 With action and suspense out of the Old West comes the most famous hero of them all, Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd. The ring of the Silver Spurs harrows the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West, Hopalong Cassidy, the same hoppy you cheer in motion pictures, and the same California you've laughed at a million times. Raw courage and quick shooting have built a legend around this famous hero. Hopalong is a name to be feared, respected and admired, for this great cowboy rides the trails of adventure and excitement. William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy and Andy Clyde as California. Well Hoppy, what about our story? We call this one coming attraction, Murder. It's one that began as California and I were heading back to the bar 20. We had detoured a ways to visit an old friend of mine, McDonald McDonald, who was, you'll be relieved to know, a Scotsman. He had written to you about his hotel the pride of Quincy, a hustling little town in the panhandle. Quincy wasn't much different than most cow towns, except possibly for the owner of its hotel monopoly, who with 40 years in the West still smelled of heather and talked with the butter of the Highlands on his tongue. So this is Quincy, huh? Seems almighty quiet, Hoppy. Well, this is one time we're not looking for excitement, California. This is just a quiet call on an old friend. What's your stuff, infert? This poster tacked on the tree. Looks like you're in luck. Quincy is bringing in entertainment for tomorrow night. Come on attraction. Jack, Jack, we line Dupri. Chantusi. Say, this is great. I really get a kick out of their magic act. California, that's a French word. I mean, she's a singer. Oh, sure, sure, sure. I know it all the time. I just wanted to see if you did. Where do we find this friend of yours? Right across the street, the hotel. Come on, you old faker. Let's look up McDonald's. Now, there's Mack over at the desk. Good morning. Got a couple of rooms, mister. Good afternoon, Hoppy. Oh, man, you're a sight for my eyes. Mack, meet my partner, California Carlson. California, meet McDonald, McDonald. Ah, friend of Hoppy's is my friend as well. Glad to meet you, too. For a man who's making money, you don't seem too happy, Mack. Ah, as a matter of fact, something's weighing on my mind. That's all? There's trouble coming to Quincy. Oh, we'll be glad to do anything we can to help Mack. That time pleased to hear, Hoppy. And with such a promise, I'll tell you what the trouble is. I've obligated myself and had a singer imported from New York. I was hoping to make a few dollars, but then I got the note. Note? An anonymous note, to be sure. A warning? Ah, here. I'll show you. Warning. Quincy doesn't need a singer. Send Mr. Frey back on the first stage, or she will die. Oh, but ladoo, Hoppy. I'm gonna send the lassie back when I've paid her for a week's performance. I think when she sees the note, she may be willing to give the money back. Of course. It may be just a practical joke. But, Hoppy, it's in my bones that this note means death. Well, if it does, unless the priest stays, you better change that poster. Change? Ah, don't understand, ladoo. Make it read, Coming Attraction, Murder. Now, back to Hop along Cassidy and our story, Coming Attraction, Murder. It is late, Hoppy. Very late. Stop pacing, Mac. You're wearing out the floor of your office. There's no danger to Mr. Frey until she gets here, and none of she decides to go back on the next stage. Oh, sorry, Mac. Thought you were alone. Ah, come in, butter. These are friends of mine, Hop along Cassidy and California Coulson. John Butter, our banker, and Doc Picker, our soapoon. Howdy. Pleased to meet you. Howdy. Likewise, gentlemen. And I, too. Getting ready to send your singing star back, Mac? With the aid of Hoppy here, I may not have to, butter. Well, that's good, Mac. We'll get to hear the old girl sing, and you won't lose any money. It's a fate, I hope, to avoid, Doc. Aren't you depending a little strong on your friends, though, Mac? No offense, mad gentleman, but it seems a trifle dangerous to allow Mr. Frey to remain after that