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Reviews
In the Heat of the Night: And Justice for Some (1990)
A Red Light
AS tragic as this accident might have been the boy did survive and was well enough to look forward to a position on next year's team. The parents should have been more concerned that they had not taught their son to stop at red lights than feeling that they should have driven him to school. Turning back many years, I was in a similar accident but no traffic light was involved. At 10 years old I was not a carefull bike rider and was struck by a car from behind as I wandered into the middle of the lane. Both I and the car drivers were at fault. Onlookers (including my schoolteacher who lived across the street) ran to my aid and saw that I was not injured at all. The car occupants also stopped and saw that I was OK and the onlookers were satisfied and let the driver go after getting his license and other data. I learned a great lesson and never had another bike accident. In "And justice for Some" everyone was much more rattled and the results were much more terrifying. Wonder what happened to Dad after he took the law in his own hands - with a rifle!!
Gunsmoke: Old York (1963)
Burt or Quint?
I'm surprised that the other reviewers didn't catch this: Matt calls Quint by his real name (Burt) the first time they speak to each other. Later he gets it right.
In the Heat of the Night: Ches and the Grand Lady (1994)
Applause
When Ches (Bobby Short) performed the audience was generous in applauding. It was well-deserved. But Ches did not have his fellow musicians recognized for their assistance. They added much to the performance--especially the fine bass player. Bobby was an experienced performer who should have been sensitive to that little formality even if the director of the show didn't ask for it. Please be a good group player and at least point to them when the audience applauds the performance.
Gunsmoke: The Sisters (1969)
Festus Shines
Other reviewers applauded the performance of Jack Elam in this drama. I'm a fan of Jack but I felt that in this portrayal he was overacting and making his character more unlikable than necessary. On the other hand Festus was admirable. His thank you to the Mother nun when leaving them in the shack was moving and his caring for the children and the nuns showed how big his heart was. Ken Curtis at his best.
Gunsmoke: Stryker (1969)
Sad Stryker
I'm not a Woodward fan but this is the worst characterization I've seen from him. Perhaps it was the writer or director who encouraged his "personality" in this story but a more gruff, angry, one-dimensional performance I've not seen before. Even Andy Devine and his other former friends had a change of behavior ranging from anger to fear then to attempts at acceptance towards him. His daughter tried too. I vote with the raven. Give him a tongue-lashing then leave him to his own fate. The insistently sad tune as background didn't help. Doc and Matt had the right idea: try to give him room but let him know how wrong he was.
Gunsmoke: The Long Night (1969)
Excellent acting Good story and Exceptional music
I agree with others in rating the acting. All the regulars are fine, Bruce Dern is exceptional and Nusser as Louie has the most moving scene I can remember in a Gunsmoke episode. That's where the music comes in. As Louie descends to the floor to supposedly crawl to earn his drink a cello quartet plays a mournful dirge which I, as a professional cellist, wish I had the score to. The scene, especially when he doesn't drink the whiskey he "earned" brought tears to my eyes. Maybe the cellos had something to do with it. Also, in a bit part we see Russell Johnson (the professor on Gilligan's Isle). He plays a bad guy well but I still saw the professor in him.
Gunsmoke: The Raid: Part 2 (1966)
The music was exceptional too.
Kfo did a good job of relating the story and the acting was top drawer. But I was most impressed by the background music provided by Franz Waxman. His orchestration (use of various instrumental combinations) was colorful and his use of atonal harmonic effects was very effective and unique for westerns. Bernard Hermann (Hitcock's favorite composer --think of the shower scene in Psycho said Waxman was his inspiration and source of great ideas. Waxman was nominated for many Oscars and won two for his full-length films. Sorry he didn't write for more Gunsmokes.
Gunsmoke: Innocence (1964)
One of the Best
Kfo9494 summarized the story very well but what impressed me was the inclusion of so many regulars in meaningful roles: Kitty hired and befriended Elsa; Doc was the first to escort Elsa to the Long branch and treated her when she was shot; Quint was Matt's right-hand man in tracking down the murderer and held the mob at bay when they wanted to storm the jail; Sam not only provided drinks but played the fiddle (I'm sure he really played--I'm a musician and know he wasn't just faking it.) Festus was even mentioned but never appeared. My only regret was that they all "celebrated" at the end with drinks at the Long Branch. I didn't feel there was much to celebrate: 3 deaths.