My only question with the episodes is why the people would think the person with the handcuff on his right hand would be the marshal. The odds of both men being left-handed are unlikely. The handcuff always goes on the less dominant hand, so your good hand is free, doesn't it?
7 Reviews
Great Cast Lifts Formulaic Story
wdavidreynolds25 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Two of my favorite character actors play roles in this tale: Robert Wilke and Warren Oates. Wilke must have appeared in every western television series, usually as a villain. His appearance in the classic Gary Cooper western film High Noon helped him rise to prominence in Hollywood. He also appeared in Terrence Malick's excellent film Days of Heaven in the late 1970s.
Like Wilke, Warren Oates appeared in numerous western television series, but he is best known for his frequent work with Sam Peckinpah, who incidentally wrote some early episodes of Gunsmoke. Both Oates and Wilke appeared in many Gunsmoke episodes over the years.
This story begins in the Long Branch Saloon where Wilke's character, a man named Kelby, is involved in a three-day card game. When one of the other players accuses Kelby of cheating, he kills the man and shoots Quint Asper as he makes his escape.
A few weeks go by, and Matt Dillon has been looking for Kelby to no avail. The Marshal has also alerted towns throughout the territory about Kelby. After returning from one of his excursions, he receives a telegram that Kelby has been arrested and is being held in Tascosa. Matt gets a fresh horse and makes the trip to get Kelby and bring him back to Dodge to stand trial for murder.
On their way back to Dodge, Kelby attacks Matt as they are riding up a steep hill. They both fall from their horses and tumble down the hill. Kelby is unconscious, and Matt is nearly so, but he manages to handcuff himself to Kelby just before passing out. The Marshal lost his gunbelt and his badge in the fall.
A family named Bassop -- a husband, wife, and son -- are traveling in a wagon when they discover Dillon and Kelby unconscious. The Bassops are trying to get to Dodge, because Mellie Bassop is pregnant and badly needs to see a doctor. At first, the Bassops assume the two men are dead, but upon closer inspection, they find that both are still alive, and they learn that one of the two is a law enforcement officer. Deke Bassop, the father, is in favor of leaving them behind, but Mrs. Bassop insists they help the men. Of course, there is a problem, because the Bassops do not know which man is the criminal and which man is the Marshal. Since Kelby was the first to regain consciousness, he tells the Bassops *he* is the Marshal, and Dillon is the criminal.
Therefore the remainder of the story involves everyone wandering around the prairie while Kelby tries to keep them from getting back to Dodge, and Dillon tries to convince the Bassops to ignore Kelby's misdirection before it is too late.
While the story is a bit formulaic, and guessing the outcome isn't too difficult, the acting is excellent. I did not find the amount of time the principle characters spent trying to find their way excessive. However, the resolution seems sudden given the challenges it took to get there. This isn't a classic episode, but the cast lifts it to above average status for me.
Like Wilke, Warren Oates appeared in numerous western television series, but he is best known for his frequent work with Sam Peckinpah, who incidentally wrote some early episodes of Gunsmoke. Both Oates and Wilke appeared in many Gunsmoke episodes over the years.
This story begins in the Long Branch Saloon where Wilke's character, a man named Kelby, is involved in a three-day card game. When one of the other players accuses Kelby of cheating, he kills the man and shoots Quint Asper as he makes his escape.
A few weeks go by, and Matt Dillon has been looking for Kelby to no avail. The Marshal has also alerted towns throughout the territory about Kelby. After returning from one of his excursions, he receives a telegram that Kelby has been arrested and is being held in Tascosa. Matt gets a fresh horse and makes the trip to get Kelby and bring him back to Dodge to stand trial for murder.
On their way back to Dodge, Kelby attacks Matt as they are riding up a steep hill. They both fall from their horses and tumble down the hill. Kelby is unconscious, and Matt is nearly so, but he manages to handcuff himself to Kelby just before passing out. The Marshal lost his gunbelt and his badge in the fall.
