Ranger Bill xx-xx-xx (148) Death On The  Waterfront - video Dailymotion

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"Ranger Bill" is a classic Christian radio program from the 1950s, produced by Moody Radio.   The show features over 200 episodes and stars Miron Canaday as Ranger Bill, a forest ranger in the fictional town of Knotty Pine, located in the Rocky Mountains. Alongside his friends Stumpy Jenkins and Grey Wolf, Ranger Bill tackles various adventures and moral dilemmas, often with a strong Christian message.  The show remains a beloved piece of old-time radio history and is still enjoyed by many fans today.  Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/ Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon  Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio

Transcript

00:00Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous

00:23trails showing rare courage in the face of disaster, in the air, on horseback, or in

00:42a screaming squad car. Ranger Bill, his mind alert, a ready smile, unswerving, loyal to his

00:59mission. And all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done.

01:08Nottie Pine has had growing pains. Any town does when its population begins to mushroom,

01:19as always has in the past few years. And one of the problems that arose is the fact that

01:25the growth of new areas made the officials in our city forget about some of the parts of town

01:30that have been around for a long time. Our story today is centered about the warehouse district

01:36down by the river. Although there is little river traffic, the warehouses there are still

01:41used by trucking concerns who need large storage spaces. We've called this story,

01:47Death on the Waterfront.

02:17Sam, Sam, what's the matter? Sam, answer me. This is Mike, your boss. Sam, answer!

02:40It's no use talking, boss. He's dead.

02:48All right, so a man dropped dead on the riverfront dock. Probably had a heart attack.

02:57Those fellas work hard, you know. Okay, Bill, but if you don't think it's strange, then I do.

03:03I mean, what's so odd about it, Henry? People die with their boots on all the time.

03:09Henry, you have a feeling something's wrong. Yeah, I can't help it, fellas. Just got a funny

03:15feeling, that's all. Well, rest assured that everything is all right, pal. The coroner agrees

03:20with Doc Pike, death from natural causes. Henry, get a copy of that paper. Right away, Bill.

03:34More trouble, I'm afeard. Hey, boy, let me have a paper, please. I think you're right,

03:41Stumpy. Maybe Henry right, too. What's it say, pal? Listen to this. Tonight at 6 p.m.,

03:49a second man dropped dead on the riverfront loading dock. The cause of death is unknown.

04:05Bill, we have one building inspector, and he manages to cover all the required inspection.

04:16And how long does it take him to do this, Mr. Mayor? Does he inspect every building

04:21and riverfront warehouse within a six-month period? Well, no, Bill. It takes him a little

04:28longer than six months. Nine months? No, not exactly. Surely not more than a year.

04:35Well, he's a busy man, Bill. Lots of work. Takes him about 18 months to make a complete round.

04:43Eighteen months? But that's ridiculous. A building could rot and cave in during that time.

04:48Well, Bill, we've got to think of the taxpayers' money. Taxpayers' money. The taxpayers' money

04:55supports the Rangers, too. We make sure that there's no neglect. Do you realize the dangerous

05:01conditions that could prevail because the buildings aren't regularly and carefully inspected?

05:05Well, actually, Bill, this is none of your business. This is out of your jurisdiction.

05:10I'm a citizen of Nottinghine, Mr. Mayor. Those riverfront buildings need to be inspected at

05:15once, or I can't be responsible for what happens. You're not going to tell me how to run this city,

05:20Bill Jefferson. I'm not telling you, sir. I'm asking you to send an inspector down

05:24to those riverfront buildings at once. There's real danger down there.

05:27Well, you keep saying there's real danger down there, but you won't tell me what is the matter.

05:33I'm not an expert on these things. I've only a few facts, and I need more proof. If I did

05:39tell you, there'd be mass hysteria. That's why I want you to send an expert down there.

05:43Bill, my patience is gone. I'll thank you to leave my office. I've had a busy day.

05:47All right, Mr. Mayor, but I'll be back. My only hope is that you won't be sorry you didn't listen.

