Neal Tyler
Like some other reviewers, I too have been influenced greatly in my life by watching Willard Parker play Jace Pearson in this series between ages 4-8 and after. Things ranging from my career choice to my respect for courtesy and civility and friendliness were shaped by the way this actor fleshed out this character for young people to watch. His introductions of each episode provided my earliest and most vivid image of the concept of authority--the crisp uniform appearance, his athletic build, his somewhat older age, and especially his voice. For me, his were the voice and words of an authoritative, trusted guy. Like others whose reviews I am just now appreciating for the first time, I played "Jace and Clay" with my brother. I am older, so I got to be Jace. Tons of memories in that, and I still think of the character of Jace Pearson, as portrayed by the actor I agree is woefully underrated, Willard Parker. For that matter, Harry Lauter is way underrated as well, and did a great job of being a Texas Ranger and Jace's partner and friend.I liked many, many westerns in the 50's and 60's, but this one has a uniquely special place in my mind to this minute. Whatever factors cause people to develop very strong affinities for particular others sure worked hard on me with respect to Willard Parker. I wish I had been smart enough to track him down and thank him for his gifts to my life, although I suppose it might have seemed odd to him that a stranger could be so influenced. Such is the power of the acting profession in combination with the human imagination. Anyway, I thank the 10 people who preceded me in reviewing this show respectfully and appreciatively.
bkoganbing
Tales Of The Texas Rangers apparently believed that the Rangers was a family profession. Willard Parker and Harry Lauter as Rangers Jace Pearson and Clay Morgan starred in the show. Which alternated between the old west and the modern day. But two rangers named Pearson and Morgan were always apprehending bad guys no matter the era. The two had the same uniforms in both old west and modern stories and both sported a two gun rig. But for the modern stories they rode in a squad car with a trailer hitched to it where they kept the horses. Should the bad guys take off into some rugged terrain, they could saddle the horses and continue the pursuit. It's what I remember best about the show I started watching at the age of 8.Joel McCrea narrated and starred in a radio version of the show in the role that Willard Parker had. It might have been nice to see him on television. But the man was in his 50s already.It's a fond memory from childhood, wish I could see it again.
sluzhe
The technical adviser for the show was not Capt. Clint Peoples, but Capt. Lone Wolf Gonzales. It was based on real cases of the Texas Rangers as its predecessor Radio show. It's theme song had two choruses, the first was: He's the stalwart man of Texas, Jayce Pearson is his name. His partner Clay is right beside him, each day has proved their fame. All Texas Rangers sworn to duty, Their work is never through. They'll fight and fight for right and justice to enforce the law for you.The second played at the ending was: These are tales of Texas Rangers, a band of study men. Always on the side of justice, They'll fight and fight again. All Texas Rangers sworn to duty Courageous, brave and True. Ever marching ever ready to enforce the law for you.The uniforms they wore in both the "early days" and the "Modern day" episodes were never worn by actual Texas Rangers. In fact there was never any such uniform for the Rangers. My grandfather was one of the modern day and my great-great grandfather was a Captain of the Texas Troupe which was early day rangers. The badges worn on the series bore no resemblance to any ranger badge ever used. When the show was on it was a Gold DPS gold shield that was worn by rangers, the now famous circle star or wheel star came well after the show was out of production and barely at the end of my Grandfather's career.It was embellished with a whole lot more shooting and chases than ever actually took place in cases, but it did introduce the fact that the Rangers were one of the first modern policing agencies to utilize forensic evidence to solve cases.
lrachiele1-1
SONY has the rights to the 13 unreleased episodes of the Tales of the Texas Rangers. They indicated that if enough people and/or dealers show interest, they will sell them on the market. In other words, it is up to us to contact SONY; or SONY may find it more convenient to just sell the entire 52 stories as one package. Suggest we fans move to request it. Unreleased: Both Barrels Blazing, Bandits of El Dorado, Last Days of Boot Hill, Whirlwind Raiders, Ambush, Warpath, Double Edge, Midway Kewpie, Quarter Horse, Jail Bird, Buckaroo from Powder River, Panhandle, Key Witness, Traitor's Gold. This was a very good series for its time and Willard Parker was an underrated actor