One of the things I love about Gunsmoke is the number of high-quality episodes it produced over the 20-year run of the series. "With A Smile" is one of those standout offerings. I try to avoid spoilers in my reviews, but it is difficult to attempt to adequately write about this episode without venturing into spoiler territory.
There are actually a few different stories embedded in this episode. The first is the tragic story of Lottie Foy. Lottie is the hardworking daughter of a Dodge City area farmer. When her father is killed by a cowboy from the Creed Ranch who has designs on Lottie, she is forced to sell the farm and take a job as one of Kitty's saloon girls at the Long Branch Saloon. While working at the Long Branch, Lottie meets Pat Kane, and the two strike up a relationship. Lottie is in love and very happy. This is one of the plotlines, and could have easily been an episode on its own.
Another plotline involves Major Creed and his son, Dal. The Major is a powerful, respected man with significant political influence. Unfortunately, Dal possesses none of his father's integrity. Dal uses the power and influence afforded by his father's reputation to bully others with seemingly no repercussions.
Eventually, the fates of Lottie and Dal cross. Lottie's role in this part of the story reminds me a bit of the character named Annie from an earlier Season 8 episode, "Phoebe Strunk." Trouble seems to follow Annie in that episode, and the same is true for Lottie in "With A Smile," except with an even more cruel, tragic outcome.
When Dal's advances are rebuffed by Lottie, he waits in ambush and murders her. Chester hears the shot and sees Dal ride away from the scene of the crime. The next day, Marshal Dillon and Chester ride out to the Creed Ranch. Dal tries to laugh off the Marshal's charges, but Chester tells Dal and the Major that he saw Dal riding away from the scene of the crime. Matt arrests Dal, and he is subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to hang.
This series of events introduces the final plotline. The other characters fade away as the story moves from Dodge City to Hayes as Dal faces execution. The story now zooms in on the Major, Dal, Marshal Dillon, and the Hayes sheriff.
Major Creed is a proud man, "...too proud, maybe." Although he seems to know Dal is guilty, he spends considerable time and effort attempting to get Dal another trial or to get his sentence changed. Dal, on the other hand, is a tremendous coward, much to the shame of his proud father. As the time for Dal's sentence to be carried out draws closer, and it becomes increasingly clear that Dal will have to face justice, Dal's cowardice and the Major's resolve to see his son accept his fate with some measure of dignity both become more pronounced. This leads to a clever conclusion to the story.
The characters and the actors that portray them in this episode are about as perfect as it gets. James Best is absolutely outstanding as Dal Creed. I particularly love the scenes where Dal's nature is so clearly exhibited. When Dal is in the Dodge City jail, he treats Chester with contempt and complains about the food. When he is moved to the jail in Hayes, he is terrified at first, as it becomes increasingly apparent his father cannot save him. However, when he thinks he has a chance to "cheat the rope," he immediately reverts back to his arrogant, condescending ways. We can clearly see there is no repentance on Dal's part.
Casting R.G. Armstrong in the role of the Major is another perfect move. Armstrong exhibits the stoicism and exudes the air of authority the character demands. Like Dal, the Major isn't particularly interested in justice. He never shows any remorse that Dal murdered Lottie. His only interest is in how Dal's ultimate demise will reflect on the Creed name. He is primarily interested in preserving some sense of "manliness" and personal pride.
Dick Foran (the Hayes sheriff), Lindon Chiles (Pat Kane, Lottie's love interest), Dan Stafford (Kelly, the despicable ranch hand who kills Lottie's father and clearly intends to force himself on Lottie) and Sharon Farrell (Lottie) all have relatively short appearances here, but they all shine in their roles.
The ending of this episode is chilling. When Dal exclaims to Matt, "No hard feelings," and extends his hand, the momentary look on Matt's face conveys some mixture of sadness, surprise, and confusion. Dal displays his tendency for arrogant condescension right up to the end when the hangman asks if he wants a hood. The way the sheriff flinches when the hangman releases the door on the gallows and we see the shadow of the body plunging toward death perfectly reflects the never ending shock of such an event. (Since hangings in the area took place in Hayes, one would assume the sheriff had seen his fair share. Yet he *still* flinches.) The Major wants no part of witnessing his son's death, but he arrives on the scene almost immediately afterwards seeking assurances that his son "died like a man." It is all handled with subtlety and grace by the writers, actors, and director.
