
Original Air Date: January 08, 1956Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Vic Perrin• John Dehner Produce...
Loading summary
Shopify Advertiser
Starting a business can be overwhelming. You're juggling multiple roles, designer, marketer, logistics manager, all while bringing your vision to life. But for millions of businesses, Shopify is the ultimate partner. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Build a stunning online store with Shopify's ready to use templates, boost content with AI powered product descriptions, page headlines and enhance photography. Marketing is easy with built in tools for email and social media campaigns. Plus, Shopify simplifies everything from inventory to shipping and returns. If you're ready to sell, you're ready for Shopify. Turn your big business idea into With Shopify on your side, sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com try go to shopify.com try shopify.com.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the old time radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original Air date is January 8, 1956 and the title is Doc's Revenge. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy.
Gunsmoke Narrator
Gunsmoke.
Chesterfield Advertiser
Brought to you by Chesterfield. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. Thanks to Accuray, they satisfy the most around Dodge City and in the territory on west. There's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal. And the smell of gun smoke.
Doc
Gun smoke.
Chesterfield Advertiser
Starring William Conrad. The transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it.
Matt Dillon
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 chancy job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.
Doc
Sam.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, hello, Doc. Chester. You going out on a sick call? I don't usually carry my bag when I'm going for a beer.
Doc
Why, did you want something?
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, no, no, no. I just thought I'd stop by. Well, you can walk with me at the stable if you want to. I'm going out to Jake Morrison's. This boy has the ague. Oh, now ain't that a shame. Seems like everybody's getting the ague these days. Had a touch myself last week. Oh, that's huh. You know, most folks swears by Osgood catalogue, but I found me some new stuff. Professor Curtis's original Mameluke liniment. Look, it says right here on the Bottle. What it's good for. Guaranteed to cure cramps, pains in the joints, sore throat, frosted feet, rheumatism, ombago, old sores, bites of insects, ant and reptiles, mange, salt, rahoom, dysentery, Diora and Clarion.
Doc
Well, a regular medical arsenal all in one bottle. And it's doing you good, is it?
Chester Proudfoot
Well, of course, Doc. Well, then how come you're still walking around like a buffalo with ring bone? Well, maybe I should have got your. Oh, so you come to me for some free advice now, didn't you? Well, I'll just give you some free advice, Chester. Stop eating all that salt pork and dried beans and put some fresh greens in your stomach and stay away from.
Doc
The saloon for a few days.
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, now, Doc, a little whiskey and sugar. Never a little whiskey. Oh, and most important, take all those patent medicines you got and use them for cleaning your boots. They're just the thing to kind of.
Doc
Toughen up the leather. And as far as I'm concerned. Now, Chester, you can, you.
Chester Proudfoot
Minor.
Doc
Doc. Doc.
Chester Proudfoot
What is it? Something about that fell that just rode by.
Doc
Yes, Chester.
Chester Proudfoot
Why, you was staring like you seen ghost.
Doc
You go ahead, Chester. I'm going back to the office.
Chester Proudfoot
The office?
Doc
What for? To get my gun.
Chester Proudfoot
Your gun?
Doc
Why, I'm going to kill that man.
Kitty
Packs more pleasure. Packs more pleasure. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.
Gunsmoke Narrator
The more perfectly packed your cigarette, the more taste and mildness are released for you. Chesterfield, made by exclusive Accuray, has an open, easy drawer that unlocks all the pleasure of fine tobaccos. Now, Accuray ensures an even distribution of tobacco from one end of your Chesterfield to the other. Chesterfield is firm and pleasing to the lips. Mild, yet deeply satisfying.
Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more.
Gunsmoke Narrator
Perfectly packed to the touch to the taste. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield. Mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Chester Proudfoot
Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, what's the trouble, Chester?
Chester Proudfoot
You better come on out the plaza. Maybe you can stop him.
Doc
I'll stop. Who? Doc.
Chester Proudfoot
He's gonna kill a man.
Doc
Doc.
Clem Maddow
Doc.
Chester Proudfoot
Yes, sir. He's gone and got his old army walker and strapped it to his belt. And he's marching up Front street looking for the fellow, whoever he is.
Matt Dillon
All right, let's go.
