
Original Air Date: 1952Host: Andrew RhynesShow: Lightning JimPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Exit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny https://bit.ly/3kTj0kK
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Flint Carson
Foreign.
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 Lightning Gym. Original air date comes from 1952 and the title is the Devil's Dish Panel.
Black Baron
You know that the fairy will be your new home.
Flint Carson
It's sa.
Narrator
And now for the thrilling adventures of Lightning Jim. For over three years, the Black Baron has led his band of cutthroats and gunmen, leaving behind a trail of destruction and death. But at last, he's finally established a hideout for himself in the Cumber Mountains. And into that region come Lightning Jim and Whitey. Their instructions are to work from undercover, but to get the Black Baron and break up his gang. They have arrived at the town of Cumberbill, sprawling on the foot of the Cumber Range, and are just about to stable their horses.
Whitey Larson
He Lightning, they rush that bell for.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, they usually ring the church bell in case of fire or something serious. Reckon we'll mosey along down that way, Whitey.
Whitey Larson
Look, Lightning, there's two damn fellers tied on their horses over there.
Lightning Jim Whipple
I see. All right, Whitey. Reckon things are happening thick and fast around here.
Flint Carson
Two more deputies kill tied on their horses and another note pinned on them. What does it say this time, Sheriff? Well, it says, take a tip from us, Sheriff, and resign. The bright Baron makes his own law. All right now, quiet, quiet, quiet. Man sure reckon you know what this mean? I need a couple of new deputies. Yeah, how about it, Flint? There ain't no use bucking that gang and you know it. Ah, you've had sick deputies brought back to your den. What do you think we can do about it? Of us will volunteer. We ain't crazy. If you've got good sense, you'll resign, too. There ain't no sense walking right into a trap. Can't I get one of her to help me out on this? Are you going to let the Black Baron dictate to you? You know me, Flint. I've been running this Fred here for a long time. I ain't playing with the Black Baron, but I sure ain't playing against him. Hey, why don't you quit while you got a chance, huh, man? Now wait a minute. Wait a minute, man. Maybe you don't travel for. I was elected sheriff about two months ago. Ain't hardly got started on my term of office yet. And I ain't quitting if it don't get me some deputies. Yeah, I reckon I'll have to go it alone.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Whitey. Here's where we get in the game.
Whitey Larson
What you going to do like that?
Narrator
We was told to play the cards.
Lightning Jim Whipple
The way that was dealt. As long as we didn't let on that we was marshalled. Just follow my lead, Whitey.
Flint Carson
Hey there, mister.
Lightning Jim Whipple
I understand you're right. You're looking for a couple of deputy sheriffs, huh?
Flint Carson
Sure, sure. You know where I can find a couple sort of handy like?
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, you get paid for it. Here's one. I reckon my partner here might join up too. How's they, Whitey?
Flint Carson
Oh, sure.
Whitey Larson
Jay had never been a deputy sheriff before, but get to try anything once. How much does this job pay?
Flint Carson
50 months involved. Yeah, and the county pays your funeral expenses.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Hey, Flint Carson.
Flint Carson
If you hire these two greenhorns and get them killed too, like the other six, you're a cockeyed, stubborn mule. That's my sentiment. Is that so? Is that so? You two want the job behind, come on down the office with me. I'll tell you just what kind of buzz saw you run into. You want to run the other way? Well, there's still time. Well, there you are. Ranches burn, cattle run off. And anybody that gets in the way gets killed.
Lightning Jim Whipple
You must be a pretty brave man, Sheriff. You still hang on.
Whitey Larson
You ain't afraid of this Black Baron? Maybe?
Flint Carson
I'm afraid all right. Ain't nothing brave about me. I'm just mad. I had a ranch too, about three months ago. Some of the prettiest cows you ever laid eyes on.
Lightning Jim Whipple
The Black Baron took em.