A family named Bassop -- a husband, wife, and son -- are traveling in a wagon when they discover Dillon and Kelby unconscious. The Bassops are trying to get to Dodge, because Mellie Bassop is pregnant and badly needs to see a doctor. At first, the Bassops assume the two men are dead, but upon closer inspection, they find that both are still alive, and they learn that one of the two is a law enforcement officer. Deke Bassop, the father, is in favor of leaving them behind, but Mrs. Bassop insists they help the men. Of course, there is a problem, because the Bassops do not know which man is the criminal and which man is the Marshal. Since Kelby was the first to regain consciousness, he tells the Bassops *he* is the Marshal, and Dillon is the criminal.
Therefore the remainder of the story involves everyone wandering around the prairie while Kelby tries to keep them from getting back to Dodge, and Dillon tries to convince the Bassops to ignore Kelby's misdirection before it is too late.
While the story is a bit formulaic, and guessing the outcome isn't too difficult, the acting is excellent. I did not find the amount of time the principle characters spent trying to find their way excessive. However, the resolution seems sudden given the challenges it took to get there. This isn't a classic episode, but the cast lifts it to above average status for me.
Some observations and questions
lrrap4 September 2022
I feared watching this episode, since I thought that the Bassops were going to be like so many other rural families in this series....crazed, psycho, drunken hicks (often led by Denver Pyle, it seems) who delight in tormenting the series regulars; such was happily NOT the case here, as the Bassops were a good family that continually wrestled with the moral and humanitarian challenges they faced.
Eunice Pollis, who played the pregnant wife Mellie, was a tad affected in some of her preachy dialogue, but still was effective in providing the "conscience" of the story.
Still, as another person commented, this episode probably would have been a more effective half-hour.
QUESTION--- why in the heck wasn't Matt MUCH more assertive in trying to convince the Bassops that HE was the real marshall? A few half-hearted attempts, and off they go in the WRONG direction, with no water in sight.
They only could travel as fast as the two wounded men could walk, and we're to believe that they WALKED nearly 30 miles in the wrong direction, in the brutal sun, only to discover their mistake and TURN BACK, retrace their path, and THEN walk another 16 miles to Dodge from their original starting point?
I didn't get it.....and that poor, lone HORSE that pulled the Bassop's wagon; how did HE (it?) survive the ordeal? Lots of impractical things here, which could have been dealt with in the show's LONG running time.
Notice the SAFETY WIRE attached to Dillon on his horse during the violent fight with Wilke, as they plummet down the rocky slope.
AND WHY--in the final credits--was actress Eunice Pollis, playing a major role, listed AFTER James Griffith, who was blown away during the first 3 minutes of the show, after speaking TWO LINES? Sounds like Ms. Pollis didn't have a very good agent.
Note to Griffith fans (like me); don't get your hopes up when you see his name in the credits; "SPOILER" Alert:--- he's gone before you barely have a chance to notice him. ALSO-- Warren Oates was really good in this episode; solid and restrained. LR.
Eunice Pollis, who played the pregnant wife Mellie, was a tad affected in some of her preachy dialogue, but still was effective in providing the "conscience" of the story.
Still, as another person commented, this episode probably would have been a more effective half-hour.
QUESTION--- why in the heck wasn't Matt MUCH more assertive in trying to convince the Bassops that HE was the real marshall? A few half-hearted attempts, and off they go in the WRONG direction, with no water in sight.
They only could travel as fast as the two wounded men could walk, and we're to believe that they WALKED nearly 30 miles in the wrong direction, in the brutal sun, only to discover their mistake and TURN BACK, retrace their path, and THEN walk another 16 miles to Dodge from their original starting point?
I didn't get it.....and that poor, lone HORSE that pulled the Bassop's wagon; how did HE (it?) survive the ordeal? Lots of impractical things here, which could have been dealt with in the show's LONG running time.
Notice the SAFETY WIRE attached to Dillon on his horse during the violent fight with Wilke, as they plummet down the rocky slope.
AND WHY--in the final credits--was actress Eunice Pollis, playing a major role, listed AFTER James Griffith, who was blown away during the first 3 minutes of the show, after speaking TWO LINES? Sounds like Ms. Pollis didn't have a very good agent.
