The Guitar

Originally Aired: March 2, 1958

In Gunsmoke #308, "The Guitar," a strange drifter named Weed Pendle rides into Dodge City on a mule, carrying nothing but a guitar he never plays. The scrawny, simple-minded man quickly catches the attention of Tyler and Short, two mean-spirited Confederate veterans who discover Pendle fought with the Third Illinois Cavalry in Missouri during the war. When they attempt to lynch him for being a Union soldier, Marshal Matt Dillon arrives just in time to stop the hanging, warning the pair to leave Pendle alone. Doc Adams and Chester had tried to intervene earlier, risking their own lives to protect the helpless stranger.

Matt arranges for Pendle to work at the Long Branch saloon, sweeping floors and living in a back shack. Though everyone tries to get him to play his guitar, Pendle refuses, leaving them to wonder if he even knows how. When Tyler and Short cruelly cut off one of his mule's ears as revenge, Matt pistol-whips both men and throws them in jail. The tension builds as the vindictive pair returns to the saloon with Pendle, this time insisting he finally play his guitar for the crowd.

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.