Old Time Radio Westerns – Bandits Hideout | The Cisco Kid (11-16-54)

Released: October 28, 2025

Host: Andrew Rhynes

Episode Overview

This episode features the classic Cisco Kid radio adventure “Bandits Hideout,” originally aired in 1954. The story follows Cisco and his faithful companion Pancho as they stumble upon a murderous gold transport heist near the mountain town of Ripple Creek. The tale is filled with suspense, clever detective work, and witty banter as the duo tries to track down ruthless bandits while contending with a suspicious sheriff and a crooked innkeeper.

Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Setting the Scene in Ripple Creek

• Sheriff McCabe is warned by the excitable Lucius about the gold shipment.
• Lucius persistently requests to act as an extra guard for the gold, revealing local chatter has spoiled shipment secrecy.
  • Quote (01:41): "How do you know? A load of gold going out." — Sheriff McCabe
  • Quote (03:04): "Any old bandit that gets in my way, I'll fix them!" — Lucius

2. Bandit Plot and Ambush

• Bandits Leighton and Cut lay in wait, planning to steal the gold by ambushing the shipment at a mountain pass.
• The robbers succeed in killing two guards but miss Lucius, who escapes and calls for help.
  • Quote (05:03): "We'll just gun them down. Yeah, two guards, so I understand...” — Bandits
  • Quote (06:21): "Blasted, I missed that rear guard." — Cut

3. Cisco and Pancho Enter the Mystery

• Cisco and Pancho encounter the fleeing bandits on the trail, making note of their curt behavior.
• Upon discovering the murdered guards, Cisco interprets the clues and resolves to investigate, suspecting the surly riders.
  • Quote (09:34): "Unless I'm mistaken, this is a case of ambush and murder." — Cisco

4. Crooked Hotel Keeper and Hidden Hideout

• Rigland, the opportunistic hotel owner, offers the bandits shelter in a secret underground mine tunnel for a steep fee.
• He boasts:
  • Quote (13:50): “I got some nice quarters fitted up underground. An old mine. Tunnel entrance is hidden… You take your horses right in with you.” — Rigland

5. Cisco and Pancho Investigate the Hotel

• The duo books a room. Cisco suspects the bandits are hiding near or beneath the hotel and instructs Pancho to keep watch.
• Pancho, however, promptly falls asleep, allowing the bandits to sneak in and attack.
  • Quote (17:16): “Keep your eyes open, may see some sign of those hombres…” — Cisco
  • Quote (24:14): "Pancho just lay down for five minutes..." — Pancho

6. Capture and Narrow Escape

• Both heroes are ambushed and knocked unconscious by the bandits. Rigland stops the bandits from killing them outright, fearing attention from the sheriff’s posse approaching the hotel.
• The unconscious Cisco and Pancho are dragged to the mine hideout, but upon awakening, they stage a daring escape, eventually surprising and overpowering the bandits.
  • Quote (32:40): “But our turn will come, Pancho. And soon.” — Cisco

7. Showdown in the Mine Tunnel

• Cisco and Pancho locate the hidden mine entrance by tracing rising smoke.
• They crawl into the tunnel, finding the bandits plotting to ambush the sheriff’s posse through secret peepholes.
  • Quote (38:00): “There are no volcanoes around here, Chico. This is mining country…” — Cisco
• Cisco and Pancho subdue the bandits in a close-quarters tussle.

8. Justice & a Twist of Western Humor

• Sheriff McCabe, his suspicion dispelled, arrests the real criminals with Lucius finally confirming their identities.
• The episode ends with Cisco and Pancho sharing a comic story about a “smartest hotel keeper” and his claim of running water in every room—a classic Pancho punchline.
  • Quote (46:20): “He say, here you not look hard enough. In this hotel there's a spring in every bed!” — Pancho

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cisco’s calm deduction:
  • "Unless I'm mistaken, this is a case of ambush and murder." — Cisco (09:34)
• Pancho’s comic resignation to sleep:
  • "Pancho just lay down for five minutes..." — Pancho (24:14)
• Rigland's businesslike villainy:
  • "All right. I'll hide you out for $50 a day a piece." — Rigland (13:46)
• Bandits’ ruthlessness:
  • "We'll just gun them down." — Cut (05:03)
• Pancho’s lighthearted wisdom:
  • "He say, here you not look hard enough. In this hotel there's a spring in every bed!" — Pancho (46:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00 – 02:50] — Introduction & gold shipment setup
• [03:10 – 07:00] — The gold shipment is attacked; Lucius flees
• [08:35 – 12:40] — Cisco & Pancho investigate, discover the crime scene
• [13:40 – 16:30] — Bandits arrange their hideout with Rigland
• [17:00 – 19:30] — Cisco & Pancho arrive at the hotel; investigation begins
• [24:00 – 28:00] — Pancho is caught napping, both are attacked
• [31:00 – 32:30] — Capture, recover, and resolve to fight back
• [38:00 – 40:30] — Cisco & Pancho find the tunnel via smoke, plan infiltration
• [43:00 – 45:30] — Final capture and sheriff’s arrival
• [46:00 – 48:00] — Pancho’s humorous hotel story; wrap-up

Tone and Style

The episode combines classic Western drama with humor and camaraderie. Cisco is thoughtful and methodical, while Pancho lightens the mood with his easygoing nature and comic timing. The villains are blunt and menacing, matched by the opportunistic greed of Rigland.

Summary

"Bandits Hideout" is a quintessential Cisco Kid adventure featuring betrayal, investigation, and triumph of good over bad men, all delivered with the unmistakable warmth and humor of Cisco and Pancho. The episode’s crisp soundscapes and lively performances revive the drama of radio’s golden age for a modern audience, offering both action and a chuckle along the ride.