Chester Proudfoot
I tried my best to stop him, but he wouldn't listen. Oh, you should have saw his face, Mr. Dillon. He means business. I never seen Doc like this.
Matt Dillon
Who was the fellow, Chester?
Chester Proudfoot
I never seen him before.
Matt Dillon
Well, you know what? It's all About?
Chester Proudfoot
No, sir. But I do know one thing. I'd hate to have to face that old Walker pistol. Even if tis an old captain ball. Why, it'd blow a hole clean through a buffalo.
Doc
Matt. Matt.
Matt Dillon
Oh, wait a minute. There's Kitty at the door of the long branch.
Chester Proudfoot
She's waving. He must be down there.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Come on.
Kitty
Matt. It's Doc.
Matt Dillon
Is he in there, Kenny?
Kitty
Yeah, and he's got a gun. He's threatening some man.
Doc
All right. Thanks, Kenny. And if you won't come outside, I'll.
Chester Proudfoot
Kill you where you stand.
Doc
I told you, I'm not gonna fight you. That's up to you. But I'm gonna kill you whether you defend yourself or not.
Matt Dillon
Doc. That said, not.
Doc
Matt, you stay out of this.
Matt Dillon
Happens to be my business. Doc, when a man threatens another man in this town, when the other man doesn't want to fight, won't defend himself, it could turn out to be murder.
Chester Proudfoot
You think I don't know that?
Matt Dillon
You must want to kill him pretty bad.
Doc
I've wanted to for a lot of years.
Matt Dillon
Why?
Doc
I've got good reasons, Matt.
Matt Dillon
But you won't tell me, huh?
Doc
No. All right.
Matt Dillon
What about you?
Doc
I could say, I don't know. I'm just a stranger passing through town.
Matt Dillon
But I know there's no good reason for murder.
Doc
I guess he thinks there is. Do you? Not many men would say yes to that, now, would they, Marshal?
Matt Dillon
But you won't defend yourself.
Doc
I won't draw with him. No. He's gonna shoot me. He'll have to take the consequences. I'm not a fighting man, Marshall. I'm a miner. Me and my partner here, we're just traveling through Dodge. We don't want any trouble.
Clem Maddow
That's right, Marshall. We made our strike out in Arizona Territory, and we're headed back for St. Louis. Oh, we was just minding our own business, having a quiet drink when this fellow comes along.
Matt Dillon
What's your name?
Doc
Clem Maddow. This is Ben Bartlett, my partner.
Clem Maddow
We don't want no trouble.
Matt Dillon
You won't have any. Go on back to your drinks.
Chester Proudfoot
I'm going to kill him one way or the other, Matt, and you can't stop him.
Matt Dillon
Look, Doc, you're taking an awful lot for granted. Maybe you think I won't throw you in jail for threatening murder. Maybe you think because you're the town's only doctor that you can get away with.
Doc
Listen.
Matt Dillon
No, you listen to me. You're forgetting a lot. You ought to remember, Doc, for instance, your position in this town. You ought to be setting an example instead of acting like an ordinary gun hand. More important, your responsibility. Another man's life may be his own risk, but yours belongs to this whole town. And a good many lives depend on you. So you calm down and you put that gun away.
Clem Maddow
Hey, you sure told the old fool off.
Matt Dillon
You shut up, Meadow. I don't know anything about you. Maybe you're what you say. But if Doc doesn't like you, that's good enough for me. So you get out of Dodge while you got a whole skin. And you stay out.
Clem Maddow
Why should we? We got a right.
Matt Dillon
And you take your partner with you, Maddo. Because I don't like him.
Doc
You're a marshal. We was going on tomorrow anyways. Right on tonight. Soon as we stock up on some grub.
Matt Dillon
All right. Where did Doc go, Chester? Up the street, probably back to office.
Chester Proudfoot
Like you said to me, Matt. The look on his face when he went out.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know, Kitty. Well, I'm going up there, Matt.
Kitty
I had to do it.
Doc
Yeah.
Matt Dillon
I'll see you later, Kitty.
Kitty
Sure.
Chester Proudfoot
Mr. Dillon. That Maddow, he didn't seem like such a bad fella.
Matt Dillon
No, he didn't trust him.
