Wanted: GUNSMOKE (CBS/1955-1975) (2 Viewers)

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #13
“Johnny Cross”
written by Calvin Clements, Sr.
directed by Herschel Daugherty
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Jeff Pomerantz, Kelly Jean Peters, Harry Dean Stanton, John Crawford, Shug Fisher, Charles Thompson

Hidden behind rocks, bounty hunters Yates (actor John Crawford) and Hodge (actor Harry Dean Stanton) fire at rider and wanted criminal Johnny Cross (actor Jeff Pomerantz) who gets shot in the belly and sends his horse to misguide the two human vultures. At Dodge City, Burke passes a telegram to disabled Festus that informs that Johnny Cross heads to town to see his family. Freshly deputized, Newly stops at the farm of the Cross’ and meets the gross bounty hunters who mistreat Vera, the sister of Johnny Cross. Vera and Newly discover wounded Johnny and, later on, Doc treats him. Newly tries to help Johnny and goes pay a visit to Mr. Franks (actor Shug Fisher) so that he clears the case of Johnny. That night at the Long Branch with Doc and Miss Kitty, Mr. Franks talks about his meeting with Newly and the two bounty hunters eavesdrop and eventually bribe and threaten him not to help Cross …

It’s a decent and straight Newly-oriented entry paired with a bounty hunter drama that is enhanced by the unexpected revival of the story. Festus is suffering from a carbuncle and Dillon is on an errand. It’s an early season episode because John Mantley is still producer.

Actors John Crawford (“The Miracle Man”) and Shug Fisher (“Railroad”) both return from this season 14.
Actors Kelly Jean Peters returns from the season 13 “Prairie Wolfer”, Jeff Pomerantz from the season 12 “Moonstone”, Harry Dean Stanton from the season 10 “Take Her, She’s Cheap”, Charles Thompson from the season 7 “Old Yellow Boots”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #14
“The Money Store”
written by William Blinn
directed by Vincent McEveety
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Charles Aidman, William Schallert, Virginia Vincent, Pamelyn Ferdin, Eric Shea

Poor farmer and widower Ray Jarvis (actor Charles Aidman) and his two children Mike (actor Eric Shea) and Annie (actress Pamelyn Ferdin) go at the Dodge City’s bank to meet his brother-in-law Ezra Thorpe (actor William Schallert) and ask for a loan that he refuses cold. Ray heads to the Long Branch to get a whiskey while the kids decide to use their dog as a collateral to get the loan but things go wrong when the dog jumps on Thorpe, eats his sandwich and creates disorder on the desk. Mike spots and takes a fat envelop filled with bank notes. Later on, Thorpe doesn’t find the cash envelop and, along with bank president Harry Bodkin, complain to Festus about the robbery and accuse Ray of the deed. Later on, Ray is obliged to participate at a posse while the kids leave the farm and gets cornered by their aunt. Returning from the search, the posse stops at the farm when Thorpe notices the dog carrying the fat envelop in his mouth. Festus arrests Ray for robbery charge and the Thorpes take care of the kids …

It’s a rather good banker and a kid story about a social mysery case that plays like a bitter sweet Film Noir entry: the mistake of a kid and the uptight behavior of a bank clerk send an innocent man to jail. Character-wise, the street outcome is a catharsis. It’s the first male widower episode after three female ones: see “Zavala”, “Abelia”, “The Miracle Man”. The kids from the farmer family aspect foreshadows The Little House on the Prairie. It’s an early season episode because John Mantley is still producer.

Actors Charles Aidman returns from the season 6 “About Chester”, Eric Shea from the season 13 “Stranger in Town” and William Schallert from the season 8 “Daddy Went Away”. For the anecdote, child actress Pamelyn Ferdin will play along with Clint Eastwood in The Beguiled (1971).

The same year, actor Charles Aidman appears four times on The Wild Wild Wild West as replacement agent Jeremy Pike (“The Night of the Camera”, “The Night of Miguelito’s Revenge”, “The Night of the Pelican”, “The Night of the Janus”) and William Schallert appears three times on The Wild Wild West as a guest character (“The Night of the Gruesome Games”) and as replacement agent Frank Harper (“The Night of the Winged Terror”, Part I & Part II).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #15
“Twisted Heritage”
written by Arthur Rowe and Paul Savage
story by Robert Heverly and Jack Turley
directed by Bernard McEveety
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: John Ericson, Virginia Gregg, David McLean, Nora Marlowe, Lisa Gerritsen, Conlan Carter, Charles Kuenstle, Richard O’Brien, Joshua Bryant, Steve Raines, Robert Luster, Robert Karnes

