The Eviction of Pa and Ma Skunk: Ranger Bill (September 14, 1955)

Ranger Bill, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“The Eviction of Pa and Ma Skunk” is an episode of Ranger Bill, the old-time radio show, first broadcast September 14, 1955. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Texan Arnold Fleming buys a house at Goose Lake for his family, only to learn from neighbor Abner that a skunk family has lived beneath it for years. Real estate agent George Sims has sold the house without warning him, and the smell soon drives the Flemings out. Abner calls Ranger Bill Jefferson, who arrives with his companions Stumpy and Grey Wolf, the Ranger crew of the series. Bill tries to drive the skunks out with mothballs and then chemicals, and with each attempt the family's situation grows more tense.

Goose Lake, a summer resort area near Naughty Pine, Junction City and Canyon City

Characters: Ranger Bill Jefferson, Arnold Fleming, George Sims, Abner, Stumpy, Grey Wolf, Dr. Fordham, Sue Fleming

Listen for: Abner's warning about the skunks under the house, and the Rangers' attempts to remove them with mothballs and chemicals

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.