Twelfth Night: Feud and Forgiveness in the Ozarks Tradition

Originally Aired: December 25, 1955 In Gunsmoke #194, “Twelfth Night,” the holiday season brings two mountain men—and a generations-old feud—to the snowy streets of Dodge. Eben Hakes arrives from the Ozarks, determined to settle the last score with his rival Joth Monger, vowing never to kill on a Sunday. As Marshal Dillon tries to prevent bloodshed, a tense standoff is broken only by the stroke of midnight and a forgotten kinship. With the help of Christmas spirit and a bit of corn liquor, the feud thaws, and the men discover their families’ tangled roots—and a reason to celebrate together. A rare festive tale of tradition, reconciliation, and frontier humor. Cast: William Conrad, Georgia Ellis, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, John Dehner, Helen Kleeb, Vic Perrin Tags: western, holiday, feud, Christmas, reconciliation, Gunsmoke, WilliamConrad, MattDillon, Ozarks, tradition, comedy, family, kinship, mountainmen, oldtimeradio, 1950sradio, peace, classicradio, frontierlife, vintagepodcast