Gunsmoke: Shakespeare

In the dark city and in 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. Gun smoke, starring 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.

It was the dust. The heat was bad enough in Dodge City, but out on the plane it was the dust. The sun was a burning red-brown chip in the sky. And the sweat on a man never had a chance to drop.

It was blotted and dried with dust. Doc Chester and I had ridden the old man Gore's place ten miles out. He'd had some trouble with one of the hands. I'd gone loco with liquor and had been shooting up the cattle.

We found him, stripped naked nearby on his haunches, crying, drunk over a arched waterhole. Doc had got into bed and fixed him up some. And now we were heading back for Dodge. Of course. Seems he just bound to stomp all the dust in Kansas in my eyes.

Maybe the marsh will buy you camel, Chester. Just keeps up with all my camels. I remember the time back in Waco when I was just I'm all Chester you see something ahead on the side of the trail there yeah maybe it looks like some poor calf straight off and dropped I don't think

so it looks like a man come on just to get the water back yes okay let me have a Look, Masha. Yeah. See, heat.

Is he all right? Well, it depends on how long he's been lying here. Here you are, Mr. Dillon. Open up your shirt, Masha. Chester, get some of that water on his wrists. All right. It looks like an easter, huh?

Sure not dressed for this country. Oh, no, that's better. That's better. Try to get a few drops in him. All right. Not too much, Chester. Kestrel? Not in his nose, Chester's mouth? Well, mine gracious, I'm sorry, Mr. Dillon, but he moved his head.

It's not so easy to hear. Look, he's awake. Mmm. You're all right, Mr. Just take it easy for a bit now. Oh, let this two-two solid flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a jume.

What did he say? Oh, he's out of his head, Chester. For this relief, much thanks. Forget it, Chester. Get around the other side and shade him from the sun. Yes, from the sun. I give him to be a weirdo of the sun.

I don't blame you. What happened? My wagon shed a wheel, I feel, along the high road. I know not where I am. You're about four miles out of Dodge City. That...Cansus. Cansus? I would give all my fame for a pot of ale.

And safe to... We better get him to town quick. He's in a bad area. You're still here. You think you can make it on a horse? We'll take him to... We'll take him at the Dodge.

And he passed out again. We tied him across a Doc's horse. Doc and I doubled up and Chester rode behind. The stranger was a tall, skinny man with a face like a friendly mule. Big hands and thin wrists stretched out from his sleeves.

He had no papers on him, nothing. And until he woke up we wouldn't even know his name. Doc settled him down in the back of his place and he was still asleep when Chester and I wrote out to what we figured he'd left his wagon.

It wasn't hard to see when we found it. What color wagon would you call that, Mr. Dillon? Puse, Chester. Puse. I guess so. Seems to be some writing on the side there. Oh, Irving Henry, thespian supreme disciple of the immortal Bard.

I should have known he was a religious man. He's an actor Chester the immortal Bart Shakespeare William Shakespeare wrote plays You think he let the horses go? I was wondering that seems to me he'd have ridden for help instead of trying to walk Horses couldn't have got out of the harness ourselves. Let's take a look at the wheel

Wish we could wiggle the Sun goes down. It's gonna be awful hot work, mr. Dylan Yeah It's not too bad and pin fell out must be another in the box at the back. Take a look. Will you Chester? Yes, I'll prop the wheel up now Mr. Dylan. Hey, yeah, can't you find it will you come here a minute? Oh, what's the matter?

Take a look in there It took a second or two to get used to the darkness inside the wagon and then I saw the hand sticking out from behind a trunk. He didn't have to be the doctor, no that it was a dead hand.

The body was of a man about 40. He was dirty. And in the greasy, torn, Wesker, I found a pocketbook with his name, Sam Matchit. And I was all. Below his left shoulder and his back was a patch of dried blood.

And in the middle, a bullet hole. We got the wagon wheel on, hitched up our horses and drove into Dodge. That's you, Marshall. Yeah. Yeah, be right out. All right. Get that fella's wagon fixed up.

Yeah, brought it in. Is he awake? Oh, I haven't looked the last half hours making coffee. You want some? No thanks. Oh, it's funny thing about coffee when it's hot, whether like this. Greek gets called in and makes you feel cooler.

I'll say. Look, Doc, I got to see that fella. I want to ask him a couple of questions. Oh, that's all? I found a dead man in the back of his wagon. You don't say?

You better take a look, Chester's bringing him on the side. Oh sure, sure, sure. You want to go on back? Yeah, thanks, Doug. Mr. Henry. Mr. Henry, wake up. Yeah, fuck. Oh. Oh. Your name Irving Henry.

Oh. Irving Henry. What is this, please? Now you've got to listen to me for a minute. We found your wagon. Ah. Did you let the horses go before you sat on your own? Of course.

I could not let them remain to die. How come you didn't take one to ride? I have a loathing of horses. I cannot bear one under my body. There is a carafe of water beside the bed.

