The Boots: Gunsmoke (January 25, 1959)

“The Boots” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast January 25, 1959. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

In Dodge City, Marshal Dillon intervenes when drunken toughs taunt the washed-up gunman Zeno Smith, goading him to strap on his gun and prove he is not a coward. Smith, who lost his nerve years ago after being called out by a newcomer, has spent a decade drowning his shame in whiskey. The marshal must prevent tragedy as Smith, egged on by the rowdy cowboys, considers taking up arms again.

Dodge City, Kansas - a saloon and the surrounding town

Characters: Matt Dillon, Zeno Smith, Kitty, Hank Furgis, Chester, Tommy, Barkeep

Listen for: The confrontation between the toughs and the broken gunman Zeno Smith, and Marshal Dillon's efforts to stop him from strapping on his gun

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.