Some things get better with age!

As some of you may, or may not know, I like to listen too, and collect, old radio shows! I mean old radio shows from the 1960s, 50s, and 40s. I don't why, but there are some great jewels out there.

Anyway, a while back I got into a conversation with about a radio show he liked. I downloaded a few episodes of the show, and too be honest...it was ok, but not my style.

But to return the favor, and hopefully pass one some really great old time radio. I would like to share a show with you all.

Gunsmoke was one of the premier radio shows, and in fact is considered the original "western" this show started the Western Drama and it sure is a dusey. With 900 Episodes, a TV series, and a movie that's due to come out in 2011. Even the Simpson's Bows down to Gunsmokes blazing trail. Being one of the first it isn't a "childish" show.

The show fallows Sheriff Matt Dillon as he cleans up the town of Dodger City. Some listeners, such as vintage radio authority Dunning, have argued that the radio version of Gunsmoke was far more realistic than the TV series. Episodes were aimed at adults and featured some of the most explicit content of their time, including violent crimes, scalping, massacres, and opium addicts. Many episodes ended on a somber note, and villains often got away with their crimes. Dunning writes that Dillon "played his hand and often lost. He arrived too late to prevent a lynching. He amputated a dying man's leg and lost the patient anyway. He saved a girl from brutal rapists then found himself unable to offer her what she needed to stop her from moving into... life as a prostitute." (Dunning, 304)

Nonetheless, thanks to the subtle scripts and outstanding ensemble cast, over the years the program evolved into a warm, often humorous celebration of human nature.

Here is one of my favorite episodes. "Bit Tom" The file was taken from the "Jack Benny Podcast" Mr. Benny has done a great favor by posting and preserving over 300 radio shows. The episode is available for download. Please take a listen and enjoy. Comments are welcomed.


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