Gunsmoke The Preacher (1955–1975) watch online HD

This episode is very unique for me in many ways. I was a very sick child in the hospital in NY when I first saw it. It stayed with me for years. James Arness had visited me in the hospital at the request of my parents who had gotten Dennis Weaver to arrange it. In later years I became a boxer, and wanted to see this episode again somehow. I finally got the DVD and it was amazing. In a radio interview with me James Arness told me Chuck Connors accidentally landed a real punch in rehearsal and dropped Jim. What was more amazing was that Royal Dano played two very wonderful characters with Chuck Connors on the Rifleman, as Mr. Abe Lincoln and a disfigured civil war veteran. In both episodes Chuck was extremely protective and loving of Royal's character. I wondered if they ever spoke about this Gunsmoke episode where Chuck brutalized him. I tried to reach Johnny Crawfor to ask him but was unsuccessful. I wondered if Chuck and Royal were friends.

**SPOILERS** It will be mercifully short. As far as acting goes, it is what saved this episode. What would have doomed it was the fact that the townspeople were only too happy to watch an already beaten-down man get half killed by a psychopathic maniac. IN REALITY, the townspeople would have had him thrown right back on the stage and run right back out of town. Why, you ask? For the common good and safety of the citizens. That's the general reason towns like Dodge had "Vigilance Committees". When they got a little older, they got town Marshals, Sheriffs Departments, and Police Forces. The main reason for this was women and children; Dodge and cow-towns like it got civilized. When Matt K.O.ed Keeler, he did it just about the way old Wyatt Earp would have done it; it was called being Buffaloed. It saved many a drunk, stupid cowboy's life.

For their parts, I have to give Chuck Connors, as well as Royal Dano top marks. Both great actors playing tough roles. Chuck's role here, is a precursor to the role of Buck Hannassey in "The BIG COUNTRY". Buck, although a no-count bully, coward, and generally useless creep, is a shadow next to the plum-crazy Keeler. Both of these fine actors played numerous roles of all kinds in their careers, and we owe them a debt of thanks for their talent and work. Other minor players (uncredited) did yeoman work supporting the episode, and it is this collective spirit and "in the trenches" sweat that makes this story work. Thanks to S.A.G. for the deep bench of talent that's entertained us for so long.

Few character actors, then or now, are more distinctive than the singular Royal Dano. With his grave-yard voice, sad-eyes and soulful demeanor, he made an impact far beyond his slight frame and unruly hair. Here, he plays Seth Tandy, a disillusioned preacher who feels worthless because of a loss of faith. Few could more convincingly enact the part.

The elements of a strong drama are present when the formidable Sam Keeler (Chuck Connors, before The Rifleman) exits the stagecoach vowing to thrash the defenseless Tandy. And thrash him he does. Just count the times Tandy bounces off the wall as ex-prize fighter Keeler entertains his admirer Humbert (Paul Dubov). I like the way the beating is finally stopped by an anonymous cowboy pulling a gun. Having an on-looker participate in the action is rare in these series, and adds a nicely realistic stroke.

However, the impact is undercut by Connors leering, preening, one-dimensional portrayal, along with a poorly staged fist-fight with Dillon. Also, Keeler's motivation for beating Tandy-- namely, that the latter was silent during the entire stage trip-- appears flimsy and unimaginative. I wish Sam Peckinpah had gotten the assignment. Then, we might have gotten something more provocatively plausible-- like eliminating the weakness of a non-fighter from the gene pool, a fitting rationale for a big-mouth bully.

Even with the fine acting of the great character actor Royal Dano the episode did not hold up well as we get a story about a mild meek preacher (Dano) and a out right bully played by Chuck Connors.

For some odd reason when the stage arrives in Dodge Sam Keeler (Connors) becomes upset at Seth Tandy (Dano) because Tandy did not speak the entire time. (Why he was upset is for plot purposes only) Keeler, a prize-fighter, prods Tandy trying to get the much smaller man to fight. With Tandy saying he does not want to fight, Keeler keeps knocking him against the wall until someone gets the Marshal.

The entire episode centers around Keeler wanting to fight the small man Tandy. And of course it will be up to Marshal Dillon to save the problem preacher from the bully on the play ground.

I like Chuck Connors but this role was so far from the norm that anyone playing the part would not appear comfortable. Even James Arness seemed stiff as he delivered his lines in staccato fashion with no feeling of self expression of any kind. When you add the terrible fight scene between Arness and Connors, there really is very little entertainment value in this show. Not one of the better episodes.