The schemes of a mother trying to control the lives of her son and daughter lead to tragic results.The schemes of a mother trying to control the lives of her son and daughter lead to tragic results.The schemes of a mother trying to control the lives of her son and daughter lead to tragic results.
Photos
Amanda Blake
- Kitty
- (credit only)
Tom Leopold
- Chester Shepherd
- (as Thomas Leopold)
Robert Cole
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Laura Gile
- Townswoman
- (uncredited)
Chester Hayes
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Kathryn Janssen
- Townswoman
- (uncredited)
Tom McDonough
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Calvin Clements Sr.
- Norman MacDonnell(uncredited)
- John Meston(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSixth and final appearance of Louise Latham, various characters.
- GoofsWhen Mrs. Shepherd complains to her son about the girl he went to see in Garden City, she tells how the girl went there and opened up a saloon, but her lips say "brothel," not "saloon."
Featured review
A Delusional, Manipulative Character Infects Everyone She Touches with Her Misery
Joan Shepherd is a profoundly unhappy woman living a life filled with regrets about the unrealized dreams of her past. In fact, her bitterness is such that she seeks to impose the aspirations never attained in her life on the lives of her son and daughter. Chester, her son, can see through his mother's manipulation and manages to resist her efforts to control his life, but Anna May, her daughter, is younger and less willing to confront the truth.
Louise Latham has the unenviable job of portraying the miserable character Joan Shepherd. This is Latham's sixth and final appearance in the Gunsmoke series. Latham perfectly reflects the character of someone who is so thoroughly obsessed with controlling the lives of her children that it has crossed over into delusional territory.
Kathleen Cody plays the part of Anna May Shepherd. Vincent McEveety, who directed this episode, was Cody's mentor and close friend. Cody's most prominent role was in the series Dark Shadows: The Vampire Curse in the early 1970s. She appeared in several television roles until the mid-1970s. She eventually decided to quit acting and devote all her time to her family. She had previously appeared in the two-part "Women for Sale" episode at the beginning of Season 19. She returned for a final appearance in the series during Season 20.
Thomas Leopold portrays Chester Shepherd in this story. This is Leopold's only Gunsmoke role, and he only appeared in a few television shows and movies. Many of his acting roles occurred in situation comedies. He is better known for his work as a writer and producer. His writing and production work includes episodes of Cheers, Ellen, Caroline in the City, Will & Grace, Madigan Men, and Hope & Faith.
Actor John Reilly makes the first of two Gunsmoke appearances with this episode. He plays a farmer neighbor of the Shepherd's named Orlo Baker who is quite interested in a relationship with Anna May, but since he does not measure up to Joan's ideal for Anna May, she discourages any interaction between the two.
Simon Scott and Parker Stevenson portray father and son Mr. Rogers and Steven Rogers. Mr. Rogers is a local, wealthy businessman, and Joan considers Steven the kind of man Anna May should marry. Mother Shepherd's overt attempts to try to manufacture a relationship between Steven and Anna May are embarrassing.
The Gunsmoke star featured in this episode is Buck Taylor. Taylor's Newly O'Brien character is another of Anna May's would-be suitors, but, of course, Joan does not approve. The gunsmith/deputy/medical professional does not meet Mrs. Shepherd's lofty standards for Anna May. The other main characters are relegated to the sidelines or missing for this story, and they should have considered that an act of mercy. We do get Festus Haggen calling a square dance, and Doc Adams tending to an injured Orlo. Kitty Russell is absent.
The only real drama in the story is the result of a conflict between Newly and Orlo where Orlo is injured. The incident occurs due to more of Joan's manipulative insinuations and lies, and the woman does everything she can to turn the event into a criminal charge against O'Brien.
There is no escaping the fact that this is a miserable story. It develops with agonizing slowness. Many of the characters are immensely unlikable, especially Louise Latham's haughty Joan Shepherd. Latham's character is not only annoying, but the fantasy world she has constructed is pitifully sad. It is difficult to understand the producers reading Calvin Clements, Sr.'s script and thinking it would be advisable to go forward with the production.
