Summary5 min read

Gunsmoke: "Ben Thompson (Act 1)" – Old Time Radio Westerns

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Air Date: February 5, 2026
Original Drama Air Date: May 3, 1952
Featured Show: Gunsmoke – “Ben Thompson” (Act 1, lost episode)

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Andrew Rhynes presents the recently discovered first act of the lost Gunsmoke episode "Ben Thompson," originally aired in 1952. Rhynes provides context on the rarity and historical importance of the episode, due to its previous status as “lost” and the lack of complete original recordings. The presentation leans into the podcast’s mission: to digitally restore and showcase classic Western radio dramas with new audio clarity. The centerpiece is Act 1 of "Ben Thompson," focusing on a tense confrontation in Dodge City and its aftermath.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Insights

1. Introduction & Background

Timestamp: 00:57 – 02:13

Host Andrew Rhynes sets the stage, explaining the history behind this episode of Gunsmoke:
- The original episode, "Ben Thompson," was long considered lost except for plot summaries and script fragments.
- Recently, Act 1 resurfaced and has been restored for contemporary audiences.
- Due to the short runtime (about seven minutes including intro), listeners are encouraged to check out the subsequent episode for more content.
Quote:
- “They didn’t number or name episodes back in the day… they named this one Ben Thompson. Now the only problem is this is what’s classified as one of the lost episodes.” — Andrew Rhynes [01:00]

2. Atmospheric Opening & Character Setup

Timestamp: 03:52 – 05:00

The iconic Gunsmoke intro paints a vivid picture of Dodge City.
Marshal Matt Dillon prepares for a confrontation, checking his shotgun and discussing with his deputy, Chester.
- The dialogue immediately establishes the ever-present danger and emotional strain of law enforcement in the untamed West.

3. Tension between Marshal Dillon & Chester

Timestamp: 05:01 – 05:45

A poignant conversation between Chester and Dillon about fear and courage, with Chester hesitant yet willing to help.
Quote:
- “This make me a coward, Mr. Dillon?” — Chester [05:01]
- “How do you feel, like a coward, Lassiter? Scares me, sir. But you were willing to come anyway. Figure it out for yourself.” — Dillon [05:02]

4. Medical and Historical Perspective with Doc

Timestamp: 05:46 – 06:55

Doc expresses excitement at the historical significance of having notorious gunman Lassiter die in Dodge.
Doc reflects on Lassiter’s violent reputation, mentioning 18 bullet wounds.
Quote:
- “Lassiter’s sure done us a favor, pickin’ Dodge to die in. This’ll put us in the history books for sure.” — Doc [05:46]

5. The Showdown: Dillon and Lassiter

Timestamp: 07:06 – 09:41

The heart of Act 1: the tense but almost respectful showdown between Marshal Dillon and the infamous gunfighter Lassiter.
They talk over whiskey, with Lassiter acknowledging the inevitability of their conflict.
The mutual history between them is clear; neither bears a “grudge,” but their code compels them to face off.
The gunfight occurs quickly—Dillon is victorious but wounded; Lassiter is dead.
Quote:
- “We’re gunfighters, you and me. Both the same, yet not the same... That’s why, Matt. That’s why I have to brace you. I got to know for sure.” — Lassiter [08:26]
- “Just a scratch. It’ll be all right. Take him, Doc. He’s all yours—you’ll be happy to know he’s got twenty slugs in him now.” — Dillon [09:22]

6. The Emotional Weight of Violence

Timestamp: 09:42 – 10:30

Dillon narrates the bitter reality of killing an old friend, feeling initial sickness but rationalizing it as part of the harsh frontier code.
He reflects on the necessity and burden of violence in the pursuit of law and order.
Quote:
- “The bitterness, ice in my stomach, made me sick as I remembered Lassiter as a friend now dead by my gun. Then I got over it. I always got over it.” — Dillon [09:44]

