Aunt Thede

When I turned to this episode and saw the comedic action speeded up like a cartoon or 3 stooges episode, I knew I was not going to like this. I watched about 10 minutes of it and turned it off. This is exactly what I was talkimg about in another review when I talked about Gunsmoke going downhill when Chester and the writer John Meston left. Festus is not funny at all with his Ernest T. Bass imitation and I refuse to watch these unfunny episodes. The only saving grace is watching Howard MacNear's Mayberry Floyd the Barber from the Andy Griffith Show.

Festus' feisty Aunt Thede (Jeanette Nolan) rolls into town and kick-starts one of the zaniest and yet most endearing Gunsmoke episodes ever. Thede is a shotgun-toting illiterate moonshiner and preacher from the hills of Missouri who counsels a lovestruck couple. She believes her copy of Little Women is actually "The Book" (or the Holy Bible), which she adamantly declares is supportive of her distilling activities-pursuits that are in clear conflict with laws Marshall Dillon must uphold.

"Haybill, Matthew, you can't go agin' the Good Book!" - Festus, pleading the case of the good nectar and virtues of moonshining.

In addition to the fabulous regulars, there are some great stars in this episode: Jeanette Nolan (a witch on The Twilight Zone, Thriller, Night Gallery...), Howard McNear (Floyd the Barber from The Andy Griffith Show), Dyan Cannon (twelve Oscar nominations), Frank Cady (Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Shasta Grape Soda and other ads...), James Stacy (Lancer)... Even James Arness' daughter (Jenny Lee Arness) makes an appearance. But Nolan is the star of the show and she puts on a delightful performance.

About midway through this show, Aunt Thede and Festus buy materials to build a still, and I thought "Oh no; here we go with the tired old "comic" routine of crazy backwoods folk crankin' out moonshine..."

Well....watch this very unusual Gunsmoke, and see how the moonshine figures in the plot....at the very end..and you'll get an idea of how unique and touching this show is.

You never quite know if you're going to plop down in the middle of a knock-about backwoods farce...or find yourself caught up in a magical, lyrical tale of two troubled young lovers and the wise, bible-totin' woman who comes to town and helps them, while surrounded by the beauties of nature.

Sutton Roley's inventive and captivating direction keeps us almost "circulating" among the characters...especially Festus and Aunt Thede in their a.) initial cautious, "dance"-like encounter, b.) their rockin' chair conversation and c.) their hushed, late-night talk about the "Good Book", which is really enchanting.

Anyone who knows Jeanette Nolan from her '60's TV work might roll their eyes at yet ANOTHER portrayal of an old crone, hag, granny, witch..etc ..for which she always received first call from studios and directors. But bear in mind that Ms. Nolan was one of America's most distinguished stage actresses, and had, in fact, been cast by Orson Welles as Lady MacBeth in his 1948 film. And she's fabulous here.

The weasel-y, rat-like Frank Cady shows remarkable physical prowess in this episode, even though Festus could have broken his neck at any given point. Howard McNear clearly channels "Floyd, the Barber" here...which is the only reason they would have hired him for this role...and which tilts the show's balance perilously close to farce. But, don't worry, it doesn't happen.

TWO PROBLEMS..one small, one big. 1.) How is it that Aunt Thede is suddenly all packed up and ready to roll within a few minutes at the end?

2.) DEDUCT ONE FULL RATING STAR for Dyan Cannon's mid-60's tart/babe make-up and "do"; God, why did these people ruin the authenticity of their series with this nonsense? It really pulls me right "out of the moment" every time she's on screen. Too bad, since there's much sensitivity and winsome beauty in her scenes.

Also, check Aunt Thede's APRON at 34:30; it looks like the clearly-visible lettering (on the reverse side) says "LONGHORN". At least it doesn't say "Captain Crunch" or something similar.

IN ANY CASE, "Aunt Thede" walks the very fine line between outright, low-brow "country" comedy and whimsical, sensitive love story with just the right amount of old-world charm, wisdom and magic...thanks to Kathleen Hite, Sutton Roley, and their very talented cast (INCLUDING, of course, big Jim Arness, who as always must use his solid moral judgement to navigate whatever craziness comes his way, week-after-week).

The library music cues (mostly Steiner & Goldsmith, I think), featuring string orchestra and guitar, contribute greatly to the gentle, fantasy-like romantic scenes. Well-chosen. LR.

The man credited as townsman is actually HapGlaudi, then sports director of WWL TV in New Orleans. He probably earned this cameo appearance because WWL is one of the highest rated cbs stations in the country. Another actor making a very brief appearance is Jenny Arness, daughter of James Arness and neice of Peter Graves. Dyan Canon went on to marry Carey Grant just a few short months after this episode aired. Howard Macnear played a storekeeper named Howard. He is most known as Floyd the barber on the Andy Griffith Show. And then there is Frank Cady who played the part of Sam Drucker on Green Acres.

James Stacey ( who had a tragic end to his life) plays his usual charming rogue. Dyan Cannon, looking like something out of a Gode print ( highly unlikely in a farmgirl on the 1880's Kansas plain) and Jeanette Nolan as an annoying female version of Festus ( who is annoying enough in his own right) tell a tale not worth telling. The title should have been A Little Bit of Hagen Goes a Long Way.