All Night Old Time Radio Shows - Gunsmoke #1 | 8 Hours of Classic Radio Shows

[@Billthebaker420]

I seem to sleep better these days with something like this to listen to. Thanks. 👍

[@AGalahcalledSammi]

How can think of sleep at a time like this???? The bank has done been robbed, Kitty has been kidnapped and little Timmy O'toole has fallen down the well (again). I blame the killers and the spoilers.

[@Billthebaker420]

Too funny! 👍

[@binyon7]

That first story was actually amazing what a great yarn

[@macmcelroy6165]

absolutely the perfect old time radio program

[@theresafeske6568]

Thank you so much!! ❤🥳

[@grokashrimp]

Thank you

[@Po1itica11yNcorrect]

William Conrad was exceptionally cast as Matt Dillon.

[@PhilippinesFarmLife]

The TV version of Gunsmoke Matt Dillon's gun had a Trigger. In the RADIO version " Billy The Kid" episode Matt Dillion says he removed the Trigger and would THUMB the hammer claiming it to be faster

[@99RiverSt]

It was during the early stages of the yet unnamed pandemic, that due to the severe meningitis I was experiencing, a good friend suggested OTR as a gratifying peace of mind. Being a fan of early Pulp Fiction, and a movie buff, I was crawling the walls, unable to use my eyes for any length. My friend guided me onto Radio's Gunsmoke. I set the trusty laptop to episode #1, Billy the Kid, offered here. This is a very dark episode. Marshall Dillon, muttering to himself (via the show's creative use of 'sound overlay') about man's cruelty to man, or their lack of concern with exploiting it for a dollar, and not looking at the reality of a grim situation. This eats at Dillon. Thereby letting his own dark side show, causing additional tension, but revealing a character with a gnawing conscience that creates a strong moral compass and refuses to tolerate injustice, of any sort. All while remaining apart from most of radio's western heroes. This is a dark, often troubled,character, who over time, settles into a comfortable yet a stellar ensemble cast of Parley Baer, as Chester, Howard McNear's portrayal of 'Doc' Adams, and Georgia Ellis, as the 'ever waiting', Kitty Russell. All accomplished radio character actors from shows like, 'Your's Truly, Johnny Dollar', and others, and would find continued success later on in TV. The steadfast quality writing was at the center of the show, which lasted almost a decade.The direction and production, complete with these newly generated 'sound overlays', provided a realistic atmosphere with, coyotes in distant background, the boot heels and spurs across a dirt street onto a hard boardwalk, or crowded barroom floor surrounded by the raucous ambience of its patrons, that creates a whole 'other character' and accents the show's identifiable musical score, in every episode. The darker topics, like racism, spousal abuse, dire poverty, ignorance vs intelligence, and 'oops, we hung yer pa by accident' that couldn't be handled in the same way on TV as on radio, that gave Gunsmoke its lasting appeal, in both genres, with record setting duration. Thanks Greg for this selection of one of radio's best programs. Be they hard and tough to take, or more heartfelt and endearing, this is Radio at its apex. Thanks!

[@aneveningofoldtimeradio]

Thank you for your well-written thoughts and analysis. You are right, Gunsmoke set the bar very high in writing, sound design, topical material, acting, and in engaging the audience to really think about things that were “uncomfortable” at the time. A truly great show that stands the test of time, regardless of genre.