Upon arriving in Dodge, Molly McConnell immediately begins her search for her husband. Shockingly, she discovers that he has been slain, with Dillon being held responsible. Fueled by grief and anger, she questions why this news wasn’t delivered earlier. Determined to seek justice, Molly embarks on a mission to learn how to shoot to avenge her husband’s death by taking Dillon’s life. Gunsmoke Bad Lady from Brookline aired on May 1, 1965.

Explore the plot and trivia of “Bad Lady from Brookline,” or catch the full episode below.

Watch the Full Episode of Bad Lady from Brookline

Watch the full episode of Bad Lady from Brookline:

Gunsmoke Bad Lady from Brookline Cast

The following cast members acted in the Gunsmoke episode, Bad Lady from Brookline:

• James Arness as Matt Dillon
• Milburn Stone as Doc
• Amanda Blake as Kitty
• Ken Curtis as Festus
• Betty Hutton as Molly McConnell
• John Hubbard as LaFarge
• Jonathan Kidd as Harper
• Billy Bowles as Willie McConnell
• Ollie O’Toole as Herb
• Jan Peters as Curley
• Glenn Strange as Sam
• Eddie Hice as Cowboy
• Tom McCauley as Ben
• Claude Akins as Sy Sherne
• Charles Bail as Barfly (uncredited)
• John Barton as Townsman (uncredited)
• Nick Borgani as Townsman (uncredited)
• Earl Brown as Townsman (uncredited)
• George Bruggeman as Stage Passenger (uncredited)
• Stephen Burnette as Townsman (uncredited)
• Russell Custer as Townsman (uncredited)
• Herman Hack as Townsman (uncredited)
• Chuck Hamilton as Townsman (uncredited)
• Tom Kennedy as Townsman (uncredited)
• Bert Madrid as Townsman (uncredited)
• Mickey Martin as Townsman (uncredited)
• Rod McGaughy as Barfly (uncredited)
• Rex Moore as Townsman (uncredited)
• Jimmy Noel as Townsman (uncredited)
• John Rice as Townsman (uncredited)
• Robert Robinson as Stage Passenger (uncredited)
• Chick Sheridan as Townsman (uncredited)
• Rudy Sooter as Townsman (uncredited)
• George Sowards as Townsman (uncredited)
• Sailor Vincent as Townsman (uncredited)
• Max Wagner as Townsman (uncredited)
• Joe Walls as Townsman (uncredited)

Full Story Line for Bad Lady from Brookline

Upon her arrival in Dodge City, Molly McConnell (portrayed by Betty Hutton) immediately begins her quest to find her husband. However, her search takes a devastating turn when she learns of his demise and discovers that Dillon is accountable. Confounded by the delay in this revelation, Molly resolves to master shooting skills to exact her revenge.

Upon arrival in Dodge with her young son, Molly inquired about her husband from the stagecoach personnel. Despite evasive responses, Matt eventually discloses the grim truth: her husband has been killed. Rather than succumbing to grief, Molly directs her anger towards Marshal Dillon, blaming him for failing to safeguard her husband. Unbeknownst to her, her husband was involved in cattle theft and met his demise during a confrontation with outlaws, where Matt, as the lawman, was present. Misguided, she perceives Dillon as the culprit and seeks vengeance.

Adding fuel to the fire is Sy Sherne (played by Claude Akins), a friend of her late husband, who harbors hatred towards Marshal Dillon. Capitalizing on Molly’s desire for retribution, Sherne aids her in acquiring a firearm and imparts shooting skills. Practicing with fervor, Molly fixates on avenging her husband’s death by targeting the Marshal. As Matt returns from his two-week absence, Molly sees her opportunity to act.

Full Script and Dialogue

♪♪

Whoa.

Dodge City, everybody out.

- Hey... -(whistles)
- (men exclaiming)

- Oh-ho!
- (whistles appreciatively)

(man laughs)

I'll have your bags down
for you in a jiffy, ma'am.

Thank you.

I'll bet you're the new
schoolmarm we're expecting.

- Oh, no.
- A lady preacher?

(laughs)

Oh, be careful with that!

It's full of bottles.

(all laughing)

Bottles?

What are you, a lady
whiskey drummer?

- (men laughing)
- Oh... Oh, no.

Not whiskey bottles;
perfume bottles.

