Raven's Downfall - The Lone Ranger (11-24-43)

Original Air Date: November 24, 1943
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Show: The Lone Ranger
Phone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)

Stars:
• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)
• John Todd (Tonto)
Writer:
• Fran Striker
Producer:
• George W. Trendle
Music:
• Ben Bonnell

Exit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny https://bit.ly/3kTj0kK

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
M hm. Welcome to the OldTime Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew
Ryans, and let's get into thisepisode. This episode is going to be
the lone range of original editates Novembertwenty fourth, nineteen forty three, and

(00:23):
the title is Raven's Downfall, Hoping, enjoy and thanks for listening. Ober

(00:47):
A fiery horse for the speed oflight, a cloud of dust, and
a hearty hi old silver A loneranger time. In the years following the

(02:30):
Gold Rice, many men in Californiarose to favolous heights of wealth and power.
One of these was Arnold Geerson,whose wealth reached out to develop the
vast resources of the far West.Unlike the thousands of gold seekers, adventures,
and parasites who sought to grab onlywhat they could hold in their hands,
Arnold Gerson was in the Far Westto stay. Gearson saw the growing

(02:51):
influx of the disreputable element and knewthat they could and would destroy what he
and others like him had wrested fromthis land of promise. He decided to
strike at the heart the infamous BarbaryCoast. In an effort to stamp out
the viciousness. Gearson sought for andfound a lone ranger. This masked rider
of mystery, though reluctant to leavethe plains and mountains of the cattle country,

(03:15):
entered the call and soon found himselffighting a new type of criminal in
the Barbary coast. Return with usnow those thrilling days of yesteryear, from
out of the past, from thethundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver,
a lone ranger rides again, Silver, Great Raven was in his office.

(03:44):
The man with him was small andthin. To set off his gaudy clothes,
he wore a flashy pin of imitationdiamonds, sat in the shape of
a horse shoe in his necktie.His derby hat was cocked forward at a
johnny angle. The office door waslocked. And then flesh go over these
figures figures, sure thing, ravenfigures is where I shine? Only no
a mon a chubbing. The figuresare going to change the facts. You

(04:08):
gotta do more and add up yourlosses. You gotta take action, see
and fast action. What do youmean I mean that though ain't there?
You're flat? Oh where's the moneygone? Dister dot dister, dotton bag
fools trying to pay off the guysyou're hired to get the Lone Ranger and
trying to fix things for your pals? What are in jail? Maybe you
didn't know it, but there wasa bottom to your sack of savings.

(04:30):
I figured on a nice pilot castthe last time Shot Larson dropped anchor always
need seemen? Pays me a flatprice at two hundred a piece for him.
Sure, and what happened the lasttime he was here? Oh?
You know what happened Before he gotready to sail. A lot of your
pails were on board Larson's boat.Mister Larson had to get out in the
night and fast. He shang,hide your pals. You didn't get paid

(04:50):
a dime? And who's the blamefor that? The lone Ranger? Again?
You need some quick money? Yeah, I sent any how to meet
a certain man be here in alittle while. Maybe you'll have something to
report. Manning. Yeah you knowwho he is. Yeah, Yeah,
he's a smooth talk, slick lawyertoo. What's he trying to do?

(05:11):
Flash? A lot of rich,important guys around here in San Francisco.
I knew some of them when theyweren't so rich. I know things abottom
that they wouldn't like to have generallyknown. I had to pay me off
a couple of times when I wasup against it, got together and appointed
a representative. Well, Manning's goneto meet him again for what do you

(05:33):
see? Should have thought of usingthose guys sooner? Who's that he can't
take it easy? It's probably many? Who's there many men? Many?
You know flashes? Hello flash,I don't that many people who can't feeze
the reason? Yeah, never mindtelling me what I already know. Tell

(05:55):
me something I don't know. Seethe lawyer, Well, let's have it
alone. Ranger all through. No, he isn't those who live in I
look, Manning, I told youto tell those big guys that I wanted
the Lone Rangers set away from here, jailed for came guns or something.
Well, why didn't they do it? Even do you happen to do anything
about our little gearson? I knowwho he is. He's one of the

(06:16):
knob Hill Swells. Anything about hispast, he's one of the big guys.
I don't have something out that's toobad. He's the one that brought
the Lone Ranger here. I knowthat he's the only woman could call him
off. If he could be calledoff, loud rangers only zoo Now I'd
beat if he can be stopped.You mean to say that with all the
influence those men have, they can'tget the Lone Ranger out of my way.

