
Original Air Date: November 20, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc)Special Guests:• Vic Perrin• Barney Phillips• La...
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Narrator/Announcer
Foreign.
Andrew Rines (Host)
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.
Narrator/Announcer
Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers. And that's where the U.S. marshal 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. 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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AM PM Customer
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AM PM Customer
When it's cravini. Okay, like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m.
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In this land of plenty, we occasionally forget that millions of less fortunate people elsewhere in the world are hungry, sick, destitute. But the three great religious faiths of our country, Protestant, Catholic and Jewish, haven't forgotten. They conduct annual campaigns to help the needy overseas. 80% of all volunteer aid is channeled through religious organizations here. Because of the scope of this great charitable work, United States government surplus food can be distributed at low cost. For example, $1 will send more than 300 pounds of food abroad. But the money you contribute through your church or synagogue goes for more than food. It helps send clothing, bedding and medicine, too. It goes toward the maintenance of hospitals and orphanages to initiate and carry out self help and resettlement projects. During this month of Thanksgiving, keep faith with those in need overseas. Give through your faith. You sure you know what you're doing, Berkey? Yeah, I know. Well, come on, climb down. Don't make no sense to me leaving it here after all we done get it, rang the shovel. Get your hands on some money and buried it. Make no sense at all. Go on down there near the creek. Right there under these bushes. All right. That's as good a place as any. All right, start digging. Now listen, Bricky, you. Now you start digging. All right. All right. Ain't gonna do us no good to have the money if they come take it off of us, is it? Well, no, it ain't. No, it sure ain't. When we start spending any of it, before the fuss dies down, they're gonna be looking our way short. I wouldn't spend much of it, turkey. Honest you would. Just enough to keep yourself liquored up till it was run clean through. Why, that ain't no good. We're gonna lay low and dodge and we're gonna act like we never seen more than six bits altogether until they forget about that hole. And then I'll make you a bargain, Craig. All right. What's that? I'll come dig up that gold myself. Yes, sir. You won't even have to touch a shovel. Oh, I won't mind doing the digging then. All right then, get on with it now. Ain't hankering to spend another night in this prairie. I know why I'm on. I should do all the digging. I sure will be glad to get back to dodge this time, Ms. Jones. You know something, Chester? You're always glad. Yes, sir, I know it ain't so bad these long rides if we get something done. But to ride all that way for nothing. It wasn't for nothing, Chester. We at least found out that the hold up men weren't there. Oh, we did that all right. We done that. We also found out that nobody don't know who they was nor where they went. If that's any help. Might be more help than some of the false leads we get. Sometimes that could be true. Well, I do declare. Looky there, Ms. Dillon. Why? Off to the right there. Just. Just look yon. Yeah. Come on. I think he don't look like no Indian. It doesn't look like he's got a horse. You're a long way from your horse, monsieur. Yes, sir, I am. Matter of fact, I let him escape. You let him escape? I'm afraid that's exactly what happened. I'm not accustomed to horses. When I came back from the grave, the animal was gone. I guess I hadn't secured him properly. Grave? Just what grave? Was it an Indian grave back there a few miles where I picked up this fine specimen of a bow and arrow. Who are you? My name is Milford, sir. Otis Milford. Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. You make it a habit to rob Indian graves? No, sir, I do not. I have great respect for the Indians. I study them. You might say I'm writing a book on every phase of their culture and of this West. Once in a while, it's necessary, in the interest of science, to collect a certain article. You don't look as though you're very familiar with any culture out here on the plains. You're right, sir, I'm not. I have studied the Indians of the East. I've come to study the Indians of the West. Are you aiming at something with that arrow? Yes, sir, I was. I wanted to test it, you know, to compare the bow with the ones used by the Eastern tribes. It compares very well. I'm sure the Pawnee will be glad to hear that. I was just on my way to pick up the quarry. You shot something? Yes, sir. A rabbit. It's just over here. You shot a rabbit. You're either a very good shot or mighty lucky. I've studied to become expert. Where you headed for now, Milford? I was heading for Dodge City before my horse ran off. Now we're headed for Dodge. We'll give you a ride in if you want it. Be much obliged, sir. Very much obliged. Sure, you can ride up behind me. All right. Chester, give him a hat. Okay. Thank you. Be careful of the bow, please. Yeah. Chester, be careful of the bow, please. All right, let's go.
