Bronco
Bronco Layne: Ty Hardin
Toothy Thompson: Jack Elam
If ever a show owed its existence to another, it was Bronco.
Born out of a fight between Clint Walker of Cheyenne
and Warner Brothers Studios in 1958, Bronco
came about because Warner Brothers wanted to keep the hugely success Cheyenne
series alive…minus its star Clint Walker, of course.
A call went out for new talent, and newcomer Ty Hardin appeared as Bronco
Layne, Cheyenne Bodie’s country cousin. When
Clint Walker and Warner Brothers later made their peace, Ty had made such a
great impression with the audience that it was decided to give him a western
series of his own. Bronco
was such a huge success that it continued under its own steam for another three
years.
It becomes a bit
confusing keeping up with Bronco.
During its first season, it alternated with Sugarfoot
as part of the Cheyenne Show.
When Clint Walker returned, it then aired with Cheyenne
for its second season. During the
third season, it alternated with Sugarfoot
and Cheyenne, and for the fourth
season, it alternated with Cheyenne
once again. It was an hour in
length and shot in black and white for ABC.
It premiered on 23 September 1958, and there were a total of 68 episodes
shot.
Bronco Layne was
an ex-Confederate Army captain, who returned to Texas after the Civil War and
didn’t like what he found. Stripped
of his honor and with his home confiscated, he became a loner, who preferred to
avoid trouble, but during his roaming of the frontier fighting injustice and
outlaws, he stood firm and looked it square in the eye, if it got in his way.
He traveled the length and breadth of Texas helping people in distress
and working at assorted jobs, which included secret missions for the federal
government, a deputy sheriff, and ranch hand.
He chased not only bad guys and Indians, but a few charming ladies as
well. There was never any lacking
of action in this series.
Ty Hardin was
born Ty Hungerford on New Year’s Day in 1930 in New York City.
Six months later, his family moved to Texas, and this is where he lived
until the family moved to California in 1957.
He went to college to become an engineer and wound up working for an
aircraft factory after college. On
a chance visit to Paramount Studios to rent a prop gun for a fancy-dress party,
he was spotted and offered an acting contract.
When producer William T. Orr saw him in May 1958, Orr promptly took over
his acting contract and cast him as Bronco Layne.
The rest was history. During
the run of the series, he learned to become an adept horseman and gun handler,
and he did a lot of his own stunts. A
deeply religious man, and it was not unusual for him to reach into his
saddlebags and pull out his Bible during quiet moments on the set.
Strangely, there were three Bronco comic books issued by Dell, but every one of them wore the Cheyenne label, although Ty Hardin was on the covers. In the 1980’s, Ty retired to Prescott, Arizona where he became a preacher. Although he eventually returned to Southern California, he has not reactivated his career.
For more information on Ty Hardin, visit the Official Ty Hardin website
Here’s the words.
Tearin' across the Texas plain.
Bronco, Bronco.
Bronco Layne.
Born
down around the old panhandle,
Texas is where he grew to fame.
There ain't a horse that he can't handle,
That's how he got his name.
Bronco,
Bronco.
Tearin' across the Texas plain.
Bronco, Bronco.
Bronco Layne.
Next
to a four square Texas twister,
You'd call a cyclone weak and mild,
You've never seen a twister, mister,
‘Til someone gets him riled.
Bronco,
Bronco
Tearin' across the Texas plain.
Bronco, Bronco.
Bronco Layne.
Show
me a gal who kissed him once.
I'll show you a gal who's kissed him twice.
Once a city gal has kissed him twice,
She's dreamin' of shoes and rice.
Bronco,
Bronco
Tearin' across the Texas plain.
Bronco, Bronco.
Bronco Layne.
(Text and photos by Sandy Sturdivant)
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