Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Original Airdate: Dec. 17, 1950 (radio classic)
Starring: John Dehner and Parley Baer
Escape's "Wild Jack Rhett" was adapted from the short story of the same name by Ernest Haycox, which was first published in Adventure (Sept. 1933). It can also be found in the book Rough Justice (1950), a collection of Haycox's short stories. Escape made almost no changes to the story in its adaptation.
As the episode opens, the townfolk of Red Mesa are burying their sheriff in the local graveyard. Afterwards, some of the local men gather to discuss hiring a new sheriff. The reformers want to hire a professional named Jack Rhett, but the saloon owner, Beau-Helen, wants to get a sheriff that won't scare people away. Matt Tavener, the U.S. Deputy Marshall for the district, also has concerns that hiring a professional killer like Rhett will attract outlaws who want to challenge him.
Three weeks later, Jack Rhett comes to town and the mayor explains their problem. Red Mesa, close to the Chisholm Trail, wants its visitors to have a good time but not wreak havoc on the community. Rhett accepts the job and goes to work with the understanding that he has complete authority.
The biggest problem to his authority is an outlaw named Todd Mallon, the man who killed the previous sheriff. Tavener wants to get him, but Rhett says that he’ll take care of the problem.
Original Airdate: Dec. 17, 1950 (radio classic)
Starring: John Dehner and Parley Baer
Escape's "Wild Jack Rhett" was adapted from the short story of the same name by Ernest Haycox, which was first published in Adventure (Sept. 1933). It can also be found in the book Rough Justice (1950), a collection of Haycox's short stories. Escape made almost no changes to the story in its adaptation.
As the episode opens, the townfolk of Red Mesa are burying their sheriff in the local graveyard. Afterwards, some of the local men gather to discuss hiring a new sheriff. The reformers want to hire a professional named Jack Rhett, but the saloon owner, Beau-Helen, wants to get a sheriff that won't scare people away. Matt Tavener, the U.S. Deputy Marshall for the district, also has concerns that hiring a professional killer like Rhett will attract outlaws who want to challenge him.
Three weeks later, Jack Rhett comes to town and the mayor explains their problem. Red Mesa, close to the Chisholm Trail, wants its visitors to have a good time but not wreak havoc on the community. Rhett accepts the job and goes to work with the understanding that he has complete authority.
The biggest problem to his authority is an outlaw named Todd Mallon, the man who killed the previous sheriff. Tavener wants to get him, but Rhett says that he’ll take care of the problem.
