“Gunsmoke” was an amazing series probably never to be seen again lasting 20 seasons. This ninth season features some stellar storylines and some solid acting starting with James Arness himself. Although it is nine seasons in at this point, the show still felt fresh with good writing and finely fleshed out characters that, outside of the main cast, were one-off. The DVD released by Paramount shows off some impressive digital restoration although the bonus features are non-existent.
“Gunsmoke”: The Ninth Season, Volumes 1 & 2 (1964-65)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Western, Drama
Paramount | NR – 910 min. / 910 min. – $49.99 ea. | August 6, 2013
MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: Various
Writer(s): John Meston (created by)
Cast: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Burt Reynolds
DISC INFO:
Features: None
Number of Discs: 5
Audio: English (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Video: Full Frame 1.33
Subtitles: English SDH
Region(s): 1
THE SHOW
Season 9, Volume 1 Outline: Double Emmy nominee James Arness corrals all the action as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, doing his best to temper justice with fairness and respect. But keeping the good folks of Dodge City safe from heartless heartbreakers, clever ex-cons and prairie predators requires help, so he turns to his loyal deputy Chester Goode (DENNIS WEAVER), salty saloon proprietress Miss Kitty (AMANDA BLAKE), blacksmith Quint Asher (BURT REYNOLDS), and Dodge City’s resident physician Doc Adams (MILBURN STONE).
Season 9.1 Episodes:
1. Kate Heller
2. Lover Boy
3. Legends Don’t Sleep
4. Tube
5. Easy Come
6. My Sister’s Keeper
7. Quint’s Trail
8. Carter Caper
9. Ex-Con
10. Extradition (Part 1)
11. Extradition (Part 2)
12. The Magician
13. Pa Kack’s Brood
14. The Glory and the Mud
15. Dry Well
16. Prairie Wolfer
17. Friend
18. Once a Haggen
Season 9, Volume 2 Outline: Dodge City’s resident marshal Matt Dillon (ARNESS) defends the territory and doles out justice on a daily basis. From aggressive prairie clans and desperate farmers to sneaky medicine men and killer cons. Dillon knows how to keep his city safe. Keeping the peace is a full time job for Dillon, as he works together with Deputy Chester (WEAVER), saloon owner Miss Kitty (BLAKE), blacksmith Quint Asper (REYNOLDS) and town healer Doc Adams (STONE).
Season 9.2 Episodes:
1. No Hands
2. Mayblossom
3. The Bassops
4. The Kite
5. Comanches is Soft
6. Father Love
7. Now That April’s There
8. Caler
9. Owney Tupper Had a Daughter
10. Bentley
11. Kitty-Cornered
12. The Promoter
13. Trip West
14. Scott Free
15. The Warden
16. Homecoming
17. The Other Half
18. Journey for Three
SPECIAL FEATURES – 0/5
No features have been included in either volume set.
VIDEO – 3.75/5
“Gunsmoke” Season 9, Volumes 1 & 2 arrive on DVD presented in its original 1.33 full frame aspect ratio. Having been digitally remastered, these separate volume sets look as good as possible with minimal amounts of scratches and dust marks.
AUDIO – 3.0/5
The sets include standard Dolby Digital Mono tracks which aren’t anything amazing but certainly get the job done with clear dialogue and showcasing the score and other ambient elements.
OVERALL – 3.0/5
Overall, “Gunsmoke” was an amazing series probably never to be seen again lasting 20 seasons. This ninth season features some stellar storylines and some solid acting starting with James Arness himself. Although it is nine seasons in at this point, the show still felt fresh with good writing and finely fleshed out characters that, outside of the main cast, were one-off. The DVD released by Paramount shows off some impressive digital restoration although the bonus features are non-existent. However, at $64 for the two volumes (as of 8/13/14), it is a bit pricey so I would wait for them to go on sale. Currently other season volume sets go for around $23 each.
Published: 08/13/2013