TSTAChuck's TV Reviews

Arness as Dillon was great, but without the rest of the cast it just couldn't have lasted for 20 years. Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty was superb as a strong, entreprenurial women of the late 19th century. The concept sounds absurd, and would have been in the hands of a less gifted actress. Dennis Weaver as Chester was well-cast, and it seemed it might not be possible to replace him, but Ken Curtis as Festus took the deputy role to another level. And as for Doc Adams, Milburn Stone was perfection. He and Festus often stole the show with their dialogues. The fact that most fans can recall all of the actor who had leading roles, not just one or two is an indication of just how indelible an impression they left. The stories were also well crafted, and still stand up after half a century in the case of the early years.

Another show w/ a cast that worked seamlessly with one another. Gleason was a master, but Carney often stole the show. And Jane Meadows was the perfect foil to Gleason's character.

Cisco was cool, and Pancho was the comic relief, much along the lines of Jingles w/ Wild Bill Hickock. If you encounter anyone who also grew up with Cisco and it comes up in the conversation either one can chime in with, "Oh, Cisco," and it's odds on that the other will reply, "Oh, Pancho." Then both will laugh, just as Cisco and Pancho did at the conclusion of every episode.

James Garner's first role as a cowardly hero, his trademark. Probably the best comedy western ever. My favorite episode was titled "Gunsmog" and was a parody of Gunsmoke. In the opening scene a marshall stands talking w/ his deputy as passengers debark from a train. When Garner steps off the deputy, Lester Badd (vs. Chester Good of Gunsmoke) asks Marshall Batt Killum (vs. Matt Dillon), "Marshall, you gonna run that gambler there out of town like ya done to that gunslinger that passed through here last week passing out business cards (Paladin of Have Gun Will Travel, we presume). That scene is one of the best I've ever seen. It managed to spoof both of the then top two rated westerns on TV in under a minute, and the impression still remains all these many years later.