Old Time Radio Westerns: "Black Kerchief" | The Cisco Kid

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Air Date: September 9, 2025
Original Broadcast: October 5, 1954

Brief Overview

In this digitally restored episode of The Cisco Kid, "Black Kerchief," listeners are swept into a classic Western whodunit on the wild frontier. Cisco and his loyal sidekick Pancho investigate a series of gold stagecoach robberies linked to a mysterious black kerchief—a secret signal among a band of cunning road agents. The drama unfolds at breakneck pace with betrayals, gunfights, and clever detective work, giving fans of the genre the full measure of old-time radio excitement.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. Introduction of the Main Conflict (03:21–06:50)

• Stagecoach Robberies:
  • Big Mac Tulsa, a stage driver with "no more conscience than a striking rattler," is tasked with transporting gold from Sandstone to Mountain Rock.
  • Riggs, both sheriff and stage line owner, debates riding along for security but is dissuaded by Tulsa.
  • Unbeknownst to Riggs, Tulsa is secretly in league with outlaws Robley and Haim.
• Black Kerchief Signal:
  • Tulsa wears a black kerchief as the rendezvous signal for the bandits that gold is aboard.

2. The Ambush (06:51–09:20)

• Robley and Haim watch for Tulsa’s signal.
• The bandits lie in wait behind boulders and ambush the stage, fatally shooting the shotgun messenger and wounding the passenger, Mr. Winter.
• The bandits make off with the gold, staging a gunfight with Tulsa to conceal their partnership.

"We fire a few shots at Tulsa, he fires a few shots at us... Then he drives the stage on back to Sandstone, reports the holdup, giving the wrong description of us."
— Robley (05:38)

3. Cisco and Pancho Begin Investigations (09:21–12:25)

• Cisco and Pancho arrive in Sandstone:
  • Suspicious at seeing the stage returning in the wrong direction, they trail it to the station.
  • While Tulsa gives a convincing tale of being overpowered by five or six outlaws, Cisco is skeptical.
  • In Riggs’ office, Cisco questions why none of Tulsa’s adversaries hit him and why Tulsa now needs a day off for his nerves.

"If there were five or six Bandidos, why did not at least one of their bullets hit Senor Tulsa?"
— Cisco (11:09)

4. Tailing the Suspects (12:26–16:40)

• Cisco and Pancho shadow Tulsa to a notorious Outlaw’s Café in Mountain Rock.
• Tulsa meets his co-conspirators, alerting them to Cisco’s presence.
• A barroom brawl ensues; shots are fired but Cisco isn’t hit (contrary to Pancho's fears).

"Cisco! Cisco! You shot? Tell Pancho you dead!"
— Pancho (15:47)
"No, the bullet missed me, Pancho."
— Cisco (17:36)

5. Red Kerchief, Black Kerchief: The Plot Unravels (17:25–22:56)

• Tulsa, Robley, and Haim plot to silence the wounded passenger, believing he could identify them after Pancho's loose-lipped remark.
• Cisco races back to Sandstone, narrowly preventing an assassination attempt at the doctor's house where Mr. Winter is recuperating.
• In the struggle, Cisco obtains part of Tulsa's red kerchief, exposing the criminal’s habit of changing kerchiefs (black for the signal, red otherwise).

"He was not wearing a red neckerchief this morning, senor. He was wearing a black one."
— Cisco (22:13)

6. The Sting: Setting The Trap (23:00–27:00)

• Cisco and Riggs devise a sting: another gold shipment with Tulsa as the driver. Riggs lets slip that Cisco and Pancho have "left the country" to settle Tulsa’s nerves and lure out the bandits.
• From a vantage point, Cisco and Pancho watch as Tulsa switches to the black kerchief – clear proof of complicity.
• They charge down, catching Tulsa and the outlaws red-handed.

"There’s no question, Chico. But what? That is a signal. Come, we'll ride down the trail. This time we will have our proof."
— Cisco (24:50)

7. Final Showdown and Resolution (27:01–28:30)

• After a brief gunfight and bullwhip action from Pancho, Cisco subdues the gang.
• Riggs arrives to make the arrests and praises Cisco's bravery and detective work.

"And I would venture a guess that never again will you wear a black neckerchief."
— Cisco (28:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cisco’s observation and skepticism (11:09)

• Barroom brawl and gunfight (14:30–16:35)

• Pancho’s worry and comic relief:

  • "Cisco! Cisco! You shot? Tell Pancho you dead!"
    — Pancho (15:47)
  • "Oh, Pancho...!"
    — Cisco (end, 28:15)

• The iconic Western sting operation (23:00–26:40)

• Pancho’s final joke about learning to swim:

  • "Pancho’s head begins to swim!"
    — Pancho (28:17)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Stage Ambush: 06:00–09:20
• Cisco’s First Suspicion: 11:00–12:20
• Outlaw’s Café & Fight: 14:20–16:40
• Assassination Attempt at Doctor’s House: 21:50–23:00
• The Sting & Final Confrontation: 24:30–28:15
• Comic wrap-up: 28:15–28:30

Episode Tone & Style

The episode retains a brisk, suspenseful narrative typical of midcentury radio Westerns. Humor and camaraderie between Cisco and Pancho break up moments of tense action and detection, balancing light-hearted banter with traditional Western danger and justice.

Summary

“Black Kerchief” is an exemplary Cisco Kid adventure layering action, deduction, and clever drama. The enhanced audio restoration brings the Old West’s atmosphere to life, with a classic tale of loyalty, corruption, and wiles where the Cisco Kid’s sharp mind and quick fists bring long-overdue justice to Sandstone’s frontier.