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California Carson
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this your first date?
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Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Representative
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Andrew Ryans
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Ryans. And let's get into this episode. This episode's going to be Hop Along Cassidy Original Air Dates February 19, 1950 Title of this episode Hoppy Takes a Chance. Hope you enjoy and again, thanks for listening.
Narrator
It's Hop Along Cassidy. With action and suspense. Out of the old west comes the most famous hero of them all, Hopalong Cassidy. Starring William Boyd. The ring of the silver spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West. Hop Along Cassidy. This famous hero thrills his 60 million fans with action and dangerous adventure. In the role of Hop Along Cassidy is the popular star of the motion picture series, William Boyd. And appearing as that laughable old character, California, is Andy Clyde. Now to our story, Hoppy Takes a Chance. September at the Bar 20, like all cattle ranchers, is a happy month for the line riders, the lonely cowboys whose duty it is to patrol the boundaries of the ranch and see to it that the outfit stock stays on the reservation. It's a happy time because it marks the end of the season for them and the friendly atmosphere of the ranch house just around the corner. But Bob Cranston was different from the rest. There was a as Hoppy rode up to him on the ridge south of the Bar 20 Ranch hog.
Hopalong Cassidy
Hi there, Wally. How's it going?
California Carson
Can't complain, Hoppy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Good. I figure on sending you out of sin up tomorrow. Make a circuit of the ranch boundaries, run down the strays and kick any of Salinger's cows back onto their own territory.
Narrator
Take you a week or so.
California Carson
Okay, boss.
Hopalong Cassidy
How do you like the new job? Fine, I reckon.
California Carson
Wondered if I might keep right at
Hopalong Cassidy
it on through the winter after cutting out in Brandon. You mean you want that winter job?
California Carson
Sure, why not?
Hopalong Cassidy
Fucking the snow drift, running down weak dogies in a blizzard. Ah, most of the line boys jammer like a stuck pig. When I end up an assignment like
California Carson
that, Well, I don't know. I ain't much of a hand around the ranch house. Like to be off by myself. I don't mind the cold. If you'd get me the job, I'd sure work at it, Hoppy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Well, brother, if you want it, you get it. Come on, Topper. Let's get back to headquarters.
California Carson
Morning, Huffy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Sheriff. What are you doing here?
California Carson
Oh, just dropping by on a friendly call. Huffy, you know Shelby Sellinger here.
Hopalong Cassidy
Sure. Hello, Mr. Sellinger. Have a chair.
California Carson
Thanks.
Hopalong Cassidy
How are you, Cassidy? Great. You sent one of my line riders out to hustle your stock back on the reservation? Seems an awful lot of circle. Sea cows like Bar 20 grass better than they own. Save your rider a lot of work, Cassidy.
California Carson
I sold them off last week.
Hopalong Cassidy
I needed the money. I see.
California Carson
Yeah. Mr. Sellinger got payment before delivery and shipped $12,000 out by stage day before yesterday. Happy?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah.
California Carson
Stay off alone on his range?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah.
California Carson
It didn't get very far.
Hopalong Cassidy
What do you mean?
California Carson
About as far as the blind turret on the stage road. Road agent shot the driver outright.
Hopalong Cassidy
Wait a minute. Clem Yates was guard on that stage.
California Carson
Shot him down in full blood.
Hopalong Cassidy
Clem? How could anybody.
California Carson
Yeah, that's the way we all feel, Happy. Folks in town are ready for a lynching.
Hopalong Cassidy
You got any leads?
California Carson
We know who it is. His name's Johnny McIver.
Hopalong Cassidy
Is that so?
California Carson
Yeah.
Hopalong Cassidy
We talked to the only passenger on the stage, a girl named Levann Richards.
California Carson
She described him for us.
Hopalong Cassidy
Who is this McIver?
California Carson
Young fella, about 25 or so. Let's get out of prison. Came through this part of the country a few days ago looking for a job. We wondered if he came by here.
Hopalong Cassidy
I'll keep on the lookout for him, Sheriff.
California Carson
The townspeople have put up a reward
Hopalong Cassidy
if he shot Clem Yates. That's all the encouragement I need.
California Carson
We can sure use your help, puppy.
Hopalong Cassidy
You'll get it, Sheriff.
Narrator
Thanks.
Hopalong Cassidy
Bye. Goodbye. California, huh?
