Have Gun – Will Travel
Three Bells to Perdido
by
Have Gun – Will Travel follows Paladin, a cultured and resourceful gun-for-hire based at San Francisco’s Hotel Carlton. A former Army officer and West Point graduate, he takes on jobs for people who need protection or help, carrying a calling card marked with a chess knight and the words “Have Gun – Will Travel.” John Dehner gives Paladin a composed, thoughtful presence, balancing his skill with a gun against his education, wit, and sense of fairness.
Each radio story begins with a request for Paladin’s services and leads him into a new conflict, often far from San Francisco. The situations draw on the Western frontier’s dangers and social tensions, while giving Paladin room to negotiate, investigate, or fight when necessary. His exchanges with the hotel’s Chinese bellhop, Hey Boy, and his correspondence with Miss Wong add familiar touches to the changing adventures.
The series combines action with moral questions and a polished, literate style. Paladin is neither a simple lawman nor a hired gun without principles: he weighs each assignment and often challenges the assumptions of the people who employ him. The result is a Western drama shaped as much by character and conversation as by suspense and gunplay.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
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