
Original Air Date: May 22, 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:• Virginia Gregg• Joseph Kearns• Vic ...
Loading summary
Ryan Seacrest
Hello, it is Ryan. And I was on a flight the other day playing one of my favorite social spin slot games on chumbacasino.com I looked over the person sitting next to me and you know what they were doing? They were also playing Chumba Casino. Coincidence? I think not. Everybody's loving having fun with it. Chumba Casino is home to hundreds of casino style games that you can play for free anytime, anywhere, even at 30,000ft. So sign up now@chumbacasino.com to claim your free welcome bonus. That's chumbacasino.com and live the Chumba life.
Voiceover Artist
No purchase necessary VGW or void or prohibited by law. See terms and conditions 18/ foreign.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.
William Conrad
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 chance, a job. And it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.
Ryan Seacrest
Hello, it is Ryan. And I was on a flight the other day playing one of my favorite social spin slot games on chumbacasino.com. i looked over the person sitting next to me and you know what they were doing? They were also playing Chumba Casino. Coincidence? I think not. Everybody's loving having fun with it. Chumba Casino is home to hundreds of casino style games that you can play for free anytime, anywhere, even at 30,000ft. So sign up now@chumbacasino.com to claim your free welcome bonus. That's chumbacasino.com and live the Chumba life.
Voiceover Artist
No purchase necessary. V2 prohibited by law. See terms and conditions 18+.
Chester Proudfoot
Matt, try not to be hard on Chester, huh?
Matt Dillon
I'm not going to be hard on him, Kitty. But if a man isn't doing his job, that's a great match.
Doc
Right, Kitty? By the other day, I was riding through Cottonwood Grove and there was Chester, big as life, lying under a tree with a straw stuck in his mouth.
Matt Dillon
What day was that, Doc?
Doc
What day was it? Let me see. I was on my way to Reb Morgan's place. See that youngest kid of Rebs got himself wrapped up in roll of barbed wire. I thought I would never get him out.
Matt Dillon
What day, Doc?
Doc
Oh, what day? Let me think. Thursday.
Matt Dillon
It was Thursday. Yeah, that's the day he was supposed to clean the rifles, get a new stirrup leather for my saddle, and do a half a dozen other things he hasn't been doing for the last 10 days.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, what did he say, Doc?
Doc
He didn't even see me. He just lay there staring up at the sky.
Chester Proudfoot
Matt, I think I know what it is.
Matt Dillon
What?
Chester Proudfoot
Chester's got spring fever.
Matt Dillon
Spring fever?
Doc
She might be right, Matt. Well, she'll been having the weather for it.
Chester Proudfoot
Yeah, I got a touch of it myself.
Matt Dillon
Ah, Chester's gonna have to straighten out. This has been going on for weeks. I'll see you two later.
Chester Proudfoot
Now you be easy on him, Matt.
Matt Dillon
All right, K. Well, Chester, I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you'd be lying out under a tree somewhere about now.
Doc
Under a tree?
Matt Dillon
Uh huh. What?
Doc
No sir. I've been waiting around for you, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Oh good, because I want to talk to you.
Doc
Mr. John, did you ever sit and watch a beaver build a dam?
Matt Dillon
Did I ever what?
Doc
Watch a beaver build a dam.
Matt Dillon
Chester, this is exactly what I want to talk to you about. There's a lot of work to be done around here and you're not getting a done.
Doc
Yes, sir, I know, but I was just starting to explain about that.
Matt Dillon
You were?
Doc
Yes, sir. See, for most of the year a stream runs in one direction, don't it? And along comes the beaver and he builds his dam and the water kind of starts to go in the other direction. At least for a while it does.
Matt Dillon
What's this got to do with your not doing your work, Chester?
Doc
Well, that's the way my blood is. Every year about this time, my blood kindly dams up and starts to go the other way and. And I feel different.
Matt Dillon
Chester, come here now sit down. Go on. All right, out with it.
Doc
Don, there's a lady at the Dodge House waiting to see me.
Matt Dillon
Well, what's so terrible about that?
Doc
Well, nothing I guess, except she come here from St. Louis expecting me to marry her.
Matt Dillon
Say what, Chester? What have you been doing?
Doc
Well, I've been writing letters to some ladies out of town.
Matt Dillon
What ladies?
