Action in the Afternoon

Action in the Afternoon was a television show that originated out of the backlot of WCAU-TV, Channel 10 in Philadelphia. It was broadcast live over the CBS-TV network. Whether the weather was clear or not, the show would go on.

Singing cowboy Jack Valentine rode the range in Huberle, Montana with the sheriff; Kate, the editor and publisher of the newspaper; and Ozzie, Jack's dense partner.

Sometimes, you could hear an airplane in the background. Once in awhile, you would see a big truck drive by, even though it was to take place during the days of the old west.

It aired for a half hour at 3:30 pm or 4 pm depending on the month. Microphones were hidden in the outdoor scenes all over the place. Once a horse ate one.

One time, the stagecoach rolled down the hill and smashed into a car parked in the WCAU parking lot. "Imagine calling your insurance agent and trying to explain that," said Bill Bode, director of the show.

Everything was live. The outdoor shots. The indoor ones. Everything. If things moved along too fast, the time would be filled by Jack Valentine singing a couple of songs. Once after a couple of tunes, there was still time so Jack said, "Everyone, let's dance" and the Tommy Ferguson Trio played an instrumental melody.

Cast

• Barry Cassell - Sheriff Ace Bancroft
• Harriss Forrest - Ozzie Matthews
• Jack Valentine - Himself
• John Zacherle - The Coroner
• Mary Elaine Watts - Kate
• Blake Ritter - Narrator