threat to our life. I think it's her choice, Mr. Barron. Not ours. Yeah? Yeah, well, of course. Well, call on me if I can help in any way. Meanwhile, I've got a call to make at the Rolling Y. Ah, you're not meeting Mr. Frey then, butter? Oh, I'll see her tomorrow, Mac. Happy to have met you, gentlemen. Good day. Coming, Doc? Yes. See you folks later. Blamed if I've been called a gentleman as many times in all my life. Hey, yeah, pardon, Barron. It's his background. He was an Easterner up until ten years or so ago. Hey, ain't that the stage coming down the street? Sure is, California. If you didn't mind, Hoppy, I'll meet Mr. Frey first and bring her in here to see you. And then I want a lot of talk going around about you being her bodyguard yet. Sure, Mac. We'll wait here. You're gone. I wonder if this Shantusi looks like Hoppy. I'll take a look through the window. She's getting out of the stage. Hey, there's two of them, and ain't neither of them very pretty, Hoppy. They can't be singers. How can you tell from here? Well, I've seen singers and saloons from Montana to Monterey. And I ain't never seen one that weren't at least passable. Not that I ever had anything to do with them, Hoppy. In New York, maybe they pay attention to their voices instead of their faces. Dang, Easterners ain't no judgment. Mr. Frey, I may present Hoppallon Cassidy and California Carlson. How do you do, Mr. Frey? Shame here. Enchanté, mes amis. Where's the other one, Hoppy? Oh, I hear you, Fuzzy Face. That was my maid, Louise. She's going to unpack the clothes. Fuzzy Face? Hoppy, you hear that? She called me Fuzzy Face. She should teach you to shave, California. I shaved only last week. You want me to act like a dude? I couldn't be done. Let's get out of business. Did you tell Mr. Frey about the note, Mike? No, I didn't have time, Hoppy. Note? What is this note? I am being mashed. Oh, no, Mr. Frey. This note is a warning, a serious warning. You may not want to unpack your clothes. Here, read it. She's going to get out of town. Or she will die. What is this? Am I the sitting buzzer? Duck, lady. Why? I, uh, why? Why should I duck? I meant you, uh, meant the sitting duck. Oh, you talk so funny, Fuzzy Face. Please, gentlemen, what is the meaning of this note? It is the joke, no? It is a joke we think, no. And to be safe, it might be best if you leave Quincy at once. I will not leave. I came to spend the vacation as well as work. Nobody makes Jacqueline Dupre the quitter. I stay. Well, Mac, I guess Quincy gets a singer. And California and I have a job. I guess you do, Lattie. Well, how is this? We're your bodyguards, Mr. Frey. At least until we know if you're safe. Oh, is so? Then get a horse for me. You guard me while I ride this afternoon. But you're not going to ride now. You must be tired. But I am not tired. I'm only restless from being cramped in the interior of that horrible stagecoach. A stage, lady, not stage. There you go, fuzzy face. I like you, but you sound so silly. Mr. Hoppy, I shall meet you in front of the hotel in one hour. Agreed? Agreed, Mr. Frey, but... In one hour, Mr.... Sheriff Harkness? Here. Name's Cassidy. I'm along Cassidy. This is my partner, California Carlson. So? So MacDonald asked us to help keep Mr. Frey from being killed. Oh, I mean that note. I ain't going to chase no crackpot letter writers. Then you're not planning to take action to investigate the note? I am not. Now get out of here. I'm busy. If I were you, I'd start being sheriff before someone takes that star away from you. Here's the horse for Mr. Dupree, are we? Are you sure you don't want me to ride with you? No, I don't think so, California. You stay here in town and keep your ears open. I want to know if anyone knows Mr. Frey. I ain't get you. Try to learn if anyone would cough it by her, not appearing tomorrow night. Right, Hoppy. I'll keep my ears flapping and my eyes peeled. I'm already, Monsieur Hoppy. But why does Fuzzy Face want to peel his eyes? Oh, old lady. It's just an expression. Yeah, let me give you a hand up. Oh, thank you. Monsieur Fuzzy Face, then you do not really peel the eyes? Oh, no, no, no. Of course not her. That'd