Old Time Radio Westerns – Gunsmoke: "Ex-Urbanites" (04-30-61)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast Date: November 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode revisits the classic radio drama Gunsmoke with the story "Ex-Urbanites." Set on the plains near Dodge City, Marshal Matt Dillon’s companions, Chester and Doc, return from a trip gone perilously wrong. Stranded after a tragic encounter with dangerous wolf hunters (“wolfers”), the two must battle injury, distrust, and the unforgiving wilderness to survive. The episode explores loyalty, moral ambiguity, and the ever-present threat of violence in the Old West.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Highlights

1. Unsettling Quiet in Dodge City

• Setting the scene: Marshal Dillon and Kitty observe an unusually peaceful Sunday morning, hinting at an ominous calm before the storm.
• Quote:
  • “It isn’t natural, this quiet.” — Matt Dillon (08:06)
  • “Well, even Front street needs a rest once in a while.” — Kitty (08:17)

2. Doc and Chester’s Return Journey

• Journey Home: Chester and Doc are traveling back to Dodge, delayed as Doc attends to a patient post-operation.
• Dynamics: The easy banter between Chester and Doc sets a lighter tone before the crisis.

3. A Shooting at the Water Hole

• The Incident:
  • Chester and Doc stumble upon a wounded man, Nage Gillet, who claims he accidentally shot himself.
  • Shortly after, Nage’s abrasive partner, Jesse Turnbold, and later Nage’s brother, Pit Gillet, arrive.
• Audio Realism: Restoration brings out the tension—creak of leather, distant gunfire, restless horses (10:05-14:00).

4. Survival and Betrayal

• Moral Dilemma:
  • Pit Gillet urges Doc and Chester to leave his wounded brother, showing the harsh lawlessness and callousness among the wolfers.
  • Doc stands his ground: “This man’s dying. He’s my brother, ain’t he? ... You’d have to kill him, Pip.” — Doc (16:23)
  • Threats escalate, Chester intervenes to prevent violence.

5. Chester’s Loyalty and Wilderness Medicine

• Doc is Shot:
  • Amid chaos, Doc is wounded, worsening the predicament.
  • Chester refuses to abandon Doc, determined to care for him until help arrives.
• Quote:
  • “I ain’t leaving you, Doc. Even though it may cost you your life.” — Chester (30:15)
  • “My life wouldn’t be worth much to me if I was to leave.” — Chester (30:24)

6. Makeshift Encampment and Resourcefulness

• Camp Life:
  • Chester improvises as nurse and cook, boiling up questionable “soup” for Doc.
  • Doc, drifting in and out of fever, cracks wry jokes about Chester’s culinary attempts:
    • “You sure that isn’t bear meat that you put in that soup?” — Doc (34:50)
  • Chester keeps watch for the lurking wolfers.

7. The Final Showdown

• Ambush Foiled:
  • Jesse returns under false pretenses, trying to trick Chester; a standoff ensues.
  • Chester roots out the truth: Pit murdered his own brother, Nage, not an “accident” after all.
  • Moral ambiguity of Western justice: Chester must decide what to do with the surviving wolfer, ultimately planning to "run him on" instead of jail.

8. Dillon’s Return & Resolution

• Marshal Dillon Arrives:
  • Dillon finds Chester and Doc battered but alive, the wolfers neutralized.
  • A humorous reveal: Chester and Doc had to eat Doc’s "mean" horse to survive.
• Memorable Banter:
  • “What’s the matter with my horse?” — Doc
    “Mean as that beast is– Doc, we ate him.” — Chester (44:32)
  • “Chester, I’ll never trust you, so help me. Not as long as I— as long as I live, Matt. Thanks to Chester.” — Doc (44:56)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I wish every morning was as quiet as Sunday.” — Kitty (08:05)
• “You fuss worse than an old woman.” — Doc to Chester (11:57)
• “Now, Doc, you’re gonna be all right. You’re gon— here you go, Doc.” — Chester (23:32)
• “Chester, you haven’t had a wink of sleep for two days.” — Doc (36:10)
• “If it wasn’t for Doc warning me, we’d both be dead… You’re a mighty fat piece of bait, Jesse. But you smell rotten.” — Chester (38:27)
• “This can’t go on. What’s the matter? ... I don’t like sitting here just waiting for that Pit Gillet to come busting out of the brush.” — Chester and Doc (36:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Peaceful Dodge City, Sunday morning: 08:00 - 09:30
• Doc and Chester’s journey, finding the wounded wolfer: 11:00 - 16:00
• First confrontation with Pit Gillet: 16:00 - 20:00
• Doc shot, Chester takes charge: 23:00 - 27:00
• Banter about makeshift camp, Chester’s “soup”: 34:00 - 35:30
• Second confrontation, Jesse’s betrayal revealed: 38:00 - 41:00
• Marshal Dillon’s return, horse-reveal punchline: 44:00 - 45:00

Tone and Style

True to Gunsmoke’s legacy, the episode blends suspense, gritty survival, and sly humor. The restored audio highlights not just dialogue but ambiance—the prairie wind, gunfire, and campfire banter come alive, enveloping listeners in the stark world of Dodge.

Conclusion

"Ex-Urbanites" weaves together themes of loyalty, lawlessness, and the struggle to do right in a brutal landscape. With its sharp, character-driven dialogue and suspenseful plotting, it’s a strong example of why Gunsmoke became a radio legend. As always, Chester, Doc, and Dillon anchor the drama with their very human strengths—and foibles—under fire.