- (men murmur)
- Oh...

Now, you ain't come to Dodge

to preach us temperance
and save our souls, have you?

No.

I've come here to make
a home with my husband.

- Oh...
- Husband?

Yes.

Perhaps one of you
could direct us to him.

His name is Calvin McConnell.

But... but... he knew
we were coming.

Oh, maybe he was
called away on business.

Out of town, well,
that's it, ma'am.

He was called out of town.

Um, maybe Sy Sherne
could tell you more about him.

Sherne?

Well, he and your husband
was business partners.

- Oh.
- Kind of.

(laughs) I'll try to
find him for you.

Thank you.

Is anything wrong, Ma?

Oh, no, son.

Everything's just fine.

Morning, Festus.

Well, Matthew...

you fixin' to go
someplace, are you?

Well, I've been
telling you all month

I'm going up to the
Colton trial, remember?

Oh. Clean forgot about that.

And I want you to
do something for me

while I'm gone, too, Festus.

Keep an eye on
things around here.

If there's any trouble,

you just send me a
wire up there, all right?

Well, I'll do my best, Matthew.

Only I don't... Only what?

I don't think you'd
ought to leave right now.

Why not?

Reckon somebody's
gotta tell you...

Solid McConnell's wife just
come to town on the stagecoach.

Are you sure?

Sure, I'm sure.

Bag, baggage,
young'un and everything,

and she's asking
about her husband.

(sighs)

Anybody tell her anything?

Ain't nobody got the nerve.

Well, y-you ain't
fixin' to tell her

actual what happened, are you?

Well, I can't very well do that.

Well, what are you
gonna tell her, then?

I don't know, I'll have
to think of something.

Ma, why is everybody
looking at us?

Oh.

Well, that's because we're
strangers in town, dear,

and people are always
curious about strangers.

Mrs. McConnell?

Mr. Sherne.

Well, no, I'm Matt
Dillon, ma'am.

I'm the marshal here in Dodge.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I was told to
expect a Mr. Sherne.

You know, I can't understand

why he wasn't here to meet us.

Unless my letter got lost.

Well, uh, maybe I could
help explain that to you.

Would you have a minute
to stop by my office?

Why, of course, Marshal.

Come along, William.

Oh, Mrs. McConnell, this
is Festus Haggen, here.

- How do you do?
- How do, Mrs. McConnell?

This is Billy, Festus.

Billy.

Uh, maybe you, uh...

could tell Billy a story
or two for a minute

while I talk to Mrs. McConnell?

Of course I can.

I got a whole passel of 'em.

Every one of 'em's true.

Come sit down, Mrs. McConnell.

Marshal... my husband...

he's in trouble, isn't he?

Mrs. McConnell, I don't know
any easy way to tell you this.

Your husband's dead.

Dead?

But... but how?

Well, it was... it was
kind of an accident.

You see, there was a
shooting out here in the street

- two or three weeks ago...
- "Kind of an accident"?

You mean you're
trying to tell me

he was killed in a gunfight?

That's about it, yes.

It's-it's hard to explain to
someone like you, that's...

But aren't you the marshal?

Is it not your job

to prevent terrible things
like this happening?

Or doesn't that badge
mean anything to you?

I know how you must
feel, Mrs. McConnell.

Oh, really?

Is that because
you're accustomed

to telling women like me

that their husbands have been
shot down dead in the streets?!

I'm sorry, ma'am.

(sighs)

You're sorry.

Well, perhaps you
could tell me who did it.

Uh, no, I... I can't.

Not... not exactly.

Not exactly?

I see.

- Mrs. McConnell...
- Good day!

(Festus speaking indistinctly)

Well, appears to me like you
just ain't her favorite marshal.

Well, I can't say I
blame her, Festus.

She comes all the way
out here to find her husband,

and I have to tell her
that he's been killed.

Well, that scamp had it coming.

What'd she say when
you told her how it was did?

I didn't tell her that part.

Well, what in the thunder
did you tell her, then?

I told her it was an accident.

I reckon it was,
in kind of a way,

but golly Bill, Matthew,

- you can't just keep...
- Festus, look,

it's bad enough having to
tell a woman she's a widow

without having to tell
her that her husband died

because he was shot
while stealing cattle.

What do you reckon'll happen

when she finds out
what the truth is?

Well, I don't know.

