7 reviews
Someone is after Chester's job.
When slow minded farmers, Uncle Oliver and Viney, ride into Dodge it proves that Dodge is the center of culture for some people. Uncle Oliver is trying to find a job for Viney and when they meet the Marshal, Oliver decides that Viney could become a Marshal. But he would have to first learn the job and ask Matt if Viney could be his assistant. But Matt informs Oliver that Chester has that job and no one else is needed.
Well it is not long before someone shoots Chester and all the evidence points to Viney. Since Chester was only wounded in the shooting and Viney is no where to be found, Matt believes that Chester's life may still be in danger.
As the episode went along it appeared that this was going to be a simple story with no excitement to the finish. But throw in a little twist right near the end and you have a nice story.
Well it is not long before someone shoots Chester and all the evidence points to Viney. Since Chester was only wounded in the shooting and Viney is no where to be found, Matt believes that Chester's life may still be in danger.
As the episode went along it appeared that this was going to be a simple story with no excitement to the finish. But throw in a little twist right near the end and you have a nice story.
Crazy Uncle
Matt's Would-be Apprentice
Viney Stang and his Uncle Oliver make their way to Dodge City from some isolated place on the prairie. It is immediately obvious Viney has never been around many people. Uncle Oliver is older and slightly more worldly, but neither man fits into Dodge culture.
Viney's father recently died, and Uncle Oliver has promised to care for the tall, lanky, man-child. When they meet Matt Dillon and Chester Goode, Uncle Oliver decides Viney should work for Marshal Dillon and learn the law enforcement ropes. Matt makes it clear Chester provides all the help needed, which leads Viney to conclude Chester is in the way and should be eliminated. Chester is concerned, while Matt shrugs it off.
The situation becomes more serious when someone takes a shot at Chester and wounds the sidekick. Of course, Matt suspects Viney, but he has mysteriously disappeared. Marshal Dillon devises a plan that will hopefully catch the culprit.
Earle Hodgins plays Uncle Oliver in the first of four different Gunsmoke roles. Hodgins was already a veteran of the television western with multiple roles in pre-Gunsmoke shows like The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, The Range Rider, and many others. Earlier in his career, Hodgins could frequently be seen in a plethora of those western films that were often shown during Saturday afternoon matinee double-features like Oregon Trail Scouts and Oklahoma Badlands.
Paul Wexler had previously appeared as one of Rose Daggit's abductors in the "Sins of the Father" episode from earlier in the season. He portrays Viney in this story. Wexler usually played menacing types of characters, and this role as the slow-witted nephew is something different for him.
Writer John Meston occasionally used the premise of someone unfamiliar with life in a more populated area visiting Dodge City and wreaking havoc of some sort. He would often incorporate bits of humor along with some drama. For example, Season 1's "Magnus" and "Tap Day for Kitty" both use a similar approach.
Hodgins and Wexler are two lesser-known actors who shine in this entertaining story with a nice mix of intrigue and humor.
Viney's father recently died, and Uncle Oliver has promised to care for the tall, lanky, man-child. When they meet Matt Dillon and Chester Goode, Uncle Oliver decides Viney should work for Marshal Dillon and learn the law enforcement ropes. Matt makes it clear Chester provides all the help needed, which leads Viney to conclude Chester is in the way and should be eliminated. Chester is concerned, while Matt shrugs it off.
The situation becomes more serious when someone takes a shot at Chester and wounds the sidekick. Of course, Matt suspects Viney, but he has mysteriously disappeared. Marshal Dillon devises a plan that will hopefully catch the culprit.
Earle Hodgins plays Uncle Oliver in the first of four different Gunsmoke roles. Hodgins was already a veteran of the television western with multiple roles in pre-Gunsmoke shows like The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, The Range Rider, and many others. Earlier in his career, Hodgins could frequently be seen in a plethora of those western films that were often shown during Saturday afternoon matinee double-features like Oregon Trail Scouts and Oklahoma Badlands.
