Laughing Gas | Gunsmoke (03-09-58)

Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com

In this classic 1958 episode of Gunsmoke titled 'Laughing Gas,' U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon investigates chaos that erupts after a traveling entertainer, Cloud Marsh, is exposed to

Key takeaways

• The laughing gas show serves as a metaphor for suppressed emotions breaking through societal constraints.

Main topics

• Frontier justice
• Psychological effects of drugs

Notable quotes

"There's no reason why they shouldn't be." – Doc, on the Stafford couple.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Matt Dillon maintaining order not through force alone but by preserving justice

Transcript preview

Speaker 4 (0:13) Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This episode is one of many released every month, totaling over 80 episodes so far. Each one is meticulously digitally restored and stored in the cloud for your convenience, a process that incurs costs. To help cover these expenses, you might hear some advertisements throughout the episode. While we do retain the original commercials for historical authenticity, you may also encounter modern ads, which help keep the lights on. If you prefer an ad-free experience, we offer a couple options. You can listen to the episodes on YouTube. You can also support us by becoming a patron on our Patreon page. For more information, go to otrwesterns.com slash donate. Again, otrwesterns.com slash donate. I do want to emphasize that we are committed to providing this content to you for free, but also we have to be transparent about the financial realities to bringing this to you. Now, let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original air date is March 9th, 1958, and the title is Laughing Gas. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoy. Speaker 7 (1:38) Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. Marshal and the smell of Gunsmoke. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The Speaker 2 (2:10) story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it. I'm that man, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely. Speaker 1 (2:46) Mr. Dillon, there ought to be some way to lay the dust along the plaza here. Speaker 2 (2:49) That old man Briscoe waters it down once a week, Chester. Speaker 1 (2:53) Sure, and they mud up your knees for two days and dust all the rest of the time. Well, Speaker 2 (2:57) I guess that's the price of civilization. What is? Dust. Speaker 1 (3:02) What's civilization got to do with dust? Speaker 2 (3:04) Well, Dodge is growing, Chester. More people coming west all the time. Yeah. Speaker 1 (3:08) Maybe we ought to move on west ourselves. Speaker 2 (3:11) Oh, where to? Speaker 1 (3:12) Oh, I don't know. Colorado Territory, maybe? Yeah, looky there. What? Oh, that sign there on that store there. Laughing Gas Show Tonight. Phenomenon. Huh? Speaker 2 (3:29) That's phenomenon, Chester. Speaker 1 (3:31) Oh. Stafford's Laughing Gas Show. Amazing. Hilarious admission. 25 cents. Speaker 2 (3:40) Yeah, it looks like Dodge is getting some entertainment. You see, I told you it was getting civilized. Speaker 1 (3:46) If I could get me the loan of 25 cents, I sure would be there tonight. Speaker 2 (3:50) Yeah, and you'd probably enjoy it, too. Speaker 1 (3:52) Well, there ain't nothing wrong with them shows. No. 25 cents, well, that ain't a whole lot of money. No, you're right. And I could pay back whoever loaned it come Saturday. Speaker 1 (4:10) of pity to miss that show. Oh, all Speaker 2 (4:12) right, Chester. Here. Here. Speaker 1 (4:15) Here's your money. Twenty-five cents a quarter. I wasn't hinting or nothing like that. Well, thank you. Speaker 5 (4:29) Chester. Chitty and I began to think you Speaker 8 (4:31) weren't coming. Sit Speaker 5 (4:33) down. Speaker 8 (4:33) Thank you. Speaker 5 (4:35) Bring over another pitcher of beer, will you? Right away, Miss Kitty. Speaker 8 (4:38) It's nice to know the laws on its appointed rounds, even if it means friends are kept waiting. Speaker 2 (4:44) Is Doc mad because he had to buy the first pitcher of beer? Speaker 5 (4:48) He's told Sam to put it on your Speaker 2 (4:50) bill. You know I believe it. Speaker 5 (4:52) Here you are, Speaker 2 (4:52) Miss Speaker 5 (4:53) Kitty. Speaker 1 (4:53) Thanks, Sam. Say, Doc, you know what we've just seen down the street? A circus? No. A sign saying there's going to be a laughing gas show here tonight. It's the same thing. Now, Doc, Speaker 5 (5:06) there's nothing wrong with a laughing gas show. A Speaker 8 (5:09) bunch of darn fools getting up and showing off in front of a bunch of darn fools. I ain't never been to one. Speaker 5 (5:14) I met Mr. and Mrs. Stafford earlier today. They're the people that put the show on. Yeah. They seem real nice. Speaker 2 (5:21) There's no reason why they shouldn't be. Speaker 5 (5:23) Mrs. Stafford's a pretty little thing. You see, Doc? Oh, pretty or not. Speaker 8 (5:27) I don't want to talk about it. Speaker 2 (5:29) What is it that bothers you, Doctor? Speaker 8 (5:31) Have you ever been to a laughing gas show? Speaker 2 (5:34) No. Speaker 8 (5:35) Did you ever take gas yourself? Speaker 2 (5:37) Why, did you? Speaker 8 (5:38) Yes, in medical school. It's nitrous oxide, an anesthetic, and it's also an intoxicant. Well, Miss Kitty, are you going to be at the show? I don't think so, Chester. Speaker 2 (5:49) How about you, Mr. Jones? I guess I might as well, Chester. You'll make