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

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #19
“Chief Joseph”
written by Clyde Ware
story by Thomas Warner
directed by Mark Rydell
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
guests: Victor Jory, Robert Loggia, Michael Keep, Dennis Cross, Leonard Stone, Joe Maross, Willard Sage, Bing Russell

At Delmonico’s, Festus and Doc have lunch when Dillon steps into to join them. A few minutes later, hotel clerk Howie asks Dillon to go over the Dodge House to settle an Indian issue. Dillon faces hotel owner Mr. Wiley (actor Leonard Stone) who almost orders him to remove three Indians from his place. Dillon meets war hero Chief Joseph (actor Victor Jory) who suffers from pneumonia and Doc is obliged to heal him at the marshal’s office when a newcomer named Cal Tripp (actor Robert Loggia) registers at the hotel and gently offers to share his room with the sick man. Tripp introduces himself as a US Calvary Lieutenant working undercover in plain clothes not to disturb the sensitivity of Chief Joseph that he plans to escort to Washington but the townspeople are prejudiced. Wiley organizes a meeting with people following his bias. Dillon faces mob agitator Charlie Britton (actor Joe Maross) at the Long Branch, is hit in the arm and fires him so he rides fast to warn Corly Watts (actor Willard Sage) about Chief Joseph: the murderer of his brother. Doc introduces Tripp to Miss Kitty when Britton arrives to settle his score …

It’s a decent Indian and a mob/revenge entry. Notice the mouth inserts of Festus during the opening lunch scene at Delmonico’s.

Actors Dennis Cross returns from the season 9 “Carter Caper”, Joe Maross from the season 7 “Coventry”, Leonard Stone from the season 8 “Blind Man’s Bluff”.

Actors Michael Keep (“Chicken”) and Willard Sage (“Take Her, She’s Cheap”) both return from this season 10.

 

[JohnHopper]

Latest Update
I just received my season 15 sets of Gunsmoke.
I have to dig deep into these two sets during two months.
Reviews start in December.
And as Matt Dillon used to say to his opponents: “Hold it right there”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #20
“Circus Trick”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by William F. Claxton
produced by Norman MacDonnell
cinematography by John M. Nickolaus Jr.
guests: Walter Burke, Elizabeth MacRae, Warren Oates, Isabel Jewell, Ken Scott

A traveling company called Elko’s Varieties stops at Dodge City while banker Botkin reminds Matt Dillon about a gold shipment duty. Circus boss Harry Elko (actor Walter Burke) pays a visit to Matt Dillon at his office and asks him the fees for installing the show. Dillon informs him it’s free so Elko gives him two tickets. Circus manager Speeler (actor Warren Oates) convinces Festus’ friend April Clomely (actress Elizabeth MacRae) to work for the magician as assistant. Dillon suspects something irregular and asks telegrapher Barney to send six copies of an identification request concerning Elko’s Varieties to the following towns: Houston, Abilene, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Springfield, Nashville. At the circus, Festus reacts violently to April’s indecent costume when strongman Eddie (actor Ken Scott) starts a fight that is quickly stopped by Speeler. At night, Botkin goes to the marshal’s office and Dillon informs him about previous bank robberies performed during the show of the entertainers. Festus keeps on reacting during the swords show of April. Dillon guards the bank while Speeler and Big Eddie steal the jewels of the general store’s safe. Bad things happen next …

It’s a really good holdup paired with a sad family drama disguised as a carnival entry in the line of Jules Dassin’s Topkapi that is well-served by the picturesque performance of Walter Burke, Warren Oates and Ken Scott, the lighting of Nickolaus and the stock music from The Twilight Zone. This is also the sequel to the season 9 “Now That April’s Here” because of Festus’ girlfriend April. Among other things, music editor Gene Feldman tracks stock music from Bernard Herrmann’s “Walking Distance”, Jeff Alexander’s “The Trouble with Templeton”, Bernard Herrmann’s “Where Is Everybody?” from The Twilight Zone as well as Jerry Goldsmith’s “Doc Judge” from Gunsmoke. It’s the second and final episode shot by John M. Nickolaus Jr. who previously worked on Rawhide as a prolific artisan with eighty eight entries and The Outer Limits. The same year, Rawhide provides a circus episode entitled “The Book”.

