# Gunsmoke season 10

The tenth season of the American Western television Gunsmoke originally aired in the United States on the CBS on September 26, 1964, and the final episode aired on June 29, 1965. Season 10 of Gunsmoke was the fourth season of one hour episodes filmed in black-and-white. Seasons 1–6 were half-hour episodes, and color episodes were not filmed until season 12.

## Synopsis

Gunsmoke is set in and around Dodge City, Kansas, in the post-Civil War era and centers on United States Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he enforces law and order in the city. In its original format, the series also focuses on Dillon's friendship with deputy Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis); Doctor Galen "Doc" Adams (Milburn Stone), the town's physician; and Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), saloon girl and later owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Blacksmith Quint Asper (Burt Reynolds) was added to the cast in season eight and remained until the end of season ten. When Dennis Weaver left the series during season nine, he was replaced by Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen, who became deputy to Marshal Dillon.

## Cast and characters
### Main

* James Arness as Matt Dillon
* Milburn Stone as Doc
* Ken Curtis as Festus
* Amanda Blake as Kitty
* Burt Reynolds as Quint Asper

## Production

Season 10 consisted of 36 one hour black-and-white episodes produced by Norman Macdonnell (episodes 342–348, 350, 352, 361, 367) and Philip Leacock (episodes 349, 351, 353–360, 362–366, 368–377). Frank Paris was associate producer.
In this season, a new gunfight introduction is shown before the opening director/writer credits. Episode 4, "The Violators", is the first time Matt's gunfight scene is superimposed in the end credits.

### Writing

Storylines would occasionally be taken from real-life events, but not always accurately. In episode 19, "Chief Joseph", it is mentioned that Chief Joseph met Ulysses S. Grant in Washington, D.C., when in actuality, he arrived in Washington, D.C. in January 1879 and met with President Rutherford B. Hayes and Congress. The real Chief Joseph was 38 years-old at the time of the visit and not the old man portrayed in the episode.
The final episode of season 10, episode 36, "He Who Steals", was the last John Meston script for the series.

### Production design

New sets were designed in season 10. Episode 3, "Old Man", is the first time a trial is shown in an actual courtroom and not the Long Branch or Dodge House.

