 Gun Smoke, brought to you by L&M Filters. This is it. L&M is best. Stands out from all the rest. Around God City and in the territory on West, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with the U.S. Marshal and the smell of Gun Smoke. Gun Smoke, starring William Conrad, the transcribed 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 chancey job, and it makes a man watchful, and a little lonely. Circle B, I think. Come on upstairs and have a drink with me. I gotta get clear here for a few minutes. All right, let's go. Yeah, they are kind of loud, aren't they? Sure. Do you ever get fed up with it, Matt? Fed up with what? Everything. Come on in. Make yourself at home. Thank you. What's bothering you, Kitty? Nothing special. Just a whim whams, I guess. Pour us a drink. Okay. You know, as long as you're fed up, why don't you get out of it? Go back east. Get married and settle down. Nice quiet bank clerk, a tub of wash and a cook stove. And, uh, kids? I like kids. Let's have that drink. I'm not getting out, neither are you. So let's live while we still... If that's some drunken herder, so help me out. Yes? Sit downstairs, and Marshall is up here. Well, come in. Matt? Well, it's on your mind, fella. I thought maybe you could give me some information, Marshall. I'm looking for some folks named Craio, Mr. and Mrs. John Craio. I understand they've got a place around Dodds somewhere. Yes, Mrs. Craio does. John Craio died about three years ago. No. Are you an old friend of theirs? They're my folks. My mom and pa. What? I'm Billy Craio. Maybe they've mentioned me. Oh, why, uh, yeah, yeah, your mother's always said that you'd come home someday. She's never given up hoping. How is she, Marshall? Well, she's not too good. She's got a big ranch on her hand. She's been trying to run it alone since your dad died. You, uh, think she'll recognize you? She might not at first. It's been 17 years since I run away from home. That kid does crazy things. Maybe not right at first, but I'll convince her all right. Yeah, you probably will. She'll even help you do it. Well, you've been all these years, Billy. Just drifting. Here, there. You know how it goes. Yeah, sure. How do I get out to the place? I'm anxious to see you. That's about five miles east of town. You just follow down river. You can't miss it. Thanks a lot, Marshall. I guess we'll see each other again since I'm going to settle down there. Oh, sure. So long. Let's have it. What? What do you mean, Kitty? Well, I know you met. Something was wrong there. What was it? Well, it's just this, Kitty. A few years ago, Miss Crail asked me to try to trace her son for it. I did it, but then I didn't have the heart to tell her. Tell her what? I got a report back from the War Office. Billy Crail had joined the Union Army at the start of the war. He was killed in action at the Battle of Shiloh. This is it. It stands out from all the rest. Miracle tears. Much more flavor. L&M's got everything. It's the best. Yes, L&M's got everything. Superior filtration. Superior taste. Superior filtration because of L&M's superior filter. White. All white. Pure white. The purest tip that ever touched your lips. Superior taste because of L&M's superior tobaccos. Tasty. Full of flavor. And light and mild. No doubt about it. L&M is America's best filter tip cigarette. This is it. L&M filters. L&M's got everything. It's the best. I'm sure these here circulars climbed blue in the face. They've cut jokes, cattle rustlers, horse thieves, bank robbers, anything you can think of. There ain't any one of them fit in the description of that trail, fella. I'll just keep looking, Chester. Might be two or three years back, but I've seen that face of his somewhere. And it had to be in one of these circulars. I just don't understand how he figures to get away with it. You can't fool a man's own law. Might in this case. She hasn't seen him since he was a boy. Her eyesight's failing her. Her memory's none too good. Well, we got ranch and all the money she's got put away. He sure is. Wait a minute, Chester. You find something she don't? Uh-huh. Yep. I thought so. He sure looks like him all right. It is him. Three years ago. Height 6'1", weight 185, sandy complexions, so on and so on. Sure fits him. Wanted in Lubbock for questioning and connection with the holdup of the Lone Star Bank. Previous arrest, Pekas Croson, cattle theft, acquitted