
Original Air Date: May 06, 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:• Lawrence Dobkin• Harry Bartell• Jam...
Loading summary
Chester
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And before we get into this episode, I wanted to do a little PSA and remind you that I put out multiple shows a week of Old Time Radio Westerns. You can check them out by going to otrwesterns.com or looking up OTR Westerns on your podcast application of choice. We're releasing over 10 episodes a week so far, about a hundred a month. So definitely want you to check that out again otrwesterns.com and check it out. I also wanted to invite you to check out my sister podcast site, otnetcast. And that's N E T C A s t. So ot n e t c a s t netcast otnetcast.com we're currently releasing mystery genre shows and this is shows like the Shadow Escape, Suspense and the Whistler. And we have plans on bringing other shows to the network for you guys to listen to. So it's my non western old time radio channel that I can kind of do other genres that not only I like, but hopefully you would like too. You can check us out by going to otnetcast.com or searching on your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original Air date is May 6, 1956 and the title is the Photographer.
Narrator
Gunsmoke. 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 garbage. Gun smoke. Gun smoke. 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.
Chester
A man watchful and a little lonely. This walk is just what I needed, Mr. Dylan. I sure been sleepy today.
Matt Dillon
You got spring fever, Chester?
Chester
I guess so is nice weather, ain't it? Won't be long now. The cattle drive will be starting.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, and the streets will be full of Texas cowhands looking for trouble.
Chester
Yes, sir. But you know, I'm almost looking forward to them this year.
Matt Dillon
You know, come July, you'll be pining for this peace and quiet.
Chester
Maybe. But not right now. Maybe I'll just stop by the tonsorial, Mr. Dillon, if it's all right with you.
Matt Dillon
Not sure what for.
Chester
Well, like you said, it's spring. They got a bath there. Besides, it's time to get unsowed.
Matt Dillon
You better leave them on. We might have a late frost.
Chester
I don't know. I'm beginning to itch some and. Hey, what's that crowd in front of the long branch?
Professor Jacoby
I don't know.
Chester
You suppose tis Mr. Dillon. Hey, maybe it's a medicine show.
Matt Dillon
Well, let's go take a look, huh?
Chester
Whatever it is, that fellow sure has drew a crowd. And that's a fact, huh? There he is. Ms. Kenny's talking to him. Yeah, well, guess it can't be no trouble, man.
Kitty
Oh, hello, Max.
Matt Dillon
Oh, Kenny.
Professor Jacoby
Hey, Marshall.
Chester
You come to have your picture took, too? Yeah, the Marshall look real smart in the te. You tell him to.
Matt Dillon
Ah, so that's it. You're taking pictures, huh?
Kitty
That's right. Matt, this is Professor Jacoby. He calls himself an artist of the camera.
Chester
Well, forevermore. So this is one of them things I've been hearing about.
Professor Jacoby
That's right.
Chester
Keep your hands.
Professor Jacoby
Keep your hands off it, my good man. It's a very sensitive instrument.
Chester
Oh, yes, sir. I'm sorry.
Professor Jacoby
Well, you're Marshall Dylan, I take it, sir?
Matt Dillon
That's right.
Professor Jacoby
Well, I'm glad to meet you, Marshall. I was coming to look you up directly. Quite naturally. You're one of the subjects I most wish to immortalize with the camera.
Matt Dillon
Oh, is that so?
Professor Jacoby
Certainly, certainly. Western Marshall is one of our great heroes back east there.
Chester
Are you? Don't say.
Professor Jacoby
Oh, yes, yes.
Matt Dillon
Say, yes, sir.
Chester
Professor, what's that little tent for?
Professor Jacoby
Oh, that's where I do my developing, sir.
Chester
Oh, development?
Professor Jacoby
Why, of course. Pyro and soda, you understand. Well, and the plate must be developed immediately, before it dries.
Chester
Oh, now, miss.
Kitty
Well, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
Professor Jacoby
You stand aside. If you'll just relax, miss. I'm not going to shoot you, you know.
Kitty
Okay, let me see now.
Professor Jacoby
That's not precisely what I'm after. What we need is another subject.
Kitty
I beg your pardon?
Professor Jacoby
Oh, another person. Ah, you, sir, would you step up, please? Yes, me. You like that?
