
Original Air Date: April 01, 1954Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Cisco KidPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Jack Mather (Cisco)• Harry Lang (Poncho) Exit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny https://bit.ly/3kTj0kK
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Andrew Rines
Foreign welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And today's episode is brought to you by Amazon.com if you plan doing any online shopping, first go to otrwesterns.com to start your shopping experience today. Well, today's episode is going to be the Cisco Kid Original air date is April 1, 1954 and the title is Return of Laughing Bandit. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.
Narrator
Here's adventure, here's romance. Here's the famous Robin Hood of the Old West.
Cisco Kid
Cisco, he shedding.
Pancho
He is getting closer this way.
Narrator
Pancho Pomelo, the Cisco K. Now, the Cisco Kid in our exciting story, Return of the Laughing Bandit. The country of the Great Oak is wild and savage and mountainous. It is said that many odd things of nature are in that country. For example, in the great caves of Iron Mountain, an underground lake that rises with the rain. And it was to this country that the Laughing Bandit returned when he escaped from the institution to which he had been committed. Returned with a smile on his lips and murder in his heart. As our story opens, the Laughing Bandit, together with his henchmen, is crouched by the side of a stagecoach roan.
Laughing Bandit
This is what I've missed, Ned. The thrills, the excitement, the holding of a man's life in my two hands.
Ned
Yeah. Sage will be along in a minute, Gil.
Laughing Bandit
Yeah, with the sheriff's son on board, we'll take him to the cave, Ned, and then we'll get word to the Cisco Kid. Everything is working perfectly, Ned. Even the feel of rain is in the air.
Ned
You sure got it in for Cisco, boss.
Laughing Bandit
He's the only man who ever outwitted me. Now he'll suffer for it, Ned. He'll suffer and die.
Ned
Here comes the stage.
Laughing Bandit
Oh, this is glorious, Ned. Glorious. It's nostalgic. Let me be sure. I have this message for Cisco. Yep, I have it all right. Ned, come on.
Cisco Kid
Stop the party. Driver.
Laughing Bandit
Turn out the passengers.
Sheriff Morris
Ned, come out of there with your hands up.
Laughing Bandit
Two passengers. One a rancher or a storekeeper. The other's a sheriff's son.
Sheriff's Son
So this is a hold up, huh?
Laughing Bandit
It's a bit more than a holdup, young man. Take him to one side, Ned, and be sure his arms are tied securely.
Sheriff's Son
Hey, what's the idea?
Ned
Shut up, you.
Laughing Bandit
Without violence, Ned. Without violence. Violence is vulgar. Hey, driver, give this paper to the Cisco Kid. I'm told he's now in the town of Great Oak. Now for you, rancher or storekeeper or whatever you are. I see no redeeming features about you to justify your continued existence. So.
Pancho
No. No.
Laughing Bandit
Yes. This is what I've missed. Proceed, driver. Everything is perfect, Ned. It's even beginning to rain. Come on, now. Let's get back to the caves and wait for Cisco.
Cisco Kid
Hey, big day for Chevy Moy, Cisco.
Pancho
See, Pancho, the sheriff's son is coming home today from college in the East.
Cisco Kid
How old do you say? You not Cisco?
Pancho
Oh, I would say about 21, 22.
Cisco Kid
Too bad the sheriff not going to meet him at this stage.
Pancho
It's a big disappointment to him, amigo. But he cut his leg badly with an axe, so for some days he will have to stay in his bed.
Cisco Kid
The sheriff asked us to meet his son at the stage.
Pancho
Huh?
Cisco Kid
Stage late. She's cold.
Pancho
Eh, little bit late, Pancho, But I think in a moment or two it'll be coming around the bend. Unless, of course, they are having heavy rains up in the mountains to wash out the road.
Cisco Kid
The rain Here now, Cisco.
Pancho
See, he's beginning to drizzle. Let us take our horses and get under the roof of that shed. Come on, Diablo.
