Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there is just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with the U.S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke.
Gun Smoke, starring William Conrad, the story of the violence that moved west with young America, and the story of a man who moved with it.
I'm that man, Matt Dillon, the United States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancey job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.
Let me just stick it. Dog on, dog on, what's Mr. Dillon doing? They find a man just don't use his head for nothing except to hang his hat on.
What are you talking about, Chester?
I know better to keep on playing, but I went right ahead and done it anyhow.
Oh, the poker game last night, huh? Forget it.
Forget it? Mr. Dillon, I lost nine dollars and forty-five cents in that game.
You'll live.
Yes, yes, I'll live, all right, but I'm sure I'm going to be eating my low on the hog for the rest of this week.
Wait a minute, Chester.
What's the matter? Well, now, what's the matter with her? Flying down that boardwalk like the devil himself was chasing her.
Yeah.
Well, that's Sally Bogan, Mr. Dillon.
Yeah, I know, Sally.
He's scared of something right now.
Hey, hey, Sally, wait a minute.
It's too out of day to be hurrying like that, isn't it?
Yes, yes, I guess it is.
What's the trouble, Sally? Why were you running?
I don't know.
Something scare you?
Somebody, I just saw a man. Forget it, Marshall, I'm all right now.
Well, who was he? What did he do to you?
Nothing, I just didn't want him to see me.
Why? Who was he?
My husband.
Ben?
No, not Ben, the other one.
Forever more of the other one.
The first one. Nobody knows about it, not even Ben.
What's this all about, Sally?
Oh, I was seventeen in San Francisco. He was second mate on a clipper.
And about four years ago it went down in a typhoon and he, he's dead, Marshall.
He's got to be dead or else I'm not really married to Ben.
You should have told Ben about it.
I know, I know, but I didn't. And now it's too late.
It wasn't him. It couldn't have been him.
Just somebody that looked like him, maybe.
Ah, that's possible.
If he wasn't drowned, he'd have come back before this. It's been four years.
Oh my gracious alive, no man wouldn't stay away from a pretty little...
It's been a long time, Sally. You're prettier than ever.
Hello, Jeff.
Why'd you run when you saw me up the street there?
I wasn't sure. No, it can't be. It just can't be.
No. Hey, what's the matter?
No, don't touch me.
You'd better take it easy, mister. She's kind of upset.
Who are you, miss? My name's Dylan.
Well, you just run along, Dylan.
He's the Marshal here, Jeff.
We don't need no permission from the law.
Jeff.
Sally and me, you're going to spend some time together and maybe have a drink or two?
I think it's going to be just like old times now that I'm back.
No.
No? You better tell him, Sally.
Tell me what?
Jeff, I'm married.
I ought to know better than anybody else that you're...
You don't mean to somebody else.
I thought you was dead.
The ship was sunk and you didn't come back.
I thought you was dead.
Well, you sure didn't waste no time hitching on to somebody else.
She waited four years, mister. That's a long time for a girl to try to make out a lawn, don't you think?
What I think is my business, Marshal.
Come on, Sally. We're going to talk this over in private.
No, Jeff, I can't.
Now, this is no way for a wife to act to her lawful husband.
Come on.
Just a minute.
Now, Sally, do you want to go with him?
No. No.
Marshal, I've got to tell Ben.
I've got to decide what to do.
All right, mister, you heard her.
Are you aiming to come between a man and his wife?
You call it what you like, but you're not dragging her off somewhere when she doesn't want to go.
Is that so?
Well, on board ship, mister Marshal, when a fellow butts in like this, we just...
Jeff, no!
Oh!
You better stand back now, mister.
Oh, make them stop!
That one didn't be too easy, no?
Oh!
All right, find some water to throw on her, Chester.
Yes, sir, I will.
Go take Sally over to Doc's. Maybe he can give her something to calm her down.
Boy, how do you...
He's out cold in a Texas January.
Well, he may wish he'd stayed out when Ben Bogan learns about this.
Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsythe.
Ooh, ow, ouch, ooh.
What's wrong, Joe?
Daphne, have you been using my razor again?
Just a little. I was peeling peaches.
Oh, fine.
