
Original Air Date: July 31, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: Have Gun Will TravelPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• John Dehner (Paladin)• Ben Wright (Heyboy)• Virginia Gregg (Miss. Wong) Special Guests:• Anne Whitfield• Vic Perrin• Lillian Buyeff Writ...
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Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be have Gun Will Travel Original air date is July 31, 1960 and the title is My Son Must Die. Let's get into it. And I hope you enjoy.
Paladin
I'm sorry our fishing trip turned out this way, hey boy. But we can't go back to San Francisco until we know this girl is safe.
Carlos
Have Gun will travel starring Mr. John Dana as Paladin. San Francisco, 1875. The Carlton Hotel, Headquarters of a man called Paladin.
Hey Boy
Lisa. Paladin.
Paladin
Hey boy Lisa. Well, what in the devil is all that you're carrying?
Hey Boy
Oh, he's camping equipment. Come in, please.
Paladin
Well, yes, come on in. Thank you.
Hey Boy
Boy tire.
Paladin
I don't doubt it, but why in the world do you have all that equipment?
Hey Boy
Oh, it's very necessary for a fishy trip, Mr. Paladin.
Paladin
Well, we certainly don't need all that.
Hey Boy
Oh, yes, sir. Man in store. I tell hay boy he need many things.
Paladin
Ah, man of the store. Did you tell him that we were only going for one week?
Hey Boy
Oh, Isa that hey boy get time off from job that you promised to take me and that it's very happy time.
Paladin
But may I remind you that besides two saddle horses, we're only taking one pack horse.
Hey Boy
Oh, too much equipment, huh?
Paladin
Much too much.
Hey Boy
Do a hay boy have to leave some?
Paladin
You'll have to leave a lot. All we need are a couple of saddle blankets, cooking gear, some fishing line, a few hooks. Oh, and the rest is up to the fish when they see the worms.
Hey Boy
Worms? You know, wiggly worms.
Paladin
That's right. We use them for bait.
Hey Boy
Yeah, yeah, boy. Not like little wiggly worm.
Paladin
Well, there's one other way to catch fish, eh, boy?
Marlene Carter
How?
Paladin
Well, you find yourself a nice rock out in the middle of the stream, see? And you crouch on it like a cat. And be still.
Toleda
Very still.
Hey Boy
Oh, he's a.
Marlene Carter
Then what?
Paladin
Then after a couple of hours, you might see a fish. And when you do, you take a deep breath, dive into that icy stream and swim after him. If you're lucky and can hold your breath long enough, you may catch a fish.
Hey Boy
Yes, hey Boy, use little wiggly worm.
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Paladin
Hey Boy and I left San Francisco and traveled south into the Santa Lucia Mountains. The wild beauty of this part of California was magnificent. To see the great jagged cliffs rising toward the sky and then suddenly slashing off and dropping into the crashing surf of the Pacific far below. Heavy, untamed forest growing to the very brink of the cliffs. We turned inland and rode deep into the Santa Lucias, searching for the mountain streams that would afford the best fishing. And soon we had a comfortable camp set up. The next morning, Hay Boy was up with the sun and standing on the bank of the stream, fishing. By 10 o' clock, he still hadn't had a strike. Hey boy, hey boy, don't you want to eat some breakfast?
Hey Boy
Hey boy, catchy fish.
Paladin
Well, now, look here. We'll be here a whole week, and so will the fish.
Hey Boy
Hey boy, Use wiggly worm, just like you say, boy. Stealing your catchy fish.
Paladin
Well, you know what I think? I think you've frightened the fish away. Standing there staring at that stream the way you are.
Hey Boy
Oh, hey boy, wait. Long time to go on fishy. Triple. Uh. Now I catch a fishy.
Paladin
Yes. What was that?
Hey Boy
Oh, sound like a lady scream. Mr. P. Come on.
Paladin
Mr.
Hey Boy
Pity.
Paladin
You there, leave that girl alone. You hear me? I said Leave her alone.
Hey Boy
You.
Paladin
You hit Carlos.
Toleda
Kill.
Paladin
I will kill. Oh, no, you don't.
Carlos
Gringo. Dirty gringo.
Paladin
He have knife.
