Tail to the Wind: Gunsmoke (November 25, 1956)

“Tail to the Wind” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast November 25, 1956. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Dillon investigates trouble at a homestead where Bert Reese and his son Spike have been harassing Pizzie Neller, burning his chicken house and firing shots. When Pizzie refuses to press charges out of fear, Dillon must decide how to handle the bullying Reese family while maintaining the law.

Dodge City and the surrounding territory in Kansas

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Pizzie Neller, Bert Reese, Spike Reese, Kitty, Doc, Hester

Listen for: Pizzie's philosophy of turning tail to the wind like cattle in a storm, and his reluctance to stand up to the Reese family despite their harassment.

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.