To escape a potentially lethal blizzard, Matt seeks shelter in a cabin in which two psychopathic bandits have enslaved and repeatedly molested a young woman after murdering her father.To escape a potentially lethal blizzard, Matt seeks shelter in a cabin in which two psychopathic bandits have enslaved and repeatedly molested a young woman after murdering her father.To escape a potentially lethal blizzard, Matt seeks shelter in a cabin in which two psychopathic bandits have enslaved and repeatedly molested a young woman after murdering her father.
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Though I never I watched this show on its original run - I was too young - I just started recently watching the reruns of this good show, and I have to compliment not just the regulars but, the guest stars, too - they sure brought to life the variety of these stories. It's easy to become attached to all these characters l; I get why it spent so many years on TV!
The next morning there's a subtle, yet definite hardness that's settled over her. You feel the tension and awkwardness between Matt and Belle as they make small talk while drinking coffee. She knows he knows what the outlaws did to her, but it's the elephant in the room. And then as he realizes her determination to go through with her plan, there's a growing sense of his helplessness to change her mind. It's as if she can't wait to start making bad memories in order to forget what happened at the cabin. Matt's final look of horror mixed with sadness after she tells him to look her up some time is brilliant. As often as Matt went to Hays, I wish there had been a follow-up episode so we knew what happened to Belle.
Matt is driven to seek shelter in a cabin among strangers. There he falls victim to two outlaws who have killed the father of the girl who remains (Patricia Barry). Clearly, from the bruises, she has been repeatedly raped without a man to protect her. Now she cowers before the two grinning outlaws, Harry Dean Stanton (later to become a 60's cult figure) and the perpetually leering Claude Akins in a typically bravura performance. What's more they intend to unceremoniously get rid of the intrusive Marshal. The tiny cabin with its roaring fire and grotesque shadows, appears to be a noirish hell with Matt trapped inside. The look and feel here contrast sharply with the series norm.
Now, all of this plays out in compelling fashion, but what really lifts the episode to sublime heights is the ending. Unsurprisingly, Matt has saved the girl and as a result, we expect a conventional 50's conclusion. But what we get is something entirely different, more realistic and disturbing than the typical happy ending. What wonderful work from writer Meston that lifts this obscure half-hour to memorable heights. Somehow the adult-level climax slipped past the censors of the period, maybe because it was just one more half-hour in a heavy schedule. But for anyone researching the cultural history of the period, this entry amounts to a real departure and can be enjoyed from both a historical and entertainment standpoint. Thanks to the producers for taking a real chance on this one and to writer Meston for not flinching.
The episode begins with Marshal Dillon getting struck in a blizzard while leaving Hays City back in route to Dodge. He stumbles up on a cabin where two outlaws have invaded and set up their little house of horrors by killing the man and making the woman, Belle, a slave to their every whim. Belle, from the bruises on her face, has been abused physically and mentally for some time. Even the viewer give the hint of sexual assaults that must have continued for more time that anyone, especially Belle, wants to remember.
The outlaws are set on killing Matt but wants it to look more like an accident than a murder. So they prepare a plan that will have Matt knocked unconscious and then left in the blizzard to die.
An excellent choice of actors brings the episode to life that includes Claude Akins, Harry Stanton and the wonderful Patricia Berry. With the script and the actors this show was bound not to fail. Excellent show.
Did you know
- TriviaThe first of 8 appearances by Harry Dean Stanton on "Gunsmoke".
- Quotes
Alvy: We been here thirty-five days.
Hack: See? Alvy here knows how long everything's been.
Marshal Matt Dillon: What about the girl? Where'd she come from?
Hack: Oh, she was here.
Alvy: With her Pa.
Marshal Matt Dillon: Her Pa?
Hack: He got troublesome. We killed him the first day.
Details
- Runtime
- 30m
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3