
Original Air Date: August 17, 1954Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Cisco KidPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Jack Mather (Cisco)• Harry Lang (Poncho) Exit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny https://bit.ly/3kTj0kK
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Red McHale
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the old time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.
Narrator
Here's adventure, here's romance. Here's the famous Robin Hood of the old West.
Luke Mellinson
Cisco, he's sheriff. He is getting closer.
Narrator
The Cisco Kids.
Nolan Ritchie
Sam.
Narrator
The Cisco Kid. In our gripping story, Tim Horn Killer. It was inevitable that as the fame of the hard riding Cisco Kid spread throughout the Southwest, some misguided bad man should try to get a reputation by killing him. And at least once only the Cisco Kid's iron nerve carried him through alive. As our story opens, two men are riding towards the wild frontier town of Adobe City. It is late Saturday afternoon when celebrants from all the surrounding country pour into town.
Luke Mellinson
You say Sisko and his partner are going to pick up the night stage at Adobe, huh?
Nolan Ritchie
That's right, Luke. I got word from a friend in the main office of the stagecoach line. Cisco and the other one are riding escort on that 40,000 in gold the stage will be carrying. I wish we could figure out a way to get rid of that Cisco Kid, Luke.
Luke Mellinson
Well, maybe we can. He'll have to come to town to pick up the stage. Well, what's his outfit riding in?
Nolan Ritchie
It's young Red McHale and a boy from the Bar Ex Ranch. Want to make a night of it? Probably.
Luke Mellinson
Oh yeah, Red Beyondbre thinks he's tough, ain't he?
Nolan Ritchie
Yeah, he's sweet on that gal of Maverick Cafe.
Luke Mellinson
Yeah, sometimes he tries to get in right with her by checking the boys guns as they come in.
Nolan Ritchie
Don't Cisco eat at the Maverick Cafe when he's in town?
Luke Mellinson
I've seen him in there more than once. I thunder. That's an ideal. You see, if Red could happen to check physical guns.
Nolan Ritchie
Hey, Red. What do you want, Luke?
Luke Mellinson
Like to talk to you for a minute.
Red McHale
All right.
Luke Mellinson
You want me to go along here.
Red McHale
And I'll catch up with you.
Nolan Ritchie
Want to have yourself a big time tonight? All right.
Red McHale
That's right where the boys could do it.
Luke Mellinson
But you better be careful tonight.
Nolan Ritchie
Why?
Red McHale
What for?
Luke Mellinson
Cause the Cisco Kid's riding into town. Better keep out of his way.
Nolan Ritchie
Yeah.
Red McHale
Do you think I'm scared of Cisco?
Luke Mellinson
Oh, no, of course not. Only thing is, he's kind of sweet on that gal in the Maverick Cafe.
Nolan Ritchie
Cisco is a Myrtle Wallace.
Red McHale
I didn't know that.
Luke Mellinson
If Cisco comes into the Maverick, he'll have to check his Guns like everybody else, won't he?
Nolan Ritchie
Yeah. Yeah, he will.
Red McHale
I'll make sure of that.
Luke Mellinson
Well, just take it easy, Red.
Nolan Ritchie
Yeah, we wanted you to know.
Red McHale
Don't you hombres worry none about me. I can take care of myself against anybody, see? Against anybody that Cisco Kid starts shooting off his mouth.
Luke Mellinson
Sure, sure, Red.
Red McHale
We know he'll find he's in plenty trouble.
Nolan Ritchie
Yeah.
Luke Mellinson
Ain't gonna be hard to build this into a gunfight, Richie. Only there'll be blanks in Cisco's guns.
Nolan Ritchie
Here's what we will do, Pancho. Ride to the Maverick Cafe, have our supper and then go to the stagecoach station. Pancho wish we'd not go to Adobe City tonight, Cisco. We must go there. Amigo, we have agreed to ride escort with the United States to the east as far as the next town of Cotton. Oh, come now, Pancho. Do not be a pessimist. Pessimist? Pessimist is one who is always looking on the gloomy side of things. Look on the gloomy side. Disco. Pancho feel there's going to be troubles in Adobe Cities. And tonight, Panzer feel it's not good to have the troubles, huh?