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AM PM Customer
Hmm. It's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.
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I hope supper's not spoiled. Jim. Sorry I'm late, but we're taking inventory. With a nagging backache I've had and sleepless nights it gives me, I'm all dragged out. You've been complaining of backache long enough. Don't you want to get relief? Of course, but how? Try Doan's pills. Right. Doan's pills are an analgesic and mild diuretic to the kidneys. Nagging backache also headache, dizziness and muscular aches and pains may come on with over exertion, emotional upsets or everyday stress and strain. Doan's pain relieving action is often the answer. And they also offer mild diuretic action through the kidneys. So if nagging backache is making you feel worn out, tired and miserable with restless sleepless nights, don't wait. Try Doan's pills used successfully by millions for over 60 years. See if they don't bring you the same welcome relief. Get Doan's pills today to save money by Doan's big economy size. Very interesting. Making note of that, hey? Might I ask just what you think you're doing, Mr. Milford? Mr. Dobie, this is all most interesting. Very interesting. You ain't got no right to be going through them papers on my desk. You're quite right, Mr. Doby. I suppose I should have asked you first. I don't allow prying, Mr. Milford. I wasn't prying, Mr. Dolby. I'd like to know what you called it going through them papers. I was merely going through the back registers, Mr. Dolby, to see who had stayed here at The Dodge House in years past. That ain't any of your business. First, I can see it was in the spirit of pure research, Mr. Dobie. I was just looking for more background material for my book. I don't care what you're looking for. I want you to get out of my office, to stay out. Certainly, sir, if you feel that way about it. But I don't. No buts about it. You just get out, and I'll see that you stay out. I told him I wouldn't stand for it. Marshall Dillon, I want you to see to it that it don't happen again. All right, Dobie. All right, all right. Just calm down. Now, there wasn't anything missing, was there? Well, now, nothing was missing, but that's not the point. I just don't want him snooping around. Well, I don't think he'll bother you anymore, Dobie. He's not a crook. Well, I'd like to know what you call it. Milford was doing just what he said. He was looking up material for his book. He just neglected to ask your permission. Probably never occurred to him, lying with Shanford. All right, all right, I'll talk to him. That's the proper way to conduct your job, Marshal Dillon. Good day. Good day, Dr. Adams. I didn't see you coming. Yeah. Better be more careful opening doors, Doby. You might become a patient. Good day, Doctor. Good day. What's eating him? Come on in, Doc. He's upset because our friend Milford started looking through the hotel records without Dobie's say so. Oh, Milford, I should admit that fella's bound to get himself into some real trouble. Ah, Milford's harmless, Doc. Sure, he may be harmless to other people, but he's not harmless to himself. Huh? What do you mean? He just doesn't belong out in this country. I treated him for his limp, you know, like you said. And I swear, man, I never saw such a pair of raw feet in my life. Why, he must have walked for miles except. And his boots, well, they didn't even fit. Grant that he's no frontiersman. I should say he isn't. And he's not making any friends around Dodge, either. No? What's he doing now? Well, Matt, it's nothing criminal, but he keeps stopping people and asking him fool