Word of Honor: Gunsmoke (July 3, 1954)

“Word of Honor” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast July 3, 1954. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Doc Adams returns to Dodge City after a mysterious two-day absence, revealing he was called to treat a young man shot in the back. Though Doc saves the man's life initially, the patient dies from shock after Doc removes the bullet from his spine. Doc recognizes one of the three men at the scene but refuses to identify them, keeping his promise of silence. Marshal Dillon must respect Doc's word of honor even as a kidnapping crisis unfolds involving Jake Worth's youngest son Hank.

Dodge City and surrounding territory in the American West

Characters: Matt Dillon, Doc Adams, Chester, Jake Worth, Hank Worth

Listen for: Doc Adams wrestling with his conscience over a promise made to dangerous men, and Marshal Dillon's respect for the doctor's code of honor despite a life-or-death situation developing in town.

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.