Mike DeCicco
Oh, how.
California Carson
Yeah, Hoppy. I was just frying up half a dozen eggs here. Just tide me over till dinner.
Hopalong Cassidy
Forget your stomach for once, Poppy.
California Carson
Eggs is brain.
Hopalong Cassidy
I don't need your brain. I need the seat of your pants in a saddle right now. Watch out. I want you to ride down to South Ridge and pick up Bob Cranston.
California Carson
You mean the new hand you put on yesterday?
Hopalong Cassidy
That's right. I want to find out why he calls himself Cranston when his real name is Johnny Mac.
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Narrator
Now back to Hopalong Cassidy and our story, Hoppy Takes a Chance. Two men have been murdered, one of them the beloved Clem Yates. When the mail stage out of Baker's Crossing was held up and robbed by a masked bandit, the sheriff and the townspeople are sure the robber is Johnny McIver, a young ex convict. And while they scour the country for him, Hoppy is talking to him in the main room of the Bar 20 ranch house.
California Carson
You've got to believe me, Hobby. I had nothing to do with this. I didn't.
Hopalong Cassidy
Take it easy, Bob. I'm not accusing you yet.
California Carson
How come you change your handle, sonny? Seems to me we hired a hand named Bob Cranston. I told you, California people just can't deal an ex convict a straight hand.
Hopalong Cassidy
I can understand that. You didn't need a new name. Around here you take a man for what he is, not what he used to be.
California Carson
I wish they were all like you, Mr. Sellinger didn't look at it that way.
Hopalong Cassidy
Salinger?
California Carson
Yeah. When I first got to town a few days ago, I hit him for a job.
Hopalong Cassidy
When was that?
California Carson
Let me see. Wednesday afternoon.
Hopalong Cassidy
And the stage was held up that night at 8. What did Salinger tell you?
California Carson
He told me to come back about 10 o'.
Hopalong Cassidy
Clock.
California Carson
Said he'd let me know then.
Hopalong Cassidy
So you went back, huh?
California Carson
Yeah, I started back from town about 7. Didn't see anyone till I got to that place where the Fords a creek.
Hopalong Cassidy
You know there's a grove of cottonwoods there. Yep, I know the place. There was a fire going and a
California Carson
couple of men boiling up some coffee. They said they were from Sellinger's ranch.
Hopalong Cassidy
What did they look like?
California Carson
One of them was heavy set, wore a pair of side whiskers. Better be Sam Wellman.
Hopalong Cassidy
Who? Sellinger's ranch foreman. What about the other one?
California Carson
He was red headed, kind of short.
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, it's Red Conroy. What happened then?
California Carson
They told me Sellinger wasn't back to the ranch yet. Asked me to have a cup of coffee with him. It was pretty chilly and I figured a cup of coffee would taste good, so.
Hopalong Cassidy
So you accepted the invitation?
California Carson
Yeah. They said Mr. Sellinger had passed right
Hopalong Cassidy
by there on his way back.
California Carson
Well, we sat around a while.
Hopalong Cassidy
Then the redhead pulled out a pack
Narrator
of cards and suggested a game.
California Carson
Uh oh, them fellers are sure death at poker, huh?
Hopalong Cassidy
Red and Sam are a couple of pretty slick poker players. How much did you lose?
California Carson
I didn't lose. I won $300. Sonny, you're wasting your time as a cowpoke. Anyone who can skin them coyotes, that draw poker is.
Hopalong Cassidy
Wait a minute, California. You pretty good at poker, Bob?
California Carson
Oh, just fair. They played pretty stupid. I took 100 pot with a pair of tens.
Mike DeCicco
Huh?
California Carson
Plain again. Red Conroy and Sam Wellman.
Hopalong Cassidy
Oh, wait a minute. Maybe this makes sense. What did you do with the 300, Bob?
California Carson
I saved it. They told me a lot of places
Hopalong Cassidy
I could blow it in town, but I didn't. They did, huh?
California Carson
Now what's that got to do with it, Hop?
Hopalong Cassidy
I'm not sure yet, but I got an idea a coach was robbed at 8 o'.
California Carson
Clock.
Hopalong Cassidy
Where were you at that time, Bob? That was about 30 minutes before I
California Carson
met the two men. I was at the trail quite a piece.
Hopalong Cassidy
Alone. No alibi?
