User Reviews

The beginning of the episode begins as an old squatter has killed a calf belonging to one of the large land baron, Amos Gentry, in Kansas. The Gentry boys, Colt and Ben, ride up on the squatter named Floyd Babcock and think they will teach Babcock a lesson. They put a rope around his neck put him on a horse with the threat of hanging him. Their intention was just to frighten Babcock and then release him with the assurance of him leaving the area. However during the threat the horse gets spooked and speeds off. Babcock is hanging and dies before the boys can cut him down. They lightly bury the body and hope this remains a terrible secret. But it is not to be.

The squatter has a friend that goes looking for him. He finds the burial area with his friend still tied to the rope. He sends word to Marshal Dillon in hopes of finding the killer(s).

Matt is old friends with Amos Gentry and goes visit the large ranch. Since the killing happened on Gentry land Matt believes that they may know something about the matter. Soon Matt even knows that he is running into road blocks set up by the Gentry family. And it appears that Amos Gentry will do anything to protect his boys. Possibly killing an old friend.

What really makes this episode stand out above others is the way the actors played their characters. Peter Jason and Robert Pine were both ideally cast and brought the characters to life. Even Louise Latham, that at times I find hard to take, did a nice job as the wife and mother of the Gentry clan. Plus this episode even had one of the movie star from the 40's and 50's that at one time was one of the most popular male actors in film. The incredible John Payne took on a guest appearance, which he rarely did, and produced a fine episode for all to see. A great watch for viewers

Floyd Babcock and his partner Orly Grimes are scavenger types that trap whatever they can, take whatever they can, and live any place they can find. Their meager existence contrasts with that of powerful rancher Amos Gentry and his family, who own a sizable portion of western Kansas along the Colorado border.

Babcock and Grimes once lived near Dodge City, but they have since found their way back to the land Gentry owns and have been doing their scavenging there.

When Amos Gentry's sons, Colt and Ben, investigate a shot they heard and discover Babcock in the process of butchering one of their calves, they decide to teach the drifter a lesson. They go through the motions of hanging the poor man, but they only intend to scare him. However, things go horribly wrong, the horse is spooked, and Babcock is accidentally killed. The Gentry boys panic and bury Babcock in a shallow grave with the rope still around his neck.

When Floyd does not return to the makeshift homestead he has created with Orly, Grimes sets out in search of his partner. He finds the little dog Babcock kept and the grave where the Gentry boys buried Floyd. Orly is easily able to determine what happened. Since Orly had seen Colt and Ben earlier in the day, he also realizes they are probably responsible for Floyd's death. Orly writes a letter to Matt Dillon requesting he come to investigate.

When the Marshal arrives at the Gentry house, he is reunited with old friends Amos and Claire Gentry. The Gentry couple knew Matt when they were a young couple, and Matt was a green deputy in Hays City. Initially, Amos and Claire are not aware of Babcock's death and the involvement of their sons.

Since Amos considers all of his vast land holdings under his total control, he is perturbed to learn someone was killed on his land, and he knows nothing about it. When he questions Colt and Ben about the incident, they confess. Amos orders them to go to an old shack some thirty miles away to avoid being questioned by Marshal Dillon.

All Gunsmoke fans are accustomed to appearances by outstanding guest stars, but this episode features performances by a cast that manages to even rise about the lofty standards.

Veteran actor John Payne was noted more for his roles in many films, most notably as Fred Gailey in Miracle on 34th Street, Gary Maturin in The Razor's Edge, and Joe Rolfe in Kansas City Confidential. In this story, Payne fills the role of Amos Gentry, and he commands the scenes in which he appears. This is his only Gunsmoke appearance.

Louise Latham, who plays Claire Gentry, makes what is arguably the best of her six Gunsmoke guest-starring performances. Robert Pine and Peter Jason play the two sons, Ben and Colt, respectively.

Don Keefer is the unfortunate Floyd Babcock character. Keefer appeared in ten different Gunsmoke stories during his extensive acting career. I always think of Keefer for his role in the classic Twilight Zone episode "It's a Good Life" where he plays Dan Hollis, the man that gets drunk and ends up being turned into a jack-in-the-box by Billy Mumy's character in one of the most terrifying television scenes of all time.

Shug Fisher makes one of his twenty-seven different appearances in a Gunsmoke episode as Orly Grimes. The most fascinating thing about Fisher's roles is they are almost all the exact same character.

There are many layers to this story. The theme of an accidental killing combined with an over-protective father has been explored previously in Gunsmoke episodes. The treatment here is unique, however.

The key element of this story centers around Amos and his integrity. He has always been an honest man, but he is willing to compromise his principles for the sake of his sons. Claire acts as the conscience of the family, as she realizes her sons are too accustomed to the privilege and protection afforded by the control Amos holds over his land. She understands the only way Ben and Colt will ever be able to reach their potential as human beings is to face the consequences of what they have done.

Marshal Dillon's pursuit of the Gentry boys is a vital secondary plot element to the story. Matt's involvement is required to force the issue where Ben and Colt are concerned. Therefore, the strongest character in this story is not the man that thinks he controls everything he can see, but the woman who can clearly see how absolute power can corrupt absolutely.

The relationship between Floyd Babcock and Orly Grimes is worth mentioning for its unique nature in television. Of course, there is no mention of anything in the way of romance between the two men, but it is certainly implied. Orly clearly loved Floyd and is heartbroken over his death. This, too, has been implied in other Gunsmoke episodes. Season 11's "Treasure of John Walking Fox" is a notable example.

Although the themes used in this story are familiar, the way the story is presented, and the outstanding performances help it rise above the fray.

This average episode is summarized when Marshal Dillon reminds Gentry of the sublime country metaphor that a weak steer is better off than the over-protected brawny steer.

A metaphor for the ages.