questions. And he nearly got himself kicked in the head a little bit ago. Oh, what happened? Oh, he was trying to get a better look at the saddle of old man Garcia's horse. It's got silver work on it. You know, I don't blame him. For looking. It's mighty rare in Dutch. Well, Milford could have been killed. Yeah. Yeah, he could. And he's talking now about starting off on an expedition into Indian country. Well, then he will be killed. Well, I say I'd give him about two days. All right, Doc, all right. I guess I better have a talk with him. I don't think it'll do much good. Well, maybe you can send him back to Izzy. Eastern Indian. I have a feeling they've sent him out here. Come on, Doc, I'll buy you a beard. Well, I'm glad I didn't order, Matt. The food would have had to been warmed up twice. I'm sorry I'm late, Kitty, but I've been looking for somebody. It's all right. Sit down. Ah, thanks, Kitty. I could stand some food. And I think, Kitty, maybe you better go ahead and order your dinner. I'll be a little while yet. What is it now? That's who I've been looking for. You mean that little Professor Phil? Yeah, that's the one. I want to talk to him before he gets into any more hot water. Before you eat? I'm afraid so. All right, Marshall. Far be it for me to interfere with the processes of the law. Ah, kiddie. Go on, Matt. I can pay for my own dinner. Just remember, you had your chance. I'll see you later. Sure. Matt. Can I see you for a minute? Mr. Milford. Marshall Dillon. Sit down. Sit right down. Oh, thank you. May I offer you something? Some coffee? No, thank you. No, you. You go right on with your dinner. Well, I finished. Thank you. Well, what can I do for you, Marshall Doolan? Well, I understand that you're planning to head out on the high plains, sir. That's exactly what I plan to do. And you're going alone, is that right? I always go alone, Marshall. It's the only way to do a true job of study. I don't think that's a good idea, Mr. Milford. Well, I don't understand. I don't think it's safe for you to ride off out there alone. It's tough country. I'm not afraid, Marshal Dillon. Might be better if you were a little afraid. You weren't doing so well the last time we found you. I'm not going to try to ride a horse this time, Marshal. You're not going on foot now. Doc says you're lucky to have any feet at all. I think your doctor is somewhat of an alarmist. But no, Marshall, this time I'm taking a wagon. I'm going to be properly Equipped Equipment isn't the whole answer, Mr. Milford. A man who doesn't know the prairie stands a good chance of not getting. I'll know the prairies when I get back, I promise you that. Well, the Indians might not be too glad to see you either. I happen to be a friend of the Indian, Marshal Dylan. Yeah, but you might not get a chance to prove it. They can be dangerous, you know. Certainly appreciate your interest, Marshal, but a man must pursue his calling. You can't legally argue with that, can you? No, and I can't legally stop you. But I can warn you, I won't legally be responsible for what might happen to you. I understand your position, Marshall. I hope you can understand mine. Yeah, I can understand it, but I don't like it.
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What do you think makes the perfect snack?
AM PM Customer
Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.
AM PM Advertiser
Could you be more specific?
AM PM Customer
When it's cravenient. Okay, like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m.
AM PM Advertiser
I'm seeing a pattern here.
AM PM Customer
Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.
AM PM Advertiser
Crave, which is anything from AM pm.
