One of the best known episodes of the early years of “Gunsmoke” which combined a gritty story, excellent sound patterns and great acting was “The Cabin” which was broadcast on December 27, 1952. It was aired on CBS Radio a week after a Christmas episode that producer Norman MacDonnell thought was very sweet and he wanted the show to get back to its realistic and often disturbing elements.

During a fierce winter storm Matt seeks shelter in a cabin in which two psychopathic bandits have enslaved and repeatedly molested a young woman after murdering her father.