(06:40):
They can't well, they can't treatme like this. They've got to
help me. They don't. I'llsqueal, I'll tell all I know about
him. I'll talk to you.Will hear some mighty funny noises coming from
knob Hill? Now, if youcould get some quick cash, that's what
I need. Cash and quick cash. I've got to get enough to hire
the right men to kill the LoneRanger with no more beating around the bush.
Anyone's actually got it's a newspaper man, stop you outside and happened to

(07:02):
me, said give it to you. What do you look like? Will
thist Tall had to be head.This is the addition that comes on sale
tomorrow. Throw it away. Idon't want to got other things think of.
Wait, listen to this to theLone Ranger, an open letter.
What's that mean? It's a letteredto the Lone Ranger. Listen to this

(07:27):
What you have done in the suppressionof crime? And the apprehension of the
most vicious type of criminal during thesepast few weeks. The people of San
Francisco thank you. We feel thatwe are already under an obligation to you
that is too great for us tohope to repay. But the root of
evil still remains. Your work hasprune the full bloon blossoms from the tree

(07:50):
of crime. You have nipped thebuds by closing many dives where new crimes
might fester. You have done work, But we'll do much to rid our
fair city of its blade. Butthe root it means mask man. This
is a plea from the citizens ofCalifornia. It is a moose fervent plea

(08:13):
that you not leave us with DrakeRavens sitting like a spider in his web,
like an octopus with sucking tentacles,ever ready to reach out once more.
Gim me that paper. I'll cramthis down the editor's throat. I'll
make a meat going worse. Iam, I'm that's chip home the door.

(08:37):
Well, what is it? TheVirginia bell has been sighted. She's
putting into the bay. She'd bedropping an anchor before one. That means
that the skipper need man a newcrew. Good. What does that mean?
It means cash. Go get theboys to get a chip, tell
him to stir things up. Flash, you go outside and get some customers
in this place. We've got toget a whole new crew for the Virginia
Bell. Okay, raven We'll getthat quick, cash for a crew and
then take care of the other thingslater on. It's the Ravens, rush

(09:07):
Hols. I'm run on in andsee the big show. It's constantly varied
entertainment of the highest order, repletewith fun and flying. Come in and
make a night of it. It'sa show that sharp as a rages with
a nod Bak number. I'm onin, I'm one, I'm all,
I'm run in, Folks, theRavens zoge in the place for a big

(09:28):
time tonightnob Hill a community of millionairemansions, a fifty cent hack ride from
the Barbary Coast, but a thousandmiles away by any other standard. That
was where Arnold Gierson lived. Oh, Hobs, this is where mister Gearson

(09:52):
off, sir, Oh, thankyou, that'll be fifty cents all right
here you eh, thanks? Yeah. A well dressed man who are lighted
from the Cab had been to Geerson'shome on several previous occasions. Sometimes he
went as a gentleman patron of thearts, dressed in perfectly fitting clothes and

(10:15):
wearing a beard. He used thefront door, mister Gerson is expecting me,
Yes, he is in the library. At other times, this same
man wore far different clothes. Hewore two guns, and his face was
covered by a mask. It wasthen the lone ranger, and he came
without the knowledge of the servants,by means of a window in Geerson's library.

(10:35):
A gentleman to see you, sir. Oh, yes, thank you,
Gearson. I just came from PacificStreet and outside of Raven's place.
I send him one of the advancedcopies of Tomorrow's paper. I wanted him
to see that the Virginia Belle woulddo to arrive. Yes, I saw
the Morrow's paper. Raven will seemore than shipping news. I've got to
get into my own clothes in thecloset all right there where you left them.

(10:58):
Good is that I'm still back.He's still waiting for you with the
horses. What are you going todo? You think? Raven saw the
announcement on the Virginia Bell was comingin. The captain deals with dreg Raven
carries the cruel victims of Ravens shanghaibusiness ar Yes, looking for victims of

(11:24):
fiend all morning, A score ofpoor devils have been dropped to the cellars
beneath the Raven's roost, and thentake him to the Virginia Bell to slavery.
As I get my hat and gunbelt, I'll be ready. You
certainly made a quick change from bootsto mask. We'll leave the other clothes
out, put them away until youneed them again. Thanks. You don't
hope to prove Raven guilty of kidnapping, do you? That would be hard

(11:46):
to prove the way he's taken precautions, It would be practically impossible. You
suppose a case could be made againsthim by the men who come off to
Virginia Bell. Probably half of themwere scheng hired by drag Raven. Their
testimony wouldn't mean to think they haveno proof of the stand up and court
very well? Are you going totry and catch Ravens hired men as they
shanghai a new crew for the VirginiaBill. It wouldn't do any good.

