A House Ain't a Home: Gunsmoke (August 10, 1958)

“A House Ain't a Home” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 10, 1958. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Dillon is summoned to the Long Branch Saloon where Jedediah Higgs, a rancher, is drinking heavily and upset. Higgs reveals that his son Raimy has returned home after three years away with two dangerous gunmen named Cardin and King, claiming they'll take over the territory. Higgs fears for his daughter's safety with these men around and asks Dillon to remove them from the ranch.

Dodge City and surrounding territory, including the Long Branch Saloon and the Higgs ranch

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Kitty, Jedediah Higgs, Raimy, Cardin, King

Listen for: The confrontation between Dillon and the gunmen at the ranch; Jedediah Higgs's desperation about his wayward son and the threat posed to his family

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.