Doc
Oh, some ladies, Mr. Dimmer. See, I run across a bunch of St. Louis newspapers and there was all these ads and only feeling like I do and all. I just kindly wrote to several of them.
Matt Dillon
And you've never even Seen this woman then, huh?
Doc
I was right.
Matt Dillon
Well, what did you say in the letters?
Doc
Well, I just told her about myself.
Matt Dillon
The truth.
Doc
Well, here and there I might have stretched things in mind, but what you're.
Matt Dillon
Trying to tell me, Chester, is that you wrote a bunch of lies and now one of these women is here to call your hand, Is that it?
Doc
Would you go Talk to her, Mr. Doom, please?
Matt Dillon
You mean you want me to get.
Doc
You out of it? Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Well, Chester, I. All right, what's her name?
Doc
Mrs. Corinne Gatesley. Mrs. She's a widow lady.
Matt Dillon
Oh, fine. You. You want me to tell her that you've left town, we don't know where you are, or something like that, Is that it?
Doc
No, sir, not exactly.
Matt Dillon
Then what?
Doc
Holy. If you don't mind Too awful much, Mr. Dillon, would you tell her you're Chester Proudfoot?
Matt Dillon
That I.
Doc
Well, see, then you could go on about how you ain't gonna marry her and all that.
Matt Dillon
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Wait, wait a minute.
Doc
Chester sent her your picture.
Matt Dillon
Did what?
Doc
It was awful good likeness. Remember that? One of you standing in Mr. Titus's studio holding that bowler hat in your hand. Where are you going, Mrs. D?
Matt Dillon
I'm going to tell her the truth right now. And you'll see that you're here when I get back.
Doc
Kiss her. Oh, dear. I wish I hadn't never Learned to write.
Matt Dillon
Ms. Gley?
Andrew Rines
Yes?
Chester Proudfoot
Who's there? Chester, is that you?
Matt Dillon
It's Matt Dillon.
Chester Proudfoot
Yeah. What are you. Oh, Chester, darling. You tried to fool Corinne, didn't you?
Matt Dillon
You're a naughty boy, Ms. Gatesley, ma' am. I came here too, Jester.
Chester Proudfoot
You needn't call me that. Just call me Corinne.
Matt Dillon
Well, no. Look, ma' am, there's been a little mix up. Mr. Proudfoot has been kind of playing a game with you.
Doc
Game?
Chester Proudfoot
I don't understand.
Matt Dillon
Well, I'm Matt Dillon, and Chester Proudfoot, well, he's another man. He. He sent you my picture by mistake.
Doc
Dylan. Seems I've heard that name before.
Matt Dillon
Well, yeah, you. Possibly you have, ma' am. I'm the marshal here in Dodge.
Doc
The Marshall.
Chester Proudfoot
That's very interesting, Marshall. The way things have worked out, I.
Doc
May have need of you. Marshall Dillon.
Chester Proudfoot
I want to show you something. These letters, you see, these were written by this Proud Foot person. Would you please read a few passages?
Matt Dillon
Well, I. Yes, I see.
Chester Proudfoot
What would you conclude from that, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Well, he's expecting some money to come his way soon.
Chester Proudfoot
What else?
Matt Dillon
And he's not above marrying the right woman.
Chester Proudfoot
Marshall, would you please tell Mr. Proudfoot.
Doc
That I'm waiting for him to call on me.
Matt Dillon
Yes, ma' am. I'll tell him.
Chester Proudfoot
Good day, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Good day, Ms. Gasly.
Ryan Seacrest
It is Ryan Seacrest here. There was a recent social media trend which consisted of flying on a plane with no music, no movies, no entertainment. But a better trend would be going to chumbacasino.com. it's like having a mini social casino in your pocket. Chumba Casino has over a hundred online casino style games, all absolutely free. It's the most fun you can have online and on a plane. So grab your free welcome bonus now@chumbacasino.com sponsored by Chumba Casino.
Voiceover Artist
No purchase necessary. VGW Group void. We're prohibited by law. 21 plus terms and conditions apply.
Doc
Well, it serves him right. And anyway. And Chester should get married.
Matt Dillon
That may be, Doc, but I don't think this is the woman for him.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, why not, Matt?
Matt Dillon
Well, for one thing, she's sure nothing to look at. She's taller than Chester and she weighs as much as I do.
Doc
Oh, man, this is wonderful. I can hardly wait for the weather.
Matt Dillon
Don't count on it, Doc.
