The Rooks | Gunsmoke (10-06-57)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns – Gunsmoke: "The Rooks" (10-06-57)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Date: June 20, 2026
Original Broadcast: October 6, 1957

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Episode Overview

This episode features the digitally restored classic "Gunsmoke" radio drama titled "The Rooks," transporting listeners back to the lawless frontier of Dodge City. The ever-watchful and sometimes weary Marshal Matt Dillon faces off against the unruly Rook brothers, who have been wreaking havoc in his absence. The episode explores themes of law and order, community responsibility, and the sometimes lonely burden of authority in the Old West—all rendered in vivid, remastered sound.

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Key Discussion Points and Dramatic Highlights

1. The Rook Brothers Arrive in Dodge ([03:25])

• Setting the Trouble:

  • The Rook brothers, Clay and Jess, storm from saloon to saloon, bullying bartenders, refusing to pay, and shooting up glassware for sport.
  • Their aimless menace leaves Dodge citizens frustrated and fearful, desperate for Marshal Dillon’s intervention.

• Notable Quote:

  • Clay Rook: “We ain’t gonna pay for that bottle and we ain’t gonna pay for this one… You wouldn’t want to come up with no gun, Mr. Barkeep. That wouldn’t be healthy. Jess can shoot real good. Go and show him, Jess.” (03:25)

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2. Marshal Dillon’s Return and Illness ([07:22])

• Marshal’s Condition:

  • Returning from a custody trial in Wichita, Dillon is visibly sick and exhausted, to the concern of Chester.
  • Despite feeling unwell, Dillon tries to rest but is quickly pressed by townsfolk to deal with the Rook brothers.

• Memorable Dialogue:

  • Chester: “Your face is all kind of green, Mr. Dillon. You look awful puny. I do believe you’re ailing.”
  • Dillon: “I just want to get to Dodge and get off this horse. Have Doc give me a headache powder and sleep for about three days.” (07:22)

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3. Townsfolk Demand Action ([10:18])

• Public Pressure:

  • Doc Doby, manager of the Dodge House, urges Matt to act, fearing the Rooks will soon target his hotel next.
  • Dillon, exhausted and feverish, rebuffs them, suggesting townfolk take some responsibility themselves. He humorously offers to deputize Doby, who quickly declines.

• Notable Excerpt:

  • Doby: “They busted up just about every saloon in Dodge...I want you to put a stop to it.”
  • Dillon: “Why don’t you go right back over there and protect it, then? Ain’t you going out and get ‘im? ... I’m gonna stay right here on this cot, and I’m gonna try to go to sleep. I don’t feel good, and you’re making me feel a lot worse.” ([10:18])

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4. The Saloon Confrontation and Murder ([13:58])

• Escalation:

  • In a charged scene at the Long Branch Saloon, the Rook brothers begin harassing a woman and provoking another patron, Webb.
  • Tensions erupt, and Clay Rook shoots Webb in cold blood, spurring the town to alarm and action.

• Key Moment:

  • Webb (to Clay): “You could leave. That’d fix it.”
  • Clay: “That’s not exactly what I had in mind...”
  • (Gunshots)
  • Kitty: “Matt. Matt, what’s the matter? ... He’s killed Webb.” (13:58)

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5. Dillon Answers the Call ([15:55])

• Weary but Determined:
  • Despite his illness, Matt gears up to confront the Rook brothers, supported by Chester and Kitty.
  • His sense of duty overrides exhaustion:
    • “I guess I feel well enough to get shot at, Chester. Come on.” (15:55)

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6. The Final Showdown – Stable Shootout ([18:01])

• Climax:

  • Chester and Dillon approach the dark livery stable.
  • A tense standoff ensues. Clay orders Jess to shoot but, struck by conscience, Jess refuses to kill. Dillon fires, killing Clay, and Jess surrenders—shot in the arm but alive.
  • Jess, now remorseful and docile, expresses regret over the violence, affirming he never held with “shooting people.”

• Key Quote:

  • Jess: “You shoot Clayton, Marshal? ... You shouldn’t ‘ought to kill that man. I don’t hold with shooting people. Shooting up bottles is different.” ([20:20])

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7. Resolution and Reflection ([21:30])

• Aftermath:

  • Doc Doby offers backhanded thanks to Matt for restoring order, noting he could have acted sooner—a critique Matt deflects, highlighting the town’s shared responsibility.
  • Dillon, drained, heads back for much-needed rest, the town temporarily restored.

