"Gunsmoke" Old Dan (TV Episode 1962) Poster

(TV Series)

(1962)

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8/10
A drunk may have used up his 'extra chances' in life
kfo949416 November 2012
While Doc is riding on the road outside of Dodge, he comes across a man in the ditch. The man could have injuries but the evidence points to him just being drunk. But Doc take caution and rides him back to his office. Here we find that the man's name is Dan Witter.

Dan by his own admission is a drunk. However, when sober, Dan is a charming individual that is pleasant to be around. So Doc decides to give Dan another chance. He gets him a job over a Jonas's store where he fits in very nicely. All goes well until Mr Jonas asks Dan to lock up whereby Dan decides to drink all the vanilla extract in the place.

With that job gone, word comes out that Lem Fetch needs someone to help him around his farm house. Lem has a son named Luke but Luke wants nothing to do with the farm and is even violent and abusive to his father. Dan agrees to work for Lem and all goes well until Luke returns to house.

When Lem asks Luke to leave violence breaks out. Luke hits his father repeatedly with a piece of wood. Dan has to do something but this time he may not get another chance.

A nice story that was played well by Edgar Buchanan. And with a lot of good things happening on the screen it held the viewers interest till the end. Even the ending, while unsatisfying, seemed to be the best thing for all parties involved.
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9/10
Beautifully written and acted.
rwalker2300926 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Sensitive and nuanced treatment of the difficult topic of alcoholism, beautifully acted by the entire cast including the stars and the guests headed by Edgar Buchanan, ably supported by Dabbs Greer as the storekeeper and Philip Coolidge as a homesteader. The finely polished script by Kathleen Hite endows even the smaller roles with humanity, and has nary a flaw except for the unnecessary violence at the end. Thoroughly believable portrait of a charming drunk who elicits compassion from the town residents, which is what we all really want--kindness rather than judgment. Bravo, Gunsmoke. -- Randolph Walker
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9/10
lovely Edgar Buchanan performance
grizzledgeezer9 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This episode epitomizes what "Gunsmoke" was all about, which is why I've given it a high rating. It takes what might have been a "cute" story and pushes it into tragedy. There is no conveniently happy ending, with "lessons learned" and everyone laughing.

Edgar Buchanan made a career of playing crusty/blustery characters. In the "Gunsmoke" environment, where almost everything is underplayed (except the violence), he gives an affecting performance, worthy of an Emmy nomination.

Luke is played by... Well, I won't tell you. You'll have a good laugh when you recognize him.

Strongly recommended.
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