California Carson
I guess not.
Hopalong Cassidy
About a half hour after the robbery, you run onto Red and Sam and win $300 from him. With poker they figure, of course, you'll roll into town and blow it sky high. When did Salinger finally show up? I don't know.
California Carson
About 10, I guess.
Hopalong Cassidy
And he turned you down?
California Carson
Yeah. They didn't want any truck with jailbirds.
Hopalong Cassidy
I see. Bob, before we start out, I want you to know I'm going to give you every break I can to tell them the truth. I'll stand up with you against the whole town if you're not. I'm not worrying about that hobby. Okay, let's get going. Where the blind turn on the stage road where the coach was robbed. Maybe we can find a few tracks. Bob. Yeah? You can check your gun here at the ranch house. California and I will take care of any shooting that has to be done.
California Carson
Any luck, Hoppy?
Hopalong Cassidy
No, not a chance to find any tracks on the road here. Someone came through here with a bunch of cattle after it happens.
California Carson
That was Sellinger. That bunch of stairs he just sold.
Hopalong Cassidy
Tell me something, California.
California Carson
Anything you want, Hoppy. My brain's at your service.
Hopalong Cassidy
Well, harness it up for a minute. You plan to hold up the mail coach here? Where would you hide out?
California Carson
That's a cinch. Right behind the tree.
Hopalong Cassidy
On it. That's what I thought. Come on.
California Carson
Hey, I said over there behind the tree. Sure.
Hopalong Cassidy
So naturally, a smart bandit would hide up in those rocks above the turn.
California Carson
Cassidy.
Mike DeCicco
So help.
Hopalong Cassidy
Don't get insulted. California. You got a wonderful pair of feet.
California Carson
Pretty hard to find any tracks on these granite rocks, Hoppy?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, especially when the robber was careful not to make any. Getting pretty dark now, too. You got a match, Bob?
California Carson
No, I don't carry him.
Hopalong Cassidy
Oh, well. No use looking around here in the dark. May as well ride over to that cottonwood grove of the creek, see if there's anything left of that campfire that you sat around.
California Carson
No dice, Hoppy. There ain't a thing to show anyone's been here. Not a track, not a sign of a campfire.
Mike DeCicco
But I told you the truth, Hoppy.
California Carson
I was here. Someone's cleaned the place up.
Hopalong Cassidy
I know it.
California Carson
Huh? You mean you believe me?
Hopalong Cassidy
I think I believed you from the first, Bob. Now I got proof.
California Carson
We ain't found a thing.
Mike DeCicco
Hobby.
California Carson
How can you.
Hopalong Cassidy
That's just it. Not what we found. It's what we didn't find.
California Carson
What do you mean?
Hopalong Cassidy
One of our line riders uses this place regularly. Builds a fire right here in the clearing. The ashes would be here if someone didn't have a reason for cleaning them up. They knew Bob had come here with a story. They wanted to make a liar out of him.
California Carson
You mean Sam and Red?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah. In fact, they're at the blind turn. We didn't find any tracks on that granite, but I found something else.
California Carson
What was that?
Hopalong Cassidy
That's why I asked you for that match. I never saw a cigarette smoker yet who didn't carry matches. One of the robbers left this behind.
California Carson
Well, I'll be a cigarette, but yeah.
Hopalong Cassidy
Do you think it was Salmon Red and someone else. The man who planned the job. I can't think of a single reason why I had to drive a herd of cattle six miles out of the way. Unless there was some embarrassing tracks he wanted to cover up.
California Carson
Lord Almighty. Salinger.
Hopalong Cassidy
That's right. Salinger.
California Carson
Amigo, you come here to my Fiesta Saloon. Once in the blue moon, the Sassa Perilla, she is on me.
Mike DeCicco
Ah.
Hopalong Cassidy
Afraid I haven't time for a drink, Mike. I got a lot of things on My mind right now.
California Carson
You tell Mike the SEO, huh? Maybe I help change Sabi.
Hopalong Cassidy
What do you know about selling your Mike? Seems to me he was up against it for money for a while back.
California Carson
Why do you ask?
Hopalong Cassidy
Copy. That's pretty important right now to a kid named Johnny McIver.
California Carson
That kid, he make one big mistake
Hopalong Cassidy
when he killed Clem Yates. You think he did it? The whole town thinks so.