Carrying a lot of packages, Miss Kitty travels alone on a stagecoach when the driver (actor Steve Raines) stops and takes Blaine Copperton (actor John Ericson). Later on, two robbers, Simpson (actor Richard O’Brien) and Young (actor Joshua Bryant), ambush the stagecoach to get the strongbox and kills the driver. When discovering the limited money contents, they order the passengers to empty their pockets. Copperton throws them out a wallet filled with bank notes, grabs their winchester and shoots Young when Simpson retaliates but Copperton also kills him cold. Miss Kitty finds herself alone around dead bodies, drives the stagecoach in a fury and stops at a gold mine but the Dagget’s, sleazy prospectors, refuse to cure Copperton so she heads to the ranch of the Copperton’s where his mother named Jessie (actress Virginia Gregg) removes a bullet from Blaine’s belly. Knowing they refuse to help, Jessie accompanied by her posse pays a visit to the Daggets and threatens them to leave the area at once. Meanwhile Miss Kitty as a surrogate mother tries to take care of widower Blaine’s lonely young daughter Tracey (actress Lisa Gerritsen). Back at Dodge City, Festus and Dillon worry about missing Kitty. The angry Daggets abduct Miss Kitty and Tracey to negociate with Blaine Copperton …

It’s an interesting and yet flawed solo Miss Kitty adventure, a sentimental family drama and a strong woman-oriented entry that is wasted by the silly shout-out in the mine. The one colorful detail is to witness Miss Kitty driving a stagecoach like a witch. Find another male widower after “The Money Store”. The grand staircase and the entrance sets are heavily used in two western series: The Big Valley and The Wild Wild West.

Actors Lisa Gerritsen (“The Miracle Man”), Conlan Carter (“The Hide Cutters”), Charles Kuenstle (“Slocum”), Steve Raines (“The Hide Cutters”, “Uncle Finney” and “O’Quillian”) all return from this season 14.
Actors Virginia Gregg returns from the season 11 “Sanctuary”, Robert Karnes from the season 7 “Cale”, Nora Marlowe from the season 10 “Double Entry”.

Actor David McLean was the leading man in the 1960 western series Tate.

The same year, Rawhide actor Steve Raines appears in the season 4 episode of The Wild Wild West entitled “The Night of the Plague”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #16
“Time of the Jackals”
written by Richard Fielder
adapted by Paul Savage
story by Richard Fielder
directed by Vincent McEveety
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Leslie Nielsen, Beverly Garland, Edmund Hashim, Kipp Whitman, Charles Maxwell, Jonathan Lippe, Robert Knapp, Sid Haig, Art Stewart

Dillon and Festus fire at a mysterious outlaw hidden in a country house. Dillon rushes to the door and shoots straight at Dan Foley (actor Knapp) who confesses the love reason why he used to rob a relay station before dying when Dillon sees a weak woman—that he injured during the shout-out—lying on the floor named Lee (actress Beverly Garland) which happens to be the girlfriend of escaped convict and gang leader Jess Trevor (actress Leslie Nielsen) and brings her to Doc’s office. That night and at the Long Branch, Dillon stops poker player and Lee’s husband Tim Jackson (actor Edmund Hashim) on his way to blow the head of a customer who accuses him of cheating. Both men have a talk about Leona’s appetite for men and Dillon slaps him before he states any insults. The next day, Dillon and his posse start to arrest the gang of Jess Trevor when a mysterious man—named Lucas Brant (actor Jonathan Lippe)—, hidden in the bush, fires at the posse which allows the gang to leave. Brant joins them and introduces himself as a bounty hunter on his way to sell the gang to get a reward but Trevor eliminates him with some fancy talks and a neat bullet. Meanwhile Miss Kitty moves Lee to her Long Branch’s bedroom. The gang abducts Jackson and Trevor forces him to kill Dillon …

It’s a real engaging man-eater woman story—Lee attracted four men: Matt Dillon, Tim Jackson, Dan Foley, Jess Trevor—combined with a tight bandit intrigue. Don’t miss the surprising night ending that includes Lee. The cast of outlaw characters consist of: Leslie Nielsen as leader Jesse Trevor, Sid Haig as Cawkins, Charles Maxwell as Del Rainey, Kipp Whitman as Dagget. One cast of character inconsistency lies in the proper name of actress Beverly Garland as the wife of Tim Jackson: credited as Leona but called Lee in the actual episode. It’s an early season episode because John Mantley is still producer.

The same year, actress Beverly Garland appears in one season 4 episode of The Wild Wild West entitled “The Night of the Bleak Island”.
Actors Beverly Garland (“The Victim”) and Edmund Hashim (“The Victim”) both return from season 13.
Actors Robert Knapp (“The Hanging”) and Sid Haig (“Stage Stop”) both return from season 12.
Actors Jonathan Lippe returns from this season 14 “Zavala” and Charles Maxwell from the season 5 “The Honey Pot”.

 

[JohnHopper]

The DVD sets of Gunsmoke season 15 are on pre-order at Amazon.

Release Date: October 1, 2019.

