This episode was a rareity. The whole episode was turned over to it's guest star and the regular cast only briefly appeared, mostly at the beginning and end. This was all Richard Basehart's show. He turned in a wonderful and fun performance as a salty old Captain from a Whaling ship, Captain Aaron Sligo who decides to retire in the center of North America which just happens to be near Dodge City in the state of Kansas. His first mate and closest friend Mr. Watley, has arrived before him and has everything set up including a lookouts mast attached to the house.
Mr. Watley is played by Royal Dano, who also appeared in the 1956 feature film "Moby Dick" as Elijah who foretold the ill fate of the Piquad, the ship that Richard Basehart as Ishmael was about to sign up and sail not knowing he would be the sole survivor of its ill fated voyage.
Captain Sligo shows up with a bison pulling his wagon when he spots his new neighbor, the widow Burney with her two youngsters and the beginnings of a rocky courtship for the two.
The widow invites the Captain for dinner. He regaled the youngsters and the widow Burney with some of his rollicking sea tales. He then proceeds to let her know that he is set on marrying her and she challenges him that if he can grow corn on the rocky piece of land he purchased, that when the corn is shoe top high, that she will marry him.
Salome Jens played the role of the widow Burney. The banter between Basehart and Jens is fun to be sure.
This episode got rave reviews and the critics especially applauded Richard Basehart's performance. This was far different from his stolid role as Admiral Harriman Nelson during the four year run of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode of Gunsmoke. The performance of Richard Basehart and the supporting cast made this a truly entertaining hour. This episode originally aired in January 1971 just a few days after New Years Day. I try to catch this episode on a couple of the nostalgia cable TV channels when ever it's on.