Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com – Episode Summary: "Doc’s Revenge" (Original Air Date: January 8, 1956)

Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: July 7, 2025
Episode Length: Approximately 27 minutes
Characters:

• Matt Dillon: U.S. Marshal
• Doc: Town physician with a troubled past
• Chester Proudfoot: Local resident
• Clem Maddow: Miner and Doc’s former associate
• Ben Bartlett: Clem Maddow’s partner
• Kitty: Saloon owner

Introduction

Andrew Rines opens the episode by welcoming listeners to "Gunsmoke," setting the stage for the dramatic tale titled "Doc’s Revenge." The story unfolds in Dodge City, Kansas, a frontier town teeming with tension and unresolved conflicts.

Conflict Emerges

The episode introduces Doc, a respected physician in Dodge City, who harbors a deep-seated grudge. Early interactions reveal his strained relationship with the townsfolk, particularly with Marshal Matt Dillon.

Chester Proudfoot approaches Doc with a light-hearted conversation, highlighting Doc's rough demeanor:

Chester Proudfoot [04:26]: "Well, then how come you're still walking around like a buffalo with ring bone."

Doc remains stoic, hinting at underlying turmoil:

Doc [04:46]: "The saloon for a few days."

Rising Tension

A man rides into town with a clear intent to cause trouble. Chester raises the alarm to Marshal Dillon:

Chester Proudfoot [07:20]: "He's gonna kill a man."

Doc reacts with determination, expressing his intent to stop the impending violence:

Doc [07:24]: "I'm going to kill that man."

This declaration alarms Marshal Dillon, who intervenes to de-escalate the situation, emphasizing the law and order he upholds:

Matt Dillon [08:29]: "When a man threatens another man in this town... it could turn out to be murder."

Confrontation at the Saloon

Doc's agitation leads to a standoff at the saloon where Clem Maddow and his partner, Ben Bartlett, are present. The tension escalates when Doc threatens Maddow, revealing their troubled history.

Matt Dillon confronts Doc, urging him to relinquish his weapon and reconsider his vendetta:

Matt Dillon [09:00]: "Another man's life may be his own risk, but yours belongs to this whole town."

Doc remains resolute, driven by years of pent-up resentment:

Doc [20:22]: "It happened a long time ago. It had to do with a girl they're both pretty fond of."

The Shooting

Despite Marshal Dillon's efforts to mediate, Doc shoots Clem Maddow in the back, leaving him gravely wounded. The incident shocks the townspeople and thrusts Doc into suspicion.

Doc [07:26]: "I've wanted to kill him pretty bad."

Matt Dillon [08:57]: "He'll have to take the consequences."

Investigation and Revelation

Marshal Dillon conducts a meticulous investigation, uncovering inconsistencies that point away from Doc. Through forensic analysis, it's revealed that the bullet did not originate from Doc's pistol:

Matt Dillon [18:56]: "It couldn't have been shot from that old pistol of yours, could it?"

Dillon deduces that Ben Bartlett is the true culprit, motivated by greed to double his profits from a mining strike by eliminating his partner.

Matt Dillon [19:45]: "You just keep your hands away from your belt, Bartlett."

Resolution and Reconciliation

As the truth surfaces, Doc confronts his own vendetta, realizing the futility of his long-held hatred. He acknowledges the negative impact it has had on his life and the community.

Doc [20:37]: "That's not good for a man."

Marshal Dillon’s unwavering commitment to justice restores peace, and Bartlett is apprehended, ensuring the safety of Dodge City once more.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Doc expressing remorse and gratitude, having learned the value of letting go of past grievances. Marshal Dillon reaffirms his role as the protector of the town, maintaining law and order.

Doc [20:56]: "I'm under suspicion, aren't I, doc?"

Matt Dillon [21:03]: "Good night, doctor."

The narrative wraps up with the enduring themes of justice, redemption, and the importance of community trust, hallmark traits that make "Gunsmoke" a beloved Western drama.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Doc: "I'm going to kill that man." ([07:24])
• Matt Dillon: "Another man's life may be his own risk, but yours belongs to this whole town." ([09:00])
• Doc: "It happened a long time ago. It had to do with a girl they're both pretty fond of." ([20:22])
• Matt Dillon: "It couldn't have been shot from that old pistol of yours, could it?" ([18:56])
• Doc: "That's not good for a man." ([20:37])

Themes and Insights

"Doc’s Revenge" delves deep into the destructive power of vengeance and the redemptive capacity of community and justice. It portrays the internal conflict of a man torn between his moral obligations and personal vendettas, ultimately highlighting the strength found in confronting and overcoming one's darker impulses.

The episode also underscores Marshal Dillon's role as the moral compass of Dodge City, balancing empathy with unwavering resolve to uphold the law. His interactions with Doc reveal the complexities of leadership and the burdens carried by those entrusted with maintaining peace.

Produced and Directed by Norman Macdonald, with a stellar cast including William Conrad as Matt Dillon, Vic Paron, John Dana, Marley Bear as Chester Proudfoot, Howard McNair as Doc, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. The musical score by Rex Corey and sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James enhance the immersive Western atmosphere of the episode.

Join us next week for another captivating story from the frontier, continuing the legacy of "Gunsmoke" as we explore the challenges and triumphs of life in the expanding American West.