J.J. is a charming petty thief being transported to Dodge by Festus, who eventually has to trust him to protect a woman, her young son, and him.J.J. is a charming petty thief being transported to Dodge by Festus, who eventually has to trust him to protect a woman, her young son, and him.J.J. is a charming petty thief being transported to Dodge by Festus, who eventually has to trust him to protect a woman, her young son, and him.
Nick Borgani
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Ed McCready
- Stage Passenger
- (uncredited)
Jimmy Noel
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Neil Summers
- Comanchero
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMultiple times in this 1973 episode, the guest star utters the phrase, "Like a soft glowing candle in the window on a cold, dark night." Years later, in 1984, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon wrote and released a #1 hit song, "Can't Fight This Feeling" that featured the phrase, "Like a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night."
- Quotes
J.J. Honegger: If you can't be sincere, the least you can be is charming.
Featured review
Redemption for a Thief
Festus Haggen is transporting a thief named J. J. Honegger to Dodge City. Honegger is a smooth-talking, handsome man who has a history of stealing and being sentenced to short terms in jail. Festus has known Honegger for many years.
After Festus learns flash floods have resulted in the stage route to Dodge being temporarily blocked, he and his prisoner set out on horseback. When Festus is thrown from his horse, he is severely injured. Festus becomes dependent on Honegger to help him.
The pair soon discover a woman named Martha Cunningham and her son, Caleb, stranded along the trail. The woman's husband had left them to find some help. Honegger soon takes advantage of an opportunity to get away, but when he finds the woman's husband hanging dead upside down from a tree branch, he realizes a group of Comancheros he and Festus had seen earlier are likely to blame. He realizes Mrs. Cunningham and her son are in danger. Rather than continue his escape, Honegger chooses to return to the campsite and help.
James Stacy plays J. J. Honegger in this story. This appearance was his fifth and final in the series. Shortly after filming this episode, he was nearly killed in a motorcycle accident (his female companion was killed) that required the amputation of his left arm and leg and led to significant financial problems for the talented actor. When this episode was broadcast, he was still recovering from his injuries.
Actress Beth Brickell makes her only Gunsmoke appearance as the Martha Cunningham character. Brickell had starred in the series Gentle Ben with former Gunsmoke star Dennis Weaver. She gave up acting around 1980 to pursue a successful career directing and writing.
Clay O'Brien, who had previously appeared in Season 18's two-part "The River" episode as the mischievous Tuttle Kincaid, portrays Caleb Cunningham in this story. This was his final Gunsmoke role, but he would go on to play a prominent role in The Cowboys with John Wayne.
There is not as much tension in this story as the circumstances would seem to dictate. There are no surprises, as the viewer can easily see where the story is going.
Most of this story takes place away from Dodge with Festus as the primary member of the regular cast. There is a nice scene at the end set in Dodge with Doc Adams and the requisite Matt Dillon appearance.
Stacy's performance is the highlight of this episode, and viewing is recommended on that factor alone, particularly given the tragic circumstances that would soon befall Stacy. The J. J. Honegger character slightly recalls the early Festus Haggen character, and it is fitting Festus is the person escorting Honegger back to Dodge to face justice for his crimes. Honegger does not mind a little theft when it suits his needs, but he is a kind, compassionate, caring, friendly man. Gunsmoke often featured "good guys" and "bad guys." It is interesting to see a character who sometimes crosses the line back-and-forth between the two characteristics. (Personal note: I have always thought it would have been interesting if Festus had remained a character occasionally given to flaunting the law, instead of turning him into a law-abiding deputy.)
After Festus learns flash floods have resulted in the stage route to Dodge being temporarily blocked, he and his prisoner set out on horseback. When Festus is thrown from his horse, he is severely injured. Festus becomes dependent on Honegger to help him.
The pair soon discover a woman named Martha Cunningham and her son, Caleb, stranded along the trail. The woman's husband had left them to find some help. Honegger soon takes advantage of an opportunity to get away, but when he finds the woman's husband hanging dead upside down from a tree branch, he realizes a group of Comancheros he and Festus had seen earlier are likely to blame. He realizes Mrs. Cunningham and her son are in danger. Rather than continue his escape, Honegger chooses to return to the campsite and help.
James Stacy plays J. J. Honegger in this story. This appearance was his fifth and final in the series. Shortly after filming this episode, he was nearly killed in a motorcycle accident (his female companion was killed) that required the amputation of his left arm and leg and led to significant financial problems for the talented actor. When this episode was broadcast, he was still recovering from his injuries.
Actress Beth Brickell makes her only Gunsmoke appearance as the Martha Cunningham character. Brickell had starred in the series Gentle Ben with former Gunsmoke star Dennis Weaver. She gave up acting around 1980 to pursue a successful career directing and writing.
Clay O'Brien, who had previously appeared in Season 18's two-part "The River" episode as the mischievous Tuttle Kincaid, portrays Caleb Cunningham in this story. This was his final Gunsmoke role, but he would go on to play a prominent role in The Cowboys with John Wayne.
There is not as much tension in this story as the circumstances would seem to dictate. There are no surprises, as the viewer can easily see where the story is going.
Most of this story takes place away from Dodge with Festus as the primary member of the regular cast. There is a nice scene at the end set in Dodge with Doc Adams and the requisite Matt Dillon appearance.
Stacy's performance is the highlight of this episode, and viewing is recommended on that factor alone, particularly given the tragic circumstances that would soon befall Stacy. The J. J. Honegger character slightly recalls the early Festus Haggen character, and it is fitting Festus is the person escorting Honegger back to Dodge to face justice for his crimes. Honegger does not mind a little theft when it suits his needs, but he is a kind, compassionate, caring, friendly man. Gunsmoke often featured "good guys" and "bad guys." It is interesting to see a character who sometimes crosses the line back-and-forth between the two characteristics. (Personal note: I have always thought it would have been interesting if Festus had remained a character occasionally given to flaunting the law, instead of turning him into a law-abiding deputy.)
- wdavidreynolds
- Oct 3, 2021
- Permalink
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