Actors Walter Burke (“Extradition”), Elizabeth MacRae (“Now That April’s Here”), Warren Oates (“The Bassops”) all return from season 9.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #21
“Song for Dying”
written by Harry Kronman
directed by Allen Reisner
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
music scored by Rudy Schrager
guests: Theodore Bikel, Roger Ewing, Lee Majors, Russell Thorson, Sheldon Allman, Robert F. Simon, Ford Rainey

At night, singer/guitar player Martin Kellums (actor Theodore Bikel) stops by the Long Branch and asks Miss Kitty to be hired as a performer while the Lunkens brothers head to Dodge City to eliminate the artist. Meanwhile Festus informs Dillon about the arrival of the artist. After finishing his first song, Kellums resumes to the counter to get a drink when Dave Lunkens (actor Lee Majors) fires at him and misses but Dillon shoots him dead. Leaving his brother’s body, Ben Lunkens (actor Roger Ewing) rides back to the family camp and reports to his father: Will Lunkens (actor Robert F. Simon). The morning after, Martin Kellums pays a visit to Doc, tells him about his lost status of surgeon, confesses the whole Lunkens issue and the guilt that eats him since the death of Will Lunken’s wife. Later on, Will Lunkens arrives at Dodge City and talks to Dillon about his son’s body and his revenge plan. The townspeople complain to Dillon about the threat of Martin Kellums. To avoid public disorder, Dillon locks up Kellums. But fate surfaces …

It’s a good Film Noir, a bitter family and revenge drama paired with the case of a man suffering from guilt that is well-acted by the ensemble of guest actors and the lighting of Harry Stradling Jr. The Lunkens’ family are played by Robert F. Simon as Will, Sheldon Allman as Cory, Roger Ewing as Ben, Lee Majors as Dave. Actor Theodore Bikel performs many songs.

Actor Roger Ewing makes his first appearance and will turn into the semi regular Thad next season but, the same year, he appears in an episode of Rawhide entitled “The Calf Women”. Notice the only part of actor Lee Majors known for the western series The Big Valley and the espionage series The Six Million Dollar Man.

Actors Ford Rainey returns from the season 8 “The Search” and Robert F. Simon from this season 10 “Jonah Hutchinson” and plays again an iron family figure.

Actors Russell Thorson (“Pa Hack’s Brood”) and Sheldon Allman (“The Magician”) both return from season 9.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #22
“Winner Take All”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by Vincent McEveety
produced by Norman MacDonnell
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
music scored by Rudy Schrager
guests: Tom Simcox, John Milford, Margaret Blye, H.M. Wynant, Allen Jaffe, Ralph J. Rowe, Nestor Paiva

After buying a $1,200 horse through Festus for his dancehall girlfriend Karen Dean (actress Margaret Blye), hotheaded Curly Renner (actor Tom Simcox) fights his insulting brother Pinto (actor John Milford) at the railroad yard. Later that night, Pinto stops at the marshal’s office and complains to Dillon about his little brother and the money he owes him from a herd selling. Dillon tries to persuade both Karen and Curly but in vain. Pinto tries to offer $1,800 to Karen to leave town. Later on at the livery stable, accompanied by Karen, Curly shoots down his brother who looks for the money. Matt Dillon goes after the couple and followed by Festus. Running away with Karen, Curly stops at the cantina in Tascosa (Texas) and owner Kurt Relko (actor H.M. Wynant) finds them a hideout. Dillon gets shot from a hill gunman (actor Allen Jaffe) working for Relko when Festus eliminates him. Drunk Curly has a sudden existential crisis about his brother while Karen cheats him with Relko. Matt Dillon eventually arrives in Tascosa …

It’s a twisted Film Noir mixed with a family drama between two antagonistic brothers triggered by a cheap woman that loosely reminds the story of Cain and Abel. Find a funny roulette scene with Festus at the Long Branch.

Actors Margaret Blye (“Journey for Three”), Tom Simcox (“Dry Well”), H.M. Wynant (“Trip West”) all return from season 9.
Actors Allen Jaffe returns from the season 10 “Chicken” and John Milford from the season 6 “The Cook”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #23
“Eliab’s Aim”
written by Will Corry
directed by Richard C. Sarafian
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
music composed by Fred Steiner
guests: Jim Hampton, Donald Kelly, Gregg Palmer, Larry Barton, Dee J. Thompson

