I appreciate the sense of humor found in all Gunsmoke episodes as a child and as an old woman. Considering the era being portrayed in the era it was filmed, this was a great combo of slapstick and baby steps toward the social change going on in the '60s. Gunsmoke was envisioned as an adult western, and it's primary writer wanted particularly to depict the difficult trials women faced in this era. In spite of the slapstick, Kitty is a very strong woman who sticks up for her rights. I appreciated that inspiration. Young women today are bright and savvy and free to pursue so many possibilities, but I wonder if they don't sometimes forget that women were once like chattel, had no rights, could not own property or be anything but teachers, nurses, and secretaries. Think, then, about how much we all loved Kitty.
6 Reviews
Entertaining Episode with Numerous Head-scratching Moments
wdavidreynolds6 July 2019
Kitty Russell sets out to claim a gold mine she inherited in Pickaxe, Kansas. The fact she inherited a gold mine in Kansas seems strange enough, but Kitty decides to leave Dodge City to go to a lawless town to work this mine...apparently all by herself. Although the Long Branch Saloon has been a good, money-making venture up until now, Kitty is suddenly worried enough about the sustainability of the future of the saloon that she thinks she needs to pursue this mining opportunity, and she has no plan for how she will accomplish this feat.
To add to the circumstances, Kitty is angry with Matt Dillon because he had to leave town and could not escort her to check out the mine. When the Marshal returns and learns that Kitty has gone to Pickaxe, he sends Thad Greenwood to help her and send a letter back to Dodge with an assurance she is safe.
At first, Kitty's foolish decisions appear to place her in jeopardy. The town of Pickaxe is a lawless place, and the men there all leer and make lude comments when they see a woman. Fortunately, there is a kindly woman and her mute son that offer help to Kitty. The episode then takes a turn toward the comedic as Kitty encounters a family of bungling goofballs who have been working the mine and have no intention of giving it up.
There is a big fight that results in most everyone being covered in mud. There is a rather hapless Thad who just can't seem to follow through with the Marshal's orders to send a letter back to Dodge letting him know if Kitty is safe. There is a very frustrated, overworked Matt Dillon.
This is the only episode of Gunsmoke directed by the actor/director/writer Abner Biberman, although he directed numerous episodes of other television shows, including The Virginian, 77 Sunset Strip, Ironside, and The Twilight Zone, among others. Biberman even directed an episode of Gilligan's Island around the same time he directed this episode of Gunsmoke.
The writing credit for the episode goes to Scott Hunt and Beth Keele. Both were involved in writing the earlier Season 11 episode "The Reward," which also featured a rare Kansas gold mine as a central plot element.
The veteran actress Argentina Brunetti plays the part of Louise Danby, the kindly woman who helps Miss Kitty in Pickaxe. Brunetti appeared in many films and television shows over a long career that stretched from her film debut in It's A Wonderful Life (she was Mrs. Martini) all the way into the early 2000s. She appeared on everything from General Hospital to Everybody Loves Raymond.
Tom Nardini plays Louise Danby's mute son, Richard. Nardini was a Golden Globe nominee for his performance in the film Cat Ballou.
The bumbling Gibbijohn brothers are played by veteran character actors John Anderson, Paul Carr, and Michael Vandever, none of which were strangers to Gunsmoke.
This whole episode is kind of a confusing mess, but it still manages to entertain.
To add to the circumstances, Kitty is angry with Matt Dillon because he had to leave town and could not escort her to check out the mine. When the Marshal returns and learns that Kitty has gone to Pickaxe, he sends Thad Greenwood to help her and send a letter back to Dodge with an assurance she is safe.
At first, Kitty's foolish decisions appear to place her in jeopardy. The town of Pickaxe is a lawless place, and the men there all leer and make lude comments when they see a woman. Fortunately, there is a kindly woman and her mute son that offer help to Kitty. The episode then takes a turn toward the comedic as Kitty encounters a family of bungling goofballs who have been working the mine and have no intention of giving it up.
There is a big fight that results in most everyone being covered in mud. There is a rather hapless Thad who just can't seem to follow through with the Marshal's orders to send a letter back to Dodge letting him know if Kitty is safe. There is a very frustrated, overworked Matt Dillon.