Maybe she'll get on the stage

and go back where she came from.

Ma, where's Pa?

Never mind. I'll tell you later.

Are we gonna stay here? Are we?

You bet your life we are!

Here, Willie.

Is there something I
can do for you, ma'am?

Yes, you can.

Do you know of a
good place we can stay

that's clean but inexpensive?

Well, why don't you and
the boy just sit down here,

rest yourselves, and
I'll see what I can do.

Thank you very much.

Come on, Willie.

That's very kind of you.

Well, it's the least we can do

after what happened
to your husband.

You knew Calvin?

Most everybody knew
Solid McConnell, ma'am.

Willie, go look
around the town, huh?

WILLIE: Okay.

Then maybe you can
tell me who killed him.

You mean the marshal didn't say?

Oh, yes.

The marshal told
me he had been shot,

but he didn't seem very anxious

to tell me who did it.

Well, ma'am, I'm sure if
the marshal can't tell you,

well, there's nothing that I
could say that would help.

(sighs)

Excuse me.

Mrs. McConnell?

Yes?

I'm Sy Sherne, your
husband's partner.

Oh... Mr. Sherne,
am I glad to see you.

Do you know who shot my husband?

Do I know...?

Well, of course I
know, Mrs. McConnell.

Everybody in town knows.

- What?
- Uh...

maybe we'd better
start at the beginning.

You see... (clears throat)

your husband and I

were actually partners
in several ventures...

MAN: Marshal... Herb,
something wrong?

Well, I don't know as you'd
call it "wrong," Marshal,

but Mrs. McConnell's
over at the stage depot

trying to find out who
killed her husband.

You tell her anything?

Nothing.

But I don't think it's gonna
take her long to find out.

Look who she's talking to.

And the next thing I knew,

they brought your
husband back into town

shot full of holes.

Back into town?

You mean he wasn't
killed here in Dodge?

No.

The shooting was
not an accident?

An accident?

Mrs. McConnell, your
husband was shot in a gunfight

by the marshal of Dodge City.

The marshal?

Oh... that's so hard to believe.

Well, ask anybody.

Even better, there's
the marshal himself.

Ask him.

Uh-oh, here she comes,

madder than a wet hen.

There is just one thing I
want to know from you.

Did you or did you
not kill my husband?

Is that what he told you?

I'm asking you the question.

Mrs. McConnell, it
isn't quite that simple.

Then it's true.

You killed him.

You're a murderer!

No, ma'am, I'm not.

But there's times
when I'm tempted.

Do I understand that you
called Matthew a killer?

Well, I wouldn't expect you
to go along with that, Festus,

you being a friend of his.

That's right.

I sure am.

Well, come on.

Get up.

I'll get on you
like ugly on a ape.

Did you see that?

He's a killer, just
like the marshal.

You'd better not try me.

You're liable to
find out, knot-head.

Oh, that... that hurts.

Mr. Sherne, you say
that everyone in town

knew the marshal
shot my husband.

Yeah, that's right.

Well, then, why hasn't someone
done something about it?

Especially you...
You were his partner.

Well, yes, I was, but...

he wasn't exactly
my kind of partner.

Now...

if you'd like to
take over his share,

I'm sure there's a little
money left in the kitty.

Mr. Sherne,

how much is there
left in the kitty?

Oh, I don't know,

I suppose there's,
uh... $80, $90.

$80 or $90?

Then Calvin's share
would be $45, right?

Well, I suppose so.

(sighs)

Could you put the $45
in my hand right now?

Thank you, Mr. Sherne.

And for your honesty,

I will consider this
complete and full payment

of my husband's
partnership with you.

Well, that's very
generous of you.

Thank you, Mr. Sherne.

You've been most helpful,

and I'm sure you'll
continue to be.

(knocks on counter)

(clears throat)

Yes, madam? Welcome.

I, uh... I want to buy a gun.

Oh, that's quite
understandable, lady.

You know, history
to the contrary,

women have always
protected themselves.

Now, I have just
the gun for you.

Now...

the derringer is the
perfect weapon for a lady.

It's light, accurate,

simple to manage and
adequate to the task.

Observe the superb workmanship,

the delicate engraving...

No, I want a real gun.

Like this one.

Oh, no. No, madam.

No. (laughs) That's a man's gun.

It-It's much too heavy for you.

Try it.

