Sultan King Of Beasts: Ranger Bill (November 7, 1956)

Ranger Bill, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“Sultan King Of Beasts” is an episode of Ranger Bill, the old-time radio show, first broadcast November 7, 1956. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Wild animal trainer Flick Martin is shaken after the lion Sultan injures his arm during a routine examination of a bad paw, and he becomes afraid of the big cat. Ranger Bill and Stumpy, his fellow rangers, try to help him recover his nerve at Kitty Land, a park with animal exhibits. Flick's employer offers him a vacation, but Flick is determined to face his fear. Bill and Stumpy support him as he works with the animals in the arena, while the story builds toward a tense confrontation with Sultan.

Kitty Land animal park and the nearby ranger headquarters, in a small town

Characters: Ranger Bill, Stumpy, Flick Martin, Sam, Mr. Franks, Henry, Sultan

Listen for: Flick Martin's fear of Sultan and the rangers' efforts to help him regain his courage

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.