"Gunsmoke" Big Tom (TV Episode 1960) Poster

(TV Series)

(1960)

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7/10
An aging prizefighter may get his last fight
kfo949428 August 2013
Tom Burr is an ex-prizefighter that has settled down in Dodge. Tom has given up fighting and has since developed weakness spells that comes and goes. When a slick promoter comes to town he boosts Tom's reputation up so much that Tom is ready to go back into the ring. With intentions all along, the promoter schedules Tom a fight with Hob Creel, a younger and bigger fighter that beat Tom years ago.

As the weakness spells continue, Tom goes to see Doc Adams and learns that his weakness is due to a bad heart. In fact Doc Adams says that it was one of the worse hearts he had heard in a long time. Marshal Dillon has to put a stop to the fight. But doing so will reek the havoc of the people that have already laid down bets and the burly Hob Creel.

Here is a nice show that reveals how tough you had to be as Marshal in the late 1800's. A well written script that made for a program that was entertaining to the end. When Marshal Dillon drinks that last beer, he really looked like he needed some refreshment. Good watch.
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Battle of the Titans
dougdoepke19 August 2013
A professional fighter Hob Creel and his fast talking manager come to Dodge hoping to find a suitable opponent. It so happens that Big Tom a washed-up fighter is living in Dodge, taking odd jobs for a living. Seems Big Tom and Creel fought before in San Francisco where Creel needlessly humiliated his opponent, causing a life-long hatred. Now Tom is heck bent to get revenge, but one thing stands in his way— a bad heart condition. So what will he do.

Good episode that has both suspense and poignancy. Nice to see professional thug Robert Wilke (Big Tom) get a sympathetic role for a change, and he does quite well with the softer emotions we're not used to from him. Then too, Harry Lauter as the relentless promoter lends a lot of character color. The entry's also notable for presence of Don Megowan (Creel), a giant of a man as tall and robust as Arness. So when he and Matt tangle, it's like a battle of the Titans.
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10/10
Prize Fighting in Dodge
csmith-9961513 May 2020
Y'all had to be pretty tough to be a US Marshall in the 1870s. Matt Dillon proved that on several occasions. This episode is reminiscent of " Never Pester Chester",as our Marshall shows his physical capabilities. Good watch as always.
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10/10
Slugfest
darbski5 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** Loved it. Tough about old Tom and all. The one objection I have in the whole thing is the injustice Matt doled out to himself. He whipped the meanie fair and square, and that money belonged to him. It was a pretty good fight, too.

No way should Kitty let those drunken vultures keep it. One round on the house, and make them give Matt the winnings. He can pay Doc, get some better furnishings for the office, take Kitty out for a couple of good dinners, and get some new socks; and get Tom a decent send-off. I guess there IS just one more thing. When Tom croaked, I think a better shot would to have him just continue to stare lifelessly, straight ahead instead of having his head turn; it looked phony.
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6/10
Winner Take All Warning: Spoilers
(*Tom Burr quote*) - "You can't do this marshal, you gotta let me fight this man."

Tom Burr is an ex-prizefighter who has a very serious heart condition. But regardless of his state of health, he is convinced to fight Hob Creel to the finish.

Marshal Dillon tries the best he can to stop Tom from going into the ring.
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