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 violists that moved west with young America, and the story of a man who moved with it.
I'm that man, Matt Dillon, 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.
Music
Easy, Joe, easy.
Can't help it.
I gotta get you out of sight.
The law? I think we lost him.
Doubling back.
Now let's see.
Joe.
It's no use fooling with it, Joe.
You just hold still.
Oh that dirty Marshal.
I ain't gonna make it.
Sure you will ready.
I gotta clean it up some though.
No, just let it be.
Now, a little water ain't gonna hurt you.
Please, Joe.
You hang on now.
This ain't no time to quit.
We got a chance.
We all got a way.
Not me.
That Marshal fixed me.
Don't you worry none about that Marshal.
He ain't finding us now.
You, you get him, don't you Joe?
You're gonna be able to get him for yourself, Red.
All you need is a little rest.
Joe, you, you, you, you get him.
Red.
Red, don't die on me now.
We got off.
He give up chasing us.
Red.
All right, Red.
All right, I'll get him.
If I don't do nothing else, I'll get that Marshal.
I tell you, Kitty, I don't know whether to put salt on that feather or to shoot it.
What?
What are you talking about, Doc?
That feather in your hat.
Every time you turn your head, it puts my eye out.
Oh, for heaven's sake.
If you think this one's bad, look at the one in Jonah's store window here.
Oh, well if you were wearing that one, a man would have to get right off the boardwalk.
Well, with some of them, that wouldn't be such a bad idea.
You may be right, huh?
Present company accepted, of course.
Oh, now, never mind the soft soap, kid.
You know, any girl would be proud to be seen walking down Front Street with you.
Oh, sure, yeah.
Hey, oh, look.
Huh?
Just riding in the town.
Oh, yeah.
Well, it's Matt.
Yeah.
It's about time he get back.
Matt!
Oh, Matt.
Howdy, stranger.
What's been keeping you?
Say, Matt!
Matt!
Oh, honey, that's a funny name.
He didn't even answer.
Oh, the grumpy old goat.
He couldn't help hearing us.
That's not like him, Doc.
No, Kitty, it isn't.
I think I'll walk over and have a talk with him.
Yeah, Doc, I wish you would.
Oh, Doc?
Yes, Kitty?
You let me know if he needs anything, huh?
Oh, sure, Kitty, yes, sir.
I'll do that.
Look, look here, Mr. Dillon.
You should at least let me take your boots off anyway.
Don't bother me, Chucky.
I ain't wanting to bother you, man, but you won't rest near as good laying there with
your boots on.
Well, you just never mind.
It's just that I'm trying to make you more comfortable.
Get out of here and let me go to sleep, will you?
All right.
Man, I'm just too hornry to know how to rest properly.
There's just ain't nothing I can do about it.
Oh, hello, Doc.
Matt back there?
He ain't back there all right, but he ain't worth seeing.
What do you mean?
Well, he's just plain out of sorts for one thing.
Oh, that's nothing, though.
What else hails him?
Well, he ain't acting like he's got good sense.
Trying to go to sleep after a four-day ride without even taking his boots off.
I'll take a look at him.
You sure do wish you were.
What?
I thought I told you.
Oh, shoot, Doc.
Listen, will you come back later, please?
No, no, I'll just be a minute.
I just want to get some sleep.
Open your mouth.
What?
What do you want?
Let me see your tongue.
All right, now give me your hand.
No, Doc, will you?
Give it to me.
I want to take your pulse.
Chester.
What?
Get me some water.
All right, Doc.
Old woman.
I thought I might get a sleep.
I'll let you get it in a minute, man.
In fact, you're going to sleep much better.
Here you are, Doc.
Here's your water.
Thank you, Chester.
Here, here you are a minute.
Take this.
Oh, thank you.
It's just a powder to chase away what's left of the fever you've had.
So go ahead, Matt, and take it.
Tom, full motion.
Matt didn't kill you, did he?
Will you get out of here?
Sure, man, sure, and you'll thank me when you wake up.
Will you get out of here?
I don't know why they'd choose a U.S. Marshal who acts so much like a mule.
Hey, Doc, is Mr. Doon really sick?
I mean, I think the worst of is over, but he probably had a pretty bad touch of fever
on the trail.
No wonder he's worn out.
Well, ain't there something I can do for him?
Oh, I don't think so, Chester.
He needs to sleep more than I do.
Yeah, but Doc, you know I ain't so bad at taking care of sick folks.
I know, I know, but I don't think Matt's going to need any of your expert nursing.
Well, it just don't seem right that there ain't nothing I can do for him.
You know, Matt's right, Chester.
You are like an old woman.
Well, I'm just trying to help.
Well, if you want to help so much, why don't you pick up his things for him?
Look, he sure as it did spread them around, didn't he?
Oh, my God, it looks like a pigsty in here.
