A Quiet Day in Dodge

Given that "Gunsmoke" was "the class act" among TV westerns, this episode's attempt at humor comes off pretty well -- not anywhere nearly as silly as other series would have handled it. (Whoever scored the show, however, should have been kicked -- and right hard -- for reminding us, over and over again, that this episode is supposed to be funny. Duh.) Perhaps the best thing about the episode is the parade of popular character actors, including John Fiedler, Herb Vigran, J Pat O'Malley, and, of course, Margaret Hamilton.

The funniest thing about the episode is the treatment of the two prospectors, friends for 30 years, who've sent off for a mail-order bride. Does anyone really believe they could have prospected together for 30 years and still -- shall we say -- retained an interest in women? If you believe that...

Poor Ole Marshal Dillon has a bad day when he has been up for three days chasing a prisoner that he was able to bring back for trial. Matt arrives back early in the morning and is finally able to put his head on a pillow at the office. Right after his head hits the pillow, Festus comes walking in with a mess of catfish to clean. Matt begs Festus to take it outside so he can get some sleep and take the prisoner to Judge Brookins that evening. Festus tells Matt that the Judge is leaving early today and he has to take him over to him this morning. Matt tells Festus to just give him a few minutes sleep and then wake him up.

Right after Matt head hit the pillow again, Ms Pry comes into the office holding a young boy by the ear. She tells Matt that she wants something done to the boy since he stole one of her pies. So Matt has to get back up and take charge of the boy.

So you can tell this is how the entire day will go for Matt. But this is just the beginning of the day--- Matt is stabbed by the prisoner, the boy runs away, Kitty is ticked off at him, a fight breaks out in the Lone Branch, Judge Brookins tells Matt the prisoner has to be returned to military jurisdiction ..etc...etc...etc. Nothing goes right this day in Dodge for Marshal Dillon.

This is a lighter episode that was a fun watch. Regulars cast members are excellent and shown throughout the show. A good watch when you take it for what it is worth- a lighthearted show and a fantastic ending.

This episode was decent attempt at slapstick. Like the three stooges come to dodge city. Marshall Dillion cant get any sleep. Miss Kitty is upset with him until he apologizes And 2 old stinky men do some damage to the long branch. Marshall finally gets some sleep after dinner with Miss Kitty Anyway still a funny episode nonetheless.

One of my favorite episodes of the series. Lighthearted and all the characters are entertaining. A great James Arness comic performance.

Matt Dillon rides into Dodge City early one morning with a mean, ornery prisoner named Job Snelling. The Marshal has not slept in 36 hours, and Snelling fights Matt at every opportunity. Matt finally gets Snelling secured in the jail and lies down for some rest, but constant interruptions and frustrations ensue.

Snelling continues to cause trouble and even manages to stab Marshal Dillon in the arm with a fork. A mischievous boy wreaks havoc all over town. Kitty Russell is furious at Matt for missing a picnic she had planned while he was chasing Snelling. Two old prospectors begin fighting and causing damage in the Long Branch Saloon. Every time Matt tries to get some rest, another crisis erupts.

As if all of this is not frustrating enough, everyone keeps telling Matt how bad he looks and how he needs to get some rest.

This episode features another stellar cast of characters and character actors. Margaret Hamilton, best known as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, plays a cantankerous woman named Edsel Pry. This is her only Gunsmoke appearance, and it is wonderfully annoying.

Frequent television villain Leo Gordon portrays the nasty Job Snelling. Shug Fisher and Douglas Fowley play the two old prospectors who find themselves the victims of a mail-order bride fraud. Fisher plays the same character he always played. This is one of his twenty-seven Gunsmoke roles. Fowley appeared in everything from the film Singin' in the Rain to Gomer Pyle, U. S. M. C. He had a recurring role as Doc Holliday in the series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp alongside Hugh O'Brien.

Child actor Willie Aames plays the rambunctious Andy Ballou. John Fielder and Helen Page Camp play his parents, Odem and Seva Ballou. Familiar actor J. Pat O'Malley has a brief scene as a Drummer.

The episode features a healthy dose of recurring Gunsmoke characters, too. Herb Vigran returns for another portrayal of Judge Brooker. Woodrow Chambliss shows up briefly as Lathrop. Ted Jordan appears again as Nathan Burke.

James Arness is especially good in this story. He looks and acts exhausted. The Matt Dillon character's frustration shines through the performance. On the other hand, Ken Curtis has never been more annoying as Festus Haggen. Of course, he is SUPPOSED to be annoying. That is the point to his character in this story.

This is one of the more unique and memorable episodes of Season 18. It is an unexpected departure from the heaviness of many of the installments in the series. This story can be described as the ultimate "one of those days."