Like some other reviewers, I too have been influenced greatly in my life by watching Willard Parker play Jace Pearson in this series between ages 4-8 and after. Things ranging from my career choice to my respect for courtesy and civility and friendliness were shaped by the way this actor fleshed out this character for young people to watch. His introductions of each episode provided my earliest and most vivid image of the concept of authority--the crisp uniform appearance, his athletic build, his somewhat older age, and especially his voice. For me, his were the voice and words of an authoritative, trusted guy. Like others whose reviews I am just now appreciating for the first time, I played "Jace and Clay" with my brother. I am older, so I got to be Jace. Tons of memories in that, and I still think of the character of Jace Pearson, as portrayed by the actor I agree is woefully underrated, Willard Parker. For that matter, Harry Lauter is way underrated as well, and did a great job of being a Texas Ranger and Jace's partner and friend.I liked many, many westerns in the 50's and 60's, but this one has a uniquely special place in my mind to this minute. Whatever factors cause people to develop very strong affinities for particular others sure worked hard on me with respect to Willard Parker. I wish I had been smart enough to track him down and thank him for his gifts to my life, although I suppose it might have seemed odd to him that a stranger could be so influenced. Such is the power of the acting profession in combination with the human imagination. Anyway, I thank the 10 people who preceded me in reviewing this show respectfully and appreciatively.
... View MoreTales Of The Texas Rangers apparently believed that the Rangers was a family profession. Willard Parker and Harry Lauter as Rangers Jace Pearson and Clay Morgan starred in the show. Which alternated between the old west and the modern day. But two rangers named Pearson and Morgan were always apprehending bad guys no matter the era. The two had the same uniforms in both old west and modern stories and both sported a two gun rig. But for the modern stories they rode in a squad car with a trailer hitched to it where they kept the horses. Should the bad guys take off into some rugged terrain, they could saddle the horses and continue the pursuit. It's what I remember best about the show I started watching at the age of 8.Joel McCrea narrated and starred in a radio version of the show in the role that Willard Parker had. It might have been nice to see him on television. But the man was in his 50s already.It's a fond memory from childhood, wish I could see it again.
... View MoreI grew up in Texas, in the '50's, and any TV program mentioning or about Texas or Texans was viewed with awe in our household. MY personal favorite was "Tales of the Texas Rangers". The weekly adventures of Jace and Clay, whether in "Cowboy Days" or "Modern Times", were most welcomed in our living room, and my imagination. Especially Jace. As an only child, my days were mostly spent in fantasy and daydreams. Jace was the the love of my life and main character in my make believe world. He was everyone from my "Knight in a Stetson" that whisked me off to Happily Ever After, Texas, to just my best friend. Jace and Clay never drank, smoked, cursed, nor even kissed a girl. They were two honest and skilled lawmen that always held up the integrity of the Texas Rangers and the Laws of Texas, and protected here citizens from the bad guys. There have been a lot of people, real and fictional, in my life that I have loved and admired, that have awed and inspired me, but few more so than Texas Ranger Jace Pearson.
... View MoreHarry Lauter used to turn up in so many shows during the 1950s and 1960s that my dad and I used to keep track of them so we could catch repeats. Yes, Harry was that good; an actor who came across as someone who could carry off any character with aplomb.This series had probably the best theme outside of 'The Adventures of Superman'. Though I've not seen 'Texas Rangers' for decades, I can replay that theme, words and picture, in my mind without any trouble at all. A series I'd love to find one day on DVD.
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