Boy: Gunsmoke (August 1, 1953)

“Boy” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 1, 1953. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

When a man named Cook arrives in Dodge looking for someone called Sam Williams, he reveals to Marshal Dillon that Williams is a former Missouri raider who assaulted Cook's farm and daughter years ago. Dillon discovers that Webb Johnson, the new owner of the Longhorn saloon, fits Williams's description. Before Dillon can convince Johnson to leave town, Cook confronts and shoots him, but the gunplay leaves Cook mortally wounded.

Dodge City, present day, primarily at the Marshal's office, the Long Branch saloon, and the Longhorn saloon

Characters: Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal, Chester, Kitty, Webb Johnson, Mr. Cook, Sam Williams

Listen for: The moral complexity of frontier justice as Dillon tries to prevent violence by suggesting Webb leave town rather than face Cook's vengeance, and the tragic consequences when a father's pursuit of justice for his daughter's violation leads to death.

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.