 With action and suspense out of the Old West comes the most famous hero of them all, Apollon Cassidy, starring William Boyd. The ring of the silver spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West. Apollon 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. Apollon is a name to be feared, respected and admired. For this great cowboy rides the trails of adventure and excitement. William Boyd as Apollon Cassidy and and declined as California. What's our story this time, Hoppy? Well, it's one that took place on the stake plains of eastern New Mexico where after the Lincoln County War there were more gun slingers per inch than cowboys. Jesse Chisholm's Jingle Bob spread ruled the pay-cost country. On the stake plains it was the Crosstara Ranch. After a delivery of cattle in Texas, California and I headed back for the bar 20. We planned to go as far as Albuquerque on the Atchison to Beacon Santa Fe Railroad. How to go to our car had picked up a set of unusual guests. Sure Hoppy, look at that pretty female up there. Ain't that Princess Stuttgart, boss lady of the Crosstara? Uh huh, could be California. She has a regular following. Oh, uh, you mean they're hombres with her? Yeah. Reckon they're guards. Folks say she's got more cows than Jesse Chisholm. And her land? Well, that runs from the Canadian River plumbed down to Mexico. And not only that, she's supposed to be related to the king of, uh, uh, Frank of Fran- Fran-Covia. But she doesn't look too happy about it. Uh oh, one of her men is coming back here. Sorry, gents. Gotta ask you to move along to the other coach. The princess wants privacy. She, uh, what? The other car is full, stranger. There's no room. Make room. Much as we'd like to oblige the ladies' whims, I don't think we'll stand all the way to Albuquerque. She ain't no lady. She's princesses' elder Stuttgart. Well, I won't argue the point, but we're not going- What do I have to do? Shoot you both and drag you out? Hoppy, get him. Wild Bill Hickok without wishes. Never mind my age, Pop. The name's Devlin. Heck Devlin, late of, uh, Lincoln? That's right. Now you're gonna van most easy like? No, we're not, Devlin. Some folks just don't hear good. Sorry. So am I, but you shouldn't flash guns on strangers. Here, what's going on? What happened to Devlin? Oh, he just tried to get the drawn hoppy and get shrugged for his pain. The heart? You beat Devlin's guns with your fists? That's the size of it. Ruffians, lie and sit them. After what they did to Devlin? Not me, princess. I'm just your foreman, not a prize fighter. Devlin, get up. Strangels, didn't Devlin tell you I wanted privacy? Yeah, he told us, ma'am. Well, go. Shoo, scut. Devlin, get up. Hoppy, tell this kid we ain't their servant. Kid? Kid, you dare call me? Devlin, get up. Oh, he's gonna make it. Oh, what hit me? You, why, you low-down... Oh, no, ain't that plumb awful? He tried to draw on Hoppy again. Devlin, how dare you let this brute strike you? Get up. Oh, let him stay down, ma'am. On his feet, he just gets into trouble. Wait. Wait that face. I wonder, lions, take a look at him. Is it possible we have found him? Note the strong Bulgarian jaw. The cold, blue, Bulgarian eyes. Yeah, he does look a lot like those pictures. Turn around, mister, your first name. What, uh, now wait, I... It's William, but what... Turn around, I said. There, there, the light is better. Lions, it must be. We found him right under our noses. You found what? Who? You. You are Prince William of the Royal Family of Burgavia. Now, back to Hoppillong Cassidy and our story. Hoppy meets his match. Hoppy and California's train trip to Albuquerque is strangely interrupted by the fabulous Princess Isselda Stuttgart, young owner of the huge crossed-arrow ranch. She announces that Hoppy is really a prince. Stop. Wait. Hold up. Whoa-ho! I will not hold up. Whoa. I have positive information that the heir to the title, Prince of Burgavia, is here in New Mexico. You are that prince. You are the image of your grandfather, whose picture I have in my possession. Hoppy, uh, you really... Oh, of course not, she's local. Fair prince, will you join my company? I have much to say to you. Now, let's be calm. My name's Cassidy. I'm a cow puncher. I'm not a prince of Burgavia or any other place. Now, good day. But the family resemblance, it is unmistakable. You must be. Princess Isselda, understand me. I don't want a title. I just want to be plain, half-along Cassidy. You, you prefer horses to me? Me, the princess Isselda? Well, now that you put it that way, well, so long, princess. Stay here in Albuquerque tonight. You know I just hate hotel rooms. Well, I'm not fond of myself, California. I want to give that stone bruise on Topper's hoof another day's rest before I ride him. All right there. But I sure don't like the fact that the princess and her crew get often here, too. That females get some kind of ideas about your tale. Uh-huh. I wonder why she took so much interest in me. My being a prince or not a prince wouldn't cause that kind of interest. And she said she'd been looking for me. Then you aren't Prince William. Hail to your fair prince. I'll hail you while you're... I'll put a whole front yard inside the green lizard. What is this? Uh-huh. Oh, who