Wanted: GUNSMOKE (CBS/1955-1975) (1 Viewer)

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #25
“Jailbait Janet”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by Jesse Hibbs
guests: John Larch, Nan Peterson, Bartlett Robinson, Steven Terrell, Jon Lormer

It’s an interesting and good social mysery/family drama camouflaged as a train robbers case that includes a collateral victim combined with a Dillon/Chester on a criminal errand. Dillon faces and shows his dislike for an arrogant and manipulative railroad man and even slaps him after a failed attempt to bribe bums to get rid of Dodge City’s marshal. Miss Kitty shows her social fiber and begs Dillon to take care of a young female criminal named Janet and, later on, Dillon stretches the law and shows mercy for the two poor youngsters.

Returning guest actors: John Larch (the season 5 “The Boots”), Bartlett Robinson (the season 5 “Horse Deal”), Steven Terrell (the season 2 “Who Lives by the Sword”), Jon Lormer (the season 4 “Young Love”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #26
“Unwanted Deputy”
written by John Meston
story by Marian Clark
directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
music by Fred Steiner
guests: Charles Aidman, Mary Carver, Marlowe Jensen, Dick Rich, Ed Faulkner, Dirk London, Craig Fox, Bob Wiensko, Joe Haworth

It’s a smart, unusual and twisted revengist-schemer entry because the guest pretends to play the surrogate deputy to avenge his dead brother that Dillon arrested and let be judged and hanged. The idea of an independant man/irregular force not working for the government but enforcing the law calls into question the authority and the function of Dillon. Despite the performance of actor Charles Aidman and a good build-up, the conclusion is flat and disappointing because the writer couldn’t offer a decent twist.

Returning guest actors: Charles Aidman (the season 4 “Stage Hold-Up”), Mary Carver (the season 4 “Letter of the Law”), Dick Rich (the season 4 “The Choice”), Ed Faulkner (the season 4 “The F.U.”), Dirk London (the season 1 “Word of Honor”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #27
“Where’d They Go”
written by John Meston
story by Les Crutchfield
directed by Jesse Hibbs
music composed by Leith Stevens
guests: Jack Elam, Betty Harford, Dabbs Greer

It’s a light and modest slice of life and a Dillon/Chester on a criminal errand in the blizzard. The so-called guilty man is a farmer that keeps both leads busy and turn them into workers to delay his fate (jail). In the end, things are not what it appears to be thanks to the coming of Doc!

Returning guest actor: Jack Elam (the season 5 “Saludos”).

 

[JohnHopper]

¶​

¶ Next on Gunsmoke season 5, the reviews of the fifth disc and starting on Monday 13!​

¶ Load your guns and be ready!​

¶​

​

 

[moviebuff75]

I bought the series! Starting it this week!

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #28
“Crowbait Bob”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
guests: Hank Patterson, Ned Glass, Shirley O’Hara, John Apone

It’s a bleak little slice of life focused on a dying old prospector that declare Miss Kitty as his heiress against his own family (of rats). The writer shows the social fiber of Miss Kitty who used to feed an old man during two years but without bragging. Two parties (a gambler, a niece and his husband) are interested in the mysterious contents of the will (the iron money box).

Returning guest actors: Hank Patterson (the season 4 “Renegade White”), Ned Glass (the season 3 “Texas Cowboys”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #29
“Colleen So Green”
written by John Meston
story by Les Crutchfield
directed by Jean Yarbrough
music composed by Fred Steiner
guests: Joanna Moore, Harry Swoger, Dabbs Greer, Robert Brubaker, Perry Ivins, Clem Fuller, Harold Goodwin

“She needs protection like a tiger in a circus.”
—Miss Kitty about Colleen.

It’s an amusing lighthearted woman/con artist-oriented drama. Some men of Dodge City—that include Chester and Mr Jonas—are hypnotized by a female newcomer—wearing fancy dresses, smiling, expressing some sweet talk and pretending to be an innocent person and flat broke—and turned into generous lovers. That episode will be reworked as “Tara” during season 17.

