Strange Vendetta | Have Gun Will Travel (11-23-58)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: "Strange Vendetta" | Have Gun Will Travel (11-23-58)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: December 1, 2025

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Main Theme / Purpose

In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, Andrew Rhynes presents a digitally restored classic: Have Gun Will Travel's “Strange Vendetta.” Set in 1875 San Francisco and Mexico, the episode stars Paladin, a gentleman gun-for-hire, who is drawn into a tale of blood feud, betrayal, and a clever heist involving a corpse and stolen money. The story explores themes of honour, vengeance, and deception in the Old West, blending action with suspense.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Opera Encounter and Setup

• [03:20-04:53]
  Paladin meets Dona Maria and her husband, Don Miguel Rojas, when he offers them his opera box. The group is joined by Dr. Mayhew.
  Notable social tension:
  • “Husband don’t like you. I’m afraid you do. Right.” – Paladin remarks to “Hey Boy”
• [05:17]
  Conversation hints that Don Miguel is wary of Paladin, setting up an undercurrent of mistrust.

The Attack and Introduction of the Vendetta

• [07:57-08:08]
  Don Miguel is attacked at the opera and seriously wounded.
  • “An insane blood feud that has cost many lives already. This was bound to happen.” – Dona Maria
• [08:56-09:02]
  Dr. Mayhew reveals that the knife wound is poisoned and Don Miguel has less than a week to live.

Paladin Takes the Case

• [09:15-09:29]
  Don Miguel hires Paladin not for revenge, but to escort his body safely back to his home in Santo Massino, Mexico.
  • “The vendetta against our family includes the threat of mutilation of the body, in which case the bestiality is complete. I would prefer that it did not happen to my body...Will you take the job?” – Don Miguel [09:26]
  • Paladin agrees: “All right. $1,000 and expenses. We have a bargain.” [09:37]

Crossing into Mexico: Suspicion and Bandits

• [11:00-14:00]
  Paladin arranges the transport of Don Miguel’s body by stagecoach, managing documents and border inspection. At Loma Verde, they stop for water but are ambushed by a masked bandit—revealed to be Don Miguel himself.
  • “Of course, you’re not a bad shot for a corpse.” – Paladin to Don Miguel [15:02]

The Real Plot: Stolen Money and Betrayal

• [17:08-18:30]
  Don Miguel is alive. The coffin is packed with loot from a $230,000 San Francisco payroll robbery. Dr. Mayhew and the undertaker, Mr. Wilkins, are co-conspirators.
  • “Now I would like to satisfy my curiosity about that cargo. Open up my coffin.” – Don Miguel [17:24]
    Don Miguel intends to kill Paladin but is outmaneuvered.
  • “You cannot play chess without sacrificing a pawn. Now dig.” – Don Miguel [18:40]
    Paladin defeats Don Miguel: “All right, you’re in. Check. Miguel. Miguel. Checkmate.” [19:20]

Resolution: Returning the Body and Justice

• [20:00-23:51]
  Paladin delivers Don Miguel’s now-real corpse to Dona Maria. Accompanied by lawman Farley, Paladin ensures justice. Maria is relieved at her freedom:
  • “I had no grief for Miguel. I do not know how he died. But I can never thank you enough for giving me my freedom. My life with him was a nightmare.” – Dona Maria [23:30]

Epilogue: Justice Served

• [24:01-25:50]
  Paladin returns to San Francisco, secures the arrest of Dr. Mayhew and Mr. Wilkins. The episode closes on a lighter note:
  • “Hey Boy, I want you to take this over to the opera house. Buy me a box.”
  • “Last time you go to opera, man get killed, money gets stolen. Oi, big trouble.” – Hey Boy [25:50]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 09:26 | Don Miguel | “The vendetta against our family includes the threat of mutilation of the body...Will you take the job?” | | 15:02 | Paladin | “Of course, you’re not a bad shot for a corpse.” | | 17:24 | Don Miguel | “Now I would like to satisfy my curiosity about that cargo. Open up my coffin.” | | 18:40 | Don Miguel | “You cannot play chess without sacrificing a pawn. Now dig.” | | 19:20 | Paladin | “All right, you’re in. Check. Miguel. Miguel. Checkmate.” | | 23:30 | Dona Maria | “I had no grief for Miguel... But I can never thank you enough for giving me my freedom. My life with him was a nightmare.” | | 25:50 | Hey Boy | “Last time you go to opera, man get killed, money gets stolen. Oi, big trouble.” |

