Gunsmoke, Doc was an old curmudgeon etc.

[the ringo kid]

Been watching the first season of a four season set of Gunsmoke. A few things of interest.

1) Its original working title-never used here as far as im aware of? was: Gun Law. However-that title was used at the original title when shown in Europe. I have seen season 1 before--about a year or so ago, but have noticed many new things in many episodes this time round.

First, I know that writing was much simplar for Tv back then but notice in every episode-or almost every episode so far--that people are stupid enough to tell Dillon that they are either "out to gun him down" or out to kill someone else. I know if you told that to any LE personnel these days--you wouldnt be allowed to go free and still packing any heat. Anyway, some of the stories were really "simple" for lack of a better word just now.

I like that at the beginning of most episodes-it starts out with Dillon on "Boot Hill" reflecting on how many of its "residents" arrved at Boot Hill. In many stories--Dillon really has nothing to go on-and cant arrest someone for a killing or other. However, I like how he finally uses common-sense when coming to the conclusion of something that helps in his making an arrest--or a "needed killin."

Ive been studying Doc (Milburn Stone) and his attitude towards things. He seems almost pissed-off most of the time. Doc is a poor sport when it comes to losing at cards-or checkers. He will throw a tantrum and knock the pieces off the board or table. Just when you think you might not be able to stand Doc's company, he comes around a bit and softens up.

Miss Kitty. I noticed when she first had a "mole" it appeared on her left cheek. Recently its been on her right cheek.

Just saw the episode with Leo Gordon. Gordon indeed wears the same outfit as shown in the opening "gunfight" and imdb is wrong on who it is that Dillon is going against. The character gets shot twice.

The Charles Bronson episode--where he playes a cowardly ambusher-back-shooter called: Crego, was an excellent episode. For the first time, Dillon goads someone (Crego) into going for his gun. As he knows Crego is a back-shooter-already instructing his "Deputy" Chester, to stand by the door and react when Crego goes for his gun when Dillon turns his back on him. Dillon admitted to Cregos face that "he needs killin." Crego however doesn't want to face Dillon like a man, so takes off his gunbelt and lays it on the table. However, Dillon tells him no matter what? he's going to die that night (not those exact words-but I dont really want to spoil it for you)

Chester: If I recall? I THINK somewhere in season 1, you learn why he limps with right leg being messed up. Im still trying to find out why he never wears a handgun? and only carries a rifle when Dillon gives one to him-or he takes itoff an arrested person. I am beginning to get annoyed with Chester always calling Dillon: "Mr. Dillon" instead of Marshal or boss or whatever?

Apparantly at least the first four seasons are only 30 minute long episodes. I wonder when they made this into an hour-long show??

Wanted posters inside of and outside Dillon's office. They used real names on the poster-like William Bonney and Black Bart. Its kind of interesting when you can see enough of the posters to actually read. One of them I THINK also mentioned: The Ringo Kid.

The "city of" Dodge as seen from "Boot Hill" is a nice B&W painting or inking. Ive seen several of the grave markers-probably made out of styrofoam or balsa wood--swaying in the breeze as the Marshal reflects on somehting.

One of the script-writers was none other than Sam Peckinpah. Every story in whatever TV series it was in-that ive seen written by him--was excellent.

I noticed another "link" to John Wayne movies-in particular (again) Stagecoach. The music used in Stagecoach--where appropriate and used showing the stagecoach--is also used in episodes of Gunsmoke-in scenes showing the arrival of a stagecoach.

Anyone else have something I missed so far?

Almost forgot. Chester has a brother by the name of Magnus--who is a chatacter in himself.

Sorry for all the misspellings--im using a machine with tiny screen today.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

There is an ex city marshal in Chama, NM who has a bad leg.
You got it - he's called Chester.
When you go to charming Chama, you might want to stay in his motel.
That's where I stay.
Charles Askins went there, I go there. An Ur-ban legend says that Willie Nelson went there.
Chama Trails Inn, Chama, New Mexico

 

[the ringo kid]

Id love to but cant afford anything now--ill have to expplain in another thread but, that is an interesting coincidence.

