Old Time Radio Westerns: Renegades Revenge | The Lone Ranger (09-10-51)

Episode Theme & Purpose

In this digitally restored classic episode, Renegades Revenge, listeners are transported to the rugged frontier town of Rimrock, where family loyalties, land disputes, and personal honor are tangled in a volatile mix. The Lone Ranger and his loyal companion Tonto secretly intervene as a ranch feud, inflamed by deceit and ambition, threatens to erupt into violence between the Coreys and the so-called "nesters." This episode captures the iconic Western struggle between tradition, justice, and new beginnings.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

The Set-Up: Rivalry, Romance, and Resentment

• (04:24) Edna Corey leaves the general store and is accosted by Steve Bartlett, who tries to pressure her into friendship, citing their fathers’ business dealings. Edna’s discomfort is palpable, and she’s rescued by Bob Allison, a nester and her suitor – establishing the core romantic and social tensions.
  • Memorable moment:
    • Steve Bartlett (04:46): “No use being unfriendly, seeing as how we’re neighbors and your father and I are aiming to get together on a land deal and all.”
  • Bob’s intervention draws the ire of Bartlett, sowing seeds of further conflict.

Tensions Escalate: Parental Intervention & Plotting

• (05:59–08:01) At home, Edna’s father, Hank Corey, is displeased by Edna’s behavior towards Bartlett, suspecting her affection for Bob. Steve subtly manipulates Hank, urging him to confront Bob directly and warn him off his daughter.
  • Bartlett's manipulation:
    • Steve Bartlett (07:19): “Thing to do is face Bob Allison. Lay the law down to him about it.”
• Hank Corey heads to town to warn Bob, setting Steve’s scheme into motion.

The Lone Ranger & Tonto Investigate

• (08:01–10:08) The Lone Ranger, disguised as an Indian, and Tonto enter town to observe the situation. They overhear Hank Corey threatening Bob Allison with violence if he continues to see Edna and vowing to incite the ranchers against the nesters.
  • Hank Corey’s threat:
    • Hank Corey (09:51): “If you don’t, I’ll come gunning for you and shoot you down like an ornery coyote. Then hit the other ranchers together and burn out every yellow bellied nester in the valley.”
• The Lone Ranger deduces that Steve Bartlett is manipulating Corey to escalate hostilities.

Deception Deepens: Conflict by Design

• (11:58–15:30) Back at Bartlett’s ranch, Steve plots with his foreman to trick both Edna and Bob into coming to town separately, ensuring a confrontation that will justify violence against the nesters.
  • Bartlett’s plan, as relayed by his man Carlos:
    • Steve Bartlett (14:32): “She still peeved, but she’ll get over it. Did you tell her what I told you to tell her?”
    • Carlos: “She say she must get to town pronto… Lou went to tell Allison Edna Corey wants to see him in town.”
• Tonto overhears and quickly reports the deception to the Lone Ranger.

Heading Off Disaster: The Race to Rimrock

• (15:36–17:22) The Lone Ranger and Tonto attempt to intercept Corey and avert a gunfight, but Corey, stirred up by Bartlett, rides into town with several men.

Showdown on Main Street

• (17:22–20:36) Edna and Bob realize too late that they’ve been manipulated into the confrontation. Bob is unwilling to back down, fearing it would look cowardly.
  • Bob’s conviction:
    • Bob Allison (19:00): “He won’t believe you, and folks will think I'm being yellow. All right. I gotta go now, honey. Adios.”
• In a classic Western moment, Bob and Hank square off in the street, with Steve Bartlett poised to count down to the draw. Tension in the town is at its peak.
• Dramatic intervention:
  • Lone Ranger and Tonto advance with guns drawn, halting the shootout.
  • The Lone Ranger expertly fires, grazing Corey’s hand and forcing him to drop the gun.

The Truth Exposed: Justice and Reconciliation

• (20:36–22:33) Tonto and the Lone Ranger expose Bartlett’s manipulative plot to everyone.
  • Tonto clarifies:
    • Tonto (21:03): “Steve Bartlett and his men planned it. He wants Allison out of the way. And he wants to see the valley cleared of nesters. One of his men got your daughter to come here. Another tricked Bob into coming to town.”
• Hank Corey sees reason, acknowledging his mistake and reconciling with Bob.
  • Hank Corey’s change of heart:
    • Hank Corey (21:37): “I guess I was a fool for letting myself be led so easy… Let’s start all over and be friends, shall we, son?”

Closing: Hopes for New Beginnings

• (22:11–22:45) Edna’s wishes for the future are hinted at, and the Lone Ranger and Tonto slip away, their identities barely guessed by the townsfolk.

  • Hank’s wry acceptance:
    • Hank Corey (22:17): “Having a nester in the family will be different anyhow.”

• (22:45) Hank realization:

  • “You know, I’ve figured out that there’s only one man who could crease the back of my hand to spoil my aim, and that’s the Lone Ranger.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Steve Bartlett (Manipulation)
  • (07:19): “Thing to do is face Bob Allison. Lay the law down to him about it.”
• Hank Corey's Threat
  • (09:51): “If you don’t, I’ll come gunning for you and shoot you down like an ornery coyote. Then… burn out every yellow bellied nester in the valley.”
• Edna’s Realization
  • (17:44): “I see it all now. It was Dad’s way of getting you here. He’s out gunning for you.”
• Bob’s Resolve
  • (19:00): “Folks will think I’m being yellow. All right. I gotta go now, honey. Adios.”
• Climax – Intervention
  • (20:13): “Moving quickly, the masked man and Tonto advanced to the middle of the street with drawn guns, each covering either side of the street.”
• Revelation of the Scheme
  • Tonto (21:03): “Steve Bartlett and his men planned it. He wants Allison out of the way…”
• Resolution & Friendship
  • Hank Corey (21:37): “Let’s start all over and be friends, shall we, son?”

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 04:24 | Edna and Bartlett Confrontation; Bob Allison intervenes | | 05:59 | Edna and her father at home; Bartlett manipulates Hank | | 08:01 | Lone Ranger & Tonto go undercover, overhear in café | | 10:08 | Bartlett plots with his men | | 13:35 | Tonto spies on Bartlett’s planning in café | | 15:36 | Ranger and Tonto try to intercept Hank Corey | | 17:31 | Edna warns Bob; setup for showdown revealed | | 18:50 | Hank calls out Bob; showdown prelude | | 19:29 | Steve Bartlett prepares the draw, crowd watches | | 20:13 | Lone Ranger and Tonto intervene | | 21:03 | Plot exposed, reconciliation begins | | 22:11 | Edna and Bob’s hopeful dialogue; Lone Ranger departs | | 22:45 | Hank realizes the Lone Ranger saved the day |

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the classic, upright, and dramatic Western tone with brisk, purposeful exchanges and clear moral divides between the scheming Bartlett and the righteous Lone Ranger. The dialogue is sharply evocative of 1950s radio western style—full of rugged, earnest appeals to justice, loyalty, and love.

For New Listeners

Through vivid audio restoration, this episode brings legendary characters and classic Western themes to vibrant life. The Lone Ranger’s intervention staves off violence and unmasks villainy, upholding law and decency in the frontier spirit. Relationships are mended, injustices are righted, and hope is restored – all with the crack of silver and the swift, deft hand of the masked rider.

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