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Lisa (Psychotherapist)
Are you really buying a car online on Autotrader right now? Really? At a playground? Yeah, really. Look at these listings from dealers. Wow, your search can really get that specific. Really? And you just put in your info and boom. Car's in your budget.
Van Tober
Mom needs a second.
Lisa (Psychotherapist)
Honey, you can really have it delivered. Really? Or I can pick it up at the dealership. One sec, sweetie. Mommy's buying a car.
Van Tober
Mommy, look.
Lisa (Psychotherapist)
I think your kid is walking up the slide again.
Van Tober
Really? Auto trader. Buy your car online.
Lisa (Psychotherapist)
Really?
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 dates April 7, 1957 and the title is Rock Bottom.
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Grainger Narrator
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Gun Smoke Narrator
Gun smoke brought to you by L M the modern cigarette that lets you get full exciting flavor through the modern miracle of the pure white miracle tip Live modern smoke L and M. 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 story of the violence that moves 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 chance, a job. And it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.
Van Tober
Even that dog gone. Jail looks like home tonight, Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
It's been a long ride. Get a fire going and some coffee
Largo Greelan
started, will you, Chester?
Matt Dillon
I'll unsettle the horses. Yes, sir.
Van Tober
Hat. What?
Matt Dillon
It's Culver, Matt.
Van Tober
Van Tovor.
Matt Dillon
Oh, hello, van. I didn't recognize you there in the dark.
Van Tober
I've been waiting for you, Matt. I wanted to talk to you.
Largo Greelan
Well,
Matt Dillon
alone if it's all the same. No offense, Jesse.
Van Tober
You owe none to it. Mr. Stover. I was just going on in making some coffee. Anyhow, I'll make us all some automatic.
Matt Dillon
Why didn't you wait inside, Van? The office was open. Did for a while, but just couldn't stay setting. I guess you have got something on your mind,
Van Tober
Matt. You know a lot about me. You know I tore around when I was younger, before I met Edna and we got married. And the kid come.
Matt Dillon
Yes, like most men.
Van Tober
No, that ain't what I mean exactly. I mean I never quite got on the wrong side of the law, but I pretty near did a few times. Well, I was mighty handy with a gun mat and I was too quick
Matt Dillon
to use one a lot of times.
Van Tober
Time, sure, it was always self defense, but.
Matt Dillon
What do you got? Mad fam.
Van Tober
Matt, you still got that gun I gave you two years ago when the kid was born?
Matt Dillon
It's in the office in the safe.
Van Tober
You got any need for it?
Largo Greelan
No,
Van Tober
I Want it back?
Matt Dillon
I better get this other saddle off.
Van Tober
No, no, Matt, wait. I can go buy another gun. It's just that I'm used to that one. I carried it for years and I got to have one tonight.
Matt Dillon
You haven't worn a gun for two years now, Van. You told me when you gave it to me you were through with gun fighting.
Van Tober
I didn't ask for this for the
Matt Dillon
Kid's sake and Edna's. So you told me.
Van Tober
That's true, Matt.
Matt Dillon
You said you only had one enemy in the world and you haven't heard of him for years. Have you gone out and made yourself a new one? No. It's the same one.
Van Tober
Huh.
Largo Greelan
He's caught up with you.
Van Tober
It was 12 years ago, clear down in Durango.
Matt Dillon
Fight over a girl.
Van Tober
Nobody. She didn't even count. I just fought easy in them days, was all.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, sure.
Van Tober
This fellow drawed on me and I
Matt Dillon
put a bullet through his leg. He was still laid up with it
Van Tober
when I rode out of town and he swore he'd find me and kill me. I didn't pay it much mind. We all talk big when we're young, you know.
Matt Dillon
I know.
Van Tober
He rode into Dodge today.
Matt Dillon
He's been asking for me. Uh huh. What's his name? Largo Greelan. He's a big fellow. He's built like a bull.
Van Tober
Always wears two guns and he can shoot with either hand.
Matt Dillon
Van. Does your shoulders still bother you, son? What's that got to do with it? Look, you might as well have given me that gun four years ago when that horse fell and rolled on you. Now, you get mixed up in something like this with that bad shoulder, and you'll be dead before you even get your gun clear of the leather. You must be out of your head.
Van Tober
You think I want to meet Largo?
Matt Dillon
You sure act like it.
Van Tober
He's come after me 12 years he's been looking. That's a lot of hate, Matt. And if I don't call him here in town, he'll come on out to the ranch. I got Edn and the Kid to think of.
Matt Dillon
All right, then think of him. Stay out of this and leave it to me.
Van Tober
You think I wouldn't like to? Matt, I'm scared. I know what I'm up against and I'm scared to death.
Matt Dillon
Then get out of town. Stay clear of him and let me handle it.
