Watch The Galloping Ghost

The Galloping Ghost was a popular American TV show that aired during the 1950s. It was created by producer and director Hal Roach Jr., son of the renowned filmmaker Hal Roach, who had produced comedy classics such as Laurel and Hardy and the Our Gang series. The show starred Red Grange, a legendary football player, who played himself in the show. He was known as "The Galloping Ghost" during his playing career as he was known for his speed and agility on the field. In the show, Red Grange played a private detective who solved crimes and brought criminals to justice. He was assisted by a sidekick, Billy the Kidder, who was played by Billy Benedict, a well-known character actor of the time.

The Galloping Ghost was an action-packed show that combined elements of crime drama, comedy, and sports. Each episode featured Red Grange and Billy the Kidder investigating a different crime or mystery, using their wits and athleticism to catch the bad guys. Red Grange was the main draw of the show, as his popularity as a football player translated to a huge following on TV.

The show was one of the first to feature a professional athlete as a lead actor, paving the way for later shows like The Rockford Files and Magnum P.I. that had a similar formula. In fact, Red Grange's performance on the show was so popular that it earned him a contract with MGM studios, where he appeared in a number of films.

The Galloping Ghost was also notable for its use of innovative camerawork and special effects. The show featured fast-paced action scenes that were shot from unique angles and edited in a way that was ahead of its time. The show was also one of the first to use slow motion and freeze frames to enhance the excitement of the action scenes.

The show's theme song, "Ride, On Galloping Ghost," became a hit in its own right and helped to solidify the show's popularity. The song, composed by David Rose, was a rousing instrumental that captured the energy and excitement of the show.

The Galloping Ghost ran for two seasons, from 1951 to 1953, airing a total of 78 episodes. Despite its popularity at the time, the show has largely been forgotten, and few episodes are available for viewing today. However, the show remains an important milestone in TV history, paving the way for the many crime dramas and detective shows that would follow.

In conclusion, The Galloping Ghost was an exciting and innovative TV show that combined elements of crime drama, comedy, and sports. Its lead actor, Red Grange, was a football legend whose popularity translated to TV, and the show's innovative camerawork and special effects set a new standard for action scenes on television. Although it has largely been forgotten, The Galloping Ghost remains an important milestone in TV history and paved the way for many shows to come.

The Galloping Ghost is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (12 episodes). The series first aired on December 1, 2017.