Chicken Smith: Gunsmoke (March 31, 1957)

“Chicken Smith” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 31, 1957. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Chicken Smith, a mild-mannered egg farmer, gets into a fight with Prag Loomer, a tough saloon owner, over Ellie, Chicken's wife. Though Chicken wins the brawl, Marshal Dillon warns him that Prag is a dangerous man with a gun who won't easily forget the humiliation. Chicken must now navigate the threat while trying to build his business selling ammunition.

Dodge City, Kansas and the surrounding territory during a time of spring flooding.

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Doc, Chicken Smith, Prag Loomer, Ellie, Kitty

Listen for: The clash between Chicken's peaceful farming nature and the violent frontier culture; Prag Loomer's menacing presence and the warning that a beaten man with a gun is dangerous.

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.