Gunsmoke (TV Series) The Preacher (1956) User Reviews

Buck and the Preacher

[darbski · 8/10 · 27 June 2017]

**SPOILERS** It will be mercifully short. As far as acting goes, it is what saved this episode. What would have doomed it was the fact that the townspeople were only too happy to watch an already beaten-down man get half killed by a psychopathic maniac. IN REALITY, the townspeople would have had him thrown right back on the stage and run right back out of town. Why, you ask? For the common good and safety of the citizens. That's the general reason towns like Dodge had "Vigilance Committees". When they got a little older, they got town Marshals, Sheriffs Departments, and Police Forces. The main reason for this was women and children; Dodge and cow-towns like it got civilized. When Matt K.O.ed Keeler, he did it just about the way old Wyatt Earp would have done it; it was called being Buffaloed. It saved many a drunk, stupid cowboy's life.

For their parts, I have to give Chuck Connors, as well as Royal Dano top marks. Both great actors playing tough roles. Chuck's role here, is a precursor to the role of Buck Hannassey in "The BIG COUNTRY". Buck, although a no-count bully, coward, and generally useless creep, is a shadow next to the plum-crazy Keeler. Both of these fine actors played numerous roles of all kinds in their careers, and we owe them a debt of thanks for their talent and work. Other minor players (uncredited) did yeoman work supporting the episode, and it is this collective spirit and "in the trenches" sweat that makes this story work. Thanks to S.A.G. for the deep bench of talent that's entertained us for so long.

Marshal Dillon Takes On a Bully

[wdavidreynolds · 6/10 · 15 December 2021]

The stagecoach makes a regular stop in Dodge City, and two men are among the passengers. One is Seth Tandy, an introspective, brooding individual. The other is "Roaring" Sam Keeler, an arrogant boxer, and a loud, boisterous bully. During the time on the stagecoach, Keeler developed an intense dislike for his sheepish companion rider Tandy. As the two emerge from the stagecoach, Keeler does his best to pick a fight with Tandy.

Matt Dillon is forced to intervene to prevent Keeler from continuing the abuse of someone intentionally defenseless. The incident only serves to further anger the bully Keeler, and now he has Marshal Dillon in his sights, too.

Chuck Connors and Royal Dano play the duo of opposites. Connors fills the Sam Keeler role, and Dano portrays Seth Tandy. Every fan of classic westerns knows Connors for his starring role as Lucas McCain on The Rifleman. Despite that iconic performance, Connors often played villains. Not long after this episode was filmed, he played tough guy Buck Hannassey in William Wyler's classic film The Big Country. This performance marks the only appearance by Connors in a Gunsmoke episode.

Royal Dano had already played a leading role earlier in the season in the "Obie Tater" episode. He would eventually appear in thirteen Gunsmoke stories. Dano also often appeared in The Rifleman with Connors. In fact, in his final appearance on The Rifleman, he plays a preacher haunted by his past and beleaguered by bullies in a role that shares some similarities with the Seth Tandy character from this story.

Dano always exhibited extraordinary range as an actor. His performance in this story is excellent. Unfortunately, Connors fails to rise to Dano's talent level. Connors demonstrated acting ability over his career, but his experience was limited when he played this role. It is difficult to know whether this performance is due more to the inexperience of the actor, or the direction provided, but it comes across as a one-dimensional caricature with no subtlety or range.

Connors is not alone in providing an inferior performance. James Arness is not much better. As animated as the Sam Keeler character is, the Matt Dillon character is stiff and lacks emotion. The scenes between Connors and Arness are almost laughably bad. The story premise where one man has lost his way to such a degree that he allows another to abuse him at will is interesting enough, but it goes off the proverbial rails in the details.

Rifleman & Royal Dano at odds w/each other.

[mrgoodvibrationsmichigan · 8/10 · 8 December 2021]

2 great actors are guest stars in this episode. Chuck Connors & Royal Dano. Tight drama ensues, Chuck Connors plays tough fist fighting Sam Keeler who throws his blistering punches and thinks he can deal with anyone through fisticuffs, little does he know Marshall Dillon doesn't allow this kind of bullying or unnecessary fighting in Dodge City. Riveting thirty minutes of action.

Special episode

[Rlipt8 · 2 November 2008]

This episode is very unique for me in many ways. I was a very sick child in the hospital in NY when I first saw it. It stayed with me for years. James Arness had visited me in the hospital at the request of my parents who had gotten Dennis Weaver to arrange it. In later years I became a boxer, and wanted to see this episode again somehow. I finally got the DVD and it was amazing. In a radio interview with me James Arness told me Chuck Connors accidentally landed a real punch in rehearsal and dropped Jim. What was more amazing was that Royal Dano played two very wonderful characters with Chuck Connors on the Rifleman, as Mr. Abe Lincoln and a disfigured civil war veteran. In both episodes Chuck was extremely protective and loving of Royal's character. I wondered if they ever spoke about this Gunsmoke episode where Chuck brutalized him. I tried to reach Johnny Crawfor to ask him but was unsuccessful. I wondered if Chuck and Royal were friends.

