"Jaliscoe" - Gunsmoke Radio Episode (May 10, 1952)
Essential Western Radio Drama: Tension on the Frontier
In "Jaliscoe," the third episode of CBS's groundbreaking radio Western Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon (William Conrad) confronts rising tensions between cattle ranchers and homesteaders after a settler family is brutally murdered. When evidence points to Jaliscoe Pete and his outlaw companions disguising their crime as an Indian attack, Dillon must solve the case before it ignites a bloody range war and provokes military action against innocent Kiowa tribespeople.
Historical Significance & Fun Facts
This episode marks the first appearance of Georgia Ellis as the character "Miss Kitty," who would become a cornerstone of the series. Ellis had appeared in the premiere episode, but as a completely different character named Francie Richards.
"Jaliscoe" was written by Les Crutchfield, who would go on to become the second most prolific writer for Gunsmoke (radio and TV combined), with 138 scripts to his credit.
The episode aired just two weeks after the series premiere and helped establish Gunsmoke's reputation for tackling adult themes and complex frontier conflicts.
The character dynamics between Marshal Dillon and Kitty begin to develop in this episode, establishing one of radio and television's most famous relationships.
Gunsmoke was deliberately created as an "adult Western" to counter more juvenile fare like The Lone Ranger, and this episode exemplifies that approach with its nuanced portrayal of racial tensions and land disputes.
William Conrad's commanding performance as Matt Dillon in this episode helped cement his reputation as the definitive radio voice of the character, though he would later be replaced by James Arness when the series moved to television.
The sound design and effects in "Jaliscoe" demonstrate the show's commitment to creating an immersive prairie setting that was revolutionary for radio drama of the era.
