Leading lady Lauri Peters is stunningly good, making this episode of "Gunsmoke". She was going on 21 here and had already starred in two A-movies as a teen. What a shame that after this appearance she never made another one for four years, and after that only very occasionally. On the other hand, she contributed mightily to the furthering of noted acting teacher Stanford Meisner's theory and practice for other young actors. Here she plays "Allie", a young runaway smitten with Matt Dillon who is molested before her would-be rapist's brother can deal with the attacker with a bottle over the head. A very touching, natural and intelligent portrayal by such a young actress.
9 Reviews
Lauri Peters is a 10 in this episode
kfo949421 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The best thing about this episode was the eye candy of Lauri Peters. She was one of the most beautiful women working in the market at the time. Her presents in the episode is a joy to all young men everywhere. As for the story, not really the best but one full enough that it is remembered for Marshal Dillon giving up a chance for happiness.
The episode begins as Marshal Dillon rides up on a family that is stuck when a wheel falls off the wagon. The two men are so lazy that they have been there a week just waiting on someone else to fix the wheel. Matt rides up he fixes the wheel and tells the husband and older teenager how lazy the are in life. The husband offers Matt a chance to take his young daughter, Allie, as a wife and as we thought Matt refuses.
In Dodge, a man called Mel has shot up the Marshal's office because he hates Dillon. After he shoots up the Long Branch, Matt finds him, beats him up and takes the money for the repairs. He then tells Mel and his brother to get out of town.
When Mel is camped outside town, Allie comes walking up. She is on her way to find Marshal Dillon. Mel takes advantage of her by using her in a bad way. She then wonders into Dodge where Matt takes her to see Doc and then sets out to find Mel.
With Allie in tow it will only be a matter of time before Matt takes his revenge out on Mel. Then he will carry Allie back to the family and leave them with some words of wisdom.
This was a nice story but nothing that is remarkable. Without the beautiful Lauri Peters it would have been an average show but her beauty move the episode up the scale. A good watch.
The episode begins as Marshal Dillon rides up on a family that is stuck when a wheel falls off the wagon. The two men are so lazy that they have been there a week just waiting on someone else to fix the wheel. Matt rides up he fixes the wheel and tells the husband and older teenager how lazy the are in life. The husband offers Matt a chance to take his young daughter, Allie, as a wife and as we thought Matt refuses.
In Dodge, a man called Mel has shot up the Marshal's office because he hates Dillon. After he shoots up the Long Branch, Matt finds him, beats him up and takes the money for the repairs. He then tells Mel and his brother to get out of town.
When Mel is camped outside town, Allie comes walking up. She is on her way to find Marshal Dillon. Mel takes advantage of her by using her in a bad way. She then wonders into Dodge where Matt takes her to see Doc and then sets out to find Mel.
With Allie in tow it will only be a matter of time before Matt takes his revenge out on Mel. Then he will carry Allie back to the family and leave them with some words of wisdom.
This was a nice story but nothing that is remarkable. Without the beautiful Lauri Peters it would have been an average show but her beauty move the episode up the scale. A good watch.
Hope For Allie?
janet-conant25 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I've seen this now several times and can't do as well as other reviewers have but here's my opinion. The acting is top-notch especially Linda Watkins and Lauri Peters. Every episode with Watkins is a great watch.
Can't believe how a girl gets to be Allie's age and still innocent of men and danger. How did she stay so long with that no count father and brother? As she emerges from the thicket my first thought was wow beautiful teeth and sassy haircut. Long hair pulled back would be more desirable for a girl stuck on the prairie. I gradually looked past that as her character is so sweet and likable, throwing herself at Matt. And why wouldn't she? Seeing a tall, respectable lawman and comparing him to her clan. You can totally understand her mind set. When Allie walks in the dark all those miles to Dodge to find Matt, well that's hard enough but then to get raped by one of the most heinous dudes in the west, could she have had worse luck. That brother was equally lowlife to not defend her immediately.
When Dillon finds the rapist zonked out in a cabin and beats the crap out of him it's just about the best fight I've seen in Gunsmoke. The whole fight was choreographed like a dance. Having Allie see that guy again was a mistake and when Matt says 'It's all over.' Well he's not a young woman who was attacked. How Allie is allowed by Doc to mount a horse after a rape and not get her clean clothes and shoes was criminal. Miss Kitty would have taken her under her wing so she was missing in action so Matt could be her guardian.
