
Original Air Date: January 10, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Ralph Moody• Richard Crenna• La...
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Narrator
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. 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.
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 lone.
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Jess Burris
Paul, I got the mail.
Luke Burris
Paul.
Jess Burris
We got a letter from Brother Ben. I brought it to read for you. Paul. Paul, where are you? Paul, where you at? Paul, where are you?
Luke Burris
Down here, Chris. Bed. What are you doing here?
Jess Burris
Paul? Paul, you sick?
Luke Burris
Fetch me to the house.
Jess Burris
You've been beat. Who done it, Pa?
Luke Burris
The house. Fetch me there, boy. Sure.
Jess Burris
Sure, Pa. Do that right now. Can you make it on your feet? You'd rather I'd carry you, Pa. Oh.
Luke Burris
I. I can walk you on.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Jess Burris
Tell me, Paul, who done this to you?
Luke Burris
Just get me in the bed, boy.
Jess Burris
You know who done it. Have you seen him before?
Luke Burris
Yeah, I know him.
Jess Burris
Tell me his name.
Luke Burris
Paint. No. You know him.
Jess Burris
Sure there is. Sure. I'll go after him.
Luke Burris
No, you. You ain't going no place.
Jess Burris
Then there's a law, Pa. It ain't right for him to go all free.
Luke Burris
Now, leave it be, boy. I ain't never had no need for the law. But, Paul. I said leave it be. You go ahead. Open the door for me. I'll walk in by myself.
Chester
Well, hello there, son. What can I do for you?
Jess Burris
I come to see the marshal.
Chester
You come to the right place.
Jess Burris
I don't see him here.
Chester
Of course you don't see him, because he ain't here.
Jess Burris
He coming back?
Chester
Sure, he's coming back.
Jess Burris
And we'll wait for him.
Chester
All right, son. Have a seat.
Jess Burris
Thanks.
Chester
Might be that I could help you. Me being the marshal's assistant, you might say.
Jess Burris
I'll wait.
Chester
Oh, sure. I just thought I might, maybe could save us some time before he got here.
Jess Burris
I said I wanted to see the marshal.
Chester
All right, son.
Luke Burris
All right.
Chester
Ain't no call to be so huffy about it. Oh, Mr. John, I'm glad you come.
Matt Dillon
You got trouble, Chester.
Chester
It ain't exactly trouble, but this young fella is mighty all fired serious about seeing you. I. I couldn't do nothing for him at all.
Matt Dillon
How's that, son? You want to see me, son?
Jess Burris
Yeah. Marshall? Yeah, I sure do.
Matt Dillon
What's your name?
Jess Burris
Jess Burris.
Matt Dillon
Burris. Are you Luke's son?
Jess Burris
Yes, sir, I am.
Matt Dillon
What can I do for you?
Jess Burris
I want you to arrest the man that beat my paw. You can do that, can't you, Marshal Dillon?
Matt Dillon
You better tell me more about it.
Jess Burris
Well, I. I found him yesterday laying down by the creek, all beat and bloody. I'd have come sooner, but he needed attendance.
Matt Dillon
Did he tell you who did it?
Jess Burris
No, sir. No, he wouldn't. But I know right enough it was Smed Moley.
Matt Dillon
Well, if your PA wouldn't tell you, how do you know?
Jess Burris
I've been asking questions. See, Pa had some bad dealings with Smed Marshall. He seen him here in Dodge yesterday morning and called him down good. He called him a cheat and a liar and a horse thief. Pa can give it to you good when he's of a mind.
Chester
That's right, Mr. Dillon. It happened right out there on Front street while you was over in Hays City. Mr. Burris. Really give it to him good. All right.
Jess Burris
And Smed got hisself liquored up and come out to our place and beat up Paul. He might have died, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. I'm sorry to hear it, Jess. Your father's a good man.
Jess Burris
You can arrest Smed, can't you, Marshal Dillon?
Matt Dillon
Well, yes, I can arrest him if you're Paul, swear that he's the man.
Jess Burris
Oh, he ain't gonna do that, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Why not? Is he afraid?
Jess Burris
Paul ain't afraid of nothing. That's most of the trouble.
Matt Dillon
How's that?
Jess Burris
Well, he ain't never needed to call on nobody for help. He don't figure to start now. He's root stubborn.
Matt Dillon
Well, there's not much I can do to change that.
Jess Burris
Maybe not, Marshal, but maybe you could stop a killing.
Matt Dillon
You figure that this isn't the last of the time, huh?