Van Tober
It's not your fight, Matt.
Matt Dillon
It might be.
Van Tober
Well, ain't no use arguing about it. If it's all right with you, I'll take my gun and not bother you no more.
Matt Dillon
Why don't you use your head, Van? You haven't got a chance.
Van Tober
I want the gun, Matt. I want it now. All right.
Matt Dillon
Come on,
Largo Greelan
Chester.
Van Tober
Ch.
Matt Dillon
Mr. Dillon, get Van Tober's gun out of his safe way. William.
Van Tober
Matt. I give up. I can't figure it out.
Matt Dillon
I'll Figure what out, Kitty?
Van Tober
You, the way you're acting.
Matt Dillon
How am I acting?
Van Tober
You've been leaning on the bar for the last hour with the same drink beside you. You haven't even touched it.
Matt Dillon
Well, I guess I'm not thirsty.
Van Tober
It's not that, miss. You're drawn tighter than a two dollar cinch.
Edna Tober
You're waiting for something, aren't you?
Matt Dillon
Don't worry about it. It's no use borrowing trouble.
Van Tober
If anybody's about to borrow from if you.
Matt Dillon
Kitty, will you excuse me for a minute? Look, you stay here and finish your drink. I. I got something that needs attended to.
Largo Greelan
I'll be back in a little while.
Matt Dillon
Your name Lago Greland?
Largo Greelan
Might be. What's on your mind, mister?
Matt Dillon
Well, I'm the marshal here in Dodge.
Largo Greelan
One of them, huh?
Matt Dillon
Yeah,
Van Tober
you.
Matt Dillon
Everybody in the Cherokee Strip.
Largo Greelan
Oh, I see. Van Tober come whining to you, I reckon. Got you to do his fighting for him, huh?
Matt Dillon
I'm not talking about silver. I'm talking about some wanted bulletins I've been looking over. Got your name and face on them.
Largo Greelan
You don't see one of them's for
Matt Dillon
murder down on the Cherokee Strip.
Largo Greelan
Van must have changed some. Spook's easier, for one thing. Hollers for his hit.
Matt Dillon
Forget about Van.
Largo Greelan
It's kind of a hard thing to do, Marshall, when you've looked for a man 12 years and finally found him. Understand, he's staked out over by the stock pens. Got cover at the sides and behind. Sure looks like he ain't running no chances. But I can wait. Let him sweat some. He can't stay there forever.
Matt Dillon
You're under arrest for murder, Largo.
Largo Greelan
Now, I'd like to blood you, Marshal, but I got other business in town.
Matt Dillon
Not now, you haven't.
Largo Greelan
Oh, I ain't gonna draw on you. More than likely you got a man somewhere behind me. No, I ain't gonna draw on you.
Matt Dillon
I'm sorry, Largo, but I've had that kicking trick tried on me before. Now, get up on your feet. Come on, mister. We're going to jail.
Van Tober
And I've got Mad Antonio. Someday you're gonna take one chance. Two minutes.
Matt Dillon
Oh, what do you mean, Doc?
Van Tober
Trying to arrest somebody you know's a killer with your gun in your holster, Doc.
Matt Dillon
A lawman that went around with a pistol in his hand that lasted about a week.
Van Tober
Why?
Matt Dillon
Because every outlaw in town would figure he had a right to ambush him. Oh, you're in town kind of late, aren't you, Ms. Tober?
Edna Tober
Marshall, where's Van?
Van Tober
I don't know.
Matt Dillon
Around town somewhere, I guess. Now, doc, you know Ms. Tober, don't you?
Van Tober
Oh, do I? Of course I know. Who do you think delivered that baby of hers? How are you, Edna?
Edna Tober
Marshall, who's Van gonna fight?
Largo Greelan
Fight?
Edna Tober
He's wearing a gun. First time in two years, and he's in town looking for somebody. He wouldn't tell me anything, but I know. I can feel it when a man's mind's took up with killing.
Matt Dillon
Easy now, Mrs. Tover. Whatever he might have been thinking, he can forget now. You can too. There's nothing to worry about.
Van Tober
That's easy to say.
Matt Dillon
It happens to be true. The fella he was worrying about's in jail. I guess Van doesn't know it yet.
Edna Tober
Are you telling me the truth, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Yes, I am. Now, why don't you get yourself back out to the ranch? That husband of yours is gonna be tired and hungry when he finally rides in tonight.
Edna Tober
You sure this man's in jail, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, he's there all right.
Van Tober
Well, of course he's there. Now you head for home, young lady, before you really give Van something to worry about. Gallivanting around alone this time of night.
Edna Tober
All right, Doc, I will. Good night. And good night, doc.
Matt Dillon
Good night, Ms. Tilbury.