for lack of evidence, convicted San Antonio eight years ago, armed robbery, served four years, paroled. Known associates, Nate Barger and Ponca City kid. Three ward $1,000. Calls himself Johnny Redd. Well, Chester. Chester? Let's go get him. I don't see him no worries around. Ah, that's good. I was hoping I could talk to Miss Crail first. Think you'll put up a fight, Mr. John? I don't know it, Chester. Who is it? It's Marshall Dillon, ma'am. Hi, as now. Come on in and set a spell, Marshall. Thank you, Miss Crail. It's good to see you, Marshall. And you too, Mr. Proudfoot, isn't it? Yes, ma'am, please. I wasn't too sure. My eyes ain't quite full. Come on in, gentlemen. Oh, lads. I do like coming in. Seems like nobody will come out this way no more. Now, set yourselves down there now. Well, thank you. Rest your feet and I'll get you a cup of coffee. Oh, don't bother, Miss Crail. We don't have much time. Time? You won't take no time. I got it already made. I'm just fixing to have some myself. You might take your hat off, Chester. Land life. If a body can't do a little something for a company, she ain't fit to have none. Well, I guess it does get pretty lonesome out here. Well, it did. Oh, I've got a big surprise to tell you about, Marshal. Your son? Oh, shucks. The way gossip flies around our city, your body couldn't have a chance to get ahead of it. Oh, here you are. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, he's come home. Just like I always knew he would. Has he changed much, Miss Crail? Oh, good heavens, yes. Well, he was just a boy when he went away and now he's a grown-up man, and he's fine and then strong. Then there's no doubt in your mind that this really is Billy. That's downright silly, Marshal. Well, you can't fool a mother. She can always tell her own. The second Billy walked up on that porch and said, how are you, ma? I knew him just like that. I see. You know, I'd been sort of going downhill since John passed on. The work was hard. It seemed like I'd kind of lost my reason for living. I don't think I'd have lasted much. Oh, now, Miss Crail. Oh, but it's different now. The minute Billy put his arm around me, I started feeling like a young woman again. And I still do. Well, I'm happier than I've been in years. Yes, ma'am, you sure seem to be. My sons come home. Could a mother ask for more? No, ma'am, I guess not. I suppose that is all that matters. That's all. Oh, I'm sorry, Marshal. I've been talking to a leg off you. I haven't even thought to ask what brings you out this way. Nothing, Miss Crail. As a matter of fact, we just rode out for friendly fishing. Well, I might have glad you did, Marshal. You stopped by just any time. And you, too, was proud for it. Well, I thank you, ma'am. Well, thank you for the coffee, ma'am. And goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye! Goodbye. Yeah, you couldn't have done nothing else, Mr. Dillon. Oh, it would have broke her heart if you'd told her. Yeah, I guess so. But she's going to find out anyway sooner or later when he steals her blind and then runs out on her. That's a bad deal, Chester, anyway. You look at it. Marshal. Well, I kind of set you a problem, don't it? Well, I may set a few problems for you before I'm done with you, Johnny. And breaking old lady's heart? I don't think so, Marshal. And the name is Billy, by the way, Billy Crail. Not in Lubbock. Lubbock? Where is that? Don't worry, Johnny. When I send you back, there'll be somebody along to show you the way. I don't know why you keep on calling me Johnny. Because that's your name, Johnny Redd. Bank robber, gunman, cattle thief. You fell out the list. Maybe you could get my mother to fill it out. Miss Crail's an old woman. She doesn't know that her son was killed at the Battle of Shiloh. That report was a mistake, Marshal, but I figured it was best to let it stand. See, I deserted two weeks before Shiloh. Oh, yeah, sure you did. I don't know where you got this crazy idea on somebody named Johnny Redd. And before you go off half-cocked, I'd say it might be a good idea to check with the sheriff in Lubbock. Meanwhile, I figured it's like your friend there was saying, you wouldn't want to break an old woman's heart, would you? Oh, it's a matter. Oh, lost another patient this afternoon. Did somebody die? Oh, no, no. You kind of figure on that happening, but you don't count on them getting well on you. And they