Old Time Radio Westerns: "Hey Boy's Revenge" | Have Gun, Will Travel (Original Airdate: March 1, 1959)

Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Date: March 9, 2026
Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, "Hey Boy's Revenge," from the classic radio drama Have Gun, Will Travel, Paladin finds himself embroiled in a tale of injustice, racial prejudice, and the pursuit of rightful vengeance. When Hey Boy—Paladin’s friend and loyal hotel employee—mysteriously disappears and is later discovered jailed in a remote railroad town, Paladin journeys to uncover the truth behind the supposed “accidental” death of Hey Boy’s brother, expose the cruelty of a corrupt railroad foreman, and ensure that justice, rather than revenge, prevails.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Mystery of Hey Boy's Disappearance

• Paladin Returns to the Carlton Hotel (01:46)

  • Upon returning after several weeks’ absence, Paladin inquires about Hey Boy and is surprised to learn that his employment was abruptly “terminated” after missing work without explanation.
  • Quote:

    "Hey Boy is no longer here? … His employment terminated. Well, we could go today, as a matter of fact."
    — Sheriff Maury Travis & Paladin (03:04)

• Seeking Answers in Chinatown (05:31)

  • Unable to find information at the hotel, Paladin visits Mr. Chung, Hey Boy’s uncle, at the Mandarin Galleries. Mr. Chung reveals the distressing letters from Hey Boy’s brother, Kim Sung, about mistreatment and imminent danger at a railroad construction camp in Coldwater, Utah.

2. Injustice at the Coldwater Division

• Kim Sung’s Plight and the Systematic Abuse (07:35)

  • Mr. Chung reads Kim Sung’s letter describing wage theft, food deprivation, and threats from the foreman, Travis.
  • Quote:

    "The headman, Travis, cheats us of our wages, gives us less food than is our right because we are Chinese. ... I am afraid Travis will kill me as a lesson to the others. Please, my brother, you must help me."
    — Mr. Chung reading Kim Sung’s letter (07:35)

• Hey Boy's Mission and Isolation

  • Hey Boy left for Utah alone, driven by duty to family and justice—“when it is hurt, even the most gentle kitten will have the fury of a tiger.”
    — Mr. Chung (08:57)

3. Paladin Confronts the Corrupt Railroad Boss

• First Encounter with Maury Travis (09:46)

  • Paladin introduces himself to Travis by offering his services as a bodyguard, warning him that someone intends to kill him. Travis dismisses the threat and reveals Hey Boy is locked up after attempting vengeance.

  • Quote:

    “I don’t need to hire a gun to protect me against a coolie. I’ve already met up with that little China boy, and I’m still alive and kicking.”
    — Maury Travis (10:56)

4. A Friend in Need: Hey Boy in Jail

• Paladin Visits Hey Boy (14:33)

  • Paladin persuades the sheriff to let him see Hey Boy. Hey Boy details the brutality: Travis killed Kim Sung with the help of foreman Brady, then staged the scene to look like an accident.

  • Quote:

    “Who would take the word of Chinese against a white? Somehow his punishment will come at my hands.”
    — Hey Boy (15:42)

  • Despite Paladin’s plea for due process, Hey Boy refuses to betray his comrades who witnessed the crime, protecting them from retribution.

5. Rallying for Justice, Facing Down Prejudice

• Laborers’ Silence and Fear (16:46)

  • Paladin attempts to persuade the Chinese laborers to speak up but is met with fear and silence, highlighting the immigrants’ vulnerability.

• Situation Escalates: Jailbreak and Mob Justice (21:21)

  • Amidst rising unrest, a large group of Chinese workers break Hey Boy out of jail, arming themselves and marching against Travis’ office.
  • Travis, panic-stricken, hires Paladin to intervene—offering $500.

• Paladin’s Stand: Law Over Vengeance (24:19)

  • Paladin confronts Hey Boy and the laborers, warning that further violence will benefit no one. He insists the rule of law will protect them, not vigilantism.