California Carson
His life, she's worth 2 centavas, maybe less.
Hopalong Cassidy
You know why, Mike? Because the kid has a prison record. See, he's the second man who came to Baker's Crossing with a record, Mike. See, and he feels like you did when you got out. He wants to go straight if the people here let him alone.
California Carson
You have kept our secret well these 10 years, Otto. But why do you ask about Salinger?
Hopalong Cassidy
Because I think you know how bad he needs money.
California Carson
See, he. He tried to borrow 10,000 from me two weeks ago.
Hopalong Cassidy
His rancho.
California Carson
The Circle siege isn't one butt fixed.
Hopalong Cassidy
That's what I thought. He got his money, Mike. Huh? What do you mean? He figured by shipping that cattle money express and robbing the stage, he'd collect from Wells Fargo, too. A nice way to double your money. You got a young ex convict handy to take the blame.
Mike DeCicco
Madre de Dios.
Ann Richards
You.
California Carson
You mean selling?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, with Red Conroy and Sam Wellman to give him a hand.
California Carson
Hubby, You. You can prove this?
Hopalong Cassidy
There was one passenger on the stage, a girl named Ann Richards. I think she knows more than she's telling.
California Carson
Oh, but the word of a young senorita against Salinger?
Hopalong Cassidy
No.
California Carson
She's no good, huh?
Hopalong Cassidy
She's not enough, Mike. See, that's just why I came to.
Narrator
Before we continue with this exciting story, here is a word from your announcer.
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California Carson
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California Carson
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Liberty Mutual Representative
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Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Representative
Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Narrator
Now back to Hop Along Cassidy. And Hoppy takes a chance. Hoppy is sure now that Shelby Salinger and his two henchmen engineered the robbery of the mail stick, carrying his own money, knowing that Johnny McIver, a young ex convict, would be blamed. But it's quite another matter to prove it. That's why Hoppy has called on Ann Richards, the one passenger on the stage during the robbery and the only living witness.
Ann Richards
Please, Mr. Cassidy. That's all I know. It's just as I told the sheriff.
Hopalong Cassidy
I tell you, I want to know the truth, Ms. Richards. I want to know exactly what happened on that stage from the minute the driver pulled up at that blind corner.
Ann Richards
But I've told you.
Hopalong Cassidy
Tell me what someone's forcing you to say. Yeah.
California Carson
Fred Conroy standing across the street. I just seen him through the window.
Hopalong Cassidy
I know, Huh? I made sure he saw me. Come here. Keep an eye on him.
California Carson
Sure, Hoppy.
Mike DeCicco
Oh, I sure wish I knelt. Book had been on.
Ann Richards
You know what you're doing, Mr. Cassidy? He's watching this house. He'll do anything. Kill me, anything.
Hopalong Cassidy
Wait a minute, Ms. Richards. I wonder if you know what you're doing.
Ann Richards
I tell you, he'll kill me. Do you understand that? He'll stop it.
Hopalong Cassidy
Listen to me. You're the only witness to that robbery. Because you said so, they're out looking for one man instead of three. Because you said so, they'll hang Johnny McIver because he happens to have a prison record and no alibi.
Mike DeCicco
I can't help it.
Ann Richards
I can't.
Hopalong Cassidy
If you want it in plain English, Ms. Richards, you're yellow. You're willing to let an innocent man hang to save your own skin.
Ann Richards
But it's too late to do anything now. The people are ready to lynch him. I can't stop them. What can I do?
Hopalong Cassidy
You can tell me really what happened out there at that blind corner.
Ann Richards
You're right, Mr. Cassidy. I guess I am a coward. I don't know when they came here and threatened me.
Hopalong Cassidy
Who?
Ann Richards
Conroy and Wellman. They said they'd kill me if I didn't tell the story the way they wanted it.
Hopalong Cassidy
Well, let's have it now.
Ann Richards
There wasn't just one man, Mr. Cassidy. There were two.
Hopalong Cassidy
Conroy and Wellman?
Ann Richards
I think so. I couldn't identify them out there on the road. They wore masks, and one kept calling the other McIver.
Hopalong Cassidy
I see.
Ann Richards
I was inside the coach when they forced Clem Yates to get down. He was right next to the window. I heard him say, MacIver, you're not Mac Ivers.
Hopalong Cassidy
Then what?
