Old Time Radio Westerns
Episode: The Thundercloud | Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (10-09-53)
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns delivers a classic Wild West adventure with Wild Bill Hickok and his loyal deputy Jingles. The story centers on the mysterious resurgence of Indian raids led by Chief Thundercloud, with Bill and Jingles uncovering hidden motives, betrayal, and the dangerous dealings fueling conflict between settlers and the local tribe.
Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown
1. Opening Scene: Mystery on the Trail
- [01:26] Jingles (Andy Devine) questions Bill’s plans as they ride out, joking about always ending up in trouble.
- Bill (Guy Madison) reveals their mission: investigating new attacks led by Chief Thundercloud’s braves, distinguished by his red blanket and yellow-feathered war bonnet.
“We’re supposed to find out why Chief Thundercloud’s braves have suddenly gone on the warpath again.” — Bill, [02:11]
2. Meeting Wild Bird
- [03:02] The duo meets Wild Bird, a friendly and wise member of Thundercloud’s tribe, at a big oak tree.
- Wild Bird warns them: a hidden gunman is watching from a distant rock, complicating their task before it’s truly begun.
“Big lawman, heap local run horses when nobody chase them.” — Wild Bird, [03:49]
- Bill and Jingles take evasive action, outflank the would-be bushwhacker, and Bill disables the attacker with a well-judged shot.
“I shot for his arm. So he’d drop that rifle—a hundred yards from the back of a spinning horse using a six gun.” — Bill, [06:06]
3. Confrontation with Blaine, the Suspicious Rancher
- [06:35] The bushwhacker is revealed as Blaine, a local rancher—nervous about Indian raids but also suspiciously hostile toward Wild Bird.
- Blaine accuses Wild Bird and the lawmen of colluding with the raiders, and is identified by Wild Bird as someone closely connected with Chief Thundercloud.
“Big ranch, big house, big hat. No cows.” — Wild Bird on Blaine, [07:28]
“Rancher Blaine plenty friendly with Chief Thundercloud and raiding parties.” — Wild Bird, [07:57]
- Tempers flare; a brief fistfight leaves Blaine humiliated and vowing revenge if Hickok interferes further.
4. Piecing Together the Plot
- Wild Bird informs Bill and Jingles that Thundercloud’s braves believe settlers mean to steal their land—an idea planted by a white man.
- The heroes deduce Blaine may be supplying the braves with weapons and inciting conflict for personal gain.
“They say settlers plan to take all land of Thundercloud and his tribe. They say white man has told them so.” — Wild Bird, [09:28]
5. Spying on Blaine — and Danger Looms
- [10:31] Bill and Jingles sneak up on Blaine’s ranch to find Chief Thundercloud and Blaine in apparent collaboration.
- Suddenly, a war party heads directly toward them. Forced to hide, the pair narrowly evades discovery.
"It's a raiding party ... I can see Blaine talking to the chief. And they're starting their horses, Bill. They're heading straight for us." — Jingles, [11:43]
6. Riding for Reinforcements
- Recognizing the danger is too great, Bill and Jingles head to Fort Wilson to warn Colonel Wilson and fetch the cavalry.
"Thundercloud’s on the warpath again. He’s got about 40 braves all armed with new rifles. And they're heading south through Black Valley." — Bill, [13:32]
- Colonel Wilson assembles his men to intercept Thundercloud’s band, and Bill and Jingles join the campaign.
7. The Battle at Evans’ Farm
- The cavalry confronts the braves as they attack the Evans farm. A tense battle ensues.
"Get out, Buckshot!" — Bill, [14:40]
"Some of those shots are coming awful close." — Jingles, [14:48]
- Bill is shot during the charge and collapses; Jingles is momentarily distraught, but Bill is only wounded, not killed.
"Bill, Bill, you're hit. Oh my gosh. Ho, ho, ho, Joker. Bill, say something." — Jingles, [15:23]
"Howdy, partner." — Bill, stirring back to consciousness, [16:27]
8. Aftermath and the Culprit Revealed
- The raid is broken up: Thundercloud is captured, and Colonel Wilson reveals the braves’ new rifles were supplied by Blaine.
"We found out where the Indians got their rifles and ammunition. From a rancher name of Blaine." — Colonel Wilson, [17:45]
9. Final Showdown: Justice for Blaine
- Even as Bill nurses his wound, he insists on helping Jingles confront Blaine.
- At Blaine’s ranch, Bill disables Blaine with a precise shot as Jingles engages him in a brief, humorous fistfight.
"I got a few p... I’ve been saving just for you. And that’s for selling guns to the Indians. That’s for the bullets. That’s for li... the Chief Thundercloud. And here comes one for getting Bill shot with one of those rifles." — Jingles, [19:02]
10. Comic Relief and Resolution
- With Blaine subdued, Jingles quips about taking the chance to finally go fishing for trout by the ranch stream while they wait for Blaine to come round.
"While we're waiting for him to wake up, I'd like to try to catch a few of those trout for supper." — Jingles, [19:29]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Big lawman, heap local run horses when nobody chase them.” — Wild Bird, [03:49]
- “A hundred yards from the back of a spinning horse using a six gun. And you go for his arm?” — Jingles, amazed, [06:10]
- “Big ranch, big house, big hat. No cows.” — Wild Bird, [07:28]
- “Bill, Bill, you're hit. ... Bill, say something. Let me help you down out of this.” — Jingles, in panic, [15:23]
- “Howdy, partner.” — Bill, regaining consciousness, [16:27]
- “I got a few p... I’ve been saving just for you. ... that’s for selling guns to the Indians. ... And here comes one for getting Bill shot with one of those rifles.” — Jingles, delivering justice, [19:02]
- “While we're waiting for him to wake up, I'd like to try to catch a few of those trout for supper.” — Jingles, [19:29]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [01:26] — The mission is revealed: Investigate Chief Thundercloud’s raiders
- [03:02] — Meeting Wild Bird; warning about a hidden gunman
- [06:03] — Bill’s expert shooting disables the ambusher
- [07:28] — The confrontation with Blaine
- [09:28] — Wild Bird reveals white men told Thundercloud settlers would steal tribal land
- [10:31] — Spying on Blaine’s ranch; discovering his collusion with Thundercloud
- [11:43] — Indian war party approaches; tense escape
- [13:32] — Rallying Colonel Wilson's cavalry
- [14:40] — The battle at the Evans farm
- [15:23] — Bill is shot; Jingles’ emotional reaction
- [17:45] — The culprit’s weapons dealings exposed by the Colonel
- [19:02] — Final confrontation and Jingles’ comic revenge
Tone & Style
The episode preserves the classic, loping humor and camaraderie between Bill and Jingles—the bravado of the lawmen undercut by friendly ribbing and Jingles’ comic anxieties. The tension of gunfights and chases is balanced with their banter and one-liners, creating the warm, adventurous tone characteristic of old-time Western serials.
For listeners new and old, this episode brims with intrigue, action, and folksy humor—showcasing the timeless Wild West spirit of loyalty, resourcefulness, and frontier justice.