In "Paid Killer," a thrilling episode of "Gunsmoke" originally aired on January 17, 1953, Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself in the crosshairs of a professional assassin, hired to eliminate him for a hefty sum of gold.

Lawson Hales, a man with deep pockets and a grudge, offers a staggering $5000 in gold to anyone who can take down Marshal Dillon. This price attracts a ruthless gunman who is more than willing to earn his blood money. As word of the bounty spreads, Dodge City becomes a ticking time bomb, with Matt Dillon walking a fine line between life and death.

As Matt prepares for the inevitable showdown, the tension builds to a fever pitch. The town of Dodge becomes a stage for a deadly game of cat and mouse, where every shadow could hide a killer and every stranger could be out for blood. With his life on the line, Matt must rely on his instincts, skills, and the support of his closest allies to survive.

Written by Les Crutchfield and directed by Norman Macdonnell, "Paid Killer" is a gripping tale of danger, betrayal, and the high stakes of frontier justice. The episode's intense atmosphere and relentless suspense make it a standout in the "Gunsmoke" series, showcasing the perilous life of a lawman in the Old West.

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Click to listen and witness the deadly tension in "Paid Killer," where a bounty on Marshal Dillon's head threatens to bring chaos to Dodge City in this nail-biting episode of "Gunsmoke."