Old Time Radio Westerns — "One Night Stand" | Gunsmoke (05-19-57)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: May 19, 1957
Podcast Release: April 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a digitally restored broadcast of the classic Gunsmoke episode “One Night Stand.” Set in Dodge City, the story dives into issues of trust, deception, and frontier justice as Marshal Matt Dillon navigates the arrival of a stranger with a suspicious past, a large sum of gold, and the shadow of would-be thieves. The episode explores how greed and suspicion can take root in the harsh realities of the Old West.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Stranger Arrives with Gold (03:09-08:53)

• Ben Argo Arrives: Ben Argo, arriving from the northern gold fields, brings $15,000 of gold to Dodge and requests Marshal Dillon's help safeguarding it overnight.
  • “They are heavy. I got a year's hard work up north to hear Gold Hill Diggins and them sacks worth near $15,000.” — Ben Argo (06:56)
• Suspicion in the Air: Argo hints at being followed from Gold Hill, raising immediate suspicions with Matt Dillon.
  • “You can rest easy, Argo. Things are different here in Dodge.” — Matt Dillon (07:36)
• Requesting a Safe Place: With the bank closed, the town's storekeeper, Mr. Jonas, is asked to guard the gold. Matt agrees but remains wary.
  • “He might have been followed.” — Matt Dillon (08:46)

2. The Dodge City Social Scene (09:15-13:15)

• Light Moments & Character Development: The camaraderie between Matt, Chester, and Doc provides comic relief—especially Doc’s repeated threats to leave Dodge for the comforts of the East.
  • “Beef steak? Oh, beef steak, he says. Matt, that is buffalo. Not when it’s a seven year old bull and tougher than a cavalry boot.” — Doc (10:54)
  • “Doc’s been threatening to leave town again.” — Matt Dillon (13:01)
• Kitty & the Bock Beer: Miss Kitty brings news of a coveted barrel of bock beer, again showing the small pleasures sought in a hard town. (13:37-14:53)

3. Two Strangers, More Danger (14:15-17:17)

• Two Men from Gold Hill: Two strangers—Pete Wells and Rocky Martin—arrive, claiming they don’t know Ben Argo, contradicting earlier information and deepening the town’s suspicions.
  • “Not even Ben Argo ever heard no Ben Argo, huh?” — Matt Dillon (15:50)
  • “If you boys just happen to meet anybody with ideas like that, you tell them to forget it, huh? Because we got laws here in Dodge City.” — Matt Dillon (16:12)
• A Heavier Load in the Safe: The storekeeper reveals the safe now includes an additional $25,000 from another gold buyer, further raising the stakes.

4. Violence Breaks Out (19:18-20:55)

• Street Attack: Ben Argo is assaulted in the street by the newcomers—his fears realized. Rocky Martin (one of the assailants) is killed in the struggle.
  • "They jumped me, the two of them right here in the street." — Ben Argo (19:25)
  • "Where'd the other one go, Argo?" — Matt Dillon (19:55)
• True Colors: Argo claims he recognized his attackers, accusing them of being “crooks” rather than prospectors.

5. The Real Scheme Unfolds (22:38-24:48)

• Back at the Safe: The Twist: Alongside Matt and Chester, Argo returns for his gold—but pulls a gun, revealing his true motive was to rob the safe of the gold buyer’s money.
  • “You, get your hands up, Marshall. You too. All three of you here.” — Ben Argo (23:14)
  • “This is what you were after all along, wasn’t it, Argo? To get your hands on that buyer’s money.” — Matt Dillon (23:20)
• Matt’s Observations: Dillon explains his suspicions—Argo’s soft hands betray him as a non-miner.
  • “I knew you were lying the minute I met you... Your hands were as soft as a baby's.” — Matt Dillon (24:03)
• Wells Returns: Pete Wells enters, forcing Argo to surrender at gunpoint.
  • “You’re covered, Argo. Drop that gun.” — Pete Wells (24:17)
  • "There wasn't nothing else to do, Marshall." — Pete Wells (24:29)

6. Justice Restored (24:48-25:27)

• Resolution: The confrontation ends with Argo's plan foiled and a reflection on the consequences of greed and violence in Dodge.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Doc's Classic Complaint (10:54):

  “Buffalo’s good meat.”
  “Not when it's a seven year old bull and tougher than a cavalry boot. Matt, you know something? I am pulling stakes. Yes, I am. I'm going back East.”
  — Doc to Matt Dillon and Chester

• Matt’s Canny Detective Work (24:03):

  “I knew you were lying the minute I met you. But I had to wait and find out what you were up to. Lying? Oh, you said you'd been working a placer claim all winter. But you made a big mistake by shaking hands with me. Your hands were as soft as a baby's. I suppose you stole the gold, huh?”
  — Matt Dillon

• Irony of the Frontier’s Trust (23:19):

  "You, get your hands up, Marshal. You too. All three of you here."
  — Ben Argo, revealing his betrayal

• Justice Delivered (24:17):

  “You’re covered, Argo. Drop that gun.” — Pete Wells

Important Segment Timestamps

• Ben Argo's Arrival & Gold Worries: 03:09–08:53
• Doc’s Comic Scene & Bock Beer: 10:41–14:53
• Confrontation with Strangers: 14:15–17:17
• Street Attack: 19:18–20:55
• Twist & Showdown at Jonas' Store: 22:38–24:48
• Resolution & Aftermath: 24:48–25:27

Final Thoughts

"One Night Stand" is a Gunsmoke tale thick with suspicion, frontier wit, and the shadow of double-cross in a town where trust is as scarce as gold. The episode’s clever reveal—Marshal Dillon spotting the physical telltales of deception—highlights how life in Dodge required not just a quick draw, but a keen sense for lies and danger. The restored audio brings clarity to both subtle sound cues and the sharp-edged dialogue that made radio westerns beloved for generations.