Old Time Radio Westerns – “The Turning Point” | The Lone Ranger (05-07-52)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: October 22, 2025
Podcast Episode Overview

In this meticulously restored episode from The Lone Ranger (originally aired May 7, 1952), listeners are transported to the golden age of radio drama. “The Turning Point” tells an emotionally charged story of revenge, redemption, and family reconciliation, as Dave Andrews faces his past and the legendary Lone Ranger’s influence helps redirect the course of two troubled young men. Enhanced audio brings new clarity to the galloping hooves, tense confrontations, and heartfelt reunions that define this classic Western tale.

Main Theme

At its heart, “The Turning Point” is about confronting one’s past and choosing a better path. Two ex-convicts—Dave Andrews, who seeks vengeance on the Lone Ranger for sending his father to the gallows, and Tony Hooker, his faithful friend—set out for revenge but find an unexpected opportunity when family, fate, and the Lone Ranger converge.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Serving Justice and Wrestling with Revenge

• [05:14 – 07:33]
  Dave Andrews and Tony Hooker, both recently out of prison, are holed up in a cafe. Dave is obsessed with finding and killing the Lone Ranger, whom he blames for his incarceration and his father’s execution. Tony, seeking a new life, tries to dissuade him.
  • Quote [06:44]
    Tony Hooker: “I figure we’re both alone in the world. Sort of feel we’re at the turning point, you might say.”
• [07:33 – 09:44]
  The pair plots to ambush the Lone Ranger and his companion Tonto at their camp.

2. Confrontation at the Camp

• [09:44 – 12:33]
  Dave and Tony sneak up on the Lone Ranger and Tonto, catching them asleep. A tense standoff follows.
  • Quote [10:43]
    The Lone Ranger: “You’ve come here to kill us, is that it?”
  • The Lone Ranger counsels Dave against murder, trying to steer him away from making a fatal mistake.
  • Quote [11:08]
    The Lone Ranger: “If you kill, you’ll be hunted for murder. Hunted until you’re caught and finally hanged. Is that what you want, Andrews?”
• [12:33 – 13:19]
  The Lone Ranger and Tonto disarm them with quick thinking and mercy, letting them go free and giving Dave a chance to choose a better life.
  • Quote [12:54]
    The Lone Ranger: “I reckon we’re letting both of you go this time. I’m going to let you have that chance.”
  • Quote [13:00]
    Dave Andrews: “Maybe… maybe aim to shoot us in the back as we ride away.” The Lone Ranger: “Oh, no, Dave. We don’t shoot men in the back.”

3. A Family Secret and a Plan for Blackmail

• [13:46 – 15:39]
  Tony and Dave discuss their next step. Dave reveals he has a living grandmother—Mrs. Dennis, a wealthy ranch owner nearby—whom he intends to blackmail with his secret.
  • Quote [15:03]
    Dave Andrews: “I aim to make her pay me plenty so as I’ll not tell everybody her daughter’s husband was hung for murder.”

4. First Encounter with Mrs. Dennis

• [19:15 – 21:24]
  Dave visits Mrs. Dennis at her ranch, presenting proof of his mother’s identity with a locket, but is overcome by her kindness and stories of loss. He can’t go through with the blackmail.
  • Quote [21:15]
    Dave Andrews: “Well, I… I made a mistake, ma’am. Yeah, that’s it. I… I came to the wrong place. I’ll stop by another time. Goodbye, ma’am.”

5. A Heroic Fire and True Identity Revealed

• [22:11 – 27:41]
  A wildfire threatens the Dennis ranch. The Lone Ranger devises a daring plan to dynamite the mill dam and flood the valley to stop the fire.
  • Quote [24:25]
    The Lone Ranger: “I think we can stop that fire by blasting that mill dam. It would release enough water into the creek bed below.”
• Dave rescues the Lone Ranger’s nephew, Dan Reed, during the chaos, risking his life and being injured in the process.

6. Recognition, Forgiveness, and Redemption

• [27:25 – end]
  Inside the ranch house, Mrs. Dennis discovers Dave’s locket and realizes he is her grandson. An emotional reunion follows, with forgiveness and hope for the future.
  • Quote [28:35, Mrs. Dennis]: “Ada. That’s my daughter’s picture. I gave her that locket. But how did you—”
  • Tony Hooker: “Dave is your grandson, ma’am. His name is Dave Andrews.”
  • Quote [29:08]
    Mrs. Dennis: “I am mighty proud of my grandson. Mighty proud. Dave, as the masked man says, we’ll forget the past and think of the happy future in store for us.”
• Tony also finds a new start, as Mrs. Dennis offers him work on the ranch.
  • Quote [29:41]
    Tony Hooker: “Dave, I reckon this is a turning point for both of us.” Mrs. Dennis: “Why, of course you’ll stay on with Dave, since you’re his friend…”
• The Lone Ranger’s final impact is clear, having guided two young men toward redemption.
  • Quote [30:14–30:24]
    Dave Andrews: “He sort of brought Tony and me to the turning point that Tony speaks of and then showed us the right way to go. I’ll forget the past, all right. But believe me, Grandma, I’ll never forget the Lone Ranger.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I figure we’re both alone in the world. Sort of feel we’re at the turning point, you might say.”
  – Tony Hooker, [06:44]
• “If you kill, you’ll be hunted for murder… hunted until you’re caught and finally hanged.”
  – The Lone Ranger, [11:08]
• “I aim to make her pay me plenty so as I’ll not tell everybody her daughter’s husband was hung for murder.”
  – Dave Andrews, [15:03]
• “I am mighty proud of my grandson. Mighty proud. Dave, as the masked man says, we’ll forget the past and think of the happy future in store for us.”
  – Mrs. Dennis, [29:08]
• “He sort of brought Tony and me to the turning point that Tony speaks of and then showed us the right way to go.”
  – Dave Andrews, [30:17]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• The Set-Up & Motivation: [05:14–07:33]
• Ambush at the Camp: [09:44–12:33]
• The Lone Ranger’s Mercy: [12:33–13:19]
• Dave’s Plan to Blackmail Grandmother: [13:46–15:39]
• Emotional Encounter with Mrs. Dennis: [19:15–21:24]
• Fire at the Ranch, Dave’s Heroism: [22:11–27:41]
• Final Reconciliation & The Turning Point: [27:41–End]

Tone & Style

The episode carries a classic Western tone: serious, direct, sometimes terse—but with moments of warmth and deep emotion, especially during the reunion and redemption scenes. The iconic presence of the Lone Ranger as a guide, judge, and savior infuses every act with moral gravity and hope.

Conclusion

“The Turning Point” stands out as a quintessential Lone Ranger adventure, blending tense action, personal drama, and heartfelt salvation. Through powerful storytelling and restoration, classic themes of justice, the possibility of change, and the enduring bonds of family are given new life for modern listeners. The Lone Ranger, once again, rides away having steered lost souls onto a path of hope and honor.