This is certainly one of the best episodes of not only this season but the entire series.
There are actually a few different stories embedded in this episode. The first is the tragic story of Lottie Foy. Lottie is the hardworking daughter of a Dodge City area farmer. When her father is killed by a cowboy from the Creed Ranch who has designs on Lottie, she is forced to sell the farm and take a job as one of Kitty's saloon girls at the Long Branch Saloon. While working at the Long Branch, Lottie meets Pat Kane, and the two strike up a relationship. Lottie is in love and very happy. This is one of the plotlines, and could have easily been an episode on its own.
Another plotline involves Major Creed and his son, Dal. The Major is a powerful, respected man with significant political influence. Unfortunately, Dal possesses none of his father's integrity. Dal uses the power and influence afforded by his father's reputation to bully others with seemingly no repercussions.
Eventually, the fates of Lottie and Dal cross. Lottie's role in this part of the story reminds me a bit of the character named Annie from an earlier Season 8 episode, "Phoebe Strunk." Trouble seems to follow Annie in that episode, and the same is true for Lottie in "With A Smile," except with an even more cruel, tragic outcome.
When Dal's advances are rebuffed by Lottie, he waits in ambush and murders her. Chester hears the shot and sees Dal ride away from the scene of the crime. The next day, Marshal Dillon and Chester ride out to the Creed Ranch. Dal tries to laugh off the Marshal's charges, but Chester tells Dal and the Major that he saw Dal riding away from the scene of the crime. Matt arrests Dal, and he is subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to hang.
This series of events introduces the final plotline. The other characters fade away as the story moves from Dodge City to Hayes as Dal faces execution. The story now zooms in on the Major, Dal, Marshal Dillon, and the Hayes sheriff.
Major Creed is a proud man, "...too proud, maybe." Although he seems to know Dal is guilty, he spends considerable time and effort attempting to get Dal another trial or to get his sentence changed. Dal, on the other hand, is a tremendous coward, much to the shame of his proud father. As the time for Dal's sentence to be carried out draws closer, and it becomes increasingly clear that Dal will have to face justice, Dal's cowardice and the Major's resolve to see his son accept his fate with some measure of dignity both become more pronounced. This leads to a clever conclusion to the story.
The characters and the actors that portray them in this episode are about as perfect as it gets. James Best is absolutely outstanding as Dal Creed. I particularly love the scenes where Dal's nature is so clearly exhibited. When Dal is in the Dodge City jail, he treats Chester with contempt and complains about the food. When he is moved to the jail in Hayes, he is terrified at first, as it becomes increasingly apparent his father cannot save him. However, when he thinks he has a chance to "cheat the rope," he immediately reverts back to his arrogant, condescending ways. We can clearly see there is no repentance on Dal's part.
Casting R.G. Armstrong in the role of the Major is another perfect move. Armstrong exhibits the stoicism and exudes the air of authority the character demands. Like Dal, the Major isn't particularly interested in justice. He never shows any remorse that Dal murdered Lottie. His only interest is in how Dal's ultimate demise will reflect on the Creed name. He is primarily interested in preserving some sense of "manliness" and personal pride.
Dick Foran (the Hayes sheriff), Lindon Chiles (Pat Kane, Lottie's love interest), Dan Stafford (Kelly, the despicable ranch hand who kills Lottie's father and clearly intends to force himself on Lottie) and Sharon Farrell (Lottie) all have relatively short appearances here, but they all shine in their roles.
The ending of this episode is chilling. When Dal exclaims to Matt, "No hard feelings," and extends his hand, the momentary look on Matt's face conveys some mixture of sadness, surprise, and confusion. Dal displays his tendency for arrogant condescension right up to the end when the hangman asks if he wants a hood. The way the sheriff flinches when the hangman releases the door on the gallows and we see the shadow of the body plunging toward death perfectly reflects the never ending shock of such an event. (Since hangings in the area took place in Hayes, one would assume the sheriff had seen his fair share. Yet he *still* flinches.) The Major wants no part of witnessing his son's death, but he arrives on the scene almost immediately afterwards seeking assurances that his son "died like a man." It is all handled with subtlety and grace by the writers, actors, and director.
This is certainly one of the best episodes of not only this season but the entire series.