Myrtle Wallace
Four fried eggs on a hunted cornbread.
Red McHale
Wong.
Luke Mellinson
Bread.
Red McHale
Howdy, honey.
Myrtle Wallace
Well, as I live and breathe. If it ain't red McHale, how come your ma let you out tonight?
Red McHale
You still think I'm a kid, don't you?
Myrtle Wallace
I know you are.
Red McHale
One of these days I'll prove I ain't.
Myrtle Wallace
How many men you killed today?
Red McHale
All right, all right. If that Cisco Kid comes in here tonight, you can tell him to watch his step, see?
Myrtle Wallace
Ah, don't be a tin horn bad man, Red. And don't mix with Cisco or he'll spank you. Now, if you want to help, go check guns. I got plenty to do without attending to that. Put on two slabs of hepper Wong and Sinjum.
Nolan Ritchie
Tinhorn and Cisco. Spank me.
Red McHale
All right, give me your guns, Luke. You too, Richie.
Luke Mellinson
Sure, Kid. Here's mine.
Nolan Ritchie
And here's mine.
Red McHale
Here's your check stubs.
Luke Mellinson
Thanks. Any sign of Cisco yet?
Red McHale
Look, don't talk to me about that umbre, understand? I don't want to hear no more about it.
Luke Mellinson
Can't say I blame you, Red.
Red McHale
If you're trying to say I'm scared of Cisco.
Luke Mellinson
No, of course not. You ain't scared of nothing, Red. Here, take these just in case.
Nolan Ritchie
What's the idea of giving me these blank cartridges?
Luke Mellinson
Nothing much. They're the same caliber as Sisigo's guns, though. Just thought you might Want to have them in your pocket, Red?
Red McHale
I ain't fighting nobody who can't fight back.
Luke Mellinson
All right, all right. Just hang on to them. You ain't gotta use them. Come on, Richie. Let's go get us a table.
Nolan Ritchie
We'Ll have on the stage. Hold up, Net.
Luke Mellinson
That's what I'm figuring on. He'll make a good cat's paw for us.
Nolan Ritchie
That's it. Sounds like a big crowd. That cafe punch you eat. Big crowd. Oh, come, come. F you get a smile on your face, Perhaps some of Senoritan Mergo's good food will put you in better spirits. There is a big crowd here. Too big.
Red McHale
Hey, you, Cisco. Come over here.
Nolan Ritchie
Who? Dbr Cisco? I do not know. Although I've seen him around here before. What do you want, boy? Boy, huh?
Red McHale
Hand over them guns of yours, Tono.
Nolan Ritchie
Sisko.
Red McHale
You too.
Nolan Ritchie
You are running this check rack.
Red McHale
Yeah, I'm running this check rack. Come on, hand them over.
Nolan Ritchie
Your manners could be improved upon, boy. However, here are my guns. Cisco. Cisco. Now that your guns go. As a rule of the cafe, Pancho, we must check our guns on Saturday nights. There you are. Well, Pancho give up his guns. Too fancy like this, though, Roger. Smell troubles in a big bunch.
Red McHale
All right, now, don't start nothing in here, Cisco.
Nolan Ritchie
This young hom is riding for a fall. Poncho, if you think you can give me that fall, stop your yapping. Come on, Poncho. When it's not your senorita. When it's not your senorita.
Myrtle Wallace
We sure glad to see you two. Here's a table over here.
Nolan Ritchie
GRA sen. GRA senorita.
Myrtle Wallace
You planning on coming in here tomorrow night about this time?
Nolan Ritchie
Oh, we had not thought of it, senorita. Why?
Myrtle Wallace
Well, I'm taking the night stage over to Cottonwood tonight to see about starting another cafe over there. Yeah, and if this gang of galoots around here knew I was leaving Wong in charge, they turned this place upside down tomorrow. So if he was going to be in here to, you know, kind of keep.
Nolan Ritchie
I think we can arrange to be here, senorita.