Like the previous "Cowtown Hustler" episode, this is another installment of the series set in Dodge City with minimal involvement by anyone related to Gunsmoke other than Newly O'Brien. Including Newly as one of Anna May's potential beaus appears to merely be a device to involve one of the main characters in the story. It is also notable that the Newly O'Brien character had been mostly absent since "The Town Tamers" episode earlier in the season. He was due for a story where he had a more significant -- or any -- role.
The performances prevent this episode from reaching the absolute bottom of the barrel for the Gunsmoke series. Despite the acting, this story still ranks near the bottom for me.
Louise Latham has the unenviable job of portraying the miserable character Joan Shepherd. This is Latham's sixth and final appearance in the Gunsmoke series. Latham perfectly reflects the character of someone who is so thoroughly obsessed with controlling the lives of her children that it has crossed over into delusional territory.
Kathleen Cody plays the part of Anna May Shepherd. Vincent McEveety, who directed this episode, was Cody's mentor and close friend. Cody's most prominent role was in the series Dark Shadows: The Vampire Curse in the early 1970s. She appeared in several television roles until the mid-1970s. She eventually decided to quit acting and devote all her time to her family. She had previously appeared in the two-part "Women for Sale" episode at the beginning of Season 19. She returned for a final appearance in the series during Season 20.
Thomas Leopold portrays Chester Shepherd in this story. This is Leopold's only Gunsmoke role, and he only appeared in a few television shows and movies. Many of his acting roles occurred in situation comedies. He is better known for his work as a writer and producer. His writing and production work includes episodes of Cheers, Ellen, Caroline in the City, Will & Grace, Madigan Men, and Hope & Faith.
Actor John Reilly makes the first of two Gunsmoke appearances with this episode. He plays a farmer neighbor of the Shepherd's named Orlo Baker who is quite interested in a relationship with Anna May, but since he does not measure up to Joan's ideal for Anna May, she discourages any interaction between the two.
Simon Scott and Parker Stevenson portray father and son Mr. Rogers and Steven Rogers. Mr. Rogers is a local, wealthy businessman, and Joan considers Steven the kind of man Anna May should marry. Mother Shepherd's overt attempts to try to manufacture a relationship between Steven and Anna May are embarrassing.
The Gunsmoke star featured in this episode is Buck Taylor. Taylor's Newly O'Brien character is another of Anna May's would-be suitors, but, of course, Joan does not approve. The gunsmith/deputy/medical professional does not meet Mrs. Shepherd's lofty standards for Anna May. The other main characters are relegated to the sidelines or missing for this story, and they should have considered that an act of mercy. We do get Festus Haggen calling a square dance, and Doc Adams tending to an injured Orlo. Kitty Russell is absent.
The only real drama in the story is the result of a conflict between Newly and Orlo where Orlo is injured. The incident occurs due to more of Joan's manipulative insinuations and lies, and the woman does everything she can to turn the event into a criminal charge against O'Brien.
There is no escaping the fact that this is a miserable story. It develops with agonizing slowness. Many of the characters are immensely unlikable, especially Louise Latham's haughty Joan Shepherd. Latham's character is not only annoying, but the fantasy world she has constructed is pitifully sad. It is difficult to understand the producers reading Calvin Clements, Sr.'s script and thinking it would be advisable to go forward with the production.
Like the previous "Cowtown Hustler" episode, this is another installment of the series set in Dodge City with minimal involvement by anyone related to Gunsmoke other than Newly O'Brien. Including Newly as one of Anna May's potential beaus appears to merely be a device to involve one of the main characters in the story. It is also notable that the Newly O'Brien character had been mostly absent since "The Town Tamers" episode earlier in the season. He was due for a story where he had a more significant -- or any -- role.
The performances prevent this episode from reaching the absolute bottom of the barrel for the Gunsmoke series. Despite the acting, this story still ranks near the bottom for me.
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- wdavidreynolds
- Oct 22, 2021
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