• Memorable Interaction:

  • Doby: “Of course, you could have stopped it before it got so bad.”
  • Dillon: “So could the rest of you.” ([21:30])

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Notable Quotes

• On Authority and Responsibility:
  • Dillon (to Doby): “You citizens ought to be able to handle a couple of cowhands without toweling the Federals up.” (11:34)
• On Reluctant Violence:
  • Jess Rook: “I don’t hold with shooting people, Marshal. Shooting up bottles is different.” (20:35)
• On Law Enforcement’s Burden:
  • 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 chancey job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.” (01:40)

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Segment Timestamps

• [01:40] — Opening narration: Dillon’s view on law, order, and loneliness
• [03:25] — Rook brothers trouble at the saloon
• [07:22] — Dillon and Chester return to Dodge
• [10:18] — Townsfolk press Dillon to deal with the Rooks
• [13:58] — Murder of Webb at the Long Branch
• [15:55] — Dillon resolves to confront the Rooks, despite illness
• [18:01] — Stable shootout and conclusion
• [21:30] — Wrap-up: community responsibility, Matt seeks much-needed rest

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Tone and Style

Classic Gunsmoke Western: Gritty, sardonic, and occasionally humorous. Burdens of law enforcement and the collective obligations of citizens recur, all underscored by the authentic, immersive soundscape characteristic of the Golden Age of Radio. The interplay between stoic, world-weary Dillon and the nervous, self-interested townsfolk adds a timeless dimension to the episode’s drama.

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Final Thoughts

"The Rooks" presents a taut, character-driven Western, with Marshall Dillon called from sickbed to restore order amid chaos. The episode resonates with themes of civic duty—confronting lawlessness at home rather than relying only on authority—and the moral ambiguities of frontier justice. Enhanced by restoration, the episode’s ambiance, dialogue, and pacing make it a standout of classic radio storytelling.

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Transcript

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[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:October 6, 191957 and the title is the Rooks. Thanks for listening and again, hope you enjoy.

[Matt Dillon]

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 moved west with young America. And the story of a man who moved with it. I'm that man. Matt Dillon, the United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancey job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.

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[Matt Dillon]

Meet you. Move right up, Jess. Let's see if there's one place in town that'll sell us a decent drink. Me and my brother will have a drink of whiskey. There's the bottle. Me and my brother are used to the best whiskey There is. Isn't that right, Jess? That's right, Clay. Is this your best whiskey? It's what we got, mister. We'll see. You call that whiskey? Now look here, haven't you. You call that whiskey, Jess? Go on, drink it. That ain't whiskey. You got to do better than that, Mr. Bark. I told you, friend, that's the whiskey we got. You don't have to drink. You gotta do better than that. Now you dig out a bottle of good whiskey because we don't like this. You're going to pay for that bottle, mister. Listen to him, Jeff. He says we're going to pay for that bottle. You hear that? I heard it. Well, I'll tell you, Mr. Barkeeper, we ain't going to pay for that bottle and we ain't going to pay for this one. Come to think of it, maybe I do have a better one down here under the bar. You hold it, Mr. Govern. Jess. Now, you wouldn't want to come up with no gun, Mr. Barkeep. That wouldn't be healthy. Jess can shoot real good. Go and show him, Jess. No, no, there's no need for shooting. I don't want no trouble. You show him anyway, Jess. Pick off some of them glasses. All lined up so nice and pretty. That's real nice, Jess. You got no call. Listen, Mr. Barkeep, you're lucky Jess don't drill some holes through them whiskey bottles on the shelf there the way he did a couple of places up the street. Come on, Jess. Let you and me try the next saloon. Maybe they got some real drinking whiskey. You're pretty lucky at that, Jim. They've been all over Dodge drinking places, acting like it was a joke. I sure wish Marshall Dillon get back to town and start doing his job around here. He's doggone if I'm gonna do it for.

