S13.E3

The Prodigal

Name: The Prodigal
Genre: Western
Released: 1967-09-25
Duration: 1 h
Rating: 8.3
Cast: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake

Episode aired Sep 25, 1967
TV-PG
1h

IMDb RATING

8.3/10

194

YOUR RATING

Western

Goaded by a newspaper man craving a story and strangers craving excitement, two sons return to Dodge determined to find the man who shot their wanted father in the back years earlier.Goaded by a newspaper man craving a story and strangers craving excitement, two sons return to Dodge determined to find the man who shot their wanted father in the back years earlier.Goaded by a newspaper man craving a story and strangers craving excitement, two sons return to Dodge determined to find the man who shot their wanted father in the back years earlier.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.3/10

194

YOUR RATING

7User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
This entry was originally scheduled for 1 April 1967 as episode #12.28 and would have been the final series episode , but CBS chairman William Paley "uncancelled" the show for a 13th season. The episode was held back and used to fill a hole in the schedule.

Goofs
As the stagecoach comes into town, it is pulled by four chestnut sorrels with light manes and tails, but when it arrives at the station a minute later, the horses are dark bays with black manes and tails.

Quotes
[the spokes on Doc's buggy are loose]
Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams: How much is it going to cost me to have 'em fixed?
Festus Haggen: Shouldn't 'mount t'much; fifty cents'll do... Soakin' in the crik a few hours'll swell them spokes back tight as pin feathers on a prairie chicken's rump.
Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams: Soakin' in the crik?
Festus Haggen: Sure.
Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams: And while you're sitting there, letting the wheels soak, I suppose you'll do a little fishing?
Festus Haggen: Now that you mention it...
Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams: So I end up paying you fifty cents to fish.
Festus Haggen: Well, Doc, I'm gonna have t'dig me some worms, catch me some grasshoppers. That's tirin'. If it wasn't for them wheels needin' soakin', I wouldn't have to....

Soundtracks
The Old Trail
(uncredited)
by Rex Koury and Glenn Spencer
Aspen Fair Music, Incorporated (ASCAP)

User reviews7

Review

Featured review

10/10

BEST LEW AYERS SCENE OF ALL TIME

The acting by the great lew Ayers was fantastic in the end scene, truly a wonderful and heart warming Gunsmoke episode. Love seeing it many times.

Each time that episode is seen is always a touching experience. Also enjoyed the scene in the beginning too where those two town bullies are dealt with.

The way the Dodge City regulars, Doc, Kitty, Festus and especially Matt Dillon kept the secret to protect Lew Ayers' on screen character was beautiful.

Gunsmoke writers dealt with the mental breakdown of the Grandfather who could not face what he had done but tied it up with a full healing. Kudos.