Chester Proudfoot
Where is Chester, Matt?
Matt Dillon
He's hiding out down at the office.
Doc
Yeah, well, let's get him up here, huh? And drink a toast of this just in case.
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, Doc, stop.
Doc
Now, Kitty, I've known Chester a long time and I want him to know how happy I am for him.
Chester Proudfoot
Doc, you're just making fun of him.
Doc
No, I'm not. I may even deliver their first child free.
Chester Proudfoot
Matt, what are you gonna do about this?
Matt Dillon
Well, I'll let Chester worry for a few days just to teach him a lesson. And then I'll try to get her to leave town.
Chester Proudfoot
How does he explain all this?
Matt Dillon
He'll never believe me. K. But the trouble is that he told her he had money coming in.
Chester Proudfoot
I've known a few women like that.
Doc
You know, Matt, there is such a thing as breach of promise.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, if he only hadn't mentioned the money.
Chester Proudfoot
Matt, wait a minute.
Matt Dillon
What?
Chester Proudfoot
This woman, you say she's big. Does she have red hair?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I think she does.
Chester Proudfoot
She said where she was from.
Matt Dillon
Chester said she's from St. Louis. Why?
Chester Proudfoot
There's a woman I saw a few times in St. Louis, worked in a saloon. Then a year or so later, the sheriff was looking for her. They found the bodies of several men she had married. They'd all been shot and robbed.
Matt Dillon
Well, did they ever find her?
Chester Proudfoot
Yeah, but they couldn't prove anything on her and had to let her go. Her Name then was Bertha Hussein.
Matt Dillon
Would she know you?
Chester Proudfoot
No, I'd sure remember her.
Matt Dillon
Good. Now, she's staying at the Dodge house. You see if you can get a look at her.
Chester Proudfoot
You gonna take her in, man, there's.
Matt Dillon
No way I can yet, but I'll wire St. Louis and see what they say about her. And in the meantime, there's one thing. Pretty sure. What if she is Bretta Hoskovitz planning Chester for her next victim?
Doc
Fine. Doggone thing if he do want me to read him, he just don't need to send me after him. But to let on to Mr. Hightower that I read his telegraph. Well.
Matt Dillon
Come in.
Doc
All right, Mr. Dillon. Here, and it ain't been open.
Matt Dillon
Thanks, Chester.
Doc
I'll be sitting way over here, Mr. Dillon, where I can't read it.
Matt Dillon
Just like K said.
Doc
No need to fear on me reading your telegraphs anymore, Mr. Dillon. Mr. Hightower made that real claim.
Matt Dillon
Oh, Chester, will you quit your grumbling? When there's something I want you to know, I'll tell you it.
Doc
You probably think I mind some, Mr. John, but I don't. It don't bother me at all, not one bit.
Matt Dillon
I know.
Doc
I know, Mr. Dylan. Or ain't I supposed to know about that neither?
Matt Dillon
Have you seen your lady friend yet?
Doc
No, and I don't intend to. I hope she on my first train out of here today.
Matt Dillon
You know, you're going to find her a lot harder to get rid of than you think, Chester. I'll see you later. Now, Mr. Bodkin. Oh, well, good morning, Marshall. What brings you into the bank so early? Look, Mr. Bodkin, there's something I'd like to ask you to do for me. Anything. Anything you say, Marshall. This is going to involve the use of some of your money. Well, now, Marshall, that doesn't really belong to me. I know that, Mr. Bargain. Well, just how much money, Marshall Dylan? $5,000. 5,000? Well, Marshall Dylan, people leave their money here on trust, and it's up to me. Peter Botan, let's go into your office and I'll tell you what this is all about, huh? All right. But $5,000 is a lot of money, Marshall. I know that, Mr. Barin. Matt.
Doc
Hello, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Oh, yeah, Doc.
Doc
Matt, I've been looking all over you. Kitty and I saw that Huskovitz woman going into your office a few minutes ago.
Matt Dillon
Stall. Yeah.
Doc
You better keep her away from Chester. She's liable to convince him he has to marry her.
Matt Dillon
That's what I want her to do. I want Chester to Think that he really does have to marry this woman. Look, Doc, I tell you what. You go find Kitty and tell her about this and see that she helps out, huh?
Doc
Oh, but Chester might get killed.
Matt Dillon
Well, I'll see that he doesn't. Now, you go tell Kitty, and then both of you come right back to the office as soon as you can.