Season 15, Volume 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJKBDZ1/?coliid=I20UIAC6VE13K5&colid=2JPC9LQNO674B&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Season 15, Volume 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TNVX64...olid=2JPC9LQNO674B&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

View attachment 61298 View attachment 61299

:: Season 15 of Gunsmoke is a "best seller" in the western category at Amazon.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #17
“Mannon”
written by Ron Bishop
directed by Robert Butler
music by Jaime Mendoza-Nava
guests: Steve Forrest, Tom Brown, Michelle Breeze

“I figure Matt Dillon is nothing much … I’m gonna walk across him the way you walk across short grass.”
—Gunfighter Will Mannon

Riding slowly his mule Ruth in the countryside, Festus meets a laid-back, horseless and singing stranger named Will Mannon (actor Steve Forrest) and offers him a ride but he refuses cold and orders Festus to leave his animal. Festus argues and Mannon guns him down as fast as a thunderbolt. Mannon arrives in Dodge City and everybody notices Ruth. While preparing his bath in his hotel room at the Dodge House, Mannon is questioned by Newly about Ruth and the body of Festus is later located and brought back to Doc. Mannon is a vicious and cruel predator, creates a climate of terror amongst people to persecute them and states that his coming is to kill Matt Dillon to take the control of the town …

It’s the masterpiece of this season 14, a fascinating and tension-filled character study on a self-assured intruder and fast gunfighter thanks to the inspired performance of actor Steve Forrest as a laconic and untamed devilish beast and a Newly-oriented piece. The director fashions a descent into hell. Except Doc and Newly, the town is badly treated: gunned down Festus, swindled old poker players, blackmailed Burke, brutally abused Kitty and … off course, Matt Dillon. As usual, the foe uses the moniker of Red for Kitty and, here, three protagonists are redhead: Matt Dillon, Will Mannon and Miss Kitty. This kind of episode reminds the season 11 “Seven Hours to Down” and the character of Mace Gore (actor John Drew Barrymore). For the coincidence, producer Joseph Dackow used to supervise the pilot of his western series Outlaws with guest actor Steve Forrest entitled “Thirty a Month”. This is the sixth and last episode title that highlights the guest character after “Slocum”, “O’Quillian”, “Abelia”, “Waco”, “Johnny Cross”—I don’t include “Uncle Finney” because this guest character is so shallow and unseen during the course of the episode.

Actor Tom Brown returns as semi regular Ed O’Connor from season 13 (“Nowhere to Run” and “Mr. Sam’l”) and actress Michelle Breeze returns from this season 14 as a saloon girl with a name (“Lyle’s Kid”, “Slocum”, “O’Quillian”,“Railroad”, “Lobo”).


End Credits for composer Jaime Mendoza-Nava.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #17
“Mannon”
written by Ron Bishop
directed by Robert Butler
music by Jaime Mendoza-Nava
guests: Steve Forrest, Tom Brown, Michelle Breeze

“I figure Matt Dillon is nothing much … I’m gonna walk across him the way you walk across short grass.”
—Gunfighter Will Mannon

Riding slowly his mule Ruth in the countryside, Festus meets a laid-back, horseless and singing stranger named Will Mannon (actor Steve Forrest) and offers him a ride but he refuses cold and orders Festus to leave his animal. Festus argues and Mannon guns him down as fast as a thunderbolt. Mannon arrives in Dodge City and everybody notices Ruth. While preparing his bath in his hotel room at the Dodge House, Mannon is questioned by Newly about Ruth and the body of Festus is later located and brought back to Doc. Mannon is a vicious and cruel predator, creates a climate of terror amongst people to persecute them and states that his coming is to kill Matt Dillon to take the control of the town …

It’s the masterpiece of this season 14, a fascinating and tension-filled character study on a self-assured intruder and fast gunfighter thanks to the inspired performance of actor Steve Forrest as a laconic and untamed devilish beast and a Newly-oriented piece. The director fashions a descent into hell. Except Doc and Newly, the town is badly treated: gunned down Festus, swindled old poker players, blackmailed Burke, brutally abused Kitty and … off course, Matt Dillon. As usual, the foe uses the moniker of Red for Kitty and, here, three protagonists are redhead: Matt Dillon, Will Mannon and Miss Kitty. This kind of episode reminds the season 11 “Seven Hours to Down” and the character of Mace Gore (actor John Drew Barrymore). For the coincidence, producer Joseph Dackow used to supervise the pilot of his western series Outlaws with guest actor Steve Forrest entitled “Thirty a Month”. This is the sixth and last episode title that highlights the guest character after “Slocum”, “O’Quillian”, “Abelia”, “Waco”, “Johnny Cross”—I don’t include “Uncle Finney” because this guest character is so shallow and unseen during the course of the episode.

Actor Tom Brown returns as semi regular Ed O’Connor from season 13 (“Nowhere to Run” and “Mr. Sam’l”) and actress Michelle Breeze returns from this season 14 as a saloon girl with a name (“Lyle’s Kid”, “Slocum”, “O’Quillian”,“Railroad”, “Lobo”).


End Credits for composer Jaime Mendoza-Nava.
View attachment 61743

Pictures of Will Mannon (actor Steve Forrest).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #18
“Goldtown”
written by Calvin Clements, Sr.
directed by Gunnar Hellström
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Lou Antonio, Lane Bradbury, Anthony James, Harry Davis, Chubby Johnson, Paul Wexler, Jackie Searl, Kathryn Minner, Pete Kellett, Eve Plumb

Hill critter Elbert Moses (actor Anthony James) and his cousin Smiley (actor Lou Antonio) return to Dodge City and try to swindle townspeople with a game of pea when Dillon and Festus intervene and order them to leave on the spot. They cross the countryside and meet an old gold prospector named Shorty (actor Harry Davis) that they con and obtain the legal papers to exploit his gold mine that they call Goldtown and brings back their folks. Merry Florene (actress Lane Bradbury) stops in town and tries to seduce Newly again. Festus inspects the new town and sees a lot of people working for the two rascals including Louie as a gold digger, Merry Florene as a school teacher and her grandmother as a saloon barkeep. Moses and Smiley charge $200 a head for all citizens to get a piece of land and pretend to find $10,000 in gold when two bandits rob the stagecoach containing the phoney load …

This is a light and laborious entry about a smoke screen business and the sequel to this season “Uncle Finney” (also written by Calvin Clements) but without the character of Roland Daniel (actor Victor French) and replaced by cousin Smiley (actor Lou Antonio). The character of Merry Florene acts like in the season 13 “Hill Girl”. For the anecdote, Festus pays $10 to attend school. As in previous episodes (“Johnny Cross”, “Mannon”), Newly is the sole deputy in Dodge City.