Fishing on a lake in a lazy way, Quint meets Eliab Haggen (actor Jim Hampton), the nephew of Festus, who is eager to see his kin to settle a family matter: the hangy-down part of the ear. At the long branch, Festus plays poker and wins a pair of silvery boots when he faces a widow named Pearl Winton (actress Dee J. Thompson) and uses the back door to avoid her but vainly. Matt Dillon is absent. Quint and Eliab arrive at Dodge City to see Doc. But Eliab refuses to leave his hides. Doc stops at the livery stable to heal his bent foot. Quint informs Festus about his nephew. Eliab chases his uncle with a long rifle and, later on, has a petty argument with looser poker player Jake Craig (actor Gregg Palmer). At night, the same poker player is shot dead in the back door of the Long Branch and Quint, acting as a deputy, arrests Eliab. The next morning, Matt Dillon returns home in order to pick up the real murderer …

It’s another light Festus adventure and the third Haggen clan entry this season: see “Aunt Thede” and “Deputy Festus”. Beyond the comical side (Eliab versus Festus and Pearl Winton attracted to Festus) of this story, the writer adds a sub intrigue of whodunit.

Actors Jim Hampton (“Pa Hack’s Brood”) and Gregg Palmer (“Jim Hampton”) both return from season 9. Actor Dee J. Thompson returns from the season 1 “The Big Broad”.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #24
“Thursday’s Child”
written by Robert Lewin
directed by Joseph H. Lewis
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
music composed by Richard Shores
guests: Jean Arthur, Joe Raciti, Suzanne Benoit , Fred Coby, Scott Marlowe

A stagecoach stops at Dodge City and Julie Blane (actress Jean Arthur) comes out to meet her old friend Miss Kitty Russell who organizes a diner at the Long Branch where Julie meets the usual male trio: Festus, Doc and busy Matt Dillon. Doc has a crush on her. In the middle of the night, Julie leaves the saloon dressed with a rider outfit and joins a Mexican bandit named Vardis (actor Joe Raciti) to head to an unknown destination. The next day, Doc walks to the Long Branch to meet Julie but Kitty informs him that she leaves so Doc is disappointed. Meanwhile, Julie stops at a house and meets her wanted criminal son Lonnie (actor Scott Marlowe) whose wife Amy (actress Suzanne Benoit) is pregnant. Julie orders Lonnie to fetch Doc Adams and therefore Vardis returns to Dodge City on an errand. Doc succeeds in delivering the baby but Amy dies. Lonnie refuses that Doc goes to Dodge to get some food for the baby because the army is after him for killing the paymaster. Later on, Doc creates a fire diversion, escapes from the house, reaches Dodge to get some baby supplies and resumes to the house and faces the consequences …

It’s a good family drama intertwined by a criminal case in which Doc is deeply involved that is served by Joseph H. Lewis’ Noir film-making and actor Scott Marlowe’s nasty performance a la Outer Limits. If you want a good laugh, see how Festus describes Doc’s old age: “You ain’t no spring chicken no more, you know.” Notice the first score written by Wild Wild West composer Richard Shores who provides here some fine action-packed music: pay attention to the first cue from 10:07 to 11:49.

Actor Scott Marlowe returns from this season 10 “Hung High”.


End credits for composer Richard Shores.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #18
“One Killer on Ice”
written by Richard Carr
directed by Joseph H. Lewis
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
music by Harry Geller
guests: John Drew Barrymore, Richard Carlyle, Eddie Hice, Dennis Hopper, Anne Helm, Philip Coolidge

Former Mesa sheriff and newbie bounty hunter Anderson (actor John Drew Barrymore) arrives in Dodge City and talks to key members: Festus for his horse, Doc for his wounded arm and Dillon for a criminal. Anderson steps into the Long Branch and gets rid of two annoying cowboys that insult Festus. Dillon resumes to town and joins Anderson at the Long Branch who asks him to escort him to a shack at Timberline as a protection against his gang and to smuggle wanted criminal Gabe Starney back to Dodge. The morning after, both men ride and stop at the Rock Creek stage station and have a drink with owner Owney Dales (actor Philip Coolidge) and deal with the case of Gabe Starney while Helena (actress Anne Helm), the daughter of Dales, rides to join her lover Billy Kimbo (actor Dennis Hopper), the leader of the gang. Later on and at night, Billy and his two men attack the station and Dillon shoots Billy dead. One remaining gang member leaves while Helena is deeply hurt by the death of her lover. Both men ride to an ice house. Anderson shows two bodies to Dillon who understand he has been used while Helena leaves her father. Back at Dodge, bitter Dillon resumes alone to his office and gives a bank draft of $5,000 to Anderson. One night, Helena fires at Dillon who eventually makes her confess the real story of Gabe Starney’s death …

It’s a very good bounty hunter entry that is highlit by the self-conscious performance of guest actor John Drew Barrymore. For the anecdote, we see Matt Dillon cleaning up his pistol at his office and Festus calls Anderson by the name of Andrews. The episode was directed by Film Noir (Gun Crazy, The Big Combo) expert Joseph H. Lewis. The same year, actor John Drew Barrymore appears in one episode (“Corporal Dasovik”) of Rawhide and still foreshadows the look of Robert Redford in his 1970’s savage mode a la Jeremiah Johnson.

