Episode Overview

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: Last Command | The Lone Ranger (01-26-42)
Date: January 14, 2026

This episode presents a digitally restored adventure of "The Lone Ranger" titled "Last Command," first aired on January 26, 1942. The story centers around the Lone Ranger’s efforts to dismantle a secretive post-Civil War organization called the Legion of the Black Arrow, who threaten the stability of the West. In this tense and action-packed tale, deception, loyalty, and quick-thinking are put to the test as the Lone Ranger and his allies work to protect democracy on the frontier.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

1. Setting the Scene: The Legion of the Black Arrow (00:45–03:00)

• The West is unstable after the Civil War, and the secretive Legion of the Black Arrow rises to foment revolt.
• The Lone Ranger, assisted by his trusted companion Tonto, is leading efforts to expose and defeat this group.

Memorable quote (00:54):
"It was the masked rider of the plains who led the fight against this band of outlaws and traitors... his great strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness were taxed to the utmost in the cause of democracy." — Narrator

2. The Colonel’s Mystery and Lone Ranger’s Investigation (03:00–12:30)

• Tonto and the Lone Ranger discuss a mysterious meeting between Colonel Harcourt and suspected Black Arrow members.
• At the Lone Star Café, the Ranger questions Rafe Burton about Colonel Harcourt's involvement.
• The group is allegedly forming a militia to protect against "renegade Indians," with the Colonel offered command.
• Suspicion arises: is the fort really meant to protect or serve Black Arrow’s ambitions?

Key exchange:

• (08:01) Lone Ranger: "Did you hear anything more?"
• (08:07) Rafe Burton: "Well, he said there wasn't an army force within a hundred miles... organizing a volunteer militia... wanted the Colonel to take charge."

3. The Conspiracy Grows & The Ambush (12:30–23:00)

• Lone Ranger and Tonto trail the Colonel and three men north out of town.
• The Lone Ranger is ambushed and wounded, apparently shot by the conspirators.
• Meanwhile, Colonel Harcourt is convinced to oversee construction of a fort, meant to be a stronghold.

Notable moment (15:11):
"I got him. I got the Lone Ranger." — Jake Miller (believing he’s killed the masked man)

4. Building the Fort & Setting the Trap (23:00–35:00)

• Under Harcourt’s command, the fort takes shape with local ranch hands.
• The Lone Ranger, in disguise as Harcourt’s aide, continues undercover investigation.
• Tension among the villains rises as they suspect the Lone Ranger survived.
• Plans are revealed: After completion, Black Arrow will fire the innocent cowboys and replace them with their outlaws.

Quote (31:20):
"You can't just tell him he's through. When he sets eyes on those 200 men they're sending us, he's going to ask a lot of questions." — Jake

5. Prisoner, Escape, and Exposing the Villainy (35:00–45:00)

• The Lone Ranger is discovered colluding with Tonto and imprisoned as a "renegade."
• Tonto orchestrates his escape in a dramatic nighttime rescue with the help of their horses, Silver and Scout.

Memorable moment (37:15):
Tonto: "Here bet Jake talk. A member of the Black Arrow."
Lone Ranger: "Let’s call Silver over. He can break down the door."

6. The Doublecross and Rallying the Real Defenders (45:00–54:00)

• The honest cowboys are fired; the Colonel expresses his respect and gratitude.
• Black Arrow forces take over the fort with their outlaws.
• Colonel Harcourt discovers the true intentions and is threatened by Watson.
• Lone Ranger ensures he escapes and gathers the fired cowboys to counterattack.

Notable exchange:
(50:45) Watson: "You admit they're crooks?"
Colonel: "If this is a joke, I don't find it funny."

7. The Decoy and the Final Showdown (54:00–1:04:00)

• Lone Ranger and Colonel send a surrender ultimatum to Black Arrow, luring them out of the fort.
• A clever trick: The campfires in the valley are a decoy; the real soldiers double back and take the fort.
• The gang is tricked into surrendering their rifles and being subdued without a shot fired.

Classic Western twist (1:03:50):
Colonel: "As your men walk through the gate, we've been sticking a gag in their mouth and tying them up. There they all are. I don't think they'll make any more trouble."

8. Resolution and Reflection (1:04:00–end)

• The plot is foiled; the U.S. Army will take charge of the fort.
• The villains are imprisoned, and the Colonel reflects on his "last command" ending in true victory thanks to the Lone Ranger.
• The Lone Ranger disappears quietly, true to his legend.

Memorable closing quote (1:08:00):
Colonel Harcourt: "Just think, Curly. Every one of these men a prisoner and not a shot was fired. My last command—and thanks to the Lone Ranger, it's meant victory and not defeat."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• (00:54) "It was the masked rider of the plains who led the fight against this band of outlaws and traitors..." — Narrator
• (15:11) "I got him. I got the Lone Ranger." — Jake Miller
• (31:20) "You can't just tell him he's through. When he sets eyes on those 200 men they're sending us, he's going to ask a lot of questions." — Jake
• (37:15) "Here bet Jake talk. A member of the Black Arrow." — Tonto
• (50:45) "If this is a joke, I don't find it funny." — Colonel Harcourt
• (1:03:50) "As your men walk through the gate, we've been sticking a gag in their mouth and tying them up." — Colonel
• (1:08:00) "My last command—and thanks to the Lone Ranger, it's meant victory and not defeat." — Colonel Harcourt

Key Moments by Timestamp

• 00:45 — Introduction to the Legion of the Black Arrow
• 08:00 — Lone Ranger interviews Burton, learns of Colonel's plan
• 15:11 — Lone Ranger shot in the ambush
• 23:30 — Fort construction begins under Colonel
• 31:20 — Villain plans to replace cowboys with outlaws
• 37:10 — Lone Ranger imprisoned
• 39:30 — Tonto rescues Lone Ranger
• 50:00 — Colonel learns the fort’s been taken by criminals
• 54:00 — Decoy plan unfolds
• 1:03:30 — Black Arrow gang subdued inside the fort
• 1:07:50 — Colonel delivers closing thoughts; Lone Ranger disappears

Conclusion

This episode encapsulates the essence of Golden Age radio drama: complex yet clear plotting, dramatic reversals, moral clarity, and the iconic presence of the Lone Ranger. Through clever strategy and unwavering courage, wrongs are righted without resorting to further violence, and trust in integrity triumphs over deceit. The story’s themes of loyalty, deception, and redemption are timeless, and the digitized restoration brings these classic voices and sounds vividly to life for modern audiences.