Van Tober
Blameful woman worrying overnight.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, that's right, Doc. Same as you were.
Van Tober
Same as I was? Oh, you mean about you taking chances and all. Well, that's different. Now we can get on. Ah, that Chester, he can find more reasons to hoop and power.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. What's the matter, J?
Largo Greelan
He.
Van Tober
He jumped me right there in the cell. I fetched him some water so as he could clean up when he come to. And he was just playing possum.
Matt Dillon
Are you hurt?
Van Tober
No, I ain't hurt. That ain't what I'm trying to tell you, Mr. Dylan. Well, what is it then? He. Sam. My golly. He sure didn't waste no time making himself scarce, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
No, he sure didn't. Any sign of him around the railroad depot?
Van Tober
No, not a whisper man. Quiet as a tomb over there. And I didn't see Van Trover either.
Matt Dillon
We gotta find one of them before they find each other.
Van Tober
It's just possible that he pulled Stakes and let out, man.
Matt Dillon
Not after 12 years looking for Tover. He's still around somewhere.
Van Tober
Well, you had him locked up in jail. Oh, Mr. Dylan, I just don't know how it happened. He just fooled me long. Ah, just. You're probably thinking about women. They're always fooling me too. Now you look at here, Doc.
Matt Dillon
Forget it, Chester. We all get taken in once in a while.
Van Tober
I just don't know how he tricked me like.
Matt Dillon
Oh, never mind. It's done now. The thing to do is to find him. He hasn't had time to get very far. Far?
Van Tober
You, Mr. Dylan? Yeah.
Matt Dillon
Over here, Miles.
Van Tober
Wonder what old Miles is doing out this time of night. He's probably trying to pedal something. Make another $0.05 profit so he can sleep better. I heard that, Doc. I heard what you were saying behind my back. There isn't anything I wouldn't say to your front, you old skin.
Matt Dillon
What's on your mind, Miles?
Van Tober
Matthew, there's something mighty funny going on.
Matt Dillon
How's that?
Van Tober
So I just came past the livery stable. Mrs. Over started to drive out and some fella jumped into the buggy with her.
Largo Greelan
What?
Van Tober
It was a big fella, built like a bull. He made a turn around and go back into the stable.
Matt Dillon
And it looks like we've found Largo. Come on, let's go.
Van Tober
Ain't no sign of life. He should be on.
Matt Dillon
There's no reason for him to advertise.
Van Tober
Well, he might have left. It's been five minutes since I saw him. If you saw them at all, you'd probably been nipping at that scotch whiskey of you. One of these days, Doc, you'll go too far. Well, I. I guess he ain't left yet after all. Largo, come on out of there while your hands up.
Largo Greelan
Me and the lady's too comfortable. Marshall, why don't you come and join us?
Matt Dillon
Let her come out alone and you won't get hurt.
Largo Greelan
I don't think he'd get hurt. That's why she's with me.
Van Tober
Matt, what's going on? You got Largo cornered now. I heard a shot.
Matt Dillon
No.
Largo Greelan
Find her husband, Marshall. Tell him if he hurries, he might still be breathing.
Van Tober
That's it. Mar's got Edna in there. Gerd.
Matt Dillon
Wait a minute, man. It won't help her any to walk out there and get yourself killed.
Van Tober
There's no use arguing that.
Matt Dillon
No, I guess you're right. There isn't any you argument. Doc, take care of him, will you? Chester, get his gun and see if you can hold Largo's Attention. Fire a couple of shots. I'm gonna try to slip in the back.
Van Tober
Okay, Mr. Dillon. Let me have his gun, Doc. Largo, you ain't got a chance. Throw your gun out and walk out of there with your hands up for me. And Mr. Dillon comes in after you.
Largo Greelan
Come on, if you feel lucky.
Van Tober
You think we don't mean business, Largo? That's convince you any?
Largo Greelan
You better be careful, boys. You're scaring a lady.
Van Tober
Me and Mr. D. Give you just two minutes before we worship.
Largo Greelan
You know where to find me.
Van Tober
Come on.
Largo Greelan
I'll pick you off one at a time. Right after I shoot the lady, of course.
Van Tober
Please let me go. I don't know who you are, but
Largo Greelan
shut up before you get me mad. Don't move like Largo, Marshall. Well, it's sneaked in the back way like any ordinary polecat.
Matt Dillon
Don't turn around, Largo. Just drop that gun.
Largo Greelan
Sorry, Marshall. A man waits 12 years for something. It ain't easy for him to just give up and quit.
Matt Dillon
Get all the chance you're going to get, Largo. You move that gun one inch toward Ms. Tor and it's the last move you'll ever make.
Largo Greelan
Has to be your last move sometime, Marshall. So I reckon it might as well be now.