Why don't you change the blade?
It feels like you've been sharpening pencils with this thing.
Now, just a minute, buddy.
It was you who said we could use more economy around here.
And I've been saving wherever I can.
And by shaving the skin off the peaches...
But look at my face!
Think how the Red Cross could have used all this blood.
It's your own fault, you and your economy.
Well, being penny-conscious isn't such a bad idea.
Not if you use common sense.
Take savings bonds, for instance.
Uh-uh. Here it comes.
Go right ahead and scoff.
But I've got eight million Americans who agree with me.
We all buy savings bonds on a payroll saving plan,
because we know that investing in bonds is the best way to use our money.
We could use some of that money around here.
Well, maybe, or maybe we just think we can.
When we buy bonds, we guarantee we'll have the money in the future,
when we'll certainly need them more.
Stop waving that razor. You're splattering me with soap.
Oh, I don't mean to get excited, but who wouldn't?
Where else can a man make an investment that's guaranteed to pay off $4 for every three?
And guaranteed by the credit of the whole U.S. of A.
So there.
Bravo! Bravo!
All right, all right. Now let me change the blade and get back to shaving.
I think I'll stay and watch.
Why?
Because you're so cute when you cut yourself.
Oh, fine.
How is she, Doc?
Oh, she's all right, Matt.
There's nothing wrong with her. A good night's rest won't cure.
And one less husband, of course.
You know, that's quite a situation.
Yeah, it sure is.
It's going to be worrisome, I'm afraid.
Why? She didn't break any law.
She had plenty of reason to think her first husband was dead.
No, I mean the trouble is going to stir up when Ben Bogan finds out.
She doesn't want to see Ben until tomorrow, Matt.
She wants to stay here in town tonight and try to figure things out.
Well, that's a good idea.
She can get herself a room over at the Dodge house.
Wonder which one of those men she'll pick.
I don't know, Doc.
I'd rather it quick before the two of them meet head on.
You know, Matt, if I was twenty years younger, I might get into the fight myself.
An old goat like you.
Goat? Oh, Matt.
I'll have you know, a few short years back when I was a mite slicker and spry,
I was a holy terror with the ladies.
Yeah, I can believe that.
Why, it wasn't until recently that I'd even accept a woman patient.
They'd always up and fall in love with me.
And a man just can't have that.
Doc, what did I hear about my wife?
Hello, Ben.
Oh, Marshall.
Somebody said they'd seen you bringing Sally up here a while ago.
Well, yeah, I guess they might have, but that...
Well, what's the matter with her?
There's nothing serious wrong with your wife, Bogan.
She's a little upset, that's all.
Well, what do you mean? What's she upset about?
Well, I don't think the technical terms would interest you.
Never mind the terms, Doc. What's she doing here? What's wrong with her?
Well, maybe you could explain it better.
What's going on here, Marshall?
Well, Ben, it's...
Yeah, it's kind of like Doc said. It's just...
Doc, I think I better go over to the Dodge house.
Ben!
Sally, now what's this all about?
Haven't you told him, Marshall?
Well, I thought I'd better leave that to you, Sally.
Tell me what? So help me if somebody don't say something.
Now, just take it easy, Ben. Take it easy.
There's something wrong with my wife.
There ain't nobody else saying nothing and you say take it easy.
Ben, it seems that Sally here was married once before.
Married?
Yeah, a man named Lightly, a sailor.
Now, Sally thought that he'd been drowned at sea years ago, but...
Well, he turned up here in Dodge today. He came looking for her.
Sally, why didn't you tell me?
It was all over and done with. I didn't think it mattered.
Oh, you didn't, huh? Well, you'll think it mattered if I whip you some.
Ben!
Leave her alone, Ben.
You stay out of this, Marshall. Go run that skunk out of town if you want to do something useful before I get to him and kill him.
Killing won't solve anything, Ben. He's got as much right here as you have.
Has he got a right to come sneaking around my wife?
Could be. She's his wife, Ben, but it turns out he's still alive.
Well, he won't be alive long. And it's your fault, you little duxy.
I said leave her alone.
I'll leave her alone as soon as I beat a little sense into her.
