One of the best.
It's remarkable how cruel and violent a series "Gunsmoke" had become by the mid '60's. A couple of nasty, vicious characters figure prominently in this story, much to the misfortune of poor Lottie. The first of them is thrashed by Quint in a hail of Chickens in the barn...and I guess he dies, even though Burt Reynolds' line confirming the death was clearly dubbed. But it's fun to watch the prop guys flingin' chickens into camera range during the melee, which keeps things visually interesting.
The conflict between Lottie, Dal and Pat Brady is excellently laid out in the script, and Quint always seems to be around when his help is needed. Still, it's not enough to ensure a happy ending for the pair of lovers. A real bummer.
The plot then shifts to the relationship between the gruff, no-nonsense R. G. Armstrong and his pathetic son Dal, a conflict which is also convincingly defined; the pivotal scene near the end, with R. G. sitting in the bar by himself (joined by Matt) is, again, expertly written, directed and performed. James Best-- an actor whose talent was definitely underrated, deftly moves between sadistic bully and quivering, spineless weakling. Damn' good performance.
As is the performance of Dick Foran as the Hays City Sheriff. Like the true old pro that he is, Mr. Foran is a model of control, authority, and honesty as an actor. The casting director REALLY nailed it by engaging Foran for this part.
Big Jim Arness is also in top form, as the subtlety and command in his final scenes with Best, R. G, and Foran again demonstrate. Keep in mind that he's the only major character in the final scene who is UNAWARE of what's going on. Great scripting (even though the ending was not impossible to predict during the scene between Best and Foran in the jail cell). And---better late than never-- it's good to see Chester get involved in the action, IN ADDITION to his whimsical scene with Doc and his glass o' beer.
MY ONLY COMPLAINT--- the selection of library/musical cues leaves much to be desired. For the opening business with Chester and the stove-pipe, the Music Supervisor must have gone to his file of cues labeled "Monkey Business" or something similar; pretty amateurish stuff. For the big fight in the barn (with the chickens), the garish music cue sounds like Hans Salter or Albert Glasser on an off day, and the brass fanfare stuff for the scene where Dillon and Chester visit the Major's ranch also seems out-of-place. These cues are all too flashy and jarring, and tend to undermine the sober, downbeat tone which is essential to this story.
BUT---OVER ALL-- "With a Smile" is ANOTHER First-Rate accomplishment from the Gunsmoke gang. It's amazing to see how they were able to deliver such high quality so consistently. LR.
It's remarkable how cruel and violent a series "Gunsmoke" had become by the mid '60's. A couple of nasty, vicious characters figure prominently in this story, much to the misfortune of poor Lottie. The first of them is thrashed by Quint in a hail of Chickens in the barn...and I guess he dies, even though Burt Reynolds' line confirming the death was clearly dubbed. But it's fun to watch the prop guys flingin' chickens into camera range during the melee, which keeps things visually interesting.
The conflict between Lottie, Dal and Pat Brady is excellently laid out in the script, and Quint always seems to be around when his help is needed. Still, it's not enough to ensure a happy ending for the pair of lovers. A real bummer.
The plot then shifts to the relationship between the gruff, no-nonsense R. G. Armstrong and his pathetic son Dal, a conflict which is also convincingly defined; the pivotal scene near the end, with R. G. sitting in the bar by himself (joined by Matt) is, again, expertly written, directed and performed. James Best-- an actor whose talent was definitely underrated, deftly moves between sadistic bully and quivering, spineless weakling. Damn' good performance.
As is the performance of Dick Foran as the Hays City Sheriff. Like the true old pro that he is, Mr. Foran is a model of control, authority, and honesty as an actor. The casting director REALLY nailed it by engaging Foran for this part.
Big Jim Arness is also in top form, as the subtlety and command in his final scenes with Best, R. G, and Foran again demonstrate. Keep in mind that he's the only major character in the final scene who is UNAWARE of what's going on. Great scripting (even though the ending was not impossible to predict during the scene between Best and Foran in the jail cell). And---better late than never-- it's good to see Chester get involved in the action, IN ADDITION to his whimsical scene with Doc and his glass o' beer.
MY ONLY COMPLAINT--- the selection of library/musical cues leaves much to be desired. For the opening business with Chester and the stove-pipe, the Music Supervisor must have gone to his file of cues labeled "Monkey Business" or something similar; pretty amateurish stuff. For the big fight in the barn (with the chickens), the garish music cue sounds like Hans Salter or Albert Glasser on an off day, and the brass fanfare stuff for the scene where Dillon and Chester visit the Major's ranch also seems out-of-place. These cues are all too flashy and jarring, and tend to undermine the sober, downbeat tone which is essential to this story.
BUT---OVER ALL-- "With a Smile" is ANOTHER First-Rate accomplishment from the Gunsmoke gang. It's amazing to see how they were able to deliver such high quality so consistently. LR.