Returning guest actors: Harry Swoger (the season 5 “Tail to the Wind”), Perry Ivins (the season 4 “There Was Never a Horse”), Harold Goodwin (the season 5 “Tag, You’re It”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #30
“The Ex-Urbanites”
written by John Meston
directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
guests: Robert J. Wilke, Ken Curtis, Lew Brown

It’s three rough things: a sordid case of fratricide, a good survival adventure and a Doc/Chester entry in the prairie—Doc got shot while saving a life and Chester is compelled to operate and, later on, in the nadir of despair, prays God so that Doc gets well and feeds him with horse meat. The cast of the wolfers is good: Robert J. Wilke as predator Pitt Gillett and Lew Brown as his wounded brother Nage and Ken Curtis as Pitt’s partner Jesse Turnbough—Curtis has the Festus look but not the accent.

Returning guest actors: Robert J. Wilke (the season 5 “Big Tom”), Ken Curtis (the season 4 “Change of Heart”), Lew Brown (the season 5 “Kangaroo”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #31
“I Thee Wed”
written by John Meston
story by Les Crutchfield
directed by Jesse Hibbs
guests: Allyn Joslyn, Alice Frost, Hank Patterson

It’s a sad and harsh marital drama about a case of wife beater and Dillon intervenes into the life of a farmer couple. For the anecdote, Dillon hits a guilty man who used to shoot him in the arm. Actor Hank Patterson plays the circuit judge.

Returning guest actor: Hank Patterson (the season 5 “Crowbait Bob”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #32
“The Lady Killer”
written by John Meston
directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
guests: Jan Harrison, Harry Lauter, Ross Elliott, George Selk, Charles Sterrett, Clem Fuller

It’s a good woman-oriented drama and, above all, an eyewitness (Dillon, Grant Lucas) for a trial combined with a frame-up plot. The main originality is the female hired killer posing as a saloon girl, well-played by the deadly beautiful Jan Harrison. It makes a good companion piece to the previous cynical “Colleen So Green”.

Returning guest actors: Jan Harrison (the season 4 “Robber Bridegroom”), Harry Lauter (the season 5 “Big Tom”), Ross Elliott (the season 5 “Groat’s Grudge”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #32
“The Lady Killer”

Pictures of lady killer Mae (actress Jan Harrison).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #33
“Gentleman’s Disagreement”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by Jesse Hibbs
guests: Fintan Meyler, Val Dufour, Adam Kennedy, Tom Reese, Joseph Hamilton

It’s a not bad at all marital drama and a criminal case initiated by jealousy over a married woman combined with a man falsely-accused of murder. It features the ambiguous dark back alley incident gimmick. Dillon hits a suspects again and at the Long Branch. A woman fails to shoot Dillon as in “The Lady Killer”. This is the first appearance of Tom Reese.

Returning guest actors: Fintan Meyler (the season 5 “Miguel’s Daughter”), Val Dufour (the season 1 “Reunion ’78”), Adam Kennedy (the season 1 “Kite’s Reward”).

 

[JohnHopper]

¶​

¶ Next on Gunsmoke season 5, the reviews of the sixth disc and starting on Monday 20!​

¶ Load your guns and be ready!​

¶​

​

 

[moviebuff75]

I arrived in Dodge City at approximately 6:33pm EST yesterday. So far, I have experienced 15 wonderful adventures, with more to come tonight!

This message has been sponsored by L&M. Now, back to "Gunsmoke."

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #34
“Speak Me Fair”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
music composed by Rene Garriguenc and conducted by Lud Gluskin
guests: Douglas Kennedy, Ken Curtis, Chuck Roberson, Perry Cook

It’s a decent and obvious mystery/whodunit about cattle rustlers, a tortured Indian boy and the stolen herds of an angry rancher that plays like a prairie investigation and Dillon avenges the poor boy. Act 1 starts out with the trio on a hunting party in which Dillon shoots a bird. The episode features the Boot Hill introduction. For the anecdote, actor Ken Curtis plays a half-breed Kiowa working as a scout for the US cavalry.