  • Quote:

    “Not by you. You’re in the United States now, Hey Boy. You live by American law.”
    "American law is for whites, not Chinese."
    "The law is for everybody. The color of your skin doesn’t make you any different. While you’re in this country, you’ll not only obey the law, you’ll get its protection. And you’ll get justice."
    — Paladin & Hey Boy (24:41)

  • Importantly, the men finally come forward as witnesses—led by a man named Sang—providing enough proof for Travis to be arrested and face justice.

6. Resolution and Restoration

• Justice Served, Dignity Restored (26:09)

  • With Travis in jail, Hey Boy returns to his old life at the Carlton Hotel.

  • Grateful for Paladin’s help, money from Travis is used to bring Kim Sung home for a proper burial and to purchase a beautiful chess set as a token of thanks from Mr. Chung.

  • Quote:

    “My uncle, Mr. Chung, very grateful for all you did. We used the money you give us from Travis to bring my brother back to San Francisco for a proper Chinese funeral.”
    — Hey Boy (26:36)

• A Warm Return to Familiar Routines

  • The episode ends with Hey Boy humorously mentioning hotel staff changes and Paladin, once again, appreciating the richness and comforts of home.

Memorable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 07:35 | Mr. Chung (reading Kim Sung’s letter) | "The headman, Travis, cheats us of our wages, gives us less food than is our right because we are Chinese. ... Please, my brother, you must help me." | | 10:56 | Maury Travis | "I don’t need to hire a gun to protect me against a coolie. I’ve already met up with that little China boy, and I’m still alive and kicking."| | 15:42 | Hey Boy | "Who would take the word of Chinese against a white? Somehow his punishment will come at my hands." | | 24:41 | Paladin & Hey Boy | Paladin: "Not by you. You’re in the United States now, Hey Boy. You live by American law." Hey Boy: "American law is for whites, not Chinese." Paladin: "The law is for everybody. The color of your skin doesn’t make you any different. While you’re in this country, you’ll not only obey the law, you’ll get its protection. And you’ll get justice." | | 26:36 | Hey Boy | "My uncle, Mr. Chung, very grateful for all you did. We used the money you give us from Travis to bring my brother back to San Francisco for a proper Chinese funeral." | | 26:47 | Paladin (on gift) | "Oh, why, it's the chess that I admired at the Mandarin … Beautiful. Thank you." |

Notable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Paladin learns of Hey Boy’s disappearance and investigates (03:02–05:31)
• Translation of Kim Sung’s letter, revealing abuse and threats (07:35–08:13)
• Paladin confronts Maury Travis and learns Hey Boy is jailed (09:46–11:11)
• Hey Boy shares his story and resolve for justice (14:33–16:09)
• Paladin tries to rally witnesses among the laborers (16:46–19:13)
• Tension peaks: Chinese workers stage a jailbreak and confrontation (21:21–24:00)
• Paladin mediates, leading to peaceful surrender and legal testimony (24:19–25:46)
• Hey Boy returns to the hotel and presents Paladin with a gift (26:09–27:19)

Tone & Themes

• The episode balances suspenseful, investigative drama with deep empathy for Hey Boy and his community.
• Themes include racial injustice, the limits (and promise) of the law, loyalty, and the challenges faced by immigrants in the Old West.
• Paladin’s stoic integrity and commitment to law and fairness are pitted against a corrupt system, but ultimately, hope and justice prevail—delivered in the dry wit and moral certainty typical of the series.

Conclusion

"Hey Boy’s Revenge" stands out as both a tense Western drama and a poignant exploration of justice in the face of prejudice. Paladin’s unwavering support for Hey Boy, coupled with his insistence on lawful resolution, offers a powerful message that justice can—and should—transcend boundaries of race and power.

For new and returning listeners, this restored classic delivers a blend of mystery, action, and heart, wrapped in the atmospheric soundscape of radio’s golden age.