Actors Lou Antonio (“O’Quillian”), Lane Bradbury (“Uncle Finney”), Anthony James (“Uncle Finney”), Pete Kellett (“Uncle Finney”, “O’Quillian”, “9:12 to Dodge”) all return from this season 14.
Actors Harry Davis from the season 11 “The Pretender”, Chubby Johnson from the season 10 (“Hammerhead”), Paul Wexler from the season 2 (“Uncle Oliver”), Jackie Searl from the season 8 “Call Me Dodie”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #19
“The Mark of Cain”
written by Ron Bishop
directed by Vincent McEveety
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Nehemiah Persoff, Louise Latham, Robert DoQui, Kevin Coughlin, Stanley Clements, Robert Totten, Olan Soule

At the Dodge House and in a conference room, Timothy Driscoll (actor Nehemiah Persoff) delivers a solemn religious speech to a group of townspeople when some noise from the first floor occurs and disturbs the peace. Out of the blue, Tom (actor Kevin Coughlin), the son of Tim Driscoll, rushes to the bedroom of three drunk buffalo hunters and threatens them with their rifle but one of them named Corley (actor Robert Totten) pushes him through the window. Dillon complains to them. Doc treats the young man. The three skin traders have an expensive diner at Delmonico’s: Champagne and oysters. Tim Driscoll asks his son’s aggressor Corley to have a talk in the street and rough him up while Corley notices the brand scare on his chest which belongs to a dead buffalo hunter and a former sadistic war camp Commandant named Karl Martin Krag. Dillon pays a visit to the Driscoll’s and questions Tim about Krag. Later on, a legal procedure starts but the streets of Dodge City heat up …

It’s a good family drama paired with a harsh legal case about civil war abuses that includes civil tension, private justice, accidental death. For the anecdote, Festus eats the lunch of convict Tim Driscoll. Actor Robert Totten playing the drunk and impulsive buffalo hunter is a Gunsmoke director that starts from season 11 and will provides twenty five episodes. By sheer coincidence, during the third season of The Wild Wild West, actor Nehemiah Persoff plays in the same kind of civil war-oriented episode entitled “The Night of the Underground Terror”. Unlike previous Gunsmoke episodes (“The Pretender” and “Blood Money”), Persoff performs a quiet father at peace with himself.

Actors Nehemiah Persoff returns from the season 13 “Blood Money”, Louise Latham from this season 14 “Waco”, Stanley Clements from this season 5 “The Tragedian”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #20
“Reprisal”
written by Paul Savage and Jack Hawn
story by Jack Hawn
directed by Bernard McEveety
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Joe Don Baker, Eunice Christopher, John Pickard, Jack Lambert, Dennis Cross, I. Stanford Jolley

In the dead of the night and at the exit of the closing Long Branch, old timer Jeb Perkins (actor I. Stanford Jolley) stares at the money he earns at the poker game along with barkeep Sam when hidden in the back alley Garth (actor Jack Lambert) fails to stab him because of a mysterious rider rushing to Doc’s office. Farmer Tom Butler (actor Joe Don Baker) orders Doc to go see his pregnant wife. At the exit of his office, Doc witnesses the sordid murder of Perkins by Garth who runs like a rabbit when Dillon warns him and guns him down. Doc removes the bullet from the body of Garth while Miss Kitty assists Tom Butler. Unfortunately, Doc arrives too late and the baby of Sara Butler (actress Eunice Christopher) dies. The day after, bitter Tom Butler learns that Doc saves a criminal instead of his baby and rushes to rough him up but Festus and Dillon neutralize him. Later that night, Garth hits Doc with an object when Tom Butler steps into the office and sees him unconscious when Miss Kitty enters and accuses Butler of the deed …

It’s a good Doc’s moral dilemma entry paired with a violent farmer family existential drama and a legal case that includes mistaken circumstances and a wild lynch mob on the verge of a savage hanging. Actor Joe Don Baker’s untamed performance is excellent. A previous episode shows Doc in a similar situation and lets die a farmer baby: the season 10 “Doctor’s Wife”. The episode title was already used for a season 7 episode. Find a script co-written by story consultant Paul Savage. Notice wino Louie’s philosophical soliloquy about Man’s children.

