Third Son

Originally Aired: April 19, 1959

Gunsmoke #367, "Third Son," presents a tense struggle between a father's protective grip and a young man's desperate need for independence. When Matt Dillon locks up Rob Crandall for being drunk in the streets of Dodge, the young man's father James Josiah Crandall arrives at the jail with a grim mission. Having lost his two older sons to violence, one in the war and one in a barroom fight, James brought Rob west as a boy and is determined to keep him away from trouble by any means necessary. He promises Marshal Dillon that Rob won't be coming back to town.

But Rob Crandall isn't content to live under his father's watchful eye forever. Despite his father's orders to stay away from Dodge, Rob returns to town and encounters two men who want him to join them in some kind of criminal venture. They mock him for being a "papa's boy" and taunt him about abandoning him when he got arrested before, but Rob refuses their invitation. When he returns home, his father is waiting, and Rob must confront the reality that he's a grown man still being treated like a child, torn between obedience and the need to make his own choices.

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.