Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Challenge Of The Yukon "2 Episodes From 1944"

"The Man From Missouri" (Aired June 15, 1944) and "Design For Murder" (Aired June 22m 1944)



Challenge of the Yukon was a long-running radio series that began on Detroit's station WXYZ (as had The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet). The series was first heard on February 3, 1938. Under the title Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, it later transferred to television. The program was an adventure series about Sergeant William Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police and his lead sled dog, Yukon King, as they fought evildoers in the Northern wilderness during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. Preston, according to radio historian Jim Harmon, first joined the Mounties to capture his father's killer, and when he was successful he was promoted to Sergeant. Preston worked under the command of Inspector Conrad, and in the early years was often assisted by a French-Canadian guide named Pierre. Preston's staunchest ally, who was arguably the true star of the show and indeed often did more work than he did, was the brave Alaskan husky, Yukon King. Typical plots involved the pair helping injured trappers, tracking down smugglers, or saving cabin dwellers from wolverines. Sgt. Preston's faithful steed was Rex, used primarily in the summer months, but generally Yukon King and his dog team were the key mode of transportation (as signalled by Preston's cry of "On, King! On, you huskies!." There is some confusion regarding King's actual breed. The producers seemed to use malamute and husky interchangeably. At lease once, Preston answered "malamute" to the question from another character. In the early radio shows, the cry of "On, you huskies!" would alternate with "On, you malamutes" from show to show.

TODAY'S SHOW

June 15, 1944. Program #333. WXYZ, Detroit origination, The Michigan Radio Network. "The Man From Missouri". Sustaining. Jim Barlow brags that he can score a hit at the spitoon from any point in his cabin at World's End. When Jim and his gold disappears, Sergeant Preston suspects Dave McClennan of the crime. Jay Michael, Jack McCarthy (announcer), Betty Joyce (writer). 14:12.

June 22, 1944. Program #334. WXYZ, Detroit origination, The Michigan Radio Network. "Design For Murder". Sustaining. Two bad guys rob the bank at Morriston and kill the teller. Sergeant Preston sets in pursuit. Jay Michael, Jack McCarthy (announcer), Betty Joyce (writer). 14:11.

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