Cisco Kid
Come on. Loco. Loco. Come on.
Pancho
Ah, there's the stage poncho. Just coming around the bend. The way that driver is coming in, he must be making up lost time.
Cisco Kid
The horses are full. Gallop, Cisco.
Pancho
Hey.
Cisco Kid
The driver run over this way. Cisco.
Sheriff Morris
Hey, Cisco. Hey, Cisco. Cisco.
Pancho
Seem to be excited, driver. What is the matter?
Sheriff Morris
I sure got good reason to be excited. We got held up along the flats. Two hombres. One of them spoke kind of soft and culture like and laughed. And he gunned down one of my passengers.
Pancho
There's a devil, Cisco. Which one of your passengers Drive her quickly.
Cisco Kid
Not the son of the sheriff?
Pancho
No, no, no, not here.
Sheriff Morris
They took the sheriff's son with him. Here's a note they said to give you, Cisco.
Pancho
Note?
Cisco Kid
What the note say, Cisco?
Pancho
What?
Cisco Kid
Do not say.
Pancho
It does not say anything. Pancho. All this note contains is a drawing. This part seems to be a mountain, and this is a body of water.
Cisco Kid
What that down there?
Pancho
I judge it to be a drawing of a man laughing.
Sheriff Morris
Yeah, he was the one that handed me the note. The laughing one.
Pancho
The laughing one. Madre mia. Pancho, do you suppose this can be the Laughing Bandido?
Sheriff Morris
But the Laughing Bandit's in custody, ain't he?
Cisco Kid
He's here a long time. Been accosted.
Pancho
Not in custody, Pancho. In custody, see?
Cisco Kid
Custody. Custody he been in.
Pancho
You're right, driver. He has been in custody. But he may have escaped. You say the two bandidos took the young man with them.
Sheriff Morris
Yeah, yeah, that's right, Cisco.
Pancho
Well, let us not tell the sheriff about these just yet. Would worry him. Driver, just say that the young senor did not come in on the stage. That is the truth. And the sheriff will look for him tomorrow instead. All right. Now tell us exactly where the holdup took place, and Poncho and I will ride out there at once.
Laughing Bandit
Rain's coming down nicely now, Ned.
Ned
Yeah, but they could do without it. I'm sold.
Laughing Bandit
Your trouble, Ned, is that you have no imagination. You come of peasant stock, therefore you react only to creature comforts and discomfort. Vengeance and the refinements of vengeance have no meaning for you. Why waste words on you?
Ned
Here are the caves.
Laughing Bandit
Yeah. Dark and gloomy. Fitting atmosphere. Get the young man down off the horse, Ned.
Narrator
Yep.
Pancho
Come down, you.
Sheriff's Son
My father will get even with you two hombres for this.
Laughing Bandit
By the end of the day, I venture to say, your father will be dead. And will you?
Cisco Kid
What?
Pancho
Why, you.
Cisco Kid
Shut up.
Ned
Now lie there and keep quiet.
Laughing Bandit
Let's have a look at the lake, Ned.
Ned
Don't seem to be rising any gill.
Laughing Bandit
No, not as yet. But when the tributaries start pouring in the rainwater, the lake will rise. It'll arrive perhaps 10ft, Ned, and that'll be enough. Quite enough.
Ned
You want me to drive in those iron stakes, boss?
Laughing Bandit
Yeah, by all means, Ned. Drive them in securely, close to the edge of the water. And when the Cisco Kid arrives. Oh, this will be a glorious vengeance for my months of imprisonment, Ned. A glorious vengeance.
Pancho
Well, they have a. Ho, ho. Ho. Ho ho, ho.
Cisco Kid
This is the place.
Pancho
According to the driver of the stage.
Cisco Kid
The rain wash away the tracks. He's going off?
Pancho
I'm afraid so. But we will see. Well, there's a faint trace of the tracks left, but not enough to follow those bandidos far.
Cisco Kid
The rain wash all the tracks away soon.