Actors Joe Don Baker returns from the season 11 “Prime of Life” and this marks his last appearence, Eunice Christopher from the season 9 “The Bassops”, Dennis Cross from the season 13 “Rope Fever”, John Pickard from the season 12 “The Lure”.
Actors I. Stanford Jolley (“Lyle’s Kid”) and Jack Lambert (“Abelia”) both return from this season 14.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #21
“The Long Night”
written by Paul Savage
story by Richard Carr
directed by John Rich
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Bruce Dern, Lou Antonio, Susan Silo, Robert Totten, Robert Brubaker, Russell Johnson, Rex Holman, Vic Tayback, Matt Emery

At night and escaping from rancher Henry Wade after the killing of his son, wounded in the leg bandit Ben Miller (actor Robert Totten) rides fast and stops at his house to join his Indian girlfriend Rita Lane (actress Susan Silo) when Wade’s bounty hunter Broker (actor Rex Holman) steps into and threaten him with a knife to take him and gets the reward. Miller eventually stabs Broker after a hand-to-hand fight and orders Rita to go fetch Matt Dillon. The morning after, the men from Wade catch Miller at the end of a rope when Dillon neutralizes them and takes Miller in. Leader Guerin (actor Bruce Dern) orders Rawlins to go warn Wade (actor Vic Tayback) to go to Dodge City with $10,000. Dillon rides to Cimarron while Guerin, Mace (actor Lou Antonio) and Diggs (actor Russell Johnson) rob three handguns from Newly’s shop and take refuge at the Long Branch and hold Miss Kitty, Sam, Louie and Doc prisoner. To avenge from sending him to jail, Guerin plans to kill Matt Dillon when he resumes to town …

It’s a real good and engrossing tense henchmen entry and a huit-clos paired with a revengist drama served by a colorful guest cast, especially from actor Bruce Dern as the evil leader calling the regular characters by derogatory monikers: Miss Kitty as honey, Louie as swizzleguts/rheumy-eyed sot, Doc as foxy grandpa/old sawbones/feisty old jack. Two henchmen torture and humiliate Louie by not giving him a drink. Find the second script written by story consultant Paul Savage which reminds the tone of the season 11 “Seven Hours to Dawn”. It’s an early season episode because John Mantley is still producer. Director Robert Totten returns as an actor. The cast of Wade’s men consist of: Lou Antonio as Mace, Bruce Dern as Guerin, Rex Holman as Broker, Russell Johnson as Diggs, Vic Tayback as Rawlins.

Actors Lou Antonio (“O’Quillan” and “Goldtown”), Rex Holman (“Zavala”) and Robert Totten (“The Mark of Cain”) all return from this season 14.
Actors Robert Brubaker (“Dead Man’s Law”) and Matt Emery (“Prairie Wolfer”) both return from season 13.
Actor Bruce Dern (“The Jailer”) and Vic Tayback (“Ladies from St. Louis”) both return from season 12—and this marks the last appearence of Bruce Dern. Actor Russell Johnson returns from the season 4 “The Bear”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #22
“The Nightriders”
written by Calvin Clements, Sr.
directed by Irving J. Moore
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Jeff Corey, Robert Pine, Robert Random, Warren Vanders, Robert Karnes, Norman Alden, Ed Bakey, Scott Hale

At night and after burning the farm and the land of Mr. Springer (actor Ed Bakey), Judge Proctor (actor Jeff Corey) along with his lynching posse that includes his sons Eliot (actor Robert Pine) and Jay (actor Robert Random) and his ruthless fanatical right-hand man Berber (actor Norman Alden) fail to hang the poor man because of a land’s selling. The diehard posse heads to Dodge City to punish the shady businessman Talbot. The Judge orders to cut the telegraph line. Miss Kitty and Dillon are absent and therefore Festus is in charge. The posse arrives and asks Sam to open up the Long Branch when Festus intervenes and lets them in. Later on, Jay Proctor, suffering from pneumonia, has a petty argument with Sam and breaks a whiskey bottle on his head when Festus stops the violence and locks Jay up and Doc resumes to his office but the Judge threatens to get his son in one hour. A fire occurs at the livery stable … Tension heats up!

It’s the companion piece to “The Long Night”, a harsh family drama with two antagonistic sons and a very good night huit-clos at Dodge City served by three good guest performers: Jeff Corey, Norman Alden, Robert Random. The episode opens with the sepia tone footages of farm burning by a posse. As in “Lyle’s Kid”, actor Robert Pine plays the son of a rough father. CBS western series-wise, actor Jeff Corey plays in another blinded father in the season 8 episode of Rawhide entitled “Encounter at Boot Hill”.

https://www.hometheaterforum.com/co...-tv-on-dvd-or-blu.342750/page-59#post-4689531

Actor Robert Karnes (“The Twisted Heritage”), Robert Pine (“Lyle’s Kid”) and Warren Vanders (“Zavala”) all return from this season 14.
Actors Norman Alden (“Wonder”), Ed Bakey (“Death Train”), Scott Hale (“A Hat”) and Robert Random (“Nowhere to Run”) from season 13.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #23
“The Intruder”
written by Jim Byrnes
directed by Vincent McEveety
cinematography by Fred Mandl
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Charles Aidman, John Kellogg, Gail Kobe, Eric Shea, Ralph James, Bob Gravage

