Let’s raise our voices to sing a holiday classic

Seventy years ago, Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters with Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra recorded one of the Christmas classics – “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”

 

The upbeat tune was written in 1951 by Meredith Willson of Mason City, Iowa. Willson is best known for writing the music and lyrics for the 1957 hit Broadway musical “The Music Man.” 

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” has been covered through the years by the likes of Bing Crosby, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Kate Smith, Johnny Mathis, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Bublé, Martina McBride, Meghan Trainor and Kelly Clarkson.

 

The song contains a lot of nostalgia, including the mention of “Hopalong boots” that were on the wish list of Barney and Ben. 

Not everyone is old enough to remember that great American cowboy who always wore a black Stetson hat – Hopalong Cassidy. He was portrayed first in the movies and then later, both on radio and television, by actor William Boyd.

 

In contrast, Hopalong’s trusty stallion Topper was pure white. They worked well together, riding through the West, “saving damsels-in-distress and righting wrongs,” remarked Stephanie Berget, an author of western romance novels. Neither man nor horse ever kissed one of the damsels, however. 

The original Hopalong character was created by Clarence Mulford, who wrote 28 Hopalong Cassidy novels between 1906-41. Mulford’s Cassidy was a rough-and-tumble cowboy “who got shot in the leg during a gunfight, which caused him to walk with a little ‘hop,’ hence the nickname,” Berget said. 

For the movies, the Hopalong character gave up drinking, cursing, gambling and using tobacco. He was transformed into “a clean-talking, polite, sarsaparilla drinking cowboy hero,” Berget said. In all, William Boyd starred in 66 films from 1935-48. Called “Hoppies,” they were noted for their fast action and beautiful outdoor photography. 

TIME magazine once declared: “Boyd made Hoppy a veritable Galahad of the range, a softspoken paragon…who tried to capture the rustlers instead of shooting them, and who always let the villain draw first if gunplay was inevitable.”

 

Next came the Hopalong Cassidy radio show, which ran from 1948-52. Radio historian John Dunning said: “Boyd had one of radio’s perfect voices. His voice could do anything – comfort a bereaved widow one moment, scare the boots off her husband’s killer the next.” 

Beginning in 1950, several of the Hopalong films were shortened for television. An additional 52 half-hour episodes were produced to continue the television program’s run from 1952-54. 

Actor William Boyd identified with his character, even dressing as Hopalong for public appearances. The Wikipedia biographer said Boyd “believed that it was his duty to help strengthen his ‘friends’ – America’s youth.” (You can easily find the 10-point “Hopalong Cassidy’s Creed for American Boys and Girls” online.) 

I cherish the letter Hoppy sent me in 1953, thanking me for attending the “Chicken by the Sea Tuna Party” in Toledo, Ohio. He addressed it to Master Mike Wagoner. I was 4+ years old. That was pretty cool. 

The typewritten message read: “I had a wonderful time, and I was especially pleased to be able to meet you personally. I only wish we could have been with you longer to get better acquainted. Say ‘hello’ to your folks for me. Good luck from your friend, Hoppy.” 

I proudly display a black-and-white photo of Hoppy with me and two other young friends. It’s positioned next to my Hoppy plate, bowl and cup. 

The Hoppy “pistol that shoots (caps)” is safely tucked away.

 

 America’s ‘cowboy culture’ deserves to be revered

 Thanks to The Buckaroo Band of Houston, Texas, for preserving the history of “the matinee cowboys,” such as Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. 

“Today, in addition to singing the songs of our heroes, we love to watch the reruns on the Western Channel and recall a simpler time in our history when right and wrong were not measured by polling a group of citizens,” the band members say. 

“Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear” and “our cowboy heroes’ codes, creeds, oaths, prayers and rules.” 

Begin with “Hopalong Cassidy’s Creed for American Boys and Girls.” Here it is: 

1 - The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times. 

2 - Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions. 

3 - If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way. 

4 - Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don’t be lazy. 

5 - Your good deeds always come to light. So don't boast or be a show-off. 

6 - If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways. 

7 - Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them. 

8 - A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean. 

9 - Our country’s laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully. 

10 - Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American. 

To learn more about The Lone Ranger, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, go to buckarooband.com.