Gunsmoke: The Third Season, Volume 2 – DVD Review

DVD Reviews, Reviews

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Normally the third season of a TV series represents the halfway point of its run. This is not the case for Gunsmoke which lasted 20 seasons. The show was halfway through its incarnation as a thirty-minute black and white series. By the third season Gunsmoke had become the top show on television and the Emmy winner for best drama. Gunsmoke: The Third Season, Volume 2 contains the final 20 episodes of Dodge Citys finest early years.

“Claustrophobia” brings a settler (Vaughn Taylor) into town. He hates being around people, but his buddy tempts him with the change to hang out at Miss Kittys saloon and the promise of what her girls will serve up along with whiskey and beer. This doesnt turn into a pleasure trip when men kill Vaughns livestock back at the homestead. Vaughn gets revenge, but Marshall Matt Dillon (James Arness) has to deliver justice. His pal cant stand to see his Vaughn confined. This leads to a really creepy escape plot. “Ma Tennis” has nothing to do with how the sport was brought to the Wild West. You wont be seeing anyone in white shorts with a racket challenging Dillon and Chester (Dennis Weaver) to a game of doubles. A guy named Andy Tennis gets busted for homicide and his mother shows up to deposit bail with a little double barrels. Its nice to have a mom that packs heat and a hard heart. “Sunday Supplement” deals with extreme journalists. Jack Weston and Werner Klemperer (Hogans Heroes Col. Klink) want a big scoop for their New York newspaper. When they dont get a good story, they provoke the local indian tribe to make it happen.

“The Cabin” is the most intense episode of the season. A blizzard hits leaving Dillon looking for shelter on his ride back to Dodge City. He thinks hes safe in a warm cabin owned by Patricia Barry. However he quickly discovers that shes got company in the form of Harry Dean Stanton (Big Love) and Claude Akins (Sheriff Lobo). Theyre escaped bandits who have been having their way with her. Dillon is helpless after they take his gun. Hes limited in his plotting since going outside involves freezing to death. Claude and Harry Dean are worthy villains for Dillon. Almost feels like this might be the episode the lawman finally meets his match. “Dirt” has June Lockhart (Lost in Spaces Mrs. Robinson) in the middle of rumored affair that besmirches a wedding. “The Big Con” has the local bank make a loan with a Poker hand as the collateral. This proves banks were screwing up before the even invented the sub prime mortgage.

“Chesters Hanging” has a messed up escape from the Dodge City jail lead to Dillons assistant taking the wrong end of a noose. “Overland Express” has Matt and Chester tracking down Simon Oakland (Kolchak: The Night Stalker). Hes wanted for murder. They bust Oakland and bring him back to town on a stage coach. The murder recognizes a fellow traveller as a stage coach robber. Is he going to spill to beans or hope to escape when the fellow bandits arrive? “The Gentleman” doubles down on romance when a high rolling gambler (Jack Cassidy) woos Virginia Baker. Shes one of Miss Kittys girls. Trouble comes when she has to deal with Timothy Carey (Paths of Glory). While Cassidy doesnt want to marry her, he must protect her from Carey.

Gunsmoke: The Third Season, Volume 2 does have quite a few great episodes from its 20 year run. Theres plenty of folks ready to cross paths with Marshall Dillon. “The Cabin” is essential viewing for Claude Akins and Harry Dean Stantons tag team action. This duo could have been major pro wrestlers with their ability to play fierce and crazy.

The Episodes
“Claustrophobia,” “Ma Tennis,” “Sunday Supplement,” “Wild West,” “The Cabin,” “Dirt,” “Dooley Surrenders,” “Joke’s on Us,” “Bottleman,” “Laughing Gas,” “Texas Cowboys,” “Amy’s Good Deed,” “Hanging Man,” “Innocent Broad,” “The Big Con,” “Widow’s Mite,” “Chester’s Hanging,” “Carmen,” “Overland Express” and “The Gentleman.”


The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The black and white transfers are top notch. Youll be chilled by the faces of Claude Akins and Harry Dean Stanton when they take Marshall Dillon hostage. The audio is Dolby Digital mono. The levels are proper to hearing spurs jangle on a wood floors.


Sponsor Spots (1:43) includes plugs for L&M Cigarettes and the Remington electric razor. The whole cast takes a smoke break outside the soundstage.


Gunsmoke: The Third Season, Volume 2 wraps up one of the best times for the series with its Emmy and number one ranking. The half hour format keeps the stories and the action tight. Theres not much space of meandering tales. Although Marshall Dillon might want to worry about how people keep wanting to bust out of his jail.

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CBS DVD presents Gunsmoke: The Third Season, Volume 2. James Arness, Milburrn Stone, Dennis Weaver and Amanda Blake. Boxset Contents: 20 episodes on 3 DVDs. Released on DVD: May 26, 2009. Available at Amazon.com

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.