The Mortgage: A Fight for Survival in Dodge City

In "The Mortgage," an intense episode of "Gunsmoke" originally aired on October 24, 1952, Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself caught between the law and his conscience as a ruthless foreclosure threatens to destroy a struggling family.

Caleb Andrews, a cold and calculating man, arrives in Dodge City with a court order in hand, ready to evict the Blake family from their farm. Despite Ed Blake's best efforts to pay off his $420 mortgage, Andrews refuses to grant him the time needed to settle his debt. With the law on his side, Andrews is determined to take possession of the Blake family farm, no matter the cost to the people living there.

As Marshal Dillon learns of the situation, he sympathizes with the Blakes and their plight. He knows that with a little more time, Ed Blake could pay off his debt, but Andrews is unyielding. The tension mounts as Dillon wrestles with the moral implications of enforcing the law versus doing what he knows is right for the Blakes.

Written by Les Crutchfield, "The Mortgage" is a powerful exploration of justice, compassion, and the harsh realities of frontier life. The episode also features a mysterious subplot involving a well-dressed stranger who arrives in town, deeply interested in a past newspaper article—a detail that adds layers of intrigue to the unfolding drama.

Join us for this compelling episode where legal rights clash with human decency, and where Marshal Dillon must navigate the treacherous waters of duty and empathy. Whether you’re a fan of Westerns, classic radio dramas, or stories of moral dilemmas, "The Mortgage" is an episode that will resonate with you long after it ends.

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Click to listen and witness the struggle between law and compassion in "The Mortgage," a powerful episode of "Gunsmoke" where the stakes are as high as the prairie skies.