Good drama on the tragedy of head trauma as well as the meaning of friendship and loyalty of two good men. John Dehner and Anthony Caruso play the friends and business partners affected. Collaterally involved is Dee Hartford as a saloon gal, later of "Lost In Space" and tv's "Batman", who is escorted here by Adam West, Batman himself. On hand too is spindly westerner William Fawcett, who gave up an academic career to go into acting and was best known as Pete in "Fury" on screen for five years before this.
12 Reviews
Good story; terrific character-acting!
markthurman-4422813 October 2020
One of the great things about watching Gunsmoke is seeing the outstanding character actors/actresses who make guest appearances on the show. This episode has an all-star lineup of guest stars: John Dehner, Anthony Caruso, Dee Hartford, and Adam West (whose screen time on this episode was far less than I would have liked). Other reviewers of this episode talk about the storyline. I simply want to say that Anthony Caruso's and John Dehner's performances are first-rate (as if that's a surprise). I would probably give this episode a rating of 8 stars based on the script, but I'm raising my rating to 9 stars because of the performances of Mr. Dehner and Mr. Caruso, two of the greats of their era.
Dehner and Caruso
cmbrown437 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I think that Dehner and Caruso were excellent in this episode which had its share of comedic and serious moments. Adam West seemed aloof and out of character for his role. I would have preferred to see a different ending that showed Dehner recovering from the accident.
I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the freight driver utter the phrase "big as s... " just before the barrels fell on Dehner. It was the 1960's, and editors didn't take this out?
I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the freight driver utter the phrase "big as s... " just before the barrels fell on Dehner. It was the 1960's, and editors didn't take this out?
Ben and Ash
yayasangel10 February 2021
Absolutely one of the best of many Gunsmoke episodes. The end was so tragic and seeing Ben lose his mind, Ash like a true friend stood by him until the end. Then Ben speaking as a dying man, relieved of the ills of his actions....Ash had to live with that killing the rest of his days. So Matt let him go? He spent the rest of his life without his friend and a whole lot of guilt. Wonderfully written
Two men become friends- friends to the end
kfo94944 December 2012
Ben Gault (John Dehner) and Ash Farior (Anthony Caruso) are two country traders that become friends while in Dodge. They are such good friends that they decide to give up their roaming life and become partners in a freight business inside the town of Dodge.
Both mean are becoming well respected members of the community as they do everything to help the farmers out even to the point of billing some for later payment.
One day Ben is unloading a wagon when a 55 gallon barrel hit him in the head. He is rushed to Doc Adam's place where he finally regains consciousness. But something is not correct, Ben is not the same.
Instead of being his pleasant self he seems to turn on everyone. Including his former best friend, Ash, and customers to the office. The blow on the head has left him with another personally so strong that he goes to the Long Branch confronts a young saloon woman named Tilly, hits Ash and then goes after Ms Kitty. Matt intervenes and places Ben in jail.
For some reason Ben has it in his head that Tilly is going to marry him. When she tells him that she is engaged to Emmett Hall, he become enraged and goes gets a rifle. Ash knows that with the sickness Ben is either on his way to kill Emmett or even Tilly- something must be done.
This is one of those episode that when the credits roll you know you have seen a great show. It was a bonanza for this show to have two fine actors in Dehner and Caruso playing characters that appeal to all viewers. The story was easy to understand- two good friends. Another fine episode from season 8.
Both mean are becoming well respected members of the community as they do everything to help the farmers out even to the point of billing some for later payment.
One day Ben is unloading a wagon when a 55 gallon barrel hit him in the head. He is rushed to Doc Adam's place where he finally regains consciousness. But something is not correct, Ben is not the same.
Instead of being his pleasant self he seems to turn on everyone. Including his former best friend, Ash, and customers to the office. The blow on the head has left him with another personally so strong that he goes to the Long Branch confronts a young saloon woman named Tilly, hits Ash and then goes after Ms Kitty. Matt intervenes and places Ben in jail.
For some reason Ben has it in his head that Tilly is going to marry him. When she tells him that she is engaged to Emmett Hall, he become enraged and goes gets a rifle. Ash knows that with the sickness Ben is either on his way to kill Emmett or even Tilly- something must be done.