No! No, please!
All right.
All right, dockies. All yours.
Advising that fellow girl wasn't bad when he come to, Mr. Doane. You just stomping on that...
Well, what happened to him?
He stumbled into Matt's fist, Chester.
My gracious Mr. Doane, you sure are keeping busy today.
What are you going to do about it, man?
Wish I knew, Kitty. You know, if those two get together, somebody's going to be killed.
I can't keep them apart forever.
No?
I mean, if there was a drunken trail driver with a six-god on his hand, I could handle it maybe, but...
I don't know. These man and wife mix-ups are...
Two men and a wife, Matt.
Yeah. That's twice as bad. That's going to end up worse.
Well, I sort of figured Sally was heading for trouble. Not quite like this.
Oh? What do you mean?
Well, she doesn't belong in a place like Dodge City, Matt. She's too restless, too free and easy.
She spends too much time in town.
Doing what?
I wouldn't have said anything if this hadn't come up.
Well, now come on, Kitty. What are you getting at?
You know a whiskey drummer named Slim Randall?
Slim Randall? Yeah, I see the problem.
Well, he and Sally have been together a lot the last few weeks.
It's harmless enough, I guess.
Well, you know how people talk and make something out of nothing.
Yeah.
All right, I'll change what I said. It's three times as bad.
Or it will be if Ben hears about Slim Randall.
Matt? Oh, Matt.
Yeah, what's the trouble?
I want you to tell this...
Marshall, I want to know what you two have done with my wife.
I've been trying to tell you that she doesn't want to see you tonight.
She doesn't want to see anybody.
She's got to be left alone so she can kind of get a hold of herself.
There you are, Ben. You heard what he said.
You're lying, both of you.
You let her get together with that low-down sailor from San Francisco.
That's right, mister.
Well, I've been looking for you.
Well, now you've found me.
My name is Lightly.
You dirty teen.
All right, hold it, Ben.
No, no, Marshall. Let him draw.
That's all I have. Just let him draw.
I'll shoot the first man who touches his gun.
Mister, I want to know where my wife is.
He doesn't know any more about it than you do, Lightly.
If she wants you, she'll come looking for you.
He's got her locked up somewhere, so she won't have...
You got no wife, mister. You're a dead man.
And if you ain't yet, you're soon going to be.
You like to name the time and the place, Bogan?
How about tomorrow morning?
For the livery stable.
I was hoping you'd make it sooner.
I'll make it right now if you...
All right, hold it, Bogan.
All right, Lightly, you've said your piece. Now get out.
See you all tomorrow.
Drinks are on me.
I'll kill him.
I swear I'll kill him.
Oh, calm down, Ben.
Go buy yourself a whiskey. Maybe a will.
Well, it sure can cause a lot of trouble, Matt.
A woman having one husband too many.
Maybe she won't have, Doc.
Not so long, anyway.
Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsythe.
Joe?
Yeah, Daphne?
Look at this story about savings bonds in the paper.
Yeah, huh? What about it?
Do you think that's the best way to tell people about savings bonds?
Why not?
Look, see, it says here that savings bonds are a guaranteed investment.
Right now they pay off at the rate of four bucks at maturity for every three bucks invested.
Uh-uh.
You're not convinced?
Uh-uh.
Why not?
No salesmanship.
No salesmanship?
What more do you need to know?
Why, right now, more than eight million Americans are buying savings bonds regularly through the payroll savings plan.
So?
So what?
That's what I say. So what?
Now, look, Daphne, if millions of Americans are convinced that savings bonds are their best investment,
not only financially, but for the future of their country, what the heck is bothering you?
Well, I think they could sell a lot more with salesmanship.
You know, slogans and jingles.
Listen, if you're spending more and saving less, try a savings bond.
Oh, boy.
Or maybe a savings bond pay good, like an investment should.
Daphne.
You get a lot to like in a savings bond.
Interest, earnings guaranteed.
Wow.
Well, did I sell you?
Yeah, but I forgot what it was you were selling.
Savings bonds.
I'll take a hundred.
Oh, Joe.
Well, and you aiming just to sit there, Mr. Dillon?
