Old Nip Cullers has traveled to Dodge City to find a wife. When Kate and Olive, a couple of the employees of the Long Branch Saloon, begin making fun of Cullers, Kitty Russell comes to his defense. Cullers subsequently chooses Kitty to be his wife.
(Amanda Blake once again shows Kitty's feisty nature in this opening scene. When Kitty grabs Olive's arm to stop her verbal abuse of Cullers. Olive responds, "Since when did you start running things around here?" Kitty furiously responds, "You ever see me fight?" Kitty Russell only worked at the Long Branch in the early years of the series. Norman MacDonnell hinted at Miss Kitty being a prostitute in an interview about the radio show in the early 1950s when he said Kitty was someone Matt Dillon had to visit occasionally. Later in Season 2, Kitty mentions she is half-owner of the Long Branch. In the episode "Daddy-O" from Season 2, her purchase of half-interest in the saloon is incorporated into the story.)
It is no surprise Kitty has no interest in marrying Cullers, but the old man continues to insist and persist, even going so far as to hire a preacher, buy nice clothes, and announce the wedding to the patrons of the Long Branch. Once again, Kitty's temper flares, and she states she will shoot Cullers if she has to.
Later, Cullers is shot with a shotgun, and Kitty is the prime suspect. Kitty is naturally angry at Matt for suspecting her.
A heavily made-up John Dehner portrays Nip Cullers. Dehner played the character in the radio episode, which likely explains why he was used in the television version. This the second of twelve appearances for Dehner in the series.
Actress Mary Adams plays Nettie, who was the housekeeper for Cullers for twenty years. Charlene Brooks appears in the role of the mysterious character known as Blossom traveling with Cullers and Nettie. This episode marks the only appearance in the series for both Adams and Brooks.
Evelyn Scott appears as Olive and Dorothy Schuyler as Kate, the two saloon girls that tease Cullers. Both actresses would play those roles in other episodes. In fact, Schuyler played a saloon girl named Olive in an earlier episode.
John Patrick portrays Wilbur Jonas, the storekeeper in his only series appearance. This is the first time the merchant appears in the series. Actor Dabbs Greer would begin appearing as the Mr. Jonas character soon.
The Kitty Russell character is at the center of this story for the first time in the run of the series, and Amanda Blake certainly demonstrates her ability to play a more significant role. The fiery temperament and fighting spirit viewers would witness many times over throughout the future of the series is on display in this episode.
The theme of strangers coming to Dodge to find wives with bizarre results would be used again in the future of the series. Season 7's "Marry Me" episode features a mountain man who kidnaps Miss Kitty and intends to force her into marriage is one example. Season 20's awful "The Wiving" is a story where three men abduct saloon girls in the hope they will become their wives.
(Amanda Blake once again shows Kitty's feisty nature in this opening scene. When Kitty grabs Olive's arm to stop her verbal abuse of Cullers. Olive responds, "Since when did you start running things around here?" Kitty furiously responds, "You ever see me fight?" Kitty Russell only worked at the Long Branch in the early years of the series. Norman MacDonnell hinted at Miss Kitty being a prostitute in an interview about the radio show in the early 1950s when he said Kitty was someone Matt Dillon had to visit occasionally. Later in Season 2, Kitty mentions she is half-owner of the Long Branch. In the episode "Daddy-O" from Season 2, her purchase of half-interest in the saloon is incorporated into the story.)
It is no surprise Kitty has no interest in marrying Cullers, but the old man continues to insist and persist, even going so far as to hire a preacher, buy nice clothes, and announce the wedding to the patrons of the Long Branch. Once again, Kitty's temper flares, and she states she will shoot Cullers if she has to.
Later, Cullers is shot with a shotgun, and Kitty is the prime suspect. Kitty is naturally angry at Matt for suspecting her.
A heavily made-up John Dehner portrays Nip Cullers. Dehner played the character in the radio episode, which likely explains why he was used in the television version. This the second of twelve appearances for Dehner in the series.
Actress Mary Adams plays Nettie, who was the housekeeper for Cullers for twenty years. Charlene Brooks appears in the role of the mysterious character known as Blossom traveling with Cullers and Nettie. This episode marks the only appearance in the series for both Adams and Brooks.
Evelyn Scott appears as Olive and Dorothy Schuyler as Kate, the two saloon girls that tease Cullers. Both actresses would play those roles in other episodes. In fact, Schuyler played a saloon girl named Olive in an earlier episode.
John Patrick portrays Wilbur Jonas, the storekeeper in his only series appearance. This is the first time the merchant appears in the series. Actor Dabbs Greer would begin appearing as the Mr. Jonas character soon.
The Kitty Russell character is at the center of this story for the first time in the run of the series, and Amanda Blake certainly demonstrates her ability to play a more significant role. The fiery temperament and fighting spirit viewers would witness many times over throughout the future of the series is on display in this episode.
The theme of strangers coming to Dodge to find wives with bizarre results would be used again in the future of the series. Season 7's "Marry Me" episode features a mountain man who kidnaps Miss Kitty and intends to force her into marriage is one example. Season 20's awful "The Wiving" is a story where three men abduct saloon girls in the hope they will become their wives.