Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast Summary

Episode: The Executioner | Gunsmoke (Original Air Date: April 15, 1956)
Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: July 31, 2025

Introduction: A Familiar Face Returns

The episode opens with Morgan Curry observing a stranger, Tom Clegg, arriving at his ranch. The tension is immediate as Curry recognizes Clegg as a formidable gunman known for his speed and deadly precision.

Morgan Curry: "You know this fellow riding in, Morgan? He's a stranger for sure. Abe. That brand on his horse, I can't even read it."
— [00:03]

Tom Clegg's Challenge

Tom Clegg introduces himself, revealing his intent to provoke a confrontation. His introduction sets the stage for a classic showdown characteristic of Western dramas.

Tom Clegg: "The name's Tom Clegg. I ain't a kid."
— [00:46]

Clegg: "Oh, now we won't have any fighting."
— [04:43]

Reunion with Matt Dillon

Matt Dillon, the steadfast U.S. Marshal, enters the scene alongside Morgan Curry. Upon recognizing each other, Clegg confronts Dillon, reigniting old tensions from their past encounter in Las Cruces eight years prior.

Matt Dillon: "Aren't you Tom Craig?"
— [06:10]

Tom Clegg: "Exactly eight years ago. I've changed some since then. Marshal Dillon?"
— [06:24]

Bill Conrad, voicing Matt Dillon, underscores the gravity of their history.

Tom Clegg: "Sure, I left there. I went out by myself. I practiced for two years every day. I got pretty good with a gun. Marshall, that fellow's dead now. I went back and I killed him."
— [06:53]

Morgan Curry's Plea

Concerned about the rising threat posed by Clegg, Morgan Curry approaches Marshal Dillon with urgent news: Clegg has killed his brother, Abe. He implores Dillon to take action against the relentless gunman.

Morgan Curry: "He's a killer, Marshall. He made Abe draw."
— [10:23]

Morgan Curry: "Tom Clegg's going to die. No matter what, he's going to die."
— [11:17]

Dillon, embodying the moral compass of the law, grapples with Curry's desperation.

Matt Dillon: "I'm a lawman. When Tom Clegg breaks the law, I'll go after him."
— [11:05]

Morgan Curry: "I don't know if you're fast enough for him, Marshall."
— [11:09]

Barroom Tensions

Kitty, the proprietor of the local saloon, provides insight into the escalating drama. She observes Morgan Curry's obsessive pursuit of Clegg, adding layers to the unfolding conflict.

Kitty: "I've watched Morgan Curry following Clegg in and out of here for two days now."
— [12:02]

Kitty: "Maybe it's you he's trying to shame, Matt."
— [12:50]

Marshall Dillon remains skeptical about Milo's intentions, emphasizing his commitment to lawful justice over personal vendettas.

Matt Dillon: "I have to, Kitty. I have to care."
— [13:08]

Morgan Curry: "He's got to be killed."
— [11:20]

The Confrontation Ensues

The tension reaches its peak when Clegg confronts Dillon and Morgan directly. Accusations fly as Clegg denounces both men as cowards for their stances and actions.

Tom Clegg: "Cause you've got to stop him."
— [14:07]

Tom Clegg: "You're both cowards. That's what you are. Cowards."
— [15:12]

Dillon attempts to uphold the law amidst personal affronts, leading to a showdown that tests his principles.

Matt Dillon: "I'm not a gunman, Morgan. I'm a law man."
— [15:20]

The Final Showdown

A dramatic confrontation unfolds between Marshall Dillon and Tom Clegg. Despite Dillon's reluctance to engage in gunfire, the circumstances compel him to act decisively.

Tom Clegg: "He slaps me. No man can take that."
— [19:07]

Matt Dillon: "I'm arresting you, Clegg."
— [19:24]

The encounter culminates with Clegg being subdued, but not without dire consequences, as Morgan Curry meets a tragic end.

Aftermath and Reflection

In the aftermath, Marshall Dillon reflects on the weight of his actions, feeling the burden of becoming an executioner despite his aversion to violence.

Matt Dillon: "I feel like a hangman. He made an executioner out of me, and I don't like it."
— [22:36]

Morgan Curry: "He murdered my brother and murdered me the same way. But we got him anyway, didn't we?"
— [21:52]

The episode closes with Dillon pondering the cost of justice in the untamed frontier, embodying the moral dilemmas faced by lawmen of the Old West.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Dillon: "I'm not a gunman, Morgan. I'm a law man."
  — [15:20]

• Tom Clegg: "You're both cowards. That's what you are. Cowards."
  — [15:12]

• Morgan Curry: "He killed my brother, and he needs to die."
  — [10:23]

Conclusion

The Executioner masterfully encapsulates the essence of Western justice and personal vendettas. Through rich character interactions and intense dialogue, the episode delves into themes of honor, revenge, and the burdens of law enforcement in a lawless land. Marshall Dillon's struggle to balance duty with personal loss offers a poignant narrative that resonates with the timeless allure of the Wild West.

This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to convey the episode's key moments and emotional undertones for those who have not listened to the podcast.