Would you be good enough, Mr. Dolan? Dolan. Matt Dolan. I'm the marshal here in Dodge City. Here you are. My thanks. Now what were you doing with a dead man in your wagon, Mr. Henry?

A dead man? dead man shot in the back line in your wagon. This is very mid-summer madness. I won't argue about that but I'll thank you to answer my question. But it is impossible. It isn't true. I say it is. You lie on your throat if you say that I'm any other than an honest

man. Look, Mr. I didn't say you weren't honest. You're an actor and you got a fine way of saying things but murders murder. I don't care how you say it. Now I'm asking questions and I want straight answers your pardon sir what you tell me in truth if it were played upon the stage I would condemn it as an improbable fiction I swear to you I

know nothing of a body you come through Hayes City yeah you know a man there called Sam match it you have no trouble in Hayes City no what are you doing in these parts, Mr. Henry. I am touring the provinces, an actor eating the bitter bread of banishment. And the Italians are not taken for their worth in the East, and therefore

I bring the immortal bard to the Hinterlands. And now, so that the interview was ended, Pray give me leave to depart. I'm sorry, I can't do that. You'll have to stay until we get this thing cleared up.

Dylan, Doc, I'd like to see you. Alright, Chester. Stay here with Mr. Henry, will you? Sure, Mr. Dylan, sure. How are you feeling by now, Mr. Henry? You like more water? These evil battles live in glass.

Doc? I hear you, Mr. Don't make up for the father's boy. What did you find? Well, there's one thing. This man didn't die right away. I mean, not right when he was shot. Is that so?

No. More likely blood to death. Inside. Uh-huh. Uh, you think he might have been able to climb up in the wagon after he was shot? Mm, you might. There's another thing. Yeah. You see the way he's dressed?

Now you take a look at the... Hello, hello, what are you doing? Hello! Hey, come on, come on, Doc. Hey! Chester! What's up with you? Chester! I done when I was born in some... Water.

Water. He must have gone through the window, Marshall. I tried to get it back here. Take care of Chester Duck. I'm going after him. We will return for the second act of gun smoke in just a moment, but first, do you know how old the school building in your community is?

If it's over twenty-five years old, the chances are that it's woefully inadequate to the present demands on it. Certainly thousands of schools all over America are unable to meet the needs of a greatly increased enrollment, and all our school children will suffer unless all of us work actively to improve conditions.

Join with the groups in your community working for better school conditions. Remember, better schools build a stronger America. Now, the second act of gun smoke. I went out of there, I didn't know how badly Chester was hurt.

There was a lot of blood on his head and over his face. There was nearly dark outside, and the street was empty. There was supper time. I could see the women through the windows getting food ready.

The kids were inside too. Sure look peaceful. But with Henry out with a gun, well that wasn't a good thing to have running around loose and dodge. Just see a man run down the street, Miss Fletcher.

Well, no. Well, you better get inside and lock your door. Don't come out again. There's a killer loose. I walked the length of the street, listening, waiting. And when I got to the end, there was nothing.

He hadn't taken a horse. I'd have heard that. And in a way, I was sorry because if he tried to hide and dodge, there'd be no way to get out of shooting that wouldn't get women and kids hurt.

A breeze came up and swirls of dust flew around. And then settled as the air became still and hot again. I went back to Doc's place. Did you find him, Marjor? No. Oh, I'm fine, Mr. Billin.

Just creased my head more mess than hurt. Oh, good, Chester. Look, you want to go home or you want to work? I want to work? All right. Go down to the office, get yourself another gun, and round up some men, as many as you can.

As long as Henry stays in town, we're in trouble. Now keep your eyes open. Make me back here. Yes, Mr. Bill? Take my gun with you, and if you see and watch out, all right, I get going.

Yes, sir. Doc, I'm going to have to make you a deputy, too. to. Well, maybe instead of digging out bullets, I'll be putting some in. It's not funny, Doc. Come on. All right, we'll start here. I'll take this side. You take the other. Get them in to go through their houses and tell them to look for their horses.

Tell them what's happening. But ten o'clock that night as far as we could tell Henry hadn't left town. There were plenty of places for him to hide, though. We had fifty men off searching Chester and I were working along back of the express office there were a couple of houses there we hadn't covered you wouldn't think a man like that would

be a killer now would you mr. Dillon I never saw a man yet couldn't be Chester depends on your reasons for killing I guess let's take a look behind these boxes you think he could have got this far I might a lot of back streets to sneaker on the dark. That's Miss Cullen's place there enough. Yes, you. Looks like she's

still awake. Light burning back there. Yeah. Seemed a bit cooler to you tonight, Mr. Dillon. Yeah, a bit. Oh, even Miss Cullen, I'm sorry to get you up, but we're looking for a man, a stranger, Ronley. Tall, thin. Yes, in anyone about tonight. No. No, I haven't.