Myrtle Wallace
Oh, good. And don't tell nobody I'm taking the stage out tonight, will you?
Nolan Ritchie
Oh, indeed. We will not not tell nobody.
Myrtle Wallace
You're a couple of good hombres. Now, how about the steak dinner?
Nolan Ritchie
That sounds good to me, senorita. What do you say, Pancho? Pancho was going to have a milk dough. Milk dough? But Pancho changed Pancho's mind, saying, pancho, have a steak dinner with a side Order of beef stew.
Myrtle Wallace
Well, that's better. Cut two more off the critter, Wong. And dip out a bowl of lump juice.
Nolan Ritchie
Two humble's watches over by the count, see? Pancho and Nolan Richie and Luke Melonson. Two of the worst homies in this country. Perhaps your prediction of trouble is not far wrong, amigo. If they could, either of those two would kill me in a minute.
Myrtle Wallace
Can you keep up with the orders, Wong?
Luke Mellinson
Oh, sure, sure. I keep up all Mr. Murder. I peep through keyhole too.
Myrtle Wallace
What do you mean you peek through the peephole.
Luke Mellinson
I see them. Had a cowboy take. Cartridges are gone. Put in other cartridges.
Nolan Ritchie
Who?
Myrtle Wallace
Red McHale.
Luke Mellinson
I see. I see that Miss Model.
Myrtle Wallace
Whose guns?
Luke Mellinson
Look. Gun.
Myrtle Wallace
Gun or this end Rack the ones with the silver mounted holsters.
Luke Mellinson
Sure, sure. No guns.
Myrtle Wallace
Well, those are Cisco's guns.
Luke Mellinson
Bed headed cowboy. Changed cottagers.
Myrtle Wallace
Well, I'll see about that right now. Thanks, Juan. All right, Red, on your way.
Red McHale
What?
Myrtle Wallace
You heard what I said. You're up to monkey business with them guns. With Cisco's guns, I.
Luke Mellinson
Who told you?
Myrtle Wallace
Never mind. But that stuff don't go. Now get out of here and stay out.
Red McHale
All right, I will. Tin horn.
Nolan Ritchie
That's enough of that.
Red McHale
I'll show you how much of a tin horn I am. You better tell that Cisco kid to stay in here. Cuz if he comes out, I'm going to fill him full of lead. Tinhorn, huh? I'll show you.
Luke Mellinson
Did you see the kid leave Richie?
Nolan Ritchie
I sure did. After Ms. Myrtle spoke to her. He acted bloody mad.
Luke Mellinson
Come on, let's go after it.
Nolan Ritchie
There he is, leaning on a hitch rail.
Luke Mellinson
Yeah, here is that. Ms. Myrtle sure likes this. Go. Soon as you went out, Red, she threw both of her arms around his neck and she kissed him.
Nolan Ritchie
Yeah, I wouldn't take that if I was you, kid.
Red McHale
Who said I was gonna take anything from that low down coyote of a Cisco? I'm just waiting for him to come out here.
Nolan Ritchie
I'm just waiting.
Luke Mellinson
Did you. Did you use them blanks?
Red McHale
Yeah, I used him. I never thought I would, but so help me, I hate Cisco so much I'd cut him to pieces. Sidewinder.
Nolan Ritchie
That buzzard. Look, Kid, if you're gonna draw on him, you better quit that shaking. You're so mad you can't control yourself. That ain't good for gunfighting.
Luke Mellinson
If you don't get him this time, maybe Richie and me can fix it so you can dry ghost him later.
Red McHale
I'll get him, don't worry. I'll fill that hombre so full of lead they'll have to lift him with a winch. Get him out here. Get him out here, I tell you.
Nolan Ritchie
Very fine meal, senorita. Yeah, very fine meal, senorita. Here's your money.
Myrtle Wallace
Oh, thanks, Cisco. I'll get your guns for you. Say, I guess I've got a 10. Juan said he saw Red McHale take the cartridges out of your guns and put other cartridges in.
Nolan Ritchie
Oh, here's the red headed hombre who was checking the guns.