(laughs)

You see what I mean.

Yes, I see very
well what you mean.

How much is it?

Well... $22... Here you are.

Oh, no.

P-Permit me.

Permit me, madam...

I'll make you a gift of
the difference in prices.

The derringer is yours.

Like all sweet men,

you just make
things more difficult.

Now, Festus, don't forget.

If there's any trouble
around here at all,

you just send me a
telegram in Hays City.

Golly Bill, Matthew,

you don't have to
keep a-harping on it.

I got it the first time.

All right.

Well, I'll see you later, then.

See you.

MRS. McCONNELL: How
long is he going to be gone?

Uh, beg your pardon, ma'am?

I said, how long is
he going to be gone?

Oh, a couple weeks, maybe three.

But don't you
fret about a thing,

'cause I'm gonna be
right here till he gets back.

So am I, Mr. Deputy.

So am I.

(clears throat)

Pardon me.

Good morning.

Oh, good morning,
Mrs. McConnell.

You know who I am?

Well, news travels real
fast in Dodge, ma'am.

Most everyone knew your husband.

Why, he was in here almost...

Is there something I
could do for you, ma'am?

Well, yes, as a
matter of fact, you can.

I understand a Miss
Russell owns this, uh...

Saloon, Mrs. McConnell.

That's Miss Russell.

Oh.

Thank you.

Um, Miss Russell?

I'm Mrs. McConnell.

Yes, I know.

Well, I... I don't know
quite how to say this.

I find myself in rather
an awkward position.

You see, I have a son to support

and-and no money.

You'd like a small loan

to get you back to Boston.

Oh, no. I want a job.

A job?

Yes, uh...

I've been told I have
rather a nice voice.

I used to sing in a choir.

Um... I thought perhaps
singing to the men

while they were
drinking... Well, I...

I don't really know what to say.

Well, could you
give me an audition?

Uh... well, I, uh...

I don't suppose that
could do any harm. I...

Uh... why don't you
come back about 2:00

and in the meantime...

Thank you very
much, Miss Russell.

Thank you very much!

(playing gentle melody)

♪ Darling ♪

♪ I am growing old ♪

♪ Silver threads ♪

♪ Among the gold ♪

♪ Shine upon my brow ♪

♪ Today ♪

♪ Life is fading ♪

♪ Fast away. ♪

Well, that was very nice.

You have a nice voice.

Oh, thank you.

Um... but I'm
afraid my customers

don't lean to that
kind of music.

What do you mean?

Well, they're a real rough bunch

and they come in here to drink

and look at the pretty
girls and laugh and...

Well, maybe I could
try something else.

Uh... how about this
here one, ma'am?

"I tore my cotton britches

on the Mason-Dixon line."

(gasps)

We'll stay with "Silver
Threads among the Gold."

(men talking, laughing)

Ladies and gentlemen,

may I have your
attention, please?

Please be quiet!

Quiet, please!

(talking quiets slightly)

And now, with great pleasure,

we introduce Mrs.
Molly McConnell!

(one person applauds)

Why don't you boys shut
up and let the lady sing?

Thank you, sir.

Don't pay attention,
I'll blow your heads off.

(men continue talking)

("Silver Threads
among the Gold" begins)

♪ Darling ♪

♪ I am growing old ♪

- (talking dies away)
- ♪ Silver threads ♪

♪ Among the gold ♪

♪ Shine upon my brow ♪

♪ Today ♪

♪ Life is fading ♪

♪ Fast away ♪

♪ But my darling ♪

♪ You will be ♪

♪ Will be ♪

♪ Always young ♪

♪ And fair to me ♪

♪ Yes, my darling ♪

♪ You will be ♪

♪ Always young ♪

♪ And fair to me. ♪

Well, come on, boys!

(murmuring)

- Come on!
- (laughter)

(lively piano music playing)

It would've been kinder

not to give her
any chance at all.

Well, when you come
right down to it, Miss Kitty,

she didn't give you much choice.

Kitty, I'm so sorry.

I made a fool of
myself, didn't I?

I should never have let you try.

But at least now you know
that you don't belong here.

Will you let me
loan you the money

to go back to Boston?

Oh, no, no, I can't.

I've gotta stay here in Do...

I mean, I want to
stay here in Dodge.

Oh, Kitty, maybe
there's some way

I could win them over.