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[Matt Dillon]

My, I sure will be glad to get Back to Dodge, Mr. Dunn. Wichita just ain't my kind of town. Especially for five days. I didn't think that custody trial would last that long, did you? No, sir. Wichita's just too blame fancy a time for me. Why, you know they lots of fellows there that wears their Sunday suits on weekdays. And they ain't gamblers nor undertakers neither. Yeah, there's something the matter with you, are they, Mr. Dillon? You ain't done much more than grunt for the last 20 miles. I don't feel much like talking, Joseph. Or listening. Oh, well. Hey, Mr. Dillon. My land of ghost. That's all right. All right, Chester. I declare you like to slid right off your horse. Yeah. Thanks for catching me. I guess I was a little dizzy there for a minute. Your face is all kind of green, Mr. Dillon. You look awful puny. I do believe you're ailing. I guess I am. Must have picked up some of that a gear that was going around Wichita. Well, you want to stop off and rest a while? I do not. It might make you feel stronger. No, I just want to get the Dodge and get off this horse. Have doc gimme a headache powder and sleep for about three days. Oh, you got a real bad headache. It'll do for now. Mr. Dolan, did you ever try binding a snake skin around your head? Snake skin? Oh, yeah, sure. My ma used to swear by it for headaches. I'd be glad to get you one. I can chase up a snake some kind anywhere around here. No, I just think I'll let the doc stir me up something if you don't mind. All right. But do you really feel well enough to ride on that? Yeah, I'm all right now. Let's go, Chester. Christie, we're going to town the back way. I don't feel like answering any questions. Okay, sir. All right. You can put your shirt back on, Matt. There's no question about it. You got a dose of that egg yolk. I told you that the minute you walked in here. Well, I'm just telling you I agree with you. Oh, thanks. How do you want me to prescribe for myself? Or are you willing to take that on the Fever sure hasn't improved your disposition any. I'm gonna give you a couple of powders to make your head quit hurting. And if you'll take my advice, you'll stay down for the better part of a week until this thing wears itself out. For once, you're giving me advice I'll take. I'm gonna stay on this cot whether school keeps or not. I'll send the powders over by CH and then I'll look in on you again this evening. By then, I hope either the fever or your temper has improved. Thanks for nothing, Doug. Marshall Dillon. Oh, hello, Doc Dobie. See you later, man. Well, Marshall, I sure am glad you're back in town. Those two fellows just about wrecked it. About time you got here to stop them. Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Doby. What two fellows? What are you talking about? Why, the Rook brothers. They busted up just about every saloon and Dodge. Scandalous, the way they're carrying on. Who are the Rook brothers? Why, those fellows dropped off here after the last cattle drive hit Dodge. They stayed right on. You've been gone five days, you know. I know how long I've been gone. All right, tell me exactly what have these fellows been doing? Well, they've been going from saloon to saloon just like it was a big joke. Smashing bottles and glasses wherever they go. And I want you to put a stop to it. You're worried that they'll come into the Dodge House next is Evan. Of course I'm worried about the Dodge House, Marshall. I run it. It's my job to worry about it. And I don't want those fellows causing trouble over there. Have I killed anybody? Well, no. Have they hurt anybody? No, Marshal. But the Dodge House is entitled to protection. Why don't you go right back over there and protect it, then? Ain't you going out and get him? No, Dobie, I'm not. I'm going to stay right here on this cot, and I'm going to try to go to sleep. I don't feel good, and you're making me feel a lot wor. Now, Marshall, it's your duty. Listen, Dobie, I got one duty right now, and it's to get some sleep. Now, my advice to you is to put your breakables away until the Rook brothers get tired. It's up to the law. I'll tell you what I'll do, Doby. I'll be glad to deputize you right now. And then you can be the law, huh? No, I. I don't want to be a deputy. I'M just a plain citizen. It's your town, too, you know. Well, I know. You citizens ought to be able to handle a couple of cowhands without toweling the Federals up. I don't think folks are going to take kindly to this, Marshall. No, you let me worry about that, huh? I'll do that. I certainly will. You find him, Doby? I found him, all right. He's in there lying down on his cot. Says he's going to stay there. You mean he's not gonna do anything? Just a minute. Just a minute. I'm telling you exactly what happened. I went in there and told the marshal the whole story, and he says he's not gonna do anything. Says he wants to go to sleep. Sure don't sound like delight. No, I don't. He's a changed man, I tell you. A change. This whiskey ain't so bad. And this saloon is in most jester. Let's see what else they got to sell. Well, they got pretty girls. See that? You see that, Jess? I see. I think maybe I'll just sit down and drink my whiskey with this little lady. Well, don't bother on my account. Webb here is good enough company for me. I sure am, mister.

