Player_logo Podcasts Community Create a Podcast

For a western hero, Matt Dillon was just an average guy. He was prone to make mistakes, as this episode points out a few of his character flaws. He fumbles, as he fails to notice what Miss Kitty is up to. He investigates a murder, but does he have the right guy? Life isn't always a cut and dry procedure, even in Dodge City.

The audition show for Gunsmoke was produced in June 1949. It never aired, but was used as a demo to gain support from studios, sponsers and in casting. It featured "Mark" Dillon and was well liked enough to get the green light. It took until the Fall of 1950 before the show went on the air.

The delay was partly due to the search for just the right leading man. William Conrad tells about it in a later interview. The show's producers gave auditions to just about every radio actor of the day. Nobody's voice seemed right for the part. He wasn't the first pick because he was doing so much work in so many areas of broadcasting. The studio heads likely considered him over exposed. He finally did give a reading of the part of Matt Dillon and everybody agreed it was for him.

Once again, let me remind podcast listeners that the original advertisements are left in for entertainment purposes, and do not reflect endorsement by myself or the Retro Radio Podcat.

Happy listening.
Keith H.

PS: Our normal comedy format will return soon. Also it will be house cleaning time soon. At the end of the month, shows older than 6 months will be removed. To get those older programs, a link will be available soon to order your own copy of the first season. Stay tuned and keep watching for it.