THE BEST OF GUNSMOKE

Gunsmoke Rides Tall in the Saddle of Western Drama

There’s a new law in town—and its name is Gunsmoke.

Since its debut in 1952 over CBS Radio, Gunsmoke has carved a place for itself as the finest adult western on the airwaves. Created by Norman Macdonnell and John Meston, and brought to life by the steady voice of William Conrad as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, Gunsmoke is no dime-novel fantasy of the West. It’s a raw, honest, and at times deeply human portrayal of life on the frontier.

Set in Dodge City, Kansas, Gunsmoke isn’t just about shootouts and cattle rustlers—though it has those in spades—it’s about the people. Drifters, settlers, soldiers, outlaws, and innocents all cross paths with Marshal Dillon, a man charged with keeping order in a place where civilization is still finding its footing.

William Conrad's performance as Dillon is nothing short of masterful. His voice carries the weight of the badge—firm but fair, weary but unwavering. He doesn’t play the hero so much as a man doing a hard job the best way he knows how. Supporting cast members Georgia Ellis as Miss Kitty, Howard McNear as Doc Adams, and Parley Baer as Chester add heart and humor, breathing real life into this dusty town on the prairie.

But what sets Gunsmoke apart from the herd is its writing. These aren’t just western yarns—they’re morality plays, character studies, and sometimes quiet tragedies. The show isn’t afraid to delve into the gray areas of justice, mercy, and what it means to live by the gun.

The production is first-rate, too. From the clink of spurs to the creak of saloon doors, the sound effects place you right on Front Street. Each episode plays like a radio stage play, rich in atmosphere and pacing.

Gunsmoke is not only raising the bar for westerns—it’s redefining the genre altogether. For those who think radio cowboys are all smoke and no fire, tune in to Gunsmoke. It’s the real thing—gritty, gripping, and unforgettable.

Episodes List:

