CAPTAIN VIDEO AND HIS VIDEO RANGERS (DuMont TV) (1949) | Don Hastings, Al Hodge, Hal Conklin

Rare 1949 episode of the TV series "Captain Video and His Video Rangers". The show is about a "Space Captain" and his "Video Ranger" who must the galaxy from the evil Dr. Pauli. . The show was live, which would explain the missed cues. Most episodes are presumed lost. The series was never liked by TV critics, though proved popular with children. Later seasons had improved writing. However, as corny as the show was, it did prove influential on later series.
Directed by Steve Previn
Stars: Don Hastings, Al Hodge, Hal Conklin
Cast
Don Hastings as The Video Ranger
Al Hodge as Captain Video
Hal Conklin as Dr. Pauli
Ben Lackland as Commissioner of Public Safety Charles Carey
Fred Scott as Communications Officer Rogers
Ed Condit as Announcer
Ed Holmes as Tucker, a mechanic for the Galaxy
Richard Coogan as Captain Video

[@grommy1234]

I used to watch this as a kid in the NYC area on DuMont's WABD Channel 5. I kept up with Don Hastings (Video Ranger) during his very long television acting career. He's 84 and still around (as of 4/2-18). I have a soft spot in my heart for Wagner's "Flying Dutchman Overture" as I would often go to bed with it ringing in my ears. DuMont had very little money, but a lot of experience, since they kept programming on the air during WWII.

[@59gregster]

I read the films were dumped in the river. One funny moment: these shows were done live from the top floor of the Wanamaker Bldg in NYC. The next show was a circus program. Up the freight elevator came an elephant and once unloaded in the studio it trumpeted - loudly! The scene being broadcasted at that moment had Capt Video and a crew member flying a plane and one of the actors upon being startled by the elephant looked up and said "Whats that!" The other actor said "I dont know ...... but lets get out of here" and they both turned the planes wheel.

[@firebombclipper]

Ed Norton's favorite show. lol

[@8thManDVDcom]

firebombclipper lol that's how I found about this

[@caroltenge5147]

Donald trumps favorite show too.

[@Chesterton7]

Written by MC Brock.

[@JohnRedshaw]

The costumes are hilarious!

[@abilenevespa]

This is great, where do you find these.

[@8thManDVDcom]

These I got from internet archive. There isn't many sources available for these as most were destroyed.

[@robertsutton8894]

And all comments failed to mention the 2 things it's famous for

[@tnwhiskey68]

Does the western scene have a generator running in the background?

[@SEFR7337]

Also, I don't see any commercials. Just two breaks with the announcer telling us at 10:00 that American freedom is important, and at 20:00 that we should fight discrimination and prejudice. Of course, the show only had white men playing all the roles.

[@8thManDVDcom]

SEFR7337 I think TV Shows back then had 1 sponsor and they would announce it, not tons of adds and breaks like today. The industry was marketing towards a white audience it hadn't expanded yet that's why it's all white and at times racist like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4nIiJeMap2DncU

[@parents65]

+8thManDVD.com™ Cartoon Channel Not only that but there would be breaks during the show where the characters would do very short pitches about the sponsor...I believe.

[@SEFR7337]

Man, primitive TV. I'll give them that TV technology was still new then. But the budget for this must have been pennies. The opening is dramatic music with a still photo of a mountain... for quite a long time, followed by two slides of "Captain Video" and "Video Rangers" which we can see moving. The dialogue and acting are also not great. OK, it was a five day a week daytime kids show. But didn't they have any money for production and scripts?

[@8thManDVDcom]

SEFR7337 yea not very impressive, nothing great about these except for the historical value.

[@itiswhatitaintanditaintwha1427]

SEFR7337 Personally I find it fascinating and more than a little hilarious! Those ridiculous Roman costumes! 🤣 🤣 And the cutting to and from the cowboy movie! 🤣🤣

[@nicholasdicarlo217]

This is a real show!?!? Ed Norton watched it everyday.