Pancho
Hey, that is just it, Poncho. The way the rain is coming down, in 10 more minutes there will not be a sign of a track.
Cisco Kid
See, Santo, what we do not she screw. What we do? What we do, huh?
Pancho
Only I could understand these drawings. Let us look at this paper again.
Cisco Kid
Yeah, look at it again.
Pancho
Again. Hold your poncho. A poncho so the rain will not fall on the paper.
Cisco Kid
Hold of the poncho.
Pancho
Now we will see a mountain. That is what that must mean.
Cisco Kid
Mountain, Hill. It might be an elephant, Cisco.
Pancho
No, no, it's not an elephant.
Cisco Kid
It's not an elephant.
Pancho
And this looks to me like a body of water.
Cisco Kid
Body of water.
Pancho
It is drawn under the mountain. What that means, I do not know, Pancho. Obviously, the Laughing Bandido meant it to convey some meaning or other. But as far as I'm concerned, the meaning is not clear.
Cisco Kid
Not clear. But one thing clear, Cisco.
Pancho
What is that?
Cisco Kid
You rain harder caves in the mountain and hurt Cisco will rise to the caves and keep drying. Huh?
Pancho
Caves? Caves. I think you have hit upon something, amigo.
Cisco Kid
Hit something What? Fancy hit.
Pancho
There are caves inside that mountain. Also there is a body of water, I am told. An underground river that washes, widens out into a small lake. It's just the sort of a place he would go to. Pancho, you and I are going to investigate those caves.
Cisco Kid
And gidding out the rain too, huh?
Pancho
Say now, Pancho. Listen to me, Pancho.
Cisco Kid
Listen to Cisco.
Pancho
Neither of us knows anything about those caves. We have never been in them.
Cisco Kid
Never been in them.
Pancho
So we must take no chances.
Cisco Kid
No chances.
Pancho
The Laughing Bandido will know the cave, every inch of them. He is thorough. Very well, then do exactly as I say. For the Laughing Bandido would kill us as quickly as he would look at us. Just remember that. Come, let us be going.
Ned
That makes three of them big spikes I've driven in the rocks again.
Laughing Bandit
That should be quite enough, Ned. Right at the water's edge.
Ned
Water ain't risen any yet.
Laughing Bandit
Oh, yes, it has. According to the mark I have there, it has risen nearly half an inch. Now Sisko will only arrive.
Ned
That makes you think he will, boss?
Laughing Bandit
Because I know Cisco. Sheriff Morris is a close friend of Cisco's. And Cisco will feel responsible for the sheriff's son. Let's get back to the entrance, Ned.
Ned
I ain't anxious to tango with that Cisco Kid.
Laughing Bandit
He's bad medicine, to use your expression, Ned. I flatter myself that I'm rather bad medicine, too.
Ned
Yeah, sure.
Laughing Bandit
Let us have no more apprehensions regarding the Siso Kid. Here's the main entrance, Ned. Yeah, there's also a side entrance. I'll stand guard at this one, you at the other. And I don't want Cisco shot and.
Ned
Killed, just as you say.
Laughing Bandit
I want him taken alive. So, Ned, if he comes in this entrance, I'll rope him. Yeah, if he comes in your entrance. Since you're not good at roping, push some rocks off the ledge above the entrance. Enough to stand and disable Cisco.
Ned
Better to gun him right down, boss.
Laughing Bandit
Is this a rebellion, Ned?
Ned
No, no. Put that gun away, Kill. I'll do as you say.
Laughing Bandit
You'd better. And you'd be wise never to Question an order of mine again, Ned. Because you know I'd kill you in a minute. Now get busy, Cisco.
Cisco Kid
Much will be glad to be in the grave. Rain is poured down now.
Pancho
There's a heavy rain indeed, Pancho. I believe that is the entrance to the cave ahead there, amigo. For they'll hold. I can just make out what looks like a cave entrance.
Cisco Kid
Good not to see, Cisco. Because if we not can see the Laughing Bandido, the Laughing Bandido not can see us.