are you? I am Pasquale. Looking for a fight, Pasquale? Oh, no, Seniors. No, no. Pasquale is a man of peace. I've not killed a man in one, two, three years. Oh, he's weak now. That's good for you, eh? Oh, see, sometimes it's only one day. Always there is some hombre that wants to fight. Who, Pasquale, is what you say, the sheep? Goat. That's what I say. But I've not come to talk about sheep. I've come to tell you the most gracious princess he sold once on your dinner tonight. Happy, I told you. Uh-huh. Pasquale, tell the princess no thanks. It's not so. You come. He's so. We don't come. He's too bad. Pasquale gets so very mad. Oh, and Pasquale gets mad. All his vaqueros get mad, too. You come. He's so. We come. Prince William, I'm so delighted you decided to join us. Your invitation was hard to refuse. Dang near impossible. This is Papa Googie, my favorite uncle. Papa Googie's your uncle? Yeah, that is, I am called Papa Googie. But I am not Papa, but uncle. That is, Papa, call me. You understand? No? No. That's the problem with this country. No one can language the understand, but out I explain to myself what they are saying. You will have to excuse Papa Googie. He has newly arrived. But perhaps we should get down to business, Prince William. I don't suppose it's doing it good to tell you I am not a prince. After the proof, Devlin found in your saddlebags, not hardly. Proof? What are you talking about? The letters from your esteemed cousin, King of Burgavia. What? Oh, now, happy. Letters addressed to me? That's ridiculous. They were addressed dear cousin, naturally. But your possession of them plus your family characteristics is quite enough proof for me. But I am glad you are nice looking. It makes it much easier. Look, this joke has gone far enough. I am no prince, but I sure want some questions answered. Why the gunman to threaten us? Who planted letters in my saddlebags? Gunmen? You mean Devlin and Pasquale? Why ever since my father died a year ago, they have been perfect lands around me. Especially Devlin. That's interesting, but a little hard to believe. This whole thing is getting silly. Silly? Money is silly never. If you will only stop being so impatient and cooperate, I can assure you I have some reward. They are prince. Like what? A bullet in the back? Oh, my dear, no. Papa Googie and I have decided your share will be one million dollars. Paid in gold. Poppy, my ears is busted. Gosh, you should have heard what I thought I heard. I did. You did? Well, come on then. She's as low as two rain-tailed buzzards in a barrel of white mule. Wait. You gentlemen should first take a peek at the doorway. Pasquale. Devlin, look, he's come with the bank banks. What's the idea, princess? Just that you aren't leaving, my dear prince. I've no intentions of letting you escape and make me forfeit a fortune. Lady, ain't you forgetting you already got a fortune. What's that got to do with it? I want more. Sorry, not even for a million dollars do I want to get tied up in this deal. But it is perfectly honest. I swear it is. Sure, sure. It's a Sunday school picnic where all is truth and light. That's why you got gunmen at the doors. Where's your foreman, Lyons? He's the only one not around. He upstairs searching our room. Lyons, I sent home to take care of the ranch when Pasquale rode in. Please, this is very serious. And the offer of a million and gold stands. Devlin! Well, it can stand. You're crazy. He's a prince man. Yes, princess. Are you going back to the ranch okay? He is not. He is proving to be stubborn. I didn't tell you before, but the reason I wanted him... Don't matter to me, princess. Whatever you do is right, you know that. Well, this is still going to come as a shock. I am sorry, but it means millions to me. You should tell him why you stumble like a blushing maid, dairy. Well... Papa Googie, I think the princess is in love. Cassidy! Prince, you are overstepping yourself. Devlin, you may as well know it. I was going to wait until we were home, but, well, the prince, Cassidy and I are going to be married. Now. Wait a minute. But, Zell, you can't. He's a stranger. You just can't marry him. Please, stop all this babbling. Get me a minister, Zell, and hurry. Tell Pascual to leave his men around the hotel and at the stable where their horses are. I don't want them to escape. Bring the minister to my room. We'll hold the ceremonies there. Papa, my arm. What a wedding for a princess. Wait a minute. This is impossible. It's local. I won't do it. I will not. And you, is Zell the Marguerite stood guard? Take this man, William Cassidy, to be your lawful wedded husband. I... I do. You, William Cassidy, take this woman, the Zell the Marguerite stood guard, to be your lawful wedded wife. No. I had a boy hoppy. Sure he does preach. In five seconds you're going to be married for the deadest bachelor in New Mexico, Cassidy. Now, do you answer right or does this gun in your ribs go off? Shoot and be hanged. Better at least think of your partner. He gets it too if you don't say them words in pronto. This is hardly irregular. Perhaps... Hoppy. Don't mind me. Don't... Shut up. Well, Cassidy? I'll restate the question. And do you, William Cassidy, take this woman, is Zell the Marguerite stood