## Episodes

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 342 | 1 | "Blue Heaven" | Michael O'Herlihy | Les Crutchfield | September 26, 1964 (1964-09-26) |
| A wanted, on-the-run cowboy comes across a precocious, runaway boy and accompanies him to Dodge to find his impoverished mother. Cast : Kurt Russell (as Packy), Tim O'Connor (as Kip), Diane Ladd (as Elena), Karl Swenson (as Tabe), John McLiam (as Stableman), Eddie Hice (as Duster), Ernie Anderson (as Man) and Jan Merlin (as Ed Sykes) ||||||
| 343 | 2 | "Crooked Mile" | Andrew V. McLaglen | Les Crutchfield | October 3, 1964 (1964-10-03) |
| An overprotective father disapproves of his daughter courting Quint and calls his cousin, an unsavory fixer of family matters. Cast : George Kennedy (as Cyrus), Royal Dano (as Praylie) and Katharine Ross (as Susan) ||||||
| 344 | 3 | "Old Man" | Harry Harris | John Meston | October 10, 1964 (1964-10-10) |
| A loud distasteful old man threatens to kill a cowpoke in front of witnesses, making him the perfect patsy for a horse thief's murder plan. Cast : Ned Glass (as Old Man), Robert Hogan (as Danny), Ed Peck (as Silva), Rayford Barnes (as Litton), Howard Wendell (as Judge), Al Schottelkotte (as Bailiff), Gilman Rankin (as Waiter), Bryan O'Byrne (as Clerk), Harry Bartell (as Sheriff), Arthur Peterson (credited Arthur Peterson Jr. as Doctor), Robert Gravage (as Hangman) and Glenn Strange (as Sam) ||||||
| 345 | 4 | "The Violators" | Harry Harris | John Dunkel | October 17, 1964 (1964-10-17) |
| Three friends who share a dark secret are being systematically targeted, and rattled Dodge citizens suspect Indian activity. Cast : Denver Pyle (as Caleb), James Anderson (as Hewitt), Michael Pate (as Buffalo Calf), Amzie Strickland (as Mrs. Hewitt), Garry Walberg (as Scroggs), Lee Phillip Bell (credited Lee Phillip as Mrs. Bell), Douglas Kennedy (as Talbot), Martin Blaine (as Colonel) and Arthur Batanides (as Harv Foster) ||||||
| 346 | 5 | "Doctor's Wife" | Harry Harris | George Eckstein | October 24, 1964 (1964-10-24) |
| A new doctor arrives in Dodge and his meddlesome, underappreciating wife spreads malicious rumors about Doc to gain clientele. Cast : Phyllis Love (as Jennifer), James Broderick (as Wes), Harold Gould (as Boake), Anne Barton (credited Ann Barton as Mrs. Boake), Helen Kleeb (as Mrs. Gort), James Nusser (as Louie Pheeters), Robert Biheller (as Jared), Dorothea Neumann (credited Dorothy Neumann as Old Woman), Howard Culver (as Clerk), Jewel Jaffe (as Martha Lou), Buck Young (as Carney) and Glenn Strange (as Sam) ||||||
| 347 | 6 | "Take Her, She's Cheap" | Harry Harris | Kathleen Hite | October 31, 1964 (1964-10-31) |
| A young girl enamored with Matt and his kindness in helping her stranded family, follows him to Dodge and is preyed upon by an evil predator. Cast : Lauri Peters (as Allie), Malcolm Atterbury (as Duggan), Linda Watkins (as Ma), Willard Sage (as Mel), Harry Dean Stanton (credited Dean Stanton as Rainey), Mort Mills (as Loren) and Ray Lane (as Man) ||||||
| 348 | 7 | "Help Me, Kitty" | Harry Harris | Kathleen Hite | November 7, 1964 (1964-11-07) |
| Kitty's resilience is challenged when she accepts a young woman's plea for help which begins a life and death ordeal. Cast : Jack Elam (as Specter), Betty Conner (as Hope), James Frawley (as Furnas), Larry J. Blake (credited Larry Blake as Man), Joe Conley (as Carl), Burt Douglas (as Ed) and Peggy Stewart (as Nettie) ||||||
| 349 | 8 | "Hung High" | Mark Rydell | John Meston | November 14, 1964 (1964-11-14) |
| Matt escorts a back-shooting coward to Hays City and is intercepted by the prisoner's gang whose leader originates a sinister plan to not only frame the Marshal but disgrace him as well. Cast : Robert Culp (as Joe), George Lindsey (as Bud), Elisha Cook Jr. (credited Elisha Cook as George), Michael Conrad (as Dick), Edward Asner (as Sgt. Wilks), Scott Marlowe (as Tony Serpa) and Harold J. Stone (as Jim Downey) ||||||
