Cavalcade

Originally Aired: November 8, 1959

Gunsmoke #396, "Cavalcade," presents Marshal Matt Dillon with an agonizing dilemma when Deputy Sheriff Ed Hunter arrives from Richmond, Virginia, carrying murder warrants for two fugitives. Hunter has tracked one suspect, Calvin Moore, for nineteen years following the shooting death of Roger Beauregard. When Hunter shows Dillon a photograph, the marshal recognizes the face as someone he knows well in Dodge City: Doc Adams. The evidence is unmistakable, despite the passage of time.

Doc explains his side of the story to Matt, revealing that young Jim Beauregard challenged him to a duel over a southern girl they both courted. With no witnesses to prove self-defense and facing certain conviction as a Yankee outsider in Virginia, Doc fled west and eventually settled in Dodge. Now Matt faces an impossible choice between his duty as a lawman and his loyalty to a friend. Doc makes his position clear: he won't go back to Virginia and face prison for defending himself. The marshal must decide whether honest law means betraying a good man, while Dodge City waits to see what their marshal will do.

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.