Where did the phrase "Meanwhile, back at the Ranch" originate?

Answer 1

According to Robert Hendrickson's, "Encyclopedia of Word and phrase Origins," (Facts on File, New York, 1997), it's "an expression that originated as a movie caption in the silent film era at the beginning of the century" [1900's]. "These words are used humorously today when someone wants to get back to a story after going off on a tangent."

Answer 2

My best guess is that is would have something to do with the old serialized western TV shows such as Gunsmoke, or even the multitude of movies on that genre.