Poor Pearl: Gunsmoke (February 19, 1955)

“Poor Pearl” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast February 19, 1955. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

A stranger named Willie Calhoun arrives in Dodge City with a new wagon and a loaded rifle, determined to marry Pearl Bender who works at the Long Branch. When Marshal Dillon questions him about his intentions and the rifle, Calhoun refuses to explain himself and reveals he will shoot anyone who tries to stop him. Dillon learns that Webb Thorne, another man, has also claimed he would shoot anyone who tried to take Pearl away.

Dodge City and the surrounding territory, including the Long Branch saloon and Marshal Dillon's office

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Willie Calhoun, Pearl Bender, Webb Thorne, Kitty

Listen for: The tension between Willie Calhoun's declaration that he will marry Pearl and his threat to kill anyone who interferes, contrasted with Webb Thorne's prior claim that he would shoot anyone who tried to take Pearl from him.

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.