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Now, you might advise me about that, Mr. Ross. I want it for digging. Well, you might call it treasure. Yes, it might be treasure. I won't be much longer, mister. I can wait on you Soon. Never mind. You must have been in a big hurry. Sure. I hate to lose a customer. I have taken a lot of time. Well, you're buying a lot of goods. Let's see. Here's the shovel. That looks all right to you? I should think that would do nicely, Mr. Ross. Now, you'll just help me get these things in the wagon. Are you going to pay now or later? Forgive me, I forgot. I'll pay now. How much does it come to, Mr. Rob? Let's see. It's a $25 for the Bing. That's a $340 for the blanket, $2 for the shovel. I'll come to you. $7.65. 7.65. There you are. Arrest. Thank you. Well, let me give you a hand down to the wagon with all this. We gotta get out of here, huh? Oh, ain't no hurry, crib. Have yourself a drink. There ain't time. I tell you, you got a lot of time. Get them shells I sent you. That's what I've been trying to tell you. I didn't wait around. I told you it wasn't no good. Told me what wasn't no good? Burying the gold like that. Babe, Come on and talk straight, will you? I seen the fellow who said he was heading out to dig it up. You seen the what fella? I don't know who he was. Don't make no difference. He was buying a shovel and he said he was gonna dig it up. You sure? Well, I was right there, wasn't I? And I heard him. He's starting out in the wagon and he's gonna dig. I told you it wasn't no. Oh, shut up. Come. Oh, hello, Doc. You got something on your mind? Oh, nothing that you're going to help me with. That's plain to see. Now, what do you mean? Well, they tell me Milford started out west. Yeah, Doc, I'm afraid he did. I thought you were going to talk to him. I did talk to him. Didn't do any good, obviously. What'd you want me to do, Doc, lock him up? It might not have been a bad idea. Now, listen, doc, I'd have Mr. Dillon. All right, Chester, I hear you. Here I am. Hello, Doc. Excuse me for interrupting, but I got something to tell Mr. Dillon. Go ahead, interrupt, interrupt. What is it, Chester? Mr. Dillon, that fella has went and done it again. What fella? That Milford fella. Well, where is he? Now, that's just interesting. They ain't hiding her hair of him. Hiding her hair of him? Where, Chester? Out there. Where's wagon turn? All right. All right, Chester. Start from the beginning. Where is the wagon? Well, sir, Luke Myers was riding in the town, see. And when he got about a mile or so from Crawdad Creek, he seen this wagon turn clean over on its side. Hold. The team was in terrible shape, thrashing around, carrying on, so he cut them loose. Well, how do you know it was Milford's wagon? Well, because Luke looked around there some and he found one of them little notebooks Mr. Milford's always carrying around with him and writing in. Had his name on it. And no sign of Milford. Not a sign in the world. That doesn't look good, Matt. No, Doc, it doesn't. You better get the horses, Chester. We'll have to go out there and take a look around. There it is, McDylan, smack on its side. Yeah, what you rain around here? No sign of a struggle either. You mean he wasn't carried off? No, it doesn't look like it. Looks like somebody carried some stuff off in the wagon home. There still ain't much left. He may have taken it himself. Well, no. Look there. Look at that, Justice. Look like fresh footprints, don't they, Mr. Dillon? Yeah. Let's see where they leave. Looks like they're heading for the creek, don't it? All right, we'll leave the horses here. Chester, go down through the bushes. Yes, sir. You suppose he'd be after down here? There's no telling, Chester. He's a hard one to figure if it's really Milfre we're tracking. Listen to that, Mr. Dillon. Yeah. Come on. Be quiet. You gentlemen are wrong. You're dead wrong. Look like you were digging in the wrong spot. I'm not digging in any particular spot. I'm carrying on a scientific investigation. I told you, Kirk, he's digging for the loot. But he ain't gonna do no more digging at all. Now, you men pay attention. Pay attention? I don't know anything about any loot. If I did, I wouldn't care about it. I'm digging for signs of a lost civilization, artifacts that might be buried in this area. You're close to being buried yourself, mister. Those guns. Now, you're certainly not going to kill me. I don't believe it. You believe it. You cover the farthest from Chester when I start. Yes, sir. Now. All right, drop your gun. Hey, Berkey. You got him, Mr. Duke. Chester. He ain't moving none, Marshall. Now, you stand still, or I'll throw another bullet into your friend there. I'm backing out of here. Slow and easy. Nice shooting, Mr. Milford. I never aimed an arrow at a human being before. Sorry. I have to. Yeah, but I'm glad you knew how. Chester. Chester, you all right? No, it's all right, Chester. It's all over. You got a crease in your head, Chester. Good thing you've got a thick skull. Yes, sir, Mr. Milford. Did they hurt that little Mr. Milford? No, Chester, they didn't hurt him. Oh, that's good. I've been worrying about him. You don't need to worry anymore, Chester. He just saved your life. He saved me? How could that be? Never mind. I'll tell you when you feel better. May I just say one thing, Marshall? Doom. What's that? It isn't always the Indians who are dangerous, is it? No, sir. You're right. It isn't always the Indians.
