Prelude to Felony: Tales of the Texas Rangers (March 16, 1952)

“Prelude to Felony” is an episode of Tales of the Texas Rangers, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 16, 1952. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Sheriff Hankins investigates the disappearance of four calves from Buck Wattley's ranch. The Wattley children, Reno and Henri, claim to have spotted the missing calves on the property of their neighbor, Gus Schmidt, and the ranger and sheriff go to confront him about the alleged theft.

His mother, Texas; Buck Wattley's ranch and Gus Schmidt's neighboring property; July 7th, 1951

Characters: Sheriff Allen Hankins, Buck Wattley, Ranger Jase Pearson, Reno Wattley, Henri Wattley, Gus Schmidt

Listen for: The investigation unfolds as the ranger examines Schmidt's livestock and questions mount about whether the calves truly belong to Schmidt or have been stolen from Wattley.

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.