Chester Proudfoot
Jester proud, but you come out of that cell.
Doc
No, ma' am, I ain't. But not. Stop that. Ms. Jason.
Matt Dillon
Chester.
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, good morning, Marshall Dillon. I've come to get my loved one.
Matt Dillon
Chester, what are you doing in that cell?
Doc
Well, after What I done, Mr. Dillon, I figured I ought to be locked up.
Matt Dillon
Where are the keys?
Doc
I got them right here in my pocket.
Matt Dillon
Hand them over.
Doc
Yes, sir. Here you are. Look, I would like to get married meeting, ma' am, but you see how things are. There ain't nothing I knew about. I just can't, you know.
Matt Dillon
Would you like to come out, Manchester?
Doc
Sure.
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, thank you, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
It's all right. Let's go on out to the front office, huh?
Doc
Ah, there he is. Kenny in the Happy Bridegroom says, is.
Chester Proudfoot
This the big day?
Doc
Well, no.
Chester Proudfoot
Say, don't I know you, dearie? Oh, not that I know, huh? Oh, I guess not. Oh, look at this poor boy. He's scared to death. Chester, darling, see how your little Corinne's trembling all over.
Doc
And I mind you. Oh, just look at that. Don't. Do I have to go through a sale? I never really meant nothing by writing all them letters. I was just having a little fun.
Matt Dillon
Chester, you can't toy with a woman's heart that way.
Chester Proudfoot
You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Just.
Doc
I am Miss Kitty. Honest I am. Miss Gaisley, ma' am.
Chester Proudfoot
Yes, love?
Doc
You don't want me now, do you? I don't look like much. I ain't had hardly no schooling at all. All I know is helping Mr. Dillon, and that's all I really want to do. Every year at this time, I give these crazy ideas about women and maybe having a home of my own and.
Chester Proudfoot
Spending your money on someone you love.
Doc
Money? Say, that's. Oh, I told you an awful lie about that. Well, I ain't got no money at all. That was all part of the. Well, that was just talk like the rest of it.
Chester Proudfoot
What are you saying?
Doc
No money? No, ma' am. No, ma' am.
Matt Dillon
Is Chester in here? Yeah, he's here, Mr. Barkin. Oh, there you are, Chester. Well, my boy, have I got good news for you.
Doc
Oh, Mr. Bodkin, I sure could use some Good news.
Matt Dillon
Well, then, look in this bag. There's $5,000 in it and it's all yours.
Doc
Now don't fool with me, Mr. Bodkin. I've got enough colorless tail.
Matt Dillon
I am not fooling.
Chester Proudfoot
It's yours and Chesters.
Matt Dillon
Yes, ma' am. He inherited it.
Doc
No, I didn't. No, I did. From an old man down in Texas. Who? Who? Who? Who? What old man?
Matt Dillon
Grandpa Drum. Remember him?
Doc
Grandpa. Grandpa. Now, why did he have to go and do that?
Chester Proudfoot
Isn't that wonderful, Chester? Now you can get married just the way you always wanted to.
Doc
Mr. Jones, I don't want to leave here making coffee for you, holding your horse. And then.
Matt Dillon
And, And.
Doc
And I'll get that saddle fixed right away.
Matt Dillon
I promise you. You don't have any choice. You've asked for this woman's hand.
Chester Proudfoot
He sure has.
Doc
No.
Chester Proudfoot
Chester, dear, do you want me to read these letters out loud?
Doc
No, no, no. I'll. I'll marry you. Now you're talking, Chester.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, let's all go over to my place and celebrate.
Matt Dillon
That's a good idea, Kitty.
Chester Proudfoot
And Chester, it's on me. Every last drink.
Doc
Thank you, Miss Kitty. You always was nice to me.
Voiceover Artist
Step into the world of power, loyalty and luck. I'm going to make him an offer he we can't refuse with family. Canolis and Spins mean everything. Now you want to get mixed up in the family business. Introducing the godfather@champacasino.com test your luck on the shadowy world of the Godfather slots. Someday I will call upon you to do a service for me. Play the Godfather now@chambaccasino.com Welcome to the family.
No purchase necessary. VGW Group void. We're prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply.
Doc
Oh, there you are, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, here I am. Well, I want.
Doc
Well, what are you so grumpy about?
Matt Dillon
I feel kind of bad about what I'm doing at Chester.
