Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast

Episode: Seven Silver Bullets | Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (Original Air Date: 12-18-53)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast Release Date: February 7, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a digitally restored classic from the “Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok” series: "Seven Silver Bullets". Guy Madison stars as Wild Bill, with Andy Devine as his jovial sidekick Jingles. The podcast immerses listeners in a tale of intrigue, silver bullets, and backwoods justice as Wild Bill and Jingles uncover a sinister string of crimes involving mysterious silver bullets and a menacing town boss.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Mysterious Canoe on the Lake and the Plot is Set (04:13–07:00)

• Two shady characters, Darren and Blaze, paddle a canoe at night. Darren pressures Blaze to commit murder, blackmailing him about a past crime.
• Notable Quote:
  • Darren: “I supply the brains and the nerve. Others do the work and take the chances.” (04:22)
• Blaze, reluctant but coerced, is handed a rifle with a single silver bullet to shoot a man in a lakeside cabin.
• Their target is a man who stands in Darren’s way for wealth and power.
• Ducks are startled by the gunshot, and the pair stealthily leave the scene.

2. Wild Bill and Jingles Arrive in Hansonville (07:01–09:40)

• Wild Bill insists on reaching Hansonville at night, guided by his instincts, despite Jingles’ comic discomforts and laments.
• They notice strange disturbances—ducks startled, voices from the lake. Wild Bill’s suspicion is piqued.
• Spotting the light of a cabin, Bill deduces its position from a square-shaped reflection on the water:
  • Jingles: “Maybe so. I wouldn’t have figured that out in 10 million years.” (09:01)

3. Discovery at the Cabin (09:40–13:37)

• Bill and Jingles knock without answer, discover through the window a man slumped over—“he’s dead”—but upon breaking down the door, find he’s barely alive, shot by a silver bullet.
• Jingles sets out to fetch the doctor from town while Wild Bill tends to the wounded man.

4. Jingles Seeks Help in Town (13:49–16:56)

• Jingles has a humorous encounter with the sleepy hotel clerk, Blaze, and meets the imposing hotel owner, Darren.
• Darren subtly asks if the wounded man, “poor Ezra,” has regained consciousness, signaling his hidden involvement.
  • Darren (suspiciously): “Tell me, is Ezra unconscious? Has he talked at all?” (16:39)
• Darren realizes the shooting failed and tells Blaze: “You missed last night. Ezra’s still alive.” (17:18)
• Darren hands Blaze more silver bullets—with new targets: Jingles and Wild Bill.

5. The Silver Bullet Mystery (17:55–18:51)

• At the cabin, the doctor removes a silver bullet, revealing this is one of a series tied to other murders in the area.
• Doctor/Blaze: “Five in the last five months. This is the first one I’ve taken out with a man still alive.” (18:38)
• Bill suspects a killer “who likes to advertise.”

6. The Ambush and Final Showdown (19:04–27:05)

• Darren and Blaze set up an ambush outside the cabin, waiting for Wild Bill and Jingles to emerge.
• Blaze, conflicted, deliberately misses his shot, giving away their position.
• Bill collects the telltale silver bullet from the cabin wall, confirming the connection to the prior attacks.

Chase and Capture (24:40–27:05)

• Wild Bill and Jingles give chase on horseback, cornering Darren and Blaze after a brief struggle for the rifle.
• Blaze confesses Darren’s scheme, revealing he was blackmailed into murder attempts.
  • Blaze: “Darren here has been holding that over my head to try to make me do his silver bullet killings for him.” (25:59)
• Wild Bill apprehends Darren, suggesting Blaze may get leniency for his cooperation.
• Jingles (grumbling): “No, to remind me not to listen to your hunches, Bill... I haven’t been to bed since. I’m a growing boy and I need my sleep.” (27:05)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Darren's Self-Importance:
  • “I supply the brains and the nerve. Others do the work and take the chances.” (04:22)
• Jingles’ comic relief and skepticism:
  • “You’re the most suspicious man I know, Bill Hickok. Why, it’s so dark you can’t even see the lake.” (08:06)
• The Silver Bullet Revelation:
  • Wild Bill: “Somebody made this one out of silver, Jingles. Take a look.”
    Jingles: “Well, what do you know? It is silver.” (18:31)
• Helping Hand:
  • Blaze (finally turning): “Take it. Don’t let this crazy fool get his hands on it.” (25:42)
• Jingles on Hickok’s Hunches:
  • “To remind me not to listen to your hunches, Bill Hickok. You had a hunch last night and I haven’t been to bed since. I’m a growing boy and I need my sleep.” (27:05)

Major Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|----------------------------------------------------| | 04:13-07:00| Darren & Blaze’s plot, silver bullet setup | | 07:01-09:40| Wild Bill & Jingles’ arrival and hunches | | 09:40-13:37| Cabin discovery & victim rescue | | 13:49-16:56| Jingles in town, meets Blaze & Darren, schemes revealed | | 17:55-18:51| The silver bullet pattern and the growing mystery | | 19:04-21:13| The ambush is set at the cabin | | 23:14-27:05| The ambush, chase, confrontation, and resolution |

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the witty, fast-paced banter typical of Old Time Radio Westerns. Jingles' bumbling but loyal humor counters Wild Bill’s steadfast heroism. The mood shifts seamlessly from suspense (the ambush and lake scene) to lightheartedness (Jingles’ complaints and jibes), maintaining an entertaining blend for family listening.

Summary for New Listeners

Seven Silver Bullets delivers a suspenseful Wild West mystery packed with action, humor, and clever detective work. When Wild Bill Hickok and Jingles stumble upon an attempted murder by a “silver bullet killer,” they piece together a string of crimes perpetrated by a greedy town boss and his reluctant accomplice. Through sharp observation, quick thinking, and some classic western gunplay, our heroes restore order to Hansonville—and remind listeners why these radio classics remain timeless.

For more restored episodes and Wild West adventures, visit otrwesterns.com