With a drought around Dodge, a city slicker named Norm Trainer plans on profiting off the local farmers. The only hope the farmers have is a 'water-witch' named Sam'l. But everyone is not ha... Read allWith a drought around Dodge, a city slicker named Norm Trainer plans on profiting off the local farmers. The only hope the farmers have is a 'water-witch' named Sam'l. But everyone is not happy with Sam's presence in Dodge.With a drought around Dodge, a city slicker named Norm Trainer plans on profiting off the local farmers. The only hope the farmers have is a 'water-witch' named Sam'l. But everyone is not happy with Sam's presence in Dodge.
Photos
Peter Mark Richman
- Norm Trainer
- (as Mark Richman)
Ross Dollarhide
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Rudy Doucette
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Bert Madrid
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Jimmy Noel
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaNinety-ninth and final appearance of Rudy Sooter. Most appearances were uncredited as townsman, but Mr. Sooter also played parts as barfly, guitar player and bartender, all in the Long Branch.
- GoofsAt the end when Mr. Sam'l, Marcie (his daughter), and Ben are standing next to each other, Marcie can be seen from behind standing in between the other two with her arms around each one, specifically with her right hand on Mr. Sam'l's right shoulder. When the view is moved to the front her right hand is now more towards the middle of his back. And when the view is returned to the back, her right hand is again on his right shoulder.
Featured review
This Collection of Talent Deserved a Better Story
The practice of water dowsing, sometimes called water witching, has long been debated. Science generally scoffs at the notion that someone can walk around with a piece of branch from a tree and find water underground.
I have no idea how often water dowsing was actually done in the Old West, but anyone that is a fan of the genre of television Westerns will know it is a popular plot element. The Rifleman explored the practice in the episode "A Matter of Faith," and Gunsmoke incorporates it as a central story device here.
This episode gets its name from a man named Sam Bassett, who in this story tells everyone he goes by the name Mr. Sam'l. Mr. Sam'l claims to be a water witch, or someone who has a gift for finding water underground. A drought is affecting the Dodge City area, and Mr. Sam'l makes his way there thinking he can help. The viewer will soon learn that Mr. Sam'l has other ties to Dodge beyond selling his services, as his daughter Marcie works at the Long Branch Saloon.
A businessman named Norm Trainer also arrives in town in the hopes of buying land at a huge discount from desperate farmers and ranchers and profiting once the drought ends. One of the farms is owned by Ben Akins. Ben's brother, Dave, works on the farm. Unfortunately, Dave isn't content with the working arrangement and chooses to join forces with Trainer.
Mr. Sam'l's presence is Dodge presents a problem for Trainer and Dave, as any hope the locals might have makes them less likely to sell.
The story incorporates all these elements. The local farmers were losing hope. Trainer and the younger Akins brother are counting on their desperation. Mr. Sam'l brings them hope, but he is hiding some secrets that can hurt him and his daughter.
The highlight of this episode is -- as is often the case with Gunsmoke -- the fine acting performances. The great character actor Ed Begley plays Mr. Sam'l. Begley was both a Tony and Academy Award winner. He appeared in two Gunsmoke episodes, this episode and Season 11's "Taps for Old Jeb." He plays two completely different characters in the two episodes.
Larry Pennell fills the role of Ben Akins in this story. Pennell is one of those actors that seemed to appear in just about every television show in the 1960s and '70s. He is also one those people that looks familiar, but it is difficult to remember exactly where you have seen him. He did play a recurring role on The Beverly Hillbillies as the actor with the stage name Dash Riprock. This is the first of two Gunsmoke episodes where he was involved.
Sandra Smith plays the part of Marcie in the story. This is the first of her three different Gunsmoke appearances. She was very memorable as the character Janice Lester, James Kirk's psychopathic ex-girlfriend in the "Turnabout Intruder" episode of Star Trek: The Original Series.
The prolific actor Mark Richman is the Norm Trainer character. Richman enjoyed an exceptionally lengthy career, primarily in television. He often played villains, and he is noted as playing characters that were frequently killed during the shows where he appeared. He starred in the short-lived NBC series Cain's Hundred in 1961.