(12:09):
You couldn't prove that the men werehired by Raven. No, I'm not
going to fight him that way.What are you going to to try and
make very Raven get away from hereand go so far that he'll never get
back to the Barbary Coast. Oh, I've got to meet Tonto and get
to the sea coats as soon asI can. I have in much time.
But what about the men whom Ravenwill shanghai? Do what we can

(12:30):
about them? Was the window willyou? Mister? Yes, yes of
course, but I know you'll hearfrom me. Hallo, you come your
silver already, Thanks, Jim Musabi, I'm on silver. Get him up
to the top. A long rangement, Totto raced down from knob Hill.

(12:52):
They skirted the city to avoid thepopulated sections and reached the water front some
distance from the Barbary Coat Right up? What we do here? Can you
see a faint light away off there? Ah? You see it? That's
a Virginia bell. He's coming intoAnchor. Me. No, then as
she's dropped Anchor, the runners willbe on the job. I want to

(13:15):
get down to where the runners boatsare tied, and we lead the horses
steady color I have to examine theboats as we follow the shore. What
runners do? I'll explain just whatthe runners are Tatto. A group of
men who are probably as treacherous anddangerous as any in the Barbary coast.
They have small boats and they meetincoming ships. They take black jacks and

(13:37):
guns, jeep licker and ropes alongwith them. What they do? These
runners represent various owners of boarding housesand cafes. They go on board the
ship and offer to take the sailorsashore. Why take her open black jack?
In case the sailor doesn't want togo with him, they use force.
The sailors delivered as some place ofamusement. He's generally allowed to stay

(13:58):
just long enough to lose his money. Times amounts to a year's pay.
Sailor Andy fool. I'll know whena ship like the Virginia Bell puts in
and we all members of the crewor men who were Shanghai to start with.
It's so eager to get off theboat, they'll take a chance on
anything they not want to make.Second point, there'll been any risk to

(14:18):
avoid that. Up here there's oneof the runners boats. You'll fix it
so it won't be much good togive me your ax. You smash boat
not entirely well. Loosen the seamsthat will fill with water soon after it.
Put off your ackle. Thanks.I want to fix most of the
boats like this. Both leak water. Now, that'll fix it. We'll

(14:43):
find some more of them. Boatover here, little way, good,
keep your eyes open. You seeany of the runners coming here, let
me know. I don't want themto know who's doing this. You watch.
I'll have this one fixed in aminute. There not fixed all boats.
I'm going to leave the two largestuntouched, and then we'll see what

(15:05):
happens. The curtain falls on thefirst act of our Lone Ranger story.
Before the next exciting scenes, pleasepermits to pause for just a few moments

(15:35):
now to continue our story. TheLone Ranger, knowing that the runners from
the Barbary Coast would be going tomeet the incoming Virginia Bell, sprung leaks
in all but the two largest boats. It was nearly daybreak when the sailing
vessel finally dropped anchor in the bay. Greg Raven was on the shore with
two of his companions. Three watchedthe Virginia Bell. I'll get this straight.

(15:56):
A lot of men on board thatboater men I supplied. Yeah,
we know what raven, You toowill be putting out in your boats to
meet him. Don't bring any ofthose men to my place, understand youre
we understand. Take them to BigBirds. You'll take care of him.
Sure. Big Bird always pays usfor any customers we've taken. You both
got men to handle your oars?I am how about you, Beef.

(16:17):
My boys are set to shove off. We might as well get started then.
I'll see you later. Boys.Yep, remember I don't want anyone
from the Virginia Bell please savvy.I'll meet Captain Ridder later on and see
what he wants in the way ofa new crew. Come on, Beef,
let's get on our boats. There'sa runners from Texas Meg's boarding house
they're putting on. Yeah, butwe can beat him, though, I
guess all of the runners are thejob. Now. There's a lot of

(16:37):
competition these days. What boats thatone over there, Grizzly Bear Hotel.
There's a boat looking for customers forthe Blue Anchor. All right, boys,
we'll shove off now. See ifyou can beat all those other lovers
to the rail of the Virginia Bellgot all your supplies. Shove off.

