Big Girl Lost

I read the user reviews before watching the episode, which I had recorded. One reviewer made the comment that Laura falling for "the bartender" seemed unbelievable. But when I watched the episode, I realized that the "night in shining armor" who kept a protective and watchful eye on Laura was none other than the owner of the Longbranch, Bill Pence, who later became a 50/50 partner with Kitty in the episode "Daddy-O". I could not recall another episode in which Bill Pence was much more than an "extra" with a smattering of lines to say after becoming Kitty's partner. I actually enjoyed seeing him featured in this episode. It implied a possible romance, but I don't think I recall Bill Pence ever being a central character (other than this episode) behind the bar to the same extent that Sam eventually became in later seasons.

Philip Locke has traveled to Dodge City from Philadelphia to try to find a woman named Laura Simmons. Locke comes from an aristocratic family and is what might have been called a "dude" during the 1870s in Kansas. He is certainly not accustomed to life in Dodge. Locke visits Marshal Matt Dillon's office to inquire about the woman. After Chester starts to identify Ms. Simmons, Matt tells Locke he does not know her.

Laura Simmons works at the Long Branch Saloon. She tells Matt she was once engaged to marry Locke, but his parents did not think she was of the proper social status to marry their son. She does not want Locke to know she works at the Long Branch. Matt arranges to have Laura stay with Ma Smalley. He lies and tells Locke that Laura was in Dodge for a couple of days, but she moved on to St. Louis.

(Note: Kitty Russell tells Laura that Ma Smalley lives about two miles south of Dodge, but in later episodes, it appears Ma Smally's Boarding House is in Dodge City.)

Locke does not believe Marshal Dillon. He is convinced Matt is hiding Laura and gives Dillon a deadline for finding her. Locke even talks to a slow-witted man named Ed Doolin who is willing to shoot someone for money.

Gloria McGehee had previously turned in a stellar performance as the ill-fated Mrs. Amber in the Season 1 story "Mr. And Mrs. Amber." She portrays Laura Simmons in this episode, but she is unrecognizable from the earlier role. McGehee returned once more in Season 8's "Louie Pheeters" episode.

Michael Pate plays Philip Locke. This is the first of four Gunsmoke appearances for Pate. The Australian-born actor often played American Indians, and in an episode of The Rifleman, he plays a Hispanic gunfighter who travels with an arrogant New Orleans aristocrat. In his next Gunsmoke role -- Season 4's "Renegade White" -- Pate plays an American Indian who saves Matt Dillon's life.

Judson Pratt makes his first Gunsmoke appearance as Bill Pence, the owner of the Long Branch Saloon in earlier episodes. (Pence sells half interest in the saloon to Kitty Russell in the upcoming Season 2 episode "Daddy-O.") Prior to this episode, actor Joseph Mell had played the Bill Pence character. Pratt would appear in two more episodes in the series, but he would only play Bill Pence again in one of those stories.

Despite all the distractions, this is really a fairly straightforward love story about finding one's place in the world. The Philip Locke character is completely out of his element in the Dodge City culture, but his ex-fiancé faces her fears and finds her true destiny.

Laura Simmons, that works at the Long branch, has just been told by Marshal Dillon that a man named Philip Locke is looking for her. She tells the Marshal that she was engaged to Philip not long ago and that his family did not want them to marry due to her social status.

Philip Locke comes from a aristocratic family in Philadelphia and use to getting his way by paying people to do his dirty work. When Matt refuses to tell Philip where Laura is located, Philip hires a man to do some killing. The problem is that he hires a near retarded person to take care of his business.

This story sounded nice but did not resound to TV as well as expected. The characters just did not seem right for the show as the rich sooty person was too nice and the saloon girl too conservative. More energetic actors in this parts could have made this episode much more entertaining. Then thrown in the hired gunman as a half-wit mental patient and the characters just were not believable. This episode needs a recast.

Murder threats made in front of witnesses by someone who should have brains enough to know better. Stupid confrontation between Matt and the hired killer. Worthless episode from opening to close, except for the funny part with Chester playing his comb.

One star.

Laura Simmons (Gloria McGehee), who works at the Long branch, has just been told by Marshal Dillon that a man named Philip Locke (Michael Pate) is looking for her. She tells the Marshal that she was engaged to Philip not long ago and that his family did not want them to marry due to her social status. Philip Locke comes from an aristocratic family in Philadelphia and is used to getting his way by paying people to do his dirty work.

When Matt refuses to tell Philip where Laura is located, Philip hires a man to do some killing. The problem is that he hires a person with behavioural issues ( special needs) to take care of his business and the barkeep who fancies Laura is in danger.

The great Michael Pate and his choice to do his killing for him elevates this episode. Plus it's not always you get some focus on the barkeep. They are usually in the background. But that's what I like about Gunsmoke - it's not only centred on gunslingers, outlaws and lawmen, but different town folks. The ending is quite good - he and Laura find each other. Chester is at his most humorous here with him making that awful racket in the beginning.