Myrtle Wallace
Yeah, sometimes I let him help me. Red used to be all right. I. I don't know what's got into him lately.
Nolan Ritchie
Gracias, senorita. I will have a look at the guns right now.
Myrtle Wallace
No, no, not in here. I got kind of a horror of guns. If any of them wild galoots saw you draw a gun in you, they might cut loose.
Nolan Ritchie
As you wish, senorita. I will wait till we are outside. Hasta la vista. Hasta la vistas.
Myrtle Wallace
Bye.
Nolan Ritchie
Maybe you'll remember he said about the cartridges he school. The only reason I can think of would be so he could put in blank cartridges. Chico. However, we will see in a moment.
Red McHale
So you finally come out, Cisco.
Nolan Ritchie
See, I finally did. Boy, you skunk.
Red McHale
Just thinking coyote. Trying to steal my girl, are you?
Nolan Ritchie
You use hard words, hombre. I do not care for them.
Luke Mellinson
Don't waste time talking people after him.
Nolan Ritchie
So you are in on this too Melancholy walked his ways.
Red McHale
Go on, you butter.
Luke Mellinson
Draw.
Red McHale
Draw them guns to defend yourself or I'll kill you.
Nolan Ritchie
So you are the one who put the blank cartridges in my guns. Did you?
Luke Mellinson
Did you?
Red McHale
Reload, Cisco?
Nolan Ritchie
Do I look simple? I'm going to walk up to you now and take your guns.
Red McHale
Get away from me, Cisco, or don't help me. I'll kill you.
Nolan Ritchie
Gonna take them both away from you before you get hurt.
Luke Mellinson
No.
Red McHale
Now get back. Get away from me.
Nolan Ritchie
I will take that gun first. Empty out the cartridges. Now the other one. Now you may have your guns back. One more thing. You are in bad company, boy. Very bad. Come on. If I were you, I would change my companions up. Dabble spoil over burnout. Fine. So glad to get away from that well by. I couldn't draw.
Red McHale
I couldn't. I'll get him next time. I'll dry gulch him like you said.
Narrator
For the time being at least, Cisco's display of cold nerve postponed the reckoning with young Red McHale. In just a moment we'll return to the Cisco Kid. Now back to the Cisco Kid. In our gripping story Tin Horn Killer. Aroused to hatred and jealousy of cisco by the two desperados, Luke Mellinson and Nolan Ritchie. Young Red McHale, while checking guns at the Maverick Cafe, loaded Cisco's guns with blanks. Then later on challenged him to a gunfight outside. But Cisco calmly walked up to Red and disarmed him. The display of nerves so upsetting Red that he literally could not draw. Now Cisco and Pancho are riding away.
Nolan Ritchie
Pancho very scared. Then Cisco. Pancho think the young boy killed you? I was not so sure myself of what he would, Poncho. But the point is, he did not. If you look scared, he killed you. No, probably the point is you not look scared just the same. I was doing quite a bit of thinking, amigo. Now I will take a look at these guns of mine. As I thought, Blank cartridges. Likes this gun too. Well, so much for that. I'll reload. Why don't you glare that over with Chisco? I doubt that it is over with Chico. What he do now? I'm not so concerned about the boy as I am those two bandidos, Melanchol and Richie. I have an idea they put young McHale up to this. If so, they will not give up so easily. What they do, I do not know, Pancho. They may have heard the stagecoach is carrying gold. In these night run as we ride escort. We'll have to keep watch every second. Yeah. My guns are reloading. It's about time for us to pick up the stage. Come on, let us go to the station. Come on. Elvo. Logo more Troubles. Logo more Troubles. No.
Luke Mellinson
I don't know whether we ought to take you along or not, kid. I don't know whether you got the nerve to carry out this job.
Red McHale
I'll show you whether I got the nerve or not, Luke. This time I got a rifle.
Nolan Ritchie
Thing is, what are you gonna do with it?
Red McHale
Gonna dry guard Cisco like you said.
Luke Mellinson
Be sure you do. We'd change our plans, kid. We was gonna hold up the stage at the west side of town. Now we're gonna make it on the east side.
