The man extracting nitroglycerin from dynamite for the gang, begins to lose his nerve in the extremely dangerous process.The man extracting nitroglycerin from dynamite for the gang, begins to lose his nerve in the extremely dangerous process.The man extracting nitroglycerin from dynamite for the gang, begins to lose his nerve in the extremely dangerous process.
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Did you know
- TriviaMatt Dillon's hair-rising ride across the plains, with him getting everything and then some out of his horse and showing the tension throughout his body, was no act. Just before filming this scene (the last of the season), James Arness learned that the series wasn't on the fall schedule and reacted accordingly. When the show was renewed a few weeks later (CBS boss William Paley returned from vacation and personally ordered it back on), he liked the film so much that he had the producers use it as the opening of each show, which they did in place of the famed gunfight.
Featured review
Would-be Series Finale
I have never been sure why this was a two-part episode. Most of Part 1 is plodding and overly talky. There is a LOT of filler throughout these two hours. As others have noted, the pace picks up as Part 2 progresses, and it definitely is tense by the end. It seems it would have been better as a one-hour episode.
The fascinating thing about this episode is that when it was filmed, everyone involved thought it was the series finale. In 1967, CBS President Michael Dann decided Gunsmoke had run its course. Before the last episode of Season 12 had been shot, Dann announced that Gunsmoke was being cancelled at the end of the season. Everyone involved with the show was aware Nitro! would be the last episode.
There was even a series wrap party held on the set after filming was complete. In his book Gunsmoke: An American Institution: Celebrating 50 Years of Television's Best Western, Ben Costello writes about the wrap party. Many of the actors that had guested in various episodes over the years attended that party, which was held inside the Long Branch set.
Unlike Gunsmoke, Gilligan's Island had been renewed for another season after the 1967 season was complete. Costello relates the story, as told by Story Consultant Paul Savage, that Alan Hale, Jr.--perhaps best known as Skipper on Gilligan's Island, but also a former Gunsmoke guest--visited Savage and offered his condolences over Gunsmoke's cancellation. Reportedly, Hale said, "If any show should've been cancelled it's that turkey we're doing," referring, of course, to Gilligan's Island.
There was a significant public outcry at the news of Gunsmoke's cancellation. William S. Paley, the CBS Chairman of the Board, and arguably the most powerful person in television, was out of the country when the announcement of Gunsmoke's cancellation was made. Paley happened to be a huge fan of the show. Once he was made aware the show had been cancelled, he ordered Gunsmoke to be reinstated to the lineup for the upcoming season.
Of course, Gunsmoke's reinstatement meant something else had to go. Gilligan's Island and a new comedy titled Doc were cancelled to make room for Gunsmoke in the lineup.
The fascinating thing about this episode is that when it was filmed, everyone involved thought it was the series finale. In 1967, CBS President Michael Dann decided Gunsmoke had run its course. Before the last episode of Season 12 had been shot, Dann announced that Gunsmoke was being cancelled at the end of the season. Everyone involved with the show was aware Nitro! would be the last episode.
There was even a series wrap party held on the set after filming was complete. In his book Gunsmoke: An American Institution: Celebrating 50 Years of Television's Best Western, Ben Costello writes about the wrap party. Many of the actors that had guested in various episodes over the years attended that party, which was held inside the Long Branch set.
Unlike Gunsmoke, Gilligan's Island had been renewed for another season after the 1967 season was complete. Costello relates the story, as told by Story Consultant Paul Savage, that Alan Hale, Jr.--perhaps best known as Skipper on Gilligan's Island, but also a former Gunsmoke guest--visited Savage and offered his condolences over Gunsmoke's cancellation. Reportedly, Hale said, "If any show should've been cancelled it's that turkey we're doing," referring, of course, to Gilligan's Island.
There was a significant public outcry at the news of Gunsmoke's cancellation. William S. Paley, the CBS Chairman of the Board, and arguably the most powerful person in television, was out of the country when the announcement of Gunsmoke's cancellation was made. Paley happened to be a huge fan of the show. Once he was made aware the show had been cancelled, he ordered Gunsmoke to be reinstated to the lineup for the upcoming season.
Of course, Gunsmoke's reinstatement meant something else had to go. Gilligan's Island and a new comedy titled Doc were cancelled to make room for Gunsmoke in the lineup.
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- wdavidreynolds
- Jul 11, 2019
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