How To Cure A Friend | Gunsmoke (01-15-56)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns: "How To Cure A Friend" | Gunsmoke (Original Air Date: January 15, 1956)
Summary by Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: July 8, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Gunsmoke, titled "How To Cure A Friend," listeners are transported to the bustling town of Dodge City, where U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon (voiced by William Conrad) confronts old acquaintances and emerging threats in his steadfast pursuit of justice. The episode delves into themes of friendship, trust, and redemption, showcasing Dillon's unwavering commitment to maintaining peace in the Wild West.

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Arrival of Nick Search

The story begins with Matt Dillon engaging in a casual conversation with Chester, the town barber (played by Marley Bear). Chester shares unsettling news about the arrival of a gambler named Nick Search from San Antonio, Texas. Chester mentions that some strangers overheard discussions about Search being an exceptionally clever and deceitful gambler:

• Chester (02:18): "They said he could outsmart anybody. Well, did they say his name, Mr. Cheater?"
• Matt Dillon (04:07): "Nick Search. You sure, Titus?"

Despite the rumors, Matt expresses his reluctance to believe the negative portrayal, highlighting his personal history with Search:

• Matt Dillon (04:26): "We were friends once, Teeters. Real good friends."

---

Matt's Friendship and Investigation

As Search arrives in Dodge City, Matt's skepticism about the rumors deepens. Nick Search approaches Matt, seemingly unaware of the negative talk surrounding him. Matt introduces Nick to Chester and expresses his intent to vouch for the gambler's integrity:

• Matt Dillon (07:16): "I saved his."
• Matt Dillon (09:03): "I'd rather believe you, Nick."

However, tension arises when Nick's true nature begins to surface during a high-stakes poker game. The townspeople, including Sam Noonan (voiced by Howard McNear) and Kitty (Georgia Ellis), become wary of Nick's reputation:

• Kitty (10:48): "They never said their names, Matt. They were sure talking about Nick Search."

Matt decides to monitor Nick closely, suspecting that the gambler might not be as trustworthy as he claims.

---

Confrontation in the Game

The pivotal moment occurs during a heated poker game where Matt confronts Nick about his deceitful practices. Tensions escalate when Matt disrupts the game to expose Nick's cheating:

• Nick Search (17:55): "Makes me nervous to have people watching me."
• Matt Dillon (18:13): "I'm staying."

The confrontation culminates in Matt breaking Nick's hand to prevent him from continuing his fraudulent schemes:

• Matt Dillon (19:03): "But first you better let Doc fix that hand. Come on, I'll take you up to him."

This act of force serves as a turning point, demonstrating Matt's willingness to take drastic measures to uphold integrity in Dodge City.

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Resolution and Reflection

Following the altercation, Nick Search reassesses his behavior. Injured and humbled, he acknowledges Matt's intervention and expresses a desire to change:

• Nick Search (21:05): "But maybe I'll get used to it again. Looks like I'm going to have to go back to being honest."

Matt reflects on the events, recognizing the impact of his actions on Nick's transformation:

• Matt Dillon (21:30): "Why don't you and I sit down and help Nick finish that bottle, huh?"

The episode concludes with a sense of redemption and the reinforcement of Matt Dillon's role as a moral compass in Dodge City.

---

Key Themes and Insights

1. Friendship and Loyalty: Matt Dillon's relationship with Nick Search underscores the complexities of old friendships impacted by changing circumstances and moral dilemmas.

2. Integrity and Justice: The episode highlights Matt's unwavering dedication to justice, even when it means confronting former friends or taking personal risks.

3. Redemption: Nick Search's transformation from a deceitful gambler to someone seeking honesty illustrates the potential for personal change when faced with genuine confrontation and support.

4. Community Trust: The interactions between Matt, Chester, Sam Noonan, and Kitty emphasize the importance of trust and collective responsibility in maintaining a peaceful community.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Chester (02:18): "They said he could outsmart anybody. Well, did they say his name, Mr. Cheater?"
• Matt Dillon (04:26): "We were friends once, Teeters. Real good friends."
• Nick Search (17:55): "Makes me nervous to have people watching me."
• Matt Dillon (18:13): "I'm staying."
• Nick Search (21:05): "But maybe I'll get used to it again. Looks like I'm going to have to go back to being honest."

