Prescribed Killing: Gunsmoke (February 28, 1960)

“Prescribed Killing” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast February 28, 1960. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Luke Kirby neglects his wife Myra, spending all his time with his horses and increasingly visiting a woman named Joe Holland at a neighboring ranch. Myra, desperate and unhappy with her isolated life, confronts Joe Holland in person, warning her that Luke will never be free of his marriage even if she's gone. When Myra mysteriously dies, Matt Dillon must investigate whether her death was natural or if foul play was involved.

Dodge City and the surrounding Kansas territory, with scenes at the Kirby ranch and the Holland ranch

Characters: Matt Dillon, Luke Kirby, Myra Kirby, Joe Holland, Chester

Listen for: A tense domestic drama involving a neglectful husband, a lonely wife, and a rival woman, culminating in a mysterious death that requires the marshal's investigation.

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.