Chester Proudfoot
I'd sooner bleed bad of that partner of his, that Bartlett. That one. Seemed like he could be a hard case all right. Thought half drive. But Maddow wouldn't even defend his son.
Matt Dillon
No, but I don't think that was because he was afraid to.
Chester Proudfoot
No, that's true. Seemed more like he just didn't want to fight. Doc. Didn't seem mad at all like Doc. More like he was sad, maybe.
Matt Dillon
A man with a guilty conscience, Chester, you know.
Chester Proudfoot
I guess so, Mr. Doom.
Matt Dillon
You better go on over to the office, Chester. I want to go up alone.
Doc
Sure.
Matt Dillon
Not dark.
Doc
Now.
Matt Dillon
I wonder where he could have gone.
Chester Proudfoot
Did you find him, Mr. Jones?
Matt Dillon
No, Chester.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, he didn't show up at Del Moncos for his supper. And it's way past his usual time. I've been watching the office and his light ain't come on. Of course, he could be sitting up there in the dark.
Matt Dillon
I just tried again. He's not there.
Chester Proudfoot
Mr. Dillon. You don't reckon he might have just.
Matt Dillon
Left town, Run away because of what I said?
Doc
Not Doc.
Matt Dillon
He's too bullheaded for that. Most likely he's out there somewhere with that old pistol of his, looking for metal.
Doc
I'm afraid you're right.
Chester Proudfoot
Doggone it, I don't know what this town would do. Thought Doc. He can be awful irritating at times and all.
Doc
But hear that that was a shot.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Come on.
Chester Proudfoot
Marshall. Marshall, over here. Is that Bartlett? Mr. Dillon.
Clem Maddow
It'S Clem, Marshall. I think he's dead.
Matt Dillon
All right, everybody stay back. Give me that lantern, will you?
Doc
He was shot in the back, Mr. Dillon.
Chester Proudfoot
Yeah, it looks mighty bad.
Clem Maddow
He said he'd kill him and he's done it.
Matt Dillon
Did you say Hotet, Bartlett? No.
Clem Maddow
We was loading horses and I just turned to go back into the store for another load and I heard the shot.
Matt Dillon
Anybody else around to see it?
Doc
No.
Clem Maddow
But after all, Marshall can't be much doubt who did it, can there? Everybody in town heard him threaten to kill Clam. Just because the man's a doctor doesn't give him any right to go around murdering people.
Matt Dillon
That's enough, Bartlett. The important thing right now is to try to save this man's life.
Chester Proudfoot
Where are we take him at, Mr. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
There's only one place. Chester.
Doc
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Now, where have you been, Doc?
Doc
I was down by the stable and I heard a shot.
Matt Dillon
It's mad up. He's still alive. But he was shot in the back.
Doc
I see. As if you didn't know, Doc, I.
Matt Dillon
Can understand you're getting into a fair fight. But not shooting a man in the back.
Clem Maddow
You just gonna let him walk away like that, Marshall?
Doc
Doc.
Matt Dillon
He'S gonna die if he doesn't get attention right away. And you're the only doctor in town. You're gonna let him die?
Chester Proudfoot
Where do you think I was going? Matt, bring him up to the office. I'll have everything ready.
Kitty
Packs more pleasure, Packs more pleasure Chesterfield packs more pleasure Because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.
Gunsmoke Narrator
The more perfectly packed your cigarette, the more taste and mildness are released for you. Chesterfield, made by exclusive Accuray, has an open, easy drawer that unlocks all the pleasure of fine tobaccos. Now, Accuray ensures an even distribution of tobacco from one end of your Chesterfield to the other. Chesterfield is firm and pleasing to the lips. Mild, yet deeply satisfying.
Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure Because Chesterfield's more.
Gunsmoke Narrator
Perfectly packed to the touch to the taste Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield Mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Doc
There we are.
Matt Dillon
Is it going to pull through, Doc?
Doc
I don't know. I've done all I can. It's good. You really didn't have to stand here and watch me.
Matt Dillon
I know I didn't, Doc. That's not why I stayed. I thought maybe I could help. And I wanted this.
Doc
The bullet?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, that's right. You see, Doc, I knew you didn't shoot Maddow. But I had to be able to prove it.
Doc
How did you know?
Matt Dillon
Because Maddow was shot in the back. I tried to tell you out there, Doc, only you didn't understand. But you did have me kind of worried when you started to walk away from him.
