We are down to seven episodes. I've been putting off posting "Golden Snake" for a long time because I've never been too confident that I understand it completely.
The episode opens in Merida, Mexico. Dr. Conrad, archaeologist, wants to visit an ancient Mayan temple hidden in the Yucatan jungle, so he hires a helicopter pilot named Steve to fly him there. Dr. Conrad's real purpose is to violate their most sacred shrine and steal an object precious to the Mayan people.
In the dark of night, an ancient Mayan appears in Steve's room. He warns Steve not to visit the temple, and makes it clear that the "plumed serpent of gold" must lie hidden for 5000 years--and the time is not yet. To alter the time is to die!"
Dr. Conrad has a similar visit and dies from fright. Are the Mayan legends that surround the temple true? Steven and Dr. Conrad's sexy assistant, Gail, discuss going to the temple on their own. They want to get the artifact and sell it on their own for about two million.
Steve then delivers this epic bit of dialogue:
"Look, Honey, look...I've got a helicopter out there at the edge of town. Within 200 miles there is fortune for the taking. Baby, I've been broke too much of my life to back down for a few pipe dreams and heart attack. How about it, Baby, huh?"
Gail agrees and they hop in the helicopter and fly out to the temple...and I can't explain the rest of what happens.
"Golden Snake" was produced/directed by William N. Robson. Les Crutchfield adapted for radio from an original story by Paul Pierce. Featured in the cast were Tony Barrett as Steve Lane, Jeannette Nolan as Gail Barry and John Hoyt as Dr. Conrad. Also appearing were Rick Valen, Harry Bartell and Paul Frees. This episode aired on April 14, 1950.
. Download Escape_1950-04-14_ Golden Snake
(Image from Wikipedia)
What's scarier than vampires, werewolves, and Jack the Ripper? No, not the IRS - MAYANS! lol
I think this is an ok episode. It was a little confusing at first, but I think I finally got a handle on it.
Basically, there is a cult of Mayans who still worship this plumed snake god. Through ancient Mayan hoodoo anyone who has Mayan blood in their veins will be compelled to protect the statue of their god.
What I think happens at the end:
- The previously modern and skeptical Gail is returned to her people. The narrator even says "They were waiting on her" or some such.
- The Mayans kill a lot of people, but only after giving them plenty of warning. I assume that the narrator was spared because of Gail and their own reluctance to kill.
- Not only was he spared, he was also brought out of the jungle by them, and turned over to a farmer. A farmer who also shares Mayan ancestry.
- As for why the narrator could never find the temple again, well, you have to take into account the fact that the only thing Mayans excelled at beyond human sacrifice and pyramid building was playing hide and seek. Ok, maybe that isn't a hard scientific fact, so lets just chalk it up to some more of that Pre-Columbian mojo.
Posted by: Atoz | May 06, 2018 at 06:03 AM