---

Conclusion

"How To Cure A Friend" is a masterful episode that encapsulates the essence of the Wild West through its rich storytelling and complex character dynamics. Matt Dillon's moral fortitude and Nick Search's journey towards redemption offer listeners a profound narrative on the power of integrity and the enduring bonds of friendship. This episode not only entertains but also imparts timeless lessons on the nature of trust and the capacity for personal change.

For more episodes and digitally restored classics from the golden age of radio, visit otrwesterns.com and immerse yourself in the timeless tales of the Wild West.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

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. Original air date is January 15, 1956 and the title is how to Cure a friend. Hope you enjoy.

[Commercial Announcer]

Gun Smoke Brought to you by Chesterfield. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. Thanks to Accuray, they satisfy the most.

[Narrator]

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 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 a man watchful and a little lonely. It.

[Chester]

Mr. Dylan, ain't old Teeter's ever gonna finish cutting that man's hair.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, are you in a hurry, Chester?

[Chester]

No, sir, I ain't. But I don't take to sitting around the tonsil the entire day. There you are.

[Matt Dillon]

Looks like he's through now.

[Chester]

Well, it's about time. That'll be 25 cents, mister. Thank you.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, why don't you go first?

[Chester]

Oh, no, sir, I don't mind waitin. You go first.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, that'd be like eating pork chops in front of a starving man.

[Chester]

Well, if you insist. I guess I'm gonna be next, Mr. Tears. I'll be glad to get you out of here, Chester. You're fidget sitting around over there now. They maybe put a brand on that man. Well, it's just because I'm hungry, Mr. Tears. I ain't at my dinner yet. Well, next time eat before you come in for your haircut. I sure will. And bring a lunch too. Sit still, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. What? Sitters.

[Chester]

Heard something yesterday might interest you. No, couple of strangers was in here. Heard him say they was taking the Santa Fe to Wichita last night.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, that's pretty interesting.

[Chester]

Ain't through yet. They come from Texas, Marshall. San Antonio. What they said was there's a gambler down there who's coming to Dodge. Said he'd be here on the stage tomorrow.

[Matt Dillon]

Teeters, if you cut hair the way you tell a story, you'd go broke.

[Chester]

Put your head down, Chester. This particular gambler, Marshall, well, they said he's real clever. And also the biggest crook they ever knew.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, is that so?

[Chester]

They said he could outsmart anybody. Well, did they say his name, Mr. Cheater? Yes, they did. And I remembered it. It's Search. Nick Search.

[Matt Dillon]

Nick Search. You sure, Titus?

[Chester]

That's what they said, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, maybe they were just talking.

[Narrator]

Now.

[Chester]

How do you mean?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, any man's got enemies, especially a gambler.

[Chester]

You sound like you don't believe, Mr. John.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I don't want to, Chester.

[Chester]

You don't?

[Matt Dillon]

Why, Nick Search isn't only a gambler. He's also about as handy with a gun as anybody I ever knew.

[Chester]

Now, Marshall, you don't mean you're afraid of him?

[Matt Dillon]

We were friends once, Teeters. Real good friends.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Chester]

Stage ought to be here any minute. Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah?

[Chester]

How long has it been since you saw this next search anyway?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, 10, 12 years.

[Chester]

It was in Texas.

[Matt Dillon]

You know him well there in other places. Yeah. Like I said, he was a good friend. Chester.

[Chester]

Yonder it comes. You make it sound like he must have saved your life or something.

[Matt Dillon]

I was just the opposite as a matter of fact.

[Nick Search]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

I saved his.

[Chester]

You did?

[Matt Dillon]

A man tried to shoot him in the back and I put a stop to him. Oh, there he is. Hey, Nick. Nick Search.

[Chester]

Hey, he sees you.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Hey, Matt. Matt Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Nick. How are you?