This is the only episode of Gunsmoke directed by the actor/director/writer Abner Biberman, although he directed numerous episodes of other television shows, including The Virginian, 77 Sunset Strip, Ironside, and The Twilight Zone, among others. Biberman even directed an episode of Gilligan's Island around the same time he directed this episode of Gunsmoke.
The writing credit for the episode goes to Scott Hunt and Beth Keele. Both were involved in writing the earlier Season 11 episode "The Reward," which also featured a rare Kansas gold mine as a central plot element.
The veteran actress Argentina Brunetti plays the part of Louise Danby, the kindly woman who helps Miss Kitty in Pickaxe. Brunetti appeared in many films and television shows over a long career that stretched from her film debut in It's A Wonderful Life (she was Mrs. Martini) all the way into the early 2000s. She appeared on everything from General Hospital to Everybody Loves Raymond.
Tom Nardini plays Louise Danby's mute son, Richard. Nardini was a Golden Globe nominee for his performance in the film Cat Ballou.
The bumbling Gibbijohn brothers are played by veteran character actors John Anderson, Paul Carr, and Michael Vandever, none of which were strangers to Gunsmoke.
This whole episode is kind of a confusing mess, but it still manages to entertain.
i'll take it!
birdgoog21 October 2020
Kitty's incredulous expression as she spies Thad riding into town ... just as she's describing "what i really need is a man, 6'4", with blue eyes and blond hair and muscles and a good friend of mine! THAD?! THAD GREENWOOD!! Over here Thad!" That's my favorite part. The part i anticipate. Soo geez, guess my opinion sucks after reading (most) other reviews bc i LOVE this episode! i LOVE humor! i LOVE silly slapstick! This episode is simply FUN why is that so bad?! Definitely my favorite "Thad" aka Roger Ewing episode. Love that he gets to be Kitty's hero! Ya know, he was just a kid of like 23 at that time. Imagine how daunting it was for him working with such wonderful and accomplished actors! imho he did an excellent job. Surely he was still learning. Anyhoo, take it or leave it i guess. Well i'll TAKE IT! i peruse it every time i get the opportunity bc it's AMUSING and it makes me HAPPY!
The Matt/Kitty relationship was interesting, Not much else
kfo949430 March 2013
It seemed that the writers were trying a break from the serious drama shows and tried to catch a more humorous program. Even though there were a few comedy type scenes this story never produced the entertain value that we expect. If they would have stayed with the Kitty/Matt relationship the episode would have been much better but they decided to travel the path of slapstick.
Kitty is given a gold mine and travels to the town of Pickaxe to stake claim. When Matt is too busy to make the trip with her, Kitty decides to go alone to Pickaxe. The problem is that the town is full of single non-working men that has not seen a woman like Kitty is a very long time.
When Kitty arrives no one in town will lend her a hand. In fact the entire situation is a bit scare as Kitty has to fend for herself in a town where there is no law. There is this one mute young man that helps Kitty out and soon the two finds the place where she is staking claim.
Marshal Dillon is horrified to learn that Kitty went to Pickaxe alone. He sends Thad to make sure that she is safe. But when Thad arrives, he walks into a situation where a family called the Gibbijohns are trying to take over Kitty's claim. Thad ends up getting injured and cannot send a letter telling Matt that Kitty is safe. After a few days Matt drops everything and rides to Pickaxe to find Kitty.
Parts of the show that involve the Gibbijohns are more silly that funny. When they break into the shack where Thad and Kitty are staying it looks like something from 'The Three Stooges' rather than a western drama. Those scenes, while trying to be humorous, failed in such a way that it brought the entire entertainment value down.
The high point of the show was the way the viewer got to see how much Matt cares for Kitty. If they would have stuck to that plot then the story would have been much better. They even had the mute boy and mother that they could have made part of an interesting show but instead resorted to buffoonery and careless humor. Not one of the better offers.
Kitty is given a gold mine and travels to the town of Pickaxe to stake claim. When Matt is too busy to make the trip with her, Kitty decides to go alone to Pickaxe. The problem is that the town is full of single non-working men that has not seen a woman like Kitty is a very long time.
