Impact: A Fire, a Fraud, and a Fatal Mistake

Originally Aired: February 24, 1957 In Gunsmoke #255, “Impact,” Marshal Matt Dillon grows wary when a string of “accidents” begin to befall tough-as-nails widow Ellie Larkin. The source of his suspicion? Lonnie Welch—a drifter turned surrogate son who seems a little too eager to inherit her ranch. As Matt probes deeper into Lonnie’s past, a shocking pattern emerges, leading to a night of fire, betrayal, and deadly self-defense. A slow-burn thriller of manipulation, misplaced trust, and the price of loneliness. Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear Tags: western, betrayal, inheritance, WilliamConrad, ParleyBaer, GeorgiaEllis, HowardMcNear, oldtimeradio, classicwestern, 1950sradio, loneliness, arson, manipulation, ruraldrama, suspensepodcast