Edna Tober
He.
Van Tober
He's dead.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Yeah, he's dead, marshall.
Van Tober
You all right, Mr. Jones? Yeah.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm all right. Chester, Get her out of here, will you? Take her to Van. He'll want to know that she's safe. That's right.
Van Tober
We are. Everything's all right now, Ms. Tober. You just come along with me now.
Matt Dillon
There we are.
Largo Greelan
Hey, Doc.
Van Tober
Yes, ma'. Am.
Matt Dillon
Well, looks like I've done my job. Now it's time for you to take
Van Tober
over another coroner's case.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, that's right, Doc. Another coroner's case. You know, there are many kinds of horses on the frontier. The spotted horse of the Indians or Appaloosa. The cowboy's pony, which might be a mustang or quarter horse or even an occasional thoroughbred, but one thing's certain, everyone looks road man, woman or child. And next week, Dodge watches an Indian girl ride in town half dead in her saddle.
Van Tober
Gun Smoke, produced and directed by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal.
Largo Greelan
The story was specially written for Gun
Van Tober
Smoke by Les Crutchfield, with editorial supervision by John Meston. The music was composed and conducted by Rex Corey, sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Harry Bartel, Gene Fates, Barney Phillips and Ben Wright. Harley Bear is Chester Howard McNeary is Doc and Georgia Ellis is kidding. Our thanks to TV Radio Mirror and to you our listening audience for selecting Gunsmoke as the best Western program on radio for the third confected of year. We are also pleased and proud to announce that William Conrad was selected as
Largo Greelan
the Best Western Star.
Matt Dillon
The results of this annual fold appear
Van Tober
in the current issue of TV Radio Mirror. Join us again next week for another
Largo Greelan
story on gun smoke.
Van Tober
This is the CBS Radio Network.
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Matt Dillon
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
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Episode Date: March 21, 2026 (original air date: April 7, 1957)
Host: Andrew Rhynes
In this digitally restored broadcast of the classic Gunsmoke episode “Rock Bottom,” listeners are transported to Dodge City, where U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon faces a reunion with an old friend whose violent past comes back to haunt him. The episode explores themes of vengeance, fear, redemption, and the enduring weight of old grudges. Through tense, atmospheric storytelling and nuanced character performances, “Rock Bottom” delivers all the drama and moral complexity the golden age of radio Westerns is known for.
[04:25–08:54]
Van Tober, once a notorious gunman, visits Marshal Dillon seeking the return of his old gun, which he gave up for peace when his son was born.
Matt Dillon’s Conflict: The marshal is torn—he wants to protect his friend from certain death (as Van’s shoulder injury would hinder him in a gunfight), yet respects Van’s need to handle his own affairs.
[08:51–13:10]
[13:38–16:53]
The episode underlines the psychological toll violence takes even on the strong-willed. Van’s wife, Edna Tober, senses looming tragedy: “He’s wearing a gun for the first time in two years... I can feel it when a man's mind's took up with killing.” (Edna Tober, 14:22)
Matt assures Edna that her husband’s foe is in jail, but a sense of unease pervades.
Memorable Exchange on Lawman’s Dangers:
[16:32–17:14]
Greelan breaks out of jail, tricking Chester with a feigned faint.
The urgency intensifies: “We gotta find one of them before they find each other.” (Matt Dillon, 16:47)
[18:19–21:21]
Greelan kidnaps Edna Tober, using her as a human shield to lure Van.
As the lawmen close in, Greelan taunts: “Come on, if you feel lucky... I'll pick you off one at a time. Right after I shoot the lady, of course.” (Largo Greelan, 20:11)
Matt silently circles to the rear, confronting Largo from behind:
Aftermath: Edna is safe; Van and Edna are reunited.
Van’s Moral Struggle (07:09–09:00):
“You think I wanna meet Largo? You sure act like it... If I don’t call him here in town, he’ll come on out to the ranch. I got Edna and the kid to think of... Matt, I’m scared. I know what I’m up against and I’m scared to death.”
Matt on Lawmen’s Limits (13:51):
“A lawman that went around with a pistol in his hand... lasts about a week. Because every outlaw in town would figure he had a right to ambush him.”
Greelan’s Fatal Obsession (20:40):
“Sorry, Marshall. A man waits 12 years for something. It ain’t easy for him to just give up and quit.”
“Rock Bottom” is a classic Gunsmoke tale, balancing suspenseful action with real emotional stakes. It highlights the difficult choices faced by lawmen and settlers alike in the old West—especially when the ghosts of their pasts catch up with them. The sound design, vivid character voices, and moral complexity are notably enhanced in this restored version, making for a gripping and resonant audio drama.
For more vintage Western storytelling, subscribe to Old Time Radio Westerns for rich, restored episodes every week!