Big Girl Lost

Originally Aired: September 21, 1958

Gunsmoke #337, "Big Girl Lost," Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself caught in a delicate situation when Philip Locke, an aristocratic visitor from Philadelphia, arrives in Dodge City searching for his former fiancée, Laura Simmons. Laura had written her mother claiming she was teaching school in Dodge, but she never appeared at the schoolhouse. Matt discovers that Laura is actually working as a saloon girl at the Long Branch, having fled Philadelphia after Philip's wealthy family called off their wedding upon learning her father was a riverboat captain. Desperate to keep her current circumstances hidden, Laura hides at Ma Smalley's boarding house while Matt tries to discourage Locke's search. The situation escalates when the frustrated Locke threatens Matt, claiming he's hired a gunman named Pete Dulan to force the marshal's cooperation.

Unable to hide forever, Laura makes a difficult decision about confronting her past. She returns to face Philip at the Long Branch, meeting him in her saloon girl dress and forcing him to see the truth about her life in Dodge. Philip's reaction reveals the limits of his devotion as he struggles to reconcile his feelings for Laura with his family's rigid social expectations and his own shallow values.

Welcome to Gunsmoke: Old West Stories, a podcast that takes you back to the rugged plains of 1870s Dodge City, Kansas. Rediscover the timeless tales of bravery, justice, and survival in the American frontier with our re-broadcasts of the classic Gunsmoke radio program.

First airing on April 26, 1952, Gunsmoke was celebrated as the first adult western radio show, renowned for its superb storytelling and exceptional production quality. Join Marshal Matt Dillon, portrayed by the incomparable William Conrad, as he faces the challenges of maintaining law and order in a tumultuous town. Alongside him are unforgettable characters like Chester Proudfoot (Parley Baer), the steadfast deputy; Kitty (Georgia Ellis), the resilient saloon owner; and Doc Adams (Howard McNear), the town’s compassionate physician.

What sets Gunsmoke apart is not just its stellar cast and engaging plots but the immersive sound effects that bring each scene to life. Every gunshot, horse gallop, and whisper of the wind transports you directly to the heart of the Old West.

Whether you're a longtime fan or a new listener, Gunsmoke: Old West Stories promises to deliver gripping adventures and a nostalgic journey through one of radio’s most iconic series. Tune in and let the legends of Dodge City captivate your imagination.