 

[Targets Guy]

I think it was Chester's idea to have the limp. Set him apart from other sidekicks.

IIRC on Encore some of the shows are called Marshall Dillion and some are called Gunsmoke. I think Arness repackaged the intro on some of the half hour shows.

Many good half hour shows were ruined when they went to an hour. Writers just filled the time with fluff and stuff plus the accountants got two more commercial breaks.

The "old one hour shows" run almost 55 minutes without commercials. I think it is down to 40 minutes now.

 

[the ringo kid]

I cant remember but, I THINK also (for the shows sake) his limp was because a horse fell on him-or something like that? Also, minor trivia--Dillon, Chester and Doc all were in the Yank military. Doc was 3rd Illinois Cavalry--the others-I dunna know.

 

[Targets Guy]

Dillion was in the 3rd ID and was wounded at Anzio. At 6'7" he must have made a good target. Can you imagine him and Audie Murphy in the same platoon?

Chester was a US Navy pilot in WWII.

 

[walkinghorse]

Simpler times, simpler solutions, and the 'law' was fast on the draw, and no worries about second guessing!
Except for the judge Adam Fenton(Pat Hingle) in Hang Em High to Cooper(Clint Eastwood).

"...The man, McCloud, is hanged for murder and rustling as Judge Fenton and Cooper watch. As an alternative to vigilantism, Fenton offers Cooper, a former lawman, the badge of a deputy U.S. marshal. Cooper accepts the post, and Fenton warns him not to kill the men who lynched him...."

 

[Big Cholla]

My father when watching Gunsmoke would get up and leave the room when "Doc" appeared in a scene. The reason was that "Doc" was nearly the exact image of my Grandfather. As I remember they even sounded alike. My most impressionable remembrance of my Grandfather was at about my age of 7. He was then the County Coroner and his Coroner's office also sold coffins. He had been the County Sheriff and then the County Tax Assessor. My Father told me that Granddad considered the Tax Assessor's position was much more dangerous than the Sheriff's position. Anyway, we arrived at my Grandfather's office after a long trip from Las Vegas. My Father and I walked in and no one was in the front office. We walked to the back and found my Grandfather asleep in an open coffin. My Dad woke him up and he climbed out of the coffin. Neither he nor my Dad said a word about his sleeping arraignment. He went over to a coat rack and shifted his suit coat to another hook to reveal a shoulder holster with a Colt Government Model 1911 which he put on and then the coat. We went across the way to a Dime Store lunch counter where they had coffee and I had an ice cream sundae. ....... I didn't know that my Grandfather carried a Colt 1911 until years later when I asked my Dad what kind of handgun did Granddad carry. ............

 

[Rustyt1953]

Miss Kitty. I noticed when she first had a "mole" it appeared on her left cheek. Recently its been on her right cheek.

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MLZZos7_fYo[/ame]

 

[Chuck24]

You know I still disagree about the opening scene, Arvo O'jala says he did it in his book, also stills of him in his museum, and every reference I can find including his obit in several papers says it was him. That aside it is interesting that the Main Street used for the scene is the same Main Street used in High Noon. Title Marshall Dillon was used because when half hour episodes went into syndication, the hour show was still on and producers required the change. Dennis weaver hated the limp and says in his bio he wished he had never done it because it was a pain. Also all 4 of the top Star Trek officers appeared in various episodes.

 

[Cdog]

Several years ago a departed friend and fellow curmudgeon sent me this link.

It may help some here understand just what it is to be a true curmudgeon.

How to Become a Curmudgeon: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

 

[handejector]

You know I still disagree about the opening scene, Arvo O'jala says he did it in his book, also stills of him in his museum, and every reference I can find including his obit in several papers says it was him.

Why do you think it is not him?
Who do you think it is?

Look at this magazine from May, 1958, when the series was still very young, and the actor in the scene would have raised Hell if someone else was credited with his work!