| 350 | 9 | "Jonah Hutchinson" | Harry Harris | Calvin Clements, Sr. | November 21, 1964 (1964-11-21) |
| A bitter old man learns nothing after 30 years in prison and comes home to wreak havoc on family and neighbors. Cast : Robert F. Simon (as Jonah), Richard Anderson (as Samuel), June Dayton (as Phoebe), Tommy Alexander (as Franklin), Claude Johnson (as Aaron), David Macklin (as Steven), Roy Barcroft (as Roy), William Fawcett (as Lefferts), Charles Seel (as Gorth), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Rocky Shahan (as Stage Driver), Jacque Shelton (as 2nd Rancher) and Jason Johnson (as 1st Rancher) ||||||
| 351 | 10 | "Big Man, Big Target" | Michael O'Herlihy | John Mantley | November 28, 1964 (1964-11-28) |
| An outlaw wrongly arrested by Matt wants payback and manipulates the farmer's wife he's having an affair with into his ambush plan. Cast : J.D. Cannon (as Pike), Harry Lauter (as Leach), John McLiam (as Delphos), Frank Ferguson (as Enoch), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Mike Road (as Joe Merchant) and Mariette Hartley (as Ellie) ||||||
| 352 | 11 | "Chicken" | Andrew V. McLaglen | John Meston | December 5, 1964 (1964-12-05) |
| Hailed a hero, a gun-shy cowboy earns an undeserved reputation, and falls hard for a young woman who's hiding her own secret. Cast : Glenn Corbett (as Dan), Gigi Perreau (as Lucy), John Lupton (as Carl), L.Q. Jones (as Brady), Lane Chandler (as Morgan), Dave Willock (as Becker), Lane Bradford (as Davis), Chubby Johnson (as Rogers), Roy Barcroft (as Roy), Michael Keep (as Willis), John Pickard (as Phelps) and Bob Steele (as Coe) ||||||
| 353 | 12 | "Innocence" | Harry Harris | John Meston | December 12, 1964 (1964-12-12) |
| Two rowdy drifters fight for the affections of the new Long Branch saloon girl and when she's found dead, Matt must determine which one's responsible. Cast : Bethel Leslie (as Elsa Poe), Jason Evers (as Charlie Ross), Michael Forest (as Bob Sullins), Jacque Shelton (as Joe Rogers), Lee Krieger (as Carl Beck), Ric Roman (as Sims), Don Brice (as Cowboy #1) and Claude Akins (as Art McLane) ||||||
| 354 | 13 | "Aunt Thede" | Sutton Roley | Kathleen Hite | December 19, 1964 (1964-12-19) |
| Festus' Aunt Thede comes to Dodge for a visit and in typical Haggen fashion becomes involved in a local family's drama. Cast : Jeanette Nolan (as Aunt Thede), Dyan Cannon (as Ivy), Frank Cady (as Webb), James Stacy (as George), Howard McNear (as Howard), Hap Glaudi (as Townsman) and Jenny Lee Arness (credited Jenny Lee Aurness as Laurie) ||||||
| 355 | 14 | "Hammerhead" | Christian Nyby | Antony Ellis | December 26, 1964 (1964-12-26) |
| When a wealthy rancher comes to Dodge to buy horses, two rival stable owners agree to a high-stakes long-distance race to demonstrate the speed and durability of their breeds. Cast : John Fiedler (as Fitch), Arch Johnson (as Ponder), Linda Foster (as Carrie), Chubby Johnson (as Wohaw), Donald Briggs (credited Don Briggs as Deggers), William Henry (as Feeney), Peter Dunn (as Squatty), Tom Richards (credited Tommy Richards as Gambler), Ray Hemphill (as Tom), Gene Redfern (as Gambler), Bill Catching (as Stomp), Dan White (credited Daniel M. White as Attendant) and Chuck Hayward (as Cowhand) ||||||
| 356 | 15 | "Double Entry" | Joseph Sargent | Les Crutchfield | January 2, 1965 (1965-01-02) |
| Matt's friend from Texas arrives in Dodge with interests to buy the stagecoach line, but eyebrows raise when he's seen colluding with a local hooligan. Cast : Forrest Tucker (as Brad McClain), Mel Gallagher (as Yuma Joe), Roy Roberts (as Mr. Botkin), Nora Marlowe (as Passenger), Lew Brown (as Pete Elder), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Fred Coby (as Wagoneer), Rudy Sooter (as Fiddler) and Cyril Delevanti (as Jake Bookly) ||||||