[Narrator]

Well, I heard down the trail you was Marshall here.

[Matt Dillon]

And I heard you were on your way dead.

[Narrator]

Who told you all?

[Matt Dillon]

It doesn't matter. Nick, I want you to meet just a proud where Chester.

[Chester]

Well, I'm glad to know you.

[Narrator]

Oh, Matt. Matt, if this don't beat off.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. You planning to stay a while?

[Narrator]

You know a fella here, name of Sam Noonan?

[Matt Dillon]

Sure, he runs along Branch. That's it.

[Narrator]

Tell you what, Matt, you wait here till I dump my warsack in that hotel over there and then we'll go see him. Gambler can't work without a place to gamble. I'll be back directly.

[Matt Dillon]

Okay, Nick.

[Chester]

Well, I declare, he seemed like a nice fellow. Mr. Doane yeah. You don't believe what them men told Mr. Teeters, do you? About him being a crook?

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, when he comes back, I, I'm gonna have to ask him.

[Narrator]

Oh, that's the Long Branch man.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, that's it.

[Narrator]

Nick, what's the matter?

[Matt Dillon]

I, I, I want to ask you something.

[Narrator]

Well, go ahead.

[Matt Dillon]

The men who said you were on your way to Dodge, they said something else about you.

[Narrator]

What was that?

[Matt Dillon]

How they. They said you were a crooked gambler.

[Commercial Announcer]

Did you believe him?

[Matt Dillon]

I'd rather believe you, Nick.

[Narrator]

Eh, you saved my life once, Matt. If you catch me cheating at cards, you can try to take it back again.

[Matt Dillon]

That's not a very clear answer, Nick.

[Narrator]

I'm no crook, Matt. I'm too smart for that.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Let me go and talk to this Sam Noonan, and we'll have a drink.

[Matt Dillon]

Okay.

[Narrator]

Nice place.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, that's Sam behind the bar there. I'll introduce you.

[Narrator]

No, no, Matt, no. Never makes friends with business.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, then I'll wait for you. I'll be with that girl in the corner over there.

[Narrator]

Oh, hey, I won't be long, man.

[Matt Dillon]

Okay. Hello, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Hello, Matt. Who's your friend?

[Matt Dillon]

His name's Nick Search, Kitty.

[Kitty]

So that's Nick Search.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, you've heard of him, huh?

[Kitty]

A couple of Texans were talking about him the other day.

[Matt Dillon]

Who were those men, Kitty?

[Kitty]

They never said their names, Matt. They were sure talking about Nick Search.

[Matt Dillon]

Nick's an old friend of mine.

[Kitty]

He is?

[Matt Dillon]

And I think those men were lying.

[Kitty]

Well, I hope so, for your sake.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, why for my sake?

[Kitty]

He's an old friend of yours.

[Matt Dillon]

That's not what you meant, Kenny.

[Kitty]

No. They also said he's pretty fast with a gun.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he is. And so if I back him up here, then it's gonna look like I'm doing it because I'm afraid of him, huh?

[Kitty]

Not to me. You know that.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, but to most everybody else.

[Kitty]

I don't know, Matt. Here he comes. Sam's bringing him over.

[Sam Noonan]

Hello, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Sam.

[Sam Noonan]

Marshall, I seen you come in with Search here, so I figured you must know him.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, won't he admit it?

[Narrator]

I don't like mixing friends with business.

[Sam Noonan]

You don't have no choice this time, Search. Not if you want to deal in a long branch.

[Matt Dillon]

What is it, Sam? Those two Texans and their stories.

[Sam Noonan]

Well, I heard them. We all heard.

[Narrator]

Probably a couple of saddle bums lost their pay in an honest game, and now they blame the dealer for it. It happens every day.

[Sam Noonan]

I know that, but they, they said other things about you.

[Narrator]

Like what?

[Sam Noonan]

The way you can handle a gun. Marshall, are you a good friend of this man?

[Matt Dillon]

You want me to say it's okay for him to deal here?

