Road To Wickenburg | Have Gun Will Travel (11-30-58)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode Title: Road To Wickenburg | Have Gun Will Travel (11-30-58)
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: November 30, 1958
Podcast Release Date: December 8, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode features the classic radio drama “Have Gun Will Travel: Road to Wickenburg,” where the legendary figure Paladin visits the town of Bluebell, only to be robbed of his money, gun, and horse. He finds himself entangled with the tough and clever Sue Tyler, and together they must outsmart a family of criminals. The narrative explores classic western themes of trust, survival, and the enigmatic allure of the “gunfighter with a heart.” By the journey’s end, Paladin must choose between lingering attachments and the solitary path of the wandering hero.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Paladin’s Escape from Domestic Pursuit (03:08–05:00)

• Paladin, weary of a local woman’s persistent affections, tells his valet Hey Boy that he wants to disappear for a while, leaving San Francisco for an unknown destination.
  • Quote:
    “A woman has to be something besides pretty for me to go that far.” – Paladin (04:18)
  • Hey Boy foreshadows that perhaps one day, Paladin will find such a woman.

2. Trouble in Bluebell (05:00–07:25)

• Paladin arrives in the rough town of Bluebell and is quickly set up:
  • He makes small talk with the sheriff and enters the saloon.
  • After flashing a large roll of bills, bartender Saul Goodfellow and his associates drug Paladin’s drink.
  • Sue Tyler, a saloon girl, warns Paladin too late and later helps him after he is robbed and beaten.

3. Sue Tyler’s Offer and Paladin’s Quest for Justice (07:26–09:02)

• Paladin wakes, realizes he’s been cleaned out, and Sue offers her help to escape Bluebell—in exchange for his assistance in her own escape.
  • Quote:
    “You can thank me by letting me go with you. It’s the only way I can leave this town.” – Sue Tyler (08:31)

4. Retribution at High Noon (10:11–12:32)

• Paladin confronts the Goodfellow family, who run Bluebell. Despite being outgunned, he cleverly uses his Derringer, intimidation, and the element of surprise to recover his belongings. Sue helps Paladin escape as the family seeks retribution.
  • Quote:
    “There are four of you gentlemen. I’ve only one bullet left in my Derringer. So my choice is very simple: I’ll kill the first man who speaks.” – Paladin (10:47)

5. On the Run – Night in the Wild (13:07–16:04)

• Paladin and Sue hide out and plan to travel by night for safety.
• Intimate moment between the two as Sue, having “three years of Bluebell to wash off,” expresses her feelings and hopes for a new life.
  • Quote:
    “I’m pretty. No man would be ashamed of me. … Just say something nice to me now and then. That’s all I ask.” – Sue Tyler (15:31)
  • Quote:
    “You’re something besides pretty.” – Paladin (15:55)

6. Ambush and Showdown on the Road (17:27–20:47)

• The next morning, Paladin and Sue encounter Peter Keystone, an Easterner who’s been robbed by the same gang.
• Using Keystone’s rifle, Paladin faces off against the Goodfellow gang, turning the tables and winning back his money, while ensuring the wounded are cared for.
  • Sequence: Clever ruse and action with Paladin showing cool confidence and skills under fire.

7. Resolution and Parting Ways in Wickenburg (21:02–22:59)

• Paladin, Sue, and Keystone reach Wickenburg. Sue tries to persuade Paladin to take her to San Francisco, but he gently lets her down.
  • Quote:
    “All I have for you, Miss Tyler, is an expression of gratitude. … Thank you.” – Paladin (21:52)

8. Epilogue – Back to San Francisco (22:59–24:05)

• Paladin returns home; Hey Boy and the persistent would-be bride await.
• A witty exchange about why Paladin leaves, and why he returns—both times “because of you” (referring playfully to the lady).
  • Quote:
    “Why did you go away?” — “Because of you.” — “Why did you come back?” — “Because of you.” — “You’re a liar.” — “Because of you.”
    (23:46–23:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paladin's Philosophy on Women (04:18):

  • “A woman has to be something besides pretty for me to go that far.”

• Sue’s Candid Hope for a New Life (15:31):

  • “Just say something nice to me now and then. That’s all I ask.”

• Paladin’s Classic Standoff (10:47):

  • “There are four of you gentlemen. I’ve only one bullet left in my Derringer. So my choice is very simple. I’ll kill the first man who speaks.”

• Paladin’s Gentle Farewell (21:52):

  • “All I have for you, Miss Tyler, is an expression of gratitude. … Thank you.”

• Playful Return Home (23:46–23:54):

  • “Why did you go away?” — “Because of you.” — “Why did you come back?” — “Because of you.” — “You’re a liar.” — “Because of you.”