If you scroll down to the page pictured below, you can see Ojala credited with the scene in 1958.

Click-
http://smith-wessonforum.com/gun-leather-carry-gear/233754-matt-arvo-pic-heavy.html?highlight=arvo

BTW-
there is NO apostrophe in Ojala.
He's Finnish, not Irish.

 

[Geno44]

Funny parody of Gunsmoke

I remember this from my younger days:


[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiJ2_UrcMNs[/ame]

 

[e3mrk]

I remember reading that John Wayne was supposed to play Matt Dillon but He was busy on another project so He suggested His Friend James Arness and the rest is History.
Festus Hagan always called Doc a ornery old Scutter, I guess that must have been the word for curmudgeon back in those days.
I did some research and Chester(Dennis Weaver) was just fooling around in front of the Director and was limping so They put the limp in the Show,They explained the limp as Chester was a wounded Confederate Soldier.I also read that if You really pay attention to the show You can see Chester forget what Leg is bad and limp on the wrong one.

 

[Targets Guy]

Yep. John Wayne even did an intro when the series started.

 

[Chuck24]

Why do you think it is not him?
Who do you think it is?

Look at this magazine from May, 1958, when the series was still very young, and the actor in the scene would have raised Hell if someone else was credited with his work!

If you scroll down to the page pictured below, you can see Ojala credited with the scene in 1958.

Click-
http://smith-wessonforum.com/gun-leather-carry-gear/233754-matt-arvo-pic-heavy.html?highlight=arvo

BTW-
there is NO apostrophe in Ojala.
He's Finnish, not Irish.

I think you misread my post. I am the one supporting Ojala having done much research on this at the Ojala museum and numerous obits and gunsmoke websites. I have had a long running friendly disagreement with Ringo who thinks it is Leo Gordon. Everything I read supports Ojala as the first, there were
3 others who came later. Sorry about spelling, guess my spellcheck was set on Irish.
3

 

[JohnSW]

Been watching the first season of a four season set of Gunsmoke.

Sometimes, on YouTube, I watch full episodes of the Lassie television shows. In these trying times, I find them to be wonderfully sweet and corny. BTW, before Lassie-Timmy there was Lassie-Jeff.

 

[Targets Guy]

I was a Lassie-Jeff fan.

 

[rwsmith]

I like the older 'grittier' episodes.

I like the older grittier episodes before Dodge was so 'cosmopolitan'.

Been watching the first season of a four season set of Gunsmoke. A few things of interest.

1) Its original working title-never used here as far as im aware of? was: Gun Law. However-that title was used at the original title when shown in Europe. I have seen season 1 before--about a year or so ago, but have noticed many new things in many episodes this time round.

@@@ I know that a syndication (I think) title was "Marshall Dillon"

First, I know that writing was much simplar for Tv back then but notice in every episode-or almost every episode so far--that people are stupid enough to tell Dillon that they are either "out to gun him down" or out to kill someone else. I know if you told that to any LE personnel these days--you wouldnt be allowed to go free and still packing any heat. Anyway, some of the stories were really "simple" for lack of a better word just now.

@@@ Well, that's good for the story, but might or might not be a bad idea. I see the same thing with people telling somebody today that they are going to kick their butt, whether they mean if or are just blowing hot air. About the worse 'gun control' there was then was checking the guns at the door of the saloon or a particular sheriff might forbid guns in his town. But that in itself could lead to a fight. "Suppose you come take it from me, lawman?" Whacking someone on the head was a less lethal alternative to a gunfight. Barely having any law does make things 'simpler'.

I like that at the beginning of most episodes-it starts out with Dillon on "Boot Hill" reflecting on how many of its "residents" arrved at Boot Hill. In many stories--Dillon really has nothing to go on-and cant arrest someone for a killing or other. However, I like how he finally uses common-sense when coming to the conclusion of something that helps in his making an arrest--or a "needed killin."

@@@ That makes for something more interesting than just a shoot-em-up.