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:20 – Series main characters meet; introduction to the central relationships
• 07:57 – Don Miguel is wounded at the opera
• 09:15-09:39 – Paladin is hired for the body escort
• 14:00-15:20 – Ambush at Loma Verde; Don Miguel revealed alive
• 17:08-19:20 – Heist plot unraveled; Paladin outsmarts Don Miguel
• 22:08 – Delivery of Don Miguel's body to Dona Maria; emotional closure
• 24:01-25:50 – Villains arrested; episode’s denouement
• 25:50 – Lighthearted closing between Paladin and Hey Boy

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Tone and Language

The episode maintains a rich, suspenseful noir Western feel, with dialogue both formal and laced with wry, dark humor. Paladin is urbane and dryly witty, the supporting characters full of hidden agendas and emotional depth.

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Summary & Closing Thoughts

"Strange Vendetta" weaves intrigue with action, using misdirection and dramatic twists to keep listeners guessing. Paladin’s journey from the glittering opera house to the dangers of the Mexican frontier highlights themes of loyalty, betrayal, and personal honor. The episode stands as a classic example of radio Western storytelling, restored here with remarkable audio clarity, and enhanced by the Old Time Radio Westerns’ commitment to preserving and rejuvenating these tales for a modern audience.

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Transcript

[Paladin]

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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 November 23, 1958 in this episode, Senor Miguel Rojas has been knifed and is dying. Before passing on, he hires Paladin to deliver his body to Mexico. The title of this episode Strange Vendetta. Hope you enjoy and again, thanks for listening.

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[Paladin]

Sit down, gentlemen. And sit still. I've come to order a coffin for the first one of you who makes a move. Have gun will travel starring Mr. John Dana as Paladin. San Francisco, 1875 the Carlton Hotel Headquarters of the man called Paladin. Good evening, Mr. Paladin. Good evening. Oh, here. The paper, Mr. Paladin. Oh, thanks. Hey boy. Excuse, please. Must go. Lady. Look for me. Lady? What lady? Well, I should say it is a lady. Oh, very sorry. I got tickets to opera all sold out.

[Dona Maria]

I still have to sit in that performance.

[Paladin]

And you still can. I couldn't help overhearing your difficulty. I have an opera box, if you would care to be my guest.

[Dona Maria]

Oh, thank you, but we could not presume on your courtesy.

[Paladin]

We?

[Dona Maria]

My husband and I. Senor Paladin.

[Paladin]

Oh, now, of course, the invitation extends to him also. We have been looking for you, my dear. Oh, Miguel.

[Dona Maria]

Senor paladin, this is my husband, senor rojas.

[Paladin]

Senor.

[Dona Maria]

And Dr. Mayhew.

[Paladin]

Great pleasure, Mr. Paladin. Dr. Mayhew.

[Dona Maria]

Senor Paladin has kindly offered us his box at the opera tonight. There were no more tickets.

[Paladin]

Very kind. Dr. Mayhew is of course, included in my invitation. That's very gracious of you, Mr. Paladin. The invitation is accepted.

[Dona Maria]

We accept on the condition that you join us and be our guest for dinner. Mr. Paladin. Is that not correct, my dear?

[Paladin]

Quite correct, Mr. Paladin. Until this evening, then. When is there, Mr. Paladin? Husband don't like you. I'm afraid you do. Right. But then why should he? No one could be more at home with history than edward R. Murrow. For more than 20 years now, he's focused his attention on world affairs, broadened his viewpoint with travel, and sharpened his perspective by meeting and getting to know many of the leading statesmen of our time. Five evenings a week on CBS radio, Edward R. Murrow shares his experience with you for a clear, concise report on today's important developments. Join us on most of these same stations when it's time for edward R. Murrow with the news. A fuller understanding of current events is waiting for you, too, on every lively edition of our world news roundup. Seven mornings a week on CBS radio, the world news roundup takes you to the scene of the news for eyewitness reports by CBS news correspondents. Hear what's happening direct from where it's happening, get the feeling of the news along with the fact, as our world news roundup comes your way at breakfast time tomorrow. Doctor. Dr. Mayhew, time to wake up. The performance is over. Oh, yes, yes, of course. I'm sorry, Mr. Paladin. Opera is not one of my special likes. Which one was this? The marriage of figaro by Mozart. Oh, yes, of course. Well, at any rate, Don Miguel's wife seems to have enjoyed it. Dona Maria is a remarkable woman, Doctor. Meant to savor and enjoy beautiful things. And I might comment for your particular benefit, Mr. Paladin, that Don Miguel is a remarkable man. Wait a minute. Huh? What is it? Someone behind the curtain. What? What? Don Miguel, look out. My husband has been hurt. Please, Don Maria. Dr. May. You will do all he can, Paladin. He needs treatment at once. We'll have to get him out of. Yes. Any news?