He just throw this stuff down as he walked through.
Saddle bag, bedroll.
Well, that's fine.
That's good, Chester.
You can fix them all up for him.
Doc, just look at there.
Wait, just take a look at his gun.
Oh, he just dropped the belt in the corner there.
That looks like it's been in the mud.
It sure does.
Now, that ain't like Mr. Dunn.
I don't think he's been feeling much like himself for the last two or three days.
I just don't understand how his gun could get this way, Doc.
I don't know, Chester.
Maybe he fell off his horse with a fever.
He would have been giddy. There's no question about that.
Well, I'm just obliged to clean it for him, right?
That's good, Chester. Yes.
Now, there's something you can do, at least.
Chester, you want to watch out for one thing.
What's that?
Well, you want to be sure and take the cartridges out of that gun before you clean it.
Well, now, Dr. Lance...
I don't think Matt would take too kindly to the idea of you using his gun to blow your brains out with.
Of course I'll take them out. I haven't started to clean it yet, you know.
There. You can see for yourself.
Oh, well, well, now, Chester, I must say that I'm relieved about that.
Well, any fool would know that.
Well, I'm glad to hear it. Yes, well, Chester, I'll see you later.
Don't buy any wooden bullets.
Of course I won't buy no wooden bullets.
I swear, a buddy don't get credit for no sense at all.
Mister?
Come in and shut the door, boy. There ain't room for no more flies in here.
This here's the Marshal's office?
Yes, this here's the Marshal's office. You can't see Mr. Dillon, huh?
I came to see Chester. You him?
I'm Chester. What do you want?
I'm to fetch you.
Fetch me where?
Doc says you're to come.
Doc? Oh, that can't be so. It ain't been five minutes since he was right here.
You're to come right away.
Are you sure about that? Seems like Doc would have told me himself.
Down to the corner. Josh Prentiss broke his leg.
Well, I can't do nothing about that.
Doc wants you to help hold him down while he sets it.
Oh, well, all right.
Come right along.
Yo, wait.
Better look and see if Mr. Dillon needs anything first.
Eh, dead to the world.
All right, boy. No, no. Wait a minute.
Better put Mr. Dillon's gun back for him.
When I'm declared he keeps a body busy just remembering all his chores and booties around here.
My class can do it.
Well, come on, boy. We can't keep Doc waiting.
Barkeep.
You're right, William.
Oh, Bill Baird. I ain't seen you in a month of Sundays.
Howdy, Sam. It don't look like I've missed much.
We don't change a lot, and that's the truth.
Whiskey?
Same old poison.
What's that?
It's a
You sitting in on the poker game? Old Doc would be glad to see you again.
I reckon he would.
No, not tonight, Sam.
I figured Dodge is a good place to be shut up tonight.
What do you mean?
I don't want to be around when you're out there.
You're the one to be shut up tonight.
What do you mean?
I don't want to be around when Joe Lyme cuts loose.
Joe Lyme? Why, he must be a hundred miles from here.
Not now, he ain't. I seen him.
Matt Dillon chased him and his brother out of here after that holdup last week.
You must have seen somebody else.
Oh, Matt Dillon chased him all right, and he killed Red.
You sure? I'm sure.
He's down at the livery stable, attending to a lame horse.
He's telling them to ride out plain, he's out to get the marshal.
So I think I'll ride right on through.
Well, if I'm going to catch a bullet, I don't want it to be one that was meant for somebody else.
So long, Sam. So long, Bill.
Sam.
Yeah, Miss Kitty.
Was that man talking about Joe Lyme? Did he say he's back in Dodge?
He sure did, Miss Kitty. He said he's down at the livery stable, and he's out to get the marshal.
Well, somebody ought to tell Matt.
You want me to send somebody?
No, Sam, thanks. I'll go myself.
Chester? Chester, we've got to wake Matt.
Chester? Chester!
Oh, dear.
Matt, Matt, wake up.
Come on, Matt. Wake up!
Oh, water. I need some water.
Come on.
Sorry, Matt. I've got to do it.
Matt!
What?
Now, Matt, you've got to get up.
What? What is it, Kitty?
It's Joe Lyme, Matt. He's in Dodge to get you.
Joe Lyme?
Yeah.
He can't be. I lost him halfway to the border.
All right, Kitty, will you go or...
Matt, Matt, it's true. You killed his brother. He's after you.
Are you sure?
Bill Burrish saw him just a few minutes ago.
Oh, where?
He was at the livery stable.
All right, Kitty. I guess I better go over there.
Wait till I fetch you some coffee. You need your eyes wider open than that.
Oh, never mind.
You just had me that gun belt.
Here.
Oh, thanks, Kitty.
I'll see you later.
Matt, are you sure you're all right?
I better be all right.
Well, now, all right, Josh. That's all there is to it.
