Passive Resistance: Gunsmoke (July 8, 1956)

“Passive Resistance” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast July 8, 1956. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

A peaceful shepherd named Gideon refuses to carry a gun or report the men who slaughtered his entire flock of sheep, believing instead in non-resistance and that his attackers will be punished by their own consciences. Marshal Matt Dillon tries to convince the stubborn man to cooperate with the law, but Gideon steadfastly refuses to identify the killers or accept Dillon's help.

Dodge City and the surrounding territory in the American West

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Doc, Gideon, Joe, Dan, Steve

Listen for: A philosophical clash between Gideon's absolute pacifism and non-resistance to evil, and Matt Dillon's duty as marshal to catch the men who destroyed Gideon's livelihood

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.