
Original Air Date: May 14, 1961Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Lynn Allen• Lawrence Dobkin• Harry ...
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Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. You can find more Western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now let's get into this episode.
Narrator
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 the Marshall and the smell of gun smoke. Gun Smoke Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved 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 chancy job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.
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Matt Dillon
People today go more take their pleasures with them. This is the lively life. The life for Pepsi Cola.
Chester
Life bracing, clean tasting.
Matt Dillon
PepsiCo. So think young. Say Pepsi.
Chester
Please take Pepsi wherever you go.
May Towny
So go ahead and pick the drink that lets you drink young as you Think. Yes. Get the right one, the modern light one. Now, it's Pepsi for those who think. Yeah.
Matt Dillon
Well, if it ain't Grant Lucas come to town, are you, Grant? I'm fine, Sam, just fine. First drinks on the house. What do you have? Well, I was going to have a beer. One whiskey coming up. Did Miss Kitty around today, Sam? Yeah, she upstairs. Got to be coming down soon. How's Matt been? Oh, he's fine, fine. You gonna be in town long, Grant? Just till after the trial. Huh? Oh, yeah. I plumb forgot. You and the marshal are testifying against Messiah Welsh, ain't you? That we are. Well, go ahead.
Chester
Make yourself at home. Thanks. Hey, Sam.
Matt Dillon
Huh? Who's the new girl the end of the bar? Oh, her. That's May Towny. Some looker, huh? Getting better looking every time I come in here. Oh, she didn't waste any time spotting you either.
Chester
I'll see you, Grant.
Matt Dillon
Thanks, Sam.
May Towny
Hello.
Chester
Hello.
May Towny
That's a big bottle you've got.
Chester
Yeah.
Matt Dillon
Want to help me with it?
May Towny
I hate to see a man drink alone, Sam. Glad. Thank you. I may. Tell me, you're Grant Lucas, aren't you?
Matt Dillon
Now, how do you know that?
May Towny
Heard Sam say it. I've seen you come in. Cheers.
Narrator
Cheers.
May Towny
You know, I like the way you smile, Grant.
Matt Dillon
There's other things I'd rather be admired for, man.
May Towny
We could talk about it at dinner.
Narrator
Dinner?
May Towny
Didn't you ever take a lady to dinner?
Matt Dillon
I did once.
May Towny
Was it that much of a hardship?
Matt Dillon
It was all right till her husband walked in and started pot shooting at me. That wasn't so darn funny, I tell you.
May Towny
Well, don't worry about me.
Andrew Rines
I ain't now.
Chester
Good.
May Towny
I got a room at the Grand Hotel.
Matt Dillon
I thought the mice had taken over that place.
May Towny
That's why I like it real quiet. You mind eating late?
Matt Dillon
I guess not.
May Towny
Pick me up about 10 tonight. I might even give you a drink.
Matt Dillon
All right.
May Towny
I'm on the ground floor, fifth window to the right of the entrance.
Matt Dillon
Fifth window?
May Towny
Just rap on it. I'll come out.
Narrator
You don't want me seen in the.
Matt Dillon
Lobby, is that it?
May Towny
People gossip about her lone wolf.
Matt Dillon
All right, Mae.
Chester
Uh.
May Towny
Oh, don't look, but the marshal just came in and he saw you. You ain't in trouble?
Matt Dillon
Not hardly.
Narrator
He's a friend of mine.
May Towny
Oh, well, then I'll leave you. Don't get too drunk.
Chester
Now, don't you worry.
Matt Dillon
I'll be there at 10.
May Towny
I'll be waiting.
Matt Dillon
Grant. Lucas, how are you? Fine, Matt. How are you? Oh, good. Good. You're in town early. The trial is four days off.
Chester
Yeah, it's a good excuse to get.
Matt Dillon
Away from that camp of mine. Matt, I just turned the horses loose and rode in. I'm glad you did, but you stay out of trouble now. All I done was buy the gal a drink. So far. It sure takes one old thief to catch another, don't it?
May Towny
Hello, Grant. Matthew.
Matt Dillon
How I can eat.
May Towny
What are you doing in town, Grant?
Matt Dillon
I come in for Cy Welch's trial.
May Towny
That's right. You two are witnesses against him, aren't you?
