We like to laugh when we see Japanese anime’ franchises on everything from furniture to pencils and several different cartoons with the same character, but franchising is nothing new. Consider WWII flyer, entrepreneur and singing cowboy Gene Autry. Not only was Gene in the movies and a regular on the radio, even Gene Autry’s horse had his own radio show!

The Adventures of Champion actually focused on young Ricky West, the orphan who was the only person (presumably besides Gene Autry) who could ride the marvelous beast. Apparently, Champion never actually worked in the radio studio, But Gene could be heard on his Melody Ranch program. Click here to read more about Adventures Of Champion