Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: How to Kill a Friend | Gunsmoke (05-05-57)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Air date: April 4, 2026
Original Drama Air Date: May 5, 1957

Episode Overview

In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rhynes presents a digitally restored classic episode from the legendary radio drama Gunsmoke, titled “How to Kill a Friend.” The story revolves around U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon facing a personal and moral challenge: two crooked gamblers hire an old friend of Dillon’s, Toque Moreland, as a paid gunman to kill him. As old loyalties and new hostilities intertwine, the episode explores themes of trust, justice, and the tragic consequences of violence in the untamed West.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

Introduction & Setup

[02:50]

• Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal in Dodge City, is introduced as the man who must face danger and “makes a man watchful and a little lonely.”
• Two gamblers, Ben Corder and Harry Duggan, arrive in town hoping to establish themselves. They attempt to bribe Dillon for protection and leeway for their crooked games, but he refuses with uncompromising integrity.

“I’m a lawman, Corder. And as long as I am, there won’t be any crooked games.” — Matt Dillon ([03:50])

Escalation: An Attempted Intimidation

[07:00]

• Dillon is ambushed at night by a poorly aimed rifle shot. He suspects Corder and Duggan are behind it, aiming to scare rather than kill.

“That was mighty poor shooting if he wanted to hit me… I think he was trying to scare me. Show me how they treat the law where he comes from.” — Dillon ([08:05])

Gambling, Bribery, and the Threat

[10:30]

• The gamblers approach Dillon again, trying to entice him to turn a blind eye or quit. He confronts them and ultimately runs them out of Dodge on the next stagecoach, making clear his principles.

“There’s a stage out of Dodge in about a half hour. You and Duggan are gonna be on it… And don’t ever come back.” — Matt Dillon ([11:55])

Past Returns: Hiring an Old Friend

[13:30]

• Several weeks pass. Corder and Duggan return, this time with a hired gun: Toque Moreland, an old friend and former riding partner of Dillon’s from New Mexico.
• The betrayal is personal; Toque, embittered by the past, sees no difference between Dillon and the lawmen who once wronged him.

“You ain’t Matt Dillon. You’re U.S. Marshal. Same as the sheriff, same as the one who helped them half kill me… Maybe. But I’m a pretty good gunman.” — Toque Moreland ([16:40])

A Moral Stand and a Deadline

[17:00–20:00]

• Dillon tries to reason with Toque, offering not to fight and even to pay him more than the gamblers’ offer to simply leave town. Toque refuses, too consumed by past grievances and resigned to his hired role.
• A 24-hour deadline is set: Toque will give Dillon a day to make his decision—leave Dodge, or face him.

“You can let Corder and Duggan run their game here, or you can quit. It’s a crooked game. Now I got a job too. Took 24 hours, Marshal.” — Toque Moreland ([18:50])

The Night of the Showdown

[22:00]

• Tensions reach a climax at the Long Branch Saloon. Toque gets into an argument at a gambling table, a gunfight breaks out, and Toque is mortally wounded.
• Dillon arrives as Toque is dying; the gamblers’ plan has unraveled, and justice—though costly and tragic—prevails.

“I’m hurt, man. Bad… By heaven, I wish I had. Last week. Back again.” — Toque Moreland ([24:45])

Justice Delivered

[25:15]

• Dillon banishes Corder and Duggan for good, warning them never to return or send another gunman. He stands firm that he will not tolerate their corruption or endanger his town.

“You get out of here any way you can, but you get out fast. And if you figure on coming back with another gunman, I won’t wait to shoot him.” — Matt Dillon ([25:15])

Reflection & Next-Week Teaser

[26:00]

• The episode wraps with a teaser for another tale involving herders and their own kin, hinting at more stories of Western hardship and moral complexity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:50 | Matt Dillon | “I’m a lawman, Corder. And as long as I am, there won’t be any crooked games.” | | 08:05 | Matt Dillon | “That was mighty poor shooting if he wanted to hit me… I think he was trying to scare me.” | | 11:55 | Matt Dillon | “There’s a stage out of Dodge in about a half hour. You and Duggan are gonna be on it…” | | 16:40 | Toque Moreland| “You ain’t Matt Dillon. You’re U.S. Marshal. Same as the sheriff… Maybe. But I’m a pretty good gunman.” | | 18:50 | Toque Moreland| “You can let Cordra and Duggan run their game here, or you can quit. It’s a crooked game. Now I got a job too. Took 24 hours, Marshal.” | | 24:45 | Toque Moreland| “I’m hurt, man. Bad… By heaven, I wish I had. Last week. Back again.” | | 25:15 | Matt Dillon | “You get out of here any way you can, but you get out fast. And if you figure on coming back with another gunman, I won’t wait to shoot him.” |

Key Themes & Insights

• The Burden of Justice: Dillon’s unwavering stand against corruption, despite bribery and personal danger, highlights the lonely weight borne by those committed to law and order in an often lawless land.
• Betrayal & Loyalty: The tragic arc of Toque Moreland—once a friend, now an enemy for hire—demonstrates how past trauma and bitterness can turn loyalty into deadly antagonism.
• Moral Complexity: Both Dillon and Toque grapple with right, wrong, and personal codes, raising deep questions about friendship, trust, and the cost of violence.

Additional Notes

• Audio Restoration: The digital remaster brings new clarity to classic performances and soundscapes, returning listeners to the emotional heart of radio’s golden age.
• Classic Gunsmoke Cast: William Conrad stars as the iconic Matt Dillon, supported by an all-star voice cast, with highlighted contributions by Lawrance Dobkin and Georgia Ellis as Kitty.

For New Listeners

This episode authentically immerses the modern audience in the Old West’s high-stakes moral showdowns. With rich audio and sharp, dramatic dialogue, “How to Kill a Friend” stands as a moving, suspenseful entry in the Gunsmoke legacy.