don't very often. Well, who was it that pulled this mean trick on you? Old Lady Crail. A month ago, I wouldn't have figured her to live through the winter. Well, I even thought you might leave me something in her well, too, but I... Well, dog, I got it. She was jumping around out there this morning as chipper as a young fella. Ah, she's a young mother now. Well, that's no joke, man. That's exactly what it is. That boy of hers has been home three weeks now, and it's made a new woman out of her. Yeah, only he's not really her boy, dog. Huh? Well, no, what do you mean by that? He's an ex-convict from Texas. I had a reward circular on him from Lubbock. Oh, now, wait a minute, man. He might be able to fool other people. I know, I know. A mother can always tell her own. That's right, yeah. Maybe this is the exception that proves the rule. Well, if you really think that, and if he's wanted, well, why aren't you going out there and arrest him? I got no charge against him. Doc, a wired Lubbock seems he was wanted, but not anymore. They already picked him up and then turned him loose for lack of evidence. Well, if he's not Billy Crail, then what's he up to? What's his reason? Well, you know how much that ranch is worth, and Ms. Crail keeps ever since she's got out there at the place because she doesn't trust banks. What more reason would a man like that need? You better come quick, Mr. Dillon. I was wrong, Chester. Jake just brought Simeron stage in. He got held up right outside the town. They shot the guard. Let me through here, please. Please, will you stand aside and let Doc get in there? Please. Well, they finally got to me, Marshal. How'd it happen, Jake? The boldest thing I ever seen was about three miles out of town. They throwed some cottonwood limbs across the trail so I'd have to pull up, and that's when they jumped me. How many of them? Just two, a couple I've never seen before. Brassy as sin, didn't even bother to wear masks. And they hold off and shot Barney there without even giving them a chance. What did they get, Jake? The cash box. I don't know how much was in it. Oh, man. Yeah, Doc? There's nothing I can do for them, man. Two bullets right under the ribs. I doubt if they even knew what hit him. Well, take charge of it, will you, Doc? Matt, somebody said Barney got shot. Yeah, he's dead, Kitty. Oh. Jake, would you recognize either of those men? Oh, sure. Like I say, they didn't worry none about being seen. One of them was a tall, skinny fella, and the other one was kind of a kid. Tall one called him Ponca. Ponca? They were strangers, though. They ain't from around here. Sounds like a couple of fellas I saw in the long branch today talking to Billy Crail. Oh? Billy finally left, but they stayed for another hour, so talking real serious together. Those two gunmen, Jake, where'd they head for when they left you? Well, it was a funny thing. I figured they'd make a run south. Instead, they rode east, down river. That trail don't lead nowhere. Yeah. Except to the Crail Ranch. To you, to the thousands of smokers who are changing to L&M every day, to the millions who now smoke L&M, here is your assurance. L&M gives superior filtration because of its superior filter. Superior taste because of L&M's superior tobaccos. Yes, L&M tobaccos are tasty, full of flavor, and light and mild. And L&M's superior filter is the purest tip that ever touched your lips. It's white. All white. Truly the miracle tip because when it's added to L&M's superior tobacco, it actually tones up the taste. Actually improves your enjoyment of this great cigarette. Yes, L&M's got everything. Superior taste. Superior tobacco. Superior filter. That's why it's America's best filter tip cigarette. Try L&M today. Looks real quiet. Yeah. Too quiet, maybe. No lights, neither. Pull up, Chester. Let's walk from here. Yes, sir. All right, now watch yourself. I am. When I jerk the screen open, I'm going to go in fast. I'll keep you covered, Mr. Dillon. All right, Chester, come on in. See if you can find a lamp, huh? Well, I think there was one over here on the table the other day. Yeah, here it is. Well, light it and bring it over here. Yes, sir. Come on, come on. Here you are, Mr. Dillon. Oh, my. Hold the lamp down. Mr. Dillon? She's been beat bad, too. Well, it's not question that he's wanted for now. It's murder. Rage. Well, both of you. It's you, Marshal. Who are you