Reed Survives

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.

Strong story with movie-level cast-- Carradine, Albright, and Drury. Farm wife Albright shows up at Matt's office, claiming husband Carradine wants to kill her. Matt rides to farm, but Carradine shows no suspicious signs, emphasizing instead that he loves her and does so in convincing fashion. Now Matt doesn't know what to think until Kitty points out handsome young drifter (Drury) who has started work at the farm. And so the plot thickens.

Good screenplay from Les Crutchfield that leads to one of those deeper ironical endings that helped distinguish the series. Fine work from young Drury as the star-crossed drifter. However, someone in production decided Albright should be dressed as though she just stepped out of a glossy magazine-- some farm wife! Also, the cadaverously impressive Carradine's part is much to brief for an actor of his abilities. There's an unusual moment in the screenplay that should be noted. Matt walks into the saloon where Doc is holding forth at a table with others clustered around. Convention leads us to expect Matt will linger in some fashion with another cast principal. But he doesn't, walking past instead. Thus we never learn what the heavy discussion was about. The plot is advanced not a whit. But the moment does suggest something unusual and often neglected in a tightly budgeted TV series. Namely, that there is life beyond camera range.

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.

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.

This was a great story line and shows an early Matt Dillon's ability to size up a situation and where it might head. After talking with John Carradine's character, one thing is apparent. He is a bit too old and righteous for his beautiful saloon dancer of a wife Lola Albright. After speaking to Caradine, he headed straight for the Long Branch Salon and passes on chatting with doc who was holding court. Focused on heading off a disaster, he reached out to Miss Kitty to learn more about Albright. Miss Kitty directed him toward Drury and Matt suggested that Drury head north and get out of Dodge. Now, I assume on this show, that divorce wasn't an option. As Drury heads back to the farm, Albright convinces Drury that the husband was out to kill her and him. Of course Drury shoots Carradine just as Matt and his trusty sidekick Chester are riding onto the ranch. Matt knows that Albright persuaded Drury to kill Carradine. Confronting her, he knew he could never prove anything. In the end, frontier justice wins out and there are no winners! The writers of Gunsmoke did a great job creating Matt Dillon, who has to be one of the all-time greatest cowboy characters to ever grace a screen.