Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode Summary: Deathtrap for Two | The Lone Ranger (05-26-52)

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode of "The Lone Ranger," titled "Deathtrap for Two," transports listeners to the Wild West for a classic showdown between justice and outlaws. The story features the daring masked hero, the Lone Ranger, and his steadfast companion Tonto as they pursue the notorious outlaw leader, Sharkey Halden, and his gang—culminating in a cunningly set trap that turns fate against the villains thanks to the Lone Ranger's quick thinking and courage.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

Setting the Stage: The Infamous Sharkey Halden

• [03:17] The episode opens with the sheriff lamenting his inability to catch outlaw Sharkey Halden, whose gang is blamed for a recent train robbery.
  • “By thunder, that Sharkey Holden might as well be a ghost for all the good it does to try to run him and his gang down.” — Sheriff [03:45]
• Sharkey is described as brash, unmasked, and proud of his crimes, leaving a clear mark on the region.

Tonto's Investigation in Comstock

• Tonto is dispatched to the nearby town to gather intelligence.
• At the café and general store, Tonto spots a stranger (Joe) buying an unusual amount of supplies—more than a lone prospector would need.
  • Tonto notices inconsistencies in Joe’s story and his refined appearance: “Him use fine saddle horse to carry supplies... him wear nice boots and not rock scarred like boots of prospector.” — Tonto [08:39]
• Tonto discreetly decides to trail Joe out of town.

Discovery of the Gang's Hideout

• [09:29] Joe returns to the gang’s canyon hideout, revealing to Sharkey he faced no suspicion in town.
• Sharkey plots a bank robbery, indicating the gang will strike again soon.
  • “We’ll hide out here a while longer till things die down. Then we’ll clean out the town bank and leave this territory.” — Sharkey Halden [09:45]

Tonto Captured

• Tonto is discovered sneaking after Joe and is caught by Sharkey, Joe, and another gang member, Dave.
  • “You drop your gun belt.” — Sharkey Halden [10:39]
• Inside the shack, the gang becomes suspicious about Tonto's identity, eventually recognizing him as the Lone Ranger’s companion.
  • “Remember when you joined the gang?... I told you we’d left New Mexico Territory? ... because of a masked man called the Lone Ranger… an Indian who rode a fine paint, carried fine guns, and wore buckskins… this Indian may be the one who rides with the Lone Ranger.” — Joe [14:05~14:24]

Sharkey’s Trap: The "Deathtrap" Plan

• Sharkey devises a deadly scheme: keep Tonto alive in the shack, planning to lure and kill the Lone Ranger with a planted can of blasting powder.
  • “I ripped up a plank under there and ran the fuse to the boulders. When he goes in, I’ll light the fuse… he’ll be plumbed sky high.” — Sharkey Halden [22:26]
• The gang sends Mort to town to confirm the Lone Ranger’s arrival by feeding him information about Tonto’s whereabouts.

The Lone Ranger Outsmarts the Villains

• The Lone Ranger, suspicious of Mort, follows him back to the canyon, eavesdrops on Sharkey’s plan, and enters the shack where Tonto is tied up.
  • “First I’ll cut those cords there. I have some fast work to do.” — The Lone Ranger [24:06]
• Quickly discovering and disabling the trap, the Lone Ranger ingeniously tosses the blasting powder back toward the hiding outlaws.
  • “This will surprise you.” — The Lone Ranger, before hurling the powder [24:41]
• The explosion injures several gang members and throws Sharkey’s plan into chaos.

Posse and Justice Restored

• The sheriff and his posse, alerted by the explosion, arrive in force.
  • “You in there. Come on with your hands up. The rest of your gang is about finished out here.” — Sheriff [25:55]
• After a brief confrontation, Sharkey's gang is apprehended, and the sheriff realizes the masked man is the Lone Ranger.
  • "Why didn't you tell me who you were?" — Sheriff [26:34]
  • "I didn't have the chance." — The Lone Ranger [26:37]

Moral & Resolution

• The sheriff thanks the Lone Ranger and Tonto for their bravery. The Lone Ranger humbly replies:
  • “It’s worth the risk to have them captured.” — The Lone Ranger [26:54]
• As the episode closes, the sheriff praises the Lone Ranger’s cunning over any outlaw trickery.
  • “To my way of thinking, there’s no crook living that will ever put one over on the Lone Ranger. No sir.” — Sheriff [27:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “By thunder, that Sharkey Holden might as well be a ghost...”
  — Sheriff, expressing the gang’s elusiveness [03:45]

• “Good buckskins, fine guns and a paint that’s a beauty.”
  — Tonto, describing clues about Joe and summing up his suspicions [13:48]

• “Before we’re through, I figure both he and the mask man will be dead and buried.”
  — Sharkey Halden, as he reveals the depth of his malice [14:28]

• “I ripped up a plank under there and ran the fuse to the boulders… he’ll be plumbed sky high.”
  — Sharkey Halden, outlining his deadly trap [22:26, 22:49]

• “This will surprise you.”
  — The Lone Ranger, tossing the blasting powder back at the outlaws [24:41]

• “It’s worth the risk to have them captured.”
  — The Lone Ranger, showing his devotion to justice [26:54]

• “There’s no crook living that will ever put one over on the Lone Ranger.”
  — Sheriff, delivering the episode’s closing tribute [27:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:17] — Introduction of outlaw Sharkey Halden and his gang's activities
• [05:28] — Lone Ranger and Tonto set up camp near Comstock
• [06:07] — Tonto’s investigation and suspicious encounter with Joe
• [08:39] — Tonto summarizes his observations and chooses to follow Joe
• [09:29] — Joe returns to the gang hideout, revealing plans
• [10:23] — Tonto is caught and brought to the shack
• [13:11 – 14:24] — Gang identifies Tonto as Lone Ranger’s companion
• [16:15] — Sharkey decides to tie up Tonto and prepare the trap
• [17:53] — The plan to lure the Lone Ranger is set
• [19:01] — Mort passes Lone Ranger information in the store
• [22:26] — Outlaws discuss details of the trap with blasting powder
• [24:03] — Lone Ranger enters shack, disables trap, and escapes
• [25:55] — Sheriff and posse capture Sharkey’s gang
• [26:54] — Lone Ranger and sheriff cement the episode’s moral

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode resonates with the classic upright, suspenseful tone of vintage radio Westerns. The dialogue is direct and imbued with courage, quick thinking, and Old West authority, keeping listeners engaged in a tense cat-and-mouse game of outlaws versus the forces of justice.

A thrilling showdown, ingenious heroics, and justice served—this Lone Ranger installment reminds us why classic radio Westerns endure.