[Narrator]

Now, wait a minute. If Matt's got to get involved, I can go someplace else.

[Matt Dillon]

No, it's all right, Nick. I don't mind.

[Sam Noonan]

Well, what do you say, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Sam, I'll vouch for him.

[Sam Noonan]

I run clean games here.

[Matt Dillon]

And I run a clean town here.

[Sam Noonan]

All right, I'll take the marshal's word search. You can open your game tonight.

[Narrator]

Oh, good. Come on, Matt.

[Commercial Announcer]

Let me buy you that drink.

[Matt Dillon]

Okay. I'll see you later, kiddie.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, sure.

[Kitty]

What's the matter, Sam?

[Narrator]

Oh.

[Sam Noonan]

Oh, it's nothing, Kitty.

[Nick Search]

Why is it?

[Sam Noonan]

Just a hate to think Marshall Dylan standing up for that fella for the wrong reason.

[Matt Dillon]

Started with Sam Noonan. Before long, everybody got to thinking I was backing up Nick's because I was afraid of him. I talked to Nick about it, but he laughed and said there were as many fools in Dodge as any place we'd ever been. Now, maybe he was right. Anyway, after a month passed without any complaints about his dealing, I began to forget it. So one afternoon when Chester and I were taking our ease on the porch in front of my office.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon, did you ever know any Irishman?

[Matt Dillon]

Of course I have. Chester.

[Chester]

I mean, do you know much about him?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I have a feeling anything I don't know, you're about to tell me.

[Nick Search]

Oh, no, sir.

[Chester]

It's not me. It's fella I used to live with. He was born on a place called Mingo Bay. That's in Ireland, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

And what did he tell you?

[Chester]

Well, sir, he told me never shoot a Irishman. What?

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Chester]

Because he said if you can lick one of them, then he'll be your friend for life. But he warned me about that, too. He said, be careful. Never punch one of them in the face. Just give him a good whack in the belly, and then a little child could whip it.

[Matt Dillon]

That's a good thing to know, Chester. Don't remember that.

[Chester]

Yes, sir, I've always remembered it. I've made lots of friends that way.

[Matt Dillon]

Irishmen?

[Nick Search]

Yes, sir.

[Chester]

All Irishmen.

[Matt Dillon]

All of them.

[Chester]

All of them Irishmen. They're mighty fine people, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, they are, Chester.

[Chester]

I sure do like them. Hey, ain't that old Enoch Mills?

[Narrator]

No.

[Matt Dillon]

Where?

[Chester]

Yonder. Coming down the street there.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah? Looks mighty serious about something, too.

[Chester]

Well, if I was the richest cattle bar in Dodge, I'd look serious, too. Just thinking about all the money he's got sobers me.

[Nick Search]

Oh, hello, Marshall. Chester. How do, Mr. Mill?

[Matt Dillon]

Sit down, Enoch.

[Nick Search]

Oh, some other time, Marshall. I gotta get back. I gotta clean this fell out.

[Matt Dillon]

Why?

[Nick Search]

That gambler, Nick Search.

[Matt Dillon]

I you in a game with Nick Search?

[Nick Search]

Yeah, I've been going on for 12 hours. I got him going, Marshall. I've been willing steady. Now I'm about ready to double on everything I want and really take him.

[Matt Dillon]

I see. How much money does it amount to, ain't it?

[Nick Search]

Well, it's what I just got from the bank to throw in. It'll be some $5,000.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

What's the game?

[Nick Search]

Poker. Head and head, just him and me. And the only time he wins is when I deal. So I don't do any betting till he gets the deck. Now I'm really going to give it to him. I'll break him good. I gotta get back now. Easiest money I ever made.

[Chester]

Well, I guess Nick ain't so much of a gambler after all, is he, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Nick knows what he's doing, Chester. I'm gonna follow him down. I want to watch this.

[Commercial Announcer]

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Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.

To the touch to the taste. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield. Mild, yet they satisfy the most.

[Narrator]

Sam.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Nick.

[Narrator]

Hello, Matt.

