Reed Survives

With actors John Carradine, Lola Albright and James Drury you know this is going to be a fine episode.

The story centers around the marriage of Ephraim Hunt (Carradine) and Lucy Hunt (Albright). Lucy comes into the Marshal's office claiming that Ephraim is set on killing her. So Matt sets out to have a chat with Ephraim and finds out that the older man is really in love with his young bride.

Not familiar with the situation, Matt talks to Booth Rider (Drury) that is a hired worker on the Hunt farm. He tells Rider that things are not well at the Hunt place and he needs to find work somewhere else. Rider refuses saying that he likes working for the Hunts.

But what really is happening is that Lucy is baiting Rider to get into a gunfight with her husband. If Rider kills Ephraim then she will be free and able to leave Dodge with a clean slate. But something goes horribly wrong with her scheme. And at the end of the episode no person will be happy with the outcome.

An excellent example of 'what goes around comes around'. The story was compelling and the characters interesting which always makes for a good watch and entertaining show.

Young and sexy former saloon girl marries older preacher/rancher and proceeds to poison the well of public opinion concerning his treatment of her.

Handsome ranch hand believes her when she makes advances towards him but it's all a scheme to kill the older husband and end up with the money and property. Lola Albright stars with John Carradine and James Drury. Well acted, directed and good cinematography makes this early Gunsmoke very watchable.

The Lola Albright character also apparently has a sexual past with Matt Dillon that they hint at which makes the story more interesting.

I'm a tremendous Gunsmoke fan of the 30 minute episodes. Such excellent writing and the simple and effective storylines provided a depth of adult western noir that no other western television show ever achieved.

When Gunsmoke went to one hour the series suffered but until then it was superb and "The Reed Survives" is an excellent example of the 30 minute Gunsmoke.

Surprising twist at the end of this episode gives it an extra something.

Reed is not a man's name in this usage. It is the straw the old farmer shows off to Matt.

This site explains the inspiration of the dialogue between the two men.

A search of the internet shows an explanation which includes Bible verses which inspired the title.

These early episodes of Gunsmoke are interesting for comparing the character develop which came later. Kitty is better looking, Matt is as circumspect as he ever would be about whether he accepted her social offerings. We can only wonder at the reasons they never confirm if they are together.

Dennis Weaver willingly played the second fiddle, then, after leaving the show spent the rest of his career trying to get out of his small shadow.

For starters - I cannot figure out why this episode of TV's "Gumsmoke" was titled "Reed Survives" since not one of the characters in this dramatic passion play went by the name of Reed.

Anyway - In this Western-style "Fatal Attraction" we find the conniving lethal lady, Lucy Hunt getting up to no good as she cleverly orchestrates the prompt demise of her tired-out old husband, Ephraim.

And, in order to get things rolling, Lucy's got the randy, young Booth Rider wrapped around her little finger. And, believe me - All that she has to do is say so and, yes, Booth will do it (for another kiss, of course).

In the meantime - Marshal, Matt Dillon takes the time to do some serous investigation into the whole matter.

Wow - I have seen Lola Albright in a few other things but have never seen her look as good as she does in this episode. Gunsmoke camera men or make-up artist knew how to make a woman look absolutely stunning. I agree with another reviewer who questions why this episode was named Reed Survives when no-one in the cast has that name. Maybe a boo- boo somewhere . Oh well, still a good episode.