Pancho
See, that is quite true. Which gives us a little advantage. Pancho, I wonder if there is another entrance to the caves. I believe I remember Sheriff Morris telling me of a side entrance. If so, the only place it could be would be around to the left. Come on, Diabo.
Cisco Kid
Robo to the left. Loco to the left. Loco. Why are we going to decide?
Pancho
The Laughing Bandido expects us to come here. No doubt of that. He'll be watching for us. Probably from the front entrance. It looks like an entrance. I believe it is. We'll leave our horses under that overhanging ledge, Chico, and go into the caves on foot.
Cisco Kid
He's a good idea, Cisco. Bossy Bean at the range.
Pancho
All right. Have your guns ready to move with.
Cisco Kid
Ready, too.
Pancho
Follow me.
Cisco Kid
Follow you? We in the big cave now.
Pancho
She's so your voice down in here. Be careful going underneath this other ledge. Look out, Pancho. Someone is on that ledge.
Cisco Kid
Me the big rocks. Come down.
Pancho
Back, Pancho. Back quickly. Got them both, boss. Cisco and his pardon.
Laughing Bandit
I'll be right there. Good work, Ned. Fine work. The Cisco Kid. Get busy and tie them to those stakes at the water's edge, Ned, before they come to also tie up. The sheriff's done the same way. This is a lovely vengeance, Ned. A lovely vengeance.
Narrator
In the hands of a merciless killer. Cisco's chances are slim indeed. In just a moment, we'll return to the Cisco Kid. Now back to the Cisco Kids. And in our exciting story, Return of the Laughing Bandit. By way of luring the Cisco Kid to the great caves of Iron Mountain with its underground lake, the Laughing Bandit held up the stage, killed one of the passengers and took the son of Sheriff Morris to the caves. Then he sent a cryptic message to Cisco indicating where Cisco was to come. But as Cisco and Pancho walked into a side entrance of the caves, the Laughing Bandit's henchmen sent down upon them a shower of rocks and debris from an overhead ledge, stunning them both now at the edge of the lake.
Laughing Bandit
Be sure they're tied securely, Ned.
Ned
One more knot on this one. They will be, Gil. Now. They won't get away.
Laughing Bandit
The water's rising faster now. All right, Ned, go get the sheriff's son. Bring him here in time for that third stake.
Ned
All right.
Pancho
Pancho. Pancho.
Cisco Kid
Oh, Pancho. Have a bad dream, Cisco? Pancho got a head like a nightmare.
Pancho
So the laughing bandido did return.
Laughing Bandit
Yes, Cisco, he did.
Cisco Kid
Pancho. Tight, Cisco. Pancho's hands and features tight.
Pancho
Oh, I mind, Pancho.
Cisco Kid
Pancho's features in the water, Cisco.
Laughing Bandit
Quite true. This is the underground lake. The water's rising, Cisco.
Pancho
Rising, madame.
Cisco Kid
He'd cover us soon, Cisco. He drowned us, Cisco.
Pancho
Keep a grip on yourself, Pancho. We are not beaten yet.
Laughing Bandit
But you will be soon. You'll drown, both of you. Along with the sheriff's son.
Pancho
Santo, here is Senor Dave.
Sheriff's Son
They got me off the stage, Cisco.
Ned
Get down there, squirt. I'll tie you to that third stage.
Laughing Bandit
No.
Pancho
No.
Sheriff's Son
If you're gonna kill me, go ahead and shoot me.
Pancho
But this. I see you, Dave. You're the son of your father, a brave man. Do not give these cowardly dogs the satisfaction of flinching.
Sheriff's Son
You're right, Cisco.
Cisco Kid
Punch in that flinch. But punching that like the wool. But I'm pants as ankles now.
Pancho
This young senor has done nothing. Bandido. There's no reason to kill him.
Laughing Bandit
That's for me to say, Cisco. Perhaps you don't remember the part the sheriff had in my arrest along with you. But I do remember this young man dies and the sheriff will know he's dying. I'll make sure he does know. You buzzard.