Lesser-known actor Duke Hobbie plays Dave Akins in his only Gunsmoke appearance.
It is worth noting this episode features the final appearance by Rudy Sooter. Sooter participated in many Gunsmoke episodes beginning in Season 6 and concluding here. He was rarely credited. He often played music in the Long Branch Saloon, and he portrayed a bartender in the establishment at times.
Unfortunately, this story does not live up to the talented performances. Writer Harry Kronman must have looked back over old episodes of the show and picked a few plots to weave together. The jealous brother, the estranged parent and child, residents affected by a severe drought, and the scheming businessman willing to use any means required to make a profit are all used here -- none of them very effectively. The resolution of the story is particularly sloppy.
The actors in this episode deserved a better story.
I have no idea how often water dowsing was actually done in the Old West, but anyone that is a fan of the genre of television Westerns will know it is a popular plot element. The Rifleman explored the practice in the episode "A Matter of Faith," and Gunsmoke incorporates it as a central story device here.
This episode gets its name from a man named Sam Bassett, who in this story tells everyone he goes by the name Mr. Sam'l. Mr. Sam'l claims to be a water witch, or someone who has a gift for finding water underground. A drought is affecting the Dodge City area, and Mr. Sam'l makes his way there thinking he can help. The viewer will soon learn that Mr. Sam'l has other ties to Dodge beyond selling his services, as his daughter Marcie works at the Long Branch Saloon.
A businessman named Norm Trainer also arrives in town in the hopes of buying land at a huge discount from desperate farmers and ranchers and profiting once the drought ends. One of the farms is owned by Ben Akins. Ben's brother, Dave, works on the farm. Unfortunately, Dave isn't content with the working arrangement and chooses to join forces with Trainer.
Mr. Sam'l's presence is Dodge presents a problem for Trainer and Dave, as any hope the locals might have makes them less likely to sell.
The story incorporates all these elements. The local farmers were losing hope. Trainer and the younger Akins brother are counting on their desperation. Mr. Sam'l brings them hope, but he is hiding some secrets that can hurt him and his daughter.
The highlight of this episode is -- as is often the case with Gunsmoke -- the fine acting performances. The great character actor Ed Begley plays Mr. Sam'l. Begley was both a Tony and Academy Award winner. He appeared in two Gunsmoke episodes, this episode and Season 11's "Taps for Old Jeb." He plays two completely different characters in the two episodes.
Larry Pennell fills the role of Ben Akins in this story. Pennell is one of those actors that seemed to appear in just about every television show in the 1960s and '70s. He is also one those people that looks familiar, but it is difficult to remember exactly where you have seen him. He did play a recurring role on The Beverly Hillbillies as the actor with the stage name Dash Riprock. This is the first of two Gunsmoke episodes where he was involved.
Sandra Smith plays the part of Marcie in the story. This is the first of her three different Gunsmoke appearances. She was very memorable as the character Janice Lester, James Kirk's psychopathic ex-girlfriend in the "Turnabout Intruder" episode of Star Trek: The Original Series.
The prolific actor Mark Richman is the Norm Trainer character. Richman enjoyed an exceptionally lengthy career, primarily in television. He often played villains, and he is noted as playing characters that were frequently killed during the shows where he appeared. He starred in the short-lived NBC series Cain's Hundred in 1961.
Lesser-known actor Duke Hobbie plays Dave Akins in his only Gunsmoke appearance.
It is worth noting this episode features the final appearance by Rudy Sooter. Sooter participated in many Gunsmoke episodes beginning in Season 6 and concluding here. He was rarely credited. He often played music in the Long Branch Saloon, and he portrayed a bartender in the establishment at times.
Unfortunately, this story does not live up to the talented performances. Writer Harry Kronman must have looked back over old episodes of the show and picked a few plots to weave together. The jealous brother, the estranged parent and child, residents affected by a severe drought, and the scheming businessman willing to use any means required to make a profit are all used here -- none of them very effectively. The resolution of the story is particularly sloppy.
The actors in this episode deserved a better story.
helpful•22
- wdavidreynolds
- May 2, 2021
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content