Old Time Radio Westerns – "Brand of Maverick" | The Cisco Kid (01-04-55)

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns (hosted by Andrew Rhynes) spotlights a digitally restored classic Cisco Kid adventure: "Brand of Maverick." Set against the tumultuous post-Civil War frontier, the story evolves around schemes, cattle rustling, and mistaken identities, highlighting the clever and courageous Cisco Kid and his jovial sidekick, Pancho. As outlaws seek to take advantage of confusion over cattle brands, Cisco and Pancho navigate suspicion, danger, and betrayal to clear their names and deliver justice.

Main Themes and Purpose

• Post-war lawlessness: With many unbranded and unclaimed cattle roaming the West after the Civil War, opportunists and outlaws seek to exploit the chaos for profit.
• Frontier Justice: The story explores themes of justice, loyalty, and reputation, as Cisco seeks to exonerate himself while helping the vulnerable.
• Friendship and Wit: The relationship and banter between Cisco Kid and Pancho provide warmth and levity amid escalating danger.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Highlights

1. The Cattle Brand Scheme (03:04 – 05:29)

• Backdrop: After the Civil War, confusion reigns with unbranded (maverick) cattle and lost or changed brands.
• Villains: Outlaws Nate Wills and Tim Bolan plot to claim a profitable cattle brand recently purchased by the Myers brothers (Hank and Morgan), by force and violence.
  • Quote: Nate Wills: “We're going to gun down Hank Myers and that hand that's with him. Then we'll herd these strays back to my corral…” (04:41)
• Murder and Theft: The outlaws ambush Hank Myers and his hand, murdering both to take control of the herd and set up their larger plot.

2. Cisco and Pancho Arrive and Encounter Trouble (05:45 – 08:08)

• Seeking Friendship: Cisco and Pancho travel to greet the Myers brothers, reinforced by a recommendation from Senor Andrews.
  • Quote: Cisco: “We rode this way to be sure and call upon them and give them his best regards.” (05:59)
• Suspicion and Hostility: Instead, they meet the outlaws posing as legitimate cattle hands, who respond with suspicion and aggression.
  • Quote: Outlaw: “Who are you hombres?” (06:57)
• Tension Escalates: When Cisco asserts himself, the outlaws recognize The Cisco Kid and are momentarily cowed by his reputation, plotting to frame him with the sheriff.

3. Framed and Pursued by the Law (09:39 – 11:10)

• Sheriff Arrives: Cisco and Pancho discover the murder of Hank Myers, but the sheriff—misled by the outlaws—suspects Cisco.
  • Quote: Sheriff: “On all the reports I got about you, Cisco, make you out a mighty bad hombre. A killer.” (10:13)
• Escape and Protection: Cisco flees with Pancho, determined to protect Morgan Myers who is also likely in danger.

4. Outlaws’ Next Move and Cisco’s Investigation (11:17 – 14:19)

• Morgan in Danger: Outlaws abduct Morgan Myers, pressuring him to transfer cattle branding rights.
  • Quote: Outlaw: “You’re re-recording that brand you bought from Andrews in my name. And you’re doing it now.” (12:32)
• Cisco’s Deduction: Upon finding Morgan’s office in disarray, Cisco realizes the depth of the outlaws’ scheme.
  • Quote: Cisco: “Signs of a fight in this office... Pancho, I believe the hombres that came here after Senor Morgan were the ones who killed his brother.” (14:12)

5. Ambush and Survival (14:26 – 19:32)

• Trapped: Outlaws set a trap, pinning Cisco and Pancho down under a hail of bullets in the recorder’s office.
  • Quote: Cisco: “We’ll have to stay here for the time being, Chico. To run out into that hail of bullets would be suicide.” (18:13)
• Quick Wit: They fake their deaths, then seize the sheriff and his deputy as shields to escape the ambush.
• Interrogation: Cisco uses the moment to extract critical information on the outlaws’ identities and hideout location.

6. Final Confrontation in the Hills (21:09 – 27:15)

• Rugged Pursuit: The outlaws, now holding Morgan captive, plan to eliminate Cisco and Pancho with a rockslide ambush.
• Heroics: Cisco and Pancho narrowly escape boulders and gunfire, pursue the outlaws, and overpower them in a close fight—even as the sheriff once again arrives to arrest the wrong men.
• Truth Revealed: As Morgan Myers regains consciousness, he identifies his abductors and clears Cisco’s name.
  • Quote: Morgan Myers: “This Nate... he comes to the office and tries to make me re-record the brand to him...” (26:54)
  • Quote: Cisco: “You see, senor Sheriff, you were just a little wrong in picking the right bandidos.” (27:11)

7. Resolving Justice and Friendship (27:47 – 28:38)

• Handcuffs for the Real Villains: The sheriff admits his error, detains the outlaws, and acknowledges Cisco’s integrity.
  • Quote: Sheriff: “Handcuffs on the Bandidos now, Cisco.” (27:47)
• Closing Humor: Cisco and Pancho share a light-hearted exchange about hunting trips, with Pancho’s comic misunderstanding about what he brought home.
  • Quote: Cisco: “What did you bring back?” Pancho: “Fancy? I bring back nothing. But Pancho’s uncle Jose bring back two antelope and a puffer.” (28:48)
  • Cisco: “I never heard of a puffer, Chico. What is a puffer?” (28:56)
  • Pancho: “To cook the antelope in the—oh, Pancho...” (28:59) [audience laughter]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Backdrop and Outlaws’ Plot: 03:04–05:29
• Cisco and Pancho’s Arrival: 05:45–08:08
• Sheriff and Cisco’s Escape: 09:39–11:10
• Morgan Myers Abducted: 11:17–14:19
• Ambush in Recorder’s Office: 14:26–19:32
• Final Confrontation & Showdown: 21:09–27:15
• Justice Restored & Comic Relief: 27:47–28:59

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nate Wills sets the ruthless tone:
  “We're going to gun down Hank Myers and that hand that's with him. Then we'll herd these strays back to my corral. And after that, we'll call on Morgan Myers at his office, have him record that brand in your name, huh? … After that, I'm taking him into the hills where they won't find his body.” (04:41–04:58)
• Cisco’s calm confidence in the face of hostility:
  “I do not like your manner. Let us be going.” (07:00)
• Sheriff’s dogged suspicion:
  “On all the reports I got about you, Cisco, make you out a mighty bad hombre. A killer.” (10:13)
• Quick-witted strategizing under fire:
  “Let us make them think by not firing, they have killed us.” (18:13)
• Sheriff’s ultimate admission:
  “Well, put the handcuffs on Wills and Boland, Deputy. We'll all ride back to town together.” (27:47)
• Pancho’s comic touch:
  “To cook the antelope in the—oh, Pancho...” (28:59) [Classic Western comic relief]

Summary for New Listeners

This restored episode of The Cisco Kid captures all the drama and charm of golden-age radio Westerns: a complex plot of deception, action-packed showdowns, and richly drawn characters. Listeners experience the suspense of Cisco and Pancho evading both the law and the real bandidos, all culminating in a satisfying resolution where good prevails and the law is set right. The interplay of courage, wit, and humor makes the episode a standout classic with universal appeal, whether you’re a nostalgic fan or new to the frontier.