Will Bill to the rescue of this plodding episode. Elisha Coo's part should have been written more into the story. The story really picks up after Hickok's arrival and discovery of the false witness hiding in the stables. Questionable "interviewing' techniques and ploys by the Marshal and Doc make for interesting confession. A mediocre episode made good in the end.
9 Reviews
Okey-Dokey
darbski28 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** I can't go any higher than 9 on this one, because I agree with the other reviewers. There is also, a serious point about Matt being arrested by a town sheriff, even if it WAS Bill Hickok. Matt was a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Bill was a town sheriff; he had no jurisdiction over Matt. And since Kansas was a state, they'd have a real tough time getting ANY say over a Federal lawman, whose jurisdiction is pretty much wherever he's at. It would take another Marshal to arrest him.
I'm also gonna say that I agree with the point that it was a waste to have Matt and Bill get set for a gunfight against the bad guys and then have it turn into a small time draw down. The part about leaving the dead guy right there isn't too important; they were just waiting for Doc to confirm his gonerness.
Two fine bit players: Bruce Gordon, and Elisha Cook. Elisha Cook was one of the best of the best when it comes to being a character actor.
I'm also gonna say that I agree with the point that it was a waste to have Matt and Bill get set for a gunfight against the bad guys and then have it turn into a small time draw down. The part about leaving the dead guy right there isn't too important; they were just waiting for Doc to confirm his gonerness.
Two fine bit players: Bruce Gordon, and Elisha Cook. Elisha Cook was one of the best of the best when it comes to being a character actor.
Arness Underplays
dougdoepke29 March 2012
Despite the promising premise and a standout supporting cast, the episode never really gels. Matt's accused of murder and relieved of his office. His accusers are a dubious lot but we can't be sure of their motives. Meanwhile, who comes to escort Matt for trial but western legend Wild Bill Hickok. What's Matt to do now.
Veteran bad guy Wilke really impresses as the quietly powerful Hickok, a revealing departure from his usual leering, thuggish roles. And, of course, there's cult actor Elisha Cook doing his wild-eyed sniveling bit. That drunken scene in Doc's office remains an oddball spectacle. On the other hand the usually expert Arness looks like he's oddly just walking through his role here. He doesn't seem worried at all about his predicament, and with that, unfortunately, goes much of the dramatic tension.
Veteran bad guy Wilke really impresses as the quietly powerful Hickok, a revealing departure from his usual leering, thuggish roles. And, of course, there's cult actor Elisha Cook doing his wild-eyed sniveling bit. That drunken scene in Doc's office remains an oddball spectacle. On the other hand the usually expert Arness looks like he's oddly just walking through his role here. He doesn't seem worried at all about his predicament, and with that, unfortunately, goes much of the dramatic tension.
In Vino Veritas
atomicis12 January 2023
Loved this one! Despite paying the exorbitant $250/month 'xfIniTy' rates, this is one of the few episodes I had not seen. Did not disappoint! Despite, As usual, "kfo's" "review" (a spoiler-filled synopsis... won't IMDB please just shut her/him down?) the drama here was a 9.5/10!
Oh it's too short. Sorry. How 'bout now? No?! Well, here... Loved this one! Despite paying the exorbitant $250/month 'xfIniTy' rates, this is one of the few episodes I had not seen. Did not disappoint! Despite, As usual, "kfo's" "review" (a spoiler-filled synopsis... won't IMDB please just shut her/him down?) the drama here was a 9.5/10!
Oh it's too short. Sorry. How 'bout now? No?! Well, here... Loved this one! Despite paying the exorbitant $250/month 'xfIniTy' rates, this is one of the few episodes I had not seen. Did not disappoint! Despite, As usual, "kfo's" "review" (a spoiler-filled synopsis... won't IMDB please just shut her/him down?) the drama here was a 9.5/10!
No Show Bill Hickok
jamdifo28 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I thought the 1st half was good, Dillon getting accused of murder. Of course you know Dillon didn't do it. So why is Dillon being accused and will happen between him and Bill Hickok, who comes to take him in for murder charges.
