Gunshot Wound: Gunsmoke (October 14, 1956)

“Gunshot Wound” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 14, 1956. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Jim Nielsen returns to Dodge City despite having a fatal bullet wound in his chest. He spreads word that he's come back to kill the Mailer brothers, who shot him in a previous fight. Marshal Dillon tries to prevent another confrontation between the wounded man and the brothers.

Dodge City and the surrounding territory in the American West, including the Long Branch saloon and the Mailer brothers' property

Characters: Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, Jim Nielsen, Dr. Clay, Alice, Kitty, Charlie Mailer, Tom Mailer, John Mailer

Listen for: The tension between Nielsen's need for revenge and Marshal Dillon's efforts to keep the peace; Nielsen's grim determination despite his fatal wound; Charlie Mailer's refusal to hide, fearing he'll be called a coward.

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.