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[Matt Dillon]

Hey, now just a minute. You can just stay here and watch me. You might learn something, mister. The lady is sitting with me. Well, now she's sitting with both of us. Ain't that nice? Don't you think that's nice, little lady? In about one minute, I'll tell you what I think you heard her, mister. There's one too many at this table to suit me. Well, now, we can sure fix that, can we, little lady? You could leave. That'd fix it. That's not exactly what I had in mind. Now we can do all this nice and polite like. My name is Clayton, and this here is my brother, Jess. You, mister, you're free to leave. But I ain't about to leave. All right, then you just sit there quiet like and watch me and this nice little lady have a good time. You keep your hands to yourself. Quit mauling her. You're quite a little gentleman, ain't she? But you wouldn't want no trouble, would you, Jess J. Show the man some tricks. I heard about you and how you carry your brother around to do your shooting for you. I can shoot, mister. Then come on outside. We can sure find out about that. No need for waiting, mister. I can kill you while I'm sitting right here. I wonder if this will get the marshal off that cot. You shouldn't oughta shot him, Clay. I didn't notice you doing nothing. Let's get out of here, Jesse. Matt. Matt, what's the matter? Kenny, he's killed Webb. Hayes. Go kill him. Quinn. What? It was just now down to Long Branch. One of those brothers. You mean those Rook brothers? Yeah, it was the big one. David Plate one that does all the talking. Usually has his brother do the shooting. But this time he did it himself. Matt. He didn't give Webb a chance. Oh, where did Chester put my gun? Here it is, Matt. Oh, thanks, Katie. Oh, Matt, you look weak as a woman. You don't walk too steady. That's sure true. Yeah, I know. Chester. Kitty just told me. You know where they are? Well, they was headed for the liver stable. But if you feel so bad you are. I guess I feel well enough to get shot at. Chester. Come on.

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[Matt Dillon]

It's gonna be pretty dark in that stable, Mr. Dylan. That's what they're counting on. It makes us stand out awful clear being out, hearing sound on it. Just keep close to the building as you can, huh? You got a plan? We'll work up along this side here. Play it the way the cards fall. Yes, sir. We got you covered two ways, Marshall. You better drop your gun, let us clear out of here. Just stand quiet. Chester. My brother's in the shed behind you. Tell him. Jessica. I'm here. Clay. Shoot him, Judd. I'm coming out, Clay. I ain't gonna fire you. Shoot him just. Or I'll open up on you. I don't hold with shooting people, Clay. Why, you dirty. You covered, Jess. Jess. Or I'll have a. Clay. Yes, it. Clay. Clay, he just shot down your brother. You're on your own now. There's two of you, ain't there, Marshall? You can make it easy on yourself. You throw out your gun. Yeah, could do that. Only I ain't gonna. You get him, Mr. Dillon? Yeah, I think so, tracy. Come on. Yes, sir. He sure is dead, Mr. Dillon. How about the other one? Oh, I don't think he's hurt bad. Anyways, I got his gun now. Let's have a look at him. You. You shoot Clayton, Marshall? Yeah, he's dead, Jess. You shouldn't ought to kill that man. I don't hold with shooting people. Shooting up bottles is different. Well, I don't hold with shooting people, Marshall. You heard by this? Funny thing. Clayton shot me in the gun arm. Gonna be a while before I can use it. The saloon keepers will be glad to hear that. That's a fact. You better go find Doc Adams and get your arm fixed up. Then you'll ride out of town, huh? Tell you the truth, Marshall, I'll be glad to get out of Dodge. You. You gonna see that Clay's buried? Yeah, we'll see that he's buried. I'll take care of things here, Mr. Jones. Okay, thanks, J. Marshall. Marshall. Villains. Yeah, what is it, Toby? I want you to know that I'm mighty pleased with the way you handled everything. Of course, you could have stopped it before it got so bad. So could the rest of you. Yes, but anyway, Marshall, I. I want to thank you. The Dodge house still standing, Toby? Yes, it is. Do you suppose everything's going to be all right for a little while? Oh, yes. And I'm glad to hear it. Now you're blocking my way, Dooley. I'm going to go back to the office and try to get some sleep. Thank you. Good afternoon, gentlemen.

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[Matt Dillon]

Smoke, produced and directed by norman McDonald, stars william conrad as matt dillon, u.s. marshal. The story was specially written for gun smoke by marion clark with editorial supervision by john neston. Featured in the cast were john dana, vic herron, harry bartel, lawrence dobkin, james nutter, barney phillips and don diamond. Harley bear is chester, howard mcnear is doc, and georgia ellis is kitty. Join us again next week for another story on gun smoke. America listens most to the cbs radio network.

[Andrew Rines]

Foreign. This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

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