GUNSMOKE was not only a landmark television Western, lasting 20 years on the prime time airwaves, but was also a trendsetting radio series. Departing from the juvenile good guys/bad guys shows that dominated in the early 50s, this was a gritty, realistic, adult Western that supplied no easy answers in its accurate depiction of the daily hardships faced in Dodge City, Kansas, circa 1870. From its 1955 debut until its seventh season in 1961, the series was a half hour drama directly inspired by its radio version, after that it expanded to an hour, eventually graduating to color by 1966. John Carradine made two appearances during the early half hour era, airing on CBS Saturday nights at 10:00PM, best remembered for Dennis Weaver's limping deputy Chester, with the Dec 31 1955 broadcast of "Reed Survives" only the 13th episode, out of a whopping 635 (his other appearance would be the fifth season opener "Target"). James Arness was an instant success as Marshal Matt Dillon, supported by Milburn Stone as Doc Adams and Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty, all present along with Chester right from the start. Like many entries, this is a study in characterization, opening with pretty young wife Laura Hunt (Lola Albright) calling on Matt to inform him that she fears that her older husband Ephraim plans to kill her with a newly purchased gun. The Marshal pays a friendly visit to his old friend Ephraim (John Carradine), and discovers that, though there is a wide age gap, he truly loves his wife and wants the marriage to persevere (the episode gets its title from his comment about how the reed must survive in inclement weather). Matt then asks Kitty about Laura, who once worked as a showgirl at the Long Branch, but is told that the girl pretty much kept to herself. Kitty points out one man at the bar, Booth Ryder (James Drury), employed by Ephraim Hunt for just a few weeks, who disregards the Marshal's advice to leave town. Matt and Chester keep a watchful eye on the Hunt ranch, but are too late to prevent Ephraim from being fatally shot by Booth, who manages to escape. Chester heads into town to get Doc while Matt remains behind to convey the sad news to the grieving widow. She isn't just startled to see the Marshal, we know she was expecting someone else, her stark look of terror restored to calm by Matt's insistence that he can't legally touch her, despite knowing how she set up her husband's murder, having only married him for his money. Marshal Dillon waits for Booth to return to the widow Hunt, and after a brief shootout in the barn is surprised to hear that drifter Booth couldn't stand to see the now wealthy Laura laugh in his face, confessing to strangling her with his bare hands. Carting him off to jail, Matt concludes that Booth should have taken his advice and kept on riding. Rather predictable in its moralizing but well done nonetheless, opening with Marshal Dillon walking through boot hill, his quest to prevent stupid mistakes that turn fatal, setting the pattern for what follows. Lola Albright starred opposite Shrinking Man Grant Williams in Universal's 1957 "The Monolith Monsters" before finding her greatest fame on television's PETER GUNN, as well as several acclaimed record albums. On screen for just two scenes, Carradine is made up to look much older, a warm gregarious husband, his only sin wedding a callous gold digger. His next GUNSMOKE in 1959 also found him playing an older man, an intolerant father who pays the ultimate price for it.
9 Reviews
One person should have kept on riding
kfo94949 May 2013
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.
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.
One Woman's Deadly Scheme
wdavidreynolds29 November 2021
A wealthy older man and much younger woman named Ephraim and Lucy Hunt are married and live near Dodge City. Lucy arrives at the Marshal's office to tell Matt Dillon her husband is trying to kill her. Matt is dubious about Lucy's claims, but he agrees to investigate further.
(The opening scene includes Chester Goode telling Matt Lucy Hunt is in town. Chester questions why Lucy married Ephraim and speculates it may be for his money. Matt offers no suggestions. Lucy then walks into the office. The scene up to where Lucy walks into the office is sometimes cut in today's broadcasts to allow more commercial time.)
The Marshal pays a visit to Ephraim, and the man convinces Matt he loves his wife very deeply. He compares his wife to a fragile reed and tells Matt it is his duty to provide her protection to prevent her/the reed from being broken. This statement provides the basis for the name of the episode.
Handsome, young Booth Rider is a hired hand working on the Hunt farm. When Matt talks to Rider in the Long Branch Saloon, he tries to convince the cowboy to seek his fortunes elsewhere, but Rider refuses. Lucy uses her sex appeal to seduce Rider into killing Ephraim by telling him Ephraim has a gun and plans to kill them both. The scheme eliminates Ephraim and Rider, since the young man would be blamed for the death.
Classic television fans will remember beautiful, doe-eyed Lola Albright from her portrayal of Edie Hart, nightclub singer and Peter Gunn's love interest in the series Peter Gunn. (Albright fans should see her stunning, sultry performance in an obscure Alexander Singer film A Cold Wind in August. That film starred a couple of other Gunsmoke alum, Scott Marlowe and Joe De Santis, as well as Herschel Bernardi who played Lieutenant Jacoby in the Peter Gunn series.) This performance as Lucy Hunt is Albright's only Gunsmoke role.
