A group of women are going by wagon train to Colorado, lured by the promise of marrying rich miners, but Matt learns that the leader's actual plan for the women is quite different.A group of women are going by wagon train to Colorado, lured by the promise of marrying rich miners, but Matt learns that the leader's actual plan for the women is quite different.A group of women are going by wagon train to Colorado, lured by the promise of marrying rich miners, but Matt learns that the leader's actual plan for the women is quite different.
Ellen Burstyn
- Polly
- (as Ellen McRae)
Joseph V. Perry
- Harve
- (as Joseph Perry)
Frank Ellis
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- John Meston(uncredited)
- Norman MacDonnell(uncredited)
- Charles Marquis Warren(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe cannon seen at the fort was a Parrott Rifle, patented by Captain Robert Parrott in 1861, and used extensively by both sides in the Civil War. It was still in use during the period portrayed in Gunsmoke.
- GoofsThe wagon train is out in the prairie when the wagon master shoots a rattlesnake. But when the gunshot causes the horses to rear, the camera angle clearly shows a town streetscape in the background. This occurs approximately 3/4 of the way through.
Featured review
"Man like that, you just gotta shoot in the back. Ain't no other way."
I freely admit that I enjoy the humorous episodes of Gunsmoke. For me, taking a break from the typical dark, gritty storylines can be a welcome respite. Plus, there weren't that many of these episodes overall, approximately 3 or 4 per season give or take, at least during the B&W era, although there may some debate as to which episodes could be deemed humorous, which would certainly impact my estimate.
Wagon Girls is one. While some may dislike the episode, I find it an easy watch. The dialogue is engaging and the performances are good, and although the plot wraps up conveniently the cast makes up for any shortcomings. In truth I consider the episode a lot of fun. I can't say I find it silly...that would describe Catawomper, which I find absolutely unbearable.
The episode does harken back to 1951's Westward the Women with Robert Taylor. Interestingly enough, Dillon's consternation when he finds a group of women on a wagon train with only 2 men relates precisely to what happens in Westward the Women, where the 2 remaining (surviving) men have no choice but to guide a rather large group of women through many hardships to their eventual destination.
And yes, the women were rescued from the unsavory fate of life in the Denver dance halls, but it bears mentioning that the life they ended up with would not necessarily be an easy one. The fort was isolated and sparsely manned, and their days would be full of heat, scarcity, hardship, fear and especially worry. Every time a patrol went out there would be a good chance someone wouldn't return.
Despite any misgivings with the plot some may have, it's undeniable that the cast is a good one.
Arch Johnson played heavies with the best of them, and Wagon Girls is no exception. Carl Feester was one nasty character and Johnson played him to the hilt. You just know he's gonna tangle with Dillon and the result is one of my favorite fights in the series. Dillon throws him into a wagon and climbs in after him, hard not to like that move. Kevin Hagen plays Feester's cowardly partner, Kelly Bowman, complete with the goofy hat.
A lovely, young Ellen Burstyn definitely makes a mark as Polly Mims, partially due to the fact that she was outfitted deliberately in a low-cut dress that accentuated her physical assets. Nevertheless she was good in the role and was obviously on her way up.
Constance Ford appears as Florida Jenkins, the leader of the women who sets her eye on Matt Dillon. Of course, Dillon is typically stolid in these situations, and this one is no exception, especially since he knows the truth that the women are bound for some Denver dance hall. You'll see the "Dillon gaze" a good bit in this episode, where he stares impassively at whomever is speaking, reading between the lines clearly. Very little gets by Matt Dillon.
The remainder of the cast, William Schallert (Capt. Grant), Ben Wright (Sgt. Pickens), Rayford Barnes (Lee), and Joan Marshall (Emma) complete the capable ensemble and round out the episode nicely.
Not the pinnacle of Gunsmoke's 20yr run, but absolutely a fun watch with a good cast.
Wagon Girls is one. While some may dislike the episode, I find it an easy watch. The dialogue is engaging and the performances are good, and although the plot wraps up conveniently the cast makes up for any shortcomings. In truth I consider the episode a lot of fun. I can't say I find it silly...that would describe Catawomper, which I find absolutely unbearable.
The episode does harken back to 1951's Westward the Women with Robert Taylor. Interestingly enough, Dillon's consternation when he finds a group of women on a wagon train with only 2 men relates precisely to what happens in Westward the Women, where the 2 remaining (surviving) men have no choice but to guide a rather large group of women through many hardships to their eventual destination.
And yes, the women were rescued from the unsavory fate of life in the Denver dance halls, but it bears mentioning that the life they ended up with would not necessarily be an easy one. The fort was isolated and sparsely manned, and their days would be full of heat, scarcity, hardship, fear and especially worry. Every time a patrol went out there would be a good chance someone wouldn't return.
Despite any misgivings with the plot some may have, it's undeniable that the cast is a good one.
Arch Johnson played heavies with the best of them, and Wagon Girls is no exception. Carl Feester was one nasty character and Johnson played him to the hilt. You just know he's gonna tangle with Dillon and the result is one of my favorite fights in the series. Dillon throws him into a wagon and climbs in after him, hard not to like that move. Kevin Hagen plays Feester's cowardly partner, Kelly Bowman, complete with the goofy hat.
A lovely, young Ellen Burstyn definitely makes a mark as Polly Mims, partially due to the fact that she was outfitted deliberately in a low-cut dress that accentuated her physical assets. Nevertheless she was good in the role and was obviously on her way up.
Constance Ford appears as Florida Jenkins, the leader of the women who sets her eye on Matt Dillon. Of course, Dillon is typically stolid in these situations, and this one is no exception, especially since he knows the truth that the women are bound for some Denver dance hall. You'll see the "Dillon gaze" a good bit in this episode, where he stares impassively at whomever is speaking, reading between the lines clearly. Very little gets by Matt Dillon.
The remainder of the cast, William Schallert (Capt. Grant), Ben Wright (Sgt. Pickens), Rayford Barnes (Lee), and Joan Marshall (Emma) complete the capable ensemble and round out the episode nicely.
Not the pinnacle of Gunsmoke's 20yr run, but absolutely a fun watch with a good cast.
helpful•90
- ben-thayer
- Feb 15, 2023
Details
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- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3
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