April 26th 1952 CBS radio debuted a new "adult western" for its radio audiences. Starring radio veteran William Conrad as Marshall Matt Dillon, this Norm MacDonnell and John Meston creation was aimed at a more adult audience instead of a fast action shoot'em up like Gene Autry, The Lone Ranger or Cisco Kid. This was an almost true to life depiction of the old west with all its grit,grime and death. Known for not usually a happy ending that had kids cheering, the end was one could have expected to have actually happened in the life of Marshall Dillon in a wild town of Dodge City, Kansas.
The last great drama in the golden age of radio, Gunsmoke would be on the air until 1960, but by then radio was an antiquated form of entertainment and television and Gunsmoke's own version on television had become a huge success. Still consider by many old time radio enthusiast and experts as the best drama radio produced it to this day remains a popular choice on social media sites old time radio.
April 26th 1952
Billy the Kid
Season 1 Episode 1
guest star Dick Beals as Billy
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