Nolan Ritchie
Yeah, just to give you another chance at Cisco.
Red McHale
I'll make good on this one. I gotta make good.
Luke Mellinson
Sure you have words to get around how Cisco took your guns away from you. You'll be a laughingstock for the rest of your life.
Red McHale
You hombres won't tell nobody, will you?
Nolan Ritchie
That depends.
Luke Mellinson
Yeah. If you make sure of Cisco this time, we won't say a word.
Nolan Ritchie
But if you don't, you better leave the country. Here's the bridge, Luke.
Luke Mellinson
Oh, oh, boy. Let me take that axe, Richie.
Nolan Ritchie
Yeah, yeah.
Red McHale
What are you gonna do?
Luke Mellinson
I'm gonna chop most through the uprights of this little bridge. When the stagecoach goes over, it'll fall down into the gully.
Red McHale
But if there was any passenger, somebody will get hurt.
Luke Mellinson
Hurt? Hear that, Richie?
Nolan Ritchie
Yes, somebody will get hurt.
Luke Mellinson
Look, kid, this is a hold up. See if there's any passengers. Richie and me are going to gun them down. Alter the driver. They don't want no witnesses left on this one.
Nolan Ritchie
All you gotta worry about is Sisko.
Red McHale
I'll get him, don't worry.
Luke Mellinson
Yeah, you'll be hitting them trees just at the side of the bridge.
Red McHale
But we got nothing against the passengers.
Luke Mellinson
That's right. You ain't thinking of quitting on us now, are you, Red?
Red McHale
Oh, no, no.
Nolan Ritchie
You better not.
Red McHale
No, no. I'll get the Cisco Kid. What you arm breaks do ain't none of my business.
Luke Mellinson
That's right. Just remember that. Now give me room to swing this ax. Richie.
Nolan Ritchie
It's a nice moonlight night to night. That is why the stage company sent through this special night run. They knew there would be enough light. Senorita in the stagecoach too is his fault. Hey, Senorita Myrtle is on the stage coach. Yeah. It's because she's very pretty segre with a nice moon. Pretty segre with a nice moon. I see. At least you'll come out of your other moods, Pancho. Instead of that.
Luke Mellinson
The murder.
Myrtle Wallace
Yeah.
Nolan Ritchie
Is a nice moon tonight.
Myrtle Wallace
Yes. Wonderful. Pacho.
Nolan Ritchie
Pacho. It's going to sing A nice moon too.
Luke Mellinson
No.
Nolan Ritchie
Then you need to pay no attention to Pancho. He's merely having his joke.
Myrtle Wallace
But he's right.
Nolan Ritchie
It is a wonderful movie. See? But we have Fajo come away from the stagecoach. Not riding escort. Just to talk about the moon. Come on, Diablo. Not talk about your moon. Something up ahead. Diablo does not like. Loco. Feels the same way. Cisco. They're coming to that little bridge over the gully. Very well, Diablo. Your judgment is usually good. See a driver. You better stop the stage for a moment. Don't I like the way my horse is acting?
Luke Mellinson
All right, let's go.
Nolan Ritchie
Wait here for a moment. I'll ride ahead. Pancho. Ride with you, Cisco. Come on, Goko.
Red McHale
Come, come.
Nolan Ritchie
Something is wrong. The trees look all right. He's gone. Might be somebody in the trees open to blow. Have any trouble? Be right here at this place. Just want to make sure nobody is down in that gully. I cannot see nobody down there, sister. It's not a deep gully anyway. No, Everything seems to be all right there. All right. Across the bridge, Elvis. Come on. Come on. Come on. There's nothing wrong with that bridge. Come on. Diagonal. Yeah. Go. Go now.
Luke Mellinson
Go, go, go.
Nolan Ritchie
Pancho, look out. The bridge is swinging. Santa, let him have a bridge. Cisco.
Luke Mellinson
Cisco. Cisco.
Nolan Ritchie
Have a bad pull. Get knocked out.
Luke Mellinson
Keep firing, Chig. Come on, Richie. After that step you buzzing.