Festus stops his mule at the Kansas Missouri way station to pick up a prisoner and sees a thirsty man with a wounded leg attached to a pole. Festus steps into the station, orders the owner to fill up his canteen and asks the two guards to release prisoner Riley Sharp (actor Charles Aidman). A fight between the guards and the prisoner fails to happen when the handcuffs of the prisoner are removed. The guards warn Festus about the danger of hardened criminal Sharp which, later in the travel, tries to kill Festus. Sharp suffers from his leg and Festus brings him to a farm to be cured. Ellie (actress Gail Kobe) is fascinated by Sharp but her impulsive husband Henry Decker (actor John Kellogg) doesn’t like it and says it loud and clear. Festus is obliged to go fetch Doc. Henry Decker puts Sharp in the barn and when we learn that Ellie used to be married to Sharp and that little Tim (actor Eric Shea) is his son. Henry Decker has a violent argument with his wife, grabs his rifle, rushes to the barn but, to save his neck, Sharp makes an arragement with him: getting the $25,000 loot he robbed in exchange of his wife but things don’t go the right way …

It’s a solo Festus entry and an interesting and ambiguous nasty sentimental farm family drama that highlights a violent surrogate husband and a convicted murderer with a double identity and states that things are not what it appears to be. One amusing detail to ease the drama: Doc over-reacts and orders Dillon to arrest Festus for practicing medicine without a licence. This is the only episode shot by Fred Mandl. This is the second script by assistant story consultant Jim Byrnes.

Actors Charles Aidman and Eric Shea both return from this season 14 “The Money Store”, Bob Gravage from the season 10 “Old Man”, John Kellogg from the season 13 “The Victim”, Gail Kobe from the season 12 “Moonstone”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #24
“The Good Samaritans”
written by Paul Savage
directed by Bernard McEveety
music by Johnny Parker
guests: Brock Peters, Rex Ingram, Robert DoQui, Paulene Myers, Hazel Medina, Lynn Hamilton, Sam Melville, Davis Roberts, L.Q. Jones, Pepe Brown, Alycia Gardner, Dan Ferrone, John Brandon

At night, a punk threatens a sheriff named Jeb (actor Dan Ferrone) with a knife in order to get an important paper written by Mr. Humphries when Dillon bursts in the office and stops the criminal. The sheriff gives Dillon “the” document that helps to hang Billy Croft while the punk is locked up. The morning after, two outlaws named Kittridge (actor L.Q. Jones) and Croyden (actor Sam Melville) stare at riding Dillon in order to get their $1,500 reward from Croft and shoot. Wounded Dillon finds a subterfuge: launching his horse on a false path to rid of the two scavengers. The outlaws and two black travelers named Cato (actor Brock Peters) and Ike (actor Davis Roberts) find Dillon’s horse. Wounded Dillon walks and falls nearby the black family camp where he is treated. One-ear man Cato and Ike resume home and Juba Freeman (actor Rex Ingram), the father of the camp, questions Cato about the incident with the outlaws. That night, the outlaws inspects the camp and Mama Olabelle (actress Paulene Myers), the wife of Juba, tells them there’s a case of pox so they run as scared rabbits. Bitter Cato feels alone among the group and decides to steal “the” paper and sells it to the two outlaws but things go wrong …

It’s a solo Dillon adventure and an average and anecdotal slice of life that puts aside and slows down the main mission of Matt Dillon but only the two savage outlaws salvage that boring entry that you can file with “Waco”. As in “Zavala”, Dillon is wounded and treated by a poor family. Find the third script written by story consultant Paul Savage.

Actors Robert DoQui (“The Mark of Cain”) and Sam Melville (“Lyle’s Kid”) both return from this season 14.
Actors Dan Ferrone returns from the season 13 “The Gunrunners” and L.Q. Jones from the season 10 “Dry Road to Nowhere”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #25
“The Prisoner”
written by Calvin Clements, Sr.
directed by Leo Penn
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Jon Voight, Ramon Bieri, Ned Glass, Paul Bryar, Kenneth Tobey, Tom Brown, David Fresco, Jan Peters

On his way to reach Mathison County (Missouri) to get the reward of $5,000, bounty hunter Jarvis (actor Ramon Bieri) brings his wounded prisoner Steven Downing (actor Jon Voight) to Dodge City and asks Festus to check the loose shoes of his horses. A wagon filled with packages passes by Miss Kitty when Downing saves her from a falling crate. Newly as a deputy stops Jarvis from gunning his prisoner down after a petty argument and orders he will be treated by Doc. At the Long Branch, Miss Kitty offers Downing a beer and confesses to Sam that the justice at Mathison County is dubious and expeditious. Miss Kitty decides to play a tight and dangerous poker game against Jarvis with a high stake: the $5,000 bounty against the $4,000 Jarvis owed to Miss Kitty… After winning, Miss Kitty installs Downing in a saloon’s bedroom but Jarvis informs her that Bob Mathison and his men will come to town with a death warrant to hang Downing on the spot. Against all odds, Miss Kitty doesn’t give up, follows her detective hunch and does her best to save the accused man from the hands of iron man Bob Mathison and his vultures on a payroll …

It’s a good, engrossing and ambiguous Film Noir entry about a so-called woman’s killer and centered around Miss Kitty that is enriched by a suspenseful poker game scene ending up with a high card and good performances by the two guest actors (Jon Voight, Ramon Bieri). The cast of the Mathison County characters consists of: Kenneth Tobey as Bob Mathison, Ramon Bieri as bounty Hunter Jarvis, Paul Bryar as Sheriff Ryan. The episode title was already used during season 7. Louie socializes with another wino named Pink Simmons (actor Ned Glass) who sells out to Mathison.