expecting, Johnny? Nate Barger and the Ponca City Kid. That's right. They're down there. They're digging by the riverbank. But they'll be back. They won't find what they were. Johnny, who shot you? I don't know which one of them it was. It don't matter, though. I'll last until they get back. But not long enough for a murder charge, Marshal. Don't try for your gun, Marshal. I'm not that much of a fool. Not with yours on my back. I wouldn't want to shoot you. I got nothing personal against you, but your way of handling this ain't the way I put out that lamp. They're coming back. They're out there now. Stay where you are and stay quiet. I got to get to a window. Marshal, let's ease out the back way. Come on. Now stay close to the house. They'll walk toward the porch. We'll have a chance to take them from the side. You're still alive. I'm sure he won't lie about this time. All right, hold it. You're covered. Right over there at the corner, Ponca. I'll get him. I warned you, Ponca. All right, drop the gun, Barger. Go on, drop it. I give up, don't shoot. You keep your hands high. That's right, Nate. Keep them up high. Johnny, no. Say hello to Ponca for me. No, Johnny, just no. Johnny, I had my head. All right, drop your gun, Johnny. Sure, Marshal. I'm through with it now. He had his hands on the air. He had no call to shoot him. You would have took him in alive. He might have got out of it. This way it works out better. More sure. I guess you know how you stand. You don't have a chance. It don't matter. I lasted till it was finished. What started it? An argument over the split? No split. I wasn't in with them. They followed me here from Texas. That's right, Marshal. I'm Johnny Redd. I never doubted it. They thought I was double crossing them. They laid for me out here at the ranch. Thought they'd kill me. And her, they beat up Marshal. Trying to find out where she kept her money. But she wouldn't tell. She lied to him. Said it was buried down by the river bank. Where is it buried, Johnny? No place. I took it into the bank for her last week. You what? I figured it wasn't safe for her to keep it here. Been a lot easier to get your hands on it though when you were ready to leave, huh? So you still think a mother can't tell? Sure, Marshal. I've been called Johnny Redd for years now. But my real name is Billy Crail. I wasn't lying about that. She was my mother. She was my mother. He was Billy Crail after all? Yeah. If he'd just stayed away, hadn't come back home, she'd still be alive. It was her own son, you might say, that caused her death. Doc says she wouldn't have lived through the winter anyway. And Billy made her happy for a month at least. I don't know, Chester. I don't know. And now our star, William Conrad. Thank you, George. How about Ellen Im's? Is there mild and mighty easy on the draw? When you get right down to it, no filter stacks up with Ellen Im's pure white miracle tip for quality or effectiveness. Darn good smoke. See for yourself. Ellen Im stands out from all the rest. Gun smoke, produced and directed by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillard, U.S. Marshal. Special music for gun smoke was composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Sam Edwards, Virginia Gregg, Vic Perron, Lawrence Dobkin, and Paul Dubar. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNeer is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Put a smile in your smoking. Next time you buy cigarettes, stop. Remember, only Chesterfield is made the modern way with Accuray. This amazing quality detective electronically checks and controls the making of your Chesterfield, giving a uniformity and smoking quality never possible before. For the first time, you get a perfect smoke column from end to end. From the first puff to the last puff, Chesterfield smokes smoother. Chesterfield smokes cooler. Chesterfield is best for you. Next time you buy cigarettes, stop. Remember, Chesterfield is made the modern way with Accuray. Put a smile in your smoking. Just give them a try. Light up a Chesterfield. They satisfy. Remember, listen again next week for another transcribed story of the Western Frontier when Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot, Doc, and Kitty, together with all the other hard-living citizens of Dodge, will be with you once more. It's America growing west in the 1870s. It's Gun Smoke, brought to you by L&M Builders.