05:53As soon as I gather some more facts, I'll be back.

05:56Fine thing. That's his kids' stuff, waiting around under these warehouses in the middle of the night.

06:13Why, if somebody sees us, they'll call for the guys in the white coats.

06:18You could have stayed home, pal.

06:20Who, me? Do not know what kind of wild tricks you're up to?

06:25No, sir. You're not going to leave Henry Scott at home when something's going on.

06:29I didn't think so. Henry, look under this building where the flashlight is shining.

06:35Those timbers look pretty well beat up, Bill. Think they'll last very long?

06:42That's a good question, pal. Now, let's look a little further.

06:46Wait a minute. Let me take this skido netting off around my head. These gloves warm hot.

06:51Uh-uh. It's a precautionary measure, pal.

06:54But guess what?

06:55I'm not at liberty to say.

06:56Hey, you two down there. Don't move a muscle or I'll torch your hair with a .38.

07:02What kind of guns on the economy?

07:03Uh-oh. Officer O'Rourke's got us trapped.

07:05Patrick, it's me, Bill Jefferson and Henry Scott.

07:09Well, bless my aching flat feet, if it ain't. Now, what kind of muskrats do you call yourselves?

07:15We're just looking around, Pat. Okay with you?

07:17Sure, it's okay with me. Just don't let normal people see you down there. They might suspect you.

07:23That's just what I was saying, Pat.

07:25I'll admit, this does look a little odd.

07:27Odd, he says. It's a good thing that I'm a sober-minded man.

07:32There are two men in a river looking under a building in the middle of the night.

07:36I'd better not tell the sergeant about this or he'll think I'm crazy in the head. See you later.

07:41So long, Pat.

07:43Oh, bless his old, bad, stoutin' heart.

07:46Come on, pal. Let's get out of here. I've seen what I came looking for.

08:01I got it, pal. Okay.

08:03Hello, Ranger Headquarters. Bill Jefferson speaking.

08:06Hello, Bill. This is Carl Sands over at the warehouse company.

08:10Oh, yes. How are you, Carl?

08:12Not so good.

08:13Huh? What's the trouble?

08:15Bill, we need your help. Six of our men have died on the docks in the last ten days.

08:19What?

08:20In fact, four on the docks and two of them died in their homes.

08:24I see. Where are the bodies of these latest men now, Carl?

08:29In the morgue. Why?

08:31I can't say now. Meet me at the morgue in half an hour. It's urgent.

08:43What do you think, Doc Pike?

08:46Oh, all the symptoms are here, Bill. Do we agree?

08:51Yes. I've seen this before over in China.

08:54Seen what before over in China? What's causing the deaths of these men, Bill?

08:58Now, wait a minute, Carl. Are you sure, Doc?

09:01I'm positive. I'd stake my reputation on it.

09:04All right. Carl, these men died from bubonic plague.

09:09Bubonic plague?

09:10What a horrible disease. Why, that can't happen here.

09:15But it is happening. Bubonic plague is spread by the rat flea.

09:19And, of course, the rat flea is found where there are big brown wharf rats.

09:23Aren't the riverfront buildings being inspected for these rats?

09:28Yes, they're being inspected, but not as often as they should be.

09:31Now we've got to take preventive action to keep this thing confined to one area.

09:35Yes. I was just going to ask you what we can do to stop it.

09:39My plan would be to close off the area with state and local police guards,

09:44close the schools and other public buildings,

09:47and limit the number of people allowed in the stores.

09:50Right. I'll get the guards mobilized while you get set up to give hypodermic shots, Doc.

09:55You can set up at Ranger Headquarters.

10:10Phone ringing.

10:16Sheriff's office.

10:18Uh, Cal, something important.

10:20Yeah? What?

10:21Cal, we've got an epidemic of bubonic plague on our hands.

10:24What? Bill, this is no time to joke.

10:27Not a thing to joke about, Cal.

10:29What I want to know is, how many men can I have to guard the riverfront and keep people out

10:34until we get this thing in hand?

