Overland Express (31 May 1958)
"Gunsmoke" Overland Express (original title)

After capturing suspected murderer Jim Nation, Matt has to eventually trust the suspect to help out when he and other stagecoach passengers are held at gunpoint by an outlaw.

Director:

Seymour Berns

Writer:

John Meston

Stars:

James Arness, Dennis Weaver, Simon Oakland

Cast

Episode cast overview:
James Arness	...	Matt Dillon
Dennis Weaver	...	Chester
Simon Oakland	...	Jim Nation
Peter Mamakos	...	Art Carp
Clem Bevans	...	Fly
James Gavin	...	Wells
Forrest Stanley	...	Griffin
Jan Arvan	...	Station Man
Jimmy Cross	...	Hank
Al Hopson	...	Bill

Storyline

After capturing suspected murderer Jim Nation, Matt has to eventually trust the suspect to help out when he and other stagecoach passengers are held at gunpoint by an outlaw.

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 May 1958 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Horses Don't Get Flat Tires

Another solid entry from that outstanding '57-'58 season. Matt and Chester are on a long chase after escaped killer Simon Oakland. Then in the middle of nowhere, their horses are shot in a gun battle with Oakland who becomes their prisoner. Now they have to hoof it to the nearest stage line for the trip back to Dodge, (good thing their route-finding instincts seem to be unerring). Along the way, Oakland makes an unusual request-- he's ashamed of being a prisoner and asks Matt not to let the other passengers know. Matt takes a chance and acquiesces. Is this an escape trick or is Oakland sincere? Matt finds out since the stage trip proves a difficult one.

For once, the grassy countryside actually looks more like western Kansas than the scrublands of southern California, adding nicely to the atmosphere. It's also a different kind of early episode since all the action takes place outside of Dodge. Cast includes the sinister-looking Peter Mamakos, every inch the classic western villain, and the dead-pan Clem Bevans in the ornery Gabby Hayes role. The realistic segment on greasing the stage wheel is a nice touch, and probably amounts to a classic bit of folk wisdom from writer Meston's fund of Western lore. Well done wrap-up, again showing Meston's talent for sketching memorable characters that turn the story into something of a parable on trust and redemption.