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Important Timestamps

• Departure from San Francisco: 03:08–05:00
• Robbery & Double Cross in Bluebell: 05:00–07:25
• Sue Offers Alliance: 07:26–08:36
• Paladin’s Showdown in Bluebell: 10:11–12:07
• Nighttime Hideout/Intimate Conversation: 13:07–16:04
• Ambush and Action Sequence: 17:27–20:47
• Final Parting in Wickenburg: 21:02–22:59
• Return & Closing Banter: 22:59–24:05

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Summary and Tone

This episode exemplifies the sharp dialogue, compelling character interplay, and classic Western tropes of “Have Gun Will Travel.” The drama balances hard-bitten action with moments of warmth, pathos, and trademark Paladin wit. Sue Tyler stands out as a multidimensional female character whose raw honesty challenges the protagonist. The finale is bittersweet—offering gratitude but no romance, reinforcing the archetype of the wandering loner who can never settle down.

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For lovers of the golden age of radio and new listeners alike, this restored episode delivers not just nostalgia, but vibrant drama brought to new life.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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 dates November 30, 1958 and in this episode, Paladin visits bluebell. He loses his money, gun and horse, but wins the woman. Was that a fair exchange? Title of this episode is Road to Wickenburg. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

[C]

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[A]

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[C]

There are four of you gentlemen. I've only one bullet left in my derringer. So my choice is very simple. I'll kill the first man who speaks.

Have gun will travel.

Sterling. Mr. John Dana as Powder Paladin.

San Francisco, 1875. The Carlton Hotel, headquarters of the man called Paladin.

Mr. Paladin. Mr. Paladin, over here. Hey, boy. Oh, yes, sir. A bank almost closed here the money. Oh, $1,000. Good, good. Thank you. Hey boy. Bring the saddlebag along with you. You go, I go. You just come back from going. I go again. Oh, I see. I see. A lovely lady with long blonde hair who lives in Swede is just a bit too purposeful for my taste at the moment. In short, hey boy, she is chasing me.

Oh, very, very persuasive lady, Mr. Paladin. And less apt to persuade me to marry her if I'm not around. Give me the bag. Oh, yes. Absence make the heart grow fonder. It also makes the eye wander. Especially a lady's eye. Easy, boy, easy. Very pretty lady. Why you not marry her? Well, a woman has to be something besides pretty for me to go that far. Oh, wait. Someday you come across woman who is something beside pretty. Then. Then what? Ah, then what indeed, my friend. Hold any messages that come for me. Oh, send message by wire. Where you go? Where I can't be reached. Where? That I don't know, but I'll find it. Come on board.

Howdy. Hello. Passing through? I haven't made up my mind yet. What's the name of this town? We call her Bluebell. Looking for a job? Just a drink, and they'll give you one in there, and you can pay for it. Thank you, Sheriff.

What'll it be? Hopper, grass.

Rye? Just give me the bottle in the glass. That'll be $5.

All right.

Must have worked up quite a thirst, stranger. I'll get you a better brand than the bar bottle.

Anything else? This will do. Yeah, it oughta.

[D]

You're the one that belongs to that black horse outside.

[C]

That's right.

[D]

Nice animal.

[C]

Would you care for a drink?

[D]

No, thanks. But I got a piece of advice for you, stranger. I wouldn't drink any of that.

[C]

I already have. Why? Get along, Sue. Customers waiting for you at the faro. No, just a minute. There's a customer right here at the bar. I said get.

[D]

See you around, mister.

[C]

Now, look.

Kind of careless, stranger.

What was in that drink? Whiskey, mister. That's all I sell. Look, I. I asked you a question. And I'm giving you an answer. Who are you?

That's who.

[D]

Remember me?

[C]

Oh.

Girl in the saloon.

[D]

Right. You're in my place. Remember what happened? In a way, I slipped enough drugs in your drink to kill a horse. Here. Can you sit up?

[C]

Oh, I felt better.

[D]

Pretty stupid, mister, Flashing a thick roll of bills.

[C]

Oh, it's gone. Sure.

No Barbary coast trick.

[D]

How come you fell for it?

[C]

No excuse. I was careless.

[D]

Man's always got an excuse for everything. Every one of you is. Handsome, clever, been everywhere, broke a hundred hearts. You've all got the same high opinion of yourselves.

[C]

Well, that's the. Ooh. Ooh, my ribs.

[D]

He tried to finish you off with his boot.

[C]

Houdin.

[D]

Saul Goodfellow.

[C]

Saul. Good. I'll remember.

[D]

Here, you need this.

[C]

My derringer.

[D]

Sol missed something else when he searched his card. Gone will travel. I like the sound of that. Will you kill him?

[C]

He took a thousand dollars from me. Took my gun, my holster, and I suppose my horse went along.