The ending surprised me how he returned her to her kin still not having moved an inch. He did give her some confidence however. You get a bit optimistic when mother tells Allie how they should try talking more and maybe the days will go better. I don't know unless they decide to take the boys and leave that mister and brother, two of the worthless people on earth. Again this episode could have been a 10 if some good luck came Allie's way.
Can't believe how a girl gets to be Allie's age and still innocent of men and danger. How did she stay so long with that no count father and brother? As she emerges from the thicket my first thought was wow beautiful teeth and sassy haircut. Long hair pulled back would be more desirable for a girl stuck on the prairie. I gradually looked past that as her character is so sweet and likable, throwing herself at Matt. And why wouldn't she? Seeing a tall, respectable lawman and comparing him to her clan. You can totally understand her mind set. When Allie walks in the dark all those miles to Dodge to find Matt, well that's hard enough but then to get raped by one of the most heinous dudes in the west, could she have had worse luck. That brother was equally lowlife to not defend her immediately.
When Dillon finds the rapist zonked out in a cabin and beats the crap out of him it's just about the best fight I've seen in Gunsmoke. The whole fight was choreographed like a dance. Having Allie see that guy again was a mistake and when Matt says 'It's all over.' Well he's not a young woman who was attacked. How Allie is allowed by Doc to mount a horse after a rape and not get her clean clothes and shoes was criminal. Miss Kitty would have taken her under her wing so she was missing in action so Matt could be her guardian.
The ending surprised me how he returned her to her kin still not having moved an inch. He did give her some confidence however. You get a bit optimistic when mother tells Allie how they should try talking more and maybe the days will go better. I don't know unless they decide to take the boys and leave that mister and brother, two of the worthless people on earth. Again this episode could have been a 10 if some good luck came Allie's way.
Gave this episode 10/10. lol yinz should definitely watch, if only to berate my opinion! 😬
birdgoog29 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Love this episode especially bc it really shows off Mr Arness's acting chops. His "understated FURY" after he found that his adorable little hero worshipper had been raped by an asshole that he already hated, that rage was palpable! When "asshole's" completely useless brother didn't try to prevent the rape ... almost as sick as the act! Having once been a small wide eyed girl myself, i found the Allie character totally believable. No matter what the terrible circumstance, she was IN LOVE! Albeit "puppy love" but that's still a strong dose of medicine for a young innocent girl to swallow! Even though i adore Miss Kitty, i was still kinda rooting for the kid. So it had to end just like we knew it would. Bittersweet and beautiful. And we got to peruse the Marshall's more sensitive side! Romance, danger, pretty peoples, excitement, and a wonderfully fitting finale. Adds up to a "10" for me!
The pugilistic prairie
AlsExGal28 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This week Marshal Matt Dillon gets more physical with wrongdoers than I've seen in a long time.
The episode opens with Matt Dillon getting some water for himself and his horse when the Our Gang kids manage to wander off the MGM lot and into a time warp where they end up on the Kansas prairie and pelt Matt with small stones, claiming he is a giant. But no, these are just the many kids in a family stuck because their wagon wheel is broken and the two able bodied men in the family are hopeless loafers and complainers. The oldest girl in the family, Allie, is enamored of Matt, and when he gets back on his horse to return to Dodge City after fixing the wagon wheel and slapping the loafing adult brother around, Allie decides to follow him back there on foot.
In the meantime the Marshal has just slapped around and evicted from Dodge two brothers who were shooting up the town the night before. When the meaner of the two encounters Allie en route to Dodge and realizes she might mean something to Matt, he assaults her in revenge.
When Allie turns up in Dodge after the attack, Matt's reaction is inexplicable. After having her examined by Doc, he takes her BACK to face the brothers because she will need to identify them??? Why not bring them back to Dodge and put them in jail and have her safely identify them from there? Matt isn't just happy to put them under arrest - the one who didn't do the assaulting has been shot by the one who did, so at least it is one against one at this point - he again wants to beat the tar out of the perp. What would have happened had Matt lost that fight with Allie clearly visible nearby? Probably a repeat of the original crime.
To top it all off, afterwards, Matt takes Allie BACK to the shiftless family. Now he gives his reasons, but none of them are good.
It was good to see more of James Arness as Matt Dillon than we usually see of him as of late, but when he does appear I would ask that his actions make more sense.
The episode opens with Matt Dillon getting some water for himself and his horse when the Our Gang kids manage to wander off the MGM lot and into a time warp where they end up on the Kansas prairie and pelt Matt with small stones, claiming he is a giant. But no, these are just the many kids in a family stuck because their wagon wheel is broken and the two able bodied men in the family are hopeless loafers and complainers. The oldest girl in the family, Allie, is enamored of Matt, and when he gets back on his horse to return to Dodge City after fixing the wagon wheel and slapping the loafing adult brother around, Allie decides to follow him back there on foot.
