Shoot low, sheriff, they're riding Shetlands

I don’t know why, but this past year I’ve gotten hooked on the TV reruns of Gunsmoke.

And, the reason is easy to explain. I have cut out watching the news, most of which is on the national scene, but many nights I cancel out Fargo stations as well. Lots of it, if not most of the stories coming out of the east concern robberies, shootings, beatings, and stories you find on most national and small city stations.

On the national scene, I have trouble watching and listening to what’s happening with our supposed law makers who currently seem to be working on keeping their terms in office rather than satisfying the needs they have been elected to do.

The constant bickering among the lawmakers makes me turn to and watch Matt Dillon!

And, I’m not the only one who watches Matt, Kitty and Festus.

Fellow Fourth Estater Neil O. Nelson, who writes, edits and assists the production of the Herald-Press at Harvey-Fessenden, is in the same boat. He’s a constant viewer of Matt and the Gunsmoke crew.

In fact, a few weeks ago, he featured this and other old TV westerns in his personal column. I called him and asked if I could steal a bit or two of what he wrote. The most gracious Neil said, “Absolutely, use what you want.”

So here are some recollections of the shows he’s watching:

If Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke fame and Bonanza’s Ben Cartwright shared Matt’s horse, Buck, why didn’t Victoria Barkley share a couple of her dresses with the Long Branch Saloon’s Kitty Blake, who I swear wore the same dress the 19 years she was on in the classic television western Gunsmoke.

But then, Matt Dillon, Festus and Doc, played by James Arness, Ken Curtis and Milburn Stone, never changed clothes in the 20-plus years Gunsmoke was on the air.

Same with Victoria Barkley’s brood on the Barkley Ranch in California’s San Joaquin Valley, near Stockton, in the 1870s.

But not Barbara Stanwyck’s Victoria Barkley, the stern widow, mother of four and star of The Big Valley.

Victoria had a different dress for every occasion - breakfast, dinner, supper or whenever she was kidnapped and held captive, under fire or in a fire or dealing with bank robbers, horse thieves, revolutionaries or land grabbers.

Here’s the deal, I’m old enough to remember listening to Marshall Dillon, Hopalong Cassidy and the Lone Ranger on the radio. When I talk westerns, I know what I’m talking about.

Gunsmoke ran from 1955 to 1975 and is said to be one of the longest running prime time shows on television. There were 635 episodes and many of the outdoor scenes for the show were shot in Johnson Canyon near Kanab, Utah.

The abandoned 1890s Dodge City, Kansas, film set is still standing.

The Big Valley aired from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969, on ABC.

Gunsmoke and The Big Valley used the same jailhouse. I can’t verify this because I’ve never been in either jail.

Matt’s good friend Chester, played by Dennis Weaver, chose to limp because his left leg was stronger, not necessarily longer.

Did you know that Matt Dillon was shot more than 50 times during the series’ 20-year episodic run and its reunion movies? Half of those wounds were to his left arm or shoulder. Good thing Matt drew with his right hand. What I still can’t figure out is why Matt had so much paperwork; he’s shuffling papers every time Festus barges in the Marshal’s office.

Wagon Train was born from the 1950 film Wagon Master. The television lead was Major Seth Adams, played by Ward Bond, later replaced by John McIntire.

Bonanza, the first color Western on television, produced 430 episodes over 14 seasons.

The fact that I’m watching Saturday morning westerns, when there’s more programming available than you can shake a vintage TV Guide at, should tell you I’ve grown tired of television today and the 24-7 news cycle, inane and boring half-hour comedies, tiresome reality shows, commercial-laden sporting events, different contestants, each with the same tanned and toned body, same story but different face on the Bachelor and Bachelorette and recycled drama on the daytime soap operas.

Thank you, MeTV for your Saturday morning westerns.

“Shoot low, sheriff, they’re riding Shetlands,” Nelson concludes.

+++

They tell us there was around 12 inches of snow that hit during this first snowfall of the season, but just looking there had to be more than that. I’d say closer to 15 inches or . . . anyway too much snow for the first time around. Base this on piles all over the city, the places that haven’t been plowed and the huge bank in my backyard that will take weeks and weeks into the spring to evaporate.

We have lots of snow and more coming!

+++

Last week I tipped a Hat to both the Rocket and Cardinal girls’ volleyball teams as both were playing for Region titles as this was written.

So, the Rockets won their Region and played in the state tourney at Bismarck last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Cardinals did not fair as well, as they took one of the best teams in the state and a champion contender, Linton, to five games losing 15-8 in the fifth. Sad, but the Cards had a 6-1 lead and you see how good Linton was and is with their 14-2 run to reach the state.

So Congrats, Rockets and best of luck against Linton, the team you faced in the opening round of the state.

+++

Parting Shot: “Pressure is a privilege. It means things are expected of you.” — Anonymous