The Jailer

Don't know whether Hal Sitowicz, a New York writer unfamiliar to this follower of "Gunsmoke", was brought in especially to ensure "Miss Bette Davis" (billed in gigantic capital letters compared to everyone else) got her propers, but the overall effect is something of a letdown on my second or third viewing of this generally admired episode. Can't help but think much of its massive reputation and rating is due to the very presence of an all-time movie superstar. In an episode where Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty got much more than her usual share of screen time too, and at the same time trying to do justice to guest stars Julie Sommars, Tom Skerritt, Bruce Dern and Zalman King, the story was spread mighty thin. This meant Arness wasn't really effective either in his few bit showings, mostly comforting Miss Kitty. Doc, Festus, Thad, and Sam were restricted in this to a whole two minutes among them simply working themselves up to raising a posse, and were never seen again -- obviously to make more room for Bette (who still didn't give of her best in screen time or intensity of performance). This story, not very well handled as it was, maybe would have been better spread over two episodes.

A number of comments refer to this episode as being "predictable." Basically, I disagree.

First, what do we expect of a mid-sixties weekly hour-long Western? It's not The Twilight Zone where "surprise" endings were expected. For these Westerns, it is safe to assume when the show starts, which characters will be alive at the final credits. Safe to predict that. And in most instances, we can usually guess which characters will end badly.

The question is how to get from opening to closing credits. Much too often in prior episodes, a totally implausible and unbelievable ending was developed, probably in the hope of not being "predictable."

I thought this episode was well-written and directed, and Bette Davis was terrific, without being a caricature or falling back on mannerisms. While it would have been interesting to have Dern and Skeritt switch roles, they each did a fine job with what they were given, which had little time for character development. I thought this episode was definitely better than average.

I have seen many wonderful episodes of Gunsmoke over the years but this one is one of the best.

PLUTO TV allows me to follow these episodes continuously over a period of however much time until they start over once again. To me, the best part of the series is when the color episodes begin in season 12 back in 1966(still my favorite season of the whole series).

"The Jailer " in episode 3 had many accomplished actors such as Bette Davis and Bruce Dean just to name a few. A twisted rotten to the core family if ever there was one. Davis played the role of a criminally minded vengeful matriarch to perfection who ruled her house and children with an iron fist and God forbid anyone who crossed her(son Jack found that out the hard way). Revenge motive based episodes are fairly common in television but this one was so well played throughout. You knew eventually the Stone family would trip up along the way causing their own demise but may not have ever happened were it not for some good apples mixed in with the bad ones. Good always triumphs over evil on television.

A few things do puzzle me in this episode though.

Since there was no trail left behind when Kitty and then later on Matt were kidnapped, just where was anyone supposed to start looking for either one of them. Yet Festus begins to go out anyways with a posse aimed at finding them. Where did they go?

Plus, it was mentioned a few times how the Stone family were putting their own nooses around their necks but could never figure out how they were ever going to be caught considering nary a soul knew who kidnapped Matt and Kitty and where they were being held. They probably would have been buried right on the grounds where they were hung and no one would have been any the wiser.

When you think about it, it was quite an ingenious and twisted plan.

The only thing that could have tripped them up was son Lou took an awful chance hanging around Matt's office in broad daylight waiting for Matt to come back and then having to orchestrate their exit. Anyone else could have walked in on them at any time. Hard to figure what Lou would have done then.

Still a very gripping story with great music and even better acting.

A must see episode.

This is a remarkably suspenseful episode with a cast worthy of the matinee marquee.

But don't you think --after all Matt and Kitty went through in this high stakes life or death drama-- don't you think Matt could've put a ring on it? Miss Kitty was nothing short of heroic and deserves more.

The cast in this episode is so very strong, and the camera work is a step above as well. The cast includes the series regulars but Betty Davis, Tom Skerit, and Bruce Dern. Almost any plot would soar with this talent in front of the camera, and the story is very well written. I found the camera shots of Amanda Blake to be very well done. The lighting is just perfect with the hint of softness that makes Amanda even more beautiful. The attention to detail by the director is splendid throughout the episode. This is an episode to save since it such a standout episode froman already outstanding series.