The Mortgage: Gunsmoke (October 18, 1959)

“The Mortgage” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 18, 1959. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Matt Dillon must serve an eviction notice on Caleb Andrews, forcing the Blake family off their mortgaged farm in five days. When Matt learns that banker Buck could extend their loan but refuses due to pressure from the more powerful Andrews, he searches for a way to help his friends without compromising his duty.

Dodge City and the surrounding Kansas territory in summer, including the marshal's office, the Blake family farm, and the town bank

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Caleb Andrews, Ed Blake, Martha Blake, Jimmy Blake, Miss Russell, Mr. Buck

Listen for: The tension between Marshal Dillon's duty to enforce the law and his sympathy for the Blake family facing ruin; his conversation with banker Buck about the competing pressures of business and friendship.

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.