(17:02):
The man called Beef was offshore withhis crew bending to the oars. A
moment later, the other friend ofdrag Raven, whose boat was larger than
the others, also shoved off andpointed towards the Virginia Belts. There were
a dozen boats in the water,each hoping to get a share of the
sailors with money in their pockets.Back in the shadows, the masked man
and Totto stood near Old Piling andwatched. Look first to the boats we

(17:23):
fixed. Is coming back to shoreplenty low and water too. There another
one with bad leak. Any man, those men who don't do what I
expect them to, I have afew words to say. They helped them
a low first one tout shore.Now, Hathers get out, Rager up

(17:45):
the beat. I was soap this. You checked the boat, all right,
say the talking dragger off? Yeah, yours got a leaking everything.
I don't know what happened, allright. A while ago, I thought

(18:07):
someone done this a purpose. Letme see, I was just gonna look
myself. Pull that lanter down here, slim right, what's it look like,
Pete? They take a Look what'sit look like to you under this
was done with an axe. Letus see if your boats the same.
Hey, look yander, who theother boys are putting back to shore?
Boys? Someone done this to uson purpose. We're gonna find out who

(18:30):
and why out of comparing notes nowlearning that every one of those boats was
a tech with an axe. Allplenty man one of them is pointing to
the larger boats. See, ain'thard to figure who done this. I
love is I didn't have no foelof them are great. Ravens pounds boys

(18:52):
is out roof. They can't getaway with it. They won't get away
with it. You'll stay right here, boys, loves who get back?
Were the two large boats, eachrequiring several minute. The oars came alongside
the Virginia bell as day was breakingbeef and Raven's other friend, called Scar
found little trouble in persuading most membersof the crew to go ashore. Plenty

(19:15):
of fun boys and good liquor andpretty dancing girl. I need to persuade
me. Just let me get intothat boat. Me too, I've had
enough sailing to do me for life. There we're some ott of boys.
Would you like captain Ridder, aman should be in irons. He's no
ships captain, he's a slave.Man's my hank. Let's get into the
small boat follows. Who else isgoing ashore for me? Were those two

(19:37):
boats hold us all proud people?Tell them any of your own boys,
Just take your turn. I'll showyou all and had some fun on shore.
Shore, will be good to hitdry land. No more sailing for
me. I want dry Raven.Just let me get my hands on it.

(20:00):
Red boys, pull us over nearthe other boat. I want to
talk to Sky mister. As soonas we're ashore. I want to see
Drake Raven. Let's hut you boysto where he can have some fun.
Hey, Sky, bring your boatnear. Mind were the only boat to
put something happened to all the others? See him on the shore. I
don't know what do you? Somethingmust have gone wrong. I don't figure

(20:22):
it out. I see him,we like, get the megaphone. I'll
call out. Maybe something went wrong, but I don't know what it could
be. Oh on shore? What'sup? He's gonna answer? Backer?
What's he say about scottling them?He thought, boys, it's you're mad

(20:45):
about something. Someone fired a shothey off shore him. They want to
fight, do they? I'm areyou run? Boys? We gotta run
a hand as soon as you hitthe shore, get out your knives and

(21:06):
guns and clubs. At the boatsnear the shore. The angry exchange of
yells increased. Beef and Scar realizedthat they were accused of hoping the scenes
in the other boats. Raging madat the unjust charges, they were determined
to fight to a finish. Theboats cut shore passengers were forgotten as the
men dropped their oars, grabbed knivesand clubs and leaped through the shallow water.

(21:26):
Het'em boys over whatever, it'sa dumb cross. Take your man
in starm A fight was a furiousone. The claimber reached. Others who
came to see them stayed to takeside. A few moments half a hundred
men were engaged. How the fightproceeded to sailors from Virginia Bell Grove hard
wanting no portion of the fierce battle. There was a mask man who quickly
moved in The monks them hurried overthere. Duck, hey, your masks

(21:49):
get over there. What many wouldlike to get square with? Greg Ravens
hut on me. You Ravens Shanghai. You me, yes, but what's
that mask? Far? Who areyou? There's where you belong? And
all the men who want drag Ravengot them together. Hey, boys,
we're gonna get drag Raven. Getthe rest of the ones that want.

