Gunsmoke: Gentleman's Disagreement

and the territory on West. There's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with the US Marshal and the smell of gun smoke. During William Conrad, the story of the violence that moved West with Young America, the story of a man who moved with it, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal.

Good morning, Miss Wells. Good morning, Chester. Matt, I've got to talk to you. Sure. Chester. You folks will have to excuse me. I can't be puttering around the office all day. I'll be in the back if you want me.

Matt, he's here in Dodge City. I just saw him. He came in on the morning train. You mean that boatary? Yes. It's been four years, Matt. I'd begun to hope he'd forget. Hope he wouldn't find us.

From what you've told me, boatary doesn't sound like a man who ever forgets. He's come here looking for Bert to kill him. He swore he would. Nat, what are we going to do? I don't know. What's Bert think about it?

He doesn't know yet. He's busy at the blacksmith shop. Nat, you've got to help us. You're the only real friend we have out here. It might make it easier if I weren't, Janie. I'm supposed to maintain law and order and, uh, just my job.

Doesn't leave much leeway to mix in on personal corals. Well, there's no corals. It's stuff that Ed Bodrie's a hot-tempered fool. Bert never did anything to him. He married you, didn't he? A woman has a right to change her mind, Matt.

Maybe Bodrie doesn't think so. Matt, you... you promised me once in Louisville. Yeah. All right, Jeannie, go on home and don't say anything to Bert. I'll talk to Bodrie. Thank you. I'll never forget it. I.

Goodbye man. Chester. Yes or I'll be right there. Mr. Dylan. Did Miss Wells leave. Yeah. Find couple of wells is. It did you know them before they came out West? I'm not bird I do miss as well.

I guess we better drop over to the Texas Trail Chester. There's a fellow in town planning to do some killing. And a long time. Hello Chester. Miss Kitty? Come sit on that. Tell me about things.

I can't write, not Kitty. We're looking for a fellow who might have come in here. Soon or later, they all do. Strange your math? Yeah, he came in on the morning train. His name's Ed Bulldry.

Oh, him? There, the bar mat. Third from the end, next to Tulsa, Jim Nixon. He's buying Irish whiskey for everybody. Thank you, Kitty. Come on, just, yes, sir. Watch yourself, Max. Yeah, sure, Kitty. I'll see you later.

All right, boss. Let us set up another round of Jamesons for the house. Your name, Bodri. Well, that's right, Mr. Matt Dillon. I'm a U.S. Marshal here. I'd like to talk to you. Fine. Go ahead and talk.

Uh, Tulsa, suppose you'll move on down the bar for a couple of minutes, huh? Well, well, I'm... Dear Marshal, this man's a friend of mine. You're not very particular about your friends. I go on Tulsa drift.

Mr. Bodri, you, uh... You came here to kill Birdwells, didn't you? Dead-eye? Well, here's some advice. Don't do it. Take the next train and get out of town. Is that official? Is what's the charge, Moshe?

None. Yet. Murder if he goes through it. Oh, not the way I understand it. Murder's one thing. Call on the man in a fair fight. That's another thing. Bodri, I'm the law here in Dodge, and I don't see it as a fair fight.

a fair fight. Bert's a blacksmith and he's not used to handling a gun. You are. And so I'm told. Who told you, Marshall? I don't know anybody here. Wait a minute, Dylan? Yeah. I heard Jeannie mention you. You knew up back in Louisville before she ran off. We'll leave her out of this, Puerto Rico. So that's it. This isn't official. You're just doing a personal

favor for an old friend. Probably a very close friend. She always did have a week. I warned you. Once. You once. All right. Hold it. Now get up, Boudry. That was a mistake, Dylan. Now I had to kill you too.

I'm not a blacksmith, Boudry. I'll look you up just as soon as I've finished with Bert Wells. If you kill Bert, you won't have to look me up. See you come here. Uh, hi. What did it talk to you, Bert?

Well, what, Matt? Ed Baudry's in town. Baudry? Well, it was bound to happen sometime. Has he been bothering Jeannie? No, she just happened to see him get off the train this morning. She came and told me.

She shouldn't have done it, Matt. It's not your problem. Maybe it is, Bert. I'm the law on dodge, and the law doesn't like the idea of personal grudges and without the make-kill them. What are you able to do?