Pancho
You cowardly coyote.
Laughing Bandit
Go on, Cisco. Fight to get free. I enjoy it.
Pancho
Yeah.
Ned
The young squirt's tied too, boss.
Laughing Bandit
Good. You're quite invaluable, Ned. Now, I'm going to ask you to stand guard here in the cave while I ride to town to talk with the sheriff.
Ned
You're coming back, Gill?
Laughing Bandit
Oh, yes. I've just about time before the water rises. Enough. What are you gonna do?
Sheriff's Son
Kill my father?
Cisco Kid
Yes, but the sheriff is hurt. He not can defend himself.
Laughing Bandit
Even better. He'll suffer the more at what I tell him.
Cisco Kid
You devil.
Laughing Bandit
I'll be back later. Don't let them get away, Ned. Be sure you don't let them get away.
Cisco Kid
Just go water up over Poncho's knees. Now up over Pancho's knees.
Pancho
See? He's over my knees too.
Ned
Pancho, don't do your humbers no good to struggle. Them stakes are drove down tight. Shut up.
Pancho
Say quieto, Pancho. Talking to him Will not help.
Sheriff's Son
I gotta get free. I can't let that devil shoot down my father.
Pancho
Hombre, I have a request to make.
Ned
What's that?
Pancho
That you will go to the side entrance of the caves and make sure our horses are under the ledge and out of the rain.
Ned
Oh, yeah, your horses. I forgot them. Cisco, maybe you got something of value in your saddlebags, too.
Pancho
Will you go and see to them?
Ned
I sure will. Go and see to them saddlebags. Much obliged for reminding me, Cisco.
Pancho
They must get me before. That only comes go back.
Cisco Kid
Not help the struggle, Cisco.
Pancho
See? I think it will, amigo. Stake is driven down into the soft rock below. I believe the rock will crumple. Senor Dave. Can you swing your feet enough to put them against my side?
Sheriff's Son
I sure can try, Cisco.
Cisco Kid
Here.
Pancho
How's that? Bueno.
Cisco Kid
What'd you do, Cisco? What'd you do? What'd you do?
Pancho
Now push as hard as you can when I give the word, Senor Dave.
Laughing Bandit
Right.
Pancho
It may be that I can tear this steak loose from the rock. All right, now push in a little bit. Then once more. Now he's coming loose. Once more, Senor Dave. And I think you will have it now. You free.
Laughing Bandit
You see?
Pancho
But my hands and feet are still tied. Luckily, though, my hands are not tied behind my back. And raised them just enough to swing the stake. At least now I'm on my feet.
Cisco Kid
But the hombre come back, Cisco. Then what'd you do?
Pancho
Then All I can do, Pancho, is to get behind the wall of rock. And hope his eyes will not be accustomed to the darkness in here after being outside. If they are not, then perhaps I will be on more even terms with him.
Sheriff's Son
Sure wish I could help you, Cisco.
Cisco Kid
You want me to come back, Cisco? And get behind the wall quick.
Ned
See you blasted light and hardly see a thing. What was that noise I heard in here?
Pancho
Talk about that noise later on. You right now, a good solid flow of this bike put you to sleep.
Cisco Kid
He go down, Cisco. He go down.
Sheriff's Son
Nice work, Cisco.
Pancho
Next thing is to get that knife out of his belt and cut these ropes and cut you two free.
Cisco Kid
Hurry, Cisco. Water almost up to pass his shoulders. He's cold. Water, too.
Pancho
I'm hurrying as fast as I can, amigo. Perhaps if I kneel down by his side, I can get that knife there. Now, if I can turn the knife so as to draw the edge across these ropes. It worked. Good thing the knife was sharp. Cut the ropes from my ankles now. Next we'll get you two free. You first, Senor Dave. Reach down under the water a little. Now you, Pancho.