be silly. No way. Then you only flap the ears. Oh, Hoppy. He's turning blue. Maybe we'd better ride. See you later, California. This country can marry big. Oh, it is so big, so wonderful. You stand up pretty well for at least an hour. I am not an infant, Monsieur. For ten years I have been in the show business ever since my husband ran away. It has not been easy struggling first against the scandal, then against the hard heart of the public. But it has toughened me beyond the matter of a few hours' exercise or a threat. To that I can testify. Besides the notice, probably from a cracked pot. In New York I get many such foolish... Oh, my dear. Down, over to those rocks, quick. Monsieur, what do we do? Keep down. I'll see if I can spot the smoke of his rifle. Oh! Monsieur Hoppy, that dirty pig, he's killed you. Not quite. Oh, my head. I sure got creased, though. Well, I guess our friend has left. We'd better get back to town. I agree, Monsieur. One thing is certain, this man who shooted us, he is no cracked pot. He's mighty set on you not staying around. Yeah, you could say he's dead set. Now, that was a fine meal, Mac. It makes me forget my sore head. Do you think Mr. Prey will be safe tonight? Well, I've wanted to stay in her room and California's guarding the door. No one will get past him, and I'll take the post at midnight. Eh, it's a good precaution. Good evening, gentlemen. Howdy, Mac. You ready for the game? Barrow and I are, and Doc Baker will be here soon. I'm afraid I'm not feeling much like pinnacle tonight, Sheriff. You and Barra, pour yourself a drink. Hoppy? No, thanks. I guess Mr. Prey left on the evening stage, eh, Mac? No, no, she's still with us, Barra. She wouldn't have leave so hoppy in California to stand in guard to see that nothing happens to her. What's the rag on your head, Cassidy? You bump into something? Yeah, a slug. A slug? That's right. It seems that Quincy breeds a fancy drag gulcher, Sheriff. A drag gulcher? What are you talking about, Mr. Cassidy? Just that the notewriter gave us a last warning this afternoon. Took shots at us over near Coyote Pass where Mr. Prey and I were riding. Well, she'll have to leave. You can't let her stay here with somebody shooting at her. Aren't you forgetting the lady, gents? It's up to her. And believe me, she wants to stay. Well, eh, I hate to run out, gentlemen, but I've an error and I want to do. Ah, wait, Barra, I'll go in here. Remember what I said, Cassidy? Oh, I'm not allowed to forget it, Sheriff. Not liable at all. Good night, Barra, Sheriff. Until that make of the game's off. Hoppy, you're right. We should make Mr. Prey leave somehow. She's an awfully stubborn lady. Eh, you know, a man could do worse. Why, you dandy-legged Scotland. You're turning into a Romeo. Eh, but it's a bad time. My Juliet seems to be quite a target. Yeah, and so far, our suspects include the population of Quincy and surrounding ranches. Ah! They're coming from upstairs. A scream, a woman's scream. Shacklin, Shacklin! Well, back to Hop along Cassidy and our story, coming attraction, Murder. While California stood guard outside the threatened Miss Dupre's hotel room, Mack and Hoppy were talking in Mack's office. Their conversation was interrupted by a shot and a scream from Miss Dupre's room above them. And we now find them investigating. California, what's happened? Mr. Prey and her mate. Mr. Prey? She just fainted. But her mate's been shot. Through that window, Hoppy. California, clear those people out of the hall. Mack, get the dock quick. The killer probably fired from that alley across the street. No way to catch him now. All right, now, folks, clear out. Now, back to your roomers. Come on, I keep moving. This ain't no medicine show. Don't make a... met him in the hall. Good. Take a look at the maid here, Doc. I think she's pretty badly wounded. Thanks. Mack, get me some hot water. Hey, hey, Joey. The other one, she's just fainted? Yeah. Shall I put her on the bed? No, take her to another room where she can rest. I'll need space to work. Here, there's a sedative. Give it to her when she comes around. Come on, California, give me a hand. Yeah, I've got