[D]

You suppose right. Will you kill him?

[C]

Would you care?

[D]

I felt Sol's boot, too.

[C]

You know.

I have a lot to thank you for.

[D]

You can thank me by letting me go with you. It's the only way I can leave this town.

[C]

What's your name?

[D]

Sue Tyler.

[C]

Sue.

You can pack whatever you want. I'll take you as far as Wickenburg. But I'm going to see Mr. Goodfellow before I leave.

Of all baby. Filters cigarettes. Catch filters best. Catch Filters best. It makes good sense when you smoke.

[D]

Kent.

[C]

Kent filters best of all of the brands of cigarettes. Kent tastes the best. Kent tastes the best. Or richer taste and all the rest. Kent filter best.

It makes good sense when you smoke. Can't.

A volley filter Cigarette. Ch.

Still in town, stranger. Sheriff, when I came here this morning, I had a horse, a gun and a thousand dollars. I intend to leave the same way. You saying somebody stole your money? What's his name? Saul Goodfellow. I just can't go along with that. Just tell me where I can find him. That won't be hard to do. You just called my brother a thief. I'm Jack Goodfellow. Next thing you'll be saying is that Cousin Jim there doctored your drink. Howdy. Or that maybe our Uncle Ed over there has your horse and your saddlebag. Howdy, mister.

Seems to be your town. Sort of a family affair, but. Sal. Sal, come here.

What? Well, I hear he's making a complaint against you. That's the truth. I'll trouble you for my gun and my money. What are you talking about? That gun in your holster. Money in your pocket. Sal, ask him why don't he just take him.

That's the gun you say I took, mister. That's the gun. I'll tell you what. I'm gonna take five bullets out of this here gun, see? Then I'm going to throw them away like this. Now, I got one shell left in here, and I'm going to kill you with this one bullet. If you try to take his gun. So come on, take it if you can, mister. Hand it over. You'll be dead before you can draw the hammer back. Is that.

Where'd you get that?

Stay back and hold. Two shots. Now who wants the second one?

All right, I'll take my gun.

My money.

There's only 200. I see. Each took a share. Drop your gun belts. Don't do it. He killed sal. But we got four guns. And he only got one bullet left in that deringer. One's better than none. We got him. When I say three, draw one. If you say two, I'll kill you. Keep cop. I'll kill the next man who speaks. Yeah, it's true. She's going to run us down.

Whoa. Come on.

[D]

Come on.

[C]

All right.

Give me those lines and get down. Whoa.

Thanks. You know, for a girl, you drive pretty well.

[D]

Better head to the river. They're coming at you.

[C]

Yeah. We'll stop here.

Give me your bag.

[D]

I can carry my hand.

[C]

I've noticed that. Well, let me help you. Now.

By the time they backtrack, it'll be dark. We'll spend the night here.

[D]

Can I see that derringer? Minute.

[C]

Here.

[D]

I'm gonna take a bath in the river. Got three years of bluebell to wash out of my skin. And if you so much as look that way, I'll kill you.

[C]

You pull that trigger, and you'll show four rifles our hiding place. Come on, give it to me. Come on.

[D]

Thanks.

[C]

You have your bath and.

[D]

All right.

[C]

I'll try to find some supp.

[D]

Rabbit smells good. Ain't you afraid of showing smoke?

[C]

No. Dry mesquite doesn't smoke. Oh.

[D]

I help you cook supper. I wash my clothes. They're dry. And I. I gotta stay in this blanket.

[C]

Sit down.

[D]

Any side of him when you was out catching the dinner?

[C]

No.

[D]

How come we spend the night here? Seems darkness might be the best time to run for wickenburg.

[C]

The moon rises in an hour. It'll be almost as bright as day.

I want them to tire their horses searching for us tonight. See, ours will be fresh in the morning. We may be able to outrun them, but we sure can't. I'd fight them with one bullet.

[D]

Ain't got no other reason in mind for us staying here?

[C]

No.

[D]

Where do you go after wickenburg?

[C]

Back at san francisco.

[D]

Paladin.

Do you have a wife or anything?

[C]

No.

[D]

Take me with you.

I'm pretty dressed up.

[B]

Right.

[D]

No man would be ashamed of me. I'm healthy and I'm Strong. I'm no lily handed lady that expects more than she's willing to give. I'm not asking for the center cut of your life. Go as you please and do as you please. Just say something nice to me now and then. That's all I ask.

Just think about it until we get to wicked.

[C]

You're. You're something besides pretty.

[D]

What does that mean?

[C]

I'm Teddy and Wickenburg.

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[D]

How much longer?

[C]

Another two hours, we ought to be in Wickenburg.

What's the matter? There's somebody up ahead there. Hey, you there.

