Gunsmoke (TV Series) Cheyennes (1959) User Reviews

Matt by-passes the Cavalry to avoid an Indian uprising

[kfo9494 · 7/10 · 17 August 2013]

For the last show of season four, we get another near all outdoor episode as Matt and Chester are on the trail of gunrunners. It seems some gunrunners are providing rifles to some renegade Cheyenne Indian members and then the Indians are taking their frustration out on local homesteaders.

With the help of an old Indian Chief friend, Long Robe, Matt is able to find where the Indians are meeting the runners. But the Chief also warns Matt that if one of the Indians are killed it will start up an all out war of the Cheyenne Nation.

When Matt goes and talks with the Cavalry there is a temporary man in charge. The gun-ho Cavalry Captain wanted to charge right up to the runners hideout and wait for the renegade Indians and kill them all. Instead Matt takes it upon himself to try to get to the runners so it will not start an Indian uprising.

The story was entertaining not only for the plot but some situations that happened in the episode. Early on, Matt and Chester get arrested when the Cavalry Captain mistakes them for murderers. Then near the end Matt returns the favor to the Captain when he sends him on a mission that has already been completed. Add an uncomfortable Ralph Moody playing an Indian Chief and you have an episode with many sites to see. But overall the story was interesting enough to make for a good watch.

Cavalry to the Rescue?

[dougdoepke · 20 March 2013]

Matt and Chester encounter a burning homestead on the prairie. The family has been killed and scalped by renegade Cheyenne. A cavalry detachment rides up, headed by an arrogant captain. Because of his contact with a Cheyenne elder, Matt is able to locate the meeting place where gunrunners supply the renegades with new rifles. The trouble is that no Indian better be killed, otherwise the whole tribe will rise up. So how can Matt finesse things and stop the gunrunning.

Above average entry with good suspense and staging (the burning farmhouse). Matt and the cavalry appear to be working at unusually cross purposes. Walter Brooke also turns in a nicely shaded performance as the slightly dislikable captain. It's also an episode without Kitty or Doc. Note the Boot Hill prologue where Matt reveals sympathy for the Indians losing their land. Still, he puts duty before all else.

Spencers

[darbski · 10/10 · 22 September 2017]

**SPOILERS** The issue here is the fact that the Cheyenne are getting Spencer carbines from gunrunners, and hey need ammo. The problem with that situation is that while you could get the guns, ammunition might be a little more difficult. It was actually more expensive to get it than the original guns. Spencers were a lot more popular on the plains after the Civil War than is realized. There were a lot of them left over, and they were being upgraded by gunsmiths, and the Spencer factory for sale to people who needed firearms. These were very good weapons, and the Indians were always glad to get their hands on them.

That brings up a point. Maybe they don't get the ammo, But they woulda got the Gunrunner's own weapons that Matt and Chester were in too much of a hurry to take. Plus the horses that Matt unhitched and led off before they blew up the wagon.

There are a couple of things that you just gotta wonder about, though. First, the Cheyenne left one of their brave's body just laying there and rode off?? Never woulda happened. Second, they also left a brand new rifle laying right next to him? When they needed guns?? sorry, NOPE. The Captain asks for and sees Matt's badge and still arrests him?? Oh yeah, he's a dummy. The Major that knows Matt goes away for a meeting right when there's an uprising brewing? who are you kidding? Matt didn't think that an idiot lie the Captain would follow him? HUNH?? The Sergeant that looks like he knows what's up don't tell the Captain to be a lot more careful? Place is just lousy with bad decisions. One more thing to ponder; just how much money did those Cheyenne have? I mean, a wagon loaded up like that had to be worth a sizeable chunk of change; Cheyenne didn't have bank accounts. I liked this episode, but it was no more believable than the old fart they had playing the old Chief. He usually played store clerks, or someone's crochety grandpa.

Matt Don't Like Gunrunners

[jamdifo · 6/10 · 22 September 2013]

Season 4 finale is another take on someone (2 in this episode) selling guns to the Indians. Its a different take like the episode Renegade White. Of course, Dillon is smarter than everyone else, finds the gunrunners and kills both of them, his 82nd and 83rd confirmed kills on the show.

Walter Brooke plays the know it all Capt. Nichols, who really is a moron. I remember him playing the same way in the classic vampire movie "Return of Count Yorga". He has it down perfect playing that type of person.

I just completed watching season 4 and here are some totals I kept track of. Dillon killed 21 people this season (83 total in the 1st 4 seasons), Chester killed 1 this season (5 total thru 1st 4 seasons, way behind Dillon), saw 22 killed on screen (not by Matt or Chester), 40 were killed or died offscreen, Matt beat up 15 this season and got beat up only once (he had a broken leg), Matt got shot twice this season, Matt wounded 3, 1 horse, 1 dog, and 24 sheep were killed, Matt got wounded twice (other than shot), both times falling off the horse. My favorite episode was "There Never Was a Horse" followed by "Passive Resistance".

A Major Named Honeyman

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 10 March 2021]

(*Marshal Dillon quote*) - "Let's keep pushing on."

The US Cavalry is searching for ruthless gunrunners who are selling Spencer rifles to the Cheyenne Indian tribe.

Meanwhile - Marshal Dillon seeks the help of Chief Long Robe to locate the place where Stone Eagle is meeting up with his supplier to get more guns and ammunition.

There's a warning that if any Indian is killed this could lead to a violent uprising.