If I can... would you please,

please give me another chance?

Molly, giving you another chance

isn't gonna help.

Not unless we could think
of something that, uh...

would make the
customers want to buy

what you've got to sell.

Go on.

Take that dress, for instance.

That's just fine for
the church social,

but it's hardly
the kind of thing

that men expect
to see in a saloon.

Do you understand?

Yes, I think so.

I might have
something that'll fit you.

(Molly gasps)

Try this.

Oh.

But, Kitty... I've never worn

anything like this
in my whole life.

- (gasps) -It only
hurts for a few minutes.

- Oh...
- Why don't you go back there

and try it on?

Molly, do you know
any other songs

besides those ballads
for Sunday socials?

Uh... I... I know

"Coming... Coming
'Round the Mountain."

All of it?

(Molly grunts)

I think so.

♪ She'll be coming 'round the
mountain when she comes ♪

♪ She'll be coming 'round ♪

♪ The mountain when she comes ♪

♪ She'll be coming
'round the mountain ♪

♪ She'll be coming
'round the mountain ♪

♪ She'll be coming 'round the
mountain when she comes. ♪

How's that?

It's a start.

(clears throat)

Well, that certainly
is an improvement.

Kitty... it's so tight.

KITTY: That's the general idea.

You mean, if I wear
something like this,

they'll listen to me?

You got the face

and you certainly
got the figure.

(sighs) What are we going to do

about that refined
voice of yours?

Oh.

Kitty, I meant to tell you.

Once, I walked by
a saloon like yours

and I looked in and
there was a girl singing.

And she did a funny
thing with her voice.

Haw-aw-ah!

That's it!

You mean...

if I sing like that,
they'll listen?

Will they?

Honey, you just throw
your shoulders back

and get down there and howl.

Haw-aw-ah!

(lively piano music playing)

♪ But he caught
his cotton britches ♪

♪ Yes, he went and
caught his britches ♪

♪ Oh, he tore his
cotton britches ♪

♪ On the Mason ♪

♪ Dixon ♪

♪ Line. ♪

(cheering)

How about "Frankie and Johnny"?

(men whooping, whistling)

(lively piano music playing)

♪ Frankie and Johnny
were sweethearts ♪

♪ Oh, Lordy, how
they could love ♪

♪ Swore to be
true to each other ♪

♪ As true as the stars above ♪

♪ He was her man ♪

♪ But he was doing her wrong ♪

♪ Well, Frankie went
down to the corner ♪

- ♪ To pick up a bucket of beer ♪
- (men whoop)

♪ The bartender
told her that Johnny ♪

♪ Had been kissing
some other girl's ear ♪

♪ He was her man ♪

♪ But he was doing her wrong ♪

♪ Frankie flew into a tantrum ♪

♪ She whipped out that old .44 ♪

♪ And that rooty-toot-toot ♪

- ♪ That gal did shoot ♪
- (gunshot)

♪ Right through that
old wood swinging door ♪

♪ He was her man ♪

♪ But he was doing her wrong ♪

♪ Now this is the
end of my story ♪

♪ This is the end of my song ♪

♪ Frankie is down
in that jailhouse ♪

♪ And she cries the
whole night long ♪

♪ He was her man ♪

♪ He was doing her ♪

♪ He was doing her... ♪

♪ He was doing her wrong. ♪

(cheering, applause)

Oh, Kitty... I don't
understand all of this

and I know it's dreadful

but I just love it!

Well, you're not the first.

You mean... you'll keep me on?

Long as the Long
Branch fills up.

You're the best thing for
business since the drought.

Oh. Oh, Kitty...

I don't know how
to thank you, but...

you don't think
it's disrespectful

to my husband, do you?

No, I wouldn't call it
disrespectful to Calvin.

After all, he was a man
who liked a good song.

(exhales)

I guess you're right.

Kitty... I owe you
such a great deal.

Thank you.

- (gasps) -I saw your turn
at the Long Branch tonight.

Good. Very good.

You're an amazing woman, Molly.

What do you want?

Just to congratulate you.

Should there be something else?

No, there should not be.

Look, I saw the way you
handled that crowd tonight

and I got an idea.

You're working for wages
over at the Long Branch.

You're putting money
in Kitty's pocket...

money that could be
going into yours and mine.

What do you mean?