10:36I've got every man on the force, including myself. When do you want us?

10:39Right away. Have your crew report to my office first,

10:42so they can get their hypo injections to protect them.

10:45On the double, Bill. Fast as we can get there.

10:47Phone ringing.

11:02State Police Headquarters, Division 4 office. Captain Bronson speaking.

11:06Captain, this is Bill Jefferson.

11:08Oh, yes, Bill. How are you? Nice to hear from you.

11:10Thank you. Captain, we've got an epidemic of bubonic plague here at Knotty Pine.

11:15Bubonic plague? That's what I said.

11:17But that's impossible. We haven't had anything like that for years.

11:20We've got it now, my friend.

11:22How many men would you let me have to guard the riverfront area and keep people out?

11:26You can have all of them. I can get replacements from another division until this blows over.

11:30When do you want them? As soon as I can get them.

11:33Phone ringing.

11:44All right, old-timer, you're next.

11:46Now, listen here, Doc. You take it easy with that there contraption you've got in your mitt.

11:51I ain't no inner tube, you know.

11:54Now, now, Stumpy, you're not that delicate.

11:57Now, roll up your sleeves so I can swab your arm with this antiseptic.

12:02That's your service, Doc.

12:07There. Now, hold this cotton swab over the spot for a few minutes and then you can roll your sleeve down.

12:15Next man.

12:27All right, troopers, let's have it quiet, please.

12:31Okay, Bill, go ahead.

12:33Thanks, Captain Bronson.

12:36I want to say that you men are going on a dangerous duty.

12:40The bubonic plague is a killer in every sense of the word.

12:44Of course, shots Doc Pye gave you will protect you from the bite of the rat flea and its deadly consequences.

12:50So you don't have to worry.

12:54Now, Captain Bronson, I want you to take your state troopers and guard both sides of the north end of the river as far as the warehouses go.

13:02Okay, Bill.

13:03Sheriff, you take your deputies and patrolmen and guard the south end of the river in the same manner.

13:08Right.

13:09My rangers and I will guard the central section, which is the hot spot right now.

13:14Now, just a word of warning to all of you.

13:17No one is to enter or leave the area you're guarding.

13:20Anyone coming out of the area must carry the rat flea with him on his clothes.

13:25You men are not to leave the area until your clothes have been fumigated.

13:29How tough do you want us to be in stopping people, Bill?

13:32All I've got to say is real tough.

13:35Shooting a man through the leg is a small price for him to pay to have his life saved.

13:39Bubonic plague kills quickly and quietly.

13:50Okay, boys, here's where we go to work.

14:02Hey, there's Tom doing guard duty.

14:05Yeah, let's get a move on.

14:07Now, bring the traps, Henry, Graywolf.

14:09Right.

14:10Tom, see us.

14:11We get stopped now.

14:12Tom, stop where you are.

14:14It's all right, Tom.

14:15It's Bill, Henry, and Graywolf.

14:17Oh, sorry, Bill.

14:19I didn't recognize you in the dark.

14:20Now, don't apologize for doing your duty, Tom.

14:23Everything quiet?

14:24Yeah, Bill.

14:25Not a thing stirring.

14:26Good boy.

14:27Keep a sharp eye out.

14:28All right, let's get down into the old warehouse, boys.

14:31This place gives me a thrill.

14:33It's hard to realize that death can be moving around so quietly.

14:38Yeah.

14:39Now, watch yourself going along the riverbank.

14:41You look out for this old post sticking up here, Graywolf.

14:44I see it.

14:45Easy to tear a rubber boot from him.

14:47Let's get under that building just ahead

14:49and see if we can catch a couple of those wharf rats.

14:52Why do you want to catch rats, Bill?

14:54A plague carried by a rat flea.

14:56Well, Doc Pike wants us to catch a couple of rats

14:58in several places along the river

15:00so we can determine the spread and intensity of this plague.

15:03What for?