Ann Richards
That's when the shot came.
California Carson
Pete, he's coming across the street.
Hopalong Cassidy
There he is now. Get behind the door. When I open it, you know what to do. Stay right here, Ms. Richardson.
California Carson
Ready? Let her rip. Hello, Cassidy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Conroy. What can I do for you?
California Carson
I can talk better inside, especially with a gun in my hand.
Hopalong Cassidy
You think that's gonna get you anywhere, Red?
California Carson
Put your hands up, Cassidy.
Mike DeCicco
That's better.
California Carson
You know, you got a bad habit messing around in things that ain't your business. And I'm gonna break you of that right now before you get your nose caught in somebody's keyhole. Keep those hands up, Cassidy.
Mike DeCicco
Do you hear what I.
Hopalong Cassidy
Nice work, California.
California Carson
Hit him too hard. My gun butt'll never be the same, Mr. Cassidy.
Hopalong Cassidy
You see, Ms. Richards, these tough guys aren't so bad when you use the right kind of diplomacy. Get some rope out back, California. We're gonna truss this turkey up so he won't come undone till roasting time.
Narrator
Right, puppy?
Ann Richards
Why are you going through his pocket?
Hopalong Cassidy
Ah, here we are.
Ann Richards
A letter.
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, that ought to be just what the doctor ordered. You see, Ms. Richard, we can hook Red and Sam on your testimony. There's no way we can touch Salinger. That is, unless either Red or Sam decide to talk.
Ann Richards
They'll never do that. You don't know them that Cassidy and Ms. Richard.
Hopalong Cassidy
You don't know Mike Decico.
California Carson
So she's changed the story, hu?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah. Ah, but not good enough. I want Salinger, too. And if she tells her story now, we lose any chance of getting him. Wait. Huh? Don't turn around.
California Carson
The sheriff just came in. Quick, take this case.
Hopalong Cassidy
A letter Red Conroy wrote to a girl in Council City. Yeah, boy.
California Carson
Good morning, Hoppy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Oh, howdy, Sheriff. Anything new?
California Carson
Been keeping mighty busy, Hoppy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Me too. Have no business hanging around the fiesta here. Better get on back to the ranch.
California Carson
Just a minute, Hoppy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Huh?
California Carson
Don't run off. Thought you might like to know Johnny McIver was spotted by a Posyman an hour ago, riding line on the bar 20.
Hopalong Cassidy
Which means what?
California Carson
Which means you're under arrest. Concealing and giving shelter to a Public Enemy. Sorry, Hoppy, but you're going to jail.
Mike DeCicco
What can I do for you gents?
California Carson
Hurry. I'm California Carson. This Here is Mike DeCicco. I'd like to see Hopalong Cassidy, if you don't mind.
Mike DeCicco
Well, I don't know. Sheriff said no one's to see him.
Hopalong Cassidy
What?
California Carson
Jack, that means why not in Mexico?
Mike DeCicco
Already told you Sheriff said no. Wants to see him. Well, nothing to do but wait until
California Carson
the sheriff gets back in. Reckon so. Mind if we sit down?
Mike DeCicco
The country jail is public property. Sit anywhere you please.
California Carson
Gotcha. That means thanks mix. Now, you sit in the chair there, Mike, and I'll sit in this here packing box.
Mike DeCicco
Excuse me a minute, Chance. I just want to check up on the.
California Carson
Mike, did you get a look at them selkies hanging from his belt? Can you get them? Can I get them? At the age of six, I was the second best pickpocket in Mexico City. Who is the bear?
Hopalong Cassidy
My papa.
California Carson
We'll get him. When he says down, you pull the
Hopalong Cassidy
chair and grab his gun, huh?
Narrator
Here he comes.
Mike DeCicco
Stone walls do not the prison makes the fell says ain't never received the Baker's cross in jail, I reckon. Oh, old hobby.
California Carson
Wonder if he's had his dinner.
Mike DeCicco
Oh, don't worry, Sheriff.
California Carson
We'll bring him something when he gets back.
Mike DeCicco
Hey, Fell. Thought we might have it in game while we waiting.
Hopalong Cassidy
You.
California Carson
Maybe a little fanny, Anthony.
Mike DeCicco
No tenth of a cent, I always say now.
California Carson
Suffering snake. Sir, you hurt yourself?
Hopalong Cassidy
Let me help you.