Cisco Kid
Gracias. Gracias, Pancho. Glad to get out of the water, Pancho.
Pancho
Tie up there, hombre, and take him with you.
Cisco Kid
Take him where she's going.
Pancho
Take him into town to the sheriff's. Senior Dave, you better ride his horse.
Sheriff's Son
Yeah, let's go.
Ned
Let's go.
Pancho
See, I'm going to ride on ahead. There's no time to lose if your father is to be saved. But.
Cisco Kid
But she's got too.
Pancho
You and Senor Dave bring in that hombre. As I told you, Pancho, I am starting right now.
Laughing Bandit
We're almost there, beauty. Almost there. Yep, there's the sheriff's house just ahead of us. This is going to be enjoyable, Beauty. Very enjoyable. And I shall savor it to the full.
Pancho
Oh.
Laughing Bandit
Oh, now we'll see. Yep, the sheriff's in there alone. Greetings to you, Sheriff. Oh, howdy. You don't remember me, do you?
Sheriff Morris
Well, no, can't say as I do. Look kind of familiar, but I can't quite place you.
Laughing Bandit
I'll move over close to the lamp. Now. Take a good look.
Sheriff Morris
Hey, Thunder, you look like the Laughing Bandit. You are the Laughing Bandit?
Laughing Bandit
Yes, Sheriff, I am.
Sheriff Morris
Just as soon as I can get up and get my gun.
Laughing Bandit
You'll sit where you are. It so happens I have a couple of guns of my own, and I'm quite capable of using them. What are you doing here the moment I'm talking to you? Since you lack the manners to ask me to sit down, I'll sit down anyway. I understand your son was due home today by stage, Sheriff.
Sheriff Morris
He missed the stage.
Laughing Bandit
Why, what's that to you? No, he didn't miss the stage.
Sheriff Morris
What do you mean? Come on, out with it.
Laughing Bandit
To the moment, Sheriff. Your son is in process of drowning.
Cisco Kid
What?
Laughing Bandit
Don't shout. I can't stand shouting.
Sheriff Morris
Did you say my son's drowning?
Laughing Bandit
In process of drowning, Sheriff, along with Cisco and Cisco's fat partner. Your son is tied to an iron stake at the edge of Iron Mountain Underground Lake. And the water's rising, Sheriff. The water's rising.
Pancho
Sit.
Laughing Bandit
Sail, Sheriff, unless you want to be shot down. You.
Sheriff Morris
You dumb.
Laughing Bandit
In less than an hour now, the water will rise over his face. And I'm going back there to see it, Sheriff. After I kill you.
Sheriff Morris
You murder? You're lying to me. Even you wouldn't do a thing like that.
Laughing Bandit
Wouldn't I to one of the men who brought about my arrest? Oh, yes, I would, Sheriff. I not only would do it, I am doing It. And your power is to stop me.
Sheriff Morris
Oh, no, I ain't. Not when my son's in that kind of danger. You can gun me down if you want to. I'm gonna get up out of this terror, Francisco.
Pancho
Keep your distance. Your aim is poor, bandido. There's a last chance you'll have to shoot at me. Give me that gun. Let go. Let's go. There's no chance of that. Only give it to Francisco.
Sheriff Morris
Kill the scoundrel.
Pancho
I have no intention of killing him, Sheriff. But I will admit I'm enjoying this to the full.
Laughing Bandit
I'll catch you yestercop.
Pancho
Not unless you fight better than you are fighting now.
Sheriff Morris
That takes care of him, Cisco.
Pancho
But what about your son? Is safe than you, sheriff. He and Pancho are on their way in right now with this bandiro's henchmen.
Sheriff Morris
Thank the Lord for that.
Pancho
Oh, say, here they are now, Sheriff.
Sheriff's Son
Well, well, I guess you got here in time, Cisco.
Laughing Bandit
Yes, he did.
Sheriff Morris
So how about yourself?
Laughing Bandit
You all right?
Sheriff's Son
Yeah, yeah, sure. I. I guess I'll sit down.
