Matt Dillon and Chester Goode are waiting for the stagecoach in Wichita when they meet a pretty woman named Rena Decker. Rena had engaged a man named Ab Laster in a conversation. When Laster begins to become a bit too aggressive with the woman, Matt steps in. Matt and Ab exchange angry words, and Matt punches Ab. Ab makes some threats about getting even with the Marshal after they get to Dodge City.
Rena is a stranger in Dodge and needs a job. Matt introduces her to Kitty Russell, who - for the first time - mentions she is half-owner of the Long Branch Saloon, in the hopes Rena can work at the Long Branch Saloon. When Kitty interviews Rena, she finds something more sinister behind the attractive exterior. Rena has developed the dubious skill of goading men into fighting over her, and she enjoys it immensely.
Initially, Kitty refuses to hire Rena, but Matt and Chester dismiss Kitty's concerns. Kitty accuses the men of being unable to see beyond the pretty face. Kitty agrees to hire Rena as much to prove a point as anything.
Actress Karen Sharpe perfectly fits the role of the dangerously beautiful Rena Decker in this, the first of two Gunsmoke roles. At the time this episode was filmed, Sharpe was signed to John Wayne's production company and accepted roles in many television westerns. She would later marry renowned director Stanley Kramer after which she quit acting and worked with the production company she and her husband formed.
John Alderson plays the Ab Laster character. This is one of three Gunsmoke appearances for the actor who often played villains. A few other familiar faces appear in small roles in this story. Walter Reed plays Joe Garrett. John Mitchum plays a man known only as "Joe." Ken Mayer appears as Hank.
Once again, the production team behind the Gunsmoke series delivers a unique tale for the time this episode was produced. The male lead characters are all clueless, while the Kitty Russell character is the one smarter person that can clearly understand the situation that exists and predict what will happen. Thanks to Matt's refusal to listen to Kitty and trust her judgement, needless violence and deaths will result.
(There is a cleverly shot, key scene in the Marshal's office where Kitty joins Matt, Chester, and Doc to tell them she is not going to hire Rena. The three men are surprised by this news and begin to question Kitty's reasoning. The aggressive body language of the three men - Chester and Doc are standing, while Matt is seated - compared to Kitty's seated, passive position is noteworthy.)
Rena is a stranger in Dodge and needs a job. Matt introduces her to Kitty Russell, who - for the first time - mentions she is half-owner of the Long Branch Saloon, in the hopes Rena can work at the Long Branch Saloon. When Kitty interviews Rena, she finds something more sinister behind the attractive exterior. Rena has developed the dubious skill of goading men into fighting over her, and she enjoys it immensely.
Initially, Kitty refuses to hire Rena, but Matt and Chester dismiss Kitty's concerns. Kitty accuses the men of being unable to see beyond the pretty face. Kitty agrees to hire Rena as much to prove a point as anything.
Actress Karen Sharpe perfectly fits the role of the dangerously beautiful Rena Decker in this, the first of two Gunsmoke roles. At the time this episode was filmed, Sharpe was signed to John Wayne's production company and accepted roles in many television westerns. She would later marry renowned director Stanley Kramer after which she quit acting and worked with the production company she and her husband formed.
John Alderson plays the Ab Laster character. This is one of three Gunsmoke appearances for the actor who often played villains. A few other familiar faces appear in small roles in this story. Walter Reed plays Joe Garrett. John Mitchum plays a man known only as "Joe." Ken Mayer appears as Hank.
Once again, the production team behind the Gunsmoke series delivers a unique tale for the time this episode was produced. The male lead characters are all clueless, while the Kitty Russell character is the one smarter person that can clearly understand the situation that exists and predict what will happen. Thanks to Matt's refusal to listen to Kitty and trust her judgement, needless violence and deaths will result.
(There is a cleverly shot, key scene in the Marshal's office where Kitty joins Matt, Chester, and Doc to tell them she is not going to hire Rena. The three men are surprised by this news and begin to question Kitty's reasoning. The aggressive body language of the three men - Chester and Doc are standing, while Matt is seated - compared to Kitty's seated, passive position is noteworthy.)