Actors Ramon Bieri (“Railroad”) and Tom Brown (“Mannon”) both return from this season 14.
Actor Jon Voight returns from the season 13 “Prairie Wolfer” and this marks his last appearance.
Actors Ned Glass (“Old Man”) and Jan Peters (“Bad Lady from Brookline”) both return from the season 10.
Actor Kenneth Tobey from the season 9 “Once a Haggen”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14

Episode #26
“Exodus 21:22”
written by Arthur Rowe
directed by Herschel Daugherty
music by Leon Klatzkin
guests: Steve Ihnat, William Bramley, Kaz Garas, Brandon Carroll, Lane Bradford, Sarah Hardy

At night, during a fall of snow, at his Montana home, sad Frank Reardon (actor Steve Ihnat) engraves the wood headstone for his pregnant wife’s grave. Reardon prepares his gear to avenge the murder of his wife while one page of the Bible is let opened from “Exodus”, Chapter 21, Verse 22, and it reads: “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.” Months later and at the Long Branch, Louie reads the newspaper and mentions the case of Reardon to Festus while Doc rides his buggy on a country road when four riders bump into him and run like wild animals and stop by a general store at Willow Creek and stir up trouble because of a shy lady customer horrifying by the behavior of Bradford (actor Lane Bradford). Reardon pops-up from nowhere, spots the bunch and shoots dead Bradford who fires his rifle and hits the lady in the arm by mistake. The remaining riders flee but Reardon injures Keith (actor Kaz Garas). At Dodge City, the three men arrive and Cane (actor William Bramley) fails to shoot Dillon because of his friendship to Reardon and end up in a cell along with Lloyd (actor Brandon Carroll). Reardon eventually appears in town and has an ultimate score to settle but injured Keith counterattacks …

It’s a good revengist entry about redemption that is well-served by the magnetic performance of actor Steve Ihnat and the moral dilemma between justice and friendship is interesting. One scene explains the driving force of Reardon when he lies in bed and talk to Doc about “Exodus”, Chapter 21, Verse 22. Because of the one-man on a crusade theme, you can file it with the season 12 “Old Friend”. After “Slocum”, “Lobo”, find another friend of Dillon this season. The cast of the riders characters consist of: William Bramley as Cane, Kaz Garas as Keith, Brandon Carroll as Lloyd, Lane Bradford as Bradford. It’s an early season episode because John Mantley is still producer. In the DVD edition, you can notice a color/sharpness issue when Dillon talks to Readron at 22:49.

Actors William Bramley returns from this season 14 “The Miracle Man”, Lane Bradford from the season 13 “The Gunrunners”, Steve Ihnat from the season 12 “Noose of Gold”.

 

[JohnHopper]

TOP GUNSMOKE SEASON 14 EPISODES
“Mannon”
“9:12 to Dodge”
“Railroad!”
“The Long Night”
“The Nightriders”
“The Prisoner”
“Lyle’s Kid”
“Zavala”
“Reprisal”
“Exodus 21:22”
“Abelia”
“Lobo”
“Time of the Jackals”
“The Mark of Cain”
“The Hide Cutters”

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 14 • THE SCORES

INDEX OF COMPOSERS ONSCREEN CREDITS

Leon Klatzkin (20)
“The Hide Cutters”
“Uncle Finney”
“O’Quillian”
“9:12 to Dodge”
“Railroad”
“The Miracle Man”
“Waco”
“Lobo”
“Johnny Cross”
“The Money Store”
“The Twisted Heritage”
“Time of the Jackals”
“Gold Town”
“The Mark of Cain”
“Reprisal”
“The Long Night”
“The Nightriders”
“The Intruder”
“The Prisoner”
“Exodus 21:22”

Jaime Mendoza-Nava
“Mannon”

Johnny Parker (4)
“Lyle’s Kid”
“Zavala”
“Slocum”
“The Good Samaritans”

Johnny Parker/Leon Klatzkin
“Abelia”

Notes
Despite his monumental onscreen credits, Leon Klatzkin just writes a handful of original scores. “Abelia” is an odd case of a double composer credits. Unlike the previous season 11 and 12, we don’t see the generic credits of music supervision by Morton Stevens.

 

[JohnHopper]

I’m going back to the old days of the series so next stop is season 10!

GUNSMOKE • Season 10 (1964-1965) (36 episodes • 50 mins • b&w)
This is the last traditional season before the big change in style but also a transitory period between two eras. Unlike previously, the showdown title sequence is renewed and shot in a soundstage and will also be used during the next season. Above all, this is the first full Festus Haggen season.