The Preacher

[hpringnitz · 9/10 · 2 March 2022]

Royal Dano was a fine and highly underrated actor. This episode was a tour de force performance by him.

It was tough for me watching Lucas McCain (my boyhood hero) playing such a vicious hateful character. But also a testament To Chuck Conner's acting chops.

A very enjoyable episode of my favorite TV show of all time. I still love Gunsmoke!

I met God's Holy Spirit watching this show.

[dalelmartin-16763 · 10/10 · 5 March 2023]

While I was only 6 years old, minding my own business, I came riding in to my house for supper and to watch Gunsmoke.

We hat struck me about "The Preacher" was that there was never a real effort for Royal Danoto even defend himself, much less retaliate against Chuck Connors. In mu mind and heart, it hit me like a "ton of bricks":

Just like this preacher (who represented Christ) Jesus willingly went to his shameful, extremely painful death on a Roman cross. He never physically resisted, either.

Chuck Connors played such a vicious character, in my mind he represented Satan himself, with no pity, empathy, or mercy; just like the Roman soldiers who brutalized abd crucified Christ.

The difference, of course, is that Gunsmoke was just a show, but what happened to Jesus was the "real deal", and furthermore, Jesus willingly took that punishment and HE DIED FOR ME PERSONALLY, before I even existed on earth!!

That is a lot for a 6 year old kid to understand; not in his head, but in his heart. I don't think I even saw the last of this show before I was down on my knees, asking God Almighty to forgive me for my sins. I have held on yo this for decades now, beginning then my Christian walk with the Holy Spirit of Jesus, Who really IS The Christ! Amen.

One actor completely out of character, another completely in character

[LukeCoolHand · 6/10 · 10 March 2022]

Most reviewers are bragging about Royal Dano's acting ability. I think he is a good actor but I am getting a little tired of watching him play an ultimate milqtoast. It's like the producers say "let's get someone who acts like Royal Dano and then they get Royal Dano. Dano has tuned his pitiful, beat down characters into a science.

Anyway, this is a watchable episode watching Chuck Connors completely out of his Riflemen later character. Fair episode but not great.

A Brutal Bully

[StrictlyConfidential · 5/10 · 29 June 2021]

"The Preacher" was first aired on television June 16, 1956.

(*Sam Keeler quote*) - Toadstool. Wart-nosed prairie rat. I'm gonna break you up!"

A helpless newcomer to Dodge suffers at the hands of a bully until Marshal Dillon challenges the brute to a boxing match.

Let's Play Handball with the Preacher

[dougdoepke · 1 September 2007]

Few character actors, then or now, are more distinctive than the singular Royal Dano. With his grave-yard voice, sad-eyes and soulful demeanor, he made an impact far beyond his slight frame and unruly hair. Here, he plays Seth Tandy, a disillusioned preacher who feels worthless because of a loss of faith. Few could more convincingly enact the part.

The elements of a strong drama are present when the formidable Sam Keeler (Chuck Connors, before The Rifleman) exits the stagecoach vowing to thrash the defenseless Tandy. And thrash him he does. Just count the times Tandy bounces off the wall as ex-prize fighter Keeler entertains his admirer Humbert (Paul Dubov). I like the way the beating is finally stopped by an anonymous cowboy pulling a gun. Having an on-looker participate in the action is rare in these series, and adds a nicely realistic stroke.

However, the impact is undercut by Connors leering, preening, one-dimensional portrayal, along with a poorly staged fist-fight with Dillon. Also, Keeler's motivation for beating Tandy-- namely, that the latter was silent during the entire stage trip-- appears flimsy and unimaginative. I wish Sam Peckinpah had gotten the assignment. Then, we might have gotten something more provocatively plausible-- like eliminating the weakness of a non-fighter from the gene pool, a fitting rationale for a big-mouth bully.

This episode did not have a fighting chance

[kfo9494 · 4/10 · 16 May 2013]

Even with the fine acting of the great character actor Royal Dano the episode did not hold up well as we get a story about a mild meek preacher (Dano) and a out right bully played by Chuck Connors.

For some odd reason when the stage arrives in Dodge Sam Keeler (Connors) becomes upset at Seth Tandy (Dano) because Tandy did not speak the entire time. (Why he was upset is for plot purposes only) Keeler, a prize-fighter, prods Tandy trying to get the much smaller man to fight. With Tandy saying he does not want to fight, Keeler keeps knocking him against the wall until someone gets the Marshal.

The entire episode centers around Keeler wanting to fight the small man Tandy. And of course it will be up to Marshal Dillon to save the problem preacher from the bully on the play ground.

I like Chuck Connors but this role was so far from the norm that anyone playing the part would not appear comfortable. Even James Arness seemed stiff as he delivered his lines in staccato fashion with no feeling of self expression of any kind. When you add the terrible fight scene between Arness and Connors, there really is very little entertainment value in this show. Not one of the better episodes.