In its 1956-57 second season, Gunsmoke blazed its way into the top 10 (where it would remain for the next six years—four of them in the number one spot), while James Arness earned an Emmy nomination for his towering portrayal of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, who broke the mold of the TV lawman. As he notes in one of the 20 episodes collected here, "They tell me that back East, there are a lot of book writers and newspaper people who picture a frontier lawman as someone pretty near perfection, who always guns his man down, never makes a mistake—he's at the top of the heap on every play." The "mule-headed" Dillon is not that man. "My job is to keep the peace, and I'll do it my own way," he proclaims. These half-hour b&w episodes deliver traditional Western action, but the heart of Gunsmoke resides in its character-based human dramas. An excellent example is "Gone Straight," featuring Carl Betz (The Donna Reed Show) as a man who answers the description of a wanted outlaw, but is now an upstanding citizen trying to help another man reform (Tige Andrews of The Mod Squad). Gunsmoke was not only directed by sure Western hands—including Andrew McLaglan, Ted Post, and Christian Nyby—but several episodes were written by Sam Peckinpah, including "Legal Revenge," featuring a young Cloris Leachman as a woman who appears to have it in for her wounded husband. Several episodes address social issues, including racism ("Sins of the Fathers," featuring Angie Dickinson as the daughter of a marauding Indian chief) and gun culture (the powerful "don't take your guns to town" episode "Young Man with a Gun"). Along with Dillon, the rest of Gunsmoke's characters became archetypes, including the drawling, bum-legged deputy Chester (Dennis Weaver), ornery Doc (Milburn Stone), and saloon gal Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake). DVD extras include sponsor shots for LM cigarettes ("See you next week," Arness puffs. "In the meantime, light up."). A true TV classic, this is highly recommended. (D. Liebenson)
Gunsmoke: The Second Season, Volume 1
Paramount, 3 discs, 526 min., not rated, DVD: $36.99 Volume 23, Issue 2
Gunsmoke: The Second Season, Volume 1
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