Old Faces

Originally Aired: January 8, 1961

Gunsmoke #457, "Old Faces," Tom and Tilda Cook are newly arrived in Dodge City, full of plans for their future together. Their optimism quickly sours when a drunk man accosts Tilda at the stage depot, and Tom angrily defends her. The situation escalates dramatically when the man's partner, Ed Ivers, a notorious ex-gunman from Texas, encounters Tilda at the general store where she's just started working. Ivers claims to recognize her from two years earlier on a Mississippi riverboat called the Memphis Queen, implying she worked there in a disreputable capacity. When Tom confronts Ivers at the saloon, the gunman makes insulting remarks about Tilda's past, and the hot-tempered young husband challenges him to a gunfight.

Matt Dillon tries to intervene, visiting the Cooks' room to talk Tom out of facing the dangerous gunman. Tilda admits the truth—she did work on the Memphis Queen for a year, though she doesn't remember Ivers. Now Tom must decide whether to go through with a fight he'll likely lose, or find another way to defend his wife's honor and their new life together in Dodge.

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.