Matt Dillon
For once, duty's gonna be a pleasure, Kitty.
May Towny
Well, I've never liked Cy Welch. I hope they hang him.
Matt Dillon
Not a hanging charge.
May Towny
Well, he killed old Charlie Upside.
Matt Dillon
He didn't kill him. He just robbed him of his stock and his land.
May Towny
Well, old Charlie died.
Matt Dillon
It was a natural death. Grant and I were right there. He sure was. That's when he told us how Cy forced him into sign over his ranch.
May Towny
How come Cy Welsh hadn't been in jail all this time?
Matt Dillon
The judge let him out on bail.
May Towny
Then why hasn't he run for it? He'll get a prison sentence out of this, won't he?
Matt Dillon
I think he'll go to prison all right. But why he hasn't run, I don't know.
May Towny
Maybe he thinks the judge will find him innocent.
Matt Dillon
It's an open and shut case against him. Once the judge hears from granting me. Well, I'd sure think so.
May Towny
And Psy must have an ace of some kind up his sleeve.
Matt Dillon
Well, they'll soon find out. Man, it's dark here. Just wonder. 3, 4, 5, 0.
Chester
Dad, it's me.
May Towny
How do you ride on time?
Matt Dillon
Well, I ain't wanted to keep a lady waiting.
May Towny
Anybody see you?
Chester
No.
Matt Dillon
Nobody.
Chester
Good day.
Matt Dillon
You're not dressed to go to dinner. You ain't ready yet.
May Towny
You're wrong about that. I'm ready. I'm always ready.
Matt Dillon
Would you let me through here? Folks, would you stand back, please?
Narrator
Come on.
Matt Dillon
Thank you. What happened here, May? Who killed Grant Lucas?
Chester
I did.
May Towny
I shot him.
Chester
But why?
Matt Dillon
What for?
May Towny
I didn't know it was him. I didn't know who it was.
Matt Dillon
What do you mean?
May Towny
Look at that window, Marshall. That busted window.
Matt Dillon
You're saying that Grant did that?
May Towny
It didn't get that way by itself.
Matt Dillon
You mean he tried to break in here?
May Towny
Yes.
Matt Dillon
Suppose you tell me the whole story then.
May Towny
I'm sure I will. I keep that gun because of this. Martin.
Matt Dillon
A brooch?
May Towny
Yeah. Those are diamonds. It's an heirloom from my mother. Worth A lot of money, but I've never parted with it.
Matt Dillon
What's this got to do with Grant Luger?
May Towny
I met him at the Long branch day we got to talking. In fool that I am, I. I told him about this.
Matt Dillon
You tried to tell me that Grant Lucas came over here to rob you.
May Towny
I was in bed. The light was out, and he smashed the window. He didn't think anybody was here.
Matt Dillon
I see.
May Towny
What are you gonna do to me, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Nothing, I guess. I can't very well arrest a woman for defending her property.
May Towny
Then you do believe me.
Matt Dillon
Well, is there any reason why I shouldn't?
May Towny
No, Marshall. No, there isn't.
Custodial Supervisor
This is the story of the 1. As a custodial supervisor at a high school, he knows that during cold and flu season, germs spread fast. It's why he partners with Grainger to stay fully stocked on the products and supplies he needs. From tissues to disinfectants to floor scrubbers. All so that he can help students, staff and teachers stay healthy and focused. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
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Narrator
Radio Free Europe is the effective truth weapon of the free world. It is effective where other means of communication fail. Radio Free Europe gets its broadcast through the Iron Curtain and keeps captive peoples informed about events around the globe. Without these broadcasts, the captive peoples would become easy propaganda victims of the communists. They could then become ready tools in the communist drive to undermine freedom where it continues to exist. Radio Free Europe is a privately supported institution. It depends for its continued operations on the enlightened generosity of free peoples, chiefly in the United States. You are asked for your support and your truth dollars to continue this vital program. Send what you can to the Radio Free Europe Fund, box 1961, Mount Vernon 10, New York.
Chester
Chester. Hello there, Doc. What are you doing here at the stable? Robbing the place? No, I ain't robbing the place. I come over to have a little game card with moss Grimmy. Ah, same thing. Where's moss, anyway? I guess he must have went out somewhere. It's too bad. I wanted him to take the buggy road. Man can't even unhitch his own buggy. You are to get yourself a coachman, Doc. I just got one. What you. Come on.