15:04If this thing is confined to a few buildings,

15:07then we can attack the problem one way.

15:09But if this killer is being carried by every rat along the river,

15:13then we'll have to quarantine the whole town

15:15and vaccinate every man, woman, child, and animal.

15:33We got them, Bill.

15:35Boy, are they big fellas.

15:37I'll say they are.

15:38I'll label that cage as specimens

15:40from the east side of the north end of the river.

15:43East side, north end of the river.

15:49There.

15:50As soon as I wire this label onto the cage,

15:52we'll be ready to go.

15:54Watch your hands, Henry.

15:55Rats will bite your fingers if you get close enough.

15:58You guys are going to make a nervous wreck out of me.

16:01Let's get out of here before we all get killed.

16:14Now, you think that this plague is confined

16:16to only a couple of buildings in the central area, huh, Doc?

16:19Yes, Bill, but it won't stay there for long.

16:22As you know, rats travel about considerably,

16:25and all we need is one of these infected rascals

16:28from the central riverfront area

16:30to take a short trip up or down the river,

16:32and the plague will spread like wildfire.

16:35Seems to me we'd better do something

16:38pretty sudden-like to stop those critters

16:40from visiting their relatives.

16:42That's right, Stumpy.

16:43Yeah, we can have the exterminators

16:45go after the rats in all the places

16:47but the central area.

16:48Why do you leave out the central area?

16:50Can't the exterminators kill the rats

16:52in the central area just as easily

16:54as they can in others?

16:55Well, if they do it my way,

16:56they can knock them off with one try,

16:58not piecemeal.

16:59And what's your way of killing

17:01the infected rats with one blow, Doc?

17:03Cyanide gas.

17:05Cyanide gas?

17:07Doc, have you got holes in your head?

17:11Why, that stuff will kill anything

17:13that breathes it on the first breath.

17:15You don't get a second chance with that stuff.

17:18I know that, old-timer,

17:19but we can't afford to play hide-and-seek

17:21with the infected rodents.

17:23They've got to be killed and killed quickly.

17:26Not even one can be left alive.

17:28But, Doc, don't you think cyanide gas

17:30is a little dangerous?

17:32Why, even birds flying overhead...

17:34Which is more dangerous, Bill,

17:36bubonic plague or the gas?

17:40Okay, Doc, you win.

17:43Let's head for the mayor's home.

17:45He doesn't know it yet,

17:46but he's going to call an emergency meeting

17:48of the city council.

18:04Gentlemen!

18:05Gentlemen, please come to order.

18:11Bill here seems to think that the town

18:13is in serious danger because of the plague,

18:16which has localized itself

18:18in one area along the river.

18:21And he's asked to speak to you.

18:23Bill?

18:24Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

18:27Gentlemen, I don't need to tell you

18:29the seriousness of this situation.

18:31We need funds quickly

18:33to hire exterminating contractors

18:35to kill the war frats.

18:37This is extremely urgent,

18:38so we can prevent the spread of the disease

18:40from its present location.

18:42Now, see here, Bill.

18:43I agree with the mayor.

18:45If this plague is confined to only one area,

18:48I don't see anything to get the whole town

18:50in an uproar about.

18:51I agree with Councilman Farrell.

18:53Ain't no sense getting excited.

18:55Doc Pike will take care of this whole thing

18:57in short order.

18:58I agree.

18:59Gentlemen, gentlemen,

19:01please, can't you understand the danger?

19:04All we need is for one war frat

19:07to carry those fleas

19:08into another section of the river area,

19:10spread the parasites to uninfected rats,

19:13and the plague will spread faster

19:15than prairie fire.

19:17We need to kill all the rats now

19:19before this can happen.

19:20No, Bill.

19:21Aren't you sort of being dramatic

19:23about this thing?

19:25I mean, rather, well, overdoing it.

19:29Gentlemen, do you realize what you're doing?

19:32What a measly price

19:33you're putting on human life.

19:36Gentlemen.

19:37Dr. Pike.

19:38We've got to move fast.

