In this riveting episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon watches as the frontier legal system is twisted into a weapon of injustice. When Homer Tisdale, a starving homesteader, is accused of stealing a handful of potatoes, Matt refuses to jail him. But days later, Homer is charged with a far worse crime—robbing the stage office and murdering Charlie Reynolds.

Despite his protests of innocence, Homer is swiftly put on trial before the newly arrived Judge Stokes, a man whose interest in whiskey far outweighs his interest in the law. With two supposed eyewitnesses—storekeeper Van Walcott and stage agent Jay Buford—testifying against him, the outcome seems inevitable. But the true injustice unfolds when Homer’s court-appointed lawyer refuses to mount any defense at all.

As Matt investigates, he realizes that the real criminals are the very men accusing Homer. Walcott, Buford, and Judge Stokes are all part of a conspiracy to steal $10,000 from the stage office—and pin the crime on a man too poor and powerless to fight back. In a dramatic climax, Matt corners the conspirators, exposing their plot and arresting the corrupt judge in a rare act of frontier justice.

This episode is a gripping examination of power, corruption, and the resilience of one man standing against a broken system.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke The Trial episode," "March 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon vs corrupt Judge Stokes," "Homer Tisdale framed for murder," "Dodge City stage office robbery," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts," "classic Western radio drama."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Lawrence Dobkin, Vic Perrin, John Dehner, Harry Bartell.

In this tragic episode of Gunsmoke, a drifter named Andy Travis finds himself at the mercy of Dodge City’s justice system after a self-defense killing in a saloon. Marshal Matt Dillon sees something in Andy—a young man who doesn’t want to live by the gun—and offers him a fresh start. Andy gives up his weapon and finds work at the stable, determined to leave his violent past behind.

But trouble soon arrives in the form of Joe Kite, a bounty hunter who claims that Andy isn’t just a drifting cowboy—he’s Andy Haycox, a wanted outlaw from Wyoming. When Kite guns Andy down in cold blood, he smugly demands his reward, believing himself to be justified in the killing.

As Andy lies dying, he reveals to Matt that he had indeed been part of an outlaw gang—but had left before they committed murder. He wanted to start over, but his past caught up with him too soon. In a final act of frontier justice, Matt ensures Kite never sees a dime of the bounty money, branding him as nothing more than a thief with blood on his hands.

This episode explores themes of redemption, fate, and the cruel consequences of a man trying to escape his past.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Kite’s Reward episode," "March 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon Andy Travis story," "Joe Kite bounty hunter injustice," "Western redemption and tragedy," "Dodge City outlaw bounty drama," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Sam Edwards, Joe Duvall, John Dehner, Vic Perrin.

Originally Aired: February 26, 1955

Crack-Up: The Gunman’s Last Stand:

In this intense episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon confronts Nate Springer, a once-feared gunman whose reputation for being nerveless is crumbling fast. When Springer arrives in Dodge City, his erratic behavior and quick temper reveal a man haunted by his past. He’s no longer the cold-blooded killer people once whispered about—now, he’s unpredictable and dangerous in a different way.

Matt tries to keep the peace as Springer lashes out at innocent townsfolk, nearly killing a young girl and even shooting a harmless dog in a fit of paranoia. But the final twist comes when Matt learns that Springer wasn’t hired by anyone else—he hired himself. Springer’s real mission is to face Matt Dillon in a gunfight, hoping that defeating the Marshal will restore the nerve he lost in prison.

The story builds to a tense showdown on Front Street, where Springer forces Matt’s hand. But the confrontation doesn’t end the way Springer hopes. Instead, it marks the tragic end of a man who couldn’t outrun his own fear.

This gripping episode delves into the psychological unraveling of a man once feared across the West, highlighting the toll that violence and a life of crime can take on the human spirit.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Crack-Up episode," "February 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon vs Nate Springer," "gunman loses nerve Gunsmoke," "Dodge City shootout drama," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts," "classic Western radio series."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, John Dehner, Harry Bartell.

In this tragic episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself entangled in a deadly love triangle that ends in murder. Willie Calhoun, a lonely homesteader, arrives in Dodge City determined to marry Pearl Bender, a saloon girl he believes returns his affections. But Pearl has long been involved with the volatile and controlling Web Thorne, a gambler who has no intention of letting her go.

Calhoun, armed and stubborn, refuses to accept reality, threatening anyone who might stand in his way. Matt steps in to prevent bloodshed, forcing Pearl to choose once and for all. To Calhoun’s devastation, Pearl refuses his proposal, leaving him heartbroken and humiliated.

