Joy Ride: Tales of the Texas Rangers (May 27, 1951)

“Joy Ride” is an episode of Tales of the Texas Rangers, the old-time radio show, first broadcast May 27, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Two teenagers steal a car in the small Texas town of Purdy and attempt to rob a liquor store late at night. When the store owner resists, they shoot him dead and flee with stolen bottles. Ranger Jase Pearson arrives to investigate the murder and begins tracking the killers by following physical evidence left at the crime scene.

Purdy, Texas and surrounding areas, December 3rd, 1946

Characters: Ranger Jase Pearson, Sheriff Frank Cochran, Chuck, Joy/Ruby, Malcolm Barnes, Mrs. Bond

Listen for: The ranger's methodical investigation technique, using spilled liquor spots and tire marks as clues to track the fleeing suspects.

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.