Jess Burris
No. No, it sure ain't the last of it. Unless you lock Smed Moley up for a while.
Matt Dillon
All right, Jess. Huh? I'll go talk to your pa. Luke. Luke Burris?
Luke Burris
Who's there?
Matt Dillon
Matt Dillon. I'd like to talk to you.
Luke Burris
Come on in. Marshall. I'm back here.
Matt Dillon
Well, sorry to see you laid up, Luke.
Luke Burris
It amend. What are you doing out this way?
Matt Dillon
Well, I heard you were off your feed.
Luke Burris
You didn't come to pay no sick call, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
No, I guess I didn't, Luke. I was hoping you'd help me out.
Luke Burris
How would that be?
Matt Dillon
I need you as a witness, Luke, as soon as you're able to travel.
Luke Burris
Witness for what?
Matt Dillon
Witness against Smed Moley.
Luke Burris
I told the boy to leave it.
Matt Dillon
Be just is trying to protect you, Luke. And see that there's no more trouble.
Luke Burris
I don't need no help. I ain't never needed no help.
Matt Dillon
Looks like you might have used some yesterday.
Luke Burris
He jumped me when I wasn't ready for him. But I can handle him. Only Marshall. Don't you worry about that.
Matt Dillon
You let me lock him up and you won't have to. The law has no.
Luke Burris
I ain't come out here before the law, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Maybe, but times have changed.
Luke Burris
Not for me, they ain't. When I come out here, a man had to do his own settling with the land, Indians, with whatever stood in the way of his. Carving out a place. Folks learned to live and die without the law.
Matt Dillon
And some of them died when they didn't have to.
Luke Burris
How a man dies is his own business.
Matt Dillon
If he's the only one dying.
Luke Burris
Marshall. You got something to arrest me for? You gonna take me in?
Matt Dillon
You know better than that, Luke.
Luke Burris
And then, Marshall, I sure thank you to leave me alone and get along.
Matt Dillon
Locking Molly up might save you a lot of trouble, Luke.
Luke Burris
I'll handle my own trouble.
Matt Dillon
All right. All right. You handle it. There may come a time when I'll have to move in.
Luke Burris
I ain't never needed the law yet.
Matt Dillon
You better hope you won't be needing it from now on.
Listener
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Narrator
Be.
Matt Dillon
Hello, man. Hello, kitty.
Jess Burris
Sit down.
Matt Dillon
Thanks. Well, the law business must be pretty good. Oh, how's that?
Jess Burris
You're usually in here early. Isn't this.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, well, it's not that. Business is good, I can tell you that, matter of fact. Kidding. I'm having a hard time selling the law.
Jess Burris
What do you mean?
Matt Dillon
Old man Burris. He got beat half to death yesterday, and he won't let me haul in the fellow that did it.
Jess Burris
Matt. Molly.
Matt Dillon
Yes, Matt Mollic. How did you know?
Jess Burris
Everybody knows.
Matt Dillon
He's been here at the bar all day bragging about it. How the old man got uppity with.
Jess Burris
Him and how he fixed it. Oh, yeah, he.
Matt Dillon
He's still here.
Jess Burris
Down at the far end there.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I see him. I guess I better have a talk with him.
Smed Moley
I showed him, all right. I showed him. Ain't nobody gonna talk about horse whipping. Smed.
Chester
Moly.
Matt Dillon
Molly.
Smed Moley
Well, now, the. Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'll talk to you. All right.
Smed Moley
You go right ahead, Marshall. You go right ahead. Ain't nothing you can do to me.
Matt Dillon
I don't count on it.
Smed Moley
I know. Ain't nothing you can do, Marshall. I seen the boy.
Matt Dillon
What boy?
Smed Moley
Luke's boy, Marshall. Big fella like him. Nearly the crime.
Matt Dillon
You take to beating him, too, like you did the old man?
Smed Moley
Oh, sure not, Marshall. Sure not. He feels bad enough. Now, you know why he feels so bad, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
I suppose you tell me.
Smed Moley
He feels so bad cause he come running to you for help and he can't get none. This old man won't take no help from the law.
Matt Dillon
Well, that's lucky for you.
Smed Moley
We got us a big marshal out here, and he can't do nothing. Well, you know that's true, Marshall. You can't arrest me if the old man don't say so. And he ain't gonna be saying so.
Matt Dillon
That's the old man's business.
Smed Moley
Yeah. Yeah, I know.
Matt Dillon
And I'll tell you something. If you ever go out there again, he means to take care of it.
