Episode 12: Gunsmoke, The Gambler

Show notes for Episode 12:Excerpts from Total Poker by David Spanier (1977)Published before many of the other, “classic” examples of poker journalism such as Al Alvarez’ The Biggest Game in Town (discussed back in Episode 1), Anthony Holden’s Big Deal, and James McManus’ Positively Fifth Street, David Spanier’s 1977 collection of essays titled Total Poker smartly covers a wide range of poker-related topics. On today’s show, I read from a couple of different chapters in Spanier’s book. First I read excerpts from a chapter titled “Morals” in which Spanier examines differences between amateur and professional poker players. I conclude with a paragraph from his chapter about poker in the movies in which Spanier makes a connection between poker and old Westerns.If you’re interested, click here to read my full review of Spanier’s Total Poker, which I wrote for my blog, Hard-Boiled Poker, back in the summer of 2007. “The Gambler,” Gunsmoke (originally aired October 7, 1956)Starring William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Parley Baer (Chester), Howard McNear (Doc Adams), Georgia Ellis (Kitty). Also starring Lawrence Dobkin and Ralph Moody. Produced and directed by Norman Macdonnell. Written by John Dunkel. Music composed and conducted by Rex Koury.Here is the Wikipedia page that covers both the radio and television versions of Gunsmoke. And here is a site where you can download and listen to more episodes of the show. Download.