Well, thanks, Doc.
I'll get somebody to drive you out home.
So now, Doc, I'm going to be able to use the leg all right again?
Of course, Josh. You'll probably be better than ever after I've worked on it.
I guess you're right, Doc.
All right, now, a couple of your boys, give Josh a hand over to his wagon.
Thanks again, Doc.
Get it, boys.
Is that all you need me for now?
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. You're a great help.
I should be getting on back to the office.
Oh, I forgot. Yes, you were in the middle of a mighty important job, weren't you, now, cleaning that gun.
Oh, I finished that, Doc.
You sure don't give me credit for having much sense, do you, telling me to be sure and take the cartridges out?
Well, you better get the gun back to where Matt left it.
He might catch cold if he got up and started wandering around without wearing it.
You don't think I'd walk and leave Mr. Dillon's gun where he couldn't find it, do you?
I don't know, Chester.
I put it right where he can see it.
He's all right, Chester. All right.
Oh. Huh? Oh, my.
What's the matter?
I gotta get back there right away.
What is it, you think that the coffee's gonna boil over?
No, Doc. I clean and forgot to put them cartridges back in Mr. Dillon's gun.
Out of tune? If you're irregular due to lack of bulk, help yourself get back in tune with Kellogg's All Brand.
You feel right on pitch when Kellogg's All Brand gentles away irregularity the natural way.
So fight constipation as millions do with good tasting Kellogg's All Brand.
A-L-L-B-R-A-N, Kellogg's All Brand.
And for all you All Brand users who are also flower fanciers, here's good news.
Kellogg's All Brand again is offering beautiful rose bushels.
Including formerly patented gold medal winners in a choice of five colors.
For each rose bush just mail 50 cents with a box top from a package of Kellogg's All Brand to Queen of the Garden Roses, Box 974 Tyler, Texas.
See the back of specially marked packages of Kellogg's All Brand today for full details.
Marshall.
Hello, Moss.
I thought I ought to tell you, Marshall.
Joe Limes is still in the stable.
He's not in the stable.
I thought I ought to tell you, Marshall. Joe Limes is still in the stable.
He's there all right and talking awful mean.
Almost crazy about you killing his brother.
Yeah.
I just don't believe I'd go in there, Marshall.
Yeah, I gotta get him.
Well, I just thought I ought to tell you.
Thanks, Moss. You stay out of the way.
Yes, sir. I believe I will.
Lime. Joe Limes. Come out of there.
I've been waiting for you, Marshall.
Ain't you gonna shoot back, Marshall?
I gotta see him first. It'll be better for you if you come out, Lime.
You come and get me, lawman. You just come and get me.
All right, I'm coming.
Look out for the loft, Marshall. He might have got up into the loft.
Yeah.
You sure look big and brave diving into that stall, lawman.
Come on down, Lime.
Big and brave, like when you shot red.
All right, lawman. I'm ready for your move.
Come on.
You even gonna try to get me? Ain't I worth a single shot?
You better make your move, Marshall.
I'm gonna wait up here forever. Come on, move or I'll move you out.
Move, lawman.
Give up, Lime. Come on down.
You come get me.
I don't have to. I've been counting the shots. Your gun's empty.
Now, it's your last chance. Come on down.
I'm coming down, all right.
Let go of your gun, lawman.
I'll stomp you till you do.
That's better.
I got your gun. I got you too.
Now, just stand still.
Don't try nothing foolish.
I ain't gonna kill you easy, Marshall.
I'm gonna kill you slow, a little bit at a time.
You got anything to say now, lawman?
Not to you.
Maybe you will after this.
Why don't you just gotta shoot it?
It's not gonna shoot, Lime.
You're through.
Not hardly. I can still break you in the back.
Stand right where you are. You take one move and I'll blow you in two.
Chester.
Mr. Dunn, you all right?
Yeah, I'm all right. You keep him covered with that shotgun.
Yes, sir. I got him covered real good.
I come down here with the gun as soon as I remembered.
Remembered what?
That I forgot to put them bullets back in your gun when I cleaned it.
You forgot to put the bullets back?
Chester, your gun was empty. Lord have mercy, you could have been killed all thanks to me.
Yeah, I could have been killed. I would have been too, Chester.
If you had put the bullets back.
You mean an empty gun saved your life?
I just don't rightly understand, Mr. Dunn.
Well, I'll tell you about it sometime. Sometime when I'm loading my own gun.
All right, Lyme. Jail's that way. I get going.
Gun Smoke. Produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal.
The story was specially written for Gun Smoke by Marion Clark, with editorial supervision by John Meskin.
Featured in the cast were Vic Perrin, Barney Phillips, Sam Edwards, Harry Bartel, and Richard Beal.
Harley Bair is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty.
This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on Gun Smoke.