The second half explains everything clearly. It leads to a lame and unsuspenseful shootout at the end, which Dillon kills the cattle baron and gambler owner Tom Samples, Dillon's 63rd confirmed kill on the show. Dillon must be getting used to killing, as he and Hickok have a drink at the bar while Tom Samples body is lying on the floor dead only about 5 feet away. It just seemed odd that Dillon just killed this guy and its like oh well, just in a days work, lets have a drink Bill. Dillon doesn't even have someone fetch Doc to make sure he's dead.
For a cattle and gambler owner, Tom Samples didn't seem too powerful with only 2 young wimps at his side. Most disappointing of the whole episode was never seeing Wild Bill Hickok (Robert J Wilke) draw or shoot. He threatened, his reputation preceded him, but we never saw him in action. What a major disappointment. And while Dillon and Hickok seemed like old friends in this episode, we never Wild Bill again in the rest of the 16 seasons of Gunsmoke.
The second half explains everything clearly. It leads to a lame and unsuspenseful shootout at the end, which Dillon kills the cattle baron and gambler owner Tom Samples, Dillon's 63rd confirmed kill on the show. Dillon must be getting used to killing, as he and Hickok have a drink at the bar while Tom Samples body is lying on the floor dead only about 5 feet away. It just seemed odd that Dillon just killed this guy and its like oh well, just in a days work, lets have a drink Bill. Dillon doesn't even have someone fetch Doc to make sure he's dead.
For a cattle and gambler owner, Tom Samples didn't seem too powerful with only 2 young wimps at his side. Most disappointing of the whole episode was never seeing Wild Bill Hickok (Robert J Wilke) draw or shoot. He threatened, his reputation preceded him, but we never saw him in action. What a major disappointment. And while Dillon and Hickok seemed like old friends in this episode, we never Wild Bill again in the rest of the 16 seasons of Gunsmoke.
A nice sounding plot that was lost in production
kfo949412 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This episode, from the beginning of season four, just did not seem to be the town we left just a few months ago. This episode was more gritty and things were done that seemed out of character for Marshal Matt Dillon lawman of Dodge.
It started out in high hopes as a man named Tom Samples brings a wagon containing a dead man, Lou Price, that Matt had thrown out of town a few weeks ago. Mr Samples has a witness named Huggins that says he saw the murderer and his name is Marshal Dillon.
It is not long before the War Department has suspended Matt and sends Wild Bill Hickok down to place Matt under arrest. But thanks to the fact that Hickok and Dillon are friends, they have information that the witness may be telling a falsehood and start to investigate.
The episode was just average but there were things in the show that just did not seem the ways of Marshal Dillon. When he has been suspended he still is mad enough to want to arrest someone even though it should have been against the law. Matt uses questionable tactics during the episode that would never hold up in any court. Plus the fact that after Matt has killed a man in a saloon, while the body is still on the floor, Matt decides to belly up to the bar for a refreshing beverage. It appears things have changed not only in season four but also in Dodge City.
It started out in high hopes as a man named Tom Samples brings a wagon containing a dead man, Lou Price, that Matt had thrown out of town a few weeks ago. Mr Samples has a witness named Huggins that says he saw the murderer and his name is Marshal Dillon.
It is not long before the War Department has suspended Matt and sends Wild Bill Hickok down to place Matt under arrest. But thanks to the fact that Hickok and Dillon are friends, they have information that the witness may be telling a falsehood and start to investigate.
The episode was just average but there were things in the show that just did not seem the ways of Marshal Dillon. When he has been suspended he still is mad enough to want to arrest someone even though it should have been against the law. Matt uses questionable tactics during the episode that would never hold up in any court. Plus the fact that after Matt has killed a man in a saloon, while the body is still on the floor, Matt decides to belly up to the bar for a refreshing beverage. It appears things have changed not only in season four but also in Dodge City.
Wrongful Accusation
StrictlyConfidential18 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
(*Marshal Dillon quote*) - "You better do a lot more thinking about what's right."
