Not that the plot is necessarily bad; sometimes you just have to fall back on the standard, tried-and-true Western format, especially when grinding out a new hour show every week.
I enjoyed the guessing-game relationship between Matt and Forrest Tucker, which was well plotted; just when we thought Matt had him figured out, things took a new, unexpected turn.
Festus was again front-and-center; by mid-season #10, Ken Curtis had become an audience favorite, so his prominence in many scripts was increased. His opening "coffee" scene with Doc went on about 30% longer than it should have, but his charming scene with Guitarist (NOT "Fiddler", as the end credits list him) Rudy Sooter..in real-life an old pal of Ken's from their Western music days... was great. INCIDENTALLY...anyone who doesn't know Ken Curtis' real singing should check out his work (c.1950) with the Sons of the Pioneers. Check You-Tube for the religious song "Little White Cross"....you'll be ASTOUNDED, and so will yer' friends and neighbors who only know Ken as Festus.
Speaking of astounding, check out Doc (Milburn Stone) calling out the Square Dance during the big party scene. Now THAT's worth an extra rating star!
Ultimately, the "B-Western" approach to this script lets us down during the final 10 minutes; I though that scene in the old mine would NEVER end, plus the stunt double for Arness was really obvious in the muddy water action. The ending just didn't cut it; nice try..but the rest of the script's relationship between Matt and Forrest T....very nicely laid out....needed something much less predictable and, well...... "B-Western". LR.
I enjoyed the guessing-game relationship between Matt and Forrest Tucker, which was well plotted; just when we thought Matt had him figured out, things took a new, unexpected turn.
Festus was again front-and-center; by mid-season #10, Ken Curtis had become an audience favorite, so his prominence in many scripts was increased. His opening "coffee" scene with Doc went on about 30% longer than it should have, but his charming scene with Guitarist (NOT "Fiddler", as the end credits list him) Rudy Sooter..in real-life an old pal of Ken's from their Western music days... was great. INCIDENTALLY...anyone who doesn't know Ken Curtis' real singing should check out his work (c.1950) with the Sons of the Pioneers. Check You-Tube for the religious song "Little White Cross"....you'll be ASTOUNDED, and so will yer' friends and neighbors who only know Ken as Festus.
Speaking of astounding, check out Doc (Milburn Stone) calling out the Square Dance during the big party scene. Now THAT's worth an extra rating star!
Ultimately, the "B-Western" approach to this script lets us down during the final 10 minutes; I though that scene in the old mine would NEVER end, plus the stunt double for Arness was really obvious in the muddy water action. The ending just didn't cut it; nice try..but the rest of the script's relationship between Matt and Forrest T....very nicely laid out....needed something much less predictable and, well...... "B-Western". LR.