Mr. Sam'l

Warmed over Bonanza crap is exactly what this is. Ed Begley's performance is fine, but the extended and totally predictable final sequence is so boring it's hard to keep watching. The obvious indoor desert set is distracting and, as it does so often in the series, gives proceedings the feel of an amateur dramatics show. The same can be said of many of the old Rawhide episodes, but Rawhide went out on location enough to balance out the stuffiness of the phony sequences.

I've asked this before and will ask it again. WHY did Ken Curtis always have his right ear folded awkwardly under his hat? It must have been uncomfortable for the actor and makes the character seem a little, er, slow. Perhaps that's exactly the point. Maybe I missed an explanation way back when Curtis joined the cast.

Can anyone explain? Anyone?

Ed Begley makes an exceptional performance in this episodes. Begely has a rare quality whereby he says more when he is not speaking with his expressions then he does when he delivers a line. The rest of the cast also fills in admirably.

To really appreciate this episode, you need to know a little history. During the time period, few believed that a Waterwhich was little more than a superstition. Very few, including those who were gifted with the talent, had any understanding of the scientific principles behind the method. Today we know that underground streams cause magnetic currents, and those currents can influence a loosely held rod to move, if only slightly. In the 1870's an unsuccessful witch could be run out of town and easily dismissed as a fraud if unsuccessful. They also could be raised as a hero when they're right, given the importance of finding water in the day, it all makes for an excellent topic that few others dared to explore..

Any show that makes the viewer care for the characters of the episode has accomplished things that are difficult. In this episode of 'Gunsmoke', the writers have interesting characters, an outstanding plot and actors that were perfectly cast. This episode is one of the best from the thirteenth season.

A drought has hit Dodge city and along comes a city slicker, Norm Trainer, that plans on cashing in on the farmers misfortune. He will buy all the dry land for a small fee and then sell the land, for a profit, when the rain comes.

But a wrench is thrown into his plans when a 'water witch' named Mr Sam'l (a person that finds water) comes to Dodge to help the farmers. This does not set to well with Mr Trainer and a plan is conceived to get rid of Mr Sam'l.

But what is even more interesting is the sub-plot that occurs between Mr Sam'l and a bar-maid named Marcie. The story between the two is actually more interesting than the conflict between the main characters of the episode.

Ed Begley, who plays Mr Sam'l, is perfectly cast as the old man looking for respect and even forgiveness. His acting makes the viewer want to see Mr Sam'l prevail when all the odds are against him. He is the key to this entire episode.

Sandra Smith, that plays bar-maid Marcie and Larry Pennell, who plays Ben Akins, are also casted with perfection. Both provide the story with passion and interest. The acting makes the story flow so well- that the ending comes quicker than expected.

This is one of the better 'Gunsmoke' episodes. A must see for any fan of the series.

I wouldn't argue with anyone who finds this episode weak in the Gunsmoke cannon. The climax is unrewarding and hokey after initially building an intriguing premise.

I will say that Donald. W Ernst was a master editor. Watch the cutting between reaction shots. It's brilliant and easy to take for granted. His pacing really saves this episode. Editors never get their due and I am basing my review strictly on the editing of this episode.

The practice of water dowsing, sometimes called water witching, has long been debated. Science generally scoffs at the notion that someone can walk around with a piece of branch from a tree and find water underground.

I have no idea how often water dowsing was actually done in the Old West, but anyone that is a fan of the genre of television Westerns will know it is a popular plot element. The Rifleman explored the practice in the episode "A Matter of Faith," and Gunsmoke incorporates it as a central story device here.

This episode gets its name from a man named Sam Bassett, who in this story tells everyone he goes by the name Mr. Sam'l. Mr. Sam'l claims to be a water witch, or someone who has a gift for finding water underground. A drought is affecting the Dodge City area, and Mr. Sam'l makes his way there thinking he can help. The viewer will soon learn that Mr. Sam'l has other ties to Dodge beyond selling his services, as his daughter Marcie works at the Long Branch Saloon.

A businessman named Norm Trainer also arrives in town in the hopes of buying land at a huge discount from desperate farmers and ranchers and profiting once the drought ends. One of the farms is owned by Ben Akins. Ben's brother, Dave, works on the farm. Unfortunately, Dave isn't content with the working arrangement and chooses to join forces with Trainer.

Mr. Sam'l's presence is Dodge presents a problem for Trainer and Dave, as any hope the locals might have makes them less likely to sell.

The story incorporates all these elements. The local farmers were losing hope. Trainer and the younger Akins brother are counting on their desperation. Mr. Sam'l brings them hope, but he is hiding some secrets that can hurt him and his daughter.

The highlight of this episode is -- as is often the case with Gunsmoke -- the fine acting performances. The great character actor Ed Begley plays Mr. Sam'l. Begley was both a Tony and Academy Award winner. He appeared in two Gunsmoke episodes, this episode and Season 11's "Taps for Old Jeb." He plays two completely different characters in the two episodes.

Larry Pennell fills the role of Ben Akins in this story. Pennell is one of those actors that seemed to appear in just about every television show in the 1960s and '70s. He is also one those people that looks familiar, but it is difficult to remember exactly where you have seen him. He did play a recurring role on The Beverly Hillbillies as the actor with the stage name Dash Riprock. This is the first of two Gunsmoke episodes where he was involved.

Sandra Smith plays the part of Marcie in the story. This is the first of her three different Gunsmoke appearances. She was very memorable as the character Janice Lester, James Kirk's psychopathic ex-girlfriend in the "Turnabout Intruder" episode of Star Trek: The Original Series.

The prolific actor Mark Richman is the Norm Trainer character. Richman enjoyed an exceptionally lengthy career, primarily in television. He often played villains, and he is noted as playing characters that were frequently killed during the shows where he appeared. He starred in the short-lived NBC series Cain's Hundred in 1961.

Lesser-known actor Duke Hobbie plays Dave Akins in his only Gunsmoke appearance.

It is worth noting this episode features the final appearance by Rudy Sooter. Sooter participated in many Gunsmoke episodes beginning in Season 6 and concluding here. He was rarely credited. He often played music in the Long Branch Saloon, and he portrayed a bartender in the establishment at times.

Unfortunately, this story does not live up to the talented performances. Writer Harry Kronman must have looked back over old episodes of the show and picked a few plots to weave together. The jealous brother, the estranged parent and child, residents affected by a severe drought, and the scheming businessman willing to use any means required to make a profit are all used here -- none of them very effectively. The resolution of the story is particularly sloppy.

The actors in this episode deserved a better story.