This is one of those episode that when the credits roll you know you have seen a great show. It was a bonanza for this show to have two fine actors in Dehner and Caruso playing characters that appeal to all viewers. The story was easy to understand- two good friends. Another fine episode from season 8.
An unusual subject for an episode of a western TV show of the time
AlsExGal1 November 2022
Ben and Ash are partners and best friends in a Dodge City freight office. They are both generous good natured people, and the episode spends a good deal of time on how they are partners at everything. But then tragedy strikes and Ben is hit on the head by a heavy barrel. He is carted up to Doc Adams' office, and Doc is not sure that he will live.
A few hours later and Doc sends for Ash, although he won't say why. Ben has regained consciousness and will live. However, his personality has completely changed due to his head injury, and now he is mean and aggressive. And he may be this way for the rest of his life. When he recovers Ash is patient with him, but Ben has taken to drinking heavily, to snapping at everyone, and worst of all he is stalking a saloon girl, Tillie, who he says he plans to marry regardless of what she says. When she says that she is marrying Emmett (Adam West), Ben decides he will kill Emmett. He does know enough to lie about it to Marshal Dillon, but Ash knows the truth, and figures something must be done to stop him.
This was an unusual episode of Gunsmoke on such an untimely subject. The Civil Rights era was in full swing in 1963, so racism being a common topic on Gunsmoke was understandable. But in 1963 people were largely held responsible for their actions regardless of circumstances. I think of the true story behind "The Honeymoon Killers" (1969), in which Ray Fernandez, who always led an unremarkable life, was hit in the head by the steel hatch of a ship and had his frontal lobe injured. From that point forward he developed a complete lack of impulse control, abandoned his family, and embarked upon a career of romancing and fleecing lonely women. He was eventually executed for a murder he committed while running that con. Nobody thought of letting him off the hook because of the head injury. It was just so progressive of Gunsmoke to bring up such a subject in the context of a western.
A few hours later and Doc sends for Ash, although he won't say why. Ben has regained consciousness and will live. However, his personality has completely changed due to his head injury, and now he is mean and aggressive. And he may be this way for the rest of his life. When he recovers Ash is patient with him, but Ben has taken to drinking heavily, to snapping at everyone, and worst of all he is stalking a saloon girl, Tillie, who he says he plans to marry regardless of what she says. When she says that she is marrying Emmett (Adam West), Ben decides he will kill Emmett. He does know enough to lie about it to Marshal Dillon, but Ash knows the truth, and figures something must be done to stop him.
This was an unusual episode of Gunsmoke on such an untimely subject. The Civil Rights era was in full swing in 1963, so racism being a common topic on Gunsmoke was understandable. But in 1963 people were largely held responsible for their actions regardless of circumstances. I think of the true story behind "The Honeymoon Killers" (1969), in which Ray Fernandez, who always led an unremarkable life, was hit in the head by the steel hatch of a ship and had his frontal lobe injured. From that point forward he developed a complete lack of impulse control, abandoned his family, and embarked upon a career of romancing and fleecing lonely women. He was eventually executed for a murder he committed while running that con. Nobody thought of letting him off the hook because of the head injury. It was just so progressive of Gunsmoke to bring up such a subject in the context of a western.
Remembering Fury
zola193628 December 2020
One of the best
inscentives16 June 2021
Bromance
maskers-8712623 August 2018
The Last Five Minutes Saves It....
lrrap2 February 2021
The script contains its share of contrivances, and what begins as a good-natured, humorous "Bromance" turns tragic, and ultimately very moving.
John Dehner was one of the busiest actors of the day, especially in TV and radio. He played a wide range of character-types but, because of his great facility as an actor, had a tendency to slip into annoying, stage-y mannerisms; the fluttering eyelid thing chief among them. These tendencies work well for the whimsical, light-hearted scenes-- less so for the glowering, dramatic stuff.
However, Dehner's final scene, shot in extreme close-up, is masterfully restrained. Beautifully performed.
But whatever his affectations, Dehner is BOGART compared to Adam West, whose appearance is mercifully brief. GOOD GRIEF-- the guy couldn't deliver a line with sincerity or naturalism to save his life! Total phony, the essence of CAMP-- which, ironically, ended up saving his career. Dee Hartford--a super-model of the day and ALSO a sub-standard actress, manages to give a very respectful performance, light-years better than, say, her role in Twilight Zone's "Bewtichin' Pool".
Anthony Caruso is fine, and his strength and sincerity are the centerpiece of this show. Nice going.
There's a very POWERFUL scene near the end, played in total silence, with Dehner stalking the streets of Dodge in the dead of night, rifle in hand, with a dark and ominous musical underscore in the background. He passes several storefronts, saloons, and homes in the near-total darkness---another example of the SUPERB depth and texture of Gunsmoke's nighttime B&W photography.
Again, it's the Final Five Minutes of this episode that save it---so good, in fact, that most of my reservations seem rather insignificant LR
John Dehner was one of the busiest actors of the day, especially in TV and radio. He played a wide range of character-types but, because of his great facility as an actor, had a tendency to slip into annoying, stage-y mannerisms; the fluttering eyelid thing chief among them. These tendencies work well for the whimsical, light-hearted scenes-- less so for the glowering, dramatic stuff.
However, Dehner's final scene, shot in extreme close-up, is masterfully restrained. Beautifully performed.
But whatever his affectations, Dehner is BOGART compared to Adam West, whose appearance is mercifully brief. GOOD GRIEF-- the guy couldn't deliver a line with sincerity or naturalism to save his life! Total phony, the essence of CAMP-- which, ironically, ended up saving his career. Dee Hartford--a super-model of the day and ALSO a sub-standard actress, manages to give a very respectful performance, light-years better than, say, her role in Twilight Zone's "Bewtichin' Pool".
Anthony Caruso is fine, and his strength and sincerity are the centerpiece of this show. Nice going.
There's a very POWERFUL scene near the end, played in total silence, with Dehner stalking the streets of Dodge in the dead of night, rifle in hand, with a dark and ominous musical underscore in the background. He passes several storefronts, saloons, and homes in the near-total darkness---another example of the SUPERB depth and texture of Gunsmoke's nighttime B&W photography.
Again, it's the Final Five Minutes of this episode that save it---so good, in fact, that most of my reservations seem rather insignificant LR
a fine bromance...
grizzledgeezer24 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
"Gunsmoke" did only a few tales where "bachelor marriages" -- male/male households founded on close friendship and economic need (and sometimes sex) -- were significant story elements.
The "Men on..." episode in which Blaine Edwards is hit on the head with a stage light and becomes a rude, rough-talking heterosexual, is almost perfectly anticipated by "Ash".
Ben Galt and Ash Farior fight over Tillie, one of the Long Branch's girls. After "taking it outside" and kicking each other around, they decide they like other ("You never know a man 'til you've fought with him."), and forget about Tillie, starting a freight business to support themselves.
All goes well until Ben gets hit on the head with a barrel, and almost dies. Worse, his personality reverts to his prior-to-meeting-Ash character. He's mean and incorrigible, eventually reaching a point where he threatens to kill Tillie's fiancé. Ash confronts him in the street, and when Ben won't back down, Ash shoots him.
"Naturally", the gunshot brings Ben to his senses, and on his deathbed he lies, telling Matt that he fired first, absolving Ash of murder. The grief-stricken Ash returns to their shop, meditating on what a good friendship they had.
I'd /like/ to give this episode an 8. There are good things in it, especially John Dehner's restrained performance as Ben. But there is much that seems forced or contrived, especially the way Ben & Ash "meet cute", and Tillie blaming herself for the situation. The death scene is implausible, as Ash would have sat next to Ben with his arm around him, holding his hand -- perhaps even kissing him. That's what men did back then. *
I suspect John Meston was trying to write a story about how rough-and-tumble Western men placed friendship above females, but it doesn't quite work. He might even have been trying to sneak in an implicitly homoerotic story, but who can tell?
Not in any way a "bad" episode, but still a "coulda been better" one.
* And still do. Around Christmas of 2012, I sat with a dying friend, his family, and other friends. I held his hand on several occasions and he didn't pull away. I even kissed him a few times. Nor did anyone -- including his wife -- comment on it.
The "Men on..." episode in which Blaine Edwards is hit on the head with a stage light and becomes a rude, rough-talking heterosexual, is almost perfectly anticipated by "Ash".
Ben Galt and Ash Farior fight over Tillie, one of the Long Branch's girls. After "taking it outside" and kicking each other around, they decide they like other ("You never know a man 'til you've fought with him."), and forget about Tillie, starting a freight business to support themselves.
All goes well until Ben gets hit on the head with a barrel, and almost dies. Worse, his personality reverts to his prior-to-meeting-Ash character. He's mean and incorrigible, eventually reaching a point where he threatens to kill Tillie's fiancé. Ash confronts him in the street, and when Ben won't back down, Ash shoots him.
"Naturally", the gunshot brings Ben to his senses, and on his deathbed he lies, telling Matt that he fired first, absolving Ash of murder. The grief-stricken Ash returns to their shop, meditating on what a good friendship they had.
I'd /like/ to give this episode an 8. There are good things in it, especially John Dehner's restrained performance as Ben. But there is much that seems forced or contrived, especially the way Ben & Ash "meet cute", and Tillie blaming herself for the situation. The death scene is implausible, as Ash would have sat next to Ben with his arm around him, holding his hand -- perhaps even kissing him. That's what men did back then. *
I suspect John Meston was trying to write a story about how rough-and-tumble Western men placed friendship above females, but it doesn't quite work. He might even have been trying to sneak in an implicitly homoerotic story, but who can tell?
Not in any way a "bad" episode, but still a "coulda been better" one.
* And still do. Around Christmas of 2012, I sat with a dying friend, his family, and other friends. I held his hand on several occasions and he didn't pull away. I even kissed him a few times. Nor did anyone -- including his wife -- comment on it.
Touching friendship, disappointing story
orangelifer16 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed the first part of this episode. Anthony Caruso and John Dehner as Ash and Ben are a joy to watch. I was particularly happy to see Dehner in a good hearted, compassionate, goofy role as nearly every character I've seen him play is serious and usually villainous. Seeing him play this jovial character made me wish I'd seen him do more comedic parts.
Then Dehner's character Ben gets hit on the head and the brain injury makes him angry, mean and violent. So now Dehner is playing his normal typecast: bad guy. I realize to others this will seem silly but I was genuinely disappointed that the rare opportunity to see Dehner in a western playing an upbeat role was so brief.
Caruso as Ash tries hard to deal with Ben's unpleasantness but sadly ends up killing Ben to prevent Ben from committing murder.
Yes, the ending is somewhat touching as Ben on his deathbed (his kindness restored) claims Ash acted in self defense, therefore saving Ash from a murder charge. But I wanted a different story.
This entire episode is contrived. Yes getting hit in the head can cause a personality changing brain injury but would getting shot be likely to "fix" the personality change? I doubt it. But of course, this is a tv show. I'm willing to accept far fetched plots as long as they're fun. But this wasn't, for me anyway. I would have enjoyed an episode about these two characters that didn't involve Dehner becoming mean and didn't result in his character's death. I know when I watch Gunsmoke a tragic ending is a strong possibility. I'm ok with that sometimes even though it can be painful to watch. I have trouble,however, settling for a sad story when the plot line is rather absurd. If we're going to have a story that's unrealistic, it might as well be a happy one.
Then Dehner's character Ben gets hit on the head and the brain injury makes him angry, mean and violent. So now Dehner is playing his normal typecast: bad guy. I realize to others this will seem silly but I was genuinely disappointed that the rare opportunity to see Dehner in a western playing an upbeat role was so brief.
Caruso as Ash tries hard to deal with Ben's unpleasantness but sadly ends up killing Ben to prevent Ben from committing murder.
Yes, the ending is somewhat touching as Ben on his deathbed (his kindness restored) claims Ash acted in self defense, therefore saving Ash from a murder charge. But I wanted a different story.
This entire episode is contrived. Yes getting hit in the head can cause a personality changing brain injury but would getting shot be likely to "fix" the personality change? I doubt it. But of course, this is a tv show. I'm willing to accept far fetched plots as long as they're fun. But this wasn't, for me anyway. I would have enjoyed an episode about these two characters that didn't involve Dehner becoming mean and didn't result in his character's death. I know when I watch Gunsmoke a tragic ending is a strong possibility. I'm ok with that sometimes even though it can be painful to watch. I have trouble,however, settling for a sad story when the plot line is rather absurd. If we're going to have a story that's unrealistic, it might as well be a happy one.
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