Rauchende Colts Caleb (1955–1975) Online

In this excellent story we have a couple living on the prairie but having a hard time at things. Caleb and Dorcas Marr are trying to make a meager living out of dry soil. They take their potatoes into town and only get $20 for the entire load. They were wanting much more but settle for the small amount. And from the beginning you can tell that Dorcas is staying with the meek and mild Caleb just because of the marriage.

Meanwhile Marshal Dillon is taking Chad Follet to Hays City to hang. But outside the office Chad's brother Lige is awaiting. He tells the Marshal that he will never let his brother hang and Matt has to beat him up on the street and place him in jail with Lige saying he will kill the Marshal first chance he gets. All this happens in front of Caleb and he feels like he wish he could be someone like Matt Dillon.

Later Caleb tells his wife that he may move into Dodge. She replies that he is a failure here so he will be a failure in Dodge. He goes anyway and is excited to see city life. He goes to the Long Branch and is talking to a saloon girl named Julie when Lige comes in trying to take Julie with him. The meek Caleb stands up to him before Kitty gets involved but the word around town is that Caleb face-downed Lige. Caleb is liking the talk.

The next day Lige comes face to face with Caleb in the street of Dodge where everyone gathers. The crowd thinks that Caleb is going to fight Lige but they are disappointed to find out that Caleb seems afraid and apologizes for his actions. Now he is back feeling like a failure.

Matt returns from Hay City and is talking with Caleb. Lige comes out of the shadows with a gun pointed at the Marshal. With Caleb looking on shots will be fired.

This is an excellent written script. Plenty of action and plenty of fine acting. Actually was very surprised and very entertained at the way the show ended which always makes for good conversation. A fine episode you will enjoy.

PS- You also get a very well trained dog in this episode.

This is one of my favorite Gunsmoke episodes. You really feel for Caleb. He couldn't make it as a farmer, and was unsuccessful as a husband and as a father.The only potatoes he could harvest were too small to earn them much money. His wife actually called him a failure. He loved children, but his wife did not want any. She made it clear that she was glad they never had any. His best friend in the whole world was a big dog. Caleb left his wife and farm for Dodge City to see if a change of scenario might give his life more meaning.He desperately wanted his life to count for something. He was fascinated with the activities of the city. He wanted to somehow be like Marshall Dillon. Some of the people of Dodge received something vicariously when Caleb verbally challenged a rude outlaw, but later felt betrayed when he apologized to the man. They called him a "fraud," reinforcing Caleb's own self-doubts. If it was today Caleb might have sought re-training in a helping profession. In the old west your options were limited.

Calculatedly heart-breaking, but heartbreaking, nonetheless.

John Dehner isn't among my favorite actors, but here he gives a touching performance as Caleb Marr, an older man (in the 19th century, 43 was old and 50 was the age to retire) with an unsympathetic wife, who feels his life has had no meaning or purpose. (He's an unsuccessful dirt farmer, and one can't help but think of Dan Fielding's parents.)

Watching Marshal Dillon confidently handle a serious situation only exacerbates his sense of uselessness. He returns to Dodge to tell Dillon of his admiration, but Matt is away for a few days escorting a murderer to his execution. It's at this point that the ending becomes so obvious Helen Keller could spot it from the Andromeda galaxy.

Special praise must be directed at the dog playing Caleb's dog, Dog. Unlike Moose ("Frasier"), who often looked as if he was following his trainer's commands, this critter (apparently the animal who played Will Timble's dog in "No Hands") seems to be thinking for himself. When he lays down next to the dying Caleb, you'll probably break into tears.

A predictable, sentimental episode that doesn't come across as crudely manipulative.

Caleb Marr is a man who has come to the inescapable realization that he has failed in all aspects of what it means to succeed or fail in the eyes of society, as he sees these things. His wife never misses an opportunity to reaffirm his total sum as a man is no greater than the meager crops he yields as a "dirt farmer". Any hopes he had to raise a family as a source of pride and joy will never happen either, as his wife saw no pride, no joy..... rather more messes, chores and meals to make with resources they didnt have for themselves, let alone more mouths they would have had to feed. These bitter realizations were too little too late for Caleb. The least he could do is move to Dodge City to see what, if anything might still be salvaged from the life he believes, to that point, he had squandered. Without giving away any of what happens, the story of Caleb is profound as we see it is never too late to "make it count for something". Caleb is a gentleman and a gentle man. He was kind to his beloved dog, called "Dog-Dog-Dog". He found pleasure in time spent with children who needed help with a broken wheel for their little wagon. He defended a lady's honor because it was the right thing to do. He saw the best and the worst in people but never needed a compass to know where true north was as far as right and wrong were concerned. If my review sounds over the top, I can only say I have not done justice to the writer(s) of the teleplay. The actors and dog trainer are superb, as is typical with Gunsmoke. John Dehner was a remarkably gifted and versatile character actor.

There are a few things happening here that makes me tear up so much. John Dehner with his facial expressions showed alot about the depression he's having to deal with. Because of the lack of respect and affection he's been getting from his wife and others. Also the way the old dog need for affection and a buddy to hang out with. Because I can relate to the two sad souls here...This episode will stay with me awhile.

Today was the first time I saw the episode having grown up in my early years in the mid 1960's and 70's and watching endlessly the color episodes from Years 12 through 20. This was a masterpiece from the 176 episode collection of one hour black and white presentations representing Years Seven through Eleven, Gunsmoke's best period helmed by the exceptional writings of John Meston and Kathleen Hite. Caleb is the story of a man reaching 45 years of age and despite his hard life as a dirt farmer, he never amounted to much. He couldn't even grow a decent batch of potato's. His wife did not make his life any happier, always belittling him and denied him children as he was not worthy, in her eyes, of children. Caleb sees Marshall Dillon and that's who he wants to be. He knows that is an impossibility, but in that one brief instance, his strength comes forward and he lays down his life in protecting the Marshall from a ruthless killer. All he had at the end dying in the street was the friendship of his dog that laid beside him and surrounded by the Marshall and townsfolk thankful for the sacrifice he made by taking a bullet meant for the Marshall. Caleb is the story of people reflecting on their lives. Most see Marshall Dillon and see who they want to be and then seeing Caleb and realizing that's who they really are.

I cant say I was as choked up as all these guys but i thought it an excellent episide with outstanding acting. And they didnt rush the telling. It unfolded in a thouhtfilled way. We could see Calebd mind working.