Casey Jones (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Casey Jones


caption =
format = Children's action/adventure, drama
picture_format = Black-and-white
audio_format = Monaural sound
runtime = approx. 30 minutes
creator = Kenneth Gamet
starring = Alan Hale, Jr.
Dub Taylor
Bobby Clark
Mary Lawrence
Eddy Waller
opentheme = Ballad of Casey Jones
country = USA
network = flagicon|USA KTTV/Syndicated
flagicon|UK BBC
first_aired = May 18, 1958
last_aired = December 28, 1958
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 32
list_episodes =
imdb_id = 0051263
tv_com_id = 6126

Casey Jones was a 1957 television series that ran during the '58-'59 television season, based around the pioneering western railroads.

Background

Based on a real life story, its connection with the real-life locomotive engineer Casey Jones of the Midwest and Central Railroad was rather limited, although the series did use the real name of his train, the "Cannonball Express", and his fireman, Wally.

Production

Commissioned by the then jointly Los Angeles Times/CBS owned KTTV, it was shot on a special set at Ray "Crash" Corrigan's studio Corriganville in the Simi Valley, California.

Kenneth Gamet wrote a children's format gentler western series, against the more violent adult shows of the time like "The Virginian." The series featured the same classical types of plots as other westerns such as train robbers, vandals, etc; but the plots also centered as much on Casey's interaction with his family, particularly his young son.

Alan Hale Jr. played the legendary railroad engineer, alongside his wife Alice (Mary Lawrence) and his son Casey Jr (Bobby Clark). Dub Taylor portrayed Casey's fireman Wallie Sims, while Eddy Waller portrayed conductor Red Rock.

Only shot for one season, in part due to Hale's commitment to filming episodes of "The Texan," it ran for 32 half-hour black and white episodes. The series' theme song was a version of the "Ballad of Casey Jones".

Cast list

*Alan Hale Jr. - Casey Jones
*Dub Taylor - Wallie Sims
*Bobby Clark - Casey Jones Jr.
*Mary Lawrence - Alice Jones
*Eddy Waller - Red Rock Smith

Episode list

The 32 episodes were: [citeweb|url=http://www.tv.com/casey-jones/show/6126/episode.html|title=Casey Jones: Episode Guide|publisher=TV.com|accessdate=2008-10-01]

16. Season 1, Ep 16: A Badge For CaseyAired: 9/7/195817. Season 1, Ep 17: Night Run8.9ReviewsAired: 9/14/195818. Season 1, Ep 18: The MauraudersAired: 9/21/195819. Season 1, Ep 19: The Black BoxAired: 9/28/195820. Season 1, Ep 20: The Trackwalker8.8ReviewsAired: 10/5/195821. Season 1, Ep 21: Star Witness8.2ReviewsAired: 10/12/195822. Season 1, Ep 22: The Dutch Clock8.4ReviewsAired: 10/19/195823. Season 1, Ep 23: The Dark RiderAired: 10/26/195824. Season 1, Ep 24: Dangerous Hours7.4ReviewsAired: 11/2/195825. Season 1, Ep 25: The Treasure Of Sam BassAired: 11/9/195826. Season 1, Ep 26: Hard Luck TrainAired: 11/16/195827. Season 1, Ep 27: The Silk TrainAired: 11/23/195828. Season 1, Ep 28: Lethal JourneyAired: 11/30/195829. Season 1, Ep 29: Honeymoon ExpressAired: 12/7/195830. Season 1, Ep 30: The Fire-EaterAired: 12/14/195831. Season 1, Ep 31: Mrs. Casey JonesAired: 12/21/195832. Season 1, Ep 32: Layover At JamestownAired: 12/28/1958

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0051263|title=Casey Jones (TV series)
* [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nPFBDONZyvc opening of the programme]