Spring Freshet: A Hostage, a Bluff, and the Powder That Wasn’t

Originally Aired: March 17, 1957 In Gunsmoke #258, “Spring Freshet,” Marshal Matt Dillon walks into a saloon hold-up and finds himself unarmed and outnumbered, with Kitty taken hostage by a pair of wanted outlaws. As Dodge City reels under the tension, Matt plays a high-stakes bluff involving sacks of what might—or might not—be gunpowder. With lives hanging in the balance and tempers ready to ignite, it’s a deadly waiting game in the loft above Miles' store. A gritty psychological standoff that questions courage, cunning, and control. Cast: William Conrad, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, Parley Baer, Lawrence Dobkin, Ben Wright, John Dehner Tags:Western, standoff, bluff, hostage, DodgeCity, WilliamConrad, GeorgiaEllis, 1950sradio, classicwestern, gunpowderbluff, outlaws, oldtimeradio, suspense, MarshalMattDillon, vintageaudio, drama