[Nick Search]

Well, you're just in time, Marshall. Game's just about to get started again.

[Matt Dillon]

That's fine, Enoch. You mind if I watch?

[Nick Search]

No, of course not. Here. You're a deal, Nick. There's your dick. Well, pick it up and deal. What are you waiting for, Nick?

[Narrator]

Makes me nervous to have people watching me.

[Nick Search]

Nick, I told you that old Marshall ain't corn. Deal.

[Narrator]

I'll join you later for a drink, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

You mean I'll spoil the game if I watch?

[Narrator]

Maybe that's what I mean.

[Nick Search]

Let him have his way, Marshall. Don't bother him if it makes him nervous.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm sorry, Enoch. I'm staying.

[Narrator]

Oh, you're not, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

So you lied to me, Nick.

[Narrator]

And now I'm warning you.

[Matt Dillon]

Get through here, Nick.

[Narrator]

Am I?

[Matt Dillon]

No, don't do it.

[Nick Search]

Don't you.

[Kitty]

My Head smoking. My hand.

[Nick Search]

You busted his hand, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

He'd have killed me if I hadn't.

[Nick Search]

I'll kill you yet.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure. But first you better let Doc fix that hand. Come on, I'll take you up to him.

[Nick Search]

Well.

[Narrator]

There you are.

[Chester]

That's the best I can do for you.

[Matt Dillon]

Here, Nick. Have another drink. Yeah.

[Narrator]

I could drink that whole bottle, not feel an ounce of it.

[Chester]

That hand will hurt worse tomorrow.

[Narrator]

Tell me, Doc.

[Chester]

Your hand's pretty badly smashed, Nick.

[Nick Search]

It's going to be stiff.

[Narrator]

I won't be able to deal cards very well, will I?

[Chester]

You won't even be able to hold a deck.

[Narrator]

Well, Matt, I guess that does it. No more taking my time setting up suckers like Enoch Mills for one big stake. And leaving town fast after it's done. I guess that's all.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I guess it is, Nick.

[Narrator]

My gun hand too.

[Matt Dillon]

Mm.

[Narrator]

Funny thing, Matt. Now that it's all over, I feel you're kind of relieved. Like I got nothing to worry about no more.

[Matt Dillon]

You said you were gonna kill me, Nick. Doesn't that worry you?

[Narrator]

You saved my life once, Matt. Saved it again tonight. I'd be pretty ungrateful to hold that against you, wouldn't I?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

I guess there's one thing I do hold against you.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Narrator]

But maybe I'll get used to it again. Looks like I'm going to have to go back to being honest.

[Matt Dillon]

Doc.

[Chester]

Yes, ma'?

[Commercial Announcer]

Am.

[Matt Dillon]

Why don't you and I sit down and help Nick finish that bottle, huh?

[Kitty]

Yeah.

[Nick Search]

My God.

[Chester]

Oh.

[Nick Search]

That's it, Matt.

[Chester]

I knew there was something more that.

[Narrator]

We could do for him.

In a moment, our star, William Conrad.

[Commercial Announcer]

Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.

Chesterfield, made by exclusive accurate, Packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. Unlocks all the pleasure of fine tobaccos.

Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.

Firm and pleasing to the lips. Chesterfield mild, yet they satisfy the most.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, frontier cattlemen often fought and died over grazing land. Or because of water rights, with sheep men. But next week, a feud flares up because of two people in love. But that was the West. Good night.

[Narrator]

Gun Smoke, produced and Directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Our story was specially written for Gun Smoke by John Beston. With music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartel, John Dana and Ralph Moody. Marley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty.

Make today your big red letter day.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Narrator]

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[Matt Dillon]

Change to L and M today.

[Chester]

L&M's got everything.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Matt Dillon]

Get out today. This is it.

[Nick Search]

L, M Superior taste and filter.

[Matt Dillon]

L and M America's best filter tip cigarette.

[Narrator]

Be sure and listen to another transcribed story of the Old west and guns next week at this same time.

[Kitty]

Foreign.

[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.

[Narrator]

Sam.