The Best Episodes of Gunsmoke Season 1

An ex-Union soldier is forced to use violence against a pair of diehard Rebels (Jacques Aubuchon appears). First episode without the "Boot Hill" intro.

Director: Harry Horner

Writer: Sam Peckinpah

A dishonest gambler (Vinton Hayworth) uses a mentally challenged man (Strother Martin) in a plot against Matt (Robert Vaughn appears).

Director: Robert Stevenson

Writer: N/A

Hack Prine, a friend of Matt's rides into Dodge. However he is there as a gunman, for Matt Dillon.

Director: N/A

Writer: John Meston

Charles Bronson guest stars as a cowardly gunslinger who only goes after old men or young kids who aren't very experienced with guns. But, when Matt Dillon gives him an ultimatum, he shows his true colors.

Director: Robert Stevenson

Writer: N/A

Chester is embarrassed at a visit by his estranged mountain man brother Magnus. To prove that Magnus is too uncivilized for town, Chester tours him through the highlights of Dodge: card gambling, drinking, and talking with Kitty. Meanwhile, the Long Branch women plan a Christmas Eve dance which is busted by the spiteful Lucifer Jones.

Director: N/A

Writer: John Meston

Dan Grat, a gunman hunted by Texas authorities, seeks refuge in Dodge City. Marshal Dillon goes into action against this outlaw who shoots before he talks.

Director: Charles Marquis Warren

Writer: N/A

A dishonest deputy sheriff steals a prisoner from Matt's jail, so Matt and Chester hunt them.

Director: N/A

Writer: John Meston

Matt kills a man and his widow posts a $1,000 bounty in vengeance. Everyone from sodbusters to gunslingers are out for that reward.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Matt intercedes on behalf of ex-con Cope Borden, when Rance Bradley accuses Cope of horse theft and attempts to lynch him. Cope is proven innocent of the charge, but later kills Bradley's nephew in a fair fight during a gambling dispute. Matt is caught in an awkward situation when he must defend the unsavory Cope against the decent people of Dodge.

Director: Charles Marquis Warren

Writer: E. Jack Neuman

Doc must find a way to thwart a typhoid epidemic in Dodge (Howard McNear appears).

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

When returning to Dodge, Chester and Matt are confronted by Holly Hawtree, whose father is desperately ill with gangrene. His only hope for survival is amputation of the affected leg. Matt performs the surgery, but the gangrene has spread too far and the old man dies. Matt later discovers that the presumed accident leading to Mr. Hawtree's condition was actually caused by Ben Walling, who has his sights on Holly.

Director: Charles Marquis Warren

Writer: John Meston

Matt warns skilled gunman Andy Travis, of his choice between quitting the gun or else being constantly hunted and forced to prove himself. Matt finds a way to foil the $1000 bounty on Andy's head.

Director: Charles Marquis Warren

Writer: N/A

The brother of a man Matt was forced to kill vows to kill Matt by any means necessary (Mort Mills appears).

Director: Ted Post

Writer: Sam Peckinpah

When Chester's mail-order bride arrives, neither she nor Chester are what the other are expecting (first credited appearance of Bert Rumsey as 'Sam').

Director: Robert Stevenson

Writer: N/A

Two outlaws seek the rumored hidden fortune of old prospector Obie. They drag him to get him to tell. Obie forgets his cares and disappears on honeymoon with newcomer Ella May. Matt suspiciously questions the simple Obie about Ella May's motives and finds Obie is deeper than he seems.

Director: Charles Marquis Warren

Writer: N/A

Lucy professes her love for handsome Booth Rider, and concocts a scheme against Ephram. Booth becomes the unwitting pawn in a homicide that culminates in an ironic twist of fate.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A stranger comes to Dodge, and Doc bewilders and dismays Chester and Matt by arming himself and vowing to kill the man.

Director: Ted Post

Writer: N/A

Matt's Childhood hero, Dutch George is now the leader of a notorious gang of horse thieves he must now stop.

Director: Robert Stevenson

Writer: N/A

A young outlaw uses an old woman as a pawn in his bid for freedom.

Director: Ted Post

Writer: N/A

While on the way back to Dodge, Matt and Chester discover a homsteading family fleeing Pleasant Valley, which is besieged by Indians.

Director: Ted Post

Writer: N/A

Hank Worth, son of wealthy rancher Jake Worth, is kidnapped by three men and held for $20,000 ransom. They shoot him in the back for trying to escape. They call on Doc but Hank dies. The killers decide to let Doc go because he is the only doctor within 400 miles and they fear they might need his services someday. Before sparing his life and freeing him, they force the reluctant Doc to give his word of honor that he will never reveal their identities.

Director: Charles Marquis Warren

Writer: N/A

Two bullies cut off Chen's pig-tail, gravely dishonoring him in Chinese culture. Chen vows vengeance.

Director: Charles Marquis Warren

Writer: N/A

Witnesses refuse to testify against a notorious outlaw.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Yorky, a white boy who was brought up by Arapahoes, is victimized by horse thieves. Accused of their crime, he is shot by the vengeful Abe Brandt and his son. Matt is also targeted by the horse thieves.

Director: N/A

Writer: Sam Peckinpah

When an old Indian scout (Eduard Franz) murders a man (DeForest Kelley), Matt pursues him into Comanche territory.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A