Doc
Why, it never occurred to me to walk away from him. I guess being a doctor is a lot more important than any personal grudge. Hell, I reckon I'm under suspicion, aren't I, doc?
Matt Dillon
Look at this.45 bullet took it out of Maddow's chest. It couldn't have been shot from that old pistol of yours, could it?
Doc
No. No, I guess it couldn't. Well, then who did it?
Matt Dillon
Oh, it's not hard to figure. Oh, Bartlett. Just him. You can come.
Clem Maddow
How is he, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
I think he's gonna be all right.
Clem Maddow
He ain't gonna die. Say, that's mighty fine. I was plenty scared with this man operating and all.
Matt Dillon
You needn't have worried. He's a doctor, and a good one. You see, he didn't shoot your partner.
Doc
He didn't? No.
Matt Dillon
We have the proof for that.
Doc
Who did?
Matt Dillon
There's only one other man in town who'd have had any reason to. A coward who saw a golden opportunity to double his takings of a mining strike by shooting his partner in the back. You just keep your hands away from your belt, Bartlett.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, I want me to get his gun. Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Chester?
Clem Maddow
You're a crazy marshal. You can't prove this.
Matt Dillon
I think we can, Bartlett. Anyway, we'll just wait and see. All right, take him down and lock him up, Chester.
Doc
Yes, sir.
Chester Proudfoot
Come on, you.
Matt Dillon
Doc, looks like Maddo's gonna come, too.
Doc
Yes. Maybe his color's better. You know, it's funny. I don't hate him anymore.
Matt Dillon
You mind telling me why you ever did?
Doc
It happened a long time ago. It had to do with a girl they're both pretty fond of. She chose madder, but he jilted her. She drowned herself. I swore I'd kill him. And I carried that hate in my heart all these years. That's not good for a man.
Matt Dillon
No, it's not, Doc.
Doc
Well, you brought me to my senses, Matt, in that saloon. Thank you.
Matt Dillon
I looked all over for you afterwards.
Chester Proudfoot
Guess I was out of Jake Morrison's.
Doc
I remembered I had to treat his.
Chester Proudfoot
Boy for the ague, so I did.
Doc
Yes. Yes. Now, you just take it easy. That's right. You lie still. You're gonna be all right. Jack, I wanted to tell you. I'm awful sorry for what happened. Maybe sorrier than you. I loved her. I would have come back if I could have. Well, I guess I never even thought of that. Well, we both been sorry too long. It's all over now. Thanks. Now you're just going to sleep. You get your rest then Alan. And the world look a lot better to you tomorrow. That's it? That's it. Well.
Matt Dillon
Good night, doctor.
Doc
Good night, ma'. Am.
Chesterfield Advertiser
In a moment, our star, William Conrad.
Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.
Gunsmoke Narrator
Chesterfield made by exclusive accurate Packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. Unlocks all the pleasure of fine tobaccos.
Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.
Gunsmoke Narrator
Firm and pleasing to the lips. Chesterfield mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Matt Dillon
You know, cowboys with six months trail pay made the frontier a good place for a crooked gambler. Next week one comes to town and gets cured of his bad habits the hard way. And that was the west. Good night.
Chesterfield Advertiser
Gun Smoke Produced and directed by Norman Macdonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon U.S. marshall. The special music for Gunsmoke was composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Vic Paron and John Dana. Marley Bear is Chester, Howard McNair is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Make today your big red letter day. Your L and M red letter day. Superior tasting and filter.
Matt Dillon
It's the miracle tip.
Chesterfield Advertiser
Make today your big red letter day. Change to L and M today.
Chester Proudfoot
L&M's got everything.
Gunsmoke Narrator
Superior taste and superior filter.
Clem Maddow
Get L and M today.
Chesterfield Advertiser
This is it. L M Superior taste and filter. L and M. America's best filter tip cigarette. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story of the western frontier. When Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot, Doc and Kitty together with all the other hard living citizens of Dodge will be with you once more. It's America growing west in the 1870s.
Doc
It's gun smoke.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739. This episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Doc
Sam.
Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: July 7, 2025
Episode Length: Approximately 27 minutes
Characters:
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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.
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.
"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.