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The Best Episodes of Gunsmoke Season 1

Every episode of Gunsmoke Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Gunsmoke Season 1!

Binge this in 10h 50m•Peaking at 8.6/10

Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 35 - The Guitar
    8.6/10(359 votes)

    S1:E35

    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

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  2. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 26 - Hack Prine
    8.4/10(341 votes)

    S1:E26

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:John Meston

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  3. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 27 - Cooter
    8.4/10(323 votes)

    S1:E27

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

    Director:Robert Stevenson
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 28 - The Killer
    8.4/10(351 votes)

    S1:E28

    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:Unknown

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  5. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 1 - Matt Gets It
    8.1/10(661 votes)

    S1:E1

    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:Unknown

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  6. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 12 - Magnus
    8.1/10(391 votes)

    S1:E12

    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:Unknown
    Writer:John Meston

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  7. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 15 - No Handcuffs
    8.1/10(295 votes)

    S1:E15

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:John Meston

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  8. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 16 - Reward for Matt
    8.1/10(326 votes)

    S1:E16

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 2 - Hot Spell
    8.0/10(450 votes)

    S1:E2

    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

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  10. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 4 - Home Surgery
    7.9/10(400 votes)

    S1:E4

    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

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  11. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 5 - Obie Tater
    7.9/10(384 votes)

    S1:E5

    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:Unknown

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  12. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 24 - The Pest Hole
    7.9/10(308 votes)

    S1:E24

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 8 - Kite's Reward
    7.8/10(335 votes)

    S1:E8

    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:Unknown

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  14. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 10 - The Queue
    7.8/10(348 votes)

    S1:E10

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

    Director:Charles Marquis Warren
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 13 - Reed Survives
    7.8/10(371 votes)

    S1:E13

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 29 - Doc's Revenge
    7.8/10(266 votes)

    S1:E29

    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:Unknown

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  17. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 31 - How to Die for Nothing
    7.8/10(271 votes)

    S1:E31

    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

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  18. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 32 - Dutch George
    7.8/10(269 votes)

    S1:E32

    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:Unknown

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  19. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 34 - Chester's Mail Order Bride
    7.8/10(325 votes)

    S1:E34

    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:Unknown

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  20. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 39 - Alarm at Pleasant Valley
    7.8/10(274 votes)

    S1:E39

    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:Unknown

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  21. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 18 - Yorky
    7.7/10(297 votes)

    S1:E18

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Sam Peckinpah

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  22. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 20 - Reunion '78
    7.7/10(276 votes)

    S1:E20

    A well-liked hardware drummer is actually a man wanted for multiple murders.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 22 - Tap Day for Kitty
    7.7/10(308 votes)

    S1:E22

    An old sodbuster comes to town and decides he wants to marry Kitty. When he won't leave her alone she declares she'll shoot him if he pesters her anymore.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 38 - Unmarked Grave
    7.7/10(305 votes)

    S1:E38

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

    Director:Ted Post
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 3 - Word of Honor
    7.6/10(382 votes)

    S1:E3

    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:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Guitar" is the best rated episode of "Gunsmoke" season 1. It scored 8.6/10 based on 359 votes. Directed by Harry Horner and written by Sam Peckinpah, it aired on 7/21/1956. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Hack Prine".