(22:15):
Before the battle ended, a dozenmen with a grudge against drag Graven.
We're heard it together and moved quicklyfrom the scene of conflict on the shore.
The long Ranger addressed those men witha few well chosen words. In
the meantime, drag Raven was inhis office with manning. Hell, it's
daylight out. Yes, the runnersare all through, but now how about
them in a missillary? Early gotour Sharon got a regular twenty that we're

(22:37):
knocked out during the evening. FiguredI can sell all twenty to Kevin Rinner.
It'll rips it a little kish.Yeah, I'm going to get some
sleep now. Yes, the boyswill take care of things. Will to
night in the mindey loom. You'llkeep the sleep off the drug. They'll
get some more. Keep him go. I make a deal with the captain.

(23:00):
The Runners will have taken most ofRiddish crew, have to get all
new men. Well, I'll bearound tonight, didn't all right matter flash
even you should hear the report reporta mob fight on the shore, right,
Yeah, it's the runners all thepost sprung leaks. But Beef and
Scares you are the only ones thatgot any customers from the Virginia bell And
when they touched shore, the restof the runners was waiting for him and

(23:22):
aver the round. Even score withyour men. You didn't have them ski
into the boats, did you?Of course not. Do you think I'm
crazy on that Buster Cold? It'sthe same as everyone thinks. Beef and
Score open the scenes in the otherboats. That's why the riot. You
better do something quick, Beef andScar take the sailors off the Virginia Belle.
They got all of them. That'swhy the riot started. You better

(23:44):
get you many week smoke, loneranger. You got a nerve coming here,
nearly the nerve you will have ifyou stay here, Raven, You're
through like fun I am, sotry throw another knife? What shoot?
You two? Get over there againstthe wall. I don't get over there.
You're too manning have anything to sayfrom that wall? Any chance?
Do you know something about the platof the beach? I know all about

(24:07):
it. So you started it.You opened the seams in the boats,
and I'll be blamed for it.It's only a small difficulty, Raven.
You know what men served as acrew on the Virginia Bell, What men
man whom you shangh hide and whomyou send him to slavery, Men who
have for a month's past felt thelash of Captain Ridder, Men who would
kill you with their bare hands ifthey could get you. Who evidence against

(24:30):
Raven? You can't prove, that'sright, Manning. I can't prove anything.
That's why Ravens stayed out of jail. Not one of those sailors can
prove that Raven shanghide him. Butthey all know it. They aren't concerned
with proof that will stand up incourt. Now. They're taking the lawn
in their own hands. Listen,hey, pause, they're all at the
outside tour. Don't let them inhere. Don't let them at me.

(24:51):
Ven, Hey, please let meout of here, Let me get through
the trap, let me get await. That's all I ask. Where can
you go? Everyone on the Barbarycoast thinks you're the one that had those
runner boats scuttle. Even your ownmen beef and scar might suspect you.
He'll hold you responsible for all theinjuries to their men. Oh look,

(25:11):
you gotta give me a chance.I don't want to die. Those metal
turn me apart, you bet daywill if they can get you. Who
do you want? Name it anything? You say you went? I at
Mitch have got Manning. Open thattrap door. There's your tunnel. Raven,
lease to the shore. Smashing downthe door. He'll be here in
the minute. Start now, Raven. Maybe you can save your life if
you keep going. I'm giving youa chance to escape. But if you

(25:33):
ever come back to Barbarie, I'llnever come back the trap door. Manning,
you better attend to the unconscious menbelow. You sell Leven to slavery,
you'll get worse than Raven. Wherehave you guys? Wait, wait,
steady, the man man Raven isgone this time, he's reached the

(25:56):
shore. You can't find him now, Very Raven will never return to the
Barbary Coast. Hannah's waiting for me, Garson. We want to get back
to our camp, and Greg Ravenis gone. The holl of the Barbary

(26:18):
Coast abuys him to return. Thereis none more dead than the king whose
people rise against him. I thinkthis is a more bitter end for Greg.
Raven in prison would have been thelast I heard of him. He
found a small boat and put offinto the bay. The rest of the
Barbary coast will fall very quickly nowthe leader is gone. I think we'll
have very little trouble with the lessimportant figures. The end of our wars

(26:40):
in sight. Let's see you again. If I hear from down there'll be
a lamplight in the tower. I'llbe watching for it on silver. The

(28:30):
story you've just heard is a copyrightedfeature of The Lone Ranger Incorporated. This

(28:52):
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(29:15):
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