Mike DeCicco
Chair went right out from under me. Don't know what happened.
Hopalong Cassidy
Here.
California Carson
Here, I'll give you a hand.
Mike DeCicco
Foot slipped under the desk. Caught on something down there. Now watching Charlie Nation.
California Carson
What's the matter here? You. You're stuck.
Mike DeCicco
Got my foot damned in the spit too. Drafting. Drafting like a rat.
California Carson
No dice? No dice. Oh, let me get a new hope here.
Mike DeCicco
That won't work neither. Only making my leg longer. Gotta move the desk.
California Carson
Guess so. There she goes.
Mike DeCicco
Crazy but chew. Hey, man, ain't had a world like that since I stepped into bar trap one winter in Montana. Let's get the dust back on his heathen.
California Carson
Hey, what's the matter?
Mike DeCicco
Where's the other feller? Huh?
California Carson
Oh, you mean Mike.
Mike DeCicco
Well, gone. Looks like he wins. Trying to pull the bull over my eyes, eh? He's back there at Cassidy cell. That's where he is. I'll show that fella rules of rules. Yeah, by golly, you show him. Hey, you down there. Dustin in the door.
California Carson
What do you see?
Mike DeCicco
Look at that. Doris opened Tag busted. He took my key.
California Carson
Well, I'll take a look inside. Maybe Hoppy's hiding under the bed or something.
Mike DeCicco
I can't sound it. I can see, can I? Jesus, that fears, that face.
California Carson
You as me.
Mike DeCicco
Hey, where were that. Open this door. Get me out of here. Get me out. Get me out of here.
Hopalong Cassidy
You got him?
Mike DeCicco
Sure, I got him.
California Carson
Come on, let's get going.
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, we haven't much time.
Mike DeCicco
Wait a minute. You foreman, so help me. Adios, amigo. Adios. What does that mean? It's goodbye in Mexican. Let's show you my pair. Now,
California Carson
quiet, everyone. It's my duty to see justice is done. That's why I've come out here to the bar. 20 after Johnny McIver. If he's found guilty by a jury after he's had a fair trial, he'll get the full punishment under the law, and not until.
Mike DeCicco
We'll give you five minutes to turn him over, Sheriff. After five minutes.
California Carson
Getting mighty rough out there, Sellinger. Don't think we can hold out much longer. He hasn't got a chance.
Mike DeCicco
He don't deserve a chance.
California Carson
The law says he gets a fair trial, Sam. That mob ain't going to take him without a fight. 12 men against that mob out there? You're out of your mind, Sheriff. You got any ideas, Sellinger?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, you went out on the porch there and grabbed their attention. The kid and I might be able to get away from the rear.
California Carson
Say, that might work, Sheriff.
Mike DeCicco
If we could get him back to
California Carson
the jailhouse, we might be able to hold him off. And if the mob spotted you, that's the chance we have to take.
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Liberty Mutual Representative
to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
California Carson
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Liberty Mutual Representative
Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Representative
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
California Carson
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Hopalong Cassidy
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Hopalong Cassidy
Sam.
Narrator
Now back to Hopalong Cassidy.
California Carson
I don't know about that, Sellinger. If you take Johnny McIver out the back way and make a run for it. Don't you see it's the only chance the men you got won't stand up against that mob for two minutes? Well, I guess we'll have to try it. But an awful lot depends on you. You just leave it to me, Sheriff,
Hopalong Cassidy
and things will turn out just fine.
California Carson
I'll bring the kid in. Come here, McIver. I want a. Cassidy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Hello, Sheriff.
California Carson
What are you doing here?
Hopalong Cassidy
Oh, I got kind of bored down at the jail. Hello, St. And Sam Wellman. Welcome to Bar 20. You're just in time for the payoff.
California Carson
What are you talking about, Cassidy?
Hopalong Cassidy
This.
California Carson
What's that?
Hopalong Cassidy
A little Billy do from your pal Red Conroy. Starts out the following is my true and complete confession on the hold up and murder at the blind turn at 8 o' clock on the night of September 12th.
California Carson
Let me see that.
Hopalong Cassidy
Not so fast, Sellinger. Want to take a look at it, Sheriff?
California Carson
Yeah, it's a trick. Shut up, Salinger. It's Red Conroy's handwriting all right. I got to tell it a mile away. What did you do with him, Cassidy?
