The Six Shooter was a weekly old-time radio program in the United States. It was created by Frank Burt, who also wrote many of the episodes, and lasted only one season of 39 episodes on NBC (Sept. 20, 1953-June 24, 1954). Through March 21, 1954 it was broadcast Sundays at 8 p.m. Beginning April 1, 1954 through the final episode it was on Thursdays at 8 p.m.
James Stewart starred as Britt Ponsett, a drifting cowboy in the final years of the wild west. Episodes ranged from straight western drama to whimsical comedy. A trademark of the show was Stewart's use of whispered narration during tense scenes that created a heightened sense of drama and relief when the situation was resolved.
Some of the more prominent actors to perform on the program included Parley Baer, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, Jeanette Nolan, Dan O'Herlihy, Alan Reed, Marvin Miller and William Conrad (often credited as "Julius Krelboyne" because he was also the star of CBS' Gunsmoke at the time). Some did multiple episodes playing different characters.
Each episode opened with the announcer (Hal Gibney; John Wald in later episodes) stating: The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged. His skin is sun-dyed brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother-of-pearl, its handle unmarked. People call them both "the Six Shooter".
The haunting theme music was "Highland Lament" by series composer Basil Adlam. Jack Johnstone was the producer-director for NBC Radio, in association with Revue Productions.
The final broadcast "Myra Barker" provided a satisfying (if melancholy) finale to the series: Ponsett falls in love with Myra, and proposes marriage. Myra, after thinking it over, appears to accept -- but then tells Britt she's heard that Sheriff Jennings of Eagle Falls has asked for his help, and Britt admits that he feels obligated to go. Myra tells Britt to go and not come back -- telling him some adventure will always call him, and he'll always go, or regret not going. Britt goes, resuming his wanderings, but not before revealing to the audience that he knows he was *not* needed in Eagle Falls -- and knows Myra knows that too. The moment comes across of a moment of supreme self-realization by Britt that he always will be a wanderer.
| Ep # | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| — | Hollywood Star Playhouse | April 13, 1952 |
| — | (Audition Program) | July 15, 1953 |
| 01 | "Jenny" | September 20, 1953 |
| 02 | "The Coward" | September 27, 1953 |
| 03 | "The Stampede" | October 4, 1953 |
| 04 | "Silver Annie" | October 11, 1953 |
| 05 | "Rink Larkin" | October 18, 1953 |
| 06 | "Red Lawson's Revenge" | October 25, 1953 |
| 07 | "Ben Scofield" | November 1, 1953 |
| 08 | "The Capture of Stacy Gault" | November 8, 1953 |
| 09 | "Escape from Smoke Falls" | November 15, 1953 |
| 10 | "Gabriel Starbuck" | November 22, 1953 |
| 11 | "Sheriff Billy" | November 29, 1953 |
| 12 | "A Pressing Engagement" | December 6, 1953 |
| 13 | "More Than Kin" | December 13, 1953 |
| 14 | "Britt Ponset's Christmas" | December 20, 1953 |
| 15 | "Cora Plummer Quincy" | December 27, 1953 |
| 16 | "A Friend in Need" | January 3, 1954 |
| 17 | "Hiram's Goldstrike" | January 10, 1954 |
| 18 | "The Silver Buckle" | January 17, 1954 |
| 19 | "Helen Bricker" | January 24, 1954 |
| 20 | "Trail to Sunset" | January 31, 1954 |
| 21 | "Apron Faced Sorrel" | February 7, 1954 |
| 22 | "Quiet City" | February 14, 1954 |
| 23 | "Battle at Tower Rock" | February 21, 1954 |
| 24 | "Cheyenne Express" | March 7, 1954 |
| 25 | "Thicker Than Water" | March 14, 1954 |
| 26 | "Duel at Lockwood" | March 21, 1954 |
| 27 | "Aunt Em" | April 1, 1954 |
| 28 | "General Gillford's Widow" | April 8, 1954 |
| 29 | "Crises at Easter Creek" | April 15, 1954 |
| 30 | "Johnny Stringer" | April 22, 1954 |
| 31 | "Revenge at Harness Creek" | April 29, 1954 |
| 32 | "Anna Norquest" | May 6, 1954 |
| 33 | "The Double Seven" | May 13, 1954 |
| 34 | "The Shooting of Wyatt King" | May 20, 1954 |
| 35 | "Blood Relations" | May 27, 1954 |
| 36 | "Silver Threads" | June 3, 1954 |
| 37 | "The New Sheriff" | June 10, 1954 |
| 38 | "When The Shoe Doesn't Fit" | June 17, 1954 |
| 39 | "Myra Barker" | June 24, 1954 |