Yeah, that's right, Chester.
Well, maybe it's pertinent time.
Yeah, I know that.
Oh.
Oh, for heaven's sakes, relax, Chester.
You got me just jumpy as a cat.
Well, ain't you gonna do nothing to stop it, Mr. Dillon?
Not much I can do about it, Chester.
You can stop them?
No, just postpone it. As long as they feel like they do, it's gonna happen later today or tomorrow or sometime.
I can't ride a herd on them 24 hours a day.
Well, I don't know, but they must be something you could do.
Well, how about a game of P. Nuckle, Chester?
A P. Nuckle? At a time like this?
Well, why not?
I've never heard nothing so cold blooded in all my life.
P. Nuckle?
Well, I never thought of it that way.
You know what I mean, Doc Adams. No, I don't want to play no P. Nuckle.
Well, how about you, man?
Yeah, sure, Doc. Get the cards.
Well, I swear I never seen the likes of you two.
Oh, stop worrying, Chester. When it's time, I'm gonna go down to the stable and I'm gonna try to stop them.
Well, I'm proud to hear that.
Matt? Oh, I'm having a hair.
What's the matter, Kitty?
Matt, you gotta stop those two men from killing each other.
You're as bad as Chester.
Here's a letter. You read it.
Huh?
Yeah, it's for you.
Jim Dobie came out and gave it to me a few minutes ago when I passed the Dodge house.
He didn't have time to bring it over.
I think I know what it is.
I'll see.
I should have guessed it.
Who did it?
Oh, never mind, Chester. Come on, let's go.
That's him, Mr. Jones. Right in the door of the stable there. That's him.
I see him.
Looks like he just stand there waiting.
He picked the best spot he could. Jeff Lightly will have to come at him across the open there.
I don't see Lightly around, no worries.
He's not far away. You can bet on that.
You stay out of this, Marty.
I'm not going to let you get away with this.
You stay out of this, Marshal.
Lock and settle up afterwards.
Now watch your gun, Ben.
Now wait a minute.
I got no time to argue. Just hand it over.
I mean it, Ben.
All right.
Thanks.
Well, it won't do no good. I'll find him later, is all.
I doubt it.
Quit hiding behind that Marshal and come on out, folks.
Now what have you done? Set me up for him.
Get back inside, Ben. You stay with him, Chester.
Yes, sir.
Come on now, Ben.
Now you don't let him go.
I don't recollect giving you no invite to this party, Marshal.
I'll take that gun of yours, Lightly.
Eh? Well, I ain't so sure about that.
Now you're pretty high-handed, ain't you?
You're just lucky you didn't try to draw.
Chester, bring Ben out here.
Well, all you're doing, Marshal, is just putting it off a while.
It'll just happen later, is all.
It may be.
All right. Both of you.
I want you to read this letter.
It was handed me a couple of minutes ago.
Go ahead.
It's from Sally.
Go ahead, read it.
Marshal Dillon,
when you get this, I've left on the train for back east.
Huh?
I'm going with Slim Randall.
He's a fine fellow and treats me good.
Not good?
He's like Jeff and Ben.
You tell him for me, I don't want they should kill each other,
but I don't never want to hear of them again.
What?
Well, what do you think?
Fighting over a woman who doesn't want either one of you?
What?
That dirty little sneak.
You know, come to think of it,
I was getting so I didn't trust her at all.
Oh, I never did.
That's why I wasn't in no hurry to find her.
Well, I'll be.
Here now.
Bogan,
I'm going to buy you a drink.
And I'm proud to accept.
And the second one's on me.
Oh, hey, Marshal.
You know, I guess you got here just in time to keep us from making a couple of fools of ourselves.
Ah, not quite in time, boys.
What do you mean?
You both married her, didn't you?
Gunsmoke, produced and directed by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal.
The script was specially written for Gunsmoke by Les Crutchfield, with editorial supervision by John Meston.
The music was composed and conducted by Rex Corey.
Sound patterns were by Ray Kemper and Bill James.
Featured in the cast were Parley Bayer as Chester, Howard McNeer as Doc, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty.
George Walsh speaking.
Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on Gunsmoke.
This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.