The Whispering Tree (12 Nov. 1966)
"Gunsmoke" The Whispering Tree (original title)

After a robbery, Virgil Stanley buries the money before being captured. It has been eight years and Virgil is being released. He has plans to use the money but has to deal with others with the same idea.

Director:

Vincent McEveety

Writer:

Calvin Clements Sr.

Stars:

Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Milburn Stone	...	Doc
Amanda Blake	...	Kitty
Ken Curtis	...	Festus
Roger Ewing	...	Thad
James Arness	...	Matt Dillon
John Saxon	...	Virgil Stanley
Donald Losby	...	Bryant
Christopher Pate	...	Curtis
Rex Holman	...	Garr
Allen Jaffe	...	Ryan
Roy Barcroft	...	Roy
Ted Jordan	...	Burke
Fred Coby	...	Station Attendant
Kathleen O'Malley	...	Mother
Stephen McEveety	...	Boy

Storyline

After a robbery, Virgil Stanley buries the money before being captured. It has been eight years and Virgil is being released. He has plans to use the money but has to deal with others with the same idea.

---

Genres:

Drama | Western

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 1966 (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

There is more to this episode than buried money

Virgil Stanley (John Saxon) is being released from prison after serving eight years for robbery. Virgil and a man named Earl Miller (Morgan Woodward) took the $40,000 and Virgil was the one captured. Before he was caught he buried the money under a tree on his farm. On his way from prison he is met by Earl wanting his cut of the money. Needless to say Virgil is not too happy with the freed Earl but agrees to split some of the money with him.

When Virgil arrives in Dodge he is met by a private police officer, Jack Redmond (Ed Asner) who they stole the money from, he tells Virgil that he knows he has the money and will not stop hounding him until the money is returned. Marshal Dillon breaks the little reunion up and tells Virgil to take his family back to the ranch.

When Virgil arrives at the farm he finds out that his wife, Ada, and his two boys have worked the land and changed the scenery that Virgil remembered. All of the sudden Virgil has no idea where the tree is located the money is under. With Earl wanting his money and Redmond around every turn, Virgil will have to remember the sound of the whispering tree from eight years ago. Virgil's life, and his families, may depend on him remembering where the money is located.

Even though this episode did not have much action the story held up well with a powerful script. The story is not just about the money but also about not being able to see what you have until it is nearly too late. The actors were perfectly cast and did a brilliant job of making the story come to life. A really nice episode that was a pleasure to watch.