Flint Carson
That's it. I woke up one morning to find myself all alone. My cows all gone, my two cow hens dead. You know why? I got real lonesome out that ranch without my cows. Didn't have nothing else to do, so well, took this job here.
Lightning Jim Whipple
What happened to the mask? Yeah.
Flint Carson
Black Baron got him. Yeah, one of these days he'll probably get me too. But then I'm going down fighting. I ain't giving up.
Whitey Larson
Nobody else around here help you and me?
Flint Carson
Oh, they ain't exactly quitters. They just got scruples against getting killed. Me, well, I ain't got no scruples. Thinking I'm just. Well, I'm too mad to have any too much sense.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, maybe the three of us. My name is Jim Jennings. And Whitey here, he ain't got no other name but Whitey.
Whitey Larson
Oh, Auntie Fancy, you score me Whitey?
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, I think the three of us might bother the Black Baron a mite. What's your sentiments, Whitey?
Flint Carson
Me?
Whitey Larson
Well, I think I'm beginning to get Mad too, maybe. Brian Bly Works myself up a good temper. Well, then, I tell you, things will begin to happen.
Flint Carson
Well, he makes your own choice. But I'm glad to have you with me. Come on, I'll take you out and show you the devil's Dispam. That's where. That's where the Ben hid out, like. Oh, there.
Whitey Larson
Maybe we have to score the dispense for him.
Flint Carson
Gary. See, you see, it's shaped just like a dispan. And as far as I'm concerned, the baron's the devil all right.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Yeah, it's a deep valley with steep hills all around us.
Flint Carson
Here. Here. You can see good from here.
Whitey Larson
There goes the river. Look, Jim. There's a little rocky ridge along one side up high there.
Lightning Jim Whipple
See that? Yeah, I see it. Reckon that's the way in.
Flint Carson
That's the only way in. And that's guarded all the time. Two men and a couple of rifles could hold off an army there.
Lightning Jim Whipple
That river's got to go someplace. Where'd it come out on the other side?
Flint Carson
It doesn't come out.
Whitey Larson
What do you mean? It can't go no place?
Flint Carson
Well, it goes underground at the far side of the valley. Runs clear under the mountains, I reckon. Least I never heard nobody who really.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Knew where it went underground. River flowing through the valley then disappearing down onto the ground.
Flint Carson
Well, it's one of them natural phenomenon, you know, like they get read up in books. One minute you see it and the next minute you don't.
Whitey Larson
Well, I surely don't see how par could get in through that rich if the black bear didn't want to let them in.
Lightning Jim Whipple
You're right there, Whitey. They're safe enough all right. As long as I stay behind.
Whitey Larson
That's all the smoke from that shot.
Flint Carson
Just a little warning not to come no closer. Burn their hide. Let's get going. The more I look at that darn dish pan, the more I think of my cows, and the more I think of my cows, the madder I get.
Narrator
That night the sheriff, Lightning Jim and Whitey have just finished and they're walking down the street talking about that all engrossing subject, the black barons.
Whitey Larson
Well, I tell you, I still think there ought to be some way we can smoke them poor cats off. That are there, Worsty pen.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, I reckon we'll have to put a head to it, buddy. Maybe we can figure out something.
Flint Carson
Come on in here, boys. I'm going to send a telegram. Howdy, sheriff. Just getting ready to lock up the office, Jim Jemmy, and tell the Fellow's name Whitey Lee. Hired honest evidence today. This is Lou Benson, our telegrapher.
Lou Benson
Hi there, Jim.
Narrator
How do you do?
Lou Benson
You two got more nerve than I got, but reckon I'll live longer.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, Lou, I wouldn't mind betting on that if I was a betting man.
Whitey Larson
All my family lives a long time, but my grandfather, he's still going strong.
Flint Carson
Yeah, and I wrote out a telegram. Want you to send for me. Do I want it to walk tonight? Sure, sure.
Lou Benson
It says, to Sam Ogleby, Attorney General, State of Arizona, Capital, Phoenix.