Actress Anne Helm returns from the season 6 “Bad Seed”, Eddie Hice from this season 10 “Blue Heaven” and Philip Coolidge from the season 7 “Old Dan”.

Latest and Updated Addition.

End credits for composer Harry Geller.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #25
“Breckinridge”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by Vincent McEveety
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
music scored by Rudy Schrager
guests: Ben Cooper, Robert Sorrells, Elisha Cook Jr., Harry Harvey, Dorothy Neumann, Jack Perkins, John Warburton

A young and naive lawyer named Breck Taylor (actor Ben Cooper) crosses the street of Dodge City and meets Festus near the Dodge House who finds him an office to practice his trade but it ends up as a dusty and sordid place when a fight occurs at the Long Branch initiated by Sleb Grady (actor Robert Sorrells). Matt Dillon stops the violence and then faces Breck Taylor willing to enforce the law his own way through the case of Grady and first by reducing the power of the marshal. Sam fires the new bartender named Jocko Beal (actor Elisha Cook Jr.) because of the mess he lets install during the Grady’s incident. At night, Beal meets Grady and plans a robbery scheme at the Long Branch. Grady infiltrates the saloon, hides in the office and clubs Sam from behind to get the money when he encounters and abducts Miss Kitty. The morning after, Sam complains to Matt Dillon who grills Beal at the Dodge House. Dillon and Taylor go after Grady and Miss Kitty …

It’s an interesting case focused on a legalist thanks to director Vincent McEveety and that tackles two issues: the fish out of the water and practical justice (experience) versus abstract justice (idealism). As in “Help Me, Kitty”, Miss Kitty is badly treated by an outlaw. Music-wise, two bartenders play music at the Long Branch: Sam at the fiddle and Rudy at the guitar.

Actors Elisha Cook Jr. returns from this season 10 “Hung High”, Ben Cooper from the season 7 “Apprentice Doc”, Robert Sorrells from the season 9 “The Glory and the Mud”.

 

[Dan McW]

In the season 15 episode "MacGraw," there's a shot of the stable-feed shop, which has a sign that says, "Hank Patterson-prop." Actor Patterson played stableman Hank for several years both before and after this episode.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #26
“Bank Baby”
written by John Meston
directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
produced by Norman MacDonnell
cinematography by Frank Phillips
guests: Jacques Aubuchon, Gail Kobe, Virginia Christine, Hampton Fancher, Harry Carey Jr., William Boyett, Cliff Ketchum

A poor family led by crooked Bert Clum (actor Jacques Aubuchon) pays a visit to a wagons convoy, notice the Fisher’s and plan to rob the bank of Dodge City. At night, Bert steals the baby of Grace Fisher (actress Gail Kobe) to use it for his scheme along with his family members: his wife Bess (actress Virginia Christine) and his retarded son Milton (actor Hampton Fancher). The next day, Matt Dillon plays pool against Doc at the Dodge House when he meets the Fisher’s looking for informations about indians stealing babies so he advises them to meet Quint. Meanwhile, the Clum’s spots the bank. At night, Grace warns Dillon about her husband’s bad impulses towards Quint so Dillon avoids a lynching at the Long Branch. The big day arrives, the Clum’s proceeds—that includes a fire diversion—but a minute detail compromises the plan …

It’s a cynical and poor man’s bank robbery drama that is served by the wily performance of actor Jacques Aubuchon.

Actors Jacques Aubuchon returns from the season 2 “The Round Up”, William Boyett from the season 7 “Coventry”, Cliff Ketchum from the season 5 “Cherry Red”.