In the meantime the Marshal has just slapped around and evicted from Dodge two brothers who were shooting up the town the night before. When the meaner of the two encounters Allie en route to Dodge and realizes she might mean something to Matt, he assaults her in revenge.
When Allie turns up in Dodge after the attack, Matt's reaction is inexplicable. After having her examined by Doc, he takes her BACK to face the brothers because she will need to identify them??? Why not bring them back to Dodge and put them in jail and have her safely identify them from there? Matt isn't just happy to put them under arrest - the one who didn't do the assaulting has been shot by the one who did, so at least it is one against one at this point - he again wants to beat the tar out of the perp. What would have happened had Matt lost that fight with Allie clearly visible nearby? Probably a repeat of the original crime.
To top it all off, afterwards, Matt takes Allie BACK to the shiftless family. Now he gives his reasons, but none of them are good.
It was good to see more of James Arness as Matt Dillon than we usually see of him as of late, but when he does appear I would ask that his actions make more sense.
Shiny hair
maskers-871262 October 2018
Good acting, good and different storyline so why wasnt it better?, Well, as usual tbe young women are absurd. sle's,been raped and walks miles stumbling into Dodge,with shiney, freshly washed hair, blouse tucked in, cheery and in love. Sure, thats how every girl feels after a rape. Bad direction ,poor production elements. Hites promising script deserved better.
GIDGET GOES TO DODGE CITY
lrrap19 April 2021
It's a good thing that Lauri Peters is a fine actress, and she pulls off this very touchy role (another Kathleen Hite "Women's Perspective" character) very well indeed.
But she looks like she's just stepped out of the Mademoiselle Finishing School for Debutantes, right into the CBS make-up department (a few dirt smudges along with the immaculate eyelashes, etc) and into the rough n' tumble American Old West. And that's BEFORE we get to Ms. Peters' hair-style---a perfectly marvelous, perky, mid-60's "do." Then there's the lovely suntan... Sorry, but these things drive me nuts in TV of the era.
As seen by the other comments posted here, CBS fully expected the men folk of America to tune in and ogle Ms. Peters, whose acting talents, thankfully, are excellent. But our sense of credulity is further stretched by the fact that Allie is able to WALK ALONE for Miles and Miles at night, through forest and thicket, with no problem at all...save for the two thugs she has the misfortune to meet. And there are many more inconsistencies in Ms. Hite's script.
Big Matt is in a pretty foul mood throughout, and has no problem SLAPPING people around in situations where his usual calm, restrained presence would NEVER have acted with such violence. But--on the other hand: when Festus tells Matt that the Marshall's office was shot up (which would have killed Matt had he been there) and the guys who did it are now over at the Long Branch (trashing it, as we later find), what does Matt do?? NOTHING. He just turns in for the night (!). It's only during his breakfast outing the next A. M. with Kitty that he decides to....inexplicably... beat the crap out of the bad guy with barely a word spoken between them.
Is this Hite's idea of a less tolerant, more vengeful Matt D, perhaps in mid-life crisis?? The script provides MORE than a hint of Matt's frustration: he resists the young tart's infatuation while--at the same time---resisting the continually-implied advances of "Madame" Kitty Russel, an open invitation to Ms. Hite's subtle probing of the male psyche. No wonder the "conflicted" Marshall of Dodge pounds the living s___ out of anybody who crosses him in this show.
Linda Watkins and Malcolm Atterbury are about as unsavory a couple as you could ask for (but I guess that's the point), and Dean Stanton --who also gets pummeled by Matt--completes the family portrait....that is, except for the brood of squeaky-clean tykes running around the woods, one of whom wears this HUGE, floppy hat like Jackie Coogan wore in "The Kid".
There's just too many silly elements in this episode that I couldn't get past. I understand that the rape issue is not to be taken lightly, but it was handled MUCH more seriously and less gratuitously in "The Violaters" a few shows back.
So, if you are blinded by Lauri Peters's charms to the point that you are willing to ignore the significant dramatic flaws in this episode, hit the "NOT HELPFUL" button--- NOW!!
LR.
