Never Pester Chester: Gunsmoke (October 30, 1960)

“Never Pester Chester” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 30, 1960. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Two cowboys give Kitty trouble at the Long Branch and then pester the town ladies on Front Street. When Matt sends Chester to tell them to leave the women alone, they brutally beat him, leaving him fighting for his life. Matt must track down the two men responsible and bring them to justice before Chester dies from his injuries.

Dodge City, Kansas - the marshal's office, Long Branch Saloon, and Front Street

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Kitty, Doc, Tabeth, Stobo

Listen for: The tense confrontation over Chester's beating and Matt's determined pursuit of the two cowboys responsible, with questions about whether Chester will survive and what justice Matt will pursue.

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.