The Imposter: Gunsmoke (July 24, 1960)

“The Imposter” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast July 24, 1960. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Matt Dillon receives a telegram from Ab Stringer, a fellow marshal from Miami, Texas, requesting help bringing in a prisoner. When Stringer arrives in Dodge City, however, he has no prisoner with him. Stringer explains that he's looking for a wanted man named Sam Frazier who may be hiding in Dodge, and he's counting on Dillon's help to track him down.

Dodge City and surrounding territory in Kansas; also references Miami, Texas

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Doc Adams, Ab Stringer, Ms. Curtin, Sam Noonan

Listen for: Marshal Dillon and fellow lawman Ab Stringer discuss the challenges of tracking a fugitive who may be using aliases and disguises; Stringer describes the wanted man Sam Frazier and they review wanted posters; conversation at the Long Branch Saloon about a man who was last seen leaving on his own two feet while others had to be carried out.

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.