Doc
Why didn't. Why don't you call it off?
Matt Dillon
I can't do that, Doc. I was hoping I was wrong, but here, look at this.
Chester Proudfoot
Huh?
Doc
What do you mean? What is it?
Matt Dillon
On the telegram now, this time from Wichita.
Doc
The woman you describe is Marion Bertha. She is responsible for two disappearances in this area. Found both bodies, but can prove nothing. Suspects she works with male accomplice. Signed Shit.
Matt Dillon
Male accomplice.
Doc
Oh, my God. You're gonna get Chester kill.
Matt Dillon
I hope not, Doc.
Doc
Well, she's got tickets for both of them on this afternoon stage to lunch.
Matt Dillon
I know.
Doc
And says she won't be married Anyways.
Matt Dillon
Elsa, she wants to get Chester and his money away from Dodge, Doc.
Doc
Well, then what are you doing about it?
Matt Dillon
I'm gonna give her enough rope to hang herself.
Doc
I just hope Chester doesn't get caught in the same.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, goodbye, Chester. Hurry back to Dodge.
Doc
Goodbye, Miss Kitty. Somehow this just don't seem real. It's real enough, Chester. Let's take a look at that lovely creature next to you.
Chester Proudfoot
Hello, my dear. Goodbye, Doc.
Doc
Bye, Doc.
Chester Proudfoot
Thank you for the party.
Doc
Ain't nobody seen Mr. Dillon?
Chester Proudfoot
No, I haven't. Where is Matt, Doc?
Doc
Well, I don't know, but he better have. Well, here he comes.
Chester Proudfoot
Just look at him. He's wearing a tie.
Doc
Kitty and his Sunday suit. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dillon. Did you come to just insist that I get off the stagecoach?
Matt Dillon
Oh, Chester. I'm gonna ride the Lineage. You didn't think I'd miss that wedding of yours, did you? All right, Jack, let's get this stage going. It's two o' clock.
Doc
All right, Marshall. Everybody out of the way.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, I hope everything works out all right, Doc.
Doc
So do I. Kiddish. So do I.
Matt Dillon
Dylan, I don't understand.
Chester Proudfoot
Why you're coming along.
Matt Dillon
Chester and I've been friends for a long time. Time, Ms. Kately. It's the least I could do.
Doc
Flames. I thought we was friend, Mr. Dylan. Gly seen you all dressed up for my wedding.
Chester Proudfoot
The poor darling. Chester dear, you'll be happy.
Doc
After all, love conquers all. Love. I never knew a man could get into such a mess, Mr. Dylan.
Chester Proudfoot
I was just fun.
Doc
And made at least four or five other ladies. Ladies and I wrote to that.
Chester Proudfoot
I've got you.
Doc
Yes, ma' am, I reckon you have. All right, stop them horses, Mister. What's this all about?
Matt Dillon
Grab Bera, Chester, and keep her quiet.
Doc
What is this, a hold up, Mr.
Matt Dillon
D. Just keep yourself and the woman out of it, Chester.
Doc
Yes, sir. All right. Better jump down. I said keep her quiet.
Matt Dillon
Throw up your hand.
Doc
You shot my husband. Why did you bring the marriage?
Chester Proudfoot
Who's he?
Doc
Mr. John. She called him her husband and she was fixing to marry me.
Matt Dillon
No, she wasn't, Justin. She was gonna have him kill you.
Doc
She was. And you wasn't letting her take me off to get married at all. You was only trying to capture her.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I had to have both of them. Chester, he's a killer. She may be too.
Doc
Well, why didn't you tell me, Mr. Dunn? I could have helped.
Matt Dillon
You did, Chester. You helped a lot.
Doc
I did? I did. Well, say now, I reckon I did at that, Mr. Dillon.
Voiceover Artist
Step into the world of power, loyalty and luck. I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse. With family, cannolis and spins mean everything. Now you want to get mixed up in the family business? Introducing the godfather@champacasino.com test your luck on the shadowy world of the Godfather slots. Someday I will call upon you to do a service for me. Play the Godfather now@Champacasino.com Welcome to the family.
No purchase necessary VGW Group Void where prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply.
Matt Dillon
Foreign.
William Conrad
Produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U. S Marshal the story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Tom Hanley with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Virginia Greg, Joseph Kearns and Vic Couch. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is kidding. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on gun smoke.