Matt Dillon
Come on.
Chester
Well, I guess somebody's got to help a poor, busted down old sawbones who don't know nothing. Come on, let's go. You just hold his head, doc.
Matt Dillon
I'll do the work.
Chester
You know these lines could sure stand a little saddle soap, Doc. It's just a. Isn't that si Welch?
Matt Dillon
Where?
Chester
Yeah. Wonder what he's doing in town. Up to no good, more likely. Hello there, doc.
Narrator
Chester.
Matt Dillon
How are you?
Chester
Good. I was fine up till now.
Matt Dillon
Come into town today and haven't seen the marshal around.
Chester
He rode out to Grant Lucas place. Won't be back till real late.
Matt Dillon
Oh, yeah? Yeah, I heard about Grant. It's too bad some girl did it, huh?
Chester
Jean gal ort long Branch.
Matt Dillon
Downright shame for a man to go like that leaving a bad name behind it.
Chester
That's a fine thing for you to be saying, Cy Welch.
Matt Dillon
What do you mean, Doc?
Chester
You couldn't care less about his death or his reputation or anything else.
Matt Dillon
All right, all right. I didn't like that. He was going to go into court in a couple days and lie about me, wasn't he? Then he brought all this trouble on me in the first place. Now, that doesn't mean I can't feel bad about the way he died. I'd feel that about any man even if he wasn't.
Chester
You're glad he's dead and you know it.
Matt Dillon
Well, how'd it make any difference to me, Marshall Dylan still testifying against me. And me one less witness doesn't matter.
Chester
Yeah, that's true.
Matt Dillon
Thank you. But don't think I'm not going to win that case anyway. Make the marshal look like a fool.
Chester
You seem awful sure of yourself, doc.
Matt Dillon
I'd be in California by now if I wasn't sure.
Chester
Yeah, well, you're the kind who'd run out all right.
Matt Dillon
Yes, I've been called a lot of things, maybe, but never a fool. See you at the trial.
Chester
Well, that's one fella I sure would hate to claim as a friend. Or as an enemy. Ch.
Matt Dillon
Barkeep, bring me a beer. Yes, sir.
May Towny
Want some company, mister? I've got my own Beer?
Matt Dillon
No, thanks. I like to drink alone.
May Towny
All right, then, drink alone. I know you're kind, mister. Fancy clothes and empty pockets.
Matt Dillon
You just leave me alone, will you?
Chester
Oh, I sure will. Yeah.
May Towny
All right with you if I stand at the same bar?
Matt Dillon
You can stand anywhere you like.
May Towny
Thanks. I'm fine right here.
Chester
Here.
Matt Dillon
Here you are. Thanks. A new girl. You got real anxious, huh? Oh, don't get edgy, mister. May's just being friendly.
Narrator
She don't mean no harm.
Matt Dillon
Oh, yeah. May.
May Towny
Yeah.
Matt Dillon
There's only two days left.
May Towny
I know that.
Matt Dillon
Don't turn around to me now. What about the marshal?
May Towny
He's like a cat. I don't think anybody could shoot him. Even in the back.
Matt Dillon
Don't let that badge fool you. He's just a man. You could have shot him by now and got away easy. Nobody suspect a woman.
May Towny
He already suspects me.
Matt Dillon
What?
May Towny
Grant Lucas.
Chester
I know he.
Matt Dillon
I should have hired a man for this job.
May Towny
Go ahead and hire one.
Chester
But you pay me first.
Matt Dillon
I pay you nothing if you don't finish it.
Chester
You try that and I'll talk want and hang yourself.
May Towny
It might be worth it to have you hang with me.
Matt Dillon
You listen to me, mang. You get that Marshall. You get him tonight one way or another. Also, help me. I'll carve you up so no man will ever look at you again.
May Towny
I bet you.
Matt Dillon
I mean it, mang.
May Towny
All right, I'll get him. Quit worrying about him.
Matt Dillon
I'll quit worrying after he's dead.
May Towny
You just have the money ready tomorrow.
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Chester
Is that you, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Ah, hello, Martin.
Chester
I've been waiting for you.
