You Know The Voice: Norman Alden (1967)

Ah, Rango. Tim Conway's 1st post-McHale's Navy series lasted just 17 episodes (January-May 1967). It also served as Norman Alden's 1st series gig, playing Captain Horton, the CO of the Texas Ranger station where Rango (Conway) is assigned. Horton can't get rid of Rango, despite the latter's bumbling, because Rango's father was the head of the Rangers!

Director Sidney Lanfield had also done a good number of episodes of McHale, so he was familiar with Conway. In this sampler, Mike Mazurki guest stars.

I'm going to be on the hunt for a particular episode in which future ABC announcer Ernie Anderson, a long time friend of Conway and a fellow Cleveland area native, had a rare acting role. Anderson would cross over to CBS to be Conway's announcer for his two variety shows.

As for Norman Alden, he wouldn't get another primetime series role, but he would land a role in the Kroffts' female-centric Batman knockoff, Electra Woman & DynaGirl, which, like Rango, lasted just one season, but is considered a cult classic. Why Rango isn't given similar consideration? Built around Conway, it tried to be a cross between F-Troop (halfway through its 2nd season) and McHale, and failed.