I'll be prevented if I can. Well, I wish you luck. You haven't worn that gun for two years, Bert, when I start now. I've got no choice, Matt. You know that? You mean you got no chance.

If you let Baudry call a showdown, he'll kill you. Maybe? Look, Bert, why don't you take to the prairie, hold up for a week or so, while I figure somewhere you're running Baudry out of town, huh?

Would you do it, Matt? Hide out and let somebody else do your fighting for you. Well, what I do is... That was side the point, Bert. Jeannie. That's a law against killing. And it's Matt's job to enforce it.

If you went away, there wouldn't be any fight. Wouldn't be much honor either, Jeannie. Man can't run and still call himself a man. He can run from a mad dog. And that's what Ed Bodrie is.

He never had any claim on me. It appears he thought he did. Matt, you know where Baudry's staying? I talked to him in the Texas Trail. He probably took one of the rooms upstairs. Like to walk over there with me?

If that's the way you want it. No, Bred, you... I'll get my hat. Be right with you. Matt, you've got to stop it. Yeah? How? I don't know. But there must be something you can do.

Yeah, there is. Boy, it's shaping up. I can probably arrest the survivor. survivor. Still time to turn back for it. Bradenott met. Should have had it out with Baudry back then Kentucky five years ago.

Jeanne wanted to run away and avoid trouble and she was so beautiful it was hard to argue with her. Yeah, I know. Be hard on her if anything happened to you. That's always hard on a woman, I guess.

Works out here on the prairie. Look out for Matt in case I... Will I mean it for anything? Mr. Dillon? Oh, what is it, Chester? Boldry left the saloon a little while ago. Went over to the liver stable to hire a horse, huh?

I think he's riding out to your place, Mr. Wells. He's been doing a lot of talking. Gene, he'll be there alone, Matt. I better get back home. Don't be necessary. Here comes Bullry now. I won't draw unless he does.

Meh, heads up Chester. Yes, you do. Just riding out the car on you, Wells. I decided you'd had plenty of time to look me up. No reason to, Bullry. Most men had figured they had reason.

Somebody been in a local saloon. Tell them their wife's history. What, Ray? Bullry, you all right? Hold it. Don't draw, Bert. Just a cover, Bullry. Just keep your hands still, Mr. Bodie. You're faster than that gun, Dylan.

Fast enough, Mr. Bodie. You make a good body, God. Too bad you can't ride her 24 hours a day. I told you what to expect if you keep pushing this thing, Mr. Bodie. Now, you'll some sense and get out of town while you're still alive.

I've been in lots of towns, Dylan. I left him all alive. Well, I've been planning to kill you for five years. Plans don't always work out. Listen, Will, you've got till sundown. After that, I'm going to shoot you on sight.

All right, Mr. Bodrie. If you've finished speaking your piece, move along. Why, surely, Mr. Dillon. See you later. Still a couple hours before sundown. I'd like to spend the more genie. I'll see you, Matt.

Yes, sure. Goodbye, Bert. I declare I just can't see any way of stopping it, Mr. John. I can't either. I'd sure hate to be in Bertwell's issues. I'd hate worse to be in Bodries. He'll never submit to arrest.

Chester, I'm gonna have to kill him. Why don't you relax, Matt? You're nervous with a cat. Yeah, and I'll stay nervous, kitty, Kitty until I find out what's happened to those two. O'Dry slipped off the back way just a desk.

Channel players saw him. Yeah. A bird pulled the same trick. I had a couple of boys watching the blacksmith's shop, but he managed to give them the suit. There's nothing you can do now, man.

Another killin'. And you in the middle again. Why, Matt? What do you do? It's a job, Kitty. Somebody's gotta do it. But why you? There are the things in light of you look around for him.

Man. Will you look my way Matt? Well Matt! I brought McKitt, all prepared. Ah, where are the victims? No victims yet, Doc, you're jumping the gun. And I understand there's going to be a real showdown.

The boys at the bar are offering two to one on Baudre. That's about the odds I figure, the shooting really starts. Oh, a little star out of that one. There's not a thing the world can stop it.

Chester, what are you doing in here? I told you to watch that street. Yes sir, I know you do. There's likely to start out there as anyplace else. No, Mr. Dylan. I guess there's not gonna be any fight.

