Gunsmoke: "Cherry Red" (December 16, 1956)

Podcast: Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: December 16, 1956
Cast Highlights: William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Georgia Ellis (Kitty), Parley Baer (Chester), Howard McNear (Doc)

Episode Overview

The episode "Cherry Red" centers on the return of tension and violence to Dodge City when Cherry Odell, a young and fiery woman, accuses strangers of disrespect, while word spreads about her missing husband's criminal past. Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself unraveling a web of personal loyalties, deception, and vendetta that leads to attempted murder and hard truths—testing Cherry Odell's beliefs about her late husband and challenging the town’s sense of justice.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Cherry Odell's Anger in the Marshal's Office

• [05:12 – 07:07]
  • Cherry Odell bursts into Matt Dillon’s office, furious that as a “decent married woman,” she can’t walk down the street without being insulted.
  • Matt and Chester try to calm her, teasing her slightly, but Cherry is adamant about her married status, even though her husband Slim has been absent for nearly two years.
  • Cherry maintains faith that Slim will return:
    "Oh, he'll come back all right. Don't you worry none about that…" – Cherry Odell [06:17]
  • Scene establishes Cherry’s pride and her conflicted position in Dodge City.

2. Red Larnard Arrives with Grim News

• [07:07 – 09:19]
  • Red Larnard, a stranger, claims to have been Slim Odell’s trapping partner and carries Cherry’s photo, supposedly given to him by Slim before Slim died.
  • Red says Slim was killed by Indians near the Platte River.
  • Matt, however, has a bulletin from the sheriff stating Slim was killed during a stagecoach robbery, and that his partner escaped.
  • Red suddenly becomes the prime suspect in Slim’s death:
    • Matt: "You're under arrest for attempted robbery and for the murder of two stage line guards. Take his gun, Chester." [09:15]

3. Revelations: Red is an Undercover Agent

• [10:35 – 14:27]
  • As Matt attempts to arrest Red, Red reveals his true identity as a special agent for Wells Fargo, sent to track Slim Odell and his partner Yancy Kleiber.
  • Red explains he was undercover, suspecting even Matt might be protecting the outlaw.
  • Matt and Red discuss Cherry’s devotion to Slim, despite his proven criminality.
    • Matt: "Cherry's a born rebel. I always figured she married Slim mostly. Despite her family. They were only together about two months. He tried Homestead until he found that there was work to it. Then he left town with Yancy Kleiber Kleiber..." [13:16]
  • Red confesses he’s genuinely interested in Cherry, despite the circumstances:
    "But I meant just what I told that girl. I'm gonna marry her." – Red Larnard [13:53]

4. Red is Ambushed

• [14:27 – 18:13]
  • Cherry is seen acting “half wild” in town, looking for Red.
  • Suddenly, word comes that Red has been found shot in the back behind the livery stable.
  • Matt, Doc, and Chester tend to him, and Matt questions him as Doc removes the bullet.
  • Red insists his attacker came from behind, and he didn't get a look at who shot him.

5. Confrontation at Cherry's Ranch

• [20:09 – 23:41]
  • Matt and Chester visit Cherry at her ranch late at night, questioning her about searching for Red.
  • Cherry accuses Red of being a killer and concocts a story:
    "Red Larned shot my husband in the back. Didn't even give him a chance. Then Red made up the story that Slim was trying to rob a stagecoach." – Cherry Odell [21:12]
  • Matt systematically dismantles her narrative with the official account: Slim was an outlaw, killed while robbing a stage, and Red is a Wells Fargo agent.
  • Matt realizes Cherry is protecting Yancy Kleiber, Slim’s old partner, and is likely hiding him.
  • As Matt confronts her, Yancy fires from the dark and is wounded by Matt.

6. Emotional Resolution

• [23:19 – 24:44]
  • Cherry breaks down, admitting she had believed Yancy’s lies and was willing to help him exact vengeance on Red.
  • Matt assures Cherry that Red is alive and suggests she visit him, gently steering her toward a new future as the episode closes.
    • Matt: "Yeah. Yeah, maybe you should." [23:52]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cherry’s sense of pride:
  “I'm a married woman and I'll thank the men in this town to respect me as one.” – Cherry Odell [06:07]

• Matt’s skepticism regarding Slim's fate:
  “Jerry, Slim's been gone for nearly two years now. A lot of people don't think he's ever coming back.” – Matt Dillon [06:11]

• Red Larnard revealing his true purpose:
  “No, I'm the man who killed him. Special agent for the Wells Fargo Stage Company. My credentials are in my hip pocket.” – Red Larnard [10:53]

• Matt’s pragmatic honesty with Cherry:
  "I've tried often enough to tell you he was no good, but you wouldn't believe it. Or at least you wouldn't admit it. Actually, I think you knew. I think you knew it a week after you married him." – Matt Dillon [21:54]

• Chester’s folksy reflection:
  "By gracious. I just won't. Never understand women, I guess." – "Chester, you're not alone." – Chester and Matt Dillon [24:53]

Important Timestamps

• [05:12] Cherry Odell’s confrontation in Marshal Dillon’s office
• [07:07] Red Larnard introduces himself and describes Slim Odell’s supposed fate
• [09:19] Red arrested for robbery/murder
• [10:35] Revelation: Red is a Wells Fargo agent
• [14:27] Scene at the Long Branch with Doc, Kitty, and Chester
• [15:50] Red found shot in the back
• [17:14] Red tended by Doc and questioned by Matt
• [20:09] Matt and Chester confront Cherry at her ranch
• [21:12] Cherry’s accusation against Red, Matt methodically reveals the truth
• [23:04] Gunfight—Yancy Kleiber revealed and shot
• [23:52] Matt gently encourages Cherry to visit Red

Tone & Style

• The dialogue is straightforward, tinged with western stoicism and subtle humor.
• Emotional tension is high, especially in the exchanges between Cherry and Matt.
• The characters rely on pride, duty, and direct confrontation to resolve suspicions and grudges.

Summary

"Cherry Red" weaves a tense narrative of heartbreak, deception, and justice in Dodge City, as Cherry Odell’s illusions about her outlaw husband are shattered by hard evidence and the return of old friends and adversaries. Red Larnard’s hidden identity as a Wells Fargo agent and Cherry’s misplaced loyalty tragically intertwine, leading to violence, but ultimately offering the possibility of redemption and new beginnings. As always, Marshal Dillon remains the voice of reason and steady authority in the face of the harsh truths of the West.

For listeners:
This episode captures the classic tonal blend of Gunsmoke—combining gritty realism, the pain of self-deception, and understated hope, all delivered with crisp, authentic dialogue and memorable character moments.