The great John Carradine appears here as Ephraim Hunt. The prolific actor had already appeared in hundreds of films by the time he played this role. Carradine claimed he never made much money acting, and with the advent of television, he found steady work in the medium in roles like this that were arguably beneath his level of talent. Carradine would appear in one other Gunsmoke episode in Season 5.
Actor James Drury portrays the Booth Rider character in this story. Drury was a familiar face in westerns films and television shows before and after appearing in this episode. He would appear in another three episodes of the series, all during the thirty-minute era. The actor is best known for the starring role in the NBC series The Virginian.
This is the first television Gunsmoke story written by Les Crutchfield. Crutchfield would later create the character Festus Haggen. He continued contributing to the series until his premature death at age 50 from cancer.
A frequent plot device in the earlier Gunsmoke episodes is having a scheming woman convince a man to commit murder or do some other illegal act for her. Women are often portrayed as conniving, manipulative fortune seekers, as is the case with the Lucy Hunt character.
Again, here is an episode that was innovative television in 1955, but offers few surprises over sixty years later, because there have been countless comparable stories used in dramas since. When viewed in the proper context, this is a well-executed episode.
(The opening scene includes Chester Goode telling Matt Lucy Hunt is in town. Chester questions why Lucy married Ephraim and speculates it may be for his money. Matt offers no suggestions. Lucy then walks into the office. The scene up to where Lucy walks into the office is sometimes cut in today's broadcasts to allow more commercial time.)
The Marshal pays a visit to Ephraim, and the man convinces Matt he loves his wife very deeply. He compares his wife to a fragile reed and tells Matt it is his duty to provide her protection to prevent her/the reed from being broken. This statement provides the basis for the name of the episode.
Handsome, young Booth Rider is a hired hand working on the Hunt farm. When Matt talks to Rider in the Long Branch Saloon, he tries to convince the cowboy to seek his fortunes elsewhere, but Rider refuses. Lucy uses her sex appeal to seduce Rider into killing Ephraim by telling him Ephraim has a gun and plans to kill them both. The scheme eliminates Ephraim and Rider, since the young man would be blamed for the death.
Classic television fans will remember beautiful, doe-eyed Lola Albright from her portrayal of Edie Hart, nightclub singer and Peter Gunn's love interest in the series Peter Gunn. (Albright fans should see her stunning, sultry performance in an obscure Alexander Singer film A Cold Wind in August. That film starred a couple of other Gunsmoke alum, Scott Marlowe and Joe De Santis, as well as Herschel Bernardi who played Lieutenant Jacoby in the Peter Gunn series.) This performance as Lucy Hunt is Albright's only Gunsmoke role.
The great John Carradine appears here as Ephraim Hunt. The prolific actor had already appeared in hundreds of films by the time he played this role. Carradine claimed he never made much money acting, and with the advent of television, he found steady work in the medium in roles like this that were arguably beneath his level of talent. Carradine would appear in one other Gunsmoke episode in Season 5.
Actor James Drury portrays the Booth Rider character in this story. Drury was a familiar face in westerns films and television shows before and after appearing in this episode. He would appear in another three episodes of the series, all during the thirty-minute era. The actor is best known for the starring role in the NBC series The Virginian.
This is the first television Gunsmoke story written by Les Crutchfield. Crutchfield would later create the character Festus Haggen. He continued contributing to the series until his premature death at age 50 from cancer.
A frequent plot device in the earlier Gunsmoke episodes is having a scheming woman convince a man to commit murder or do some other illegal act for her. Women are often portrayed as conniving, manipulative fortune seekers, as is the case with the Lucy Hunt character.
Again, here is an episode that was innovative television in 1955, but offers few surprises over sixty years later, because there have been countless comparable stories used in dramas since. When viewed in the proper context, this is a well-executed episode.
Matt Dillon All-Time #1 Marshall
vcartier30 August 2012
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.
Spinning a Web
dougdoepke10 September 2007
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.
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.
We get what's coming to us sometimes
mitchrmp21 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, if James Drury allowed me to kiss him, I don't think I'd be sending him packing...
This woman as pure evil. She married a man, seduced another to have him kill her husband. Then she laughed at the marshal, knowing she could never be arrested for her husband's murder.
But if she thought she was going to go unpunished, she had another thing coming to her. This episode ends in a twist that teaches us the old saying "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." She indeed did live up to that quote...Everyone was a looser in this episode.
Wonderful story line with a great cast of character actors!
This woman as pure evil. She married a man, seduced another to have him kill her husband. Then she laughed at the marshal, knowing she could never be arrested for her husband's murder.
But if she thought she was going to go unpunished, she had another thing coming to her. This episode ends in a twist that teaches us the old saying "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." She indeed did live up to that quote...Everyone was a looser in this episode.
Wonderful story line with a great cast of character actors!
Tragic and Romantic Tale of Seduction
katedooleypeace7 August 2023
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.
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.
And, Yes, Matt Dillon Even Takes Time Out To Play A Game Of Checkers
StrictlyConfidential23 June 2020
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.
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.
Where is "Reed"
LukeCoolHand7 February 2022
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.
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