What? They just found both relying an alley down the block. Meh. Somebody sneaked up behind him with a hammer. He sure did. We'll return for the second act of gun smoke in just a moment, but first, what is the connection between the statue and the square and a pair of thugs who are definitely not

on the square with the law. Tonight on Gangbusters, here the complete details of this exciting case taken from actual police files. Remember, it's Gangbusters later tonight on most of these same CBS radio stations. Don't miss it.

Now, the second act of gun smoke. No light showing around the house, Mr. Dylan. Not a shop either.

He might have skipped out. What about his wife though? I don't know Chester. I can't figure any of this. It's not like Bert to pull a sneak and trick like that. For it? He's there by the tree, Chester.

Yes, sir. Bert? Who is it? Who's that? Matt. Chester's with me. You better put away the gun. Well, I'm Matt. I thought it was somebody else. Who, Bert? We... You know who, Bode, of course.

I guess I better take your gun. Official, Matt? Official. Well, I got no quarrels at all. Here. Thank you. Now, why did you do it? What do you mean? If it had been a gunfight, the law couldn't attach you.

The circumstances were all in your favor. But this way they'll call it murder, and they'll be right, because that's what it was. Matt, what are you talking about? It's no use. You left a hammer lying right beside his body.

It's got your shop brand carved in the handle of it. Who's body you talking about? You mean, Boudry? Yes, sure. Boudry. Matt, you're making a mistake. I was looking for Boudry, yes, but I didn't find him.

Then I'd come back here. I was afraid to leave Jeannie there in the house alone. I didn't do it, Matt, you're wrong. It's not up to me, Bert. It's a court's job. All I can do is take in.

The evidence is too strong and I got no choice. No choice? I didn't have a choice either. We must have had a choice somewhere back down the line. When? Where was it? We could have stopped and turned back.

I'm a marshal, not a philosopher. Now let's go. What about Jeannie? I've got to tell her. Chester will take care of it. Be better if you do it, Matt. You're a friend. Let it make it easy.

I'd rather not if you don't mind. Now come on, let's go. Step inside. Four years we've been friends, Matt. I never thought it would come to this.

Neither did I. You said you didn't find any money on him. It could have been robbery. I made the look like robbery. But either way, there's nothing I can do. Now, you better step inside.

I'll bring you some blankets in the back of it. You want anything else, let me know. Wish I knew how Jeanie was taking it. She'll be all right. She's a fine girl. Matt. Matt, look out for her, will you?

Birdamans job is one thing, friendship's another. This prairie country is rough and tough and wild at the best, and without the law nobody could survive in it. And that means putting friendship aside sometimes. The man still doesn't forget.

Thanks, Matt. I'll see you later. Get you, please, Nier. Tuck in safely, Matt. What about Baudry? He's dead. Absolutely dead.

I'd like to never saw anybody in the dead. Blacksmith Ham and next to my defined weapon. Yeah, at least for sneaking up behind. I can't figure Bert doin' that's not like him. Sometimes a man changes under pressure, Doc.

What did you say his chances are? Bad straws all point one way. Hmm, maybe somebody's been messin' with a straw stack. Oh, that's a good question, man. Well, the court will ask it. If he ever gets there...

What do you mean? I just come from Texas Trail a while ago, and some of the boys are kind of wild, out there talking real loose. No law against talking. Now that they aim to leave it at talking mat.

They figure the evidence is a little on the weak side. A court might turn burnt loose. So they're saying it's up to them. They're just mad because they've lost their source of free drinks. Well, maybe so, but...

You better keep your eyes open mat. I know that back dark they hunt in the dark and bow down stragglers mostly they just talk So don't worry Bertson jail and that's where he's gonna stay Yeah, just thinking wondering

You shouldn't have come here, Janie matter want to see bird no visitors after dark. It's a jail rule rules don't have to be enforced mind When you do, Bert's a prisoner, Sam, is any other prisoner he's charged with murder.

He didn't do it, Matt. It's not for me to say. But you know he didn't. You know, Bert, you know he wouldn't do a thing like that. Sneak up behind a man's back in the dark.

I'm not the court, Jeannie. I know. And they'll believe he did it. And the night train's coming in. I hope it's not bringing in trouble. The morning train did. Matt, I want to see Bert.