her. Open our door for me. There she is. See if you can bring her around, California. All right, Hoppy, this picture is cold water in it. California, no, too late. I'll leave you with her. You threw the water. You give her the sedative. I'll see how the maid is doing. No, no, no, Hoppy. Hoppy, come back. Oh, oh, oh. You! Lady, it's just me. It's California. You know, a... Fuzzy face. What a staff you gave me. I thought I'd died and gone to... Well, never mind. But you do look a lot like... Here's the sedative. I'm all wet. Fuzzy face, did you drunk me? Donk, lady. Donk? Oh, so. Now you think I am the donut? Oh, never mind. Just take the pill. Come on, now, please take the pill. Now, please. Please. How is she, Don? Sinking fast. More waters being heated down, Stess Duck. How's Mr. Plea, Hoppy? She was having a moist awakening when I left. Uh, Mac, you can forget the other hot water. She doesn't need it now. Duck, you mean... She's dead. Now, here's the spot where the killer took those shots at us yesterday, California. What do you think you'll find, Hoppy? I don't know. There's no place else to start. We took from the hotel wall with two masts to tell us what kind of a gun fired at. Yeah, if you're all gone, if I had been smarter, it wouldn't have been fired at all. Ah, don't go start blaming yourself, California. No one could have figured the killer to take that kind of a gamble. Shooting through a shaded window with a shadow. I only wish we had made Mr. Plea leave town on that stagecoach. Now, at least, we got her out of town for a while. That were a slick bit of smuggling there you and Mac did. But you think she'll be all right at his ranch? Say, for them to town, that's a cinch. Hey, hey, look here, California. What you find? A heel print. Pretty faint, but you can make it out. Where? Yeah, where? What do you know? Uh-huh. The heel's narrowing. Let's get back to town. You've got a little chore to do. Yeah? What? Stealing. What? That's right. There's something I want you to borrow for me. Come on, get the horses. I'll cut you about it on the way in. You go on, California. Be careful. I'll meet you at the hotel later. Right, Hoppy. Hoppy, over here. Coming, Mac. Hoppy, what's all this California tell me about you finding the heel print on the pass? Yeah, and we found some footprints. That narrows it down to a few certain people. Does it now? Are you sure? Who? Not now, Mac. But if you'll help me, I'll show you the killer this evening. Anything, Hoppy. Anything to take the danger from Jacqueline. From Jacqueline? Well, you are working fast, Mac. Ah, never mind. Progress, Hoppy. What do you want me to do now? Get up a pinocchio game for the season. What? Hoppy, I'd appreciate it if you'd be more serious. I am very serious, Mac. And tell everyone that I'm bringing Mr. Prey in to meet them later. Don't say why. Just keep it mysterious. After smuggling a little to town, you'll bring her back to face being killed. I'll not do it, Hoppy. It's too risky. Mac, trust me and do as I say. Ah, that's again my wishes. Now where are you going? Out to the ranch to see Mr. Prey. With her help, the killer's going to stretch rope plenty soon. See you tonight. Now, where in the name of Jupiter are you being? Getting nailed for a coffin. You get what I told you to? Yeah, yeah, I swiped it out of his coke when he was eating. Here. But what's it for, Hoppy? Never mind. Just back my play. After seven, Mac's pinocchio game should be in full swing. Pinocchio? Pinocchio. But you stay out here and guard that office there. I don't want our killer to run off. Hey, we're out in short. I figured you would be, Mac. One man was certain to back out of meeting Mr. Prey before witnesses. Let's go have a talk with him, shall we? He and the wee bit, but I'm out to copy. It's hard to believe you're right. Only four men knew Mr. Prey intended to stay after the warning. Finding the heel print of a city shoe out at Coyote Pass eliminated one. Our good friend Sheriff Harkness here. He wears boots. Thanks, Cassidy. Don't thank me. I'd be far from crying if you'd been the one. So you were left with three suspects? Two, Mac. You sure weren't going