Gunsmoke (TV Series) Owney Tupper Had a Daughter (1964) User Reviews

Great Performance by Jay C. Flippen

[wdavidreynolds · 7/10 · 12 November 2020]

Owney Tupper is a poor farmer who lives in the Dodge City area. Tupper is poor primarily by choice. Farm life on the prairie required a lot of back-breaking hard work, and Tupper and his wife chose to live a less materialistic, simple life and enjoy their time together. When the episode begins, Owney's wife has died, and he is caring for their young daughter, Amity on his own.

For some unknown reason, Tupper's sister-in-law steps into the situation and manages to get a judge to grant her and her husband temporary custody of Amity. The judge tells Owney he can get his daughter back if he can improve his farm sufficiently. In the meantime, Amity will live with her Aunt Clara in St. Louis.

Tupper is determined to get his daughter back, and he does everything possible to accomplish his goals, including compromising some of his long-held values.

There is a sub-plot in the story that involves a cowboy named Mal who returns to his father's ranch after being away for a while and discovers the woman he supposedly loves has married another man. Mal is so disturbed by this development he kills the woman and her husband, and immediately rides into Dodge and confesses his crime to the Marshal.

The judge in this story is as much the antagonist as anyone. He first orders Tupper to relinquish custody of Amity, and then he orders Mal to be executed in Dodge City within 24 hours after the sentencing. This is odd, because we know that -- at least in the Gunsmoke universe -- hangings took place in Hays City, not Dodge City. The judge's reasoning for either order lacks much in the way of true legal foundation and seems much more based on personal whims. Both rulings are pivotal to the plot, but that appears to be their only reason for occurring, not because they are legally sound.

Jay C. Flippen as Owney Tupper is definitely the star here. Flippen, who had been an announcer for the New York Yankees at one time, had one of those instantly recognizable faces. He frequently appeared in television westerns, and played supporting characters in several Jimmy Stewart films in the 1950s and 1960s. Flippen's performance in this episode is worth the time investment alone.

Paul Savage's script was nominated for a Writer's Guild Award. However, I do not hold this episode in as high regard as some others. The entire murder subplot is rushed and a little too convenient and coincidental. The judge makes unusual rulings that do not seem genuine. I especially thought it odd that Tupper so desperately wanted to get Amity back, but when given the opportunity to stay with Amity, he stubbornly refuses. It really seems like the circumstances would be a perfect opportunity for Tupper to get away from Dodge City and start a new life with his daughter. Instead, it appears he would prefer to remain on his farm and wallow in misery.

Incidentally, this episode was supposed to be the ninth episode of Season 9, following "Carter Caper," but the airing was preempted by coverage of the assassination of JFK, which occurred the day before this episode was scheduled. The original airing was subsequently delayed to April 1964.

a malnourished story

[grizzledgeezer · 7/10 · 31 August 2014]

This is one of those "good" episodes that should have been great. The script editor ought to have sent it back to the writer for fleshing-out.

Owney Tupper is a middle-aged man who isn't worried about working his ass off for a lot of material possessions that ultimately don't matter. His late wife (who thought the same way) left him with their most-valued possession, their daughter Amity. Owney and Amity adore each other, and he'd rather spend most of the day playing with her, doing only as much work as needed to keep body and soul together. Amity isn't aware she's missing anything -- and, of course, she isn't.

The serpent rears his ugly head when Owney's sister-in-law and wealthy husband arrive to remove Amity to St Louis, on the basis that Owney isn't a fit father, as they're living in "poverty' when they need not be (which is technically true). The judge agrees. Amity is sent off to live with her aunt and uncle for six months, giving Owney time to make a home materially fit for his daughter.

Owney sets about the task with vigor, surprising people who considered him shiftless. Naturally, Something Bad has to happen, and it's the loss of the seed he needs for planting. (The script handles this poorly, with a clumsily staged accident and Owney's careless behavior.) Needing money for new seed, Owney agrees to being paid $25 to be the executioner. (This, though plausibly motivated, is A Little Too Convenient.) Matt is shocked that such a peaceful, violence-hating man would do such a thing.