guard, to be your lawful wedded wife? Um... I do. Then I now pronounce you man and wife. Now, back to hop along Cassidy and our story, Hoppy meets his match. On the way back to the bar 20, Hoppy is taken to be Prince William of Pergavia by Princess Iselda Stuttgart, owner of the huge crossed-arrow ranch. Further proof was found planted in Hoppy's saddlebags, whereupon the Princess Iselda promptly offered him a million dollars in gold to cooperate. Hoppy refused, but under threat of death to California, he gives in and finds himself now the husband of Princess Iselda. It is an unhappy newlywed that now rides to the crossed-arrow. Gee, Hoppy, ah, oh, excuse me, Prince Hoppy, this ain't so bad. Now he own half of the crossed-arrow. You're rich. Yeah. We can't hear for tonight. I'm afraid your night will be slightly uncomfortable. I shall have to have you tied up and guarded. Will you mind so terribly? Ha, ha, ha, mind. Princess, I'll be delighted. It seems like a darn uncomfortable way to treat a prince and his partner. Tell him to let us loose. These ropes hurt. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Not on your life. I know when I'm well off. Besides, as long as they're not watching us, we may be able to escape. Not watching? Hoppy, ain't you forgetting Mr. Hecht Devlin is sitting there a glaring at us? Hardly. I'm depending on him. You're sure? Sure. Hey, psst, Devlin. What is it? Come on over. What do you want? I figure it's what you want, Devlin. You're in love with the Princess, aren't you? Very funny. Suppose I am. You'd like to see us out of the way, then. If you were to untie our ropes and look the other way, I can promise you I'd ride out of her life for good. All right, I'll do it. But by heaven, you'd better be right. Here, cut your ropes. There. It does it. Ah, thanks, Devlin. We'll never forget this. Wait. There's one thing about this you should know. Hoppy, basketball's getting up. Sorry, Devlin. No time for it now. Come on, California. Good luck. Hey, what is this? The horses. Don't wake the saddle. Stop. Devlin, shoot. We must stop them. Come on, Devlin. Hoppy, that sure was an error escape. My legs are nearly busted from hugging this slick-sided critter. Well, it's daylight. I guess we can take a chance now and begin to circle around as soon as we get through this draw. You mean we've been traveling away from the bar 20? Yeah, we had to lose Pasquale on these men. Ah, but we're free now. They'll never catch us. Hoppy, there's your men of hoppers in the sides of the draw. Freeze and pull up those horses. It's lions. Welcome to the Crossed Arrow. When you're home, Prince. So you caught us. How'd you know we'd escape? I didn't. The princess sent a fast rider ahead of the main party with the news about your marriage. I was heading out to meet him when you come riding along. You're unlucky we didn't have no guns. You wouldn't have took us so easy. I don't get it. You two have plenty of nerve. Well, here's where you stay. Ah, thanks a lot. Nothing like a dirty storehouse for comfort. You know, I can't figure out, Cassidy. Why are you so set against getting a free million? Plus the prettiest young gal in the territory for a wife. You wouldn't understand, lion. Well, you're nuts, Cassidy. This deal is nothing but good for you. Maybe I don't like being framed or forced into things. And, mister, I am warning you. If I don't get some satisfaction soon, I'm gonna take you and this spread apart piece by piece, guns or no guns. The lines you better get and get fast. Yeah, well, yes, yes, perhaps you'll work. Hmm, hoppy, don't scare me like that. I thought you was gonna jump him for sure, gun and all. I was. And next time, maybe I will. Yeah, next time he comes in that door, I'm gonna get the truth out of him if I have to swallow six slugs to do it. We jump him, right? Yeah. Papa Googie. We thought it was a lion. Well, maybe it's just as well. You wanna know some answers, Papa Googie? Start talking. Talking? I'm being dead to kill. Only once I am talking. You're a prince. You are no gentleman. Never mind that. Tell me what this is all about or I'll... Wait, wait. That is... I am hereby. Go on and make it short. It is short. It is not my niece, your wife. She is nearly 21 age of years. Well, what's that got to do with this? Please, please, I am telling. I learned in Frankovia a few months ago that the royal treasury voted my niece a dowry of 600 million facetas. I hasten here to come. 600 million? How much is that in American denaro? Denaro? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. In American it is five million dollars. You mean she gets five million dollars when she gets married? Well, it is supposedly her husband that money he receives. Hoppy, that's you. You get five million dollars. It's not, not so, not quite. My niece feels that one is a fair share to you. When four, she will keep for herself. But why me? Why was I picked? And what's all this business about my being a prince? How about you? Ah, that is why you were picked. According to ancient custom, to receive her dowry, the princess of Frankovia must marry before she is 21. And enter the royal family of Bocavia. You are the last line of that member. But those letters were fakes. I'm not the prince. Papa Googie, tell me, what happens as a result of the marriage? Nothing is happening. You and my niece go to Frankovia, show that you are married, which is six hundred million for cedars. So that's it. We have to go and leave the ranch. Papa Googie, take us to the princes at once. Who should you not make trouble, Plenty? We won't, but someone else may. Come on, I'm going to bust a frame up wide open. And that's the story, princess. Those letters were made up beforehand, and as soon as you found someone who looked apart, they were planted to make sure you were taken in. You mean they are forgeries? But Papa Googie, you said the prince was here in New Mexico. Yes, many, many in New Mexico. He was here. But where? Prince, that is Mr. Cassidy. That is husband. Why was this done? Why were the letters planted? To make sure you married the supposed prince and left for Francovia. This pasquale is a big time out law. And running the southern half of your spread, he could clean you out. So, this pasquale that is full of yours. Now, stand very still or I'll shoot the ears off. Yeah, I accuse you, pasquale. You tried to get half the cross there by winning the princess and marriage. But Devlin was the better man. She fell for him. And he was too dangerous for you to try and brace so you framed me. But that's ridiculous. Pasquale didn't even know about my dowry and its condition. It's true. How do you explain that to your prince? Simple. The same way I explained how the letters were planted in my saddlebags before you arrived in Albuquerque. You weren't the brains of this plot. Only the guns and muscle. But if he is not, who is? The one man who had to know what was planned. The man who was to be left in charge of the range. Liands. He knew about it. I told him. Check your form and Liands. He and Pasquale cooked up the deal together. With you, your husband and Papa Googie gone, they would have stolen every head of stock you have. The biggest wrestling scheme on record. Ah, sir, this is the story. You can prove this thing? Naturally. Liands confessed fast when he thought I was going to persuade him. California is guarding him now. I see. His plan, you had a hard month in your... and you know the cards when you see them. You picked bad partners, Pasquale. Liands showed the White Feather the first time we met. He talked all right. Talked you right in the prison. Isn't that so? Come in, senor. Quickly. You follow me? Wait a minute. Now, now, you will act as shield. You'll be very careful as we move back. It's not his fault. If I hadn't been such a greedy little fool, I'd never have married him. Listen to her, not your fault, she says. You're the one thing that we don't think of. An honest man. He's fooling me. Pasquale, you can't get away. Devlin Bar. Devlin Bar. You're a very smart man. He's too bad you will now be very dead one, too. That is far enough. Now I make a widow of your lovely wife. Pasquale. Devlin, stand still, Casley. You are my shield, remember? Drop those guns, Pasquale. I'm coming for you. Come along. I am waiting. You can kill Casady for me. Get back, Devlin. He'll kill you. Get back. Two hop along, Casady. Casady, you all right? Sure, but Pasquale's mighty dead, I'm afraid. That was nice shooting. Hey, you're hit. I just winged my arm. You acted quick, falling like that. Gave me just the second I needed. Your men got Pasquale's by carols in hand? Like a bunch of lambs. There won't be any trouble without Pasquale to lead him. And a few of my men that were for lions have left for cooler climates. That reminds me. I had to go tell lions that Pasquale confessed everything. But I was listening outside. You told Pasquale that lions had done the confessing. I didn't exactly tell you the truth. Pasquale knew lions was a coward. He had to believe me. Devlin, you're wounded. Oh, it's all my fault. I feel like such a little fool. You sure acted the part, honey. But you won't anymore. You're going to be a lady if it kills you. Well, I was grateful. But if you're going to act so impertinent, Mr. Devlin, I'll... You shut up, first thing, and come here. Oh, yes. Yes. What a spot for a husband. Oh, I forgot. I can't kiss you. I'm his wife. Shut up and pucker up. That minister was a phony. I hired him to fake the marriage. He's really Albuquerque's undertaker. Undertaker? I had to, honey. I tried to stop you from marrying Cassidy. You were just stubborn enough to fire me and really get hitched. You ain't marrying nobody but me, Savvy. Aye, Savvy, boss. Cassidy, I'd admire it if you'd stand up for me. Stand up for you. Man, I'm going to give the bride away. Well, Hoppy's royal welcome turned into a not-so-welcome brush with death. And it didn't take long to prove that Hoppy hadn't met his match. Hoppy and California ride into another exciting adventure when they meet up with a girl gunfighter and Indians on the warpath and discover that apaches don't need guns. Hoppe along Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is transcribed and produced in the West by Walter White Jr. Hoppy meets his match was written by Herb Purdom with original music under the personal direction of Albert Glasser. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mulford. This is a Commodore production.