Actors Virginia Christine (“Fingered”) and Gail Kobe (“Dirt”) both return from the season 3. Actors Harry Carey Jr. (“The Quest for Asa Janin”) and Hampton Fancher (“The Hunger”) both return from season 8.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #27
“The Lady”
written by John Mantley
directed by Mark Rydell
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
guests: Eileen Heckart, Walter Sande, Clifton James, Michael Forest, R.G. Armstrong, Katharine Ross

A stagecoach stops at the Peru Stage Depot (Kansas) to rest twenty minutes while the passengers have a meal. Lonely salesman Sam Hare (actor Clifton James) offers two plates of stew to two uptight ladies without money enroute to California: mature Hattie Silks (actress Eileen Heckart) and her young niece Liz Beaumont (actress Katharine Ross). At Dodge City, the ladies take a room at the Dodge House and look for jobs and fail. Hatties decides to take her chance with Miss Kitty at the Long Branch while bumping into Sam Hare willing to buy a meal again. At first, Miss Kitty is reluctant but Hattie explains her strategy about mature customers who can’t go with young saloon girls so she eventually gets the job. One night, Hattie faces drunk and aggressive Hare who highlights her hypocrisy and insults her when a customer named Jud Briar (actor R.G. Armstrong) reacts and hits Hare. The next morning, Hare meets and harasses Liz at the Dodge House. Hattie is invited at the house of widower rancher Jud Briar who asks her to marry him. Back at the Dodge House, Hatties tries to convince her niece about wedding and not going to California but she refuses and decides to make a deal with Mare—supported by a signed contract—so that he finds a hired gun to kill Briar in exchange of a wedding in St. Louis. Liz meets gunman Ray Pate (actor Michael Forest) at his hotel room and negociates again and also asks to follow him to Colorado. Hattie is beaten up by Pate in order to excite Briar. But things don’t go according to plan …

It’s a real good character’s study and a harsh poor wealthy women drama that raises the questions of economical downfall (Hattie works as a saloon girl and Liz sells her soul to Hare) and the need to survive that is served by a good ensemble of actors. Notice the transformation of Liz Beaumont scene after her aunt announces her engagement: she throws out a pot of flowers towards a mirror and changes her hair to attract men. After “Big Man, Big Target”, this is the second script fashioned by story consultant John Mantley. The same year and the next working season, actress Katharine Ross will guest in one season 1 episode of The Wild Wild West entitled “The Night of the Double-Edged Knife”.

Actors R.G. Armstrong returns from the season 8 “With a Smile”, Clifton James from the season 4 “Letter of the Law” and Walter Sande from the season 6 “Melinda Miles”.
Actors Michael Forest (“Innocence”) and Katharine Ross (“Crooked Mile”) both return from this season 10.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #28
“Dry Road to Nowhere”
written by Harry Kronman
directed by Vincent McEveety
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
music score by Gerald Fried
guests: James Whitmore, Read Morgan, John Saxon, Julie Sommars, L.Q. Jones

Bess Campbell (actress Julie Sommars) peacefully washes herself in a small lake when hotheaded cowboy Dingo (actor John Saxon) tries to abuse her but her father-temperance preacher Amos (actor James Whitmore) intervenes violently to neutralize the aggressor and forces him to read the Bible down on his knees. At Dodge City and enroute to Delmonico’s with Miss Kitty, Matt Dillon meets crazy Dingo who bears a grudge against Campbell. At Doc’s office, Festus watches the medecine pills when a bunch of excited drovers arrives to town and trail boss Wally (actor L.Q. Jones) hurts a little boy by accident by using the wagon of the Campbell’s. Later on, a vast campaign against liquor is initiated by the Campbell’s in town with the support of Festus which worries Miss Kitty and tries to talk about it with Amos Campbell who tends to manipulate people during his meeting to get the votes for his petition. The wild drovers retaliate and run amok …

It’s an engaging take on a temperance preacher doing politics that is solidly directed by Vincent McEveety and well-performed by actors James Whitmore and John Saxon. One scene is noteworthy and uncanny: at night, Dingo fires his gun at Amos Campbell who continues to walk towards him like an immortal. In a loose way, that one episode plays like a blend of Richard Brooks’ Elmer Gantry and Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch! When Bess Campbell meets again drover Dingo near the Long Branch, we can recognize the tune “Ten Tiny Toes written by Bruce Geller, played at the piano. The same year, composer Gerald Fried writes one score (“Moment in the Sun”) for Rawhide.

Actors L.Q. Jones returns from this season 10 “Chicken” and Julie Sommars from the season 9 “Scot Free”.


End Credits for composer Gerald Fried.

