Bear Trap: Gunsmoke (April 21, 1957)

“Bear Trap” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast April 21, 1957. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Matt Dillon discovers that a recently released convict named Hard Logan and the Beckett brothers are using a break-in at the general store as cover for a larger scheme. When Logan sets a bear trap near the stable to threaten a young witness named Andy, Matt must confront the gang and stop them before they escape with their prize.

Dodge City, Kansas - the Long Branch Saloon, the livery stable, the general store, and Doc's office

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Doc, Kitty, Andy, Hard Logan, The Beckett brothers, Sam

Listen for: The tense confrontation at the general store with the bear trap, Andy's struggle to overcome his fear, and the final gunfight between Matt and the outlaws.

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.