There's another saloon
in town called the Oasis

I already own a
partial interest in,

and I think I could get up
enough money to buy them out.

And then you and
me could run it.

You mean as partners.

SHERNE: That's right.

I thought you
didn't like partners.

Remember, you said
my husband was a liability.

Well, let's just say that
he didn't have your assets.

Good night, Mr. Sherne!

I'm giving you time
to think about it.

Well, close the
door on your way out.

(gunshot, horse neighs)

(hammer clicks)

(horse neighs)

Mr. Sherne!

I just saw your shooting.

Nobody in front of
you is in any danger.

Why don't you take
yourself someplace else?

I know what you're up to, Molly.

You need me.

Don't call me Molly.

Now, you've got a
plan, you've got a gun...

now you've got
to learn to shoot.

From what I saw, you've
got to have a teacher.

Well, I'm the best
gun there is, Molly.

The best.

You need me.

- Mr. Sherne...
- No. Sy.

What do you expect
to get out of all this?

Let's don't play games, Molly.

You see the poster?

Now, you start shooting at that

while I study what
we got to work with.

No, no.

You're... you're
working at it too hard.

You want to go
about it slow and easy.

Just easy...

Well, now, just...
easy and relaxed.

See? You got your
shoulders all clenched.

Just easy. That's it.

Now just... just relax.

Relax.

That's right.

All right.

Now let's see you draw.

No.

No, you're just
not strong enough.

No woman is.

It takes, uh, it takes
muscle to claw a gun.

We gotta figure another way,

something more natural.

Here.

Now.

Now do this.

Okay.

No, not so wide.

That's better.

Again.

Okay. Again.

All right. Once more.

That's it. Now... this time,

without moving your body,

put your hand on your gun.

Now, without aiming,
look at the poster

and as fast as you
can, draw and shoot.

(gunshot, men cheering)

You're a natural
Texas cross draw.

You're gonna do fine.

Mrs. McConnell...

I don't reckon you'd
know about this,

but being a deputy,
I'm obliged to tell you

it's agin the law for you
to be a-shooting your pistol

inside the town limits of Dodge.

Oh, really, Deputy?

What are you going to do,

take my gun away from me?

(men laughing)

Ain't nothing else I can do

if you're gonna
keep on shootin' it.

I don't think so, Festus.

You haven't got
the drop on me now.

Uh, Deputy, tell me,
where are the town limits?

Out yonder a piece.

Runs right through
them cottonwoods.

Well, then, for the
benefit of the law,

shall we move to
them thar cottonwoods?

- (men laughing)
- Mrs. McConnell.

I know this here ain't
none of my business,

but you oughtn't to be
a-toting that hog leg around.

It just ain't fittin' for
a woman to do that.

Is that all?

No, ma'am, it ain't.

Now, you ain't a-doing
nothing but storing up trouble

for yourself by throwing
in with that Sy Sherne.

Why, the biggest
part of his life,

he's a-been having
ruckuses with the law.

Deputy, it seems to me

that the only law that
anyone respects around here

is the law of the gun,

and I intend to learn to use it.

And when I've learned to use it,

I'm gonna shoot your friend
the marshal down in cold blood,

just like he shot my husband!

(cheering)

I'm telling you, Miss Kitty,

she's a-fixin' to kill Matthew

and she told me that herself.

Why didn't you
tell me this before?

Well, golly Bill, I
didn't believe it.

I just figured it as fool talk.

But she's been out there every
day for two weeks a-practicing.

And that Sy Sherne's
been a-helping her.

This is ridiculous.

Well, you can call
it what you want to,

but it's a-happening.

And I'll tell you
something else.

She's a-gettin' dang good.

I'll give you the
Haggen truth, Miss Kitty,

I wouldn't want to
draw agin her myself.

Why, she's slicker
than possum fat

and a-gettin' better every day.

(knocking at door)

Come in.

Pardon me, Miss
Kitty, I got things to do.

Sam said you wanted to see me.

That's right.

Sit down, Molly.

Is it true that you've
been practicing with a gun

in order to kill Matt Dillon?

That's right.

Why?

Wh y?

The marshal murdered my husband.

That's not true.

How would you know?

Sy Sherne told me he killed him.

The marshal killed your husband

in a gunfight with
a gang of outlaws.

There's a great big difference.

Is that what he told you?

Not in so many words.