Paul Wexler had previously appeared as one of Rose Daggit's abductors in the "Sins of the Father" episode from earlier in the season. He portrays Viney in this story. Wexler usually played menacing types of characters, and this role as the slow-witted nephew is something different for him.
Writer John Meston occasionally used the premise of someone unfamiliar with life in a more populated area visiting Dodge City and wreaking havoc of some sort. He would often incorporate bits of humor along with some drama. For example, Season 1's "Magnus" and "Tap Day for Kitty" both use a similar approach.
Hodgins and Wexler are two lesser-known actors who shine in this entertaining story with a nice mix of intrigue and humor.
- wdavidreynolds
- Jan 5, 2022
- Permalink
Getting Chester's Job
Two yokels, Viney & Uncle Oliver, arrive in Dodge. Clearly, they've spent too much time alone on the prairie since poor young Viney has trouble 'thinking'. Problem is Uncle Oliver wants Viney for Chester's job since he promised Viney's dad he'd take care of the overgrown galoot. Now Chester's worried because there's no telling what these prairie-happy characters might do, especially after someone takes a shot at him.
Good Meston script that mixes dabs of humor with the melodrama. So does someone want Chester's job badly enough to kill him. I don't know if I've ever seen Paul Wexler (Viney) before, but he cuts a string-bean figure in a floppy hat like no one I've seen before. Plus he does an excellent job as the slow thinking lummox. Hodgins (Oliver) is a familiar face from a hundred westerns, usually playing a fast-talker of one type or another. All in all, it's an above average entry with an emphasis on characters, which the series had a real feel for.
Good Meston script that mixes dabs of humor with the melodrama. So does someone want Chester's job badly enough to kill him. I don't know if I've ever seen Paul Wexler (Viney) before, but he cuts a string-bean figure in a floppy hat like no one I've seen before. Plus he does an excellent job as the slow thinking lummox. Hodgins (Oliver) is a familiar face from a hundred westerns, usually playing a fast-talker of one type or another. All in all, it's an above average entry with an emphasis on characters, which the series had a real feel for.
- dougdoepke
- Feb 28, 2013
- Permalink
Uncle Oliver
When slow minded farmers, Uncle Oliver Stang (Earle Hodgins) and his nephew, Viney Stang (Paul Wexler), ride into Dodge, it becomes evident that they've spent too much time on the prairie since poor young Viney is slow thinking, but Uncle Oliver decides that he needs a job as he'd promised Viney's dad he'd take care of the overgrown thicko.
When meeting Marshal Dillon, Oliver decides that Viney could become a Marshal (don't know how he comes to that conclusion!!). But he would have to first learn the job, so he asks Marshal Dillon if Viney could be his assistant. But Matt informs Oliver that Chester already has that job, and no one else is needed.
It is not long before someone shoots Chester, and all the evidence points towards Viney. Since Chester was only wounded in the shooting, and Viney is no where to be found, Matt believes that Chester's life may still be in danger.
Earle Hodgins is at his entertaining best in this odd episode - odd because it features someone who is trying to put someone away ( Chester in this case) for a job position! Earle dominates here whenever he's around. Strong point of Gunsmoke are the characters and it's a decent one.
When meeting Marshal Dillon, Oliver decides that Viney could become a Marshal (don't know how he comes to that conclusion!!). But he would have to first learn the job, so he asks Marshal Dillon if Viney could be his assistant. But Matt informs Oliver that Chester already has that job, and no one else is needed.
It is not long before someone shoots Chester, and all the evidence points towards Viney. Since Chester was only wounded in the shooting, and Viney is no where to be found, Matt believes that Chester's life may still be in danger.
Earle Hodgins is at his entertaining best in this odd episode - odd because it features someone who is trying to put someone away ( Chester in this case) for a job position! Earle dominates here whenever he's around. Strong point of Gunsmoke are the characters and it's a decent one.
Chester Gone wrong
A Vintage TV Western
- StrictlyConfidential
- Aug 30, 2021
- Permalink