Pancho
I do not blame you, Senor Dave. But what is this we have coming in here? Do not hit the bandido with that whip, Panchido.
Cisco Kid
Hit the bandido, Cisco Poncho. See how close he can come and smack it in. Cisco Poncho's pantalones get wet in the lake. So Pounce, you make the bandido change with in a Baja girl and dry pondoline snow. Cisco the laughing bandido in the precious for keeps this time, huh?
Pancho
I think he is, Chico. This time the law will see that he stays right where he is. But, Pancho, see what has happened to your face.
Cisco Kid
Oh, Cisco mean all these scratches.
Pancho
Say, your face is cut in half a dozen places.
Cisco Kid
Poncho get a shave before we start out. Cisco shave in the barber. Shave Poncho, Cisco in de barber. Cut Poncho all over Poncho's face.
Pancho
Well, I should say he did. Would never go to that barber again, Pancho.
Cisco Kid
Oh, the barber. Fair about it, Cisco?
Pancho
Fair about it? What do you mean, Chico?
Cisco Kid
Well, the barber, she all the cuts, and he only charged Pancho 5 centavos.
Pancho
5 centavos.
Cisco Kid
What a strange price that what Pancho tell the barber.
Pancho
And what did the barber say when you told him that, Pancho?
Cisco Kid
He say, cut rate, amigo. Cut rate. Oh, Pancho. Oh, she's cold.
Narrator
And so ends another exciting adventure with O. Henry's famous Robin Hood of the west, the Cisco Kid. Be sure to listen again for another thrilling adventure of the Cisco Kid. Cisco Kid was played by Jack Mather, Poncho by Harry Lang.
Andrew Rines
Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed this special episode of otrwesterns.com check out the show notes@otrwesterns.com call leave me a voicemail 707-986-8739 send me an email podcasttrwesterns.com we're on Twitter trwesterns also on Facebook facebook.com otrwesterns and please rate us on iTunes. Just search OTR Westerns. We have multiple podcasts, so if you subscribe to this specific feed, then please do leave feedback on that one. Rate us high so we can go ahead and get nominated and all that other good stuff. This podcast is copyright 2011 under attribution non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright that's it. Have a great day again. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed.
Cisco Kid
SA.
Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns – "Return of Laughing Bandit" | The Cisco Kid (04-01-54)
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Old Time Radio Westerns welcomes listeners to another thrilling episode titled "Return of Laughing Bandit", originally aired on April 1, 1954. Hosted by Andrew Rhines, this episode revives the classic adventures of the Cisco Kid with enhanced digital restoration that brings the Wild West to life with unprecedented audio clarity.
The episode opens in the rugged and mysterious Great Oak country, a wild, savage, and mountainous region known for its unusual natural phenomena, such as the underground lake in the Iron Mountain caves. The narrative introduces the infamous Laughing Bandit, a cunning outlaw who has recently escaped from custody, sparking a quest for vengeance against his nemesis, the Cisco Kid.
Narrator:
"Here's adventure, here's romance. Here's the famous Robin Hood of the Old West."
The story begins with the Laughing Bandit and his henchmen intercepting a stagecoach. Their objective is clear: kidnap the sheriff's son and lure the Cisco Kid into a deadly trap.
Laughing Bandit (02:35):
"This is what I've missed, Ned. The thrills, the excitement, the holding of a man's life in my two hands."
Ned (02:41):
"Yeah. Sage will be along in a minute, Gil."
The bandit meticulously plans the hold-up, ensuring no immediate violence to maintain the element of surprise and control.
Laughing Bandit (03:02):
"He's the only man who ever outwitted me. Now he'll suffer for it, Ned. He'll suffer and die."
Meanwhile, the Cisco Kid and his loyal companion, Pancho, are anticipant of the sheriff's son's arrival back from college. Unbeknownst to them, their meeting is sabotaged by the Laughing Bandit’s plot.