After killing (in self-defense) the revenge-seeking father of the executed young man, Owney is largely shunned by Dodge's citizens. * The unspecified crop (soybeans?) comes in better than expected, and the farm is finally in shape for a visit from the "Better Homes and Gardens" photographer. Amity returns dressed in nice clothes, carrying a store-bought doll.

Unfortunately, Owney has now become "responsible", more concerned with tending the chickens (he's now a chicken magnate) than playing with his daughter. Worse, he's trapped and killed the fox who used to playfully visit, the animal having become a chicken killer. This breaks Amity's heart.

Amity -- though not spoiled -- has changed, too. Her aunt and uncle treated her well (a surprise in stories such as these), and wouldn't mind living in St Louis. The aunt and uncle have even invited Owney to live with them (likewise a surprise). Owney declines (probably because, as we've seen, he doesn't want to be dependent on anyone), and insists that Amity go back -- St Louis isn't that far off, and he can visit. He acknowledges that Amity has to grow up in "regular" society. Typical of "Gunsmoke", the story ends unhappily, with Owney griping "Why did they have to bother us?".

The script's problem is that it doesn't do as much as it could have with multiple good story ideas. This isn't apparent from my summary, but it's "thin". My reaction was that the issues weren't covered in as much depth as they should have been. Of course, "Gunsmoke" never went for verbose exchanges, so perhaps I'm being unfair. But I rarely feel this way about any episode, so I'll "stick by my guns" (ahem).

Jay C Flippen (whom I remember mostly from "Ensign O'Toole") gives a solid and sympathetic performance. Andrea Darvi makes a charming and totally un-cute Amity. (Thank you, casting person.)

* Despite Matt's protest that executions have traditionally been carried out in Hays City (I don't know if this is historically correct), the judge complains that Dodge City's people are too cowardly to confront the execution of a human being, and need to have it shoved in their faces.

Superb

[george-841 · 10/10 · 28 January 2013]

TV writing at its best. You owe it to yourself to watch this episode. What's amazing is the story "works" entirely because of the acting skill of Jay Flippen as Owney Tupper. James Arness appears in less than 10 minutes of the episode, Doc and Quint make quick cameos and I don't even remember if Kitty even shows up. Doesn't matter, Flippen carries the day with a breathtaking acting job.

Owney's final line of dialog is incredibly powerful. (***BIG SPOILER HERE!*** Better to enjoy this episode BEFORE reading what follows!)

"Why didn't they just leave us alone?"

This comes right after he agrees to send his daughter back to St. Louis to learn to be a fine lady. He says this because he knows their lives have changed so much due to what has happened in the last year that they can never go back to the carefree lifestyle they enjoyed beforehand. For HER benefit, he will send her back to St. Louis. But deep down inside he knows she would have been better off growing up "free" with her dad on a somewhat rundown ranch outside Dodge. He resents the meddling he suffered at the hands of "proper" society.

And who can argue with him, after all he went thru to get his daughter back?

Tip top storytelling!

For what...?

[repete_recording · 10/10 · 14 January 2019]

You have probably read the synopsis and other reviews so I won't repeat that. The part about the man that Owney hangs was the only part I thought didn't live up to the otherwise superb screenwriting. Otherwise,this is some of the best screenwriting (by Paul Savage) for a television series I've ever seen,and the acting especially the interaction of Jay Flippen and Andrea Darvi is excellent.

For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul? Mark 8:36... By man's law,he did nothing wrong. That's stretching the situation that happened to Owney Tupper,but it made me think of that chapter and verse. It also made me think of people and governments that think they know what's best for others. Would I have done the same if I were in Owney Tupper's situation? Would you?

One of the better stories in the entire collection

[kfo9494 · 10/10 · 3 January 2013]

Jay Flippen gives a brilliant performance in this show where life changes and nothing remains the same. And when his character tries to change his life things go from bad to even worse.

The episode begins as we see Owney Tupper (Flippen) living in a run down house with his beautiful young (Maybe 8 year old) daughter named Amity. She is all he has left since his wife died and they love each other so much.