Doc
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
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 YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands Steve Technogod and Craig 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 copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Ryan Seacrest
Hello it is Ryan and we could all use an extra bright spot in our day, couldn't we? Just to make up for things like sitting in traffic, doing the dishes, counting your steps. You know all the mundane stuff. That is why I'm such a big fan of Chumba Casino. Chumba Casino has all your favorite social casino style games that you can play for free, anytime, any anywhere with daily bonuses that should brighten your day look actually a lot. So sign up now@chumbacasino.com that's chumbacasino.com no purchase necessary.
Voiceover Artist
Btw, See terms and conditions 18 +.
Episode Details:
In the episode "Marryin’ Bertha," the tranquil town of Dodge City faces unexpected turmoil when Chester Proudfoot finds himself entangled in a precarious romantic predicament. Hosted by Andrew Rines, this episode delves into themes of deception, loyalty, and the quest for happiness amidst the rugged backdrop of the American West.
Chester’s Predicament
The story unfolds with Chester Proudfoot appearing despondent and neglecting his duties. Matt Dillon, the vigilant U.S. Marshal, observes Chester's unusual behavior and seeks to understand the cause.
Chester Proudfoot ([03:00]): "Matt, try not to be hard on Chester, huh?"
Matt confronts Chester, who reveals that a woman from St. Louis, Corinne Gatesley, expects him to marry her. Chester admits to writing letters to several women, seeking companionship, which has led Corinne to Dodge City.
Doc ([05:05]): "I was just starting to explain about that."
Matt’s Investigation
Matt Dillon takes it upon himself to clarify the situation. He meets Corinne Gatesley, only to discover discrepancies in her story. Upon further investigation, Matt uncovers that Corinne might be Bertha Hoskovitz, a woman with a notorious past involving multiple disappearances.
Matt Dillon ([12:06]): "I'm gonna give her enough rope to hang herself."
Confrontation and Resolution
The tension culminates when Matt confronts both Chester and Corinne. It becomes evident that Corinne has ulterior motives, potentially putting Chester in danger. During the confrontation, Doc Proudfoot plays a pivotal role, ultimately helping to resolve the situation by exposing Corinne’s deceitful intentions.
Doc ([25:55]): "She was gonna have him kill you."
Matt ensures the safety of both Chester and the town by apprehending Corinne, restoring peace to Dodge City.
Matt Dillon: Exemplifies the archetypal Western hero—brave, just, and protective of his community. His dedication to uncovering the truth embodies his role as the steadfast Marshal.
Matt Dillon ([22:16]): "Male accomplice."
Chester Proudfoot: Represents the everyman caught in unforeseen circumstances. His vulnerability and reliance on Matt highlight the themes of friendship and trust.
Chester Proudfoot ([16:22]): "I've known a few women like that."
Doc Proudfoot: Adds depth to the narrative with his wisdom and subtle humor. His interactions provide both comic relief and critical support in resolving the conflict.
Doc ([14:48]): "I believe you've got it right, Marshall."
Corinne Gatesley/Bertha Hoskovitz: The antagonist whose deceptive charm masks her dangerous intentions. Her character serves as a catalyst for the episode’s central conflict.
Corinne Gatesley ([18:14]): "Don't."
Deception and Truth: The episode masterfully explores how appearances can be deceptive and the importance of uncovering the truth.
Friendship and Loyalty: Matt Dillon’s unwavering support for Chester underscores the value of friendship and community ties.
Justice and Protection: Matt’s relentless pursuit to protect Chester and Dodge City from potential harm embodies the essence of Western justice.
Chester Proudfoot ([03:00]): "Matt, try not to be hard on Chester, huh?"
Matt Dillon ([12:06]): "I'm gonna give her enough rope to hang herself."
Doc Proudfoot ([25:55]): "She was gonna have him kill you."
"Marryin’ Bertha" is a compelling episode that encapsulates the classic elements of Western drama—moral dilemmas, strong character dynamics, and the pursuit of justice. Through its intricate plot and memorable dialogues, the episode reinforces the enduring legacy of "Gunsmoke" as a cornerstone of American radio and television Westerns.
For enthusiasts of old-time Westerns, "Marryin’ Bertha" offers a rich narrative filled with suspense and heartfelt moments. Andrew Rines successfully captures the spirit of the original series, providing both nostalgia and engaging storytelling for new and longtime fans alike.