Carlos
You will die, gringo.
Paladin
With a knife. Don't you try it. All right. Why do you harm this girl? I must kill her.
Carlos
You must let me kill her.
Paladin
I said, why do you harm this girl? Go.
Hey Boy
I go.
Carlos
Now you will turn Carlos blue.
Paladin
You come back here. Come back.
Toleda
Please let him go. Don't go after him.
Paladin
Are you all right?
Toleda
Yes. Yes, I think so.
Paladin
Who are you?
Toleda
Marlene. Marlene Carter.
Paladin
What's this all about? What happened?
Toleda
Well, I was rounding up stray cattle when Carlos came up and tried to kill me.
Paladin
You know this boy?
Toleda
Yes.
Paladin
Why would he try to kill you?
Toleda
I don't know. He's. He's like a wild, crazy animal.
Paladin
How far do you live from here?
Toleda
About a mile.
Paladin
Hey, boy, get our things together. We better see that she gets home all right.
Hey Boy
Yes, sir.
Toleda
Thank you, M.
Carlos
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Paladin
Marlene Carter's ranch was hidden in a small valley, and the heavily wooded forest came almost to the back of the house, its tangled undergrowth capable of hiding many things, its darkness lonely and sinister. We were met in the front yard by an ageless Mexican woman who was introduced as Toleda. Briefly, Marlene explained what had happened, and Toleda looked at me, her black eyes strange and piercing. Marlene insisted we stay for coffee, and after the first cup, hey Boy went outside to water the horses. By this time, the girl had recovered sufficiently to talk freely.
Toleda
Toleda and I run this ranch by ourselves, Mr. Paladin.
Paladin
Just the two of you?
Toleda
That's right. My mother died when I was born, and my father died just last year. Toleda is all I have left. She's been like a mother to me all My life.
Paladin
But don't you have someone here to help you? Ranch hands?
Toleda
No. This place is a long way from any town, Mr. Paladin. And the men you can get aren't the most desirable. I hired a couple of men once. As soon as they found out Toleda and I lived here alone, they began to get ideas. Toleda had to run them off with a shotgun.
Paladin
I see.
Toleda
Besides, I only run a small herd, and I can handle cattle about as good as any man.
Paladin
Well, I'm sure you can. But it seems that handling cattle isn't your only problem. What about carlos?
Toleda
Terrible, terrible thing.
Paladin
Who is he?
Toleda
Mr. Paladin, Carlos Martinez was raised right here. Right on this ranch. My father always treated him like. Well, like he was my brother. We grew up together. Carlos was always kind and good. Until about two years ago.
Paladin
What happened?
Toleda
Well, there was an accident.
Paladin
Accident?
Toleda
He was breaking a horse. The horse threw him. Carlos fractured his skull. We thought he was going to die. But he didn't. Maybe. Oh, it's a horrible thing to say, but maybe it would have been better if he had.
Paladin
Why would you say that?
Toleda
When he got well, he wasn't the same.
Paladin
How do you mean?
Toleda
Well, he just. Sometimes he. He'd get kind of wild. It was frightening. My father couldn't control, and nobody could. Then one day, he just disappeared. That was over a year ago.
Paladin
And you hadn't seen him again until today?
Toleda
Only once, when we buried dad, we saw him lurking in the woods. Toleda tried to go out and talk to him, but he looked at her kind of wild, and ran off. Oh, toleda. Did Mr. Paladin's friend find his way around?
I see he's still watering the horses. More coffee, senor?
Paladin
Yes, thank you, Talita. I. I still don't understand why he'd want to kill you. Marlene, you say Carlos was raised on this ranch. He almost got killed by a horse, which seemed to hurt his mind and turn him into some kind of an animal.
Toleda
He is not an animal. He is a man with feelings and gentleness and hurts. Hurts just like you and just like me to. I raised him just as I raised Senorita marlene. I robbed him to sleep when he was a child, and I cried over him when he was sick.
Please tell later. I didn't tell.
There is nothing to hide. Senor Paladin should know that Carlos Martinez is my son.
Paladin
I sat and looked at the later. In her eyes, I could see the pain and torture, the heartache of a mother who has had to stand helplessly by and watch a thing she loves, a part of herself, her own son, turn into a savage. Without another word, she turned and silently left the room.