Nolan Ritchie
Cisco. Cisco. Weren't you on your right the moment before they shook me up?
Luke Mellinson
Have retreat.
Nolan Ritchie
Let's go.
Myrtle Wallace
Let's go.
Red McHale
Great snake. That's Myrtle. Hey, Luke.
Nolan Ritchie
Richie. Never mind who it is. Ton of town. Luke, how'd you get the bullwhip out? How'd you like that bullwhip? The only thing you will get, Millicent, is a good feeding panic.
Red McHale
Right now.
Luke Mellinson
I'll help you look.
Nolan Ritchie
Wait on. Now you are in the range of my fish only. Who is this now to come back to this other pond? I'll help you, Cisco.
Red McHale
Let me ask.
Nolan Ritchie
They both been antenna? Is Cisco not need help now? Gracia is just the same, senorita. You better look to the young redhead. He may be badly wounded.
Myrtle Wallace
Oh, yeah, Yeah, I will. Was he in on this holdup?
Nolan Ritchie
Can't you hear him try to save you, senorita?
Myrtle Wallace
Oh, the poor kid. Oh, sure, I'll help him.
Nolan Ritchie
We'll tie these hombres, Pancho. We'll turn them over to the sheriff at Cottonwood. As for the boy, well, perhaps he has learned his lesson. We'll wait and see what he has to say. If he gets over that wound. Your boy will recover, senorita.
Myrtle Wallace
Yeah, the doc says he will, Cisco. He sure almost got wiped out, though.
Nolan Ritchie
Have you talked with him?
Myrtle Wallace
Yeah, sure. Oh, he's mighty sorry for what he did, Cisco. I hope you won't prosecute him.
Nolan Ritchie
I have no intention of prosecuting him, senorita. After all, he did his best to save your life.
Myrtle Wallace
And. And Red thinks that you're all right. Now he's going to apologize to you.
Nolan Ritchie
The apology is not necessary. Except that it may help to drive home the lesson. I'm happy that you were not hurt, senorita.
Myrtle Wallace
Oh, but if it hadn't been for you.
Nolan Ritchie
No, no, no, no, please. Bancho and I were merely riding escort with the gold as the stage was carrying it.
Myrtle Wallace
Oh, and I was just in the way?
Nolan Ritchie
Of course not. I did not mean that.
Myrtle Wallace
Well, anyhow, Cisco, I'm gonna thank you. And not with words either.
Nolan Ritchie
No, no, Cisco.
Myrtle Wallace
I'm gonna thank you.
Nolan Ritchie
This way.
Luke Mellinson
Pisco.
Nolan Ritchie
Hey, Pancho. We send the bantidos to the jail. No more troubles. There now, see, Pancho, as the saying is, we have burned our bridges behind us. Burn what? Burn the bridges. See, that means we have finished with that crime. He's over and done with. Well, what are you laughing at, Poncho pimp? You have that done to Pancho. Had your bridges burned behind you. Well, now, how was that, Chico? Tell me about it. Happened a long time ago, Cisco. A small boy in the school. You're a small boy in school. See, to a naughty small boy in the school. Naughty small boy. What were you doing? F to throw stickballs around the room, sisco. Oh, that is not good. Oh, that B school. But what has all this to do with what we were talking about, amiga? The teacher see Pancho throw the stiff holes. See the teacher called the long switch. Long switch. And the teacher take Pancho out in the woodshed. And the teacher burn Pancho's bridges behind him. Oh, Boncho. Oh, Cisco.
Narrator
And so ends another exciting adventure with O. Henry's famous Robin Hood of the West. Cisco. Go Kib. Be sure to listen again for another thrilling adventure of the Cisco Kid. Cisco Kid was played by Jack Mather on show by Harry Lang.
Nolan Ritchie
Sam.
Myrtle Wallace
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com/facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Ron W. Who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739. This episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Nolan Ritchie
Sam.
Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast: Detailed Summary of "Tin Horn Killer | The Cisco Kid"
Episode Overview
In the episode titled "Tin Horn Killer" from the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast, host Andrew Rhynes presents a thrilling adventure featuring the iconic character, The Cisco Kid. Originally aired on August 17, 1954, this digitally restored rendition immerses listeners in a classic Western drama filled with suspense, honor, and the timeless struggle between good and evil in the Wild West.
Setting the Stage
The story unfolds as two antagonists, Luke Mellinson and Nolan Ritchie, plan to tarnish the reputation of the celebrated Cisco Kid. Their scheme is fueled by jealousy and a desire to position themselves above the famed sheriff.
Narrator (00:58): Introduces The Cisco Kid as a legendary figure akin to Robin Hood in the Old West.
Luke Mellinson (02:04): "Cisco, he's sheriff. He is getting closer."
This line sets the tension as Mellinson and Ritchie plot against Cisco.
The Confrontation at Maverick Cafe
Red McHale, a young associate with lofty ambitions and a soft spot for Myrtle Wallace of the Maverick Cafe, becomes the focal point of the antagonists' plan. Mellinson and Ritchie manipulate Red into undermining Cisco by tampering with his firearms.
Red McHale (03:23): "Do you think I'm scared of Cisco?"
Red's bravado highlights his insecurity and sets him up as a pawn in Mellinson and Ritchie's plan.
Myrtle Wallace (05:27): Confronts Red about his troublesome behavior, hinting at his involvement in the sabotage.
Red eventually alters Cisco's guns with blanks, rendering them harmless and setting the stage for a deceptive showdown.
The False Showdown
As night falls, Mellinson and Ritchie attempt to provoke Cisco into a gunfight, confident that their tampered guns will give them the upper hand. However, Cisco’s unwavering courage and quick thinking turn the tables.
Red McHale (11:00): "I'll show you how much of a tin horn I am. You better tell that Cisco kid to stay in here."
Red’s attempt to intimidate Cisco fails, showcasing Cisco’s composed demeanor.
Cisco's Resolve (12:14): "I'll reload. Why don't you glare that over with Cisco?"
Cisco calmly disarms Red, exposing the sabotage and neutralizing the threat without escalating violence.
Unraveling the Plot
Cisco discovers the truth behind the blank cartridges, realizing that Mellinson and Ritchie orchestrated the sabotage through Red McHale. The antagonists' plan unraveled as Cisco’s integrity and sharp instincts prevent them from succeeding.
Righteous Resolution
In the aftermath, Cisco and his companion Pancho reflect on the events, ensuring that justice prevails. Myrtle Wallace acknowledges Cisco’s heroism, and Red McHale vows to amend his ways after witnessing Cisco's unwavering honor.
Myrtle Wallace (23:37): "He's mighty sorry for what he did, Cisco. I hope you won't prosecute him."
This moment underscores the themes of redemption and forgiveness.
Narrator (26:37): Concludes the story by lauding Cisco Kid as the "Robin Hood of the West," solidifying his role as a paragon of virtue in the Wild West.
Notable Quotes
Andrew Rhynes (00:15): "Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rhines..."
Timestamp: 00:15
Sets the engaging tone for the episode.
Red McHale (14:06): "I'll dry gulch him like you said."
Timestamp: 15:08
Reflects Red's realization and remorse.
Nolan Ritchie (24:07): "We have burned our bridges behind us. He's over and done with. Well, what are you laughing at, Poncho pimp?"
Timestamp: 25:01
Illustrates the antagonists' defeat and the finality of their plans.
Conclusion
"Tin Horn Killer" masterfully encapsulates the essence of Old West dramas through its intricate plot, memorable characters, and moral undertones. The Cisco Kid emerges not just as a skilled sheriff but as a symbol of integrity and resilience. This episode, enhanced by digital restoration, offers both nostalgia for longtime fans and an engaging introduction for new listeners to the heroic tales of the Wild West.
Final Thoughts
Andrew Rhynes' dedication to preserving and revitalizing classic Western radio dramas shines through in this episode. By restoring the audio quality and maintaining the rich storytelling, Old Time Radio Westerns ensures that timeless tales like that of the Cisco Kid continue to captivate audiences today.