Drop Dead: Gunsmoke (September 20, 1952)

“Drop Dead” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast September 20, 1952. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

A severe drought has dried up the prairie water sources, forcing a trail drive from the Circle C to seek water at Cottonwood Pond. However, rancher Grant Howard has fenced in the pond on his own land and is demanding payment for access. Marshal Matt Dillon must navigate the tense standoff between desperate trail boss Jackson and the stubborn Howard before the situation explodes into violence.

Dodge City and Cottonwood Pond during a severe drought on the Kansas prairie

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Doc, Grant Howard, Jack Jackson, William Conrad

Listen for: The conflict over water rights during the drought, Matt Dillon's attempt to enforce the law fairly while preventing bloodshed, and the growing tension between the trail drive and Howard's fenced property.

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.