Narrator
He's gonna immortalize old Toad. Just come right over here.
Matt Dillon
That's it. That's it.
Professor Jacoby
Now, miss, if you'll just stand beside him.
Kitty
Him?
Professor Jacoby
Well, anything for art's sake, you know. We want this to look absolutely authentic.
Chester
I think I'm gonna like this, Miss Kitty.
Kitty
Now, don't go getting any ideas, Toad.
Matt Dillon
Ah, that's fine.
Chester
That's fine.
Professor Jacoby
Now, miss, if you. You just look up at him with that. Well, you know what I mean.
Kitty
No, I don't know.
Matt Dillon
Well, professor, why don't you just take your pictures of people the way you find them? They'll be authentic.
Professor Jacoby
Oh, now, of course, Marshall, I meant no offense.
Kitty
That's all right, man. Go ahead, Professor.
Matt Dillon
Yes, of course.
Professor Jacoby
That's it.
Chester
Hey, where's he going?
Professor Jacoby
Ducking under that black cloth.
Chester
There you go.
Matt Dillon
I have a hard time crawling into that little box.
Professor Jacoby
That's good now.
Narrator
That's good.
Professor Jacoby
Now, don't take your eyes off the camera and don't move a muscle while I'm counting, you understand? All right, take a big breath. Hold it.
Chester
One Missouri, two Missouri, three missour, four missour, five Missouri, seven missour, eight Missoura, nine Missoura. 10 Missouri, 11.
Professor Jacoby
Good, good.
Matt Dillon
Well, ain't that something? Mr. Dylan, you know I want see that picture. Kitty, you look like the camera was a rattlesnake.
Kitty
It might as well have been. I'm glad it's over.
Professor Jacoby
And now, Marshall. Marshall, maybe you will oblige.
Matt Dillon
Well, no, thank you, Professor. Maybe later then.
Professor Jacoby
Perhaps I'll take one of these gentlemen. You, sir, you look like a gunfighter.
Matt Dillon
Grubs may try to look and act like a gunman, professor, but he's not very desperate. Oh.
Professor Jacoby
Oh, I see. Well, perhaps you have someone in your jail, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
No, not at the moment.
Professor Jacoby
I know what the Eastern public wants, sir.
Chester
What?
Professor Jacoby
It wants to see dance hall girls, desperados, gunfighters, savage Indians, the violence of the West. And it's the violence I'm after most of all. That's what will sell my photographs, professor.
Matt Dillon
Then all you have to do is wait.
Professor Jacoby
Wait? For how long?
Matt Dillon
Maybe a few weeks when the trail herds start coming.
Professor Jacoby
I haven't got a few weeks, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
I guess we can't help you.
Professor Jacoby
Well, don't worry, Marshall. I'll manage no how. You'll see I'm a man of ideas, Marshall.
Narrator
That whistling man, Bobby Haggart really started something. Tonight we'd like to introduce a player piano that could have come right out of the long branch in Dodge City.
Kitty
Packs more pleasure, packs more pleasure Chesterfield packs more pleasure Because Chesterfield's more perfectly.
Narrator
Packed Than it stands to reason A cigarette made better and packed better smokes better, tastes better and Chesterfield is more perfectly packed By Accuray, this electronic miracle removes human error in cigarette manufacture. So Accuray Chesterfield is firm and pleasing to the lips. Mild, yet deeply satisfying. Yes, Chesterfield gives you something no Other cigarette can give you Chesterfield packs more.
Kitty
Pleasure Because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed to.
Narrator
The touch, to the taste Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield Mild yet they satisfy the most.
Chester
Sam.
Kitty
Morning, Ma.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Kitty. If you mind if I sit down.
Kitty
Well, I haven't yet, have I?
Matt Dillon
What are you grinning about?
Kitty
I saw your picture. What was that you said to me about rattlesnakes?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it was pretty bad, wasn't it? Well, maybe if you didn't have to hold still for so long.
Kitty
Sure. Anyway, you're immortalized now. The professor will have your face all over the papers back.
Matt Dillon
Easy if they'll print it.
Kitty
Matt, seriously, I don't like that man. Oh, there's something about him. I don't know what it is.
Matt Dillon
Oh, he seems all right, Kitty. Maybe you're just not used to photographers.
Kitty
Well, neither are you, bill.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Janice.