Flint Carson
Yeah. You reckon that address will get him all right, Duke?
Lou Benson
Oh, sure thing. Let me see now. Dear Sam, I'm well and hope you are the same. Yes, we had been having a little trouble down here lately. All my cows got stole, so they elected me sharp so as I could catch the Black Baron who's been doing all the stealing.
Flint Carson
What's the matter with you, Cannon?
Lightning Jim Whipple
I reckon I caught a little cold or something in the throat.
Flint Carson
The cold throat. Turpentine's good with that turpentine. The Wolf's rock.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Yep.
Flint Carson
Go on, Lou, with the rest of it.
Lou Benson
Yes, I got me a couple new deputies today. The other six got killed. These two new ones don't scare easy. But the three of us ain't enough. So will you please ask the Governor to send a troop down here?
Whitey Larson
Get you some of that cold too.
Flint Carson
Yeah, I can't understand it. Weather's been grand lately. Yeah, I know.
Lou Benson
Well, you go on to say the Black Baron is a ornery, low down, bad smelling, hairy legged tarantula. And I think the Governor ought to help me get my cows back. The old friend, Flint Carson. Yes, the cows was black with white spots.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Yeah.
Flint Carson
Say, that'll get some results and quick. I ain't gonna fool around no longer. The Terrace Sheriff. A black baron and about 30 of his gang just held up the bank. Well, they're headed this way on the road out of town. So I'm right, right into town. Willie, come on.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Listen, Sheriff, ain't no sense in our going out there. Just three of us. We can't stop 30 men.
Flint Carson
Are you getting scared, Jim?
Lightning Jim Whipple
No, just careful. I'm hankering to get the Black Baron personal and I can't do it if I'm dead.
Flint Carson
Wait, I'll lock the door. Well, I ain't hiding here like I was wearing petticoats.
Lou Benson
Now, I don't want to shoot around here. Sheriff, in that final, you're a lunk.
Flint Carson
Headed old fool if you think you can stop the Baron.
Lou Benson
And 30 of his men here.
Flint Carson
They're coming. I can see them. Get down, all of you, so they don't see us through the window. Get down.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Sheriff, we don't want no trouble. We don't start ourselves.
Flint Carson
Well, I'm aiming to start him. If I can just get one man. Sheriff, don't get one big cut. Right through the window.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Now you've done it.
Flint Carson
The whole mob will be down. What can it find out? Lou, hurry. Yeah, I'm putting it out right now. I reckon the baron can't take control.
Lightning Jim Whipple
We got to get out of here. We can't hold him off the place around you to take cover.
Lou Benson
Louis, a bunch of empty barrels here.
Flint Carson
And I'm pulling one over my head right now. Oh, me too.
Narrator
Good idea.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Come on, hurry up.
Flint Carson
Oh, I'd rather shoot us out with them awful client out there.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Ready for something. Give me one of them.
Flint Carson
Bell, get out here quick.
Lightning Jim Whipple
But open this window in the back. If we got out that way, maybe.
Flint Carson
Well, they'll know we couldn't get out without them fin.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, maybe they won't stop to think.
Flint Carson
It's still. Now, come on out. Listen, you want us to drag you off your subconbalance?
Narrator
Yeah.
Flint Carson
Come on. All right, men. Come on, let's get it.
Black Baron
I can't see nobody.
Flint Carson
There's a light in there a few minutes ago. It ain't there now. Hey, look.
Black Baron
The window's open. Yeah. Probably just took one lucky shot.
Flint Carson
Oh.
Black Baron
Oh, dang.
Flint Carson
You're busted my toe off.
Black Baron
Yeah, window's open.
Flint Carson
I reckon him or them or whoever.
Black Baron
It was got out here all right.
Flint Carson
Hey.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Hey.
Narrator
There seems to be a lot of.
Flint Carson
Barrels around here, huh? Maybe we better light a light and make a good search.
Narrator
Yeah.
