User Reviews

Gunsmoke seems like a very conservative show in the modern day, but in the 1950s it had a lot of liberal points of view. Taking shots at bible thumpers and religious people was one of them.

In this episode, the incredibly obnoxious and vile Ira Scurlock comes into town with his two abused sons. Scurlock is played by Peter Whitney, who could be incredibly obnoxious, unreasonable, and vile all at the same time. I honestly never liked Peter Whitney.

The episode title of Kangaroo refers to a kangaroo court, which Marshal Dillon mentions when he first confronts Whitney as he is going to whip someone going to Dodge "to sin." Dillon should have beaten up Whitney at that point, and sent him back to the hills. It would have saved a life.

Whitney's sons are played by Richard Rust and John Crawford. Richard Rust was a young actor in the 1950s who seemed destined for stardom. John Crawford was a long time character actor who appeared on Gunsmoke 14 times, and was also in some movies with John Wayne. Crawford usually played a second string villain or member of somebody's gang.

One of Whitney's sons (Rust) wants to break free of the religious oppression. The two brothers know their Dad is nuts, but they are afraid of him. Whitney kidnaps Chester in order to cut his hand off as retribution for Chester cutting loose the guy that Whitney was going to whip. Really nutty stuff. This episode was kind of pointless. Richard Rust fights to keep Chester alive, and later when everyone is asleep, he goes to town to get Marshal Dillon.

This episode was bizarre even in the 1950s, except that the supporting cast did a great job. They all take Whitney's rants seriously, and he seems like a very menacing and dangerous character. This episode is a lot better than it should be. The actors carry the day, over really bad writing.

We get a different kind of story in this episode that features a large Bible spouting man, Ira Scurlock, that carries a leather strap and believes that he was put on this earth to beat the wicked ways out of sinners. Along with Ira is his two sons that fear their father as he never spared the rod against either of them. But it is not just Ira's sons but any passing person that Ira believes is sinning. He ties them to a tree and whips them with his strap all while quoting verses that he feels meets the situation.

Chester got on the bad side when Ira claimed that Chester helped a sinner avoid his punishment. Well it is not long before Ira wants to take the sin out of Chester by cutting his hand off. When his boys jump Chester, Ira begins his own brand of justice to convict and punish Chester.

Not the most topical show but was one that was interesting enough to capture the viewer's attention. Peter Whitney was excellently cast as the preacher-type man that believes his justice is the only way. Even though this has never been a plot that I really enjoyed watching in a TV series, this program had many interesting view points. When the end of the show nears the viewer will not be disappointed. Nice watch.

The sight of the giant-sized Peter Whitney striding across the prairie in long coat, big hat, and fired by the righteous wrath of the Lord is a memorable one. He's a cruel, Bible-spouting patriarch with two cowering sons, whom he whips for any perceived transgression. Apparently his Bible reading skipped over the part about Jesus and sinners. Anyway, he's an unforgettable creation and one of the standout villains of the entire series.

The story is about his wreaking punishment with a merciless snarl on any poor devil who falls afoul his righteous obsession. Chester falls afoul by untying a Sabbath-breaking cowboy from Whitney's whipping tree. Now Chester must pay by losing the right hand that unbound the sinner. Needless to say, Chester has some difficulty following the ruthless logic. Though this is a Whitney "tour-de-force", Richard Rust also shines as the doubting son. Good concept and script from series writer John Meston. In passing-- why the episode is entitled "Kangaroo'" beats me since it has nothing remotely to do with marsupials or the Australian outback. My guess is they had to slap a title on the finished screenplay and just any old noun would do.

Interesting and edgy camerawork. The style of the series' is encompassed here.

(*Kitty to Matt quote*) - That's the darndest story I ever heard."

Chester has interfered with Ira Skulock whipping a man and so now he must pay the price (in the name of the lord).

Ira's screwy sons, Hod and Dal kidnap Chester and bring him back to camp where Ira will impose his punishment on him (in the name of the lord).

It's a good thing that Chester has Marshal Dillon on his side, otherwise he'd be finished for sure.