Returning guest actors: Ken Curtis (the season 5 “The Ex-Urbanites”), Chuck Roberson (the season 4 “Cheyennes”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #35
“Belle’s Back”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by Jesse Hibbs
guests: Nita Talbot, Nancy Rennick, Gage Clarke, Dan White

It’s a modest and talky woman-oriented drama that hides a sentimental family/fighting sisters drama. Actor Gage Clarke as Dobie replaces Howard Culver as Howie at the desk of the Dodge House and for the last time and will be cast as banker Mr. Botkin from season 6.

Returning guest actors: Nita Talbot (the season 4 “Land Deal”), Gage Clarke (the season 3 “Kitty Lost”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #36
“The Bobsy Twins”
written by John Meston
directed by Jesse Hibbs
music composed and conducted by Fred Steiner
guests: Morris Ankrum, Ralph Moody, Buck Young, Jean Howell, John O’Malley, Charles McArthur, Richard Chamberlain, Paul Hahn, Hank Patterson, Clem Fuller

It’s an amusing not so comical and a rather dead-serious drama treated with lightness—because of the music—about two silly wandering very old brothers with pointed hats who look like murderous sorcerers and are obsessed by killing Indians and a whodunit investigation. One scene is shocking: the two brothers gun a husband down in front of his wife who let herself die of thirst and sadness. Notice the small part of a prankster cowboy named Pete at the Long Branch played by a very young Richard Chamberlain. Find the first part of stableman Carl Miller (actor Hank Patterson)—later renamed Hank Miller during the long hour series—replacing Moss Grimmick.

Returning guest actors: Ralph Moody (the season 4 “Cheyennes”), Hank Patterson (the season 5 “I Thee Wed”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #37
“Old Flame”
written by John Meston
story by Marian Clark
directed by Jesse Hibbs
music by Nathan Scott
guests: Marilyn Maxwell, Lee Van Cleef, Peggy Stewart, Hal Smith, Clem Fuller

It’s an odd and too obvious woman-oriented and a marital drama and a Dillon private investigation, in short, Dillon helps a childhood female friend to spot his left husband but things are not what it appears to be. As in “Colleen So Green”, Miss Kitty warns Dillon about that woman with a facade. Actor Lee Van Cleef plays the so-called brutal husband and it marks his first guest appearance on the series. One short shot when Dillon and Chester stop nearby the farm is recycled from the season 5 “Horse Deal”. Actor Hal Smith plays clerk Dobie at the Dodge House and replaces Gage Clarke.

Returning guest actor: Peggy Stewart (the season 4 “Fawn”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #38
“The Deserter”
written by John Meston
story by Marian Clark
directed by Arthur Hiller
guests: Harry Bartell, Jean Inness, Joseph Perry, Henry Brandon, Rudy Solari, Charles Fredericks, Clem Fuller

It’s a rather good and fast blue coat adventure but also a Dillon investigation combined with a family drama revolving around a crooked soldier robbing the payroll. In the course of the narrative, Chester gets shot by a farmer and Dillon is held prisoner. The cast of the outlaws is good: Rudy Solari as Corporal Lurie Janiss and Joseph Perry as the violent Radin.

Returning guest actors: Harry Bartell (the season 2 “Cain”), Jean Inness (the season 1 “Reward for Matt”), Joseph Perry (the season 1 “Reunion ’78”), Charles Fredericks (the season 4 “Fawn”).

 

[JohnHopper]

GUNSMOKE SEASON 5

Episode #39
“Cherry Red”
written by Les Crutchfield
directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
guests: Joanna Moore, Arthur Franz, Douglas Kennedy, Cliff Ketchum

It’s a rather good and fast Film Noir entry about a beautiful lonely wife who is the shame of Dodge City courted by two men: the killer of her husband aka a special agent for the stagecoach and the criminal partner of her husband. It features the usual dark back alley murdered body gimmick. The episode starts with the Boot Hill introduction and for the last time in the series.

Returning guest actors: Joanna Moore (the season 5 “Colleen So Green”), Douglas Kennedy (the season 5 “Speak Me Fair”), Cliff Ketchum (the season 4 “Jayhawkers”).