Chester
Mr. Dillon, you better come now.
Matt Dillon
What's the matter?
Chester
Out at the end of Bridge street, they just found old Toad. He's dead. Dead? But that ain't all. He's been scalped. What do you make of it, Matt?
Matt Dillon
I don't know, Doc. Neither do I.
Professor Jacoby
There hasn't been any Indian trouble lately. Surely no Indian come this close to town.
Matt Dillon
Doc, it wasn't an Indian. That's not the way they use a knife.
Chester
Well, then who did do it, Mr. Dillon? Old toad wasn't much good, but he never hurt nobody. There's another funny thing, Matt. Doesn't look like it was done right here, but like it was done over there by that building.
Professor Jacoby
And then he was dragged out here into the open.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, out in the open, into the sunlight. Wait a minute.
Chester
What are you looking for, Mr. John?
Matt Dillon
This right here, Chester.
Chester
Well, I. I don't see nothing.
Matt Dillon
Those three little marks on the ground there. You know what makes marks like that?
Chester
No, what?
Matt Dillon
The three legged stand I used for a surveyor's instrument or a camera. Camera?
Chester
Matt, no man would do that just for a picture.
Matt Dillon
There's one way to find out.
Professor Jacoby
Come in.
Kitty
Come in.
Professor Jacoby
Ah, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Ah, professor, looks like you're packing. Are you going someplace?
Professor Jacoby
Yes, yes, Marshall. I've covered Dodge pretty thoroughly. Now I want to go out onto the plains and get some pictures. You know, buffalo hunters, Indians.
Matt Dillon
Aren't you leaving kind of sudden?
Professor Jacoby
What do you mean? I've been planning to go down into the Indian territory.
Matt Dillon
They might be pretty dangerous right now, Professor.
Professor Jacoby
Oh, I'm not timid, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Oh, I know that. Did you hear there's Indian trouble starting? The man was scalped this Morning. Right here in Dodge.
Professor Jacoby
Yes, I heard something of it, but I'm not frightened.
Matt Dillon
Why not, Professor? Because you know it wasn't an Indian that did it.
Professor Jacoby
Just what do you mean, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
I'd just like to know how you were able to get there and take a picture at Toad before anybody else knew anything about it.
Professor Jacoby
Perhaps I was just lucky, Marshall. I met the man who found him.
Matt Dillon
I think it was more than luck.
Professor Jacoby
Are you accusing me of killing that man?
Matt Dillon
Maybe you didn't do it yourself, but I think you hired a doctor.
Professor Jacoby
Can you prove that?
Matt Dillon
I can when I find the men you hired.
Professor Jacoby
The whole thing is ridiculous, Marshall. Inside he was nothing but a scavenger, a derelict.
Matt Dillon
He was a man, and it was murder. Whoever did it'll hang for it.
Professor Jacoby
Well, it's no concern of mine. Unless, of course, I can take a photograph of the hanging.
Matt Dillon
You'll do anything for a picture, won't you?
Professor Jacoby
Well, almost anything, Marshall. Like I told that girl, anything for art's sake. And that was a good picture I got of Toad, Marshall. Perhaps you'd like to see it.
Matt Dillon
No, thanks.
Professor Jacoby
Well, it's going to be quite a feather in my cap when I take it back east to Harper's.
Matt Dillon
Maybe you won't take it back east, Jacoby. This might be one picture you paid too high a price for.
Professor Jacoby
Matt.
Chester
Why didn't you lock him up?
Matt Dillon
I got no proof against him, Doc, unless I can find the man who actually did it. And I got no idea who that is. Jacoby's been seen around town with a lot of men, but nobody's special.
Chester
He's liable to skip town on you.
Matt Dillon
I hope so.
Professor Jacoby
What's that?
Matt Dillon
I figure he's going down into Indian territory. He won't go alone. Even he's not that foolish. And a logical one to go along with him is a man he'd already hired to do a job for him. Yeah, that's so. Anyway, it's the last chance I got.
Chester
The town sure stirred up about it. You never thought old Toad had a single friend.
Matt Dillon
Sure, they're upset. They think it was Indians.
Professor Jacoby
And the professor put the picture on.
Chester
Display in the window of the Dodge house.
Professor Jacoby
Did you know that?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I heard.
