Stryker (29 Sep. 1969)
"Gunsmoke" Stryker (original title)

Josh Stryker, a former U. S. Marshal, returns to Dodge City after fifteen years in prison for murder. His former deputy, Matt Dillon was the main witness who convicted him. Now Stryker is ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Totten

Writer:

Herman Groves

Stars:

James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake

Cast

Episode cast overview:
James Arness	...	Matt Dillon
Milburn Stone	...	Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams
Amanda Blake	...	Kitty Russell
Ken Curtis	...	Festus Haggen
Buck Taylor	...	Newly O'Brien (credit only)
Morgan Woodward	...	Josh Stryker
Joan Van Ark	...	Sarah Jean Stryker
Royal Dano	...	Jessup
Mills Watson	...	Reager
James Nusser	...	Louie Pheeters
Andy Devine	...	Jed Whitlow
Walter Sande	...	Cal Hoskins
Glenn Strange	...	Sam Noonan
Ted French	...	Dish
Don Happy	...	Cowboy #1

Storyline

Josh Stryker, a former U. S. Marshal, returns to Dodge City after fifteen years in prison for murder. His former deputy, Matt Dillon was the main witness who convicted him. Now Stryker is torn between his hatred for Matt, his reconciliation with his daughter Sarah Jean, and the threat he faces from two outlaws, Jessup and Reager.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 1969 (USA)

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Morgan Woodward returns to Dodge after fifteen years in prison

Josh Stryker (Morgan Woodward) is being released after serving fifteen years in prison and is heading to Dodge to see his daughter. But there is more to this man that just being considered a free man, he use to be the Marshal of Dodge. But he was convicted of killing an unarmed murder suspect in cold-blood. The person that gave the most damaging evidence was his deputy Matt Dillon.

Stryker's fifteen years in prison which also included the lost of one of his arms has not cooled the hot-head. He blames Matt for all of his woes and he is planning a way to get even.

His daughter, Sarah Jean (Joan Van Ark), had her husband leave her and she had to get a job at the Long Branch. Her life has been going rather well and she is glad to see her father's release from jail. But it will not last long.

When two of Stryker's cell mates, Jessup and Reager, show up at Sarah Jean's house wanting money things go bad. At first Stryker pays them the money wanted and they agree to take care of Matt. But when things go wrong one of them is back wanting money anyway he can get it even if it means harming Sarah Jean.

There are some good scenes in this episode and also some scenes that appeared to just stretch out the time. The concept of the plot was outstanding but it seemed like the writer added too much filler and not enough substance to the story. Don't get me wrong, the episode is indeed a nice watch but there was just so much more that could have been done to produce a more entertaining show. But it did hold the interest long enough to produce a nice show.