Gunsmoke

The Best Episodes of Gunsmoke Season 1

Genres:WesternAction & AdventureDrama
Network:CBS

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

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...
Episodes
39
Avg. Rating
7.8
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
8.1
8.0
7.7

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  1. 8.6/10(293 votes)

    #1 - The Guitar

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    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.

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  2. 8.5/10(267 votes)

    #2 - Cooter

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    S1:E27

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

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    Writer:N/A
  3. 8.4/10(286 votes)

    #3 - Hack Prine

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    S1:E26

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

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    Director:N/A
  4. 8.4/10(295 votes)

    #4 - The Killer

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    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.

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    Writer:N/A
  5. 8.2/10(339 votes)

    #5 - Magnus

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
  6. 8.2/10(244 votes)

    #6 - No Handcuffs

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    S1:E15

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

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    Director:N/A
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  8. 8.1/10(549 votes)

    #7 - Matt Gets It

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    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.

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    Writer:N/A
  9. 8.1/10(272 votes)

    #8 - Reward for Matt

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  10. 8.0/10(377 votes)

    #9 - Hot Spell

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    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.

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  11. 8.0/10(267 votes)

    #10 - The Pest Hole

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    S1:E24

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

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  12. 7.9/10(332 votes)

    #11 - Home Surgery

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    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.

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  13. 7.9/10(278 votes)

    #12 - Kite's Reward

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    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.

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    Writer:N/A
  14. 7.9/10(272 votes)

    #13 - Chester's Mail Order Bride

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    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').

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    Writer:N/A
  15. 7.8/10(321 votes)

    #14 - Obie Tater

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    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.

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    Writer:N/A
  16. 7.8/10(314 votes)

    #15 - Reed Survives

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  17. 7.8/10(220 votes)

    #16 - Doc's Revenge

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    S1:E29

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

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    Director:Ted Post
    Writer:N/A
  18. 7.8/10(229 votes)

    #17 - How to Die for Nothing

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    S1:E31

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

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    Director:Ted Post
  19. 7.8/10(226 votes)

    #18 - Dutch George

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    S1:E32

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

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    Writer:N/A
  20. 7.8/10(258 votes)

    #19 - Unmarked Grave

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    S1:E38

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

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    Director:Ted Post
    Writer:N/A
  21. 7.8/10(235 votes)

    #20 - Alarm at Pleasant Valley

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    S1:E39

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

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    Director:Ted Post
    Writer:N/A
  22. 7.7/10(317 votes)

    #21 - Word of Honor

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    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.

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    Writer:N/A
  23. 7.7/10(289 votes)

    #22 - The Queue

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    S1:E10

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

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    Writer:N/A
  24. 7.7/10(241 votes)

    #23 - Robin Hood

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    S1:E17

    Witnesses refuse to testify against a notorious outlaw.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  25. 7.7/10(257 votes)

    #24 - The Big Broad

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    S1:E25

    Matt has to figure a way around a six-foot-tall, 200-pound woman with a six-gun.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  26. 7.6/10(266 votes)

    #25 - General Parsley Smith

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    S1:E11

    Old-timer Smith is a former Army officer considered a butcher. He arrives in Dodge City speading rumors about the new Banker, Drew Holt.

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    Director:N/A

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Guitar" is the best rated episode of "Gunsmoke" season 1. It scored 8.6/10 based on 293 votes. Directed by Harry Horner and written by Sam Peckinpah, it aired on 7/21/1956. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Cooter".