Days later, Matt is awakened by news of a shooting—Pearl has been gunned down in her own home. With her dying breath, she names her killer: Willie Calhoun. Fueled by grief and rage, Matt and Chester track Calhoun to his homestead, where the truth is finally revealed—Calhoun had meant to kill Web Thorne, not Pearl. In a cruel twist of fate, his blind devotion to Pearl led to her death by his own hand.

This haunting episode explores themes of obsession, jealousy, and the irreversible consequences of a man unable to let go of love.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Poor Pearl episode," "February 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon Willie Calhoun tragedy," "Pearl Bender and Web Thorne," "Western love triangle gone wrong," "Dodge City murder mystery," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Vic Perrin, Virginia Christine, Harry Bartell.

In one of the most harrowing episodes of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon faces a race against time when Chester Proudfoot is taken hostage by a pair of ruthless killers. After arresting Jim Kando, a wanted murderer, Matt believes the case is closed—until he discovers that Kando’s partner, Lee Binders, is still at large and willing to do anything to break him out of jail.

When Binders and a hired gunman, Jack Haney, ambush Chester inside the jail, Matt is forced into a brutal standoff. The outlaws demand Kando’s release, but Matt refuses, knowing it would spell disaster for Dodge City. As tensions reach a boiling point, the killers resort to a terrifying strategy—stringing Chester up with a noose, threatening to hang him unless Matt hands over the cell key.

With Chester’s life hanging in the balance, Matt refuses to back down, relying on quick thinking and the element of surprise to turn the tables. In a final, heart-stopping moment, the tide shifts as Matt and his men overpower the outlaws, saving Chester from the gallows just in time. Kando, now desperate, turns on Binders, ensuring they both face justice.

This gripping episode showcases Matt Dillon’s unwavering resolve, Chester’s quiet bravery, and the deadly consequences of frontier justice.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Chester’s Hanging episode," "February 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon Jim Kando arrest," "Lee Binders jail escape plot," "Western hostage crisis drama," "Dodge City hanging standoff," "classic John Meston Gunsmoke scripts."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Paul Dubov, Clayton Post, James Nusser, Joe Cranston.

Marshal Matt Dillon stumbles upon the gruesome remains of a homestead massacre north of Dodge, the work of a well-armed Cheyenne war party. But when Matt and Chester investigate further, they discover a chilling truth—these Cheyennes weren’t just armed with traditional bows and arrows; they carried Spencer repeating rifles. Someone has been selling weapons to the tribes, fueling unrest and setting the stage for a violent uprising.

As Matt and Chester follow the trail of the gunrunners, they cross paths with a newly stationed cavalry unit, led by the overly cautious Captain Nichols. Misunderstanding Matt’s presence at the scene, Nichols arrests him and Chester, believing they might be connected to the illicit weapons trade. But once Major Honeyman intervenes, Matt is released and given permission to investigate deeper.

Risking his life, Matt ventures into a Cheyenne reservation to speak with Chief Long Robe, an old friend. Long Robe confirms that a rogue band of Cheyennes, led by a young warrior named Stone Eagle, has been receiving shipments of rifles at a secret meeting point near Rock Mound. With a war on the horizon, Matt and Chester must track the gunrunners before the weapons fall into more hands.

In a high-stakes ambush, Matt and Chester intercept the criminals at a hidden cabin just as a wagonload of rifles arrives. A gunfight erupts, leaving the gunrunners dead—but with Cheyenne scouts already watching, Matt knows it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the war party arrives. Just when all seems lost, Captain Nichols and his cavalry troop appear, scattering the warriors before they can retrieve the weapons.

With Stone Eagle out of ammunition, the threat of an all-out war is narrowly avoided, but Matt is left reflecting on the fragile peace in the West, where one bad deal can mean the difference between survival and destruction.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Cheyennes episode," "February 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon and Chief Long Robe," "Stone Eagle Cheyenne uprising," "gunrunners selling rifles to Indians," "Dodge City cavalry conflict," "classic Western radio series."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Ralph Moody, Florence Dobkin, Barney Phillips, Vic Perrin.

In this dramatic episode of Gunsmoke, a tragic love story unfolds as Marshal Matt Dillon investigates the murder of Jesse Wheat, a rancher found shot in his buggy. Suspicion quickly falls on two cowboys, Jim Box and Rod Allison, who worked for Wheat and were the last to see him alive. However, as Matt digs deeper, he discovers that the case is more complicated than it seems.