| 357 | 16 | "Run, Sheep, Run" | Harry Harris | John Meston | January 9, 1965 (1965-01-09) |
| Believing he killed the man that swindled him, a young rancher with his wife flees from the law and digs himself into a deeper hole. Cast : Burt Brinckerhoff (as Tom Stocker), James Nusser (as Louie Pheeters), Tom Fadden (as Lem Hubley), Ted Knight (as Bill Miller), Anne Barton (credited Ann Barton as Beth Miller), Arthur Malet (as Cox), George Keymas (as Harry Crane), Davey Davison (as Mary Stocker) and Peter Whitney (as Dan Braden) ||||||
| 358 | 17 | "Deputy Festus" | Harry Harris | Calvin Clements, Sr. | January 16, 1965 (1965-01-16) |
| Festus finds himself in quite a quandary when Matt asks him to watch-over the jail and he learns that the three disorderly drunks being held are his cousins. Cast : Don Beddoe (as Halligan), Shug Fisher (as Emery), Bill Zuckert (as Mr. Jacobsen), Michael Petit (as Glen), Royal Dano (as Lambert), Carl Reindel (as Dave Carson), Denver Pyle (as Claudius), Ken Mayer (as Tiplett), Glenn Strange (as Sam) and Harold Ensley (as Waiter) ||||||
| 359 | 18 | "One Killer on Ice" | Joseph H. Lewis | Richard Carr | January 23, 1965 (1965-01-23) |
| A bounty hunter tells Matt that he has a wanted outlaw holed-up with his partner in a secured location and needs his help in bringing him in, but the real twist is what he's not telling him. Cast : John Drew Barrymore (as Anderson), Richard Carlyle (as Carl), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Eddie Hice (as Frank), Dennis Hopper (as Billy Kimbo), Anne Helm (as Helena Dales) and Philip Coolidge (as Owney Dales) ||||||
| 360 | 19 | "Chief Joseph" | Mark Rydell | Story by : Thomas Warner Teleplay by : Clyde Ware | January 30, 1965 (1965-01-30) |
| A seriously ill Nez Perce Indian chief causes hostility among the town's residents when he shelters in the Dodge House, but one man sees it as an opportunity to avenge his brother's death. Cast : Victor Jory (as Chief Joseph), Robert Loggia (as Lt. Cal Tripp), Michael Keep (as Yellow Bear), Dennis Cross (as Three Hand), Leonard Stone (as Mr. Wiley), Howard Culver (as Clerk), Joe Maross (as Charlie Britton) and Willard Sage (as Corly Watts) ||||||
| 361 | 20 | "Circus Trick" | William F. Claxton | Les Crutchfield | February 6, 1965 (1965-02-06) |
| The town is abuzz when the circus comes to town promising many thrilling performances, but Matt suspects all the action will happen behind the scenes. Cast : Walter Burke (as Elko), Elizabeth MacRae (as April), Warren Oates (as Speeler), Isabel Jewell (credited Isabel Jewel as Madame Ahr), Ken Scott (as Eddie), Roy Roberts (as Mr. Botkin), Roy Barcroft (as Roy) and Glenn Strange (as Sam) ||||||
| 362 | 21 | "Song for Dying" | Allen Reisner | Harry Kronman | February 13, 1965 (1965-02-13) |
| Blind with rage, an ill-tempered man tracks the drunken ex-doctor to Dodge who he blames for the death of his wife. Cast : Theodore Bikel (as Martin Kellums), Roger Ewing (as Ben Lukens). Lee Majors (as Dave Lukens), Russell Thorson (as Mace), Sheldon Allman (as Cory Lukens), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Robert F. Simon (as Will Lukens) and Ford Rainey (as Hode Embry) ||||||
| 363 | 22 | "Winner Take All" | Vincent McEveety | Les Crutchfield | February 20, 1965 (1965-02-20) |
| A lack of respect and a manipulating saloon girl erode the contentious relationship between two brothers. Cast : Tom Simcox (as Curly), John Milford (as Pinto), Margaret Blye (credited Margaret Bly as Karen), H.M. Wynant (as Relko), Allen Jaffe (as Gunman), Ralph J. Rowe (as Stableman) and Nestor Paiva (as Barman) ||||||
| 364 | 23 | "Eliab's Aim" | Richard C. Sarafian | Will Corry | February 27, 1965 (1965-02-27) |
