Gun-shy

This is Maverick's celebrated spoof of Gunsmoke, emulating its more serious "role model" right down to the pre-credits showdown--with Bret Maverick (James Garner) at the wrong end of the six-shooter. The story is narrated by Marshal Mort Dooley (Ben Gage), who in is never-ending efforts to keep the peace in the Kansas town of Elwood--and to protect his 37 1/2-percent ownership of the Weeping Willow Saloon--vows to rid the town of all its disreputable characters. Innocently falling into this category is our man Bret, who has arrived in Elwood in search of a buried Confederate treasure. Thoughout the proceedings, Bret proves to bit a bit too clever for the dogged Dooley, but somehow the Marshal manages to emerge triumphant as a Legend In His Own Mind. Among the episode's many highlights are the performances of Walker Edmiston as the "Chester" clone and Kathleen O'Malley as the "Kitty" counterpart--who repeatedly utters her one-and-only line, "Be careful, Mort.", This spoof of "Gunsmoke" focuses on Marshal Mort Dooley (Ben Gage), a grim man with a gun aimed at all gamblers in general---and Maverick in particular. Bret: James Garner. Doc: Marshall Kent. Clyde: Walker Edmiston. Amy: Kathleen O'Malley. Badger: Gage Clarke. Hawkins: Reginald Owen. Script by Marion Hargrove.