Stereotypical Old West Lawman in the Radio Series Gunsmoke :: Gunsmoke

Stereotypical Old West Lawman in the Radio Series Gunsmoke When considering the attributes of the Old West lawman, the mind frequently turns to the lawmen made familiar through works of fiction, created for the purposes of entertainment. One specific example of such a fictional depiction of "the lawman" exists in the episodic radio series entitled, "Gunsmoke." In this series, Matt Dillon, the Sheriff of Dodge City, repeatedly exhibits many qualities, which could be labeled as stereotypical. After analyzing several Gunsmoke episodes, and reviewing the analyses of many others, one trait, which seems to be present in Matt Dillon, is that of invincibility. Matt Dillon shoots the "bad guy" but never gets shot. He is always victorious. He always wins. We can see this pattern exemplified in three diverse situations. First, Dillon always wins a face to face gunfight. Secondly, Dillon is victorious even when he is ambushed or unprepared for an attack. And finally, Dillon wins even when no physical violence or gunplay takes place. The turnover rate, not to mention the stress level, for authentic sheriffs of the Old West was probably quite high. For a radio sheriff, like Matt Dillon, there was undoubtedly a lot of comfort in the assurance that he had to be in the next episode. No quick drawing, ne'er do well would ever best him. The gunfights were frequent and always ended the same way. In the episode entitled "Crack Up" for example, a known killer named Nate Springer, comes to Dodge specifically to do away with Dillon. After much planning and plotting, when the smoke clears from the climactic gun battle, it is Springer sprawled in the dust as the victorious Dillon reholsters his trusty weapon ("Crack-Up." 02-26-55). Similarly, in the episode entitled "Monopoly," an experienced killer named Cam Speckle, who has had a notorious past and had succeeded in outdrawing and killing a man in the street just moments before facing Dillon, falls victim to the Marshall's uncanny accuracy ("Monopoly" 5-22-54). These are onl y two of the innumerable instances in which Marshall Dillon conquers all comers. Another situation from which Marshall Dillon emerges unscathed, is the classic ambush. A determined killer lays in wait, trains his weapon on Dillon, and misses. This very scenario took place in the episode entitled "Paid Killer." Ed Granger, a killer for hire, has accepted $5,000 in gold to kill Matt. He picks a deserted street, takes careful aim and attempts to shoot Dillon, who is nonchalantly strolling down the sidewalk. Stereotypical Old West Lawman in the Radio Series Gunsmoke :: Gunsmoke Stereotypical Old West Lawman in the Radio Series Gunsmoke When considering the attributes of the Old West lawman, the mind frequently turns to the lawmen made familiar through works of fiction, created for the purposes of entertainment. One specific example of such a fictional depiction of "the lawman" exists in the episodic radio series entitled, "Gunsmoke." In this series, Matt Dillon, the Sheriff of Dodge City, repeatedly exhibits many qualities, which could be labeled as stereotypical. After analyzing several Gunsmoke episodes, and reviewing the analyses of many others, one trait, which seems to be present in Matt Dillon, is that of invincibility. Matt Dillon shoots the "bad guy" but never gets shot. He is always victorious. He always wins. We can see this pattern exemplified in three diverse situations. First, Dillon always wins a face to face gunfight. Secondly, Dillon is victorious even when he is ambushed or unprepared for an attack. And finally, Dillon wins even when no physical violence or gunplay takes place. The turnover rate, not to mention the stress level, for authentic sheriffs of the Old West was probably quite high. For a radio sheriff, like Matt Dillon, there was undoubtedly a lot of comfort in the assurance that he had to be in the next episode. No quick drawing, ne'er do well would ever best him. The gunfights were frequent and always ended the same way. In the episode entitled "Crack Up" for example, a known killer named Nate Springer, comes to Dodge specifically to do away with Dillon. After much planning and plotting, when the smoke clears from the climactic gun battle, it is Springer sprawled in the dust as the victorious Dillon reholsters his trusty weapon ("Crack-Up." 02-26-55). Similarly, in the episode entitled "Monopoly," an experienced killer named Cam Speckle, who has had a notorious past and had succeeded in outdrawing and killing a man in the street just moments before facing Dillon, falls victim to the Marshall's uncanny accuracy ("Monopoly" 5-22-54). These are onl y two of the innumerable instances in which Marshall Dillon conquers all comers. Another situation from which Marshall Dillon emerges unscathed, is the classic ambush. A determined killer lays in wait, trains his weapon on Dillon, and misses. This very scenario took place in the episode entitled "Paid Killer." Ed Granger, a killer for hire, has accepted $5,000 in gold to kill Matt. He picks a deserted street, takes careful aim and attempts to shoot Dillon, who is nonchalantly strolling down the sidewalk.