Gunsmoke (TV Series) Lynching Man (1958) User Reviews

Too Much Hate

[jamdifo · 7/10 · 13 August 2013]

This episode started very well, with O.Z. Whitehead as Hank Blemis all green out in the prairie not knowing a thing. Great exchange with the drifter who I think was Chuck Hayward. Even though he is a drifter, not sure why he didn't stay with Hank for a couple of days, so hank could at least learn some things.

Anyway, the weak and clueless hank gets lynched by 2 guys for his horse. You really feel bad for Hank because he was so likable. When they were lynching him, it was very disturbing and sad.

Then we meet George Macready (whose voice you would know in an instant) as Charles Drain (he has so much hate, it drains him of everything else). Macready hates lynchers and explains why, he hates so much he doesn't even realize he becomes a lyncher himself. So sad and heartbreaking. Macready does a great job portraying Charles Drain in his only appearance on Gunsmoke.

The one problem I had with the episode was the lynchers sticking around Dodge, as if they are just waiting to get caught. If they kept quiet and left the state, they would never been caught.

It was nice to see Dillon talking to Moss (George Selk)to help figure out who did the lynching. I've also noticed Chester not doing stupid things anymore to make Dillon's job more difficult. The ending was very sad and Dillon gets his 69th confirmed kill on the show.

After the first scene, the episode seemed to fade

[kfo9494 · 6/10 · 21 July 2013]

From such good beginnings this episode suddenly went sour when the last half featured a man that seemed more mentally disturbed than interesting. The script was not that bad- it was more the over-the-top acting ability that just did not make this show fully entertaining.

The episode started out rather chilling as a man from Ohio, that was not accustom to the ways of the west, decides to stake claim near Dodge. The man, Hank Blenis, only has a horse and a saddle but believes he can make a go with the land. But it is not long before two cowboys, Shelby and Grindle, come riding up and lynch the poor Hank and steal his horse.

Marshal Dillon was familiar with the lynching but did not have anything to investigate. In comes a local farmer, Charlie Drain, that wants to know what the Marshal is doing about the lynching. His father had been lynched and now his is almost psychotic about Matt finding the people involved. If the Marshal cannot find the person(s) then he will take the law into his own hands. But when he ask for help from the locals, little does he know the help may come from unreliable sources.

This episode had some nice qualities but was nearly ruined by the emotional charged way that George Macready played the savior of all lynchers, Charlie Drain. The part was over-played taking away from the better parts of the story. After the emotional first scene the episode seemed to fade.

Dirty Lynchers

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 25 April 2021]

(*Marshal Dillon quote*) - "He was probably riding a stolen horse."

Homesteader, Hank Blenis is murdered by Ed Shelby and Bob Gringle who decide to steal his horse.

In the meantime, cattleman, Charlie Drain tries to get other men in Dodge to join him in the lynching of Gil Mather.

Marshal Dillon tries to dissuade Drain from carrying out his plans, but it all comes too late.

Prey

[darbski · 10/10 · 1 September 2017]

**SPOILERS** Probably not necessary, but, well... I personally think that the guy who escorted the greenhorn out to the land outside of Dodge was just as guilty as the others. It was obvious that this poor soul had No clue what all could befall him. In truth, he looked like a simpleton who needed looking after, not just set loose like a new kitten. He didn't even know how to hobble his rented horse. When the two vultures spotted him, he was an easy mark, and he wound up dead. One thought is that it was the easy end to a life that was gonna be a disaster in open country, though. Nobody said it, but they probably took any money that he had, too.

The lynchers faced the same fate when Matt found that they had hung another innocent man, and were in possession of a stolen horse. The nut case that precipitated their actions and participated was also a goner, killed by one of the vultures. One question would be: where did they park their horses when they were in Dodge? Someone would surely notice a horse with no brand, wouldn't they? Good episode.

Johnny Appleseed Goes West

[dougdoepke · 5 August 2007]

Episode begins powerfully. Good Samaritan drifter helps greenhorn farmer O.Z. Whitehead get oriented to new surroundings, but the sympathetic Whitehead is woefully unprepared to take on hazards of the frontier. Two bad guys including Bing Russell (Kurt's dad) come along and confront Whitehead over his horse that has no brand. They steal the horse and hang Whitehead. Matt and townspeople mistake hanging as vigilante justice for horse thief. However, rancher (George Mc Cready) has been traumatized by lynchings in his past and vows vengeance on vigilantes, putting him in conflict with lawman Dillon.

Plot never quite gels, despite promising premise. McCready overacts his part, particularly in the first scene. Maybe sharper direction would have helped, but plot elements fail to pack the punch that's implicit in the potential. Result is a disappointingly average entry that should have been much more.