Jim Huggins (who was paid $500 by cattleman, Tom Samples) claims that Marshal Dillon shot unarmed trail hand, Lou Price, in the back.
Dillon is suspended from his job by the War Department.
Abilene sheriff, Bill Hickock is sent to Dodge to arrest Dillon.
In the meantime, Dillon tries to clear his name of this wrongful accusation.
Jim Huggins (who was paid $500 by cattleman, Tom Samples) claims that Marshal Dillon shot unarmed trail hand, Lou Price, in the back.
Dillon is suspended from his job by the War Department.
Abilene sheriff, Bill Hickock is sent to Dodge to arrest Dillon.
In the meantime, Dillon tries to clear his name of this wrongful accusation.
Dillon Gets Framed!
Johnny_West19 March 2020
Matt Dillon takes a ride out into the country, and it seems like everyone in Kansas knows exactly where he is.
I guess part of that is because Chester is always gabbing the Marshal's business. I never liked Chester much as a sidekick, since most of the time he is unarmed and the rest of the time he is letting prisoners loose due to accidents or incompetence.
In this episode, as soon as Marshal Dillon arrives in town, a bad guy and his cronies arrive to accuse the Marshal of murder. A drunken bum, played by the creepy Elisha Cook (who looks like he has never taken a bath), is the witness. Talk about flimsy evidence?
Immediately the Marshal is suspended by the U.S. Government, but Dillon spends most of the episode cleaning his pistol and reading his mail. No concern about interviewing the witness, Elisha Cook, or clearing his name.
Only when Wild Bill Hickok arrives and is about to arrest Dillon, does he think to interview Elisha Cook. What happens next is insanely ridiculous and totally illegal. Not to mention that the confession of any person who drank most of a bottle of whiskey would be inadmissible and useless even in the 1870s Old West. Finally you have Wild Bill Hickok and Marshal Dillon against three gunmen. It could have been a great action scene.
I guess part of that is because Chester is always gabbing the Marshal's business. I never liked Chester much as a sidekick, since most of the time he is unarmed and the rest of the time he is letting prisoners loose due to accidents or incompetence.
In this episode, as soon as Marshal Dillon arrives in town, a bad guy and his cronies arrive to accuse the Marshal of murder. A drunken bum, played by the creepy Elisha Cook (who looks like he has never taken a bath), is the witness. Talk about flimsy evidence?
Immediately the Marshal is suspended by the U.S. Government, but Dillon spends most of the episode cleaning his pistol and reading his mail. No concern about interviewing the witness, Elisha Cook, or clearing his name.
Only when Wild Bill Hickok arrives and is about to arrest Dillon, does he think to interview Elisha Cook. What happens next is insanely ridiculous and totally illegal. Not to mention that the confession of any person who drank most of a bottle of whiskey would be inadmissible and useless even in the 1870s Old West. Finally you have Wild Bill Hickok and Marshal Dillon against three gunmen. It could have been a great action scene.
Half and half.
tsn-4873028 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The first half started out great. The idea of Matt being framed for a murder was a great story line, especially with Elisha Cook Jr who had films like The Maltese Falcon on his acting resume starring as the witness against him.
The potential also increased considerably with the great character actor Robert J. Wilke appearing as Wild Bill Hickok, in an unusual good guy role. Wilke appeared many, many times in just about every TV western made in the 1950's and 60's, usually playing the heavy, along with doing many films like To Hell and Back and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
So it became so much more disappointing that their talents were completely wasted in the second half of the show because the whole thing just stalls and sits there dead because of poor writing. The first half great. The second half a flop. What a shame.
The potential also increased considerably with the great character actor Robert J. Wilke appearing as Wild Bill Hickok, in an unusual good guy role. Wilke appeared many, many times in just about every TV western made in the 1950's and 60's, usually playing the heavy, along with doing many films like To Hell and Back and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
So it became so much more disappointing that their talents were completely wasted in the second half of the show because the whole thing just stalls and sits there dead because of poor writing. The first half great. The second half a flop. What a shame.
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