Black Baron
Let me see. Can't fudge this barrel. He's full all right. Molasses got a leak in it. Molasses all over the floor here. I guess they must have skipped out. Boys, come on. There ain't nothing here. Let's keep going.
Flint Carson
Wait a minute.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Yeah, you can come out now.
Flint Carson
I was in the barrel that one gasper stumbled over. My heart went all the way down on my boot.
Lou Benson
I never breathed once the whole time they was in here.
Flint Carson
Whitey, you all right? Boys, come on out. They've gone now. You feel me?
Whitey Larson
Once last. Where did a pair of us half full moles? I don't think I'll ever get myself on stalk again.
Narrator
Will the attorney general send troops down in response to Flint's request? Just how could the black baron be driven out of his devil's dish? Pan we shall see in part two of the Adventures of Lightning Jim, which follows immediately.
Flint Carson
Sa.
Narrator
And now for part two of the Adventures of Lightning Jim in the Devil's Dish Pan. Now it's morning following the bank Robbie at Cumberville.
Lightning Jim Whipple
The bank plumb cleaned up lint?
Flint Carson
Oh, yes. Nothing left but the furniture. That's all right. Straight in. Is powerful worked up too. Cause the old station don't look so good either this morning.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, we ain't exactly in favor around here.
Whitey Larson
Give me a whiskers. I've scrubbed myself until I am raw in places. But whenever I get rescrubbing I find some more molasses.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, I reckon, Whitey, you're going to.
Narrator
Be quite a favorite with the flies.
Whitey Larson
Yeah, I don't think they're so funny.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Hey, listen, Flint.
Flint Carson
Yes?
Lightning Jim Whipple
I got a plan for getting into the Devil's dishpan and for getting the Baron out.
Flint Carson
Oh, you're a loco. There can't be such a. Yeah, well.
Lightning Jim Whipple
I think I got one that might work.
Flint Carson
And if you got a plan for getting in there, you're wasting your time being deputy sheriff. You ought to go on the stage and saw a woman in half.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Yeah, I've been looking at a map of this country showing the Devil's dish.
Flint Carson
Pan in detail and I could draw you a picture of that. I used to spend a lot of time up there when I was a young spouse.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, it's true, ain't it, that a man can ride up the side of the mountain and be directly over the river at the opposite end of the pass.
Flint Carson
You mean get around on the other side? Yeah, why sure. That's easy done said. What good does it do you? You'll still be miles up in the air. And the Black Bear and his miles down below can't hurt him none that way.
Lightning Jim Whipple
No. Well, I think I can and heard him plenty. Me and you is going up the side of the mountain. Did we locate the spot where the river goes down underneath? And we got that done. You're gonna watch a chance and I'm going down on a rope.
Flint Carson
You mean by yourself?
Narrator
Yeah.
Flint Carson
Well, never before in my life did I ever hear all the man so anxious to get to Hades that he was willing to crawl down.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, he won't be expecting nothing from that end. Why didn't we ought to be able to work it out all right?
Whitey Larson
No, but what's he going to do when we get there?
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, I'll take along some dynamite. And if I got it figured right, once that dynamite goes to work, there Won't be no place for that river to go through. And the valley will flood and flood quick.
Flint Carson
Yeah, it would. That's river. It'll flood that valley as easy as well as fill in the everyday dish, man.
Whitey Larson
You mean that you are going to dynamite the rocks around the river, dam it up and right off them scoring weasel?
Lightning Jim Whipple
That's it. Of course, rocks won't keep the river back forever. They ought to hold it back long enough to drive out the black barren. Bethany wants to get drowned in his own trap.
Flint Carson
Me hold on here. Where'd I come in the picture of you and wh gonna do all the dirty work.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Reckon you could get a few men lined up who take a chance on captain them critters when they get flooded out.
Flint Carson
Sure, like I told you. All the folks around here want there's a chance here if you get some.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Dynamite lined up for me and organize your party for tonight. Yeah, come on, buddy. We got riding to do and plenty of it. We're going to scrub out the dish pan for the devil. Well, Thunder.