Gunsmoke 52-04-26 (001) Billy the Kid
Gunsmoke 52-05-24 (005) Ben Slade's Saloon
Gunsmoke 52-07-12 (012) The Boughten Bride
Gunsmoke 52-07-26 (014) Gentleman's Disagreement
Gunsmoke 52-08-02 (015) Renegade White
Gunsmoke 52-09-13 (021) Home Surgery
Gunsmoke 52-09-20 (022) Drop Dead
Gunsmoke 52-10-17 (026) Lochinvar
Gunsmoke 52-11-14 (030) The Square Triangle
Gunsmoke 52-11-29 (032) Kitty
Gunsmoke 52-12-20 (035) Xmas Story
Gunsmoke 52-12-27 (036) The Cabin
Gunsmoke 53-01-03 (38) Westbound
Gunsmoke 53-01-17 (039) Paid Killer
Gunsmoke 53-02-07 (042) Cain (reused script)
Gunsmoke 53-02-21 (044) Meshougah
Gunsmoke 53-03-14 (047) Cyclone
Gunsmoke 53-03-21 (048) Pussy Cats
Gunsmoke 53-04-04 (050) Jayhawkers
Gunsmoke 53-04-11 (051) Gonif
Gunsmoke 53-04-18 (052) Bum's Rush
Gunsmoke 53-04-25 (053) The Soldier
Gunsmoke 53-05-02 (054) Tacetta
Gunsmoke 53-05-09 (055) The Buffalo Hunter
Gunsmoke 53-05-23 (057) Print Asper
Gunsmoke 53-06-06 (059) Sundown
Gunsmoke 53-06-13 (060) Spring Term
Gunsmoke 53-07-11 (064) Grass
Gunsmoke 53-07-18 (065) Wild West
Gunsmoke 53-07-25 (066) Hickock
Gunsmoke 53-08-01 (067) Boy
Gunsmoke 53-08-22 (070) Gone Straight
Gunsmoke 53-08-29 (071) Jesse
Gunsmoke 53-09-05 (072) The Sutler
Gunsmoke 53-09-12 (073) Prairie Happy
Gunsmoke 53-09-19 (074) There Was Never a Horse
Gunsmoke 53-09-26 (075) Fawn
Gunsmoke 53-10-03 (076) How to Kill a Friend
Gunsmoke 53-10-31 (080) How to Kill a Woman
Gunsmoke 53-11-07 (081) Stolen Horses
Gunsmoke 53-11-14 (082) Professor Lute Bone
Gunsmoke 53-11-21 (083) Custer
Gunsmoke 53-11-28 (084) Kick Me
Gunsmoke 53-12-05 (085) The Lamb
Gunsmoke 54-01-23 (092) Nina
Gunsmoke 54-01-30 (093) Gunsmuggler
Gunsmoke 54-03-20 (100) Old Friend
Gunsmoke 54-05-15 (108) The Indian Horse
Gunsmoke 54-05-22 (109) Monopoly
Gunsmoke 54-06-12 (112) The Cover Up
Gunsmoke 54-08-02 (120) No Indians (Joseph Kearns)
Gunsmoke 54-09-06 (125) The Promise aka The Handcuffs
Gunsmoke 54-09-20 (127) The F. U.
Gunsmoke 54-12-25 (141) Kitty Lost
Gunsmoke 55-02-05 (147) Cheyennes
Gunsmoke 55-02-19 (149) Poor Pearl
Gunsmoke 55-02-26 (150) Crack-Up (John Dehner)
Gunsmoke 55-03-05 (151) Kite's Reward
Gunsmoke 55-03-12 (152) The Trial (John Dehner)
Gunsmoke 55-03-19 (153) The Mistake
Gunsmoke 55-03-26 (154) Horse Deal
Gunsmoke 55-04-02 (155) Bloody Hands (Alafraganza)
Gunsmoke 55-04-09 (156) Skid Row
Gunsmoke 55-04-30 (159) Reward for Matt
Gunsmoke 55-05-07 (160) Potato Road
Gunsmoke 55-05-14 (161) Robber Bridegroom
Gunsmoke 55-05-21 (162) The Liar from Blackhawk
Gunsmoke 55-05-28 (163) Cow Doctor (Tom Hanley)
Gunsmoke 55-06-11 (165) Trust
Gunsmoke 55-06-18 (166) The Reed Survives (Michael Ann Barrett)
Gunsmoke 55-06-25 (167) The Army Trial
Gunsmoke 55-07-02 (168) General Parsley Smith
Gunsmoke 55-07-09 (169) Uncle Oliver
Gunsmoke 55-07-16 170) 20-20
Gunsmoke 55-07-23 (171) Ben Tolliver's Stud (Norman Macdonnell)
Gunsmoke 55-07-30 (172) Tap Day for Kitty
Gunsmoke 55-08-13 (174) Johnny Red (Virginia Gregg)
Gunsmoke 55-12-25 (194) Twelfth Night (Helen Kleeb)(reused script)
Gunsmoke 56-04-08 (209) Widow's Mite
Gunsmoke 56-05-13 (214) Cows and Cribs (Jeanette Nolan)
Gunsmoke 56-06-10 (218) Daddy-O (John McIntire)
Gunsmoke 56-11-11 (240) Pretty Mama
Gunsmoke 56-12-02 (243) Speak to Me Fair
Gunsmoke 57-01-06 (248) Devil's Hindmost
Gunsmoke 57-01-13 (249) Ozymandias
Gunsmoke 57-04-07 (261) Rock Bottom
Gunsmoke 57-06-16 (271) Summer Night
Gunsmoke 57-07-14 (275) Bloody Hands (Long Branch)(reused script)
Gunsmoke 57-07-21 (276) Kitty Caught (James Nusser)(reused script)
Gunsmoke 57-09-22 (285) Custer (reused script)
Gunsmoke 58-04-06 (313) Yorky (reused script)
Gunsmoke 58-05-10 (317) How to Die for Nothing (May 4th broadcast preempted)(reused script)
Gunsmoke 58-06-29 (325) What the Whisky Drummer Heard (James Nusser)(reused script)
Gunsmoke 59-02-01 (356) The Bobsy Twins
Gunsmoke 59-04-05 (365) Trapper's Revenge
Gunsmoke 59-06-21 (376) Carmen (reused script)
Gunsmoke 59-06-28 (377) Jailbait Janet (reused script)
Gunsmoke 59-07-26 (381) Old Beller
Gunsmoke 59-11-08 (396) Cavalcade (reused script)
Gunsmoke 60-02-21 (411) Mr and Mrs Amber (Virginia Gregg)(reused script)
Gunsmoke 60-11-27 (451) Dirt (reused script)
Gunsmoke 61-04-23 (472) Father and Son