Smed Moley
I ain't worried.
Matt Dillon
You should be. Because if the old man doesn't handle you, I will.
Smed Moley
Marshall, you can.
Matt Dillon
Yes, Molly, I can. But if you're smart, you won't make me prove it.
Jess Burris
You ain't got no business coming out here no more.
Smed Moley
Seem to me I got business here. Unfinished business.
Jess Burris
What do you want?
Smed Moley
I want to see your old man.
Jess Burris
You've seen him enough.
Smed Moley
That's the way I figured it, too. I figured I'd seen him enough, but I've been hearing different.
Jess Burris
What do you mean?
Smed Moley
Been hearing from folks around town. Your PA been talking unkindly about me. Downright unkindly.
Jess Burris
How'd you expect him to talk?
Smed Moley
Well, I figured I closed his mouth some the other day.
Jess Burris
Boy, Pa ain't afraid of you.
Matt Dillon
No?
Smed Moley
No, I guess he ain't. Yet. I guess I got to show him some more.
Jess Burris
You ain't going after him again.
Smed Moley
You ain't figuring this? Well, you got a gun, ain't you, boss?
Jess Burris
And I can use it. Hmm.
Smed Moley
All right, boy. Seeing you got the drop on me, I'll just ride off. You shouldn't have threatened me, boy.
Luke Burris
Here, you coward.
Jess Burris
You dirty car.
Luke Burris
Cash.
Jess Burris
Jess.
Luke Burris
Jess, what's happened? Moly Shot. Oh, the murdering, thieving shot my boy and rode away. Next time I see him, I'll kill him sure. Guess. Guess. Are you hurt bad, boy? It ain't nothing, Guess. Nothing at all. Now, I'll get you to the dock and he'll fix you up in no time. Don't you fret none. I'll go and fetch the wagon.
Chester
It's pretty Nice, ain't it, Ms. Dylan? Just sitting out here watching the world goodbye. Of course, ain't much of the world going by. I gotta admit that I ain't saw more than three or four wagons and a buggy or two since I've been sitting here.
Matt Dillon
That's funny, Chester. Seems to me you've been sitting here most of the morning. I've had to step over you every time I went in or out of the office.
Chester
Oh, well, I may have dozed off once or twice.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you may have.
Chester
But you said yourself it's been a slow morning, Mr. Jones. I figured I might as well rest up so as to be ready in case something happened.
Matt Dillon
Looks like it might be going to happen right now.
Chester
Why, what do you mean?
Matt Dillon
That's old Luke Burris driving that wagon, isn't it?
Chester
Yes, I guess he is. Well, he must be feeling better.
Matt Dillon
Well, he may be, but there's somebody in the wagon bed who isn't feeling good.
Chester
I declare, you're right, Ms. Jones. There is somebody stressed out in there.
Matt Dillon
Luke.
Chester
Luke Burris Ain't even looking at you, miss.
Luke Burris
You.
Chester
Well, that's his boy he's got there.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Come on, let's give him a hat. How is he? Documented?
Luke Burris
He's not good, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Is he gonna make it?
Luke Burris
He hasn't got a chance. The bullet was fired at point blank range.
Matt Dillon
It's a shame. Yeah. Can I go in? He can't do him any harm now. He's only got a few minutes. Come on. I'm sorry about this, Luke.
Luke Burris
Oh, leave us be, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
This time I can't. Can I speak to the boy, Doc? Be easy, man. Yeah, sure. Jess. Jess, it's Marshall Dillon. Marshall, can you tell me who did it?
Luke Burris
You don't have to talk to him, Jess.
Matt Dillon
I can get him if you tell me. Jess, I can lock him up this time.
Luke Burris
Lock him up?
Matt Dillon
You tell me his name.
Luke Burris
He ain't got no right to pester you, Jess. You don't have to tell him nothing.
Jess Burris
What daughter?
Luke Burris
Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Jess Burris
Yes, it was Moly Smith.
Luke Burris
Moly again. You.
Jess Burris
You get him this time.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'll get him.
Luke Burris
Yes.
Matt Dillon
He'S gone, Matt.
Luke Burris
I'm sorry, Luke. I did the best I could. I've seen you try to save him, Doc. I.
Matt Dillon
Thank you, Luke.
Luke Burris
I still ain't got nothing to say to you, Marshall. I could have asked that you'd let him die in peace.
Matt Dillon
I'm sorry you feel that way, Luke, but I had to step in. This is murder. I gotta get into this now, whether you want me to or not.