Flint Carson
Oh, boy.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Buddy, look down there.
Flint Carson
Oh, boy. Yo.
Whitey Larson
I see it all right, Lightning there. Sweat of river goes under the mountain all right.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Yeah. See that ledge down there to the right?
Flint Carson
No.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, we wait until it begins to get dark and we both make it down to that ledge. From there, I go on alone.
Whitey Larson
Well, I don't see why you don't let me do that lighting, eh?
Lightning Jim Whipple
You manage the rope from up above?
Whitey Larson
Oh, I wish this was tomorrow. I don't think I'm going to like tonight.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, we better take a little rest. You can't start climbing down till it gets dark.
Whitey Larson
Lightning.
Narrator
What?
Lightning Jim Whipple
What's. What's the trouble, Whitie you spawn some more molasses?
Narrator
That evening when darkness came, Whitey and Jim started their dangerous climb down the side of the mountain. They had fastened strong ropes at the top to steady them, but any slip would have been fatal.
Whitey Larson
Well, there we are, Lightning. We made the lead show, right?
Narrator
Yeah.
Lightning Jim Whipple
From here down, it's just about 30ft.
Narrator
At the rest of the rope.
Flint Carson
All right, you're there.
Whitey Larson
This raptor on my beast. Till I get that unwrap, we'll be.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Passing a few on a rock and I'll slide down if I have to get back in a hurry.
Whitey Larson
Oh, you don't. Won't be waiting around anyway with that fuselage and the dynamite.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Reckon you're right. Anyway, be ready to pull up in a hurry.
Whitey Larson
What do you think I'm going to be doing?
Lightning Jim Whipple
Now, Whitey? Now don't get Worried? I'll be all right. Well, let that rope fast.
Whitey Larson
You're right there on this rock here, and I'm fastening two ropes.
Lightning Jim Whipple
I don't need to.
Whitey Larson
Well, two ropes is better than one. I'm fastening all right.
Lightning Jim Whipple
All right yourself, buddy. Well, there it go.
Whitey Larson
Be careful, Lightning. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed till he get back.
Narrator
And while Whitey was letting Lightning Tim down the steep mountainside on the rope below in the Devil's dish pan, the Black Baron and two of his men were talking to one side. The river rushed along to its underground channel.
Black Baron
I tell you, boys, I don't like the idea those two hombres were sold going up the side of the mountain today.
Flint Carson
Yeah, but we ain't got lot to worry about, folks. They left Trotter. We watched them go. Yeah, they can't hurt us none from up there. No, nor even if they could get down here.
Black Baron
Well, you two go on back to camp. I'm just gonna mose around here a spell. I got the creeps tonight for some reason.
Flint Carson
Well, if you want anything, just tell. Hey, better come on back with us.
Black Baron
And sit in the poker game for us.
Flint Carson
I'm feeling lucky tonight.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Reach for the sky, Baron.
Narrator
What?
Lightning Jim Whipple
If you make one wrong move, I'll let daylight through you.
Black Baron
Hey, what you doing with that dynamite? You ain't gonna pull me.
Flint Carson
Don't go for your gun, curse you.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Oh, I want you not to go for your gun.
Flint Carson
Buddy. Hurry up in that other room.
Black Baron
He's gonna leave me here to get blown up.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Shut up. I'm trying to get this rope around you.
Narrator
Help yourself a little.
Black Baron
I think I'm dying.
Lightning Jim Whipple
You'll die if you don't help yourself a little, boy.
Flint Carson
Buddy, I'll climb up the other rope.
Black Baron
Hurry up that dynamite.
Lightning Jim Whipple
If you don't want to be blowed up, you better help yourself a little.
Flint Carson
I am. Whitey. This is the 10.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Quiet, Baron. I'll cut the rope and let you fall right on top of that dynamite.