How's the kids? They're fine. Thank you, Mr. Dylan. Fine. You keep the place locked tight, Miss Cullen. Don't let anybody in tonight unless you know who it is. Good night, Mr. Dylan. Good night, ma'am.

Well, now that's strange. She didn't even say hello to me. Nine or better than you do, Mr. Dylan. Chester, round up the others. Get him over here. I don't know why she's in there with her.

I think he's got the kids in the sleeping room. Oh. Sent her off to get rid of us. Now, I'm going to try and get in. Don't do anything when you come back. Just put the men around the house.

Yes, sir. Yes. I'd seen Ms. Cullen make a move with her head. And her eyes set the rest. When I told her to lock up, I shook my head, and I hoped she understood. I wanted that front door to stay open.

I'll keep him from as soon as I can. He was in there all right I can hear him. He's meant. My dollar is... I wanted him alive, but I wasn't going to risk her to miss Cullen or the kids get me.

I did what you asked. Don't hurt the children, please. They'll never know this night. It is the morning, when they were there. What's that? You said you're knocked the door after you. No, don't. Don't.

I shall keep the pistol turned for the girl's head, man. Someone is here. They're trying to keep me. Why is that? What is it? Who? Mr. Dillon, go away! You lied. You lied.

Go tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hide. Listen to me, Marshall Dillon. Throw your pistol in here, and then come in with your hands before you. I have no stomach for child killing, but I will not hesitate to do so.

Now, give me the gun, Henry. No, you won't be able to get out of this. I must. That is living to be done. You know, that fancy talk isn't going to help either. Now, why don't you climb down?

What happened to match it? Nothing happened to match. Why'd you kill him? I didn't. In five minutes or less, there'll be 50 men or more around here. Now, what are you going to do? I don't know.

If you didn't kill match it, you'll get a chance. I'll see to that. There's no use going on this way. Give me the gun. I cannot. It is my proper salvation. No gun is salvation to anybody.

Put it down. You must tell the men to go away, Marshall Dylan. I'd have to take one of these children with me for my protection. No! Oh, shed a tear for me, madam. I have the greater need.

You do a lot of talking, mister. I'd like to see you turn the gun away from that kid's head. That'd take more than talk, wouldn't it though? I have no skill with such a weapon.

Why should I match with you? I want to live. You're going about it the wrong way. The smallest worm will turn, being trod upon. Meaning? You gave me no choice when you brought me here.

Would have been better to have left me lying in the dust? You don't understand. You don't know. Well, why don't you tell me? My life has been the theatre. As a boy, I was a student of Shakespeare.

When you look at me, who would accept this face for Hamlet? This ill-shaped body for Romeo. His speech has become my speech, but for the fools, and we look, they cannot listen for laughing. They've been ugly men before you, or hasn't been caused for murder.

Why did you kill magic? In New York, there was a man, a gross, stupid man who prancied himself an interpreter of the bard. He took me, me, as his apprentice. And together we set out for the tour.

I would play under the voices. Never Richard, never Henry, never Leah only, only the voices. He, stumbling drunken, he muddled and tore to a tattle the words that I should have spoke. You killed a man because you wanted to play a hero.

How easily murder is discovered. Sometimes I guess. Yesterday we were leaving Hayes City. We played there for two days and it made me a laughingstock. It was night and he became drunk and threatened to leave me in the next town.

I made him stop the wagon and taking up a pistol, I shot him, he did not die at birth. When I saw what I had done, I wanted him to live. I put him into the wagon and I drove on, hoping to find a doctor.

Then as the night passed, I saw that he had died and I was afraid. The wagon broke down? Yes, I put my purse into his clothes and took his name for mine. So I hated the name of Sam Matchett.

But you wouldn't understand. I wouldn't want to live. I want my chance. You've done a murder. I can't let you go. You know that. Don't make it harder. I lost my husband two years ago. I know what it is to be alone.

You've been alone, haven't you? I'm sorry, but you killed someone. We made pity, though not pardon, eh? I'm going now, Marshal. If you walk out of there with your gun, you're a dead man. Death's a great disguise, eh?

I must have my child, sir. Don't do it, match it. They'll be killing. Madam, forgive me. I would not have pardoned your children. Match it, but don't your gun. Let me go on the way.

Steve. There are a lot of men waiting for you out there, Matchett. You know what will happen if you open the door? Don't do it, Matchett. Sleep.

Dream. There's the rob. What in that sleep of death? Matchett. The men who opened that door and you would... and maybe he wanted to, because he fired first a single shot.

We buried him in back of the church, and I found some words in a book to put on his grave. He that dies pays all debts. Gunsmoke, under the direction of Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshall.

Tonight's story was virtually written for Gunsmoke by Anthony Ellis, with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Hans Conrad was featured as Henry with Mary Lansing as Mrs. Cullen. Parley Bear is Chester and Howard McNeer is Duck.

Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, US Marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West in Gunsmoke. Oh, and speaking, remember gangbusters going to action Saturday nights on the CVS radio network.