Toleda
I'm sorry, Mr. Paladin. I should have told you Carlos was Toleda's son.
Paladin
Well, I should have guessed. This must hurt her very deeply.
Toleda
More than anyone knows. Sometimes at night, I hear her rocking in the chair on the porch, singing a little spanish lullaby. The one she used to sing to carlos and me a long time ago.
Paladin
Can't something be done? I mean, couldn't he be put somewhere and given treatment?
Toleda
Where? There's nothing around here. Even if he could be caught.
Paladin
Well, what about the doctors? What do they say?
Toleda
All the same thing. Nothing can be done for him.
Paladin
Well, still it seems.
Hey Boy
Mr. Paladin.
Paladin
What is it? Hey boy? What's wrong?
Hey Boy
Big man, sir. One who tried to kill young lady, he outside.
Paladin
What?
Hey Boy
Yes, off. I see him in woods, back of house. He see here boy. He run.
Paladin
Are you sure?
Hey Boy
Oh, yes, are very sure.
Toleda
Please come back, Mr. Paladin. What'll I do?
Paladin
I don't know. But I do know you and Toleda can't stay here alone. Do you have an extra room?
Toleda
Yes, I do.
Paladin
All right then. For your protection, Marlene, hey boy and I are going to stay here tonight.
Carlos
And now here are edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.
Hey Boy
Bergen.
Marlene Carter
When I'm old enough to drive, can I have the car? Not unless you learn to care for it properly, Charles. Oh, I'm a genius with the monkey wrench. The kids in our block say if charlie can't fix your car, there's something wrong with it. Now, suppose you have a car.
Paladin
Yeah.
Marlene Carter
Let's make it a carvet. A conservative red with yellow stripes. The color is not important, but if it's any GM car or truck, you should take it to your general motors dealer for service. Oh, sure, I know. Oh, and what do you ask for credit? Guardian maintenance. Do you know what guardian maintenance maintenance means? It's the story of my life. Like you are my guardian. And I. I maintain you Guardian maintenance is expert service performed by GM trained servicemen who have the proper tools and the factory approved parts to do the job right. And it's available to owners of Chevrolet cars and trucks, Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, buicks, Cadillacs and GMC trucks. And red Corvettes with yellow stripes.
Hey Boy
Mr. Paladin, you want a cup of coffee, too?
Paladin
No, no, thank you. Hey boy.
Hey Boy
Hey boy not like fishy tooth. Want to go back to San Francisco?
Paladin
Yeah. I'm sorry it turned out this way. Hey boy but we. We can't go back just now.
Hey Boy
Somebody have unhappy doggy?
Paladin
No, that's a coyote. Hey, boy. There's a full moon tonight. So you'll hear a lot of them.
Hey Boy
Not a good sound make here, boy. Spine tickle.
Paladin
Yeah. I think I'll go take a look around outside before turning in. I'll be back in a few minutes.
Hey Boy
Be careful, Mr. Paradigm. Big Crazy man may be waiting outside to kill you. Remember he had knife.
Paladin
I'll remember.
Ms. Wong
Mr. Palace.
Paladin
Huh? Oh, Marlene. I thought you were in bed.
Toleda
I was, but I heard till later, too.
Paladin
Later.
Toleda
She's on the porch again, rocking and singing. Come here. By the window. She knows Carlos is around. I think she wants him to hear her.
Paladin
She shouldn't be out there alone.
Toleda
I know.
Paladin
I'm going out.
Toleda
I'll go with you. The moon is bright tonight, Toleda.
I see. You should be in bed, little one.
Paladin
Until later. You mind if I look around a little? I think it might be a good idea.
Toleda
I cannot control your actions, Senor Paladin.
Paladin
Perhaps it'd be better if you and Marlene went back into the house.
Toleda
No.
We will wait on the porch for you, Senor Paladin. Then we will all go back in the house.
Paladin
As you wish, Mr. Paladin.
Toleda
Are you hurt?
Paladin
A knife. My back. Get away and get back to the house.
Toleda
No. No. Oh, I can't leave you.
