The Noose: Gunsmoke (August 14, 1960)

“The Noose” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 14, 1960. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Matt Dillon encounters a peculiar man named Claude who wears a noose around his neck and is methodically testing a rope for a hanging. Claude claims he is waiting for someone to arrive in Dodge City whom he intends to hang for a killing, but only after the man confesses his guilt. Matt forbids any vigilante justice and warns Claude against causing trouble, but the strange man remains determined to carry out his plans.

Dodge City and the surrounding territory

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Claude, Kitty

Listen for: The mysterious identity of the man Claude is waiting for and Matt's efforts to prevent an unlawful hanging

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.