Ive been studying Doc (Milburn Stone) and his attitude towards things. He seems almost pissed-off most of the time. Doc is a poor sport when it comes to losing at cards-or checkers. He will throw a tantrum and knock the pieces off the board or table. Just when you think you might not be able to stand Doc's company, he comes around a bit and softens up.

@@@ Yeah, Doc is pretty crochety, especially towards Festus. He's a lot like 'Bones' on Star Trek who was probably somewhat modeled after him. Cynical, worldly but good to have on your side.

Miss Kitty. I noticed when she first had a "mole" it appeared on her left cheek. Recently its been on her right cheek.

@@@ The curse of the 'crawling mole'. Maybe it was a cootie or something.

Just saw the episode with Leo Gordon. Gordon indeed wears the same outfit as shown in the opening "gunfight" and imdb is wrong on who it is that Dillon is going against. The character gets shot twice.

@@@ Hey, IMDB can't be 'wrong' about anything.

The Charles Bronson episode--where he playes a cowardly ambusher-back-shooter called: Crego, was an excellent episode. For the first time, Dillon goads someone (Crego) into going for his gun. As he knows Crego is a back-shooter-already instructing his "Deputy" Chester, to stand by the door and react when Crego goes for his gun when Dillon turns his back on him. Dillon admitted to Cregos face that "he needs killin." Crego however doesn't want to face Dillon like a man, so takes off his gunbelt and lays it on the table. However, Dillon tells him no matter what? he's going to die that night (not those exact words-but I dont really want to spoil it for you)

@@@ I can't wait.

Chester: If I recall? I THINK somewhere in season 1, you learn why he limps with right leg being messed up. Im still trying to find out why he never wears a handgun? and only carries a rifle when Dillon gives one to him-or he takes itoff an arrested person. I am beginning to get annoyed with Chester always calling Dillon: "Mr. Dillon" instead of Marshal or boss or whatever?

@@@ I remember Chester being pretty handy with a sawn-off shotgun. Normally, he just patrols for the everyday stuff and doesn't get involved in serious stuff w/o telling 'Mr.Dillon'.

Apparantly at least the first four seasons are only 30 minute long episodes. I wonder when they made this into an hour-long show??

*** I think it was around 1961

Wanted posters inside of and outside Dillon's office. They used real names on the poster-like William Bonney and Black Bart. Its kind of interesting when you can see enough of the posters to actually read. One of them I THINK also mentioned: The Ringo Kid.

@@@ LOL

The "city of" Dodge as seen from "Boot Hill" is a nice B&W painting or inking. Ive seen several of the grave markers-probably made out of styrofoam or balsa wood--swaying in the breeze as the Marshal reflects on somehting.

@@@ It seems like directors by then would know that was a dead giveaway. But TV resolution being what it was in those days, I'll bet nobody noticed until rebroadcasting in higher definition.

One of the script-writers was none other than Sam Peckinpah. Every story in whatever TV series it was in-that ive seen written by him--was excellent.

@@@ Great writers make for great TV.

I noticed another "link" to John Wayne movies-in particular (again) Stagecoach. The music used in Stagecoach--where appropriate and used showing the stagecoach--is also used in episodes of Gunsmoke-in scenes showing the arrival of a stagecoach.

@@@ Music really got recycled a lot. Even though there are most productions, TV and film today, I don't notice as much 'stock' music.

Anyone else have something I missed so far?

Almost forgot. Chester has a brother by the name of Magnus--who is a chatacter in himself.

Sorry for all the misspellings--im using a machine with tiny screen today.

@@@ Argh I hate those things and a tiny keyboard even less.

Speaking of Matt calling Bronson out, does anybody remember the Tombstone Territory where Clay Hollister called the gunslingers bluff and squatted so he would miss his shot. Clay still has his shot while he blisters the guy about all of his gunslinger tricks that are so obvious. That was one episode where he didn't need to shoot anybody.

 

[Targets Guy]

Clay was a good one. I was partial to Texas John Slaughter. Tom Tryon was great as Texas John.