Paladin
I told you I called you I would be back.
Carlos
Carlos, the knife.
Paladin
It is good. No, Carlos, don't.
Carlos
I will kill him. Then I will kill you.
Paladin
Carlos, don't. Please don't.
Toleda
Carlos. Your mother calls you.
Carlos
I. I have no mother.
Toleda
Did you not hear me sing the lullaby? Was that not the song your mother used to sing to you?
Carlos
See? See, that is so. But you were singing to this one. You were not singing to me. Always you sing to her. And she has taken you from me. She has taken you from me. So I have no mother.
Toleda
Listen to me, Carlos.
Paladin
No. No.
Carlos
I will kill them.
Paladin
I will kill them both. Don't, Carlos.
Toleda
I have Mr. Paladin's gun. So you stand back. You just stand back.
Paladin
No. No.
Carlos
I must kill Carlos.
Paladin
Don't. Don't.
Toleda
My son.
Paladin
Carlos. Carlos.
Carlos
She shot me.
Paladin
She killed me.
Toleda
I'm sorry, Carlos. I couldn't help it. I couldn't help it.
Hey Boy
She took you.
Paladin
She took my mother from me.
Toleda
No, Carlos. Never did that happen.
Paladin
Never.
Hey Boy
Was. Was it so?
Paladin
Were you truly singing for me?
Toleda
It is true. Only for you.
God loves.
Hey Boy
God love us. Oh, my son.
Toleda
I'm too late. I'm Sorry.
It is all right, my child. He will be happy now.
Paladin
Come in. Ah, Ms. Wong, you feel better now?
Ms. Wong
Meet the pilot on a bad wound all he love.
Paladin
Oh, yes, I feel fine. Thank you. Doctor says I'll be up by tomorrow.
Ms. Wong
Oh, you very sick when hey Boy bring you back from trip?
Paladin
By the way, where is hey Boy? I haven't seen him for two days.
Ms. Wong
Oh, he go all over. Try to sell camping, fishing things he bought to go on trip.
Paladin
I see. You mean he doesn't like fishing after all.
Toleda
No, sir.
Ms. Wong
Hey Boy say he never leaves San Francisco again. He said too many things happen.
Paladin
Well, this fishing trip was a little unusual.
Ms. Wong
Hey Boy also say it's too easy to catch fish.
Paladin
Too easy? Hey Boy said that?
Ms. Wong
Yes, sir. He said he catch big fish first time he put line in water.
Paladin
Big fish.
Toleda
Big fish.
Paladin
How big?
Ms. Wong
Oh, about this big.
Paladin
That big?
Toleda
That big?
Paladin
Ms. Wong, do you know what hey.
Ms. Wong
Boy tell Missy one big fishy story.
Paladin
You are so very right.
Ms. Wong
I remember something you said to me long time ago.
Paladin
Oh, what was that?
Ms. Wong
Issa? You say use discretion. So when hey Boy talk about fish, Mr. Wong let eyes get very large. Listen to his mouth open.
Paladin
Ah, I see.
Ms. Wong
Oh, hey Boy have such good audience. He take Missy Wong for a walk in the moonlight. Pretty soon we Forget about fish.
Paladin
Ms. Wong, hey boy may not know it, but he's the fish that swallowed the hook.
Carlos
Pepsi Cola refreshes without filling. Why? Because it's truly light.
Toleda
Charlie, you're forgetting something.
Carlos
Wait, Kay, there's more. Yes. Ice cold Pepsi is the delicious refreshment that goes great at a picnic or a party. And Pepsi goes fast. People like it, so keep plenty handy there.
Toleda
Oh, you did fine, except for one thing.
Carlos
Well, I mentioned lightness and how Pepsi refreshes and how fast it goes.
Toleda
You left out Pepsi sociability. You know the Be Sociable song?
Paladin
Okay, I can't sing.
Toleda
I can listen.
Ms. Wong
Be sociable, look smart. Keep up to name with Pepsi. Drink light, refreshing Pepsi. Stay young and fair and dear and air. Be sociable, have a Pepsi.
Carlos
Well, at least I can say this. Pick up an extra carton of Pepsi today.
Toleda
Please do.
