Old Time Radio Westerns: Dead Man’s Hand | Hopalong Cassidy (01-01-50)

Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: January 1, 1950
Podcast Episode Date: April 3, 2026
Featured Characters: Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd), California (Andy Clyde), Doc Sheldon, Sally Kirby, Kit Kirby

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a digitally restored broadcast of “Dead Man’s Hand,” starring the legendary Hopalong Cassidy and his loyal sidekick, California. The story unfolds as Hoppy responds to a mysterious plea for help from his old friend Kit Kirby, a gold miner in trouble. What begins as an act of friendship quickly leads them into the heart of a deadly conspiracy in the lawless town of Indian Spring, where murder, gold, and a faked death all play a role in a tightly-woven tale of Western intrigue.

Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

The Mysterious Letter and Setting Out ([01:40-05:43])

• Hoppy and California at Bar 20 Ranch: As winter approaches, Hopalong Cassidy receives a suspicious letter allegedly from Kit Kirby pleading for help, but Hoppy quickly spots the handwriting as a forgery.
  • Quote:
    “Someone wants us to come to Indian Spring, California. And they want it badly enough to forge this letter.” (Hopalong Cassidy, [03:34])
• Decision to Investigate: Hoppy and California ride out to Indian Spring, suspecting a deeper plot.

Arrival in Indian Spring & Encounter at the Saloon ([05:43-10:04])

• A Lawless Town: The pair immediately sense fear and lawlessness; the townsfolk, including a bartender named Jerry, warn them to move along rather than stay.
• Suspicion Grows: Hoppy observes a high-stake poker game and a gunfight where Luke Barry is apparently killed by Doc Sheldon under dubious circumstances.
• First Clues: Hoppy questions why a man holding a winning hand would draw his gun first and suspects the incident isn’t what it seems.
  • Quote:
    “Now, why should that guy with a winning hand pull a gun first?” (Hopalong Cassidy, [09:04])

Seeking Out Sally Kirby and the Town’s Dark Secrets ([10:04-14:57])

• Meeting Sally Kirby: Sally confides her fears; after Kit’s gold strike with his late partner Joe, violence and intimidation swept the town.
  • Quote:
    “We’re afraid. The whole town’s afraid. I wished a thousand times Kit hadn’t found that gold.” (Sally Kirby, [10:08])
• A Community Under Siege: Attempts to inform the authorities and the public (paper office burned, sheriff fled) have been squashed.
• Revealing the Forged Letter: Sally admits to writing the letter to Hoppy, desperate for help for Kit, who’s stranded and running out of supplies in the mountains.
  • Quote:
    “I did write that letter, but it was only because Kit needs help so desperately. Even if he could get a letter to you, you know how proud he is.” (Sally Kirby, [12:04])

Hoppy’s Investigation And The Fake Death ([14:57-20:52])

• Hoppy’s Midnight Experiment: At 4 AM, Hoppy and California reconstruct the barroom shooting and find evidence it was staged with blank cartridges.
  • Quote:
    “There was no killing here this afternoon. That was a put up job to make Sally Kirby think Luke is dead.” (Hopalong Cassidy, [17:42])
• Overhearing the Conspirators: Hidden beneath the poker table, Hoppy eavesdrops on Luke Barry and Doc Sheldon plotting to murder Kit and cover their tracks, all under orders from an unseen Santa Fe boss.
  • Quote:
    "Best protection you got is staying dead... When the boss files for Kirby’s claim, I’ll see you in six weeks in Santa Fe.” (Conspirators, [21:12])

The Funereal Twist and Rallying the Town ([20:52-24:58])

• Luke Barry’s Funeral: Hoppy interrupts the “funeral” and demands the coffin be opened—inside is not Luke but the missing Sheriff Underwood.
  • Quote:
    “Who’s in it? ... Good Lord. Why, it’s. It’s Sheriff Underwood.” (Hoppy, [24:56])
• Challenging Town’s Fear: Hoppy rallies the townspeople to stop being cowed by violence.
  • Quote:
    “You want to lie down and keep taking it, there’s plenty of rats who will keep walking on you. It’s up to you. How much longer are you going to take it?” (Hopalong Cassidy, [25:21])

Showdown in the Pass and the Unmasking ([26:28-31:58])

• Escort Down the Mountain: Hoppy orchestrates the descent from the mine, cleverly rearranging the riders to expose Doc Sheldon’s deadly plan.
• Reversal of the Ambush: Hoppy and California thwart the assassination by impersonating Luke and swapping positions, prompting Doc to confess under pressure.
• Comic Relief and Wrap-Up: California jokes about his nearly-too-accurate shooting during the staged attack.
  • Quote:
    “That shooting in Whitewater Pass... when you shoot to miss, you sure don’t leave much room to spare.” (Hopalong Cassidy, [32:11])
    “Miss? Did you tell me to miss him? Lordy, Hoppy, I was trying all the time to hit him!” (California, [32:23])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Forgery Recognized ([03:34])
  Hopalong: “Because you see, I know Kit’s handwriting and this letter is a bad imitation.”
• Barroom Tension ([07:37])
  Jerry: “If you’re smart, you get right back on that horse of yours.”
• Figuring Out the Ruse ([17:42])
  Hopalong: “There was no killing here this afternoon. That was a put up job to make Sally Kirby think Luke is dead.”
• The Town’s Turning Point ([25:21])
  Hopalong: “You want to lie down and keep taking it, there’s plenty of rats who will keep walking on you. It’s up to you. How much longer are you going to take it?”
• The Finale’s Comic Beat ([32:23])
  California: “Miss? Did you tell me to miss him? Lordy, Hoppy, I was trying all the time to hit him!”

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------| | 01:40 | Episode opens—Hoppy receives Kit’s letter | | 05:43 | Arrival in Indian Spring—the saloon scene | | 10:04 | Meeting with Sally Kirby | | 14:57 | Hoppy and California reconstruct the card table| | 17:42 | The “shooting” exposed as a set-up | | 20:52 | Overhearing the murder plot in the bar | | 24:56 | The coffin is opened—Sheriff Underwood inside | | 25:21 | Hoppy’s speech rallies the town | | 27:02 | Descent from the mine—positions set for ambush | | 28:51 | Doc Sheldon confesses under fire | | 32:11 | Comic ending—California’s marksmanship |

Tone & Style

The episode stays true to the classic Western tone: suspenseful, witty, with a clear sense of right and wrong. Hopalong embodies resourceful heroism, while California offers comic relief. Dialogue is brisk and colloquial, steeped in frontier lingo and dry humor, with moral undercurrents about standing up to fear and corruption.

Summary

“Dead Man’s Hand” delivers a satisfying blend of intrigue, action, and heart. Through sharpened audio and faithful performances, the episode brings Hopalong Cassidy’s world vibrantly to life—a tale of forged letters, faked deaths, mountain gold, and a showdown where the cleverness and courage of the Bar 20 crew once more triumph over greed and villainy.