But he's a United
States Marshal,

and when people
start shooting at him,

he's gonna shoot back.

Well, let me tell you something.

I was Calvin's
wife for 12 years.

In all that time, he
never carried a gun.

Molly, listen to me.

I don't know what happened

the night your
husband was killed.

Matt isn't the kind of man

that talks about
things like that.

But I do know one thing.

Matt wouldn't kill any man,

let alone your husband,

without good reason.

And if you think otherwise,

then you just don't know
what you're talking about.

Oh, Kitty...

He-he belongs to you.

Matt's a man with
no strings on him.

Let's just say he's more
mine than anybody else's.

I'm so sorry.

If I'd known that,

I wouldn't have come here.

I owe you a great deal, Kitty...

but not Matt Dillon's life.

Do you realize
what you're doing?

He can't fight a woman.

I know.

That will give me an edge

that Calvin did not have.

(lively piano music playing)

(men talking, laughing)

(whooping)

♪ My man and I live all alone ♪

♪ In a little log hut
we call our own ♪

♪ He loves gin and I love rum ♪

♪ I'll tell you what,
we have lots of fun ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha ♪

♪ You and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug,
how I love thee ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha ♪

♪ You and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug,
how I love thee ♪

♪ It's you who makes
my friends and foes ♪

♪ It's you who makes
me wear old clothes ♪

♪ Here you are,
so near my nose ♪

♪ So tip you up
and down you go ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha ♪

♪ You and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug,
how I love thee ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha ♪

♪ You and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug,
how I love thee ♪

(men shouting)

♪ If I had a cow ♪

♪ That gave such milk ♪

♪ I'd clothe her
in the finest silk ♪

♪ I'd feed her on ♪

♪ The choicest hay ♪

♪ And milk her 40 times a day ♪

ALL: ♪ Ha, ha, ha ♪

♪ You and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug,
how I love thee ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha ♪

♪ You and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug, how I ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Thee. ♪

(cheering)

♪♪

(gunshot)

- Hey!
- Hey!

Look at that, will you?

(exclaiming)

Hey, how about that?

(gunshot)

(gunshot)

(gunshot)

Well, I've got to admit, Festus,

that's quite a story.

Matthew, you just
don't understand.

You think I'm a-storying
to you, don't you?

DILLON: Well, hello, Doc.

Matt, how are you?

FESTUS: Now, that
woman is out to kill you,

and I mean it.

By golly, he's right
about that, Matt.

You just got back, did you?

Yeah. Festus has
been filling me in

on all the details here.

Well, she's a mighty determined
woman, I'll tell you that.

Now, it might help if you just

tell her you didn't
kill her husband.

How'd you know that?

Well, I did the
autopsy, remember?

McConnell was
killed with a rifle slug.

You went in with a .45.

Well, maybe so, Doc,

but what difference
does it make?

It was dark that night,
they were shooting at us,

we fired back at
the muzzle flash.

It was just pure chance

it was somebody else's
bullet that killed McConnell

instead of mine.

Oh.

So you figure, then,

that you just ought to let
her take a potshot at you.

Well, what do you want me to do?

Tell her that it was Amos or
Barney that killed her husband?

It was my responsibility.

Oh, well, I...

I don't want to
complicate things for you.

Couldn't you just tell
her it was an accident?

I've already tried that, Doc.

Well, guess maybe
someday I'll learn.

Learn what?

That you can't
talk sense to him.

Matthew, you fixin'
to just set there

like a boll weevil on a corn cob

and wait for her to
come and get you?

Say, that's pretty good
coffee this time, Festus.

What'd you do, run out of
those burnt hominy grits?

- (whoops)
- Oh, she's got it.

Man, that little lady's ready.

She's ready as she ever will be.

Yeah. Big Matt's sure
got his troubles now.

(men laughing)

Are they right?

Am I ready?

Yeah, you're as
ready as you'll ever be.

Well... what does that mean?

Well, it means you're
pretty good, Molly,

for a woman and an amateur.

Amateur?

Look, I told you, I
was the best there is.

Well, I'm not.

I'm nowhere near the best,

but Matt Dillon is.

Honey, you could
practice for ten years

and you still wouldn't
be in his class.

Are you trying to tell me

that you let me practice
all of these weeks,

that you let me believe
I could outshoot him?!