19:40The plague is spreading.

19:41Oh, no.

19:42Two more men have died.

19:43They were working on the north section

19:45of the warehouses.

19:46Well, gentlemen,

19:48I don't think I need persuade you now.

19:51Mr. Mayor, Bill's right,

19:53and I think we're wrong.

19:55We can't put a cheap price on human life.

19:58I agree.

19:59I think that's right.

20:00Gentlemen, I'm the one who's been wrong.

20:04Bill tried to warn me that this was coming,

20:07but I was blind,

20:09and I wouldn't listen.

20:11Now, perhaps it may be too late to listen.

20:15I'll entertain a motion

20:16that we give Bill the power and authority

20:18to use the city's emergency funds immediately.

20:34Mid-state Exterminators.

20:35Ted Graves, Manager, speaking.

20:37This is Forest Ranger Bill Jefferson speaking.

20:40We have an emergency condition

20:42here in Knotty Pine.

20:44A bubonic plague.

20:46Bubonic?

20:48Stuff's dangerous.

20:49We'll give your men shots

20:50to make them immune

20:51to the bite of the rat flea.

20:53If you'll help us kill the rats,

20:54will you, please?

20:55Sure.

20:56If you'll give us shots first.

20:58Well, what do you say?

20:59We'll give you shots.

21:01Sure.

21:02If you'll give us shots first.

21:04What do you want us to use?

21:05Cyanide gas in the central area

21:07where the infected rats are.

21:09Cyanide.

21:10I'm sorry, Ranger,

21:11but, well,

21:12we're not equipped to handle that stuff.

21:14Not cyanide.

21:15Will you come anyhow

21:16and work on the other areas

21:18so the infected animals

21:19can't spread the disease?

21:21Sure.

21:22We'll be on our way

21:23as soon as possible.

21:24But no cyanide gas for us.

21:26Well, who can I get

21:27to do the job of cyanide?

21:29You're the fourth big outfit

21:30that's turned me down.

21:31Somebody's got to do this job.

21:33Right offhand,

21:34I don't exactly know.

21:37Hey, wait a minute.

21:39There's a big outfit out in Frisco.

21:41Sure, they'll do it for you.

21:43Called General Doc Sanitation Company

21:46in Frisco.

21:47They're equipped to work

21:48with cyanide gas.

21:49Thanks, friend.

21:50Thanks a million.

22:01You fellas got here

22:03in mighty short order,

22:04Mr. Smith.

22:05Well, just a few hours

22:06from Frisco

22:07and a little special plane,

22:08you can do wonders.

22:10Working together

22:11with your naughty pine fire department,

22:12we should knock those rats

22:13off in a hurry.

22:14Yeah, they won't have

22:15a chance in the world

22:16with cyanide.

22:17Say, Bill,

22:18it seems to me

22:19that I hear a cat meowing

22:20every now and then.

22:21Is that right, Henry?

22:23How soon will you be ready,

22:24Mr. Smith?

22:25Oh, I don't think

22:26I'll be ready

22:27until I've got

22:28How soon will you be ready,

22:29Mr. Smith?

22:30Oh, I'd say

22:31an hour, maybe.

22:32Good.

22:33Now, this is a very

22:34old building here,

22:35probably one of the

22:36oldest warehouses in town.

22:38Can't figure

22:39what's holding it together.

22:40Make a good place to start.

22:42Sure, suits me.

22:44Hey, what's the big idea, Henry?

22:46I've been yanking

22:47at my elbow every five seconds.

22:48It's that cat, Bill.

22:49Listen.

22:50Can you hear anything?

22:52Listen.

22:54I don't hear a thing, Henry.

22:56Probably your imagination.

22:58Well, maybe so.

23:00I'm going over

23:01to the chem tanks

23:02to talk with the fellas.

23:03See you later.

23:04Okay.

23:21I was sure I heard

23:22a cat squalling

23:23under that warehouse.

23:25I'd sure hate for it

23:26to get hit with that cyanide.