Carlos
Have Gun Will Travel, created by Herb Meadow and Sam Rolf, is produced and directed in Hollywood by Frank Paris and stars John Dana as Paladin, with Ben Wright as Hey Boy and Virginia Greg as Ms. Wong. Tonight's story was specially written for have Gun Will Travel by Ray Kennedy Emperor. Featured in the cast were Ann Whitfield, Vic Paron and Lillian Byeth. This is Hugh Douglas inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents have Gun Will Travel.
Andrew Rines
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 subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 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 thanks for listening. Ra.
Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast | Episode: "My Son Must Die" | Have Gun Will Travel
Original Air Date: July 31, 1960
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: Andrew Rhynes
In this gripping episode of Have Gun Will Travel, titled "My Son Must Die," listeners are transported to the rugged landscapes of 1875 San Francisco and the untamed Santa Lucia Mountains. Hosted by Andrew Rhynes, the Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast brings this classic Western drama to life with enhanced audio quality, preserving the essence of the original while enriching the listening experience.
The story begins at the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, the headquarters of the enigmatic Paladin, portrayed masterfully by John Dana. Paladin is a sophisticated gunslinger with a moral compass, often finding himself embroiled in complex and emotionally charged conflicts.
Notable Quote:
Paladin [01:29]: "I'm sorry our fishing trip turned out this way, hey boy. But we can't go back to San Francisco until we know this girl is safe."
Paladin and Hey Boy embark on a fishing trip deep into the Santa Lucia Mountains, seeking peace and a good catch. However, their serene excursion takes a dark turn when they encounter Marlene Carter being attacked by an assailant wielding a knife.
Key Moments:
Initial Attack: Carlos Martinez confronts and threatens Marlene, leading to a tense standoff.
Notable Quote:
Carlos [07:31]: "You will die, gringo."
Encounter with Toleda: After the attack, Marlene introduces Paladin and Hey Boy to Toleda, who reveals the deep-seated issues plaguing their ranch.
Revelation of Carlos's Identity: Toleda discloses a heartbreaking truth—Carlos is her son, whose accident two years prior has left him mentally unstable.
Notable Quote:
Toleda [13:18]: "There is nothing to hide. Senor Paladin should know that Carlos Martinez is my son."
As Paladin delves deeper into the situation, he uncovers Carlos's tragic transformation from a gentle soul to a vengeful figure. The narrative explores themes of loss, mental health, and the struggle between duty and compassion.
Carlos's Transformation: An accident left Carlos with a fractured skull, drastically altering his demeanor and leading to violent outbursts.
Notable Quote:
Toleda [11:45]: "Well, there was an accident. He was breaking a horse. The horse threw him. Carlos fractured his skull."
Paladin's Moral Dilemma: Faced with the threat Carlos poses, Paladin grapples with the decision to protect Marlene and potentially take a life he feels sympathy for.
Under the light of a full moon, tensions reach their peak. Paladin confronts Carlos, leading to a heart-wrenching showdown where familial bonds and survival instincts collide.
Notable Dialogues:
Carlos [19:09]: "I have no mother."
Paladin [19:36]: "Carlos. Carlos."
The emotional intensity culminates in a tragic resolution where Carlos's internal conflict manifests in violence, leaving both Marlene and Toleda devastated.
In the aftermath of the confrontation, Paladin tends to his wounds and reflects on the moral complexities of his actions. The community's response highlights the enduring impact of tragedy on individuals and relationships.
Notable Quote:
Paladin [21:43]: "This fishing trip was a little unusual."
"My Son Must Die" serves as a poignant exploration of human frailty, the consequences of trauma, and the enduring quest for redemption. Through rich character development and emotionally charged narratives, this episode encapsulates the essence of Western dramas, presenting listeners with a tale that resonates long after the final scene.
Have Gun Will Travel was created by Herb Meadow and Sam Rolf, produced and directed in Hollywood by Frank Paris. The episode features:
Special writing credits go to Ray Kennedy Emperor, ensuring the story's depth and emotional resonance.
Andrew Rhynes concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast through ratings, follows, and social media interactions. The Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast continues to honor the legacy of classic Westerns, delivering timeless stories with modern clarity and depth.
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