S11.E17

Sweet Billy, Singer of Songs

Name: Sweet Billy, Singer of Songs
Genre: Western
Released: 1966-01-15
Duration: 1 h
Rating: 6.9
Cast: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake

Episode aired Jan 15, 1966
TV-PG
1h

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

199

YOUR RATING

Western

Festus's nephew arrives, seeking a bride who can read and write. He soon finds one, but runs into difficulties earning the money he needs for her dowry.Festus's nephew arrives, seeking a bride who can read and write. He soon finds one, but runs into difficulties earning the money he needs for her dowry.Festus's nephew arrives, seeking a bride who can read and write. He soon finds one, but runs into difficulties earning the money he needs for her dowry.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

199

YOUR RATING

11User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
At the time this episode aired Diane Ladd was married to Bruce Dern who had been on Gunsmoke many times. Judy Carne was only a few months divorced from Burt Reynolds who appeared on the show fifty times.

Goofs
After the mules disappear, Festus walks toward Doc and Kitty, who are standing outside the Long Branch, and a boom mic shadows appears on the Long Branch sign.

Soundtracks
Sweet Betsy from Pike
(uncredited)
Music by John A. Stone
Performed by unseen pianist in Long Branch Saloon
[background music]

User reviews11

Review

Featured review

10/10

I Give It a Ten For Haggen (& Pickens) Content.

Surprised to see the low rating here. If you watch Gunsmoke, you gotta like Festus. This is a great Festus-centric episode, and yes it is leaned toward the comical, but c'mon, if you dislike Festus' character you shouldn't be watching (or rating) Gunsmoke... For the one reviewer who wondered if people like this existed back then, I got some news for you... They still do. I worked for a while in Hartsville, Tennessee. Only about 45 minutes from Nashville, Hartsville is in Trousdale County (borders on the infamous Macon County) and is known for the highest teen pregnancy rate in the country, as well as its prolific meth production. There are people there who speak WORSE than the Haggens in this episode. They point and guffaw at my "Yankee accent"! Believe it or not, but it's true.