The Cage Full Episode – Gunsmoke, Season #15, Episode #26
Set in the late 1800s, Gunsmoke follows the adventures of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon as he works to keep the peace in the frontier town of Dodge City, Kansas. Along with his deputies, Dillon must deal with the town’s many colorful characters, including gunfighters, gamblers, and outlaws. Directed by Bernard McEveety and written by Calvin Clements, Gunsmoke season 15’s twenty-sixth episode, The Cage, aired on March 23, 1970.
In this episode, a gang of outlaws attempts to kill one of the members captured by the law. The member teams up with Marshal Dillon, determined to put the remaining gang members to justice.
Read The Cage‘s plot and behind-the-scenes trivia, or watch the full Gunsmoke episode below.
Watch the Full Gunsmoke Episode, The Cage
Watch the full episode of The Cage:
Gunsmoke The Cage Cast
The following cast members appeared in the Gunsmoke episode, The Cage:
- Milburn Stone as Doc
- Amanda Blake as Kitty
- Ken Curtis as Festus
- Buck Taylor as Newly
- James Arness as Matt
- Steve Carlson as Roy Stewart
- Paul Stewart as Sanders
- Gregg Palmer as Benson
- Ken Mayer as Blake
- Robert Swan as Weden
- Hank Brandt as Luke Stewart
- Allen Jaffe as Gresley
- Jorge Moreno as Alfonso
- Laura Figueroa as Maria
- Joaquín Martínez as Pepe (as Joaquin Martinez)
- Renata Vanni as Mrs. Ramos
- Ted Jordan as Burke
- Pedro Regas as Elderly Mexican
- Araceli Rey as Elderly Mexican Woman
- Carol Henry as Townsman (uncredited)
- Joe Phillips as Townsman (uncredited)
Full Story Line for The Cage
Luke and Roy Stewart find themselves locked in a prison wagon with dead guards on the ground outside. Luke is in dire need of help because he’s on the verge of dying. Meanwhile, Roy tries to make Luke comfortable while he yells at the vultures flying to feed on the dead bodies outside.
Marshal Matt Dillon and Festus Haggen eventually arrive in the area, releasing the brothers from the prison wagon. However, soon enough, Luke succumbs to his injuries. Before he dies, he tells Dillon that Roy has nothing to do with the robbery.
Back in Dodge City, Roy eventually agrees to cooperate with Marshal Matt. Roy reveals details about the gang of outlaws led by Benson, and their trip to Carcaros, New Mexico, to sell the stolen gold to a man named Sanders.
Marshal Dillon, Newly, Festus, and Roy embarked on the journey to Carcaros. Marshal tells Roy to ride ahead and meet Sanders while he, Newly, and Festus camp outside the town.
Roy meets Maria, his lover. Although Maria does not speak, she is proven capable of understanding English and Spanish. Maria lives in the village with her aunt, who does not like Roy.
Roy tells Maria about the agreement with Marshal Dillon regarding Benson’s gang. However, Roy wants to kill Benson, blaming him for everything that happened, including Luke’s death. Although she didn’t say anything, Maria’s actions imply her disapproval of his plans. Roy eventually gives in, agreeing to let Dillon take care of all the outlaws, including Sanders and Benson.
After visiting Maria, Roy heads out to talk to Sanders. Roy lies about speaking for Benson, telling him that the gang wants to sell the stolen gold for fifty percent of the value. Although skeptical at first, Sanders agrees to the deal. Both parties agreed to meet at the Rock Canyon mid-morning the next day.
Roy returns to Maria, telling her to ride to Old Town tomorrow before noon. He plans to run away with Maria, get on the train, and marry.
On his way to meet Dillon, Newly, and Festus, two from Benson’s gang, saw Roy and brought him back to Benson. Benson couldn’t believe that Roy negotiated with Sanders, forgetting his brother. However, Roy tells him that what happened to look is a personal matter he’ll deal with soon. Ben is about to kill Roy when Dillon, Newly, and Festus arrive, arresting the gang members and getting their gold.
Meanwhile, Roy escapes during the confrontation. He meets up with Sanders, robbing him and his men of the money they carry. Roy then meets up with Maria in Old Town, only to discover that the train they were expecting hasn’t run for a month. Roy hurriedly tells Maria they’ll be leaving by horse, using the money he robbed from Sanders for hospitals and doctors. However, Maria falls ill, feeling a painful sensation in her stomach. Roy puts her in bed in one of the empty rooms in the town.
After a few attempts, Maria said, “Baby.” Besides Maria finally speaking, Roy feels blissful and excited upon hearing they’re having a baby. Realizing they won’t need the money anymore, Roy plans to return it to Dillon. However, Sanders and his men had already arrived before he could hide their horses. Roy surrenders the money, then faces Sanders in fear of them hurting Maria.
Fortunately, Dillon arrived in time to stop any further shooting.
Although Roy kept his part of his deal with Dillon, he has to face the judge regarding his other actions. In the meantime, Dillon allowed him to stay with Maria with Roy’s promise to show up when the judge arrived.
Besides “baby,” Maria finally started saying Roy’s name, much to Roy’s delight.
Full Script and Dialogue of The Cage
Just ain't no fresh wagon tracks no place east of here, Matthew. Look over that saddleback there. Something's brought the buzzards in. Well, I just hope it ain't nothin' more than a dead stray. Let's take a look. Get out of there! Get away from... Ha! Get out of there! Roy? Won't make no difference to a dead man. I just can't stand to see a bird get at him. They didn't... They didn't make 'em to break down, Roy. I ain't got long. Hey, I told you not to... Don't talk that way. What have you got on your mind, Roy? Getting us out of here. No... I mean really on your mind? No matter how long it takes, or what I have to do... Benson and the others are gonna wish they hadn't. You're gonna get yourself killed. Yeah, well, I won't be the only one they'll be burying. You're talking like a boy. Well, why'd Benson do it? He had to know we wouldn't gonna name nobody to the law. Luke? Sleepy. Get out of there! Get away! Go on! Get out of there! Get out of there! Get away! Hey! Hey, in here! Over here! And we need water! See to them. I'll check these others here. Right, get back. Step back. He can't breathe. We gotta get him down. All right, you take the top. You hold on now, you hear? Marshal... Yeah. My brother... Nothin' to do with the robbery. Only me. And the... the others. Now, you just stop that. You ain't gonna take all the blame. He... only a kid. No fault... except... wanting to be with... with me. Promise you won't blame Roy... for what... what we did. Pro... Promise. