I have seen this episode several times over the years and marvel what a great actress Mabel Albertson is in her portrayal of the the strong woman in the title role. I will not say anything more, but if you get the chance, watch this episode. You will not regret the hour taken to see a craftswoman at work.
7 Reviews
A Stunning Performance by Mabel Albertson as Kate Heller
jlthornb513 December 2018
One of the standout episodes of the series with Miss Mabel Albertson giving what is nothing less than the performance of a lifetime. Beautifully written by Kate Hite, this is a powerful presentation and one in which Albertson truly shines. The climax is absolutely soul shattering and among the most dramatically emotional ever filmed for television. Miss Albertson plays it with a sensitivity and an incredible insight you will never forget. The character of Kate Heller is heartbreaking but quietly strong, a survivor of the psychological brutality of loneliness in the old west and the violence that was part of existence. Mabel Albertson gives the character everything she has within her, brings her to life, and makes her one of the most unforgettable personalities to ever appear on Gunsmoke or any other television series in history.
What A Fun Watch When Dillon Finds Out
jameshoran826 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
A lot of Gunsmoke episodes leaves the viewer in the dark as to the outcome. Kathleen Hite keeps you in on all the secrets and inserts Mabel Albertson in the title name and she is fantastic as is every bit as strong a woman as Miss Kitty. Dillon doesn't know who shot an old friend Gus and ambushed him on the trail other than it was both done by a young guy named Andy. Dillon doesn't put two and two together when the four time married, Kate nurses him back to help from the three shots Andy delivered to his back. The scene where Andy tries to get Dillon to stand (against his grandma Kate's direction) and then finding from Kate his name is Andy has Dillon making a facial expression change to pure anger. Albertson carries the episode and is truly wonderful. I won't tell you the ending other than it fulfilled Kate's directive that bullets were meant only for hardened criminals and animals in mortal pain. I am still trying to find which category fit Andy.
Kate Heller
kathybryant31 October 2021
Mabel Albertson was absolutely brilliant as feisty short-statured, but very strong in character Kate Heller, a relay station owner. Her slight Irish accent was very effective in guiding her grandson, Andy, with advice. This episode is, by far, my favorite and I could watch it over and over to see her incredible acting talent.
Season Nine starts with a bang!
kfo949413 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Four time widow woman Kate Heller, that owns a relay station for stagecoaches, sends her 17 year old grandson Andy over to Gus Riley's house to pay a $30 debt. When Andy arrives there is a stack of money on Gus's table and Andy does not think it is right for the old man to have all that money. He shoots Gus and takes the money off the table and travels on into Dodge to see a saloon girl named Tess.
When at the Long Branch, Andy asks Tess to marry him. When she laughs at him Andy shows him a stack of money he had in his shirt. Tess still rejects Andy saying that he is not a man. Tess's boyfriend comes over to rescue her from the awkward encounter when Andy wants to pick a fight. Quint happens to be in the saloon and throws Andy out into the street.
Upon finding Gus, Matt believes the same person that shot Gus was the young person that caused problems at the Long Branch. So he sets out to look for the young boy named Andy. Matt stops by a creek for water and gets shot. Andy has shot Matt and takes his gun and badge and leaves him for dead. A stage driver finds Matt and takes him to Kate Heller's place for recovery.
As Matt recovers from his wounds Andy tries to do everything to make sure that Matt never gets back to Dodge. But when Matt reveals that a young boy was the one that shot Gus and the fact that Ma Keller found the badge hidden in the hay - it becomes suspicious even to Kate that Andy is involved. When Kate confronts her grandson it will be the hardest thing both have ever done. Andy just wanted to grow up too fast.
A nice story that was entertaining to the end. The script was well rounded, the acting great and loaded with action. For the first episode of season 9 this show makes you excited for the rest of the upcoming programs.
When at the Long Branch, Andy asks Tess to marry him. When she laughs at him Andy shows him a stack of money he had in his shirt. Tess still rejects Andy saying that he is not a man. Tess's boyfriend comes over to rescue her from the awkward encounter when Andy wants to pick a fight. Quint happens to be in the saloon and throws Andy out into the street.
Upon finding Gus, Matt believes the same person that shot Gus was the young person that caused problems at the Long Branch. So he sets out to look for the young boy named Andy. Matt stops by a creek for water and gets shot. Andy has shot Matt and takes his gun and badge and leaves him for dead. A stage driver finds Matt and takes him to Kate Heller's place for recovery.
As Matt recovers from his wounds Andy tries to do everything to make sure that Matt never gets back to Dodge. But when Matt reveals that a young boy was the one that shot Gus and the fact that Ma Keller found the badge hidden in the hay - it becomes suspicious even to Kate that Andy is involved. When Kate confronts her grandson it will be the hardest thing both have ever done. Andy just wanted to grow up too fast.
A nice story that was entertaining to the end. The script was well rounded, the acting great and loaded with action. For the first episode of season 9 this show makes you excited for the rest of the upcoming programs.
A different Mabel Albertson character than I grew up with
rrrozsa-5513416 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Throughout the mid-to-late sixties, our family, which consisted of Mom, Dad, two girls and two boys ranging from 1st grade to 8th grade, watched a lot of family sitcoms. I was well acquainted with Mabel Albertson through characters she played in several of our favorite shows, typically portaying a manipulative, judgmental characters, such as Howard Sprague's mother on "The Andy Griffith Show", Samantha Stevens' mother-in-law on "Bewitched", and Donald Hollinger's mother (Ann Marie's prospective mother-in-law), whose approval Ann was always trying to win, on "That Girl". Mabel's characters were typically disagreeable in their overall demeanor, comolete with a critical-sounding tone-of-voice, perpetually furrowed brows, and a disapproving frown. Mabel guest-starred in at least one episode of practically every prime-time hit show of that era.
What sets this episode of Gunsmoke apart from Mabel's other guest-apparances, and is such a treat for me, is that it really shows off Mabel's impressive acting chops. This is one of those episodes I have saved, and enjoy watching it again and again, especially Kate's scenes at the relay station. The writing is excellent, even in the most seemingly common-place conversations.
A few examples: Kate's conversation with the stage coach drivers who found Matt and brought him to Kate for help ("I'd be obliged in you'd undress him for me.... Well, it ain't modesty, you know --I'm four times married -- but I could get to the work of 'im sooner. Gentle 'im all you can."). Or Kate's comment to Andy after she finished removing the three bullets from Matt's back: ("You mind what I say... The only bullets worth usin' are to destroy a killer... or to ease an animal's mortal pain. You mind that."). Mabel's delivery of every line is subtle perfection and never over-acted.
Besides her great delivery of her lines, the subtle changes in Mabel's facial expressions convey Kate's every thought and emotion, even when she is just standing in silent contemplation.
Based on this one episode, I feel Mabel was a very underrated actress.
Every scene in this episode, including the well-executed ending, is worth watching.
What sets this episode of Gunsmoke apart from Mabel's other guest-apparances, and is such a treat for me, is that it really shows off Mabel's impressive acting chops. This is one of those episodes I have saved, and enjoy watching it again and again, especially Kate's scenes at the relay station. The writing is excellent, even in the most seemingly common-place conversations.
A few examples: Kate's conversation with the stage coach drivers who found Matt and brought him to Kate for help ("I'd be obliged in you'd undress him for me.... Well, it ain't modesty, you know --I'm four times married -- but I could get to the work of 'im sooner. Gentle 'im all you can."). Or Kate's comment to Andy after she finished removing the three bullets from Matt's back: ("You mind what I say... The only bullets worth usin' are to destroy a killer... or to ease an animal's mortal pain. You mind that."). Mabel's delivery of every line is subtle perfection and never over-acted.
Besides her great delivery of her lines, the subtle changes in Mabel's facial expressions convey Kate's every thought and emotion, even when she is just standing in silent contemplation.
Based on this one episode, I feel Mabel was a very underrated actress.
Every scene in this episode, including the well-executed ending, is worth watching.
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