It was a way to be near you.

Molly?!

Draw.

Dillon's gun is
faster than mine.

Don't, Molly. Please.

I have a score to
settle with Dillon.

I thought you did, too.

Maybe there's something
that's more important.

Meaning?

He's a United
States Marshal, Molly.

If either one of us kills
him, there's no future for us.

There never was
any future for us.

There could be.

You know how I feel about you.

All right, so I know
how you feel about me.

But is that more important than
our feelings about the marshal?

You're still going after Dillon?

I've got to!

I said I'd do it, and I will!

Matthew, you're the stubbornest,
bullheadedest scudder

I've ever saw in my born days.

You still don't
believe me, do you?

Sure, I believe you, Festus.

Well, golly Bill, why ain't you
gonna do something then?

I am gonna do
something right now.

Yes, sir.

I'm gonna fix my saddle.

♪♪

(quietly): Festus?

Put that gun away.

Go on, put it down

and get out here where I
can keep an eye on you.

Marshal... I'm going to
give you a chance to draw.

Did you hear me?

Either draw that gun and fight,

or I'll kill you
where you stand!

I've told you before,
Mrs. McConnell.

I'm sorry about what
happened to your husband.

We all are.

But that's over and done with.

What you're trying to do
now isn't gonna help him any.

I'm going to count to three.

Mrs. McConnell, it takes
a certain kind of person

to shoot somebody in cold blood.

I can tell you right now
you're not that kind of person.

One.

Two.

- Three.
- (gun chamber clicks)

(crying)

(laughter)

(indistinct chatter)

Oh, shut up, all of you!

(laughter stops)

You wouldn't draw
for a woman, Marshal,

but you'll draw for a man.

Oh, Sy, please.

This is my fight, not yours.

- SHERNE: You made it mine.
- MOLLY: Sy, please!

Molly, I...

I lied to you about
your husband.

He shot first, and then
the posse killed him.

I'm sorry.

(gasps) Oh, no.

Get out of the way.

Marshal, I'm calling
you for the last time.

- Oh! -Hey! -Hey!

(man laughs)

- (Sherne grunts)
- (laughter)

Sherne, you're gonna be
spending the next few weeks in jail.

I'll take that gun,
Mrs. McConnell.

(gasps) Oh, it just went off.

Mrs. McConnell, would you
please take some advice from me?

Take your son, get
back on the stage

and go back where you came from.

You'll be a whole
lot better off.

I'm sorry, Sy.

Marshal, don't be
too hard on him.

It wasn't all his fault.

He's not so bad.

Marshal, if... if you
let me off this time,

I won't cause any more trouble.

Let me leave on
the stage with Molly.

All right, Sherne,
she's all yours.

You're gonna wish us luck?

Luck? (chuckles)

Looks to me like you're
gonna need raw courage.

Behind the Scenes of Bad Lady from Brookline

While the sound of a piano frequently serves as a backdrop in episodes of the show, the actual instrument is rarely visible. However, there was an exception when a player piano, complete with a scrolling sheet of music, made a notable appearance. In this particular episode, a live piano player graced the scene.

Betty Hutton showcased her vocal prowess by performing songs that predated the era depicted in the show. Despite the historical setting, Hutton sang tunes such as “Frankie and Johnny,” which wasn’t composed until 1904, and “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain,” written in 1899. However, the inclusion of “Little Brown Jug” was historically accurate, as it dates back to 1869.

The episode gained significant attention in contemporary newspapers due to Hutton’s comeback to acting after a four-year hiatus. Amidst rumors of her declining popularity, Hutton’s guest appearance on the show received extensive publicity. Articles highlighted various aspects, including Hutton’s comments on Amanda Blake’s behavior on set and Blake’s reservations about featuring major guest stars. Initially scheduled for April 24, 1965, the episode’s airing was rescheduled to May 1, 1965, in response to NBC’s decision to broadcast Hutton’s film “Annie Get Your Gun” in the same time slot.

Looking for More Gunsmoke Episodes?

Are you growing weary of your usual television lineup? Consider giving Gunsmoke a shot for your next viewing experience. It’s a classic American Western series aired on the CBS network from 1955 to 1975, spanning an impressive 20 seasons. Bad Lady from Brookline is the 32nd episode of Season 10.

You can find more about any of the Gunsmoke episodes here.