Death Valley Days (1952)
Death Valley Days is an American radio and television anthology series featuring true stories of the old American West, particularly the Death Valley area. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was broadcast on radio until 1945 and continued from 1952 to 1970 as a syndicated television series, with reruns continuing through August 1, 1975. The series was sponsored by the Pacific Coast Borax Company and hosted by Stanley Andrews, Ronald Reagan, Robert Taylor, and Dale Robertson. With the passing of Dale Robertson in 2013, all the former Death Valley Days hosts are now deceased.
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Episode 1 - Head of the House
Release Date: 1958-09-29When crossing the country in a wagon train on the way to Oregon disaster strikes the Segar family. The parents die, leaving their orphaned children to carry on under the protection of the wagon master.
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Episode 2 - The Capture
Release Date: 1958-10-02The Babb children, living in Texas, are captured by the Comanches while playing shortly after the Civil War. It is up to Mary Jane with the aid of an older Indian woman to help them escape.
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Episode 3 - Ship of No Return
Release Date: 1958-10-09British sailor Edward falls in love with Manuela Cortez against her father's wishes. Banished from colonial California he becomes a pearl diver with the help of native Kiori. A ferocious storm changes the fortunes of all.
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Episode 4 - The Moving Out of Minnie
Release Date: 1958-10-13Herb is bringing his bride Henrietta to his ranch but realizes housekeeper Minnie is less then competent. He gets his friends to take Minnie back to her tribe but then his stepdaughter falls ill. Herb must get her to come back in time.
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Episode 5 - The Red Flannel Shirt
Release Date: 1958-10-27Patrick O'Dell works for a greedy mine owner Fred Gerlock who pushes his men to the limit. A strike is called but the optimistic Pat believes if he has his lucky shirt all will be well. But Fred only believes in money which leads to an unfortunate end.
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Episode 6 - Big Liz
Release Date: 1958-10-30Liz saves Scrubby's life in a mine accident and that leads to a partnership. They hit it big but then Liz succumbs to the charms of a con artist Andrew who's only after her money. It's up to Scrubby to then save his friend Liz.
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Episode 7 - Thorn of the Rose
Release Date: 1958-11-10Rose had found contentment as the wife of blacksmith Gil Calvin. The unexpected arrival of men from her criminal past threaten her happiness through blackmail so the Calvins must figure out a way to thwart the outlaws.
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Episode 8 - The Jackass Mail
Release Date: 1958-11-12The San Antonio and San Diego mail route is considered dangerous but driver Silas makes it seem easy. But his good relations with the Indians and his mules is threatened by the Waltons, a desperate couple he encounters on the trail.
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Episode 9 - Perilous Cargo
Release Date: 1958-11-24Tom Horn and his gang high jack a stagecoach when the passengers are entirely female. Most are future brides headed to Laramie but Tom bonds with dance hall owner Della. They must outwit several groups to successfully reach their destination.
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Episode 10 - The Gambler and the Lady
Release Date: 1958-11-27New school teacher Ruth arrives in town and is instantly attracted to Brad Forrester. After she learning he's a gambler and boxing promoter she gives him the cold shoulder. But missing money points to Ruth and she needs his help.
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Episode 11 - Quong Kee
Release Date: 1958-11-27Quong Kee arrives in wild Tombstone in 1881 and quickly establishes himself as an excellent cook and businessman. More important he is everyone's friend, aiding future senator Art's romance with Ann by befriending his proper Bostonian mother.
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Episode 12 - Old Gabe
Release Date: 1958-12-08Jim Bridger returns from an army assignment learning his wife has died and son Felix angry about his absences. Jim finds his eyesight is fading and his farm deep in debt. He takes one more scouting expedition to make things right.
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Episode 13 - The Gunsmith
Release Date: 1958-12-11Trick Shot Artist comes to town to take a woman away from the local Gunsmith, her fiance.
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Episode 14 - A Piano Goes West
Release Date: 1958-01-02A player piano in a saloon plays a particular melody that evokes a somewhat strange reaction from a woman and gives a clue to a man's disappearance.
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Episode 15 - A Bullet for the Captain
Release Date: 1958-01-03After the army is issued new 50 caliber rifles they are chronically short of ammunition during Indian troubles. The fort's Major suspects Pierson of supplying the warriors who seem fully armed. But the captain is able to solve the mystery.