Hopalong Cassidy
He's taking it easy in town.
California Carson
And while I stood guard at the bend, Sam Wellman walked up to Clem Yates.
Ann Richards
It's a lie.
Mike DeCicco
Conroy killed you. Shut up. Double crosser ain't gonna train me.
California Carson
And you ain't either, Sellinger.
Mike DeCicco
I never pulled a trigger, Sam.
California Carson
Get away from him, Sellinger.
Mike DeCicco
Challenger shot the driver, Sheriff. It's the truth around me. I was keeping water.
California Carson
And it was Red who walked up to Clem Yates, huh?
Mike DeCicco
Yeah. Yes. Stay where you are, Sellinger.
California Carson
Keep your hands up.
Mike DeCicco
I'll get you for this, Wellman. So help me out.
California Carson
You ain't getting anyone now, Sellinger. You're gonna turn around while I march the two of you out on the porch. Read this confession to the crowd. Come on now, get going. Did it work, Huffy?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, we're going out on the porch.
California Carson
It was a mic. Too close for me, Hoppy.
Hopalong Cassidy
Too California.
California Carson
How about me?
Hopalong Cassidy
You got a clean slate now, Bob. From here on in it's up to you. And you can thank Mike here for small favors. Oh, it was nothing, amigo. As they say in Mexico, la cuer de seronado, the rope she break at
California Carson
the weakest point is very that, no?
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, and we all have another secret to keep, eh, Mike? What's that, Huffy? That confession of Red Conroys. Or maybe you didn't know that Mike DeCicco in his heyday was the best forger west of the Mississippi.
Narrator
Mighty peaceful at the bar 20 now that this Johnny McIver affair is over. But somehow things never stay that way for very long. Hoppy in California will be riding into more dangerous adventure real soon. Hop Along Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is transcribed and produced in the west by Walter White Jr. Hoppy takes a Chance was written by Harold Swamp. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mo. This is a Commodore production.
Mike DeCicco
Foreign.
Andrew Ryans
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook join in the conversation by going to otrwesterns.Com Discord and don't forget to send us an email. Podcasttrwesterns.com this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day. And again, thanks for listening.
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California Carson
Hey everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this your first date?
Liberty Mutual Representative
Oh no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Hopalong Cassidy
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Representative
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Hopalong Cassidy
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Mike DeCicco
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Hopalong Cassidy
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Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Show: Hopalong Cassidy
Original Air Date: February 19, 1950
Podcast Release Date: May 22, 2026
In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rhynes introduces a digitally restored broadcast of Hopalong Cassidy titled “Hoppy Takes a Chance.” The story plunges listeners into a suspenseful whodunit on the frontier, as Hopalong Cassidy works to clear a wrongly accused ex-convict framed for a stagecoach holdup and murder. With a lynch mob at the gates and only a patchwork of evidence, Hoppy risks his reputation and safety to bring the real culprits to justice, embodying the Western ideals of truth and fair play.
“‘I want you to know I’m going to give you every break I can...I’ll stand up with you against the whole town if you’re not.’”
— Hoppy expresses loyalty and belief in Bob/Johnny (10:46)
“‘Not what we found. It’s what we didn’t find.’”
— Hoppy explains his detective logic (12:49)
“‘You’re willing to let an innocent man hang to save your own skin.’”
— Hoppy confronts Ann Richards with the harsh truth (20:00)
“You just leave it to me, Sheriff, and things will turn out just fine.”
— Salinger’s fateful promise before the final reveal (30:27)
“Want to take a look at it, Sheriff?”
— Hoppy produces Red Conroy’s “confession” (30:59)
“And we all have another secret to keep, eh, Mike?... That confession of Red Conroy’s. Or maybe you didn’t know that Mike DeCicco in his heyday was the best forger west of the Mississippi.”
— The episode’s final twist (32:18, Hoppy)
Hoppy Takes a Chance is a classic Western morality tale, with Hopalong Cassidy embodying both lawfulness and clever frontier pragmatism. The episode features not only suspenseful action—jailbreak, standoffs, clever schemes—but also thoughtful dialogue about justice, redemption, and the stigma of crime, fitting seamlessly into the enduring tradition of Old Time Radio Westerns. Through layered performances and sharp audio restoration, the podcast brings this vintage episode vividly to life for a modern audience.