The Adventures of Champion (TV series)

For the radio series with the same title, see The Adventures of Champion.

The Adventures of Champion is an American children's Western series that aired from September 23, 1955 to March 3, 1956 for 26 episodes on CBS. Set in the Old West, the series stars Barry Curtis. In the United Kingdom, the series was re-broadcast under the title Champion the Wonder Horse.

Origin

The TV show was based on the 1949-50 radio serial, The Adventures of Champion, which told of young Ricky West (rather than Ricky North), who was raised on a ranch by his adoptive Uncle Smoky. Ricky was often accompanied by his German Shepherd, Rebel.

Synopsis

Curtis starred as 12-year-old Ricky North, who lived on his uncle's ranch in the American Southwest. Ricky's companions were a wild stallion, Champion, and a German Shepherd, Rebel, played by Blaze. Ricky's uncle, Sandy North, was played by Jim Bannon.

Flying A Productions

In real life, the Wonder Horse, Champion, was owned by Gene Autry who, over many years, owned a succession of celebrity horses bearing the same name. The show's production company, Flying A Productions, was also owned by Autry.

The other children's TV series by Flying A Productions were The Gene Autry Show, The Range Rider, Buffalo Bill Jr. and Annie Oakley.

TV Champ

The horse starring in The Adventures of Champion was known as Television Champion, or TV Champ, for short. He was distinguished by his chestnut coat, blond mane and tail, four white stockings and broad white facial...
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