Pistol Packin' Pundit: The Way It Was, 9 February

1958---One of the absolute last new series to get a try in what we now call the old-time radio era premieres on CBS.

Herewith, an Englishman's account of life and death in the West. As a reporter for the London Times, he writes his colorful and unusual accounts. But as a man with a gun, he lives and becomes a part of the violent years in the new territories. Now, starring John Dehner, this is the story of J. B. Kendall, Frontier Gentleman.

---The show's usual introduction.

Frontier Gentleman is written and directed by Anthony Ellis, who sketches Kendall's travels through the American West for London Times stories and crossed paths (and, periodically, pistols) with the like of Jesse James, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok, among others. The premise probably sounds more interesting than the execution; Frontier Gentleman will last only until 16 November 1958.

The cast is filled out with Harry Bartell, Lawrence Dobkin, Virginia Gregg, Stacy Harris, Johnny Jacobs, Joseph Kearns, Jack Kruschen, Jack Moyles, Jeanette Nolan, Vic Perrin and Barney Phillips.

They're a kind of Gunsmoke alumni association: Bartell, Dobkin, Kearns, and Perrin all featured on the earlier, classic Western. Bartell has also been heard on The Charlotte Greenwood Show (comedy-variety); Dobkin, on Ellery Queen (he was the second actor to play the title role) and One Man's Family (on which Gregg and Perrin also appeared); and, Kearns, on The Jimmy Durante Show, The Judy Canova Show, The Mel Blanc Show, and Suspense, to name a few within his volume of radio credits.

When Frontier Gentleman begins, Kearns is on the threshold of gaining broad face recognition on television; he will play cranky Mr. Wilson in the television series version of Hank Ketcham's syndicated newspaper cartoon, Dennis the Menace. Upon his death, he will be succeeded (sort of) by another radio veteran of long and distinguished service---Gale Gordon, who will play Mr. Wilson's brother for Dennis the Menace's final season.

CHANNEL SURFING . . .

1940: THE FORMATION OF THE MEN'S PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION---That's what the husbands of Pine Ridge have formed, frustrated by their wives' actual or alleged unreasonable demands, with Abner (Norris Goff) suffering early and having a second thought or three after he tests the association credo with Lisbeth, on today's installment of Lum & Abner. (CBS.) Co-star: Chester Lauck. Writers: Chester Lauck and Norris Goff.

1947: THE HITCHHIKER---She's an attractive lady (Wendy Playfair), accepting a lift to Salt Lake City, on tonight's episode of The Clock. (ABC.) Starring Hart McGuire as The Clock. Supporting cast: Charles Kingwall, Ellen Weinberg. Writer: Lawrence Klee.

PREMIERING TODAY . . .

1891---Ronald Colman (actor: The Jack Benny Program, Lux Radio Theater, The Halls of Ivy), Richmond, Surrey, U.K.
1899---Brian Donlevy (actor: Dangerous Assignment), Portadown County, Armagh, Ireland.
1902---Chester Lauck (writer/comedian: Lum & Abner), Alleene, Arkansas.
1914---Bob Hite (announcer: Challenge of the Yukon, The Green Hornet, Casey, Crime Photographer), unknown; Ernest Tubb (singer/host: Grand Ole Opry), Crisp, Texas.
1915---Charlotte Holland (actress: Lone Journey, This is Nora Drake), unknown.
1939---Janet Suzman (panelist: Quote . . . Unquote), Johannesburg, South Africa.