Matt Dillon
You needn't have. I can put the horse out.
Chester
No, no, I'll take him. You had a long enough day.
Matt Dillon
You're right about that.
Chester
Get things took care of, did you?
Matt Dillon
I did what I could. Grant.
Chester
Lucas is a good man. He must have been drunk or something.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, well, I've got to Go to bed, Moss. Good night.
Chester
Good night for sleeping, huh?
Matt Dillon
How's that?
Chester
No moon. I can't remember a night as black as this one.
Matt Dillon
Oh, yes. Good night.
Chester
Good night, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
All right. Who's there?
May Towny
No, no, don't shoot. It's me, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
May. Tell me, May, what are you doing back there on the alley?
May Towny
I didn't know it was you. I was afraid. I was trying to hide.
Matt Dillon
I almost shot you.
May Towny
Well, I was trying to get to my room. I got lost. Too many drinks, I guess.
Matt Dillon
You alone?
May Towny
Of course I'm alone. I simply got lost, I tell you. Don't you believe me?
Matt Dillon
Sure I believe you, May. You want to tell me the truth?
May Towny
I might even believe that I am telling the truth. I got lost. Oh, Marshall, that awful business that night. I haven't been myself today. I haven't been able to think or anything. I can't get it out of my mind.
Matt Dillon
All right, May. Come on. I'll see you to your room.
Narrator
Well, how's it going, Esther?
Matt Dillon
Hello, Doc.
Chester
Yeah, Matt. Hard to go now.
Matt Dillon
Everything's taken care of. Grant has some relatives back east tomorrow. I'll have Mr. Botkin contact them and settle the estate.
Chester
That sure is a waste when a man like Grant Lucas has to go.
Matt Dillon
What are you doing up so late?
Chester
Oh, I thought I'd stop by and have a cup of coffee with Chester before I turned in. It's a dead town tonight, Matt. There weren't more than six men over at the Long Branch. They were just closing up when I left.
Matt Dillon
Well, I guess that's why Mae saw me left early.
Chester
No, she wasn't there.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know. I ran into her on the way from the stable. I took her to her room. What? Yeah, she said she was lost. I think maybe she had a little too much to drink.
Chester
Ms. Joan, that cussed Sire Welch was in town today.
Matt Dillon
That's good. Trial's the day after tomorrow.
Chester
You know, if you ask me, the law's been a long time catching up with that man.
Matt Dillon
It's only been a few months, Doc.
Chester
Oh, I don't mean just this business here. I mean from years back. From years back when I first ran into him. He wasn't any good then, either. Why, Doc, you didn't ever tell us you knew Cy Welch before. Oh, I just knew him in passing. He never was the kind of a crook that I have any admiration for.
Matt Dillon
Where was this that you knew him?
Chester
On the river. There were a thousand just like him.
Matt Dillon
The river? You mean the Mississippi?
Chester
Mississippi. Now, what other river would I be talking about, Mr. Jones? What's bothering you, May?
Matt Dillon
Tell me.
Chester
What about it?
Matt Dillon
Kitty told me that she used to work the riverboats.
Chester
That's right, she did. But I think I remember now. She used to. Well, that's mighty interesting, isn't it?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Doc. It sure is. Chester. Hey, put on your hat. We're gonna call on a lad.
May Towny
Who is it?
Matt Dillon
It's me. Open the door. Hi.
May Towny
You shouldn't be here.
Matt Dillon
What? You going to tell me you got the Marshall coming here? Huh? Going to try to pull the same trick on him you did on that Grand Lucas?
May Towny
Of course not.
Matt Dillon
Well, then what are you going to do? When are you going to get rid of the Marshall, mate?
May Towny
Why don't you leave me alone?
Matt Dillon
Oh, I'll leave you alone, all right. Give you $1,000 just like I promised. And then I'll leave you alone for good and all. But first you've got to finish your job.
May Towny
All right, all right.
Matt Dillon
No, it's not all right.
May Towny
All right.
Chester
I think you're scared now, you hear?
Matt Dillon
I think you're so scared that Marshall, you're not going to do a thing. No. That's right, isn't it?
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Narrator
No, it isn't.
Matt Dillon
Stop lying to me.
May Towny
Rotten beast. I will tell him. I'll tell him everything. I don't care. Let him get me. But they'll get you.
