Good Girl – Bad Company: An Army Payroll, a Lonely Girl, and a Deadly Choice

Originally Aired: October 8, 1955

In Gunsmoke #182, “Good Girl – Bad Company,” the fragile peace of Dodge City is shattered when two Army soldiers are murdered and a government payroll is stolen. Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself caught between a furious Army Major threatening martial law and a powder keg town full of restless gunmen. The trail leads Matt to Jenny Lane, a new arrival with a mysterious past and ties to a runaway Army clerk, Corporal Stark. As secrets unravel, Jenny is torn between loyalty and survival, and Matt must risk everything to avert a deadly showdown on the banks of the Arkansas River. In a tense, emotional climax, a “good girl” faces the consequences of bad company—and Matt Dillon proves once again why his is a chancy, lonely job.

Cast: William Conrad, Virginia Christine, John Dehner, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, Parley Baer

Tags:
western, crime, drama, DodgeCity, Army, payrollheist, marshalldillon, WilliamConrad, VirginiaChristine, JohnDehner, GeorgiaEllis, HowardMcNear, ParleyBaer, oldtimeradio, classicwestern, 1950sradio, suspense, gunsmoke, femaleprotagonist, moralchoices, badcompany, forgivness, redemption

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.