When Kitty arrives no one in town will lend her a hand. In fact the entire situation is a bit scare as Kitty has to fend for herself in a town where there is no law. There is this one mute young man that helps Kitty out and soon the two finds the place where she is staking claim.
Marshal Dillon is horrified to learn that Kitty went to Pickaxe alone. He sends Thad to make sure that she is safe. But when Thad arrives, he walks into a situation where a family called the Gibbijohns are trying to take over Kitty's claim. Thad ends up getting injured and cannot send a letter telling Matt that Kitty is safe. After a few days Matt drops everything and rides to Pickaxe to find Kitty.
Parts of the show that involve the Gibbijohns are more silly that funny. When they break into the shack where Thad and Kitty are staying it looks like something from 'The Three Stooges' rather than a western drama. Those scenes, while trying to be humorous, failed in such a way that it brought the entire entertainment value down.
The high point of the show was the way the viewer got to see how much Matt cares for Kitty. If they would have stuck to that plot then the story would have been much better. They even had the mute boy and mother that they could have made part of an interesting show but instead resorted to buffoonery and careless humor. Not one of the better offers.
Absurd
markmelsh3 October 2021
Everyone in town is evil. When Kitty is in this town and later sees Thad, it's not clear as to if Thad is in on it all. Where do they get these ridiculous situations? Gunsmoke is a good, entertaining show but really stretches credulity too many times, like in this episode.
rubber-stamp storytelling
grizzledgeezer6 January 2015
This is definitely one of "Gunsmoke"'s lesser episodes. Way lesser -- very un-Gunsmokey, a "desperation" episode. I suspect it's a first draft, knocked out over a long weekend. It shows about as much originality as a rubber stamp -- and less wit.
It apparently never occurred to the writers that Kansas was hardly known for its gold mines. And as far as I know, the gold in gold mines is usually embedded in a quartz matrix, requiring a stamp mill for extraction. But who cares about historical accuracy?
John Anderson makes another one of his appearances in what must have been a hundred TV Westerns. (My favorite John Anderson moment comes in "The Rifleman", when he's mauled by a stunt man in a bad bear costume.)
Some of Pickaxe's buildings more resemble the Southwest than Kansas. And as it has a house of ill-repute, why is Kitty so overwhelmingly attractive? It must be her insistence on dressing like Jennifer Marlowe. Who in their right mind would visit a gold mine dressed like that?
There are two good moments. When Matt asks Doc "Don't you have some patients to take care of, or uh maybe a sick cow, or sumpin'?" and Doc eyes Festus, Festus' reaction is priceless. And when Kitty says "If you say 'I told you so!', I'll never talk to you again!", Matt's reaction suggests that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing.
We also learn that Kitty, like Indiana Jones, is afraid of reptiles. In this case, lizards.
The whole thing is reminiscent of an "Adventures of Superman" episode. You should have no trouble deciding who's who.
It apparently never occurred to the writers that Kansas was hardly known for its gold mines. And as far as I know, the gold in gold mines is usually embedded in a quartz matrix, requiring a stamp mill for extraction. But who cares about historical accuracy?
John Anderson makes another one of his appearances in what must have been a hundred TV Westerns. (My favorite John Anderson moment comes in "The Rifleman", when he's mauled by a stunt man in a bad bear costume.)
Some of Pickaxe's buildings more resemble the Southwest than Kansas. And as it has a house of ill-repute, why is Kitty so overwhelmingly attractive? It must be her insistence on dressing like Jennifer Marlowe. Who in their right mind would visit a gold mine dressed like that?
There are two good moments. When Matt asks Doc "Don't you have some patients to take care of, or uh maybe a sick cow, or sumpin'?" and Doc eyes Festus, Festus' reaction is priceless. And when Kitty says "If you say 'I told you so!', I'll never talk to you again!", Matt's reaction suggests that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing.
We also learn that Kitty, like Indiana Jones, is afraid of reptiles. In this case, lizards.
The whole thing is reminiscent of an "Adventures of Superman" episode. You should have no trouble deciding who's who.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
