A case of mistaken identity is no laughing matter for Festus when a U.S. marshal arrests the good-natured deputy as bloodthirsty murderer Frank Eaton. While Festus stands trial, Matt investi... Read allA case of mistaken identity is no laughing matter for Festus when a U.S. marshal arrests the good-natured deputy as bloodthirsty murderer Frank Eaton. While Festus stands trial, Matt investigates to clear his friend's name.A case of mistaken identity is no laughing matter for Festus when a U.S. marshal arrests the good-natured deputy as bloodthirsty murderer Frank Eaton. While Festus stands trial, Matt investigates to clear his friend's name.
Photos
- Rand
- (as Booth Coman)
- Director
- Writers
- Calvin Clements Sr.
- Norman MacDonnell(uncredited)
- John Meston(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFrank Eaton was a real life character although not quite the killer as depicted in the episode. His father was killed by six former members of Quantrill's Raders in front of him and he made it his mission to exact revenge. Accounts say he managed to kill five of the six and the last was shot before he found him. Supposedly he also served as a deputy marshal for "Hanging Judge" Issac Parker but this is not has not been confirmed. Eaton also became the inspiration for Oklahoma A&M's (now Oklahoma State University) mascot Pistol Pete. Eaton participated in a parade in Stillwater in 1923 a group of students approached him with the idea and he agreed. He was the unofficial mascot until it was officially approved in 1958.
- GoofsThe title slide says "Alias Festus Haggin," spelling Festus' last name differently than other titles ("Haggen").
- Quotes
Matt Dillon: You're not helping matter's, Doyle.
Doyle: Your Honor I know of at least six graves he's filled. I can be forgiven for feeling less than charitable toward this man.
A state-appointed law enforcement official named Doyle arrives in Dodge City and arrests Festus Haggen. Festus resembles a man named Frank Eaton who is wanted for multiple murders. An eyewitness to the murders committed by Eaton is accompanying Doyle, and he positively identifies Festus as Eaton. Matt Dillon examines the papers Doyle provides and finds them to be in order. Judge Brooker examines the evidence and Doyle's instructions and rules that Festus should stand trial for the crimes. The Marshal has no choice but to allow Doyle to take Festus into custody and take him to another town for the trial, but he does send Newly O'Brien along to help protect Festus.
Matt Dillon is understandably convinced Festus Haggen is not Frank Eaton, but the circumstantial evidence quickly accumulates against Festus. The Marshal sets out on his own to follow any clues to help clear up the confusion.
Matt soon learns Eaton was married, and he finds the woman running a way station near the border of Mexico. She tells the Marshal Eaton was killed several years earlier. Matt takes her to the trial to testify that her husband is dead, but things do not work out as expected.
Ken Curtis shines in the dual role as both Festus Haggen and Frank Eaton. The remaining cast is top notch, too. This is the first episode in some time where all the stars play a prominent role. Kitty Russell and Doc Adams are present at the trial. Newly O'Brien acts as an attorney for Festus. Matt Dillon calls on all his investigative skills as a lawman to find answers.
Ramon Bieri plays the part of Doyle. Any viewer of television dramas will recognize Bieri, as he appeared in many different shows over the years. He often played villains, but the Doyle character is more interested in seeing justice prevail.
Actress Lieux Dressler returns to Gunsmoke in the role of Susie, Frank Eaton's wife. Dressler has previously appeared earlier in Season 17 in the two-part "Waste" episode.
Gregg Palmer's appearance as Joe Guthrie, a bartender Matt encounters in his search for clues, is the 20th of his twenty-one Gunsmoke roles.
The people in the town where the trial is held include several familiar Gunsmoke alum. Robert Totten, who directed more episodes than he acted, appears as Josh Walker, a man who saw Frank Eaton gun down his two sons. Rayford Barnes makes one of his eleven Gunsmoke appearances as Grebbs. William Bryant plays the prosecuting attorney in one of his eight Gunsmoke guest roles. Jon Lormer plays Judge Clayborne in the last of his six Gunsmoke appearances. Lormer had played a judge named Clairborne in the "McCabe" episode from Season 16. William "Bill" Erwin, who participated in fourteen different Gunsmoke stories -- often in uncredited parts -- has a small part as the bailiff at the trial.
Television writers and producers during the era this episode was filmed loved the mistaken identity story where one of the leading characters plays two parts. This story is well done and highly entertaining. The viewer, along with most of the characters, is kept in suspense until almost the end.
- wdavidreynolds
- Aug 27, 2021