Why Not | Gunsmoke (03-30-58)

Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com

In this classic episode of Gunsmoke from March 30, 1958, U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon confronts Cyrus Taggart, a wealthy businessman who arrives in

Key takeaways

Wealth and power can be used to manipulate individuals, even when it violates their autonomy.

Main topics

Parental authority vs. personal freedom

Notable quotes

"You can't treat people like horses. You can't own people."

Conclusion

The episode ends with Evie choosing her own path, symbolically breaking free from

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (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 dates March 30th, 1958, and the title is Why Not? Let's get into it, and I hope you enjoy. Speaker 5 (1:38) In a large city and in the territory on west, there is just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Speaker 7 (2:15) ...moved with it. ...States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, but it makes a man watchful. You Speaker 6 (2:56) saying something, Mr. Dillon? Speaker 7 (2:58) What is that? Speaker 6 (3:01) Well, this is a duck call. I ordered it all the way from St. Louis. It just come in the mail. Speaker 7 (3:06) Doesn't sound like any duck I ever heard. Speaker 6 (3:08) Oh, it's darn key, Mr. Jones. See, any duck Speaker 7 (3:15) that hears this comes right at you. You better be careful. We don't want the jail overrun with them. Speaker 6 (3:21) Well, they ain't no around yet, but they're just about due. When they start coming through, I'm going to get down there in them bushes along the river with a shotgun and this thing. And, Mr. Dillon, we're going to be eating roast duck every day for Speaker 7 (3:32) three months. I'm glad to hear that, Chester. Speaker 6 (3:35) It takes kind of a knack to bone it. It takes a little bit of practice, and I ain't got it down exact yet, but I will. Speaker 7 (3:59) Marshal Dillon? Yeah, that's right. I am Cyrus Tigert, Marshal. Possibly you've heard of me. Afraid not, but what can I do for you, Mr. Taggart? You can give me your complete cooperation. Speaker 6 (4:12) Half Speaker 7 (4:15) of a young lady. I have reason to believe she is in Dodge City. Speaker 6 (4:19) Why, Mr. Dillen, that I... Speaker 7 (4:20) Go on, Mr. Taggart. She's my daughter, Evie Taggart. Speaker 6 (4:26) She Speaker 7 (4:26) ran away from Speaker 6 (4:27) home nearly a year ago, and she has made it very difficult to find her. Speaker 7 (4:32) I Speaker 6 (4:32) shall take her back to New York with me naturally. I Speaker 7 (4:35) assume from your partner's exclamation that you do. Speaker 7 (4:40) by that name. Well, she has used a number of false names during the past year. Speaker 6 (4:46) Very well, you will take me to her at once. How Speaker 7 (4:48) old is your daughter? Speaker 6 (4:56) The Tigard Enterprises Speaker 7 (4:57) include railroads, rural banks, and finance companies, along with mining and cattle. I, with my father and my grandfather before me, did not Speaker 6 (5:07) acquire them by tolerating interference with our wishes. Speaker 7 (5:10) Now, why did she run away in the first place? Because she's a willful, headstrong little fool. Marshal, we're wasting time. I'm not going to take you to her. Not just yet. May I remind you... Your enterprises, sir, don't include the United States Marshal's office. I imagine my influence could extend that far, if you compel me to use it. You do as you like. First, I'm going to find out what she wants to do. Speaker 5 (5:38) What she wants is of no importance. Speaker 7 (5:40) Good day, Mr. Taggart. She keeps pretty late hours, Mr. Speaker 6 (5:55) Dunn. Maybe she ain't up yet. Speaker 7 (5:57) Yeah, maybe not. Speaker 4 (6:05) Hello, Marshal.