Friend’s Payoff | Gunsmoke (07-12-59)

Sun Dec 15 2024

Original Air Date: July 12, 1959Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Dick Beals• Lawrence Dobkin• Barne...

Summary

Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns - "Friend’s Payoff | Gunsmoke (07-12-59)"

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: December 15, 2024
Podcast Title: Old Time Radio Westerns
Episode Title: Friend’s Payoff | Gunsmoke

Introduction to the Episode

In this gripping episode of Gunsmoke, titled "Friend’s Payoff," listeners are transported back to Dodge City, a bustling hub in the Wild West. The narrative centers around U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, portrayed by William Conrad, as he navigates the treacherous landscape of law enforcement and personal loyalty.

Setting the Scene

Timestamp: [01:05]

Andrew Rines sets the stage in Dodge City, emphasizing the omnipresent threat of violence that accompanies the westward expansion. He introduces Matt Dillon as the steadfast marshal responsible for maintaining order amidst the chaos.

Andrew Rines: "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. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad... the first man they look for and the last they want to meet."
[01:05]

This introduction highlights Dillon's pivotal role and the isolation that comes with his demanding job.

The Central Conflict

Timestamp: [02:52] - [10:06]

The episode delves into a tense situation where a young man, Chester, arrives with a message for Marshal Dillon. Amidst this, we meet Doc, the town's dedicated physician, who tends to Ab Butler, a friend of Dillon injured in an ambush.

Chester's Frustration: Chester is desperate to deliver a critical message to Dillon but faces resistance from the marshal’s assistant, illustrating the marshal's elusive nature.
Ab Butler's Condition: Ab, severely wounded from an ambush, confides in Dillon about his dire situation and the necessity of finding help. The emotional weight of Ab's injury underscores the personal stakes for Dillon.

Ab Butler: "I'm gonna write out of town. Always. Well, kindly. Sudden, ain't it?"
[02:52]

Marshall's Dedication: Dillon's interactions with Doc reveal his unwavering commitment to his duties and his protective nature towards his friends.

Doc: "He has a chance, but that's about all I can say. He seems to be in bad trouble."
[07:15]

Introducing the Antagonist

Timestamp: [11:16] - [19:23]

Joe Leeds arrives in Dodge City under mysterious circumstances, seeking information about Ab Butler. His probing questions and evasive behavior raise suspicions.

Leeds vs. Dillon: Leeds insists on finding Ab for personal reasons, clashing with Dillon's professional boundaries.

Joe Leeds: "When I find their Butler, and I will find him, it'll be strictly between him and me."
[15:45]

The tension escalates as it becomes apparent that Leeds has a hidden agenda, hinting at a past connection with Dillon.

Doc’s Support: Doc supports Dillon's efforts to help Ab, reinforcing the marshal's integrity and the community's trust in him.

Doc: "Doc is a fine man, all right."
[18:30]

Unraveling the Mystery

Timestamp: [20:52] - [28:38]

As the plot thickens, Dillon discovers crucial evidence linking Leeds to a past crime—a bank robbery involving stolen gold and a fatal shooting.

Confrontation: Dillon confronts Leeds about the robbery and the shooting, revealing their intertwined histories.

Dillon: "Well, all right, Matt. So I robbed a bank. You shot the teller?"
[25:10]

Betrayal and Loyalty: The episode explores themes of betrayal and loyalty as Dillon grapples with his friendship with Leeds versus his duty as a marshal.

Leeds: "You may wear a Marshal's badge, but you ain't nothing. You ain't nothing but a Judas sheep."
[27:05]

Climactic Showdown: The tension culminates in a dramatic showdown where Dillon must decide between his allegiance to the law and his personal connections.

Resolution and Reflection

Timestamp: [28:38] - [32:34]

The episode concludes with Dillon reaffirming his commitment to justice, despite personal losses and challenges.

Matt Dillon: "I got a job to do."
[31:20]

Moral Integrity: Dillon's unwavering dedication serves as a testament to his character, embodying the moral compass essential for maintaining order in the Wild West.
Community Trust: The resolution reinforces the trust the community places in Dillon, highlighting the marshal's role as both a protector and a pillar of moral strength.

Notable Quotes

Matt Dillon on Duty:

"Seems like there's only one thing around here I'm fit for, and that's using a hammer document."
[02:52]
Joe Leeds' Determination:

"I'm going to find their Butler and I'm going to tend to it. And there won't be nothing for you to do at all."
[15:45]
Dillon's Resolve:

"I got a job to do. You got a job to do."
[27:50]
Leeds on Betrayal:

"You may wear a Marshal's badge, but you ain't nothing. You ain't nothing but a Judas sheep."
[27:05]

Insights and Themes

"Friend’s Payoff" masterfully intertwines themes of duty, loyalty, and moral integrity. Marshal Matt Dillon's character embodies the eternal struggle between personal relationships and professional responsibilities. The introduction of Joe Leeds serves as a catalyst, challenging Dillon's principles and highlighting the complexities of law enforcement in a lawless frontier.

The episode also underscores the importance of community and the sacrifices made by those who uphold justice. Through the interactions between Dillon, Doc, and Ab Butler, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the nuanced portrayals of friendship and duty.

Conclusion

Andrew Rines delivers a compelling rendition of "Friend’s Payoff," staying true to the essence of the classic Gunsmoke series while offering enhanced audio clarity through digital restoration. This episode not only entertains but also provokes thoughtful reflection on the values that define true heroism in the Wild West.