But she looks like she's just stepped out of the Mademoiselle Finishing School for Debutantes, right into the CBS make-up department (a few dirt smudges along with the immaculate eyelashes, etc) and into the rough n' tumble American Old West. And that's BEFORE we get to Ms. Peters' hair-style---a perfectly marvelous, perky, mid-60's "do." Then there's the lovely suntan... Sorry, but these things drive me nuts in TV of the era.
As seen by the other comments posted here, CBS fully expected the men folk of America to tune in and ogle Ms. Peters, whose acting talents, thankfully, are excellent. But our sense of credulity is further stretched by the fact that Allie is able to WALK ALONE for Miles and Miles at night, through forest and thicket, with no problem at all...save for the two thugs she has the misfortune to meet. And there are many more inconsistencies in Ms. Hite's script.
Big Matt is in a pretty foul mood throughout, and has no problem SLAPPING people around in situations where his usual calm, restrained presence would NEVER have acted with such violence. But--on the other hand: when Festus tells Matt that the Marshall's office was shot up (which would have killed Matt had he been there) and the guys who did it are now over at the Long Branch (trashing it, as we later find), what does Matt do?? NOTHING. He just turns in for the night (!). It's only during his breakfast outing the next A. M. with Kitty that he decides to....inexplicably... beat the crap out of the bad guy with barely a word spoken between them.
Is this Hite's idea of a less tolerant, more vengeful Matt D, perhaps in mid-life crisis?? The script provides MORE than a hint of Matt's frustration: he resists the young tart's infatuation while--at the same time---resisting the continually-implied advances of "Madame" Kitty Russel, an open invitation to Ms. Hite's subtle probing of the male psyche. No wonder the "conflicted" Marshall of Dodge pounds the living s___ out of anybody who crosses him in this show.
Linda Watkins and Malcolm Atterbury are about as unsavory a couple as you could ask for (but I guess that's the point), and Dean Stanton --who also gets pummeled by Matt--completes the family portrait....that is, except for the brood of squeaky-clean tykes running around the woods, one of whom wears this HUGE, floppy hat like Jackie Coogan wore in "The Kid".
There's just too many silly elements in this episode that I couldn't get past. I understand that the rape issue is not to be taken lightly, but it was handled MUCH more seriously and less gratuitously in "The Violaters" a few shows back.
So, if you are blinded by Lauri Peters's charms to the point that you are willing to ignore the significant dramatic flaws in this episode, hit the "NOT HELPFUL" button--- NOW!!
LR.
No help for the poor girl
Johnny_West27 June 2022
Over twenty seasons, several lame stories about homeless bum families living in their wagons were done. Often they were grifters and killers. Occasionally they were just families where the Husband was a lazy drunk who only provided to his family what food they could steal from town to town.
In this version, the lazy father, played by Malcolm Atterbury, tries to give away his daughter to Matt Dillon. Naturally, Dillon says no, but the teenage girl is smitten by Matt Dillon, who is like a god compared to her piece of trash father.
On many occasions, Dillon has encountered a young lady who was in dire straits due to any number of reasons. It always seemed to me that if Miss Kitty had a lot of money, and Doc Adams was always talking about helping people, that they could have been more active to help the disadvantaged as part of the theme of Gunsmoke.
An orphanage and a vocational school was within the means of Miss Kitty. Doc Adams could have had a hand in running it. Instead, these characters spent hundreds of scenes of them sitting at the bar gossiping. A Western where the wealthy members of the community tried to help the folks that got dealt a bad hand would have been nice to see.
It was tragic to return a young girl (Lauri Peters) who had just been assaulted, to the lazy bum father and lowlife brother where she came from. The Gunsmoke gang could have done better, and it is too bad that the writers never thought of that.
In this version, the lazy father, played by Malcolm Atterbury, tries to give away his daughter to Matt Dillon. Naturally, Dillon says no, but the teenage girl is smitten by Matt Dillon, who is like a god compared to her piece of trash father.
On many occasions, Dillon has encountered a young lady who was in dire straits due to any number of reasons. It always seemed to me that if Miss Kitty had a lot of money, and Doc Adams was always talking about helping people, that they could have been more active to help the disadvantaged as part of the theme of Gunsmoke.
An orphanage and a vocational school was within the means of Miss Kitty. Doc Adams could have had a hand in running it. Instead, these characters spent hundreds of scenes of them sitting at the bar gossiping. A Western where the wealthy members of the community tried to help the folks that got dealt a bad hand would have been nice to see.
It was tragic to return a young girl (Lauri Peters) who had just been assaulted, to the lazy bum father and lowlife brother where she came from. The Gunsmoke gang could have done better, and it is too bad that the writers never thought of that.
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