[D]

Paladin. Use the whip.

[C]

There's no need. He isn't armed.

Hey, how about a ride to Wickenburg? What's the matter? I've been rustled or whatever you call it. Just because one of their horses had thrown a shoe, they took mine right out of the traces. Four men? Yes. How'd you know? Who are you? Peter keystone, hide and telebuyer from New york. For who? For my father. He owns the plant. I need a gun. Is there one in your rig there? That's one on your hip, isn't it? It's empty. Have you got one or ammunition? What's going on? Those four asked me the same question.

[D]

Those men you saw, the one who took your horse. They're after us. They'll kill me.

[C]

Kill you? A pretty girl like you?

[D]

Quiet.

[C]

Have you got a gun? There's a repeating rifle under the seat and some shells to go with it. Just a minute now. I didn't say. I know you didn't.

This will.

[D]

Alan. What are we gonna do?

[C]

Get down.

[D]

Down the road. Coming up and cover.

[C]

I see them. They don't know we have a gun. What's Going on. Just stay down and stay right here, both of you. But I.

[D]

You stay with me, Mr. Keystone.

[C]

Yeah, stay with her. I'm gonna work my way up towards them.

All right, Paladin, we got you cut off. Ain't no sense in trying to fight us with one bullet. What are we waiting for with that derringer? He ain't got no range.

Get him. He's got a rifle. No. Hold on.

Do it, Paladin.

Palms. Hit those head. They need a doctor. Come out with your hands up. Sure, but don't shoot me.

[D]

Don't shoot now.

[C]

That's far enough. Now get the rest of my money and show it on the ground.

Stand back.

What are you going to do to me? You go get my wagon and drive it up here and load those wounded men on it. Your wagon's gone. What? Her and that other fella took off in it.

All right, Mr. Good fellow. Hitch one of your horses onto his rig. It's better than nothing. I want to get to wickenburg.

[D]

You're the sweetest honest.

[C]

You know, in new york, I never saw anyone just like you. I think. Oh, hello, Mr. Keystone.

[D]

Hello.

[C]

Good afternoon.

Mister. I. I didn't want to jump in that rig and run, but I was thinking of sue here. A gentleman always considers a lady first. The question is, what does a lady consider first?

[D]

It was your fight, not his or mine.

[C]

But I'm sure glad you came out all right.

[D]

Well, what are you looking at me for? I ain't done nothing wrong.

[C]

No, of course not.

[D]

But this is.

[C]

Wickenburg. I promised you an answer to something. Here.

[D]

You've got some kind of lies to spread.

[C]

Go ahead.

[D]

Men are always lying, Sue. But not you. But most of them.

[C]

All I have for you, miss Tyler, is an expression of gratitude for the third and last time in our casual relationship. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Keystone. Wait a minute.

[D]

Don't go, Mr. Paladin.

[C]

Let him go.

[D]

He pretends to be such a gentleman. He was just a gunfighter like I told you. I didn't know him. I saw through him right from the food.

[C]

That's odd. Just now I have a feeling he's looking right through you.

[D]

Look, don't let him change our plans. You promised to take me to New York with you. Where are you going?

[C]

Maybe we better talk some more about New york later.

[D]

Well, what now, Paladin?

[C]

You're very pretty, Miss Tyler.

Goodbye.

Oh, Mr. Paladin. Welcome back to San francisco. Thank you. Hey boy. I think maybe you've gone a long time. You're not gone so long at all. Oh, no. Tell me, did I get any messages? Oh yes. So all kind of messages. But any particular messages from a particular lady? Oh, you mean pretty lady with blonde hair who want to marry you fast? Yes. You want? Of course I want. Where is it?

[D]

Oh, no.

[C]

Sensible. You run away from her, you run back to her. You run away again. If I give you message? Not a chance. Now give me the message. Never mind.

[D]

I'll give it to him myself. There.

[C]

Satisfied?

[D]

I don't know. Answer two questions. First, why did you go away?

[C]

Because of you.

[D]

Why did you come back?

[C]

Because of you.

[D]

You're a liar.

[C]

Because of you.

Dinner?

[D]

I'll be ready at 7. Call for me then.

[C]

Ay. Very, very pretty. Yes, very pretty. And that's enough for now.

Have gun will travel.

Created by herb meadow and sam rolfe. His produce stam, directed by norman mcdonnell and stars john dana as paladin with ben wright as hey boy. Tonight's story was written by gene roddenberry and adapted for radio by john dawson. Featured in the cast were lynn allen, jack edwards, vic parron, harry bartel, frank gerstel and eve mcveigh. Hugh douglas.

Join us again next week for have Gun Will Travel.

Foreign.

[B]

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 podcast trwesterns.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.

[C]

Sam.