Cisco Kid (04:35):
"Hey, big day for Chevy Moy, Cisco."
Pancho (04:38):
"See, Pancho, the sheriff's son is coming home today from college in the East."
As the stagecoach approaches, Cisco and Pancho take shelter from the impending rain, unaware of the danger lurking.
The Laughing Bandit successfully executes the hold-up, killing one passenger and capturing the sheriff’s son. He leaves a cryptic message for the Cisco Kid, prompting him to follow to the Iron Mountain caves.
Laughing Bandit (05:43):
"We'll see. Oh, the sheriff's in there alone."
Cisco and Pancho decipher the bandit’s note, which features a drawing of a mountain and a body of water, indicating the location of the underground lake.
Pancho (09:01):
"Only I could understand these drawings. Let us look at this paper again."
Realizing the significance of the message, they set out to confront the bandit in the treacherous caves.
Upon reaching Iron Mountain, Cisco and Pancho navigate the dark and ominous environment. The Laughing Bandit anticipates their arrival, setting up traps to ensure their downfall.
Laughing Bandit (10:44):
"O, yes, he has been in custody. But he may have escaped."
As they delve deeper, the tension escalates with the rising water level threatening their lives.
Laughing Bandit (12:12):
"He sees you and dry pondoline snow."
Amidst the chaos, Ned, the loyal henchman, attempts to execute the bandit's plan by securing Cisco and the sheriff's son to iron stakes by the lake's edge.
Despite being cornered, Cisco and Pancho display resilience and strategic thinking. Pancho manages to free the sheriff’s son, Senor Dave, and together with Cisco, they begin to dismantle the bandit’s scheme.
Pancho (18:16):
"That you will go to the side entrance of the caves and make sure our horses are under the ledge and out of the rain."
Their efforts culminate in a daring escape and a final showdown with the Laughing Bandit.
Pancho (20:04):
"Next thing is to get that knife out of his belt and cut these ropes and cut you two free."
The climax unfolds as the Laughing Bandit confronts Sheriff Morris, leading to a heated exchange. Just as the situation seems dire, Cisco and Pancho intervene, overpowering the bandit and ensuring justice is served.
Laughing Bandit (22:12):
"Yes, Sheriff, I am."
Sheriff Morris (23:12):
"You murder? You're lying to me."
In the ensuing conflict, the Sheriff manages to regain control, and the Laughing Bandit meets his end, thwarted by the relentless pursuit of the Cisco Kid and Pancho.
Pancho (24:16):
"I think he is, Chico. This time the law will see that he stays right where he is."
The episode wraps up with a victorious Cisco Kid and Pancho reflecting on their adventure. The digital restoration enhances every dramatic moment, from the suspense of the underground lake to the final resolution, making this classic tale more immersive than ever.
Narrator:
"And so ends another exciting adventure with O. Henry's famous Robin Hood of the west, the Cisco Kid."
Host, Andrew Rines (29:02):
"Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed."
Laughing Bandit (02:35):
"This is what I've missed, Ned. The thrills, the excitement, the holding of a man's life in my two hands."
Cisco Kid (05:11):
"The rain is pouring down now."
Pancho (09:01):
"Only I could understand these drawings. Let us look at this paper again."
Pancho (18:16):
"That you will go to the side entrance of the caves and make sure our horses are under the ledge and out of the rain."
Sheriff Morris (22:15):
"You'll sit where you are. It so happens I have a couple of guns of my own, and I'm quite capable of using them."
"Return of Laughing Bandit" exemplifies the timeless charm of Old Time Radio Westerns, blending adventure, suspense, and heroism. With exceptional digital restoration, listeners are transported back to the golden age of radio, experiencing the Wild West like never before. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the Cisco Kid's adventures, this episode offers an engaging and immersive journey into the frontier.
Connect with Old Time Radio Westerns:
This episode is a homage to iconic shows like Gunsmoke and The Lone Ranger, featuring legendary radio actors and vivid storytelling that captivated audiences nationwide.