to kill the woman after you'd paid her to come. Then of the two, I remembered one of them knowing something he shouldn't about her. Something no one should have known unless he knew her and pretty well. And that? That was the fact that she's an older woman. Did you know how old she was? Not until she arrived, Toppy. And even now she lays claim to only 39. And of that have my suspicions. Yet one man knew she was not young. Let's go in here, gents, and meet the killer. Dr. Baker of New York. Cassidy, I was afraid you'd be coming. Do come in, gentlemen. Come in. Pardon me if I don't rise to greet you. You must say you'd come, Doc. I have no reason to be otherwise, Mac, as yet, that is. I see Mr. Prey is not with you. No, but we don't need her to identify you, Doc. You drop something out of Kyle's past that pins this thing right around your neck. Take a look. The thermometer. Doc's thermometer. What? Why? That's not mine. I have mine right here in my cook. It's gone. There it is in front of you, Doc. You haven't got your initials on the case. It is all right. Sheriff, I guess it's time for you to take over. Come on, killer. Stand back, all of you. I have a gun in my lap under the desk, and I'll kill the first one who moves. You see, I feared tonight was a trap, so I prepared. Put it away, Doc. You can't run. California's outside on guard. You're the smart one, aren't you, Cassidy? You thought you were going to send me up to hang. Well, I've murdered a New York and didn't hang. I won't out here. Get back against the wall. All of you. A lot of sheep. I may even kill you all. Drop your guns quick. You too, Cassidy. You dirty snooper. If it wasn't for that long nose, drop them, I said. Doc, I'm kind of fond of these guns, and I'd sure hate to break the handles by dropping them on the floor. Here, I'll hold them out butts first, and you can take them from me. Sure, sure. I'll take some, Cassidy, and then I'll kill you, you meddling fool, with your own gun. Here. To hop along, Cassidy. Doc. Doc. No use, Mac. He's not with us. Well, it saved us the bother of hanging him. That was a neat trick, hoppy. And the best example of rolling a gun I've ever seen. I saw Wes Hardin pull that trick on Wild Bill Hickok and Abilene, but not any slicker. I had the advantage of Doc Baker. He was no gunman. He was just a killer, but he was nervy enough up until you made him see you had proof of his guilt. Yeah, I wasn't sure it would work either. Well, California stole that thermometer for me. Stole? Well, you had a gore. Stealing a killer's thermometer and then making him confess with it. Hoppy, I mean your debt for tonight's work. For more than you know, Mac, Mr. Pre was freed to marry you tonight. Doc Baker. He was her husband back in New York. Only his name wasn't Baker. She put up with these mental quirks until he finally murdered a man and deserted her. Her husband? Yeah. That was his motive for wanting her to stay out of Quincy. He'd have recognized him and reported him to the New York authorities. Hoppy, it's hard to know how to repay you. But maybe I can make a settlement on your bill at my hotel. When are you leaving? Probably the more, Mac. Why? That'd be two days at five dollars and a quarter of the night. Ten dollars and fifty cents. That'd be my friend. As a gesture of gratitude, I'm cutting it down. Well thanks, Mac. That's thoughtful of you. Aye. Did you? I'd make it ten dollars even. The fifty cents would be my loss. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Thus ends the almost ending to Hoppy's story, Coming Attraction Verder. Almost ending, I say, because we're wondering if MacDonald ever married his lady fair. Missed you pray. Poppy's next story, titled Wet Beef and Dry Bones, concerns the old legend of Massacre Canyon when the ghosts of Redskins dance at midnight. It's an exciting one, so don't miss the next episode of Apollon Cassidy. Apollon Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is transcribed and produced in the West by Walter White Jr. Coming Attraction Murder was written by Herb Purdom. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mofford. This is a Commodore production.