In the 1950’s, ABC, CBS, and NBC owned all of the biggest radio and television networks. Many of the most popular TV shows of the 1950s were visual versions of radio programs from the decade prior. By the late 1950s it was obvious that TV was the chief entertainment medium in the United States. However, in 1957, CBS’s radio division saw a rise in revenue for the first time since 1950. That year the most popular show on both radio and TV was Gunsmoke, which was promoted as an “adult western.”
Antony Ellis
Using this as a guideline for success, in 1958 CBS selected their longtime creator Antony Ellis to produce a new western for radio’s airwaves, Frontier Gentleman, which they hoped would become a hit with listeners, and in turn, attract the necessary sponsors that CBS needed.
Antony Ellis was born in England. He moved to the United States where he worked in radio for many years, establishing himself as an influential writer, respected producer, and beloved collaborator. He had close relationships with actors, so when the time came to produce Frontier Gentleman, he had a slew of talented individuals to choose from.
In the end, he chose leading man John Dehner to play the title role of J.B. Kendall, an Englishman. Kendall is a journalist writing for the London Times, weaving his way through the Western territories of the U.S. in 1876. Frontier Gentleman was recorded in Los Angeles. It debuted on February 2nd, 1958.
As Kendall travels by steamboat, stagecoach, or horseback, he meets up with a variety of famous Americans, including Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Jesse James, as well as assorted gunmen, gamblers, and gold miners. Kendall writes his missives about these various interactions. The potentially perilous situations he gets into draw in the audience.
The show was popular with listeners every Sunday afternoon, but the competition from TV was too strong. Frontier Gentleman ran its course after one season. It left a lasting impression on both listeners and the actors who appeared, like its original star John Dehner.
Mr. Ellis continued to utilize his incredible writing talents for a variety of television shows, including Gunsmoke, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Monroes, Michael Shayne, and Zorro.
Sadly, Antony Ellis lost a long battle with cancer in September 1967. He was 47 years old. He left behind a wife, two young daughters, and a son.
In 2020 his daughter Briana Ellis-Isaac decided to bring Frontier Gentleman back to life in a new adaptation using Antony’s previously written scripts and updating the story in order to introduce Frontier Gentleman to current audiences. The various materials for Frontier Gentleman include an audio drama pilot, a manuscript series, as well as unlimited film and broadcast potential.