7. Aftermath: Mrs. Lassiter’s Confrontation

Timestamp: 10:31 – 11:28

Mrs. Lassiter arrives, emotionally confronting Dillon and blaming him for her husband’s death.
She accuses Dillon of being no different from the killers, seeking out violence for his own reputation.
Mrs. Lassiter departs vowing revenge, foreshadowing further trouble.
Quote:
- “You’re just like all the rest of them. A killer lusting for blood like a wild animal… Only you hide it behind a badge. My husband was in town less than two hours, but you couldn’t wait, could you?” — Mrs. Lassiter [10:49]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On fear and courage:
- “You were willing to come anyway. Figure it out for yourself.” — Dillon to Chester [05:03]
On legendary outlaw status:
- “Guess he’s got the biggest gun rep in this whole section. Outside of maybe Ben Thompson or Wes Harden. And you, of course.” — Doc [05:57]
On gunfighter code:
- “We’re gunfighters, you and me. Both the same, yet not the same… That’s why, Matt. That’s why I have to brace you.” — Lassiter [08:26]
After the killing:
- “The bitterness, ice in my stomach made me sick as I remembered Lassiter as a friend now dead by my gun. Then I got over it. I always got over it.” — Dillon [09:44]
On facing consequences:
- “You made me a widow. Sit down, Mrs. Lassiter… You’re just like all the rest of them. A killer lusting for blood… Only you hide it behind a badge.” — Mrs. Lassiter [10:39]

Important Segments & Timestamps

[00:57] – Rhynes introduces the episode and its historical significance
[03:52] – The restored Gunsmoke episode begins (classic intro and setting)
[05:00] – Chester and Dillon discuss the nature of fear and duty
[05:46] – Doc speculates about the notorious Lassiter
[07:06] – Marshall Dillon enters the saloon to confront Lassiter
[09:41] – The gunfight concludes; Dillon reflects on killing a friend
[10:31] – Mrs. Lassiter confronts Dillon with accusation and threat

Tone and Atmosphere

True to Gunsmoke tradition: somber, tense, and deeply human.
Themes of personal duty, the harshness of frontier justice, and the emotional toll of violence are front and center.
Dialogue is terse, direct, and reflective of the era’s Western dramatizations.

Summary

This rare rediscovered act from Gunsmoke’s lost “Ben Thompson” episode showcases the show’s powerful blend of action, personal drama, and moral ambiguity. With crisp restoration, listeners are thrust back into the volatile world of Dodge City, where justice and vengeance are impossibly intertwined. The emotionally charged encounter between Dillon and Lassiter, followed by the pain of Mrs. Lassiter’s recrimination, exemplifies why old time radio Westerns continue to resonate.

For fans and first-timers alike, this episode captures the spirit of a genre—and a Golden Age storytelling style—that still speaks to questions of law, loss, and the price of doing what’s right.

