Old Time Radio Westerns: The Cisco Kid

Episode: “Double Face of Danger” (Original airdate: 11-11-54)

Released: October 21, 2025

Host: Andrew Rhynes

Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners to the lawless town of Cactus Flats, where Parson Tom Vincent’s quest for order runs afoul of ruthless outlaws. Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, Tom’s criminal twin brother, Salinas, is drawn into a devious scheme by saloon owner May Carson and her henchmen. The Cisco Kid and his sidekick Pancho ride into this boiling cauldron of duplicity, determined to uncover the truth and restore justice. Themes of mistaken identity, brotherly animosity, and the struggle for law and order unfold in classic western style.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage in Cactus Flats

• Cactus Flats is depicted as a rough, self-governing town rife with corruption.
• “When the courageous parson Tom Vincent came to Cactus Platts, he found a wild, rip-roaring town that made its own laws.” [00:35]
• Tom Vincent, the parson, becomes a target for May Carson, who runs the Golden Nugget Café and controls much of the crime.

2. May Carson’s Suspicion & Discovery

• May Carson plots to remove Parson Tom, concerned he threatens her influence.
• Dale Dooley and Pecos Jack discuss Tom’s true identity: “The other time I saw him, he wasn’t a sky pilot… the Vincent you’re talking about is the preacher’s twin brother—Ray Vincent… They call him Salinas.” [03:31–03:48]
• May commissions Pecos Jack to find Salinas for a new criminal scheme.

3. Rising Tensions: Violent Confrontation

• Dale and Pecos attempt to ambush Tom as he preaches for law and order, but Cisco and Pancho intervene.
• “That one hombre is giving a good account of himself… He’s fending them both off with his fists.” – Cisco Kid [05:16]
• When a gun is drawn, Cisco expertly shoots it from the attacker’s hand, establishing himself as a formidable force.
  • “Your compadre was about to shoot an unarmed man.” – Cisco Kid [05:42]

4. Lawlessness and New Alliances

• Cisco and Pancho befriend Tom Vincent and learn about the criminal stranglehold on the town and the recent murder of Sheriff Morrow.
• May changes tactics, wanting to “let Cisco outsmart himself.” [08:16]
• The introduction of the twin brother, Salinas, paves the way for an elaborate scheme: Salinas is to impersonate Tom Vincent.

5. The Trap Is Set

• May Carson tells Cisco that Tom Vincent is the real boss of the criminal operation and challenges him to catch Tom robbing a bank.
  • “If you caught him robbing a bank, would that convince you?” – May Carson [11:26]
• As May strings Cisco along, she simultaneously organizes the bank job with Salinas posing as Tom.

6. Twin Troubles—Mistaken Identity

• Salinas arrives, identical to Tom. The conspirators scheme to have Salinas impersonate Tom, facilitating a robbery and framing Tom.
  • “I want you to take your brother’s place.” – May Carson [14:45]
• Cisco and Pancho spot inconsistencies and grow suspicious, deducing the existence of the twin brother.

7. Cisco’s Deductive Powers

• Cisco tests “Tom” with pointed questions and notices clues (such as a missing wound on the imposter’s face) to discern the twins’ identities.
• “After the fight the other day, I noticed a cut over the right eyebrow of Senor Tom. It has not yet had time to heal.” – Cisco Kid [22:04]

8. Showdown and Justice Restored

• A final confrontation at Tom’s hideout. Just as Salinas and his gang plan to murder Tom and pin all blame on him, Cisco and Pancho burst in.
  • “This evil brother of mine has needed a good beating for a long time, and he’s going to get it.” – Tom Vincent [23:14, 23:20]
• Tom subdues his twin, and Cisco and Pancho secure the remaining gang.

9. Resolution and Closing Moral

• The true killers are exposed: Dale killed Sheriff Morrow; May Carson is implicated as ringleader.
  • “We’ve got enough evidence on them and their boss, May Carson, to send them all to jail for the rest of their lives.” – Tom Vincent [23:43]
• The episode ends on a note reinforcing virtue—Cactus Flats is safe, and order is restored.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You can’t remember where you saw this here sky pilot before?” – Dale Dooley [02:36]
• “Sky pilot, preacher, parson, all mean the same thing.” – May Carson [02:32]
• “The Vincent you’re talking about is the preacher’s twin brother—Ray Vincent... They call him Salinas.” – Dale Dooley [03:36–03:48]
• “That’s exactly what I’ll do. Not now… Selina says horses coming. Just go, kid and punch.” – Salinas (Ray Vincent) [19:33–19:38]
• “I am sure she did it to detain us, Pancho.” – Cisco Kid (regarding May Carson’s stalling) [16:42]
• “Pancho never see two twin brothers but look so much alike…” – Pancho [24:44]
• “Oh, they looked alike, but you know their natures were not at all alike, Poncho.” – Cisco Kid [24:50]
• (Comic Relief)
  “My uncle Julio got little twin boy, Cisco.” “How old are they?” “One ten years old and the other seven years old.”
  – Pancho & Cisco Kid [25:03–25:18]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cactus Flats background and May’s plotting: [00:35–04:00]
• First confrontation—Cisco’s intervention: [05:00–06:30]
• May hatches twin brother scheme: [08:07–09:24]
• Cisco confronted with lies—May frames Tom: [10:55–11:44]
• Meeting of May, Salinas, and the gang: [13:12–15:00]
• Cisco tests ‘Tom’ and deduces the twin plot: [16:38–22:10]
• Final showdown and resolution: [22:22–24:10]
• Comic banter about twins: [24:44–25:41]

Tone and Language

• Classic, rapid-fire western dialogue, peppered with period slang (“sky pilot” for preacher, “ombres” for men).
• Villains’ exchanges are snappy, cunning, and at times, laced with dark humor.
• Cisco and Pancho balance clever deduction with comedic relief, especially in the episode's closing moments.

Summary Takeaway

This episode masterfully blends classic western action with a tale of mistaken identity and brotherly rivalry. The Cisco Kid, with trusty Pancho, unravels the truth behind Tom Vincent’s family secret, thwarts a murderous plot, and restores both law and faith in Cactus Flats. The interplay of suspense, drama, and humor encapsulates the enduring appeal of The Cisco Kid and old-time radio westerns.

(Advertisements, intros, and outros have been excluded. The above summary maintains fidelity to the episode’s language, tone, and key moments.)