Gunsmoke is one of those long-running classic Old-Time Radio shows that everyone knows and remembers. It’s also one that is still respected for its high values, in all aspects. Gunsmoke first aired on the CBS network on April 26, 1952, billed as the first adult western. It was set in Dodge City, Kansas in the 1870’s.
Here are several Gunsmoke episodes that you can enjoy listening to right now. You can find the link to download the entire Gunsmoke radio show collection below the playlist.
First Show: Jun 26, 1952 Last Show: Jun 18, 1961 Number Shows: 480 shows, 2 auditions, 5 hour tribute Audition Shows: Jun 11, 1949, Jul 13, 1949
The main character, Matt Dillon, was played by William Conrad. On August 6, 1951, William Conrad played the lead in a show entitled “Pagosa” in the series Romance, where he played the part of a reluctant sheriff in a tough Western town. Although not a true audition, Conrad’s character role is very close the that of Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. It was one of the “stepping stones” toward the production of Gunsmoke. Other regular characters were Chester Proudfoot, played by Parley Baer; Kitty, played by Georgia Ellis; and Doc Adams, played by Howard McNear.
The series featured top-notch acting and well-developed scripts that set it apart from many other shows, not only Westerns; however, it was the sound effects that stood out the most. Listen carefully and one can hear many levels of sound that really helps transport the listener back to the old west.
Besides the US version, there was an Australian production of Gunsmoke. It began sometime in 1955, transcribed under the Artransa label, and aired Mondays at 7:00 PM on the Macquarie network. It is not known how many shows aired or how long the series ran.
Don’t miss this opportunity to grab this entire rare collection of all Gunsmoke radio show episodes from 1952 to 1961. There are over 480 complete episodes in this huge collection library.
Click Here to download the entire collection of the Gunsmoke radio shows from 1952 to 1961
Attribution: Many thanks to the Radio Researcher Group and other dedicated old time radio lovers for their work in preserving this radio history.