I told you that you gave me the gun, Jeannie. No, I warn you, Matt. Stay back. Give me the gun. No, Matt. So help me out. I said, hand it over. Now, what did you hope to gain, but I don't know.

Yeah, what is it, Chester? I guess it comes from the Texas Trail. I think there's going to be some trouble. Trouble. The bunch that hangs out around there doing a lot of drinking and talking up the idea coming over here to the jail.

Oh, no. Well, maybe we ought to go over there and do some talking ourselves. Jenny, I think the best thing for you to do is to go back home and stay there at a moment.

Now, don't worry about this. Nothing's gonna happen now. But Matt, you can't handle that crowd alone. I've been handling things alone for a long time. Both the Jim Nixon's one who's been hagging him on, Mr. Dylan.

Over there at the end of the ball. Yeah, he struck up in a cointons with Baudrey when he first got off the train. I guess he figures he's an old partner by now. Later, Kitty, I got some business in the boys at the bar.

That's what I mean. Toss Jim's in line and takes the last two hours, having a real nasty move. So? So be careful, Matt. That's all. Just be careful. the careful this man you know I don't know how some suppose you tell me Dylan now don't let me interrupt you but don't find well this is quite an audience you

got all the panhandlers bombs and barflies and dodge it's quite a collection who call the names won't change the facts Dylan what facts if Renee or Burke Well, that's sneaking Carly murder for the court to decide Tulsa the court They'll turn them loose. They work hand in glove with you Dylan we're not gonna stand for all right. So you're not gonna stand for it, huh?

Or just what are you planning to do? You'll find out and do time Dylan Or tend to set them up again all around You've turned into quite a free spender Tulsa. I never knew you to a double eagle gold piece you mind if I take a look at it it's good don't worry

about that yeah I'm sure it is where'd you get it that's my business Dylan so you're the one who killed Bodrie that's a lot I thought Robin name was just a cover-up but it wasn't there aren't many double eagles around dodge but we had a lot of them now you why would you get a pocket full of gold pieces Tulsa

Wells killed Bodrie that Blacksmith Hammer was lying right beside him yes Where you left it? Hey, what does she mean? Talk to Jim came into my husband's shop late this afternoon. His horse had thrown a shoe.

He had plenty of chance to steal that hammer. She's lying! Why did you get the gold, Tala? I... I wanted... I wanted... I wanted the poker game. Last week when... or when the trail heard...

Tells you're under arrest for murder. All right, Doc. You better get up on inquest. Found it, Matt. You never give me any chance to practice on life. Practice on live people.

Eh. You wouldn't know what to do with him, Doc. Well, I... I do get fewer complaints this way. Matt. Matt, does this mean it birds free? He shouldn't have come here, Jeannie. Yeah, he's free.

Chester will go with you over to the jail and let him out. Thank you, Matt. Thank you for everything. You told me one time in Louisville that... Louisville? That was a long time ago and a long way off.

So goodbye, Jeannie. Goodbye, man. What's it all about, man? What? What's anything all about, kidding? Professor, what do you say we'll have a little tune, huh? Why, sure thing, Mr. Della, what'd you like to hear?

Oh, uh, how about that one of Foster's of... Jeannie. Jeannie with a light brown hair. You bet. You know of a board, didn't you, Matt? Yeah, I met her in Louisville one summer. Saw her quite a lot for a couple of months.

Then I ripped it up west. A man misses out on things by stripping it. Told her then if she ever needed help to... to call on me. Well, she called... and you helped her. No, I guess.

Anyway, uh, I said... Matt. Yes. 20 years under. Help yourself. Under the direction of Norman McDonald's stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshall. Tonight's story was specially written for gun smoke by Les Crutchfield with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey.

Featured in our cast were Tom Tully, Lynn Allen, Larry Dobkin, Georgia Ellis and Barney Phillips, Parley Bear's Chester and Howard McNeer is Doc. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshall, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violins of the West in gun smoke.

What are the tunes most people like best? For the answers to that question, listen to Robert C. Lewis's Wax Works later tonight over most of the same CBS radio station. Stay tuned now for Broadway is My Beat which follows immediately over most of these same radio stations.

Roy Rowan speaking on a Sunday afternoon, the music's delightful on the CBS radio network.