Flint Carson
Hey, good protect.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Hey, look.
Flint Carson
Somebody's climbing up the side of the mountain there.
Narrator
While all of this has been going on, Flint Carson with A posse of 15 men has been waiting close to the Tumber Pass leading into the Devil's Dishpan.
Flint Carson
And I don't know if them do heron scarens. Don't get back. I'm gonna miss em more in the Dome of Cows. I never seen two men alike. More. It won't work, Flint. I told you before, it just won't work. They can't get down Those mountains. And if they could anyone. Well, I don't know. I don't know about that. They might be able to do it because he made it. Say that the dynamite off. How do you like that? If it works, it won't take long for that valley to fill. That river carries a lot of water. I'd feel a heap better if I knew Jim and whitie got out of there all right. Just what do you know about those two hombres, Flint? Seems funny they'd mold you into town this way and sort of take charge of things. I don't need to know nothing about them. As far as I'm concerned, they can have anything they want. And if I ain't got it now, I'll help them to get it. What do we do now, Flynn? Nothing. We just wait until we see if the rats come out. Then we make them throw down their guns. Or we shoot them down one by one. They could keep us from going in through the pass, but now we. And now we can keep them from coming out. Unless they do as we say. You'll shred.
Narrator
When daylight began to break over the mountain, Lightning Jim and Whitey joined the sheriff and his posse bringing their prisoner Black Baron with them.
Flint Carson
Damn Whitey, you got back save Hooray. Sure.
Whitey Larson
Did you get the men? Did they come off?
Flint Carson
Beast with his babies. They come out running. Threw down the guns when we gathered them up. Just like picking Davies. Rest of the boys started back to town. I heard a sick. Hey, who you got there?
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, this here is a baron. Prisoner number one in the collection.
Flint Carson
The Baron. But they told us he got a blow there belong with two more of the men. Leastwise nobody could find them.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, the other two got blowed up, but the baron here decided to come along with us.
Flint Carson
I still think you could take rabbits out of a head, Jim, you are a natural born magician.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Well, Sheriff, now we got a few minutes of quiet. With all the business behind bars, I got a kind of a little confused.
Whitey Larson
That's right. We was kind of fooling you there, Sheriff. We wasn't what we was supposed to be at all.
Flint Carson
Yeah, and I don't understand this. What was you supposed to be?
Whitey Larson
Well, we were supposed to be deputy sheriffs. But we couldn't be no deputy sheriff because we was something else all the time.
Flint Carson
You were.
Narrator
Telegram for your sheriff came yesterday, but I couldn't find you no place to give to you.
Flint Carson
Yeah, here. Excuse me. Excuse me, Will I read this telegram here. Says from Sam Mogilby, Attorney General. Let me see now. Dear Flint. It says here. I'm reading now. It says here, Dear Flint, I talked to the Governor about sending a troop out to get the Black Baron, but the governor says it isn't necessary because Lightning Jim Whipple, the United States State Marshal, and W. Larson, his deputy, have already been. What you two for?
Whitey Larson
That's what they meant. That meant that we wasn't what we were supposed to be.
Flint Carson
Wrong with your telegram radio or these people can't frame us. Thank God.
Whitey Larson
No. No what? They're such your friends here, mister.
Lightning Jim Whipple
Yeah.
Flint Carson
Way to find police here with a friend. He says they've already sinned. And the governor says to tell you there was enough reward money on the Black Baron to buy all the cows in Arizona, Texas and Colorado. Your friend, Flam. No.
Whitey Larson
What are you going to do there? Stop being sheriff and start the ranching again.
Flint Carson
I don't think I'd ever like any cows as well as I did them first ones. Reckon I'll just keep on being a sheriff.
Narrator
And so ends another thrilling episode in the lives of those two famous marshals, Lightning Jim Whipple and Whitey Larson.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of OTR Western style, 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 subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707986, 8739. 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 thanks for listening.
Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: The Devil's Dishpan | Lightning Jim (1952)
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: 1952
Podcast Release Date: March 31, 2025
In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rines delves into the thrilling adventure of Lightning Jim, titled "The Devil's Dishpan". This digitally restored classic Western radiodrama brings the Wild West to life with enhanced audio quality, immersing listeners in the suspenseful tale of lawmen versus outlaws in the rugged landscapes of Cumber Mountains.
The story unfolds in the town of Cumberbill, nestled at the base of the formidable Cumber Range. The region has been terrorized for over three years by the notorious Black Baron and his ruthless gang, leaving a path of destruction and fear in their wake. The local sheriff, Flint Carson, is grappling with the menace, having lost his cattle and family to the Baron's tyranny.
Enter Lightning Jim Whipple and his sidekick Whitey Larson, who arrive in Cumberbill with a mission: to undercover infiltrate and dismantle the Black Baron's operation. Their approach is cautious yet determined, aiming to outwit the outlaws rather than engage in direct confrontation.
Notable Quote:
"Well, they usually ring the church bell in case of fire or something serious. Reckon we'll mosey along down that way, Whitey."
— Lightning Jim Whipple [02:25]
Upon arrival, Jim and Whitey encounter the beleaguered Sheriff Carson, who is demoralized and considering resignation due to the relentless pressure from the Black Baron.
Notable Quote:
"I ain't quitting if it don't get me some deputies."
— Sheriff Flint Carson [03:00]
Despite Carson's reluctance, Jim proposes a collaboration, emphasizing the importance of standing against the tyranny of the Black Baron.
As tensions rise, the trio strategizes on how to breach the Baron's hideout, ominously named "The Devil's Dishpan"—a deep valley surrounded by steep hills and natural barriers. They identify key geographical features, such as a river that vanishes underground, adding to the mystique and inaccessibility of the Baron's lair.
Notable Quote:
"From here down, it's just about 30ft."
— Narrator [19:58]
The plot thickens when the Black Baron and his gang execute a daring bank robbery, prompting immediate action from Jim and Whitey. Despite being outnumbered, the lawmen employ cunning tactics to capture the Baron, leading to a tense standoff that tests their resolve and ingenuity.
Notable Quote:
"Damn, window's open."
— Black Baron [13:58]
In a climactic confrontation within The Devil's Dishpan, Jim employs dynamite to block the river's path, intending to flood the valley and trap the Black Baron. This risky maneuver showcases Jim's bravery and strategic thinking, ultimately leading to the Baron's downfall.
Notable Quote:
"Shut up. I'm trying to get this rope around you."
— Lightning Jim Whipple [22:16]
With the Black Baron apprehended and his gang disbanded, peace is restored to Cumberbill. Sheriff Carson, initially skeptical, acknowledges the effectiveness of Jim and Whitey's unconventional methods. The episode concludes with Flint receiving a telegram congratulating them on their success, highlighting the duo's unofficial yet heroic status.
Notable Quote:
"That's what they meant. That meant that we wasn't what we were supposed to be."
— Whitey Larson [27:22]
"The Devil's Dishpan" explores themes of justice, resilience, and the classic battle between good and evil. Lightning Jim and Whitey's partnership exemplifies the idea that unconventional methods, combined with determination, can overcome significant adversities. The episode also underscores the impact of leadership and community support in the face of oppression.
Andrew Rines skillfully presents this episode, capturing the essence of old-time Western dramas while enhancing the listening experience through digital restoration. "The Devil's Dishpan" serves as a testament to the enduring allure of Western storytelling, filled with memorable characters, suspenseful plot twists, and the timeless struggle for justice in the untamed frontier.
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Final Thoughts: This episode exemplifies the golden age of Western radio dramas, combining intricate plots, dynamic characters, and vivid soundscapes. Andrew Rines' dedication to digital restoration ensures that these timeless tales continue to captivate new audiences, preserving the legacy of the Wild West's storytelling tradition.