| "Ma Tennis" | |
|---|---|
| Season 3, Episode #21 Number (#99) in series (635 episodes) | |
| Air date | February 1, 1958 |
| Network | CBS-TV / USA |
| Production code | 3x21 |
| Guest stars: | Nina Varela Ron Hagerthy Corey Allen Russ Bender Jack Harris |
| Written by: | John Meston |
| Directed by: | Buzz Kulik |
| Episode guide | |
| IMDb |  Ma Tennis
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"Ma Tennis" was the 21st episode of Season 3 of Gunsmoke, also the 99th overall episode of the series. Directed by Buzz Kulik, the episode, which was written by John Meston, was originally broadcast on CBS-TV on February 1, 1958.
| "Ma Tennis" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Also see: | ||
| Full Credits | Transcripts | More Images |
Synopsis[]
A woman claims to have killed her outlaw son (Ron Hagerthy) to prevent him from turning himself in (Corey Allen and Russ Bender appear).
Storyline[]
A strong-willed, shotgun-wielding matriarch named Ma Tennis (Nina Varela) helps her son escape from Matt's custody, but the Marshal is equally determined to see the young man tried and sentenced for killing an unarmed man. Headstrong kid Andy Tennis (Ron Hagerthy) kills a poker dealer (Russ Bender) for no good reason. Matt takes him into custody but doesn't figure on the kid's mother with the body of a wrestler, a willful personality, and a shotgun she means to use.
Did You Know?[]
Scene excerpts[]
- Character quotes
- Marshal Matt Dillon: [Walks alone on Boot Hill, thinking aloud] I've seen a lot of young men come west full of big hopes and dreams, and then break themselves trying to work the land that often does nothing for 'em but twist their hearts and fill 'em with defeat and hatred and anger. A lot of 'em turn pretty mean as a result. But the meanest I ever ran into was a woman. Matt Dillon, U. S. Marshal.
- Chester Goode: Well Mr Dillon, she has that shotgun right there by her side. Do you see that?
- Marshal Matt Dillon: Let's get our hands up make it look like were friendly.
- Chester Goode: That... That just makes me a bigger target, that's all.
Soundtracks[]
- The Old Trail - by Rex Koury and Glenn Spencer, Aspen Fair Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
- Oh! Susanna (uncredited) - Music by Stephen Foster, heard on banjo in Long Branch Saloon [background music]
- I've Been Working on the Railroad (uncredited) - American folk song, heard on banjo in Long Branch Saloon [background music]
- Gwine to Run All Night (De Camptown Races) (uncredited) - Music by Stephen Foster, heard on banjo in Long Branch Saloon [background music]
Cast (in credits order)[]
Starring[]
- James Arness as Matt Dillon
- Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode
- Milburn Stone as Galen "Doc" Adams
- Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell
Guest starring[]
- Nina Marela as Ma Tennis
- Ron Hagerthy as Andy Tennis
- Corey Allen as Ben Tennis
- Russ Bender as Dealer
- Jack Harris as Man
- Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
- John George as Barfly (uncredited)
- Tex Holden as Barfly (uncredited)
- Walter Lawrence as Barfly (uncredited)
- Robert Robinson as Barfly (uncredited)
- Brick Sullivan as Bartender (uncredited)