Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: "The Trail To Mexico" – All Star Western Theatre (02-23-47)
Release Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, Andrew Rhynes presents a digitally restored classic: "The Trail to Mexico" from All Star Western Theatre. The show blends the talents of the Riders of the Purple Sage—famed for their music and storytelling—with a Western adventure involving rustlers, mistaken suspicions, and lighthearted romance. The story follows Boy Willing and his cowboy friends as they're drawn across the border into Mexico for a new job, only to land in the midst of ranch troubles, a scheming foreman, and comedic miscommunications with the rancher's daughter, Lolita.

Key Discussion Points and Story Highlights

The Riders Arrive in Mexico ([01:00–07:00])

• Musical Opening & Cowboy Life:
  The Riders perform a lively cowboy song about payday and small-town adventures, setting a jovial mood. The host, Cottonseed Clark, reflects on the practical, non-melancholic spirit of real cowboys and the importance of good food, with a sponsor mention for Weber's Bread.

• Setting the Scene:
  Boy Willing, Foy, and Jimmy Dean arrive at the impressive Mexican ranch of Señor Carlos Fernandez with a letter of introduction from Sam Holland.

  • “Now this is the kind of place that'll make punching cows a pleasure.” – Foy ([03:13])

Meeting the Fernandezes and the Job Offer ([07:00–09:00])

• Lolita’s Suspicion:
  Carlos offers the riders jobs, but his daughter Lolita is wary, noting recent cattle thefts. They conspire to act as if Lolita cannot speak English, hoping the new men will reveal suspicious intentions.

  • “But the letter could be a forgery... they might be part of the gang that has been stealing our cattle.” – Lolita ([08:59])

  • “Then I have an idea. Do not let them know you speak that language...” – Carlos ([09:22])

Arrival at the Bunkhouse & Ranch Troubles ([09:59–12:00])

• New Duties and Dangers:
  The foreman, Juan Lopez, tells the men they’ll start herding cattle the next morning—and to keep their guns ready, due to increased rustler activity.

• Comic Confusion with Lolita:
  The Cowboys struggle to communicate at supper as Lolita pretends not to know English. They joke about the language barrier and romantic possibilities:

  • “Look, you sweet little old enchilada. We no speaky of Mexico.” – Foy ([11:47])

Supper & Romantic Antics ([12:00–15:00])

• Romantic Schemes:
  Playful courtship attempts abound, but Lolita keeps her act up, adding humor to the misunderstanding.

  • “Now, now, looky here, my little Masha. I don't like giggling women, but we needs an interpreter. A blind one, see?” – Foy ([14:12])

  • “He couldn’t be a bad man. And he’s so pretty, too.” – Lolita, in Spanish, after Foy leaves ([14:42])

Discovery of the Rustling Plot ([15:06–17:30])

• Eavesdropping on the Conspiracy:
  Jimmy Dean overhears Juan, the foreman, plotting with other men to steal the cattle by sending the boys to the wrong area of the ranch the next day.

  • “They are rustlin’ the old man’s cattle... he’s going to send us to the east section tomorrow and then that leave the south section free so they can run out another hundred head.” – Jimmy Dean ([16:26])

• Making a Plan:
  Realizing warning Carlos would set Juan on guard, the men decide to head off the rustlers themselves at Devil’s Pass.

The Showdown at Devil’s Pass ([17:30–19:00])

• Ambush and Capture:
  The Riders outsmart the rustlers, ambushing them and securing the herd.

  • “When you shoot that gun, it's going to scare the socks off of them. Then right now you're going to see four barefooted cattle rustlers.” – Foy ([18:24])

• Restoring Justice:
  They confront Carlos and expose Juan’s involvement, just as suspicions start to shift toward the new hands. Lolita and Carlos quickly realize the Riders are true friends.

The English-Speaking Reveal ([19:34–20:00])

• Surprise for Foy:
  Foy and his friends are startled when Carlos asks Lolita for a gun in English, and she responds in kind—revealing she’d understood everything all along.

  • “She speaks and understands this stuff. Oh, am I in trouble.” – Foy ([19:38])

Romantic Subplot and Cowboy Teasing ([20:00–23:48])

• Foy’s Appeal for Help:
  Foy wants to propose seriously to Lolita and asks his friends to help impress her by “accidentally” overhearing them singing his praises.

  • “I want you to give me a big build up to her...give her that old Texas.” – Foy ([21:19])

• Turnabout Teasing:
  Instead, the cowboys tease Foy within earshot of Lolita, who overhears them joking that Foy’s reservations about settling down are due to her possible future looks.

  • “You told me this morning that Joy would hate to get hinted up to her that she probably be big and fat and ugly by the time she's 30.” – Cowboy teasing ([23:21])

  • “You curly headed Diablo!” – Lolita, indignant ([23:44])

Musical Closings and Fond Farewells ([24:00–28:51])

• Songs of the West:
  The episode concludes with musical performances from the Riders of the Purple Sage, including the titular “Trail To Mexico.”

  • “Just as it is the responsibility of the bakers of Weber's Bread to see the your community is supplied with plenty of good fresh Weber's Bread. And Weber's Bread is always good bread.” – Cottonseed Clark ([26:36])

• Reflection on Cowboy Adventure:
  Despite all the excitement, the cowboys hint at returning to Texas, with the final moments tying together music, commerce, and camaraderie.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Who? Tom, Dick and Harry. Oh.” – Cowboy banter, poking fun at unfamiliarity ([03:55])
• “If it's trouble we're looking for, there's plenty of that the other side of the border.” – Jimmy Dean ([15:13])
• “I'll just go over to the bunk house till I figure out a way for me and you to understand each other. This is the silliest conversation I ever went through.” – Foy ([14:26])
• “It's more than I can stand. Why, if this keeps up, I'll be ruined.” – Carlos Fernandez, upon realizing the scope of the rustling ([18:16])
• “Now, just a minute. You're carrying this too far, boys. I'm going to break down. Admit it. He's got me roped and tied.” – Foy, realizing his feelings ([20:53])
• “You curly headed Diablo!” – Lolita, after overhearing teasing from the boys ([23:44])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] – Musical Opening & Riders arrive at Fernandez Ranch
• [08:39] – Lolita and Carlos discuss suspicion and plan
• [09:59] – Ranch troubles & foreman Juan introduces the job
• [11:47] – Cowboy/Lolita language comedy at supper
• [14:42] – Lolita’s secret reflections on the men
• [15:06] – Jimmy Dean discovers the rustling plot
• [17:30] – Devil’s Pass ambush and rustler capture
• [19:34] – English language reveal by Lolita
• [20:53] – Foy seeks help impressing Lolita
• [23:44] – Lolita calls Foy a “curly headed Diablo!”
• [24:00–28:51] – Closing musical medley

Tone & Style

The episode is full of cheerful camaraderie, gentle mockery, and broad humor, with plenty of Western slang and folksy wisdom. The musical interludes by the Riders of the Purple Sage capture the nostalgic spirit of the West, while the story blends light romance with classic good vs. bad cowboy action.

This summary captures the spirited narrative, the humor, and the musical enjoyment that makes "The Trail to Mexico" a signature example of classic radio Western entertainment.