Podcast Summary: Sergeant Preston 54-09-14 Ep1183 Return To Danger
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: September 29, 2025
Episode: Return To Danger
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Overview of Main Theme
This episode of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon revisits the golden era of radio adventure, transporting listeners to the Klondike Gold Rush. The story focuses on Sergeant Preston’s return from leave as he escorts a key prisoner, Matt Shane, back for trial. What begins as a seemingly routine transfer spirals into a high-stakes race against a violent jailbreak plot, with Preston’s loyal dog King playing a key role in thwarting the criminals.
Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown
1. Sergeant Preston’s Mission and Returning Home
- Sergeant Preston returns from leave, having captured Matt Shane, the man wanted for the Crawford murder in Dawson. Preston’s sense of duty never wavers, even while on vacation.
- [02:40] Inspector: “The sergeant’s coming home. He’ll arrive in Skagway tomorrow morning on the City of Portland. … He’s bringing back a prisoner from San Francisco. Prisoner? Matt Shane. Shane? He’s wanted for the Crawford murder in Dawson.”
2. Constable Downey and King Prepare for Reunion
- Constable Downey is sent to Skagway, with King, Preston’s devoted dog, who has noticeably missed the Sergeant during his absence.
- [05:05] Narrator: “King understood his master’s name and the word home... Could it be the sergeant was somewhere around?”
3. Criminal Plot Unfolds in Skagway
- A jailbreak is plotted by Matt Shane’s allies, notably Dirk Gordon, Slick Daniels, and Bart Nielsen, who plan to ambush Sergeant Preston at the dock and smuggle Shane away by boat.
- [07:00] Slick Daniels: “We’ll take care of the sergeant as soon as he steps off the gangplank. I’ve got a fast motorboat a few piers down. We’ll get Matt to it and head for Juneau.”
4. Downey Assaulted; King Detects Trouble
- Constable Downey is ambushed and knocked out in a waterfront cafe. He is bound and taken to Slick Daniels' cabin, where King’s intuition and loyalty become pivotal.
- [09:16] Narrator: “His hand reached out to steady himself and he touched a bottle. He grabbed it firmly and brought it down on the constable’s head. The policeman dropped to the floor...”
5. Preston Aids a Sick Passenger, Meeting Dirk Gordon
- Preston, unaware of the plot, assists a sick passenger with Gordon’s help, taking him ashore and (temporarily) away from the prisoner, Matt Shane. Gordon feigns helpfulness, but it is part of his plan.
- [12:07] Gordon introduces himself: “I’m off duty now. I'll be glad to row you ashore and give you a hand with a sick man... I’m Dirk Gordon.”
6. King’s Heroic Journey and the Eventful Reunion
- Sensing Downey’s plight, King escapes the stable, tracks him down, then locates Preston to lead him to Downey. This emotional reunion underlines their deep bond.
- [17:33] Sergeant Preston (to King): “King, old boy, have you come all the way from White Pass to meet me? Are you absent without leave?”
7. Rapid Response to the Armed Plot
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Downey briefs Preston about the criminals’ schemes. Preston heads to confront Nielsen, leaving Downey to fetch the marshal.
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[19:24] Preston: “We’ll need the marshal’s authority. And he has a motorboat. We’ll need that, too...”
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Preston faces off against the brute Nielsen at the dock.
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[19:56] Nielsen: "Sergeant Preston, huh? ... I'll beat you to a pulp."
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A swift, action-filled fight ensues, ending with Nielsen’s capture.
8. Showdown on the Water
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Meanwhile, Slick Daniels, disguised as Downey, and Gordon attempt to spring Shane from the ship but are spotted.
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Preston disables their motorboat by removing the spark plugs, ensuring they can't escape.
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[24:02] Preston: “A motor needs spark plugs down here. I borrowed theirs.”
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Lawmen circle and halt the criminals on the water; a shootout occurs, and the escape is thwarted.
9. Justice Restored; Happy Returns
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Daniels and Gordon are arrested—with the captain charging them with piracy and mutiny, Shane is secured for trial, and Nielsen is imprisoned for assault.
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The episode closes with Preston, King, and Rex reunited at headquarters—an optimistic promise of safety restored.
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[26:08] Sergeant Preston: “We’re together again and I have an idea we’ll be sharing a lot of excitement this winter. But there’s one sure thing. Matt Shane will have no part in it. He’s behind bars. ... Our first case is closed.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- [05:46] Constable Downey to King: “You've missed him a lot, haven't you?”
- [17:33] Sergeant Preston (reuniting with King): “King, old boy, have you come all the way from White Pass to meet me? Are you absent without leave?”
- [19:56] Nielsen to Preston: “Come on, redcoat. I'll beat you to a pulp. How's this for a starter?”
- [24:02] Preston (on disabling the escape boat): “A motor needs spark plugs down here. I borrowed theirs.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:40 – Sergeant Preston’s mission and orders
- 05:05 – King expresses longing for his master
- 06:30–09:47 – Plot to rescue Shane; Downey attacked and abducted
- 12:07 – Sergeant Preston meets Dirk Gordon
- 17:33 – Preston’s heartfelt reunion with King
- 19:56–20:45 – Preston’s fight with Nielsen at the docks
- 21:03–24:41 – Escape attempt by criminals; sabotage and capture on the water
- 26:08 – Preston, Rex, and King reunited; “Our first case is closed”
Tone and Classic Radio Style
The episode blends classic radio dramatization with suspense, action, and emotional resonance. The camaraderie and moral resolve of the Mounties is juxtaposed against the looming dangers of the Klondike, with strong themes of loyalty (especially between King and Preston), justice, and clever heroics. The narration and dialogue are brisk, often interspersed with period advertisements (skipped in this summary).
Summary
Return to Danger is a rich, action-packed adventure of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, featuring a race against time, a daring jailbreak plot, and the unwavering loyalty of man’s best friend. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Yukon, it delivers moments of tension, emotion, and satisfaction as the Mounties restore order and close their case, true to the spirit of Golden Age radio storytelling.