Matt Dillon
Oh, they're not going to give me. What are you doing?
May Towny
To show you what I'm doing. Oh, no.
Matt Dillon
You were going to shoot me. You were going to kill me. A woman like you. Kill me? Hey, are you in there?
May Towny
That's a Marshall. Come in, Marshall, come in.
Chester
I'm going to have to kill you now, mate.
Matt Dillon
All right, hold it, sir.
Chester
Oh, no.
Matt Dillon
Marshall.
May Towny
Him.
Chester
Is he dead?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, he's dead.
May Towny
He's doing it.
Chester
Looks like she is, too.
Matt Dillon
May. May, can you hear me?
Chester
I've heard Bad always sent for Doc.
May Towny
No. No, it's too late.
Matt Dillon
Marshall. What, May?
May Towny
I was gonna kill you.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
May Towny
Then I got scared. I couldn't do it. I won't get paid now, will I? Will I? Dead?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
My goodness. What a time to worry about getting paid.
Matt Dillon
She got paid all right, Chester. She got paid good. I just wonder if the job was worth it.
Narrator
Have you ever heard anyone say. Perhaps you've said it yourself. I was so worried, I couldn't think straight. This doesn't mean we are ill. Although psychiatrists point out that milder forms of mental illness affect most of us from time to time. What prompts this behavior in others that we find offensive may stem from illness rather than malice or character flaws. As it has been said, sometimes troublesome people are people in trouble. If you'd like to learn more about how emotions can be diverted from mental problems, the address is box 3000, New York one gun smoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman Macdonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston and adapted for radio by Frank Paris. Featured in the cast were Lynn Allen, Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartel and John Danar. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is kidding this is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on Gun Smoke, Foreign Godfrey, weekdays on the CBS Radio Network.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch and Steve and Ron W. Who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739. This episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Matt Dillon
SA.
Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: The Lady Killer | Gunsmoke (05-14-61)
Release Date: November 16, 2025
This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a restored presentation of the classic Gunsmoke radio drama, "The Lady Killer," originally broadcast on May 14, 1961. Marshal Matt Dillon, his loyal friend Chester, and the denizens of Dodge City become entangled in a plot of seduction, greed, and murder. A seemingly accidental killing unravels, revealing manipulation and a deadly contract. The restored audio brings new clarity to the textured world of the Old West, where danger always lurks just beyond the next saloon door.
[03:59]
[04:34]
"Just rap on it. I'll come out. You don't want me seen in the lobby, is that it? People gossip about a lone wolf."
—May Towny to Grant Lucas ([06:10])
[07:07]
[09:16]
"I can't very well arrest a woman for defending her property."
—Matt Dillon to May Towny ([10:35])
[14:27]
"I'd feel that about any man, even if he wasn't... You're glad he's dead and you know it."
—Chester and Cy Welsh confrontation ([15:15])
[17:15]
"You get that Marshal. You get him tonight one way or another. Or so help me I’ll carve you up so no man will ever look at you again."
—Cy Welsh to May Towny ([17:41])
[20:00]
[23:13]
"I will tell him. I'll tell him everything. I don't care. Let him get me. But they'll get you."
—May Towny confronting Cy ([23:55])
"I was gonna kill you. Then I got scared. I couldn’t do it. I won’t get paid now, will I?"
—May Towny’s dying words to Matt Dillon ([25:20])
Gunsmoke’s signature blend of laconic dialogue, moral ambiguity, and tension-filled confrontations is preserved. The interactions crackle with period-appropriate wit, grit, and understated emotion. Marshal Dillon’s stoic introspection carries the story, while supporting roles add color and complexity to the world of Dodge.
The Lady Killer is a classic tale of manipulation and moral reckoning. Grant Lucas’s death sets off a chain of events exposing that even in Dodge City, with its law and order, corruption and despair can fester beneath the surface. May Towny, coerced into becoming a killer by Cy Welsh’s threats, ultimately cannot carry out the murder of Matt Dillon. Justice is served, but not without a heavy dose of tragedy: May’s remorseful final words and Marshal Dillon’s quiet reflection haunt the end of the episode. Restored in crisp audio, the drama stands as a testament to the enduring power of radio storytelling from the golden age of the Western.