23:29There is a cat under there.

23:31I'm going to get it.

23:33Here, kitty.

23:34Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.

23:35Here, kitty.

23:38Not too much room under there.

23:41Well, here goes.

23:46Here, kitty.

23:48Here, kitty, kitty.

23:50Here, kitty.

23:52Ah, there you are.

23:54Hey, it looks like

23:55you're almost jammed in

23:57between the timbers

23:58and the ground.

24:00Come on, kitty.

24:01Let me...

24:03Let me move these boards here.

24:06Ow!

24:07Oh, I'm jammed in here.

24:09Ow, my leg.

24:12I can't get it loose.

24:15Ow.

24:16I think I'm gonna...

24:19pass out.

24:25Well, Smith,

24:26looks like we're all set, huh?

24:27Yep, start rolling

24:28any time you want, Bill.

24:29The main thing is

24:30to get that cloud of gas

24:32settling over the ground

24:33under the building.

24:34That's where the rats are.

24:36You got the hose ready, boys?

24:37All ready.

24:38Now then, Robbins,

24:40check your gauges.

24:41Make sure your pressure is up

24:43and we'll start.

24:55Oh, my leg.

24:57Oh.

24:58I can't pull it out.

25:00Hey, Bill, stop the gas.

25:03I'm trying to get out.

25:05Can't you hear me?

25:12Pressure's up, boss.

25:13Good.

25:14Angle of the hose okay?

25:15Stafford?

25:16Okay.

25:17Okay, man.

25:18Now, wait a minute.

25:19Now, wait a minute.

25:20Now, wait a minute.

25:21Now, wait a minute.

25:22Now, wait a minute.

25:23Now, wait a minute.

25:24We'd better check on all our men first.

25:26Can't take any chances, you know.

25:28Now, let's see.

25:29Smith?

25:30Here.

25:31Jones?

25:32No.

25:33Robbins?

25:34Here.

25:35Stafford?

25:36Here.

25:37Jenkins?

25:38Here with Bill's eye, young brother.

25:39Henry?

25:41Henry?

25:43Where's Henry?

25:45Anybody seen Henry?

25:47Well, he was over at the tank

25:49talking with us for a few minutes

25:50and then wandered off.

25:51Don't know where he went.

25:52Well, we'd better not shoot that cyanide

25:54until we find out.

25:55He may be under one of these warehouses.

26:13Oh, cyanide.

26:15Bill, don't.

26:17Oh, oh.

26:19Oh, my leg.

26:21If I could just get those timbers off.

26:31Henry!

26:33Where are you?

26:35Henry!

26:36Henry!

26:43Henry!

26:49Get back over here, fellas.

26:59Stumpy, Henry's over here.

27:02He's been pinned by some falling timbers

27:05and he's out like a light.

27:20Well, Mr. Mayor,

27:22it looks as if the battle's all over, huh?

27:24Yes, Bill.

27:26Thanks to your being able to talk

27:28the exterminating outfit from Crispo

27:30into coming here and using cyanide gas.

27:33Also, for completing the job

27:35of handling the emergency.

27:37So right here and now,

27:39I turn the emergency power

27:41back into your hands.

27:43Well, thank you, Bill, for the work.

27:45But most of all,

27:47but most of all,

27:49for keeping after us city fathers

27:51till the job was done.

27:53You're welcome, sir.

27:55If the situation is well in hand,

27:57tip maybe Henry here.

27:59How are you feeling, Henry?

28:01Okay, Stumpy.

28:03Outside of a sore leg.

28:05Well, sir, if it hadn't been for that cat

28:07meowing its head off,

28:09you might have been under that warehouse yet,

28:11young fellers.

28:13You can say that again.

28:15I don't like cats, but

28:17from now on, that goes double.

28:19Doesn't it, Kitty?

28:29See you next week for more adventure with...

28:32Ranger Bill!

28:47Subscribe for more!

Ranger Bill xx-xx-xx (148) Death On The Waterfront

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