Note to Griffith fans (like me); don't get your hopes up when you see his name in the credits; "SPOILER" Alert:--- he's gone before you barely have a chance to notice him. ALSO-- Warren Oates was really good in this episode; solid and restrained. LR.
PLOT TWISTER (but too long)
cduffynyc-407694 February 2023
Who's the real Marshall? I agree with another reviewer (and was thinking about it before the episode ended & before I saw that review); just how good it was to see normal, religious family people come riding across the prairie, and not a family of psychotics (and nice seeing Warren Oates in a good guy role - he handles it nicely). They all do, BUT all the while when trying to figure out who's the real Marshall, why not check Matt's shirt, which clearly comes to view a number of times, with the tear right on the breast where a badge would have been pinned! ROFL!
Good and evil are clear, but man can those two guys walk forever in hot sun & no water (not realistic).
Good and evil are clear, but man can those two guys walk forever in hot sun & no water (not realistic).
Never really captured any excitement in this old plot
kfo949428 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The episode begins in the Long Branch where a man named Wayne Kelby has been in a three day poker playing game with three other men. As Quint and Kitty are talking, one of the men jumps to his feet and accuses Kelby of cheating. Kelby shoots him dead, wounds Quint and grabs Kitty before leaving.
Marshal Dillon has alerted all the Sheriff's offices of Kelby and the fact that he is wanted. A Sheriff in Tascosa, Tx captures Kelby and waits for Matt to pick him up.
While on the way back to Dodge with the prisoner in tow, Kelby springs at Matt knocking himself and Matt off their horse. Before Matt passes out he is able to handcuff Kelby's arm to his as both slip into unconsciousness.
A traveling family lead by Deke his wife Mellie and son Tommy find the two but both are claiming to the the US Marshal from Dodge. With each saying the other one is lying it will difficult for the family to determine who is telling the truth.
This really is not a bad show but one that had little excitement causing it to seem long at times. It is a plot that has been played out many times in westerns making the story appear old. But the acting was fine and the interest held up, making it a fine watch for viewers.
Marshal Dillon has alerted all the Sheriff's offices of Kelby and the fact that he is wanted. A Sheriff in Tascosa, Tx captures Kelby and waits for Matt to pick him up.
While on the way back to Dodge with the prisoner in tow, Kelby springs at Matt knocking himself and Matt off their horse. Before Matt passes out he is able to handcuff Kelby's arm to his as both slip into unconsciousness.
A traveling family lead by Deke his wife Mellie and son Tommy find the two but both are claiming to the the US Marshal from Dodge. With each saying the other one is lying it will difficult for the family to determine who is telling the truth.
This really is not a bad show but one that had little excitement causing it to seem long at times. It is a plot that has been played out many times in westerns making the story appear old. But the acting was fine and the interest held up, making it a fine watch for viewers.
Slow, slower, slowest...
streetlight228 October 2020
This episode might have made a decent half-hour show. The couple that found Matt and his prisoner Kelby spent most of the time arguing about which was the marshal and whether to leave both of them chained together in the back country.
It was strange that the couple and child were headed to Dodge City from the east, but didn't seem to know which way to go when they're only eight miles from Dodge. I'm assuming most travelers in those days had a compass or at least could follow the sun accounting for the seasons. Dodge City isn't too far from the Arkansas River, so one could just find that east or south east of Dodge. There would be plenty of water and maybe fish and game for sustenance along the way.
It was strange that the couple and child were headed to Dodge City from the east, but didn't seem to know which way to go when they're only eight miles from Dodge. I'm assuming most travelers in those days had a compass or at least could follow the sun accounting for the seasons. Dodge City isn't too far from the Arkansas River, so one could just find that east or south east of Dodge. There would be plenty of water and maybe fish and game for sustenance along the way.
We need some Waah-da
lovesmrgold18 July 2022
I love Gunsmoke and I watch it multiple times a week. But this episode grates on my nerves. It is WAY too long and the woman's whiny voice drives me up the wall. The way she calls water waah-da makes me want to scream.
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