Luke Burris
I can't stop you, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
No. No, you can't stop me.
Luke Burris
I'll tell you something.
Matt Dillon
What's that?
Luke Burris
Nothing has changed. I can't stop you from coming into this thing. But we don't need you, Marshall. Jess and me, we don't need you any more than we ever did. We can take care of our own.
Chester
I've been kindly hankering to go back to Texas for some time now. But this sure ain't the way I'd like to make the trip. Failing a man for a day and a night can sure wear a fella down. Ain't that right, Mr. Jones?
Matt Dillon
No.
Chester
Wouldn't be so bad if a body didn't have to keep his eyes so open. Everman.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know that's particularly hard on you, Chester.
Chester
Well, you gotta keep looking out for so many things that you don't get to enjoy the scenery. None at all.
Jess Burris
Hardly.
Matt Dillon
You're not missing much in this part of camp.
Chester
No, I don't know, Mr. Dillon. I kind of like it out here. So nice and flat and hot and dry. Well, sure, but you can just see forever. You gotta admit that, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Chester, you're right. I gotta admit that. There's nothing in the way there.
Chester
You see, that's what it means. How long you reckon it'll take us to catch that smed moly, Mr. Jones?
Matt Dillon
I don't know, Chester. I may not catch him at all.
Chester
Oh, my gracious me, we'll catch him all right. You said yourself the trail was nice and clear as can be.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it's too clear.
Chester
What do you mean by that?
Matt Dillon
We're not the only ones following us.
Chester
You mean there's somebody else that trailing him?
Matt Dillon
Yes, he's got about a half a day's start.
Chester
Think it's that old Luke Burris?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm afraid it is.
Chester
Well, he just ain't got good sense to keep on with a thing like this, does he, Allie?
Matt Dillon
Thinks he's right, Chester. It's awful hard to talk sense to a person who thinks he's right.
Chester
Screw your eye at that.
Jess Burris
What?
Chester
Counting, Mr. John. Seems like it's a shack stuck way out here.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Now let's head for it. Keep your eyes open.
Chester
Yes, I am.
Matt Dillon
I will. Leave the horses here. Bring your rifle.
Chester
I got it right here.
Luke Burris
Don't worry, Marshall. You won't need your guns. I told Luke.
Matt Dillon
Now, come on.
Luke Burris
I've been the hitty all the way.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know. I saw your trail.
Luke Burris
No sense both of us making this trip.
Matt Dillon
I told you, Luke, when it's murder, it's my business.
Luke Burris
Yeah. There ain't no need.
Matt Dillon
Now we'll see.
Luke Burris
I already seen.
Matt Dillon
What do you mean?
Luke Burris
Come inside, Marshal. Come on, inside.
Matt Dillon
Come on, Chester.
Chester
Why?
Matt Dillon
Why?
Chester
Missing Dillon?
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Stand back, Paris.
Luke Burris
Sure, Marshall. I'm all done.
Chester
Mad Moly. He's hung him right here inside.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Luke Burris
I told you, Marshall, I got no need for the law.
Chester
She's been dead quite spell.
Luke Burris
Yeah seen. Shut up.
Matt Dillon
All right, Chester, you better start digging. We'll have to bury him.
Chester
I see.
Luke Burris
You should listen to me, Marshall. I meant it when I said we took care of our own. That we had no need for the law to do it.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Now the law has to take care of you.
Luke Burris
That don't matter now. My boy's dead. And I took care of the man that killed him. I took care of it, Marshall. Like we always done, without no law.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you did that, all right. And your boy wouldn't have had to die at all if he'd let me move in in the first place. All right. Come on, Luke. You can help Chester dig the grave. Like you helped dig the grave for Jessica.
Listener
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Narrator
Gun Mo, produced and directed in House Hollywood by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, US Marshal the story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Ralph Moody, Dick Krena and Lawrence Dobkin. Harley Bear As Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Hawkins as Kitty. This is the CBS Radio Network.
Smed Moley
Foreign.
Cloud Expert
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com Become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank the following ranch hand, Steve who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Listener
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Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com - Episode Summary: "Luke’s Law" (01-10-60)
Release Date: March 16, 2025
Host/Author: Andrew Rhynes
In the "Luke’s Law" episode of Gunsmoke, listeners are immersed in a tense narrative set in Dodge City, Kansas, highlighting the age-old conflict between traditional self-reliance and the encroaching authority of law enforcement.