Chester
Maybe it was him started the talk about calling the cavalry out against the Indians.
Matt Dillon
Well, he'd like nothing better than an Indian war to photograph.
Chester
What kind of a man is that? I don't know, Mr. Dylan Moss Grimmick says a professor left town just before dawn this morning.
Matt Dillon
Alone?
Chester
Nope. Tom Grubs was with him.
Matt Dillon
Tom Grubs? Sure. A two bit would be gunman. All right. Now all we got to do is catch up with them.
Narrator
Where are you listening to Gunsmoke in your favorite easy chair or out driving? Oh, there you are in the kitchen. Say you want to make whatever you're doing more enjoyable. Have a Chesterfield. Enjoy. Chesterfield's better taste and mildness it stands to reason a cigarette made better and packed better smokes better, tastes better and Chesterfield is more perfectly packed by Accuray. This electronic miracle removes human error in cigarette manufacture. So Accuray Chesterfield is firm and pleasing to the lips. Mild, yet deeply satisfying. Yes, Chesterfield gives you something no other cigarette can give you.
Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.
Narrator
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
I don't like it, Mr. Dylan. I don't like it a little bit.
Matt Dillon
What, Chester?
Chester
All this Indian sign.
Matt Dillon
Now you just keep your eyes open. We'll manage. I guess Jacoby will be happy. He should be getting all the pictures he can use. I notice he's stopped several times.
Chester
Pictures? I hope I never meet another photographer.
Matt Dillon
Maybe they aren't all like him, Chester.
Chester
Well, I hope not.
Matt Dillon
Hold up, Chester.
Chester
What, Mr. Jones?
Matt Dillon
Something over in that clump of weeds there. Marshall.
Chester
Marshall. White man. A white man, Mr. Dillon, is grabbed.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Come on.
Kitty
Oh.
Chester
Oh.
Kitty
Marshall.
Chester
Mr. Dillon. He's been hurt bad. He's bleeding.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, he's been knifed.
Chester
Help me, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Where's Jacoby?
Chester
Over there somewhere. I don't know.
Matt Dillon
I ran and hit. What happened?
Chester
Indian.
Matt Dillon
Cheyenne.
Chester
I told you, Colby, but he wouldn't. Wouldn't listen. Tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen.
Matt Dillon
Told him what about?
Chester
About the burial ground. Bad enough just being here and then him trying to take pictures of the shay. There was only three of them when they saw him taking a picture at the burial ground. My goodness, that's bad, Mr. Dillon. They get awful mad when somebody fooled around the burying place.
Matt Dillon
What did they do? Grubbs.
Chester
He tacked it. Fought one of them off and I ran and hid. I guess they couldn't find me.
Matt Dillon
Grubs. Why don't you tell me about it?
Chester
About what?
Matt Dillon
About Toad.
Chester
All right, I'll tell you. Professor gave me a lot of money. I guess I shouldn't have done it, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
I didn't even get my picture took. Ain't that he sure was some gunman killing a helpless little old man for money.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Now let's see about Jacoby. Now.
Chester
Hey, Mr. Dillon, you think them Cheyenne might still be around?
Matt Dillon
No, they just shot up by now. Just.
Chester
There's the burial ground. Hey, look, there's his camera.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, all smashed.
Chester
And his pictures all scattered around. My gracious.
Matt Dillon
Chester, over here.
Chester
That ain't a nice sight, is it, Mr. John?
Matt Dillon
There's a kind of justice in it, Chester.
Chester
Yeah, they did to him just what he had grubs do to old Toad.
Matt Dillon
Well, we better bury him then. Maybe we better gather up those pictures. What for? They'll send them back east for him. Maybe they'll be immortal like he hoped. Who knows, he might turn out to be a big hero.
Chester
And wouldn't that be something?
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Doubt there have been heroes like that before. All right, come on.
Narrator
In a moment, our star, William Conrad.
Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.
Narrator
A cigarette made better and packed better smokes better, tastes better. And Chesterfield is more perfectly packed by Accuray. This electronic miracle removes human error in cigarette manufacture. So accurate. Chesterfield is firm and pleasing to the lips. Chesterfield mild. Yet they satisfy the most.
Matt Dillon
You know, at best, it was hard to scratch out a living on the high plains. But next week, hunger, disease and a baby combined to defeat a man. And that was the West. Good night.