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Andrew Rines (Host)
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Remember on past Thanksgiving days when your husband was all poised and set to carve the turkey? Remember the wonderfully perplexed expression on his face, on everyone's face. Remember how you thought what wonderful pictures this would make. Well, this year, don't be caught with an empty flash gun. Now today, get a pack of Sylvania Blue Dot flashbulbs so you'll be prepared. Only with flash can you capture moments like this at their best, so quickly, so easily, anytime, anywhere. What's more, Sylvania Blue Dots, the world's largest selling brand, work with any film, with any camera. And by the way, right now your dealer is making a special holiday offer with the purchase of just one pack of Sylvania Blue Dots. He'll give you a free copy of Sylvania's new Flash guidebook called It's Easy to Take Better Flash pictures. It's a 32 page, lavishly illustrated book that will help you take the best pictures ever. So remember this Thanksgiving, don't be caught with an empty flash gun. Pick up your Sylvania Blue Dot flash bulbs today. Gun Smoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon. U.S. marshal story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Vic Tarin, Barney Phillips, Lawrence Stkin and Ralph Moody. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Foreign this is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story of the Western frontier when Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot, Doc and Kitty, together with all the other hard living citizens of Dodge, will be with you once more. It's America growing west in the 1870s. It's gun smoke It Foreign.
Andrew Rines (Host)
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.
Narrator/Announcer
Become one.
Andrew Rines (Host)
Of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, 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 Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Narrator/Announcer
Sam.
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: August 23, 2025 (broadcast of 1960 radio drama)
Podcast Theme: Digitally restored classic Western radio dramas, celebrating the “golden age of radio” with enhanced audio.
This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features the Gunsmoke story "The Professor," originally aired November 20, 1960. Marshal Matt Dillon encounters a bookish, awkward Eastern academic named Otis Milford (the “Professor”). Milford’s naive curiosity about Western culture repeatedly puts him at odds with Dodge City’s rough characters and in real danger on the frontier. Marshal Dillon tries – and fails – to dissuade Milford from exploring Indian country, leading to a dramatic confrontation involving would-be criminals and a surprising display of heroism from the Professor himself.
Notable Moment:
Notable Exchange:
Notable Quote:
Matt Dillon's iconic opening:
"I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal... It's a chancy job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely." (03:00)
Professor Milford’s earnestness:
“Once in a while, it’s necessary, in the interest of science, to collect a certain article.” (07:40)
Chester's wry humor after the climax:
"Good thing you've got a thick skull." (30:45)
| Segment | Time | |--------------------------------------------|----------| | Host Andrew Rhynes Intro | 01:15 | | Gunsmoke program start | 01:43 | | Meeting Professor Milford | 06:30–09:45 | | Milford in town, cultural clashes | 12:30–16:30 | | Dillon warns Milford about traveling alone | 17:45–19:40 | | Milford outfitting for his trip | 22:53–24:30 | | Outlaws realize Milford may dig up loot | 24:40–25:40 | | Wagon found abandoned | 26:00–28:00 | | Showdown at the creek, Milford saves day | 29:00–31:00 | | Final reflection | 31:00 |
The episode reflects the classic Gunsmoke tone: a blend of gritty realism, dry humor, and moral insight. Matt Dillon is firm but compassionate; the townsfolk are skeptical, sometimes harsh. Professor Milford brings innocence but ultimately proves resourceful, offering a twist on expectations.
For fans of classic radio drama, this episode is a well-restored showcase of Gunsmoke’s literary approach to the Western and a reminder not to underestimate the stranger in town.