Initial Conflict:
The episode opens with Jess Burris approaching Matt Dillon, the steadfast U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, seeking justice for his father, Luke Burris. Luke was brutally beaten by Smed Moley, a known troublemaker in the territory. Jess demands that Matt arrest Moley, emphasizing the necessity of legal intervention to prevent further violence.
Luke Burris's Stance:
Luke Burris embodies the rugged individualism typical of the American West. Despite his injuries, he resists involving the law, insisting, “I ain’t never had no need for the law” (11:42). This resistance stems from his belief in settling disputes personally, a philosophy that clashes with Matt Dillon's commitment to upholding the law.
Escalation:
As Matt Dillon investigates, Smed Moley re-enters the scene, boasting about his actions and dismissing the marshal's authority. The tension escalates when Moley confronts Matt, asserting his defiance: “Ain't nothing you can do to me” (16:24). The situation deteriorates tragically when Smed Moley murders Jess Burris, leading to a confrontation where Luke Burris takes matters into his own hands by killing Moley.
Climax and Resolution:
Matt Dillon intervenes after the fatal altercation, enforcing the law despite Luke's attempts to maintain autonomy. The episode concludes with Luke Burris reluctantly acknowledging the necessity of law enforcement, albeit amidst personal loss and lingering tensions.
Matt Dillon (William Conrad):
The unwavering U.S. Marshal represents law and order in Dodge City. Throughout the episode, Matt grapples with enforcing the law while respecting the traditional values of the townsfolk. His interactions are marked by empathy and determination to prevent further violence.
Jessica "Jess" Burris (Ralph Moody):
Jess serves as the catalyst for the episode's central conflict. His plea for justice for his father underscores the community's reliance on Matt Dillon for protection and legal recourse.
Luke Burris (Dick Krena):
A symbol of old-world resilience, Luke resists legal intervention, believing in personal accountability over institutional authority. His tragic decision to eliminate Smed Moley personally highlights the devastating consequences of clashing philosophies.
Smed Moley (Lawrence Dobkin):
The antagonist embodies lawlessness and defiance against authority. His actions and dismissive attitude toward Matt Dillon exacerbate the episode's tension, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Chester Goode (Harley Bear):
Matt Dillon's loyal assistant provides a grounded perspective, assisting in the investigation and supporting Matt's efforts to maintain peace.
Conflict Between Tradition and Law:
The episode delves deep into the tension between traditional self-reliance and the growing influence of formal law enforcement. Luke Burris's reluctance to involve Matt Dillon reflects a broader societal shift from personal justice to institutionalized law.
Tragedy of Miscommunication:
Misunderstandings and lack of communication between characters escalate conflicts, leading to irreversible consequences. Jess Burris's inability to persuade his father highlights the fragility of relationships amidst differing belief systems.
Moral Ambiguity:
The characters navigate complex moral landscapes, questioning the boundaries of justice and retribution. Matt Dillon's steadfast dedication contrasts with Luke's morally grey actions, prompting listeners to ponder the true meaning of justice.
Impact of Violence:
The episode portrays the cyclical nature of violence and its devastating impact on individuals and communities. The deaths of Jess Burris and Smed Moley serve as stark reminders of the costs of unresolved conflicts.
Jess Burris to Matt Dillon:
“I want you to arrest the man that beat my pa. You can do that, can't you, Marshal Dillon?”
(08:06)
Matt Dillon on the Necessity of Law:
“This is murder. I gotta get into this now, whether you want me to or not.”
(22:32)
Luke Burris's Defiance:
“He feels so bad cause he come running to you for help and he can't get none.”
(15:36)
Matt Dillon Confronting Luke:
“This time I can't. Can I speak to the boy, Doc? Be easy, man.”
(20:58)
Luke Burris on Tradition:
“We took care of our own. That we had no need for the law to do it.”
(26:53)
"Luke’s Law" masterfully encapsulates the essence of Gunsmoke by exploring the intricate dynamics between individual beliefs and societal norms. Through its rich character development and poignant storytelling, the episode invites listeners to reflect on the balance between personal responsibility and the rule of law. The tragic outcomes serve as a powerful commentary on the inevitable costs of resisting change, underscoring the timeless relevance of Gunsmoke in portraying the human condition amidst the rugged backdrop of the American West.
<a name="time-0806">[08:06]</a>, <a name="time-1142">[11:42]</a>, <a name="time-1536">[15:36]</a>, <a name="time-1624">[16:24]</a>, <a name="time-2058">[20:58]</a>, <a name="time-2232">[22:32]</a>, <a name="time-2653">[26:53]</a>