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Episode 16 - A Town Is Born
Release Date: 1958-01-16Shopkeeper Isaacs is asked to hide government gold as Mexico struggles for independence. But French troops ransack his store causing him and wife Ruth flee. But when the patriots return they suspect the merchant has stolen the fortune.
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Episode 17 - Sailor on a Horse
Release Date: 1958-01-17A US Navy officer is assigned to chart the Missouri River, but he runs into some unexpected hostility from a bull-headed army officer.
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Episode 18 - Gold Lake
Release Date: 1958-01-30After hard luck miner Stoddard hits town newspaperman Mel Hardin decides to spread a rumor that he hit big. The merchants shower him with goods but when they learn they were fooled they want revenge. But luck is with Stoddard in the end.
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Episode 19 - Wheelbarrow Johnny
Release Date: 1958-01-31Innocent John Studebaker arrives in Hangtown hoping to make his fortune as a miner. But con men take advantage and leave him broke. His talent for making wheelbarrows gives him enough for a grubstake until fate intervenes and he begins a different future.
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Episode 20 - Stagecoach Spy
Release Date: 1958-02-13Mystery shrouds a stage robbery when the alleged culprit is killed before he can be questioned.
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Episode 21 - Eruption at Volcano
Release Date: 1958-02-14The western town of Volcano is drawn into the Civil War when confederate sympathizers plan to take over the community. But the Reverend Coleman learns of their intentions and must thwart them with the help of his son.
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Episode 22 - Price of a Passport
Release Date: 1958-02-27Sylvester Pattie and his son travel to Spanish held California to trap but the superstitious governor has them arrested. While in jail they are befriended by Carlota. The Pattie's knowledge of medicine helps the entire community during an epidemic.
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Episode 23 - Pioneer Circus
Release Date: 1958-02-28Ma's circus has fallen on hard times but she plans reviving the show's fortune rest on Juliette and her equestrian act. The situation begins to improve thanks to Holland's efforts but Forbes and Laura undermine the circus at every turn.
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Episode 24 - The Invaders
Release Date: 1958-03-13The Rosetti family and their fellow Italian immigrants look forward to new freedoms in the American West. But an organized crime group from the old country intends on extorting them unless they make a stand.
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Episode 25 - The Blonde King
Release Date: 1958-03-14James Savage is more comfortable living rough among his Indian friends and sharing the best of the Anglo world. But when Trask threatens to ruin the peace in the Yosemite region Savage must expose his duplicitous ways.
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Episode 26 - The Newspaper That Went to Jail
Release Date: 1958-03-27Judge Clinton orders a mine closed when he is persuaded that the conditions are unsafe. The local newspaper editor disagrees in print, angering the judge who retaliates.
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Episode 27 - Old Blue
Release Date: 1958-03-28Every cattle drive needs a lead steer and Goodnight's Old Blue is the best. But some cowboys make him disappear to collect a reward then the Wilkes family find him and make him a pet. But a charge of rustling endangers a life.
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Episode 28 - Perilous Refuge
Release Date: 1958-04-10The end of the Mexican American War leads to disputes between land owning families like the Ortegas and newer settlers. When Carlos Ortega is killed a lie leads to Brewster's imminent hanging.
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Episode 29 - The Talking Wire
Release Date: 1958-04-11Steve Warren is in California to install the first telephone system but lands in midst of a water dispute. The farming Cannon family are generous but at odds with ranchers like Phillips. Warren must end the feud to proceed.
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Episode 30 - RX: Slow Death
Release Date: 1958-04-24Justin Gates is in time to save a boy deathly ill from a medicine show. Gates tries to shut it down but meets opposition from Professor Peacock and his strongman Samson. Gates must physically fight to stop Peacock's fraudulent claims.
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Episode 31 - Half a Loaf
Release Date: 1958-04-25Greg has only a once great horse Squire from his Virginia inheritance. He and new friend Dawson head west to make their fortune. But conman Murdock takes their money. It's up to to one more race from Squire to get it back.
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Episode 32 - Valley of Danger
Release Date: 1958-05-08An injured Bill Marshall stumbles into John Warner's store, is nursed to health and treated as one of the family. But Bill is working with rogue Indians to drive the Warners from San Jose valley. John must fight against the betrayal.
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Episode 33 - Forty Steps to Glory
Release Date: 1958-05-09Buff McCloud runs a Nevada town with an iron fist dispatching opposition ruthlessly. After bringing in dance hall girl Fay he's jealous of her friendship with Randall who stands up to Buff. Randall uses psychology and faith to challenge the tyrant.