One of the best: Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle

I like Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle because Tarzan is not some, "Me Tarzan, you - Jane" man-beast but rather, an articulate peace-maker who roams the jungles of Africa and occasionally the business offices of places far, far away.

This is not the Tarzan you imagined when you read Edgar Rice Burroughs' books as a kid.  This Tarzan is savvy.  He's not without adventure; seems his job in every show is to rescue some white person who has somehow made their way to jungle for escape or for profit.   Needless to say, their jaunt into the darkness of the jungle would end in their death if not for Tarzan's empathy and bravery.

He's not afraid to tangle with any beast.  He's so strong that he can defeat by strength and cunning, all animals he goes up against - even though he knows most of them by name.

If he needs to eat, he'll kill one of them - to heck with the Politically Correct, Tarzan is hungry!

I remember one episode where a girl needed shoes.  He killed a beast and made shoes out of it for the girl's walking pleasure.

This is a fun show, with no commercials and with great sound quality.   This series began in 1951, so like most shows after 1950, sound is not a major issue.

The toughest guys in old-time radio

Who are the toughest guys in the old-time radio world? Here's my list of the top five and why:

# 1 Superman (The Adventures of Superman) - This one isn't even close. His skin can't be pricked; that right there makes him tough - shoot, even his cape can't be torn. If that's not a sign of toughness, then what is?

# 2 Tarzan (Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle and various other Tarzan serials) - As far as mortal man goes, Tarzan would rank number one. He can wrestle and kill cheetahs, lions, giant snakes - you get the point.

Sometimes he gets locked in a prison or tied up but along with his incredible strength he is also smart - and manages to find a way out.

A fight between Superman and Tarzan might be fun to watch (hear) but Superman would probably win easily.

# 3 Matt Dillon (Gunsmoke) - Matt is the toughest guy on the planet not named Superman or Tarzan. Often, he will set his guns aside and just take to fisticuffs and pound the living daylights out of someone, especially if they have done some kind of no-good to Kitty or Chester. He simply never loses a fistfight.

# 4 Paladin (Have Gun Will Travel) - Even without his pistols, he's tough. He's quick on the draw too; after all, he's a hired gun.

Would love to see (hear) him in a fistfight with Matt Dillon.

# 5 Sergeant Preston (Challenge of the Yukon) - Listen closely and you'll see that Preston can hold his own with anyone in a fistfight. His trusty dog King provides help at times and therefore, the mountie is farther down the list than the others.