Old Time Radio Westerns – Episode Summary

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: "Bad Medicine" | Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (Original Airdate: 01-08-54)
Summary Date: March 7, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok brings listeners into a tale of deception, mystery, and classic Wild West law enforcement. Wild Bill Hickok and his loyal—and lovable—deputy, Jingles, stumble onto a traveling medicine show that turns out to be more than just a harmless bit of frontier entertainment. Instead, it’s the front for a clever swindle, and what starts as a simple magic act quickly spirals into a chase for justice—punctuated by clever dialogue, dramatic showdowns, and a few comic moments.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Encountering the Medicine Show

• [04:15–05:00]
  • Wild Bill and Jingles arrive at Dr. Willoughby’s traveling medicine show, which is described as “the most dangerous enemy” the lawmen have encountered yet.
  • Jingles admits his fondness for these shows despite their reputation:
    • Jingles: “I know most of these medicine shows are skin games, but, well, I still love to watch them.” [04:48]
  • Playful banter about the showman’s over-the-top language and dubious magical abilities.

2. The Magic Act Turns Sinister

• [05:08–07:41]
  • The “professor” (purportedly Dr. Willoughby) entertains—and robs—his audience, making watches and purses “disappear” with the magic word “Alakazam.”
  • Suddenly, the magician vanishes inside a magic box, prompting Wild Bill and Jingles to investigate.

3. Chaos, a Chase, and Suspicion

• [07:41–12:05]
  • Wild Bill and Jingles pursue the magician’s wagon, but find it abandoned and the conman missing.
  • An angry mob chases the wagon, suspecting the lawmen of being in on the swindle.
    • Wild Bill: “They think we’re the crook.” [09:55]
  • Jingles humorously wishes he could use a magic word to get out of trouble:
    • Jingles: “I sure wish I could say alakazam and have it work.” [09:58]

4. The Misdirection and Con Reveal

• [13:08–15:52]
  • When the lawmen persuade the mob to stand down, Dr. Willoughby appears and claims he was a victim too—tied up while an accomplice, Slick Jensen, pulled off the thefts.
  • Dr. Willoughby appeals for help to catch Jensen, offering his own victim narrative.

5. Behind the Scenes: The Real Swindlers

• [16:43–18:25]
  • In a private exchange, Dr. Willoughby is revealed to be the mastermind, collaborating with Slick Jensen.
  • Dr. Willoughby: “We fooled him again, didn’t we?” [17:07]
  • Their partnership is presented as a refined con operation, with Willoughby expressing concern about the lawmen’s suspicions.

6. Climax: The Final Confrontation

• [19:04–26:33]
  • Wild Bill and Jingles aren’t fooled and double back to pursue the swindlers.
  • A tense exchange of gunfire erupts as Slick Jensen tries to shoot it out; Wild Bill and Jingles prevail, apprehending both criminals amid a wagon-load of stolen goods and magical paraphernalia.
  • Banter ensues as the deputies investigate the tricks of the wagon and enjoy a comic moment inside the magic box.

7. Comic Relief and Justice Served

• [27:11–27:51]
  • As evidence surfaces, the outlaws are caught red-handed:
    • Wild Bill: “A whole box full of jewelry. Rings, necklaces, watches. What do you think of that?” [27:14]
    • Jingles: “I think we got all the evidence we need. Tie these two up. Let’s take them in.” [27:21]
  • Jingles tries the disappearing act himself, briefly trapping himself in the magic box:
    • Jingles: “For a minute, I thought I’d really disappeared. But I guess for a big fellow like me, it takes a bigger magic word than Alakazam.” [28:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jingles on the showman’s vocabulary:
  “He sure knows a lot of words, don’t he, Bill? …He may not know how to use them, but he knows a lot of words.” [05:37]

• Jingles’ comic exasperation:
  “You can start thinking and get away with it, but whenever I try to think, I get all Jim view.” [19:04]

• Willoughby’s duplicity revealed:
  Dr. Willoughby: “While you were making things disappear up on the wagon, I was quietly making money disappear from pockets and jewelry from ladies and gentlemen headbands.” [17:18]

• Jingles, after cracking the case:
  “Well, these two are gonna have to think up some new tricks if they want to keep out of a long jail term.” [26:50]

• Wild Bill, always the dependable lawman:
  “I always watch out for anybody that tried to plug me...” [24:07]

• The comedic finale with the magic box:
  “Bill, this isn't so. The other door doesn't open. Hey, Bill, get me out of here.” [27:51]

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 04:15 | Introduction to the Medicine Show setup | | 07:41 | Pursuit of the magician’s wagon begins | | 13:08 | Confrontation with the mob, Dr. Willoughby’s plea | | 16:43 | Willoughby and Slick Jensen’s true scheme revealed | | 19:04 | Wild Bill and Jingles double back to solve the mystery | | 23:43 | The shootout: lawmen vs. the swindlers | | 27:11 | Discovery of stolen goods inside the wagon | | 27:51 | Jingles’ comic mishap in the magic box |

Tone & Style

• Classic Western adventure, blending suspense, humor, and morality.
• Jingles provides comic relief with plainspoken wisdom and self-deprecating humor.
• Wild Bill maintains his stoic, sharp-witted lawman persona.
• The dialogue crackles with playful banter, clever set-ups, and a satisfying comeuppance for evildoers.

Conclusion

“Bad Medicine” delivers exactly what fans of classic Western radio dramas love: likable heroes, a devious plot, lively supporting characters, and a dose of comic relief. The episode captures not only the spirit of frontier justice but also the unique charm of old-time radio storytelling—brightened all the more by the high-quality restoration of this podcast. Listeners are left grinning as Wild Bill and Jingles ride off from another adventure—ready for the next “rootin’ tootin’” escapade.