The investigation takes an emotional turn when Matt learns that Rod is in love with Jesse's young widow, Anna. As Matt tightens the noose around the suspects, Box turns violent, attempting to eliminate anyone who might expose his crimes. In a deadly showdown, Matt takes Box down, leaving Rod alone to face the law.

Wounded and desperate, Rod proclaims his innocence, and Anna pleads for Matt to believe him. In an unexpected act of mercy, Matt allows Rod to recover under Anna's care, with the understanding that when he’s well, he must return to Dodge—to either face justice or marry the woman he loves.

This episode weaves together themes of justice, redemption, and the power of love in a world where the law is often unforgiving.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Young Love episode," "January 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon Jesse Wheat murder," "Jim Box Rod Allison showdown," "Western love and justice drama," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts," "classic Western radio series."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Sam Edwards, Eleanor Tannen, Vic Perrin, Don Diamond, Frank Cady.

In this powerful episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon steps in to protect Dan Daggett and his Kiowa wife, Rose, as they face mounting hostility in Dodge City. The tension ignites when the hotel owner, Dobie, learns that Rose is the daughter of Yellow Horse, a Kiowa chief involved in deadly raids years earlier. Prejudice and resentment bubble to the surface, threatening the couple’s safety.

When Rose is kidnapped by two men intent on humiliation and revenge, she manages to escape with her dignity intact, but her husband vows retribution. Rose, in a desperate attempt to shield Dan from the consequences of his anger, takes justice into her own hands, confronting her tormentors with fatal results.

This episode examines themes of prejudice, loyalty, and justice in the harsh environment of the Old West, culminating in a poignant and thought-provoking conclusion.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Sins of the Fathers episode," "January 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon protects Dan and Rose Daggett," "Yellow Horse Kiowa chief storyline," "Western justice and prejudice," "Dodge City racial tension drama," "classic John Meston Gunsmoke scripts."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Ralph Moody, Virginia Christine, Harry Bartell, Vic Perrin.

Originally Aired: January 15, 1955

Chester’s Murder: A Frame-Up Exposed:

In this gripping episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon must prove Chester’s innocence when he is accused of murdering Charlie Pickard, a gambler with a violent temper. The evidence seems damning—Chester’s gun was used, and witnesses like Sam Noonan believe he is guilty. But Matt trusts Chester’s word that he was knocked out before the crime occurred.

As Matt investigates, he uncovers a tangled web of jealousy and deceit involving Jake Buley and Nita Tucker, a woman caught between conflicting loyalties. Nita’s cryptic warnings lead Matt to a tense midnight confrontation, where the truth about the real killer is revealed. In a dramatic standoff, Matt captures Jake, clearing Chester’s name and restoring justice to Dodge City.

This episode highlights themes of loyalty, trust, and the pursuit of truth, showcasing the strong bond between Matt and Chester in the face of overwhelming odds.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Chester’s Murder episode," "January 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon investigates Chester’s innocence," "Charlie Pickard gambler murder," "Jake Buley Nita Tucker conflict," "classic Western radio drama," "John Meston Gunsmoke scripts."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Vic Perrin, Lawrence Dobkin, James Nusser, Joyce McCluskey.

Originally Aired: January 8, 1955

Robin Hood: A Thief Unmasked:

In this riveting episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon faces off against Teddy Blue Fisher, a charismatic outlaw with a reputation for robbing the rich and sparing the poor, earning comparisons to the legendary Robin Hood. But when Fisher's true nature is revealed, his carefully crafted image as a gentleman bandit begins to unravel.

The episode begins with Fisher holding up a stagecoach, singling out a wealthy banker as his only target and sparing the other passengers. His gallant demeanor and clever tactics win the admiration of the downtrodden, who offer him protection and support. However, Matt suspects that Fisher’s benevolence masks a far darker reality.

When Fisher attempts to rob a trusting homesteading couple under the guise of camaraderie, Matt and Chester intervene in the nick of time. Fisher’s brutal intentions shatter his reputation, exposing him as a cold-blooded thief willing to kill to satisfy his greed. The episode culminates in a tense confrontation, where Matt captures Fisher and ensures his actions will be judged in the light of truth.

This episode explores themes of deception, hero worship, and the fine line between myth and reality, offering a powerful commentary on the dangers of misplaced loyalty.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Robin Hood episode," "January 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon Teddy Blue Fisher showdown," "Western Robin Hood tale Gunsmoke," "homesteader robbery plot," "classic Western radio series," "John Meston Gunsmoke drama."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Helen Kleeb, Joe Cranston.