| Festus' nephew Eliab comes to town to settle a "duty of honor", by shooting Festus' right ear off, but just the little hanging down part. Cast : James Hampton (credited Jim Hampton as Eliab Haggen), Don O'Kelly (credited Donald O'Kelly as Dealer), Gregg Palmer (as Jake Craig), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Hank Patterson (as Hank), Larry Barton (as Citizen) and Dee J. Thompson (as Widow Pearl Winton) ||||||
| 365 | 24 | "Thursday's Child" | Joseph H. Lewis | Robert Lewin | March 6, 1965 (1965-03-06) |
| Kitty's friend passes through town on her way to witness the birth of her grandson and a smitten Doc is kidnapped to help in the delivery. Cast : Jean Arthur (as Julie Blane), Joe Raciti (as Vardis), Roy Barcroft (as Roy), Hank Patterson (as Hank), Suzanne Benoit (as Amy Blane), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Fred Coby (as Clint Marston) and Scott Marlowe (as Lon Blane) ||||||
| 366 | 25 | "Breckinridge" | Vincent McEveety | Les Crutchfield | March 13, 1965 (1965-03-13) |
| A young lawyer comes to town and immediately becomes a thorn in Matt's side, but his first client proves how things should be done in Dodge. Cast : John Warburton (as Judge Danby), Elisha Cook Jr. (credited Elisha Cook as Jocko Beal), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Hank Patterson (as Hank), Harry Harvey Sr. (as Old Man), Dorothea Neumann (credited Dorothy Neumann as Woman), Howard Culver (as Hotel Clerk), Jack Perkins (as Bully), Ben Cooper (as Breck Taylor) and Robert Sorrells (as Sled Grady) ||||||
| 367 | 26 | "Bank Baby" | Andrew V. McLaglen | John Meston | March 20, 1965 (1965-03-20) |
| An oaf of a man concocts a peculiar plan to rob the bank, but first he must kidnap a baby as cover to his story. Cast : Jacques Aubuchon (as Bert), Gail Kobe (as Grace), Virginia Christine (as Bess), Hampton Fancher (as Milton), Roy Roberts (as Mr. Botkin), Harry Carey Jr. (as Fisher), William Boyett (as Harry) and Cliff Ketchum (as Teller) ||||||
| 368 | 27 | "The Lady" | Mark Rydell | John Mantley | March 27, 1965 (1965-03-27) |
| An elderly woman traveling with her niece stopover in Dodge where she falls in love with a local rancher, but the niece goes to great lengths to quash the relationship. Cast : Eileen Heckart (as Hattie Silks), Walter Sande (as Charlie), Hank Patterson (as Hank), Glenn Strange (as Sam), James Nusser (as Louie Pheeters), Clifton James (as Sam Hare), Michael Forest (as Ray Pate), R.G. Armstrong (as Jud Briar) and Katharine Ross (as Liz Beaumont) ||||||
| 369 | 28 | "Dry Road to Nowhere" | Vincent McEveety | Harry Kronman | April 3, 1965 (1965-04-03) |
| A temperance preacher wants to end drinking in Dodge, but his high-handed behavior makes more enemies than friends. Cast : James Whitmore (as Amos Campbell), Read Morgan (as Pete Moreland), James Nusser (as Louie Pheeters), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Howard Culver (as Howie), John Saxon (as Dingo), Julie Sommars (as Bess Campbell) and L. Q. Jones (as Wally) ||||||
| 370 | 29 | "Twenty Miles from Dodge" | Mark Rydell | Clyde Ware | April 10, 1965 (1965-04-10) |
| Kitty and her fellow stagecoach passengers are abducted and held for ransom by a gang of outlaws. Cast : Darren McGavin (as Will Helmick), Everett Sloane (as Follansbee), Aneta Corsaut (as Eleanor Starkey), Tony Haig (as Johnny Hutton), Stafford Repp (as Otie Schaffer), William Fawcett (as Bert Fraley), Noam Pitlik (as Dobbs), Gerald S. O'Loughlin (as Grant Shay) and Val Avery (as Dorner) ||||||
| 371 | 30 | "The Pariah" | Harry Harris | Calvin Clements, Sr. | April 17, 1965 (1965-04-17) |
