Description

• Plot: The show followed the adventures of Britt Ponset, a "Texas plainsman" and drifter who roamed the Western territories. While easy-going, Ponset was also a skilled gunfighter who often found himself blundering into other people's troubles, righting wrongs, catching bad guys, and helping those in need. The show blended elements of action, suspense, and humor, often leaning more towards light comedy than straight action. Britt Ponset was the only recurring character, along with his horse, Scar.
• Star: James Stewart, one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, played the lead role of Britt Ponset. His laid-back, folksy portrayal made Britt a very likable hero on radio. Stewart's use of whispered narration during tense scenes was a trademark of the show, adding to the drama.
• Run: The series premiered on NBC on September 20, 1953, and unfortunately only lasted for one season, concluding on June 24, 1954. A total of 39 episodes were produced.
• Creator and Writer: Frank Burt created the show and wrote many of the episodes. His scripts were diverse, sometimes featuring traditional Western adventures and other times delving into more comedic or even literary themes (e.g., a Western version of Cinderella or a Christmas Carol adaptation).
• Critical Reception: "The Six Shooter" is widely considered one of the best-produced and acted Westerns of the Old-Time Radio era. Despite its high quality and Stewart's star power, it suffered from a lack of consistent sponsorship, which ultimately led to its cancellation. Many fans and critics praise Stewart's performance and the show's engaging stories and high production values.
• Legacy: The show left a lasting impression on Old-Time Radio enthusiasts. Some of its scripts were later reworked for the television series "The Restless Gun," starring John Payne, where Britt Ponset was renamed Vint Bonner. Stewart himself reprised the Britt Ponset character (or a similar one) in a couple of television anthology episodes after "The Six Shooter" ended.