Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: The Lone Ranger Rides Again | The Lone Ranger (11-05-52)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: December 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode invites listeners back into the golden age of radio westerns with a meticulously restored broadcast of "The Lone Ranger Rides Again." The classic story follows the Lone Ranger and his loyal companion Tonto as they recover from past injuries and become embroiled in a plot involving counterfeit money, bank robbers on the run, and lawmen hot on their heels. The tension builds around a counterfeiting ring's attempt to use a tunnel under a general store to rob a bank, with local townsfolk and the indomitable Lone Ranger working together to thwart the plan.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Justice versus Lawlessness: The Lone Ranger, even while recovering from a gunshot wound, remains a central force for justice, up against criminals seeking to profit from counterfeiting and robbery.
• Community Vigilance: The townsfolk’s wariness of outsiders and paper money, the swift spread of warnings, and teamwork to solve a crisis are recurrent motifs.
• Redemption and Reputation: The presence of Pete Chester, a former convict striving for an honest life, explores the complexity of reputation and past mistakes in tightly knit frontier communities.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

(01:15) Episode Introduction – Setting the Scene

• Andrew Rhynes welcomes listeners and sets the tone for a nostalgic western adventure with restored audio clarity, emphasizing the “thrilling days of yesteryear.”
• Legend of the Lone Ranger reintroduced with his partner Tonto, poised to defend justice in the early West.

(05:03-06:13) The Town is on Alert

• Bob Cook, a local printer, distributes help wanted ads for Mohawk Construction Company, enabling the listeners to meet ordinary citizens like the blacksmith and storekeeper Pete Chester.
• News spreads about counterfeit money in circulation, prompting widespread suspicion and heightened alertness among townsfolk.

(07:39-09:00) At Clarabelle Hornblow’s Ranch

• Sheriff consults Clarabelle about the counterfeiters and seeks out the Lone Ranger for assistance:
  • Clarabelle: “He’s not going to be bothered by law or outlaws.”
  • Tonto confirms no recent sightings of counterfeiters; the last major gang was imprisoned years before.

(10:21-15:00) The Villains’ Plot

• Counterfeiters introduced:
  • Gopher Ryan: A notorious bank robber and murderer.
  • Hep Garnett: The brain behind the operation, carrying $50,000 in fake cash.
• They spot Pete Chester’s general store adjacent to the bank—a perfect spot to tunnel and swap good bank money for their counterfeit.
• Villain dynamics revealed:
  • Garnett: “There are more ways than one to get rid of this counterfeit money. If Chester’s the man I think he is... we’ll dig our way in.”
• Villains’ leverage: Garnett and Gopher, ex-cons, threaten Pete Chester, their former fellow prisoner, to secure his basement.

(15:00-16:25) Tonto Walks Into Danger

• Tonto enters Pete’s store and is quickly recognized by Gopher:
  • Gopher: “You and your masked pal sent me to prison!”
• The criminals overpower and tie up Pete and Tonto, resolving to keep them silent while they work.

(18:52-20:40) Imprisonment and Tunneling

• Gopher is eager to silence Tonto, but Garnett’s caution prevails:
  • Garnett: “The last thing in the world we want is to bring a lot of folks in here to investigate a couple of gunshots.”
• They are bound and taken to the basement as the tunnel begins.

(20:53-24:31) Suspicion and the Call for Help

• Clarabelle and Thunder Martin realize Tonto is missing, decide to investigate.
• Thunder’s fruitless search in town: Pete, under duress, denies knowledge of Tonto.
• Clever clue: Clarabelle finds a torn handbill in supplies, recognizing it as Pete’s coded SOS:
  • Clarabelle: “He wants us to send him help.”

(24:57-25:30) The Lone Ranger Rises

• Despite his injury, the Lone Ranger dons his boots and guns, determined to rescue Tonto and Pete:
  • “Thank heaven the Lone Ranger’s riding again.” – Clarabelle, (25:30)
• Thunder accompanies him as they race toward the crisis.

(25:44-27:20) The Villains’ Next Move

• Garnett plans to kill Pete and Tonto and frame Pete for the coming bank robbery using his criminal record and the counterfeit cash.

(27:20-28:23) The Midnight Rescue

• Gopher departs with the captives, only to be intercepted on the moonlit trail by the Lone Ranger and Thunder.
• Memorable confrontation:
  • Gopher, panicked: “Don’t shoot me. My hands are up. I haven’t killed your Indian pal. He’s alive in the back of the wagon.” (28:13)
• The sheriff arrives, and the prisoners are secured.

(29:06-31:23) The Climactic Capture

• Garnett, finishing the tunnel, emerges in the bank only to be met by the sheriff and the Lone Ranger:
  • Sheriff: “Did you think tunneling into the bank was all you had to do to commit a robbery?”
  • Lone Ranger (through Thunder): “Make that two gents and three guns, Sheriff. I’m over here with the Lone Ranger.” (31:23)
• He is arrested; justice prevails.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clarabelle, on the Lone Ranger’s recovery:
  “He’s not going to be bothered by law or outlaws. Say, why’d you want to see him?”

• Villain intrigue as they case the town:
  Garnett: “Those bills of yours look so much like real cash, it might take the law a couple of days to figure out we switched good money for bad.” (11:34)

• Clarabelle’s deduction:
  “He didn't want to send us the ad, Thunder. He wants us to send him help.” (24:30)

• Hero’s return:
  “Thank heaven the Lone Ranger’s riding again.” – Clarabelle (25:30)

• Showdown with Gopher:
  Gopher (surrendering): “Don’t shoot me. My hands are up. I haven’t killed your Indian pal. He’s alive in the back of the wagon.” (28:13)

• Sheriff’s righteous indignation:
  “Did you think tunneling into the bank was all you had to do to commit a robbery?” (29:34)

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------| | 01:15 | Host’s introduction; setting the stage for the episode | | 05:03 | Bob prints help wanted ads; counterfeit money warning | | 07:39 | Sheriff seeks Lone Ranger’s help at Clarabelle’s ranch | | 10:21 | Introduction of villains and their plot involving the bank | | 15:00 | Tonto enters the store; is taken hostage with Pete | | 20:53 | Clarabelle and Thunder grow suspicious and search for Tonto | | 24:31 | Clarabelle discovers Pete’s hidden message | | 24:57 | Lone Ranger, despite injury, prepares to ride again | | 27:20 | Gopher drives Pete and Tonto out to kill them | | 27:36 | Lone Ranger intervenes and rescues captives | | 29:06 | Sheriff intercepts Garnett tunneling into the bank | | 31:23 | Final capture: villains apprehended by lawmen and Lone Ranger |

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a classic, earnest Western tone, brimming with urgency, heroism, and sharp moral clarity. Dialogue is vivid and authentic to the genre, with memorable turns of phrase and crisp pacing. The Lone Ranger’s aura of steadfast justice and the camaraderie among Western townsfolk are at the heart of the storytelling.

Concluding Note

This classic Lone Ranger tale exemplifies why Old Time Radio Westerns endure: listeners are treated not only to a suspenseful, action-packed adventure, but also to a vivid tableau of community, justice, and courage—brought to life with enhanced audio fidelity and a loving respect for radio’s golden era.

“Thank heaven the Lone Ranger’s riding again.”
– Clarabelle Hornblow (25:30)