Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode Summary: Daylight Dan | Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (09-30-53)

Date Released: September 6, 2025
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Broadcast: September 30, 1953

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a digitally restored classic, “Daylight Dan,” from the Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. Listeners are transported back to the Old West, where U.S. Marshal Wild Bill Hickok and his loyal, comical deputy Jingles face off against a cunning bank robber, Daylight Dan, and his accomplices. The story weaves action, comic mishaps, and some sweet-natured frontier charm.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage in the Old West

• Wild Bill Hickok and Jingles are left in charge of keeping peace while the sheriff is out of town.
• They quickly lament how trouble always seems to find them, especially Jingles, who wishes for a quiet day.

“Now quit talking like that, Bill. Doggone it, if we ain't up to our gun belts in trouble, you want to go looking for it? You just make me plum nervous.” — Jingles (04:10)

2. Comic Relief: The Purple Paint Incident

• Jingles gets roped into painting Miss Petty’s dress shop sign—a task that ends in slapstick disaster with Jingles covered in purple paint after falling off a rickety ladder.
• The paint serves as an unlikely plot device for identifying the bank robbers later.

“Of course. My back's broken, my legs are tied in a knot, my arms are dislocated and I can't see out of my left eye, but it don’t hurt a bit.” — Jingles, after his fall (06:50)

3. Bank Robbery and Pursuit

• Two suspicious men, Chowder and Runyon, burst through town, shooting and accidentally passing through Ms. Petty’s shop, leaving purple paint tracks.
• Wild Bill and Jingles chase them to a cabin, leading to a gunfight and their capture—only to realize there’s no physical evidence (saddlebag of money) tying them to the robbery.

“You got a lot of big talk, mister. But you better save it for the judge.” — Wild Bill, after a tussle with the outlaws (14:35)

4. Banking on Proof

• The lack of evidence leads to the release of Chowder and Runyon, though the local banker, Mr. Smoot, is furious and threatens Wild Bill’s job unless the money and culprits are found.

“If that money isn’t back in my vault and those varmints in jail by sundown tomorrow, I’m writing your headquarters to have your star taken away from you, Hickok. And I mean what I say.” — Mr. Smoot, the banker (18:45)

5. Discovery in the Dress Shop

• Ms. Petty discovers the stolen money, hidden in her shop by the fleeing robbers. She surprises Bill and Jingles with her knowledge of the exact amount and a counterfeit gold note.

“Because they counted it, that's how.” — Ms. Petty, revealing how she knows the take from the robbery (23:40)

6. Night Watch and Abduction

• Jingles is left to protect Ms. Petty for the evening in her shop and promptly falls asleep.
• The robbers return, abduct Ms. Petty, and Jingles wakes in confusion as Bill arrives to investigate.

“Poor, poor, lovable clown. Really should make him stay awake and play checkers with him... but he looks so peaceful this way.” — Ms. Petty, narrating Jingles’ slumber (26:15)

7. Pink Pearls Trail to Rescue

• Bill and Jingles trail the robbers back to their cabin, following a path of Ms. Petty’s dropped pink pearls.
• A second rescue and shootout secures Ms. Petty’s safety, and this time the evidence (thanks to the paint and pearls) leads to the capture of Runyon and Chowder.

“If you hadn’t spilled the purple paint, we never would have had all the proof we need to send these awful robbers to jail.” — Ms. Petty, to Jingles (32:25)

8. Comic Closing & Reward

• Ms. Petty receives the $1,000 reward, delighted that it will pay for a new (hopefully pre-lettered) window for her store, and Jingles reflects on trouble caused by his good intentions.

“You never can tell what kind of a high roaring mess of trouble I can start by just picking up a little thing like a paintbrush.” — Jingles, final quip (33:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jingles’ Slapstick: “No, ma'am. Thank goodness. Of course. My back’s broken, my legs are tied in a knot, my arms are dislocated and I can’t see out of my left eye, but it don’t hurt a bit.” (06:50)
• Banker’s Ultimatum: “If that money isn’t back in my vault and those varmints in jail by sundown tomorrow, I’m writing your headquarters to have your star taken away from you, Hickok. And I mean what I say.” — Mr. Smoot (18:45)
• Ms. Petty’s Ingenuity: “Because they counted it, that’s how.” — Ms. Petty, on how she knew the amount stolen (23:40)
• The Pink Pearl Trail: “Well, I’ll be doggone. It’s one of Ms. Petty’s pink pearls. And that proves we’re on the right track.” — Jingles (29:12)
• Jingles as Hero: “If you hadn’t spilled the purple paint, we never would have had all the proof we need to send these awful robbers to jail.” — Ms. Petty (32:25)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00-03:00 — Ads and sponsor messages
• 03:00 — Host introduction, context, show begins
• 04:10 — Bill and Jingles lament “quiet” days
• 06:10-07:00 — Jingles and the purple paint mishap
• 08:00 — Robbers shoot their way through town
• 13:00-15:00 — Cabin shootout and supposed capture of robbers
• 18:45 — Banker Mr. Smoot’s ultimatum
• 23:40 — Ms. Petty finds and counts the stolen money
• 25:30-27:00 — Jingles left to protect Ms. Petty—falls asleep
• 29:12 — Wild Bill and Jingles follow the pearls
• 31:00-33:00 — Final rescue, comical wrap-up, Ms. Petty gets her reward

Tone & Style

The episode combines classic cowboy action with slapstick humor and lighthearted banter. Jingles’ comic mishaps, Ms. Petty’s endearing fussiness, and Bill’s steady leadership make for an engaging and warm-hearted Old West tale. The vivid sound effects and restored audio cues immerse listeners in the hustle, danger, and quirky charm of frontier life.

In Summary

This Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok episode is a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and character-driven detective work. Jingles’ inadvertent heroics (and infamous purple paint incident) help solve the case, while Ms. Petty’s sharp eyes—and trail of pearls—bring the episode to a satisfying close. The sound restoration further enriches an already vivid ride into “the golden age of radio.”