However due to the living conditions the courts order that Amity live with her Aunt and Uncle in St Louis until the time that Tupper can make his place livable and proper for a child. 'By proper'- the Judge tells Tupper that he will have to fix up the house and also make use of the land to help feed the child. Tupper agrees and sets out to make the changes.

Tupper, a likable guy around Dodge, has everything going his way. The house is getting fixed and the seed is ready for the ground. But due to an accident, he loses his seeds and now has to find a way to get money to buy new seed.

There has been a killing around Dodge and the Judge has sentenced a man to be hung within twenty-four hours. However there is no man willing to take the responsibility of being the 'hangman'. Tupper agrees to hang the man for the twenty five dollars in order to get money for the seeds. But he will find that life changes and will never be the same as now people in Dodge think differently of Owney Tupper.

When his daughter returns, she notices that things have changed. And now Tupper will have to do what is best for the young child. He wonders what his life would have been if nothing had changed.

An excellent script that was well acted. One can really see through the characters the hardship of trying to do what is right but sometimes not succeeding. Excellent watch.

10-star rating for excellent script and JC's performance

[lrrap · 10/10 · 16 October 2022]

Paul Savage's script was (apparently) nominated for a Writer's Guild award, and it certainly deserved it. True, there's a bit too much "cute" in the opening scenes (like "see how poor but happy we are"), but the performance by J. C. and the unusual plot are so strong that I feel this episode merits a full "10" rating.

Jay C Flippen and Andrea Darvi look NOTHING alike...not the slightest bit of physical resemblance (that would be scary), but otherwise they are very well cast. Jay C, who usually plays such slightly off-beat, sometimes sadistic weirdos, is really very appealing in this role.

I don't disagree with a few of the other commentators here, who feel the elements of conflict in this show (the sudden appearance of the Aunt and Uncle and their custody hearing, the rather quick, ruthless double-murder of the young couple, etc), but the OVERALL script is continuously engrossing, well-structured, and the direction nicely paced. In fact, the script veers off in a couple of novel, unexpected directions, which keep it that much more interesting.

We USUALLY get a plot where the nasty aunt/guardian challenges the loving, but lower-class relative for custody of the innocent young child (Heidi, anyone?). Much heartache and tension ensues, while the loving parent must fight the system to be re-united with the child.

Well, this one KIND OF went in that direction...but you'll have to see for yourself how imaginatively the standard plot set-up was handled by writer Savage.

And there's a sad, wistful, philosophical realization in the final scene that is very moving. LR.

PS #1-- I'm not one to look for too much "meaning" through MOTIFS, but it's cool that Amity's DOLL ..used 3 times in the story....reflects the changing relationship of Owney and Amity. 1.) The primitive cloth doll in the opening scene...simple, natural, like their life together 2.) When Owney's prospects are looking up, it's a "store-bought" doll to reflect the ongoing improvement in their status 3.) When Amity arrives off the stagecoach, she's carrying a shiny new, "high-class" city doll, again reflecting the change not only in her status, but her relationship with dad as well.

PS #2--Check out young Andrea Darvi's performance in the great episode of "COMBAT" (1st season): "No Trumpets, No Drums" .. the big starring episode in the series for actor Pierre Jalbert; very touching, almost dream-like in its beauty and heartache. LR.

Some things are worth doing.

[jaimhaas · 10/10 · 28 July 2022]

This is a great story to challenge what your moral values are. We can all be forced into situations where we must decide just how far we will go. This story is one of the better ones in the series. I suggest it to you. This also shows just how far a father will go for the love of his daughter.

Terrible and pointless ending

[jout-32109 · 1/10 · 21 January 2023]

I love Gunsmoke but this was a terrible episode. Are we suppose to believe that ending was 'right and virtuous?' Well, it wasn't! A loving father can certainly raise his own daughter. And this father demonstrated he was very loving and dedicated to his daughter.

He was was willing to do almost anything to get her back after the judge ruled she should live with her aunt. But somehow that still wasn't enough in the end. Why? Just because he's a single man? Very foolish and heartless conclusion.

Also, the daughter somehow immediately senses a difference in her father's internal emotions, as if the little child has ESP or something. That was ridiculous.