[Dona Maria]

No, not yet. We're still waiting.

[Paladin]

I spoke to the police. There'll be no trouble. It was a clear case of self defense. The man attacked your husband and was shot down. Lucky Don Miguel was on. Is he always armed?

[Dona Maria]

I do not know.

[Paladin]

Did you see the man who attacked your husband?

[Dona Maria]

Of course I saw him.

[Paladin]

Did you know him? No. The man looked very surprised at the way things turned out to make you hurry. Dona Maria, has Don Miguel ever been attacked like this before? No.

[Dona Maria]

Yes, yes, yes, he has. There is no need to lie about it. An insane blood feud that has cost many lives already. This was bound to happen. He failed tonight. They will not fail another time.

[Paladin]

Blood feud. Perhaps I can help.

[Dona Maria]

It is not a tragic opera, senor. In this case, death is very. Doctor, how is.

[Paladin]

He's resting quietly. You may go to him now. Dona Maria. Dona Maria, give him my card.

[Dona Maria]

This is not time for fun. Have gun.

[Paladin]

Give it to him, please see.

[Dona Maria]

I will.

[Paladin]

Well, the wound itself isn't too serious, but I don't like the looks of it. Why, Doctor, what's the problem? There was poison on the knife blade. Nothing familiar. A plant substance of some sort. The question is, will Don Miguel live? Yes, for perhaps a week. Doctor Mayhew has told me I'm dying. That is why I sent for you after I read your card. My wife has told you of a vendetta? Yes. Yes, she did. What do you want? Revenge? No. My task for you is much more personal. I want you to escort my body safely to my home in Santo Massino and deliver it there. To my wife, Donna Marielle. Isn't she here in san francisco? I sent her home this morning. I wish to die unobserved. Someone once commented you were a remarkable man. Do not misconstrue my sentimentality. The vendetta against our family includes the threat of mutilation of the body, in which case the bestiality is complete. I would prefer that it did not happen to my body. Will you take the job? All right. $1,000 and expenses. We have a bargain. Good. You'll be paid by maria upon safe delivery. My body in santo masino. Thank you, senor Paladi. Of all baby pills, there's cigarettes. Can't filter stuff. Can't filter stuff. It makes good sense when you smoke. And filters best of all. Other brands of cigarettes can't taste the best. Kent tastes the best. Or it should taste. And all the rest can't build. Kid bait, guys. Good sp when you smoke k. A ball, lady. Filter. Can't filter. Oh. Big robbery in san francisco. What did you say? Hey, boy. Big robbery in San Francisco. $230,000. Oh, very careless. You read? No, I was reading something else. Don miguel rojas, distinguished visitor from mexico, Died last night of knife wounds suffered last week when he was attacked by an unidentified assailant while attending the opera. Pendleton. Yes? I am Mr. Wilkins. Oh, yes, the mortician. You sent for me. May I be of help to you? You can turn one of your clients over to me, Mr. Wilkins. The late don miguel rojas. Here. This is a letter of authorization. The body is to go into mexico. You'll need a certificate to cross the border, sir. I have that from Dr. Mayhew. And how do you propose to transport the body? I've hired a stagecoach, Mr. Wilkins. When would you like to start? Soon as possible. Don Miguel will be ready. Good day, sir. Good day. Oh. How long you be gone, Mr. Paladin? Oh, 12 days. Two weeks at the most. Now, why do you look like that? Dead man? Oh, no. Good trip. Carrying dead man. Oh. What? Oh. You know, border stations are all alike, Ms. Paladin. Anybody here? You just try to go through without inspection. You'll find out if anybody's here. Where's your destination? San thomasino. Name? Paladin. My driver is timmons. Just the two of you? Three. John. Miguel. Hey, you can't take a dead body across the border. Yes, I can. There's a statute book. Read Article 8, Page 14. You want to inspect the coffin? Open that thing up. No, not me. All right, then. What's the country like between Here. And San Thomasino? Well, Empty except for a water hole called Loma Verde. The rest is rattlers and blow dirts. Oh. Go on. Inspection's over. Let's go, Timmons. Yeah. This is only spot of green we've seen, Mr. Paladin. Loma Verde is hardly a paradise. I don't like it. Can't say I like it much myself. But we won't be here long. At least we can water the horses. The sooner we can move on. Hold it. Why? We have company. Behind that rock. Huh? Bandits. Don't move. Raise your hand. Signore, do what he says. He's alone, Mr. Paladin. Him against us. Yeah. What are we going to do? We can let him kill us here, or we can fight him here. You say the word. No. Why? Very wise after such a foolish thing. Now, climb down carefully. Now what? You may bury your friend if you wish. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Seems I know you from somewhere. Quite possibly. If I take off the handkerchief, you might remember where Don Miguel. Of course, you're not a bad shot for a corpse. Do not make me prove that point again. It has a fresh, clean scent of pine. It's new. It's at your store.