For listeners new to Old Time Radio Westerns, this episode provides a perfect blend of action, drama, and emotional depth, ensuring an engaging experience that honors the legacy of beloved Western radio dramas.

Enjoyed this summary?
Be sure to subscribe to the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast for more immersive journeys into classic Western tales, beautifully restored for modern audiences.

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Transcript

Narrator (0:00)

Travelling to the uk, you will need an electronic travel authorization or eta. It's quick and simple to apply via the ETA app or online. You'll need to apply for your ETA before traveling to the uk. Applicants will usually get a decision in up to three working days. Everyone travelling to the UK without a visa, whether visiting or passing through, will need one. It lasts two years and is valid for multiple trips. To apply now, search UK travel ETA exemptions apply. Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns.

Andrew Rines (0:43)

I'm your host, Andrew Rines and I'm.

Narrator (0:45)

Excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This episode is just one of over 80 episodes we release monthly. Now let's get into this episode.

Andrew Rines (1:05)

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. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. And the story of a man who moved with him. 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, but it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.

Narrator (2:06)

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Andrew Rines (2:52)

Mister, you think somebody else in this town might take a hand keeping up their own boardwalk, but no sir, I gotta do mister. Don't bother me now, boy. Gotta get these nails in solid. I come looking for the marshal. Well, that's his office right there. He ain't in there. Well, you'll just have to wait then. I got a message for the marshal. Look, I already told you, get signed this paper. Let's see, I'm supposed to give it to the marshal person. Well, you ain't gonna give it to him if he ain't there when he be back. Mister, my land Bo got enough to ten tooth out fretting about where Mr. Dillon is every minute. You want me to give the paper to him? I ain't to let loose of it to nobody else. Well, it'd be all right to let me see it. I'm the marshal assistant, his right hand man. You might Say, I ain't to let it move. Yeah, forevermore. Just quit bothering me about it then. I got enough to do. You're quite a handyman, aren't you, Jester? This board just had to be fixed before somebody broke his. Oh, this boy's been looking for you. I got this paper. It's for the marshal. He wouldn't let me so much as look at it. I can't make nothing out of it. Never mind, Chester. You can give it to me, son. I'm the marshal. Oh, here. Thank you. Hey, boy. Hey, wait a minute. I just supposed to give it to the marshal, that's all. Just give it to the marshal. Look at him go. Mr. Dillon. You want me to go after him? No, nevermind, Chester. Let him go. All right. What's it say, Chester? I. I'm gonna write out of town. Always. Well, kindly. Sudden, ain't it? Does that note say something I should know about, Mr. Dillon? No. I'll be back as soon as I can. All right, then. It don't matter to me none that folks won't tell me nothing about nothing. Seems like there's only one thing around here I'm fit for, and that's using a hammer document. Matt, that you? Yeah, Ab. I know you'd come. The boy brought me the message you heard. Bad? Bad enough in the back. Here, let me take a look at it. All right. You know. Yeah, that's bad enough. How long you been lying here, Abby? Just since yesterday, Matt. I figured to make it to Dodge, but I couldn't sit my horse no longer. Lucky for me that boy come by hunting rabbits. How'd that happen? On the trail up from Texas. Two, three days. Ambush, Matt. Stinkin ambush. You know who did it? Kinda hard seeing who shoots you in the back. Yeah. Matt. Yeah, Ab? I ain't gonna make it without help. You got help. You'll make it. I'm gonna get. Pour some water into that basin for me, will you, man? I want to wash my hands. Yeah, sure, Doc. Thank you. How about Ab, Doc? Is he going to make it? Well, I don't know, Matt. He's badly hurt. There's no question about that. Getting the bullet out will help, won't it? Oh, yes. Yes, it'll help all right. At least he wouldn't have had a chance with it still in there. But he's weak. He's weak. He's lost a lot of blood. Yeah, he must have been shot two or three days ago, at least. Yeah, but he's built like a horse. It wouldn't have lasted this long? No. We'll just have to wait and see. Brad. Yeah, Ab? What's my chances? You're doing fine, Ab. Matt, don't fool with me. You know me too long. Am I gonna make it? Well, Doc says you got a chance. Fair enough. I got to stay hid, Matt. Who's after you? I can't talk. But he'll come looking, though, huh? Just as long as I'm breathing. I got to stay here, Matt. All right, then. Doc? Yes, Matt? Can you keep him here for a spell? Oh, yes, Matt. I was planning to. I want to keep an eye on him. Better put him in the back room. Well, I don't like to move him any more than necessary. Well, he thinks it is necessary. Oh, well, all right. Will you pick him up carefully, Matt? I just got that bleeding stopped. All right. Okay. Careful. That's. You'll be out of sight in here, Ab. Yeah. That's enough. Just lower him gently, Matt. Just gently. Thank you, Matt. Yeah. You. You won't say nothing? I won't say anything. I'll lookin on you later, huh? Well, he'll be all right in there, if he makes it at all. Thanks, Doc. You do everything for him you can, huh? Of course I will. He means something special to you, man. He's an old friend, Doc. That's about the oldest friend I've got. Oh, I see. Well, he has a chance, but that's about all I can say. He seems to be in bad trouble. He's in trouble, all right. I wonder if the trouble were the law. I don't know, Doc. I'm not sure I want to find out.