Narrator
Gunsmoke Produced and Directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The special music for Gunsmoke was composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Sound patterns by Ray Kemper and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartel and James Nusser. Marley Mayer as Chester. Howard McNear is DOC and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. Live Modern Smoke L, M.
Matt Dillon
Change to.
Narrator
L and M. Live Modern Smoke Smoke L and M. Only with L and M can you enjoy the full exciting flavor of today's finest tobaccos. No other cigarette, plane or filter gives you the full, exciting flavor you get through the pure white miracle tip. So light up, free up, let your taste come alive. Live Modern Smoke L and M. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on 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.
Original Air Date: May 6, 1956
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Host: Andrew Rines
Platform: OTRWesterns.com
"The Photographer" is a compelling episode of the classic Western drama Gunsmoke, set in the bustling town of Dodge City, Kansas. This installment delves into the mysterious activities of Professor Jacoby, a self-proclaimed "artist of the camera," whose obsession with capturing authentic images of the Wild West leads to unforeseen consequences. As tensions rise and violence erupts, U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself entangled in a web of suspicion and danger.
Introduction of Professor Jacoby
The episode begins with Professor Jacoby attracting the attention of the townsfolk and Marshal Matt Dillon at the Long Branch saloon. Jacoby's ambition is to photograph the raw and violent essence of the West, aiming to sell these authentic images to an eager eastern audience.
Suspicion Arises
As Jacoby meticulously sets up his camera, Marshal Dillon grows suspicious of his true intentions. The professor's insistence on capturing genuine violence for his photographs raises red flags, especially after the tragic discovery of Old Toad's scalped body.
Unraveling the Mystery
Dillon investigates Old Toad's murder, uncovering connections between Jacoby and the incident. The marshal deduces that Jacoby may have orchestrated the murder to obtain the violent photograph he desires.
Climax: Confrontation and Justice
The tension culminates when Jacoby is attacked and scalped by Cheyenne warriors in retaliation for desecrating a burial ground with his intrusive photography. Dillon and his deputy, Chester, arrive just in time to witness the aftermath, ensuring that justice is served by burying Jacoby and his accomplice Grubs.
Marshal Matt Dillon
Marshal Dillon is portrayed as the steadfast and perceptive lawman, keenly observant of the underlying tensions in Dodge City. His interactions with Jacoby reveal his protective nature toward the town and its inhabitants.
Professor Jacoby
Jacoby embodies the intrusive outsider, whose artistic ambitions blind him to the cultural sensitivities of the West. His obsession with capturing violence leads him to cross ethical boundaries, ultimately resulting in his demise.
Chester
Chester serves as Dillon's deputy, providing both assistance and a moral compass. His revelations about Jacoby's activities underscore the importance of respecting local customs and traditions.
Kitty Russell
Kitty remains the compassionate and insightful saloon owner, offering a contrasting perspective to Dillon's authoritative stance. Her unease with Jacoby's presence hints at the town's undercurrent of distrust.
Obsession and Ethics: Professor Jacoby's relentless pursuit of authentic violence for his photographs highlights the ethical dilemmas faced when artistic ambition overrides moral considerations.
Cultural Sensitivity: The episode underscores the importance of respecting local traditions and the devastating consequences that can arise from cultural insensitivity.
Justice and Vigilance: Marshal Dillon's unwavering dedication to justice exemplifies the role of law enforcement in maintaining order and protecting the vulnerable in a tumultuous setting.
The Price of Fame: Jacoby's desire for recognition and fame leads him to commit heinous acts, suggesting a critique of those who seek notoriety without regard for the harm they cause.
"The Photographer" masterfully intertwines themes of ambition, ethics, and justice within the rugged backdrop of Dodge City. Through the intricate portrayal of its characters and their moral compasses, the episode invites listeners to reflect on the true cost of ambition and the responsibilities that come with wielding power. Marshal Matt Dillon's quest to uncover the truth serves as a timeless reminder of the vigilance required to uphold justice in the face of obsession and moral ambiguity.
This summary captures the essence of "The Photographer" episode from Gunsmoke, highlighting key plot points, character dynamics, and thematic elements. Whether you're revisiting this classic or discovering it anew, this overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the episode's narrative and underlying messages.