[Dona Maria]

What is it?

[Paladin]

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[Dona Maria]

Yes, my husband sent word before he.

[Paladin]

Would you like us to bring the coffin in this way?

[Dona Maria]

Very well.

[Paladin]

Excuse.

[Andrew Rines]

Me.

[Paladin]

All right, Mr. Farley. I don't like this. Palad. This is Mr. Farley. Dona Maria, Senora Roas. How do, ma'? Am?

[Dona Maria]

How do you do? I. I will get your money from your.

[Paladin]

Don't you think you should make certain that I've fulfilled my part of the bargain?

[Dona Maria]

Yes, you are right. Open the coffin, Farley. That is my husband. I will get your money.

[Paladin]

What do you think, Farley? Not guilty. No woman could be that calm. She thought her husband was alive and then saw him dead. And you're satisfied she had nothing to do with him? Yeah. All right. Wait for me at the stage coach. Don't be too long, Prince.

[Andrew Rines]

Your man.

[Dona Maria]

There is a drink for him in the kitchen.

[Paladin]

You hid your surprise very well. And your grief.

[Dona Maria]

I had no grief for miguel. I do not know how he died. But I can never thank you enough for giving me my freedom. My life with you was a nightmare.

[Paladin]

I can believe you. I saw it in your face. Goodbye, Donya.

[Dona Maria]

Marie, Wait. Your money.

[Paladin]

No, I'd rather not.

[Dona Maria]

Please, senor. It gives me pleasure to pay for my errors. Especially since this is the last payment.

[Paladin]

Very well. Should you come again to San francisco, I hope you'll come with me to the opera. Ah, Dr. Mayhew. Oh, I. I got your message, Mr. Paladin, but I'm afraid I can't give you too much time. I'm a very busy man. All of us are. Ah, here comes another busy man. Hey, Mr. Wilkins, the undertaker. My dear Mr. Paladin, what can I do for you? Sit down, first of all. Thank you, Dr. Wilkins. Well, Paladin, what is it you want? I'd like to order a coffin. A coffin? For whom? For whichever of you gentlemen makes their first move. Will I? This is a derringer. In case identification escapes you. Hey boy. Mr. Parody, get me a policeman. On second thought, get me two policemen. One a piece. Oh, big story in papers. Dr. Mayhew and Mr. Wilkins all in jail where they belong. Hey boy. Ah, here we are. Oh, where are we? San Francisco Opera. Premiere tonight. Hey boy, I want you to take this over to the opera house. Buy me a box. Oh, now what's the matter with you? Last time you go to opera, man get killed, money gets stolen. Oi, big trouble. You no long. Of course I learn. What would you have me do? No opera, no lady. Hey Boy, I'm afraid you have a lot to learn. Have guns Will travel, created by herb meadow and Sam Ralph, is produced and directed by Norman McDonnell and stars John dana as Paladin, with ben wright as hey boy. Tonight's story was written by Ken Kolb and adapted for radio by John Dawson. Featured in the cast were lillian Byeth, Harry Bartel, Joseph Kearns, Howard Culver, Ralph Moody and vic Parron. Hugh Douglas speaking. Join us again again next week for have Gun Will Travel. Sa. Sam.

[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 join in the conversation by going to otrwesterns.Com Discord and don't forget to send us an email. Podcasttrwesterns.com this episode's 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.

[Paladin]

Sa.