Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Tom Mix - Twisted Trail (Recreation)
Date: October 5, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Overview

This lively recreation episode revives "The Mystery of the Twisted Trail" from the iconic Tom Mix series, plunging listeners into the Golden Age of Radio with a story full of western heroics, suspense, and larger-than-life personalities. Tom Mix, played here by Curly Bradley, faces off against underhanded gambler Lucky Houghton, battling not only fires and sabotage, but also local superstitions and a neighbor’s stubborn pride. The episode centers on themes of justice, honor, and the triumph of straight shooters over tricksters.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

1. Opening & Setting the Stage

• [00:00–00:59] The episode opens with a classic introduction and theme for the “Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters.” Tom Mix greets the audience, promising a family-friendly adventure, giving a short preamble about the story’s theme of a good man facing dire circumstances.
  • Quote [00:59]: “This is the story of a man who loved his part of this great west. A man who wouldn’t be scared of and who wouldn’t let himself be killed off. A good man, but one I had to lock horns with.” (Tom Mix)

2. Trouble at the Circle Ace Ranch

• [01:30–05:06] Tom, with Sheriff Mike Shaw and young Pecos Williams, discover a fire at Jack Martin’s Circle Ace Ranch. Jack risks his life to save valuables, while Tom bravely rescues him from the burning house.
  • Quote [05:02]: “Somebody has to bring him out. That looks like it’s up to me.” (Tom Mix)
• [06:23–07:05] After the fire, tension arises as Jack resists help and reveals he's been pressured by Lucky Houghton to sell his beloved ranch for a gambling resort.

3. The “Curse” of Aces and Eights

• [07:31–11:43] Jack recounts a menacing encounter with Lucky Houghton, who threatens him with the infamous “Dead Man’s Hand” (aces and eights), invoking frontier superstition. Then news arrives: Martin's stream has dried up, worsening his calamities.
  • Quote [08:40]: “You find it mighty unlucky if you don’t choose to sell your land to me, Jack Martin. Mighty unlucky.” (Lucky Houghton)
  • Quote [11:14]: “Your poor cattle will die of thirst.” (Riley)

4. Investigating the Dried-Up Stream

• [12:44–18:44] Tom and his friends ride upstream to investigate and discover a makeshift dam built by displaced logger Andre Lamont, who only wanted to catch fish, not cause trouble. An epic hand-to-hand fight ensues, with Tom prevailing and restoring the water flow.
  • Quote [13:39]: “It’s a crude dam across the stream. It was no supernatural curse... just a man made dam.” (Tom Mix)
  • Quote [15:35]: “I think I kick you apart instead. I hear Tom Mix is a big man. But no man bigger than Andre Lamont. I proved this!” (Andre Lamont)

5. A Lesson in Justice

• [19:10–21:37] Tom reunites with Janie, his ward, who shares a story from her boarding school about how justice should be impartial. This inspires Tom to set up a fair meeting between Jack and Lucky at the hotel.
  • Quote [21:14]: “If I treat Jack Martin and Lucky Houghton equally, not accusing either one of them… I might make some peace.” (Tom Mix)

6. The Showdown

• [21:50–25:00] At a hotel parley, old grudges flare as Jack tries to shoot Lucky, only for Tom to stand between them, invoking justice and preventing further violence.
  • Quote [24:32]: “Then you’ll have to shoot through me, Jack… if you do that, you become what you hate. And you’ll go on hating yourself.” (Tom Mix)

7. The Final Chase

• [25:24–27:27] Lucky Houghton flees but is pursued by Tom on horseback. In a daring stunt, Tom leaps onto the getaway truck, subdues Lucky, and reasserts the triumph of justice.
  • Quote [27:27]: “It’s just as I’ve always told Janie. Lawbreakers always lose. Straight shooters always win. It pays to shoot straight.” (Tom Mix)

8. Resolution

• [27:51–28:19] The story wraps up with production credits and calls to tune in for the next adventure.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom Mix, emphasizing values:
  • [10:07] “Now, if Lucky Houghton has committed crimes against you, the law will get him… But if you start throwing lead, you’re going to put yourself on the opposite side of the law, same as Houghton.”
• Jack Martin’s pride and desperation:
  • [06:59] “You’re standing on my land, and I’ll handle matters in my own way, the way I please.”
• Janie’s analogy (impartial justice):
  • [21:03] “Everybody had to make a sacrifice to find the guilty person.”
• Pecos on Tom’s instincts:
  • [03:35] “Tom’s nerves and muscles and brains are so finely tuned... He can sense things you and me miss.”
• Tom’s daring leap:
  • [27:03] “Board of the truck.” (Tom Mix performing the memorable leap from horse to truck)

Timeline of Important Segments

• [00:59] Introduction of the episode’s core conflict by Tom Mix.
• [04:07] Discovery of the fire at Jack Martin’s ranch.
• [07:31] Revelation of Lucky Houghton’s threats.
• [11:00] Water source to the ranch has dried up.
• [12:44] Tom and Pecos investigate the stream.
• [16:10] Hand-to-hand fight between Tom and Andre Lamont.
• [19:10] Janie’s arrival, providing the analogy for justice.
• [21:50] Parley at the Doby House Hotel.
• [24:32] Tom stops Jack from committing violence.
• [25:24] Lucky escapes, sparking the climactic chase.
• [27:03] Tom jumps onto the moving truck.
• [27:27] Tom captures Lucky, closes with moral lesson.

Tone & Spirit

The episode upholds the series’ iconic tone: earnest, wholesome, and action-filled. Dialogue is direct and colorful, full of cowboy wisdom, playful banter, and appeals to justice and courage. The story evokes nostalgia for a time of clear morals and heroic deeds, with moments of comic relief and strong camaraderie among characters.

Conclusion

“Twisted Trail” is a classic Western tale, brought vibrantly to life in this radio recreation. At its heart, it champions the rule of law over frontier vengeance, the power of community, and the enduring appeal of straight shooters like Tom Mix. Through suspense, action, and memorable character moments, it delivers both entertainment and a lesson: justice wins when handled straight—no matter how twisted the trail.