Old Time Radio Westerns: Gunsmoke – “Pretty Mama” (Original Air Date: November 11, 1956)
Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast Episode Date: November 11, 2025
Episode Overview
This remastered episode of Gunsmoke, titled “Pretty Mama,” transports listeners to the post-Frontier town of Dodge City, where U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon investigates a tragic ranch murder. The story delves into themes of loneliness, suspicion, jealousy, and the sometimes heavy burden placed upon children living in the harsh realities of the Old West.
Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown
1. Daily Life in Dodge & Setting the Mood
[02:25-03:54]
- Marshal Matt Dillon and saloon owner Kitty share a rare peaceful morning in Dodge.
- Kitty (03:38): “The morning's always like this, Matt...so crisp and clear.”
- Matt (03:43): “Most always the best part of the day…it's peaceful.”
- Their calm is interrupted by Beanie Marvel, a young boy in distress.
2. The Murder of Hank Marvel
[03:54-06:44]
- Beanie rushes in to report his father Hank has been shot and killed at their ranch.
- Dillon and the doctor, along with Chester, go to the scene.
- Mrs. Marvel recounts the events:
- Hank left with Beanie, intending to check pumpkins.
- Beanie was in the pumpkin patch when his father was shot near the creek.
- The ranch is isolated, with only the Circle D ranch as a neighbor.
3. Suspicions and Community Gossip
[06:44-07:52]
- Mrs. Marvel mentions the only nearby Circle D rider, Jack Teague.
- There are rumors in Dodge about Teague's attention toward Mrs. Marvel.
- Mrs. Marvel (07:39): “And it's a lie, Marshal.”
- Hank had previously ordered Teague off the property due to these rumors.
4. Examining the Evidence
[09:11-10:47]
- Doc reviews the body: Hank was shot in the back, likely with a small caliber rifle (a “light Winchester”).
- The investigators ponder the ranch's vulnerability and Mrs. Marvel’s prospects as a widow.
- Doc (11:30): Highlights the isolation and Mrs. Marvel’s youth and beauty – “she's a mighty pretty woman...hard to think of her as having a kid like that. Eight or nine years old.”
5. Beanie’s Account and Matt Dillon’s Questions
[12:11-14:08]
- Beanie recounts the shooting and confirms he saw Jack Teague riding away from the scene.
- Beanie (13:52): “I see Mr. Teague.”
- Matt Dillon, Chester, and Doc discuss the plausibility and details of Beanie’s story.
6. Confronting Jack Teague
[14:08-19:48]
- Dillon and Chester track down Teague at the Circle D line cabin.
- Teague is packing to leave, seemingly panicked by news of the murder.
- He denies involvement, stating he was hunting deer with his Sharps 50 (not the weapon used for the murder).
- Teague (17:41): “Horse knife. That’s a woman’s gun, Marshal.”
7. Second Interview with Mrs. Marvel
[19:48-20:58]
- Matt confronts Mrs. Marvel about rifles owned at the ranch; she confirms both a Sharps 50 and a light Winchester exist.
- Matt asks if she can shoot; she answers confidently.
- Mrs. Marvel is concerned about the ongoing investigation despite Teague's arrest.
8. The Truth Comes Out – Beanie’s Confession
[21:18-24:24]
- Matt finds Beanie in the pumpkin patch with his mother’s Winchester, celebrating a successful shot at a raccoon.
- Through calm questioning, Matt reveals inconsistencies in Beanie’s story.
- Beanie admits to lying about seeing Teague and ultimately confesses to shooting his own father.
- Beanie (23:47): “Yes, sir. I...I didn’t go to do it, sir. It was just all of a sudden. Them pumpkins could have waited, Marshal. Them soap kettles are so heavy.”
- The act was not premeditated—Beanie expresses guilt, regret, and a desire to protect his mother from turmoil.
9. Aftermath and Emotional Impact
[24:24-24:29]
- Matt consoles Beanie, unable to offer any certain answer about the boy’s future.
- Beanie (24:24): “What do you feel will happen, Marshal?”
- Matt (24:29): “Beanie, I wish I knew.”
Memorable Quotes
- Matt Dillon on Dodge City’s calm:
"That’s the only time of day Dodge is peaceful." — Matt, 03:49 - Mrs. Marvel denying rumors:
"And it's a lie, Marshal." — Mrs. Marvel, 07:39 - Doc on Mrs. Marvel's resilience:
"Be mighty hard for a woman to keep this place up by herself...she’s a mighty pretty woman." — Doc, 11:30 - Beanie’s heartfelt confession:
"I didn't go to do it, sir. It was just all of a sudden. Them pumpkins could have waited, Marshal. Them soap kettles are so heavy." — Beanie, 23:47
Important Segment Timestamps
- Peaceful morning in Dodge: 02:25–03:54
- Beanie reports his father’s murder: 03:54–04:14
- Ms. Marvel describes the situation: 05:13–06:44
- Rumors about Teague and Ms. Marvel: 07:29–07:52
- Doc’s report on the murder weapon: 09:11–10:47
- Beanie claims he saw Teague: 13:52
- Confrontation with Jack Teague: 14:08–19:48
- Matt asks about the rifles: 19:57–20:58
- Beanie’s confession to Matt: 23:47–24:29
Tone and Style
The episode maintains an evocative, somber, and contemplative tone. There is an undercurrent of suspicion and loneliness undercut by the simple, rugged directness of frontier folk. The dialogue is authentic to the era and setting, rich in understatement.
Summary Takeaway
“Pretty Mama” provides a compelling narrative of tragedy and misconstrued intentions on the frontier. Through Marshal Dillon’s methodical investigation, the truth emerges from beneath the weight of local gossip, suspicion, and a young boy’s desperate attempt to protect his mother. The episode stands as a poignant reminder of the burdensome realities and emotional stakes of the Old West—where even the innocent can be swept up in its hardships and mysteries.