Doc Quits: A Fraud’s Cure and a Town’s Wake-Up Call

Originally Aired: August 27, 1955

Doc Quits: A Fraud’s Cure and a Town’s Wake-Up Call

After a heartbreaking failure to save a dying man, Doc Adams decides to hang up his shingle for good—just as a new doctor, Jameson Betchell, rolls into Dodge with flashy promises and a greedy price tag. While Doc sinks into quiet retirement, Betchell charms the town and begins practicing dangerous, outdated treatments. But when a young boy nearly dies from Betchell’s cruelty and an elderly woman succumbs to a reckless bleeding, the townsfolk start to see the truth. In a dramatic showdown, Matt Dillon and a humbled community urge Doc to return—just in time to stop Betchell from doing more harm.

Keywords: “Gunsmoke Doc Quits episode,” “Dr. Jameson Betchell fraud,” “Doc Adams retires Dodge,” “Matt Dillon medical conman,” “1955 Gunsmoke radio drama,” “Crumley case death,” “frontier medicine ethics,” “Doc Adams returns”

Cast: William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Parley Baer (Chester), Howard McNear (Doc), Georgia Ellis (Kitty), Lawrence Dobkin (Jameson Betchell), James Nusser (Jake Worth), Frank Cady, Ann Morrison

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.