| An Italian immigrant becomes a social pariah after his story on how he shot a wanted man is misconstrued. Cast : John Dehner (as Paolo Scanzano), Steve Ihnat (as Ben Hooker), Tom Reese (as Wayne Hooker), Lee Van Cleef (as John Hooker), Don Keefer (as Newspaper Editor), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Donald Losby (as Thomas Scanzano) and Ilka Windish (as Rosita Scanzano) ||||||
| 372 | 31 | "Gilt Guilt" | Harry Harris | Kathleen Hite | April 24, 1965 (1965-04-24) |
| Drought hits Dodge causing widespread crop failure and Doc must deal with its aftermath, scurvy. Cast : Jan Clayton (as Mary), Andrew Duggan (as Crail), Peter Brooks (as Sully), William Phipps (as Drifter), William Boyett (as Jake), James Nusser (as Louie Pheeters) and Roy Barcroft (as Roy) ||||||
| 373 | 32 | "Bad Lady from Brookline" | Michael O'Herlihy | Gustave Field | May 1, 1965 (1965-05-01) |
| A headstrong woman is given false facts on her husband died and seeks revenge against Matt. Cast : Betty Hutton (as Molly McConnell), John Hubbard (as LaFarge), Jonathan Kidd (as Harper), Billy Bowles (as Willie McConnell), Ollie O'Toole (as Herb), Jan Peters (as Curley), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Eddie Hice (as Cowboy), Tom McCauley (as Ben) and Claude Akins (as Sy Sherne) ||||||
| 374 | 33 | "Two Tall Men" | Vincent McEveety | Frank Q. Dobbs & Robert Stewart, Jr. | May 8, 1965 (1965-05-08) |
| An old buffalo hunter comes upon two cowpokes hovering over an unconscious Doc and his story on how he saved him grows wilder every time he repeats it. Cast : Harry Townes (as Abihu Howell), Jay Ripley (as Ned), Maurice McEndree (as Newspaperman), Preston Pierce (as Tommy), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Ben Cooper (as Breck) and George Lindsey (as Billy) ||||||
| 375 | 34 | "Honey Pot" | Harry Harris | John Meston | May 15, 1965 (1965-05-15) |
| Matt resigns as Marshal when he realizes that his good friend is involved in the murder of the new saloon girl's husband. Cast : Rory Calhoun (as Ben Stack), Dick Wessel (as Sol Durham), John Crawford (as Hal Biggs), Harry Bartell (as James Riley), Harry Lauter (as Gregory Bellow), Hank Patterson (as Hank), Roy Barcroft (as Roy), Charles Maxwell (as Hy Evers), Glenn Strange (as Sam) and Joanna Moore (as Honey Dare) ||||||
| 376 | 35 | "The New Society" | Joseph Sargent | Calvin Clements, Sr. | May 22, 1965 (1965-05-22) |
| Matt faces mass hostility in Ridge Town where the townspeople conspire to cover-up a 12-year-old murder case. Cast : James Gregory (as Scanlon, Sr.), Richard X. Slattery (as Coor), Sandy Kenyon (as Bennings), Lew Brown (as Eli Wall), Ian Wolfe (as Old Man Wall), Elizabeth Perry (as Vera Scanlon), Dennis Cross (as Aaron), Garry Walberg (as Roy), Victor Izay (as Depositor), Fred Coby (as Sy), Linda James (as Sue Ann), Jeremy Slate (as Tom Scanlon) and Jack Weston (as Wesley) ||||||
| 377 | 36 | "He Who Steals" | Harry Harris | John Meston | May 29, 1965 (1965-05-29) |
| A young ranch hand respects an old buffalo hunter but learns a valuable lesson, there's no honor among thieves. Cast : Russ Tamblyn (as Billy Waters), Roger Torrey (as Steve Hays), Lane Bradford (as Dan O'Hare), Will J. White (as Beckett), James Nusser (as Louie Pheeters), Glenn Strange (as Sam), Harold J. Stone (as Jeff Sutro), Len Wayland (as Jim Donner), Larry Ward (as Sid Perce) and Stanley Adams (as Charlie Rath) ||||||

## Release
### Broadcast

Season ten aired Saturdays at 10:00-11:00 pm (EST) on CBS.

### Home media

The tenth season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment in a two volume set on August 12, 2014.

## Reception

Gunsmoke season 10 finished at number 27 in the Nielsen ratings.

## Footnotes

* 1 2 Brooks & Marsh 2007, p. 570.
* 1 2 Barbaras 1990, p. 116–118.
* ↑ Barbaras 1990, p. 87–102.
* ↑ Barbaras 1990, p. 114–116.
* ↑ Costello 2006, p. 384–400.
* ↑ "1964-1965 TV Ratings". classictvguide.com.