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 10

Episode #29
“Twenty Miles from Dodge”
written by Clyde Ware
directed by Mark Rydell
produced by Philip Leacock
cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr.
music composed by Rudy Schrager
guests: Darren McGavin, Gerald S. O’Loughlin, Everett Sloane, Aneta Corsaut, Tony Haig, Stafford Repp, William Fawcett , Noam Pitlik, Val Avery, Pat Cardi

Miss Kitty is traveling on a stagecoach to Dodge City along with old wealthy railroad boss Brian C. Follansbee (actor Everett Sloane), cynical poker player/con man Will Helmick (actor Darren McGavin), young unemployed Johnny Hutton (actor Tony Haig) and a mother named Eleanor Starkey (actress Aneta Corsaut) and her very young son Josh (actor Pat Cardi) enroute to Denver when a band of outlaws led by Grant Shay (actor Gerald S. O’Loughlin) stops the carriage, robs and abducts the passengers and the drivers to obtain a big ransom. At Dodge City, a farmer drives the stagecoach and stops it when Matt Dillon and Festus find a bag stained by blood and start a search with a posse. The gang stops at their farm and locks the hostages in the corral despite the cold and windy nights …

It’s a real good episode and three things: a solo Miss Kitty adventure, a survival and ransom entry with a nice ensemble of actors that adds density and especially the bandits characters: Gerald S. O’Loughlin as vicious leader Grant Shay, Val Avery as Dorner, Noam Pitlik as Dobbs. The sherry on top is actor Darren McGavin who acts in his satirical Kolchak mode and, here, keeps on stealing things (watch, bullets) like a con artist and carries a proto-sleeve gun like James West from The Wild Wild West but his cigar smoking contribution is vital to the outcome. In a way, McGavin makes reference to the character of poker player Bret Maverick (actor James Garner). For the record, actor Darren McGavin will be part of another story (the season 11 “The Reward”) written by Clyde Ware and another entry (the season 12 “Gunfighter RIP”) directed by Mark Rydell. In the realm of western series, McGavin was first known as Captain Grey Holden from Riverboat. As in “Help Me, Kitty”, Miss Kitty is involved in a stagecoach intrigue. Big shot Grant Shay first beats up the mother and then has a crush on Miss Kitty and calls her Red, by the way.

Actors Val Avery returns from the season 3 “Cows and Cribs”, William Fawcett from this season 10 “Jonah Hutchinson”, Stafford Repp from the season 6 “The Peace Officer”, Everett Sloane from the season 9 “Quint’s Trail”.


Actor Darren McGavin as card player Will Helmick.

 

[Jeff Flugel]

Always enjoy your detailed Gunsmoke reviews, John...but boy, how many episodes have centered around Miss Kitty riding on a stagecoach that gets held up by outlaws? Seems like there's at least one a season!

 

[JohnHopper]

Always enjoy your detailed Gunsmoke reviews, John...but boy, how many episodes have centered around Miss Kitty riding on a stagecoach that gets held up by outlaws? Seems like there's at least one a season!

There's also the solo Dillon adventure crossing the wilderness.

 

[Bob Gu]

For one Kitty stagecoach adventure, GUNSMOKE bought some stagecoach crash footage from THE BIG VALLEY. Audra and Victoria Barkley had a lot of bad luck with stages and wagons too, not to mention trains, also.

 

[JohnHopper]

Always enjoy your detailed Gunsmoke reviews, John...but boy, how many episodes have centered around Miss Kitty riding on a stagecoach that gets held up by outlaws? Seems like there's at least one a season!

It's a screenwriter way to highlight one of the regular characters: it's only a canvas.

 

[Jeff Flugel]

And just what is Miss Kitty doing, always gallivanting all over the west by stagecoach? Is she off to San Francisco to recruit some fresh saloon girls? Has she opened a chain of Miss Kitty's booze-and-girl emporiums, and is doing the rounds to make sure things are running smoothly?

I kid, I kid. It's obvious that, with 20 seasons and 635 episodes, there's bound to be some repetition of plots. That's what classic TV shows were all about - ringing endless changes on the same dozen plots, with the distinctive characters of each show keeping things interesting.

 

[JohnHopper]

And just what is Miss Kitty doing, always gallivanting all over the west by stagecoach? Is she off to San Francisco to recruit some fresh saloon girls? Has she opened a chain of Miss Kitty's booze-and-girl emporiums, and is doing the rounds to make sure things are running smoothly?

I kid, I kid. It's obvious that, with 20 seasons and 635 episodes, there's bound to be some repetition of plots. That's what classic TV shows were all about - ringing endless changes on the same dozen plots, with the distinctive characters of each show keeping things interesting.

There's nothing wrong with what I call a category or a theme: Miss Kitty on a stagecoach.
It's a character's study.