The men behind the tenth season of Gunsmoke are a tandem of producers (Norman MacDonnell and Frank Paris) and the head of the music department named Herschel Burke Gilbert who supervises and conducts the majority of scores at CBS. Not only the showdown opening theme music is renewed but it features two end themes music: the old sad one from the early sixties and the new dynamic one. The most prolific composer remains Rudy Schrager with a total of fourteen onscreen credits—but not fourteen original scores—followed by Fred Steiner with seven onscreen credits. Moreover, Schrager and Steiner work back-to-back on Rawhide. As the season progresses, a new production crew dominated by Philip Leacock and John Mantley will substitute the pioneers of the series and will pick the following composers to highlight their leaning: Gerald Fried (“Dry Road to Nowhere”), Harry Geller (“One Killer on Ice”), Richard Shores (“Thursday’s Child”, “Bad Lady from Brookline”). And actor James Arness will even manage one episode (“The Violators”) as an unofficial associate producer.

This season sees some interesting directors: Film Noir expert Joseph H. Lewis, Vincent McEveety, British-born western film-maker/John Wayne’s recurring director/Gunsmoke’s most prolific craftsman Andrew V. McLaglen, Rawhide directors Christian Nyby and Michael O’Herlihy—brother of actor Dan O’Herlihy—, magician Sutton Roley, auteur Mark Rydell, Richard Sarafian, Joseph Sargent. Meanwhile, another western series continues: Rawhide, during its seventh season and still with leading actor Eric Fleming.

PRODUCTION TEAM
producers: Norman MacDonnell and Philip Leacock
associate producer: Frank Paris
story consultant: John Mantley
director of photography: Harry Stradling, Jr.

Norman MacDonnell was the creator of Gunsmoke for the radio in 1951 along with writer John Meston, started on the television series from season 1 as associate producer and then switched to producer during season 2 and will gradually leave from season 10 after fifteen episodes.

British-born producer Philip Leacock partly starts from episode 8 (“Hung High”) of this season 10 as a second or replacement producer and provides twenty one episodes out of thirty six. Among other things, Leacock teams up with story consultant John Mantley and introduces the solo onscreen credits for actor James Arness during the end titles.

Frank Paris started as assistant to the producer from season 5 and as associate producer from season 7 and will leave at the end of season 10. Paris was the sidekick of producer Norman MacDonnell.

Canadian-born story consultant John Mantley starts from episode 8 (“Hung High”) of season 10 and nevertheless writes two scripts: “Big Man, Big Target” and “The Lady”.

Son of the famous Golden Age cinematographer of the same name with a heavy 50 years output, Harry Stradling Jr. starts from season 10 and will quit early season 13. Stradling collaborates with both producers (Norman MacDonnell and Philip Leacock) and massively replaces Frank Phillips who used to work from season 8 and contribute to only five episodes (“Crooked Mile”, “Jonah Hutchinson”, “Chicken”, “Bank Baby”, “Gilt Guilt”). Two episodes (“Doctor’s Wife” and “Circus Trick”) are shot by John M. Nickolaus, Jr. but credited as Jack Nickolaus. For the record, Phillips and Nickolaus only work with Norman MacDonnell.

CAST OF CHARACTERS
regular cast: James Arness (US Marshal Matthew “Matt” Dillon), Ken Curtis (Marshal assistant “Festus” Haggen), Milburn Stone (“Doc” Adams), Amanda Blake (Miss “Kitty” Russell), Burt Reynolds (Blacksmith “Quint” Asper).

It’s the last season with the semi regular Quint played by future movie star Burt Reynolds who works with the two producers teams.

supporting cast: Glenn Strange (Bartender “Sam” Noonan), Charles Seel (Telegrapher “Barney” Danches), Hank Patterson (Livery stable owner “Hank”), Howard Culver (Dodge House hotel clerk “Howie”), Roy Roberts (Banker Harry Botkin), James Nusser (wino “Louie” Pheeters).

The strength of season 11 is the colorful guest actors that add weight to the story: see Claude Akins (2), Richard Anderson, R.G. Armstrong, Jenny Lee Arness—the daughter of actor James Arness—, Jean Arthur, Ed Asner, John Drew Barrymore, J.D. Cannon, Elisha Cook Jr., Robert Culp, John Dehner, Andrew Duggan, Jack Elam, James Gregory, Dennis Hopper, Betty Hutton, Steve Ihnat, Robert Loggia, Darren McGavin, Lee Majors, Warren Oates, Katharine Ross (2), John Saxon, Harry Dean Stanton, Lee Van Cleef, James Whitmore.

THE DVD SETS
The prints are restored and look wonderful and the picture quality highlights the cinematography of Harry Stradling Jr. It features English subtitles.

 

[JohnHopper]

Find the new line of Gunsmoke during season 10.

1. The New Showdown Main Titles

Matt Dillon’s handgun and Matt Dillon faces a gunslinger.

Matt Dillon’s face and the first use of the series logo.

2. The Opening Credits

Painted figure of Matt Dillon used a background for the second use of the series logo followed by the two credits.

3. The End Titles

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the third use of the series logo.

:: The First Team ::

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the producer credits.

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the four leads.

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the associate producer credits.

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the first cinematographer credits.

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the second cinematographer credits.

:: The Second Team ::

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the producer credits.

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the solo credits of James Arness.

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the story consultant credits.

Painted view of Dodge City used a background for the main cinematographer credits.

The CBS Logos

The gray background for the first CBS logo.

The showdown background for the second CBS logo.