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Transcript16 lines

[00:01]
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[00:57]
C
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. Now this is episode two of Gunsmoke. They really didn't number or name episodes back in the day. This does come from 1952. They named this one Ben Thompson. Now the only problem is this is what's classified as one of the lost episodes. And because it's a lost episode, not much has been done other than I think some scripts and people kind of know what it was originally written as. So we've got some plot summaries and stuff. But recently act one was actually discovered. So they were able to find somehow the first act into this episode. So we're gonna play it, but because it is so short, it's only got a seven minute running time that includes the intro, we'll go ahead and will play episode three on the same day. So definitely, if you're listening to this one and you didn't get the episode three, definitely download that. But let's get into this one. It was originally supposed to air May or actually did air May 3, 1952. The title is Ben Thompson and this is the first act of that episode. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.
[02:13]
A
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[03:04]
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[03:52]
B
Around Dodge City and in the territory 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. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. Need any more cartridges, Mr. Dillon? No, I got the Greener loaded, unloaded. I don't want a shotgun. Yes, sir. Do you want me to come with you? You want to come? No, sir. I guess not. But I will. Better stay here then.
[05:01]
C
Chester.
[05:02]
B
This make me a coward, Mr. Dillon. How do you feel like a coward, Lassiter? Scares me, sir. But you were willing to come anyway. Figure it out for yourself. Good luck. Mr. Dillon. Yeah. If I'm not back, don't forget those reports have to be mailed tomorrow. I won't forget, Mr. Dillon. Yeah. You ever get scared? Sure. Better keep yourself busy. Myself. Not at all, Doc.
[05:46]
C
Yeah.
[05:46]
B
Kind of anxious to get a look at this new corpse of mine. Lassiter's sure done us a favor. Picking Dodge to die in this will put us in the history books for sure. You're a little premature, aren't you, Doc? Not a bit. Oh, maybe a little four sided. You know, they say Lassiters packing 18 slugs in them. 18 good. He sure has been a lot of gunfights. Yeah, so they say. Guess he's got the biggest gun rep in this whole section. Outside of maybe Ben Thompson or Wes Harden. And you. Of course. He's Waiting at the Al do you better not walk in with me. Oh, don't you worry. I'm not sticking my snoot into no shooting. No siree. Hey, Marshall. Yeah, what is it? You are going to win, aren't you? I sure hate to work on the bodies of my friends. Makes it too darn personal. I'll do what I can. You watch him close, Marshall. Don't let him pull a hideout. Hello, Lassiter. Hi, Matt. Been a long time. Yeah. Drink with me? Why not? Harry. Two whiskies. Harry, get up from behind the bar. Sure, Ms. Lasseter. Sure. Oh, don't spill it. Leave it on the bar, Harry. We'll pour our own. Yes, Marshall. Yes, sir. Here s. How's your shoulder, Lassiter? Aches a little. Bad weather. Still carrying your lead, Matt? There you are. Yeah. You should have killed me, Matt. Maybe. It was a long time ago. Matt, I want you to know I bear no grudge. But it has to be. I know. We're gunfighters, you and me. Both the same, yet not the same what's in our blood. That's why, Matt. That's why I have to brace you. I got to know for sure. There's no grudge, Lassiter. Your health. And yours. Straight up. Straight up you call it now. Oh, it was beautiful, Matt. Simply beautiful. Was it? Why, yes. And it was close to. For a moment, I wasn't sure who. Oh, Marshall, your neck. You're hit. Just a scratch. It'll be all right. But here. Let it go. Go and get Lassiter. He's all yours. You will, of course. And you'll be happy to know he's got 20 slugs in him now. I couldn't tell anyone, but the bitterness ice in my stomach made me sick as I remembered Lassiter as a friend now dead by my gun. Then I got over it. I always got over it. The Frontier Code was a harsh one. I knew my job was one that had to be done if the west was to ever seek peace. As long as killers like Lassiter lived, I'd carry a gun and use it. That was the way it had to be. Sometimes a man's dying was the end of it. And sometimes the beginning of something worse. Marshall. Matt Dillon? Yeah. What can I do for you, miss? Die, Miss? I don't know. It's Mrs. Mrs. Lasseter. Hello. You see, you've done quite a bit for me already, Mr. Dillon. You made me a widow. Sit down, Mrs. Lassiter. Here, let me get you some water. I. I didn't know Lassiter was married? Would it have mattered? No, I guess not. You're just like all the rest of them. A killer lusting for blood like a wild animal. Mrs. Lester, only your words. You hide it behind a badge. My husband was in town less than two hours. But you couldn't wait, could you? You saw your chance to get a little bigger reputation. Matt Dillon, famous gunfighter. Matt Dillon, murderer. It was your husband that sent the challenge. Mrs. Lessiter, I'm sorry for what happened. And if I can help you in any way. Mr. Dillon, I only came to tell you you haven't heard the end of the Lassiter name. I'm gonna see that you're stripped of that big reputation. And you're gonna die. Mrs. Lassiter, is there anything I could say that you would listen to? Nothing. And good day, madam. Till we meet again. Mar.
[11:28]
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[12:12]
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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. Back in the old west, folks didn't run to the pharmacy every time trouble hit. They relied on the know how and natural remedies. Kind of like how tonto always seems to have a special mixture ready for whatever came next. If you want to learn how to do that today, check out the Beginner's Guide to Herbal Remedies. Easy steps for teas, tinctures and salves. Even if you've never tried herbs before, visit otrwesterns.comherbs to learn more again. Otrwesterns.com herbs.