me was forever changed, realizin’ Heroes actually live!
Cal Teeple, sole member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium may often be found three stools down. He may be ignored, accosted or contacted. OR AT: wayneindependent.com.
