Next year marks the 70th anniversary of “Pinocchio,” my favorite Disney film, and Dick Jones, the actor who gave voice to the beloved title character, will be a special guest at the Lone Pine Film Festival next weekend (Oct. 9-11).
If you’re not familiar with that festival, it’s got a wagon-wheel ethos with its emphasis on Old West fare, frontier imagery and the great old cowboy serials. So, um, how does the star of “Pinocchio” – which is based on the 19th century Italian children’s classic – fit in with the campfire conversation?
That question is answered in this wonderful video, which was put together just for you Hero Complex readers by Don Kelsen, a veteran photographer at the Los Angeles Times who also happens to be an amateur authority on vintage westerns and saddleback serials. Great stuff, hope to bring you more retrospective videos like this one in the weeks to come.
– Geoff Boucher
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Very nice. I vaguely rememeber Range Rider and it's good to know they did their own stunts.
Dickie Moore seems like a classy guy.
Thanks for posting the vid.
Very interesting! I didn't know much about DICK JONES!
Thank you!!!
Good video
Just what i love about Hollywood, its obscure history. More, please, Geoff, anytime.
I was in love with Dick Jones when I was 11. Now it's fun to look back. Thanks!!
I remember both Dick Jones and Jack Mahoney in the Range Rider and Buffalo Bill Jr. series of the '50s. In fact, I own several of those shows. Right now I am taking a break from watching a few RR episodes, just as I might have done on a Saturday morning over 50 years ago. It's nice to pop backward and visit some old "friends" from the past. Earlier I finished watching the Batman and Robin serial of 1949. One thing I liked about both Dick Jones and Jack Mahoney, was that they both did their own stunts. I have often wondered if Jack taught Dick since Mahoney had worked as a stunt man previously. Anyone out there have the answer? Of course, Dick Jones might!
I have watched Buffalo Bill Jr and I love it,
of course my favorite was Dick Jones or Buffalo Bill Jr.
Both "Range Rider" and "Buffalo Bill, Jr." are now showing regularly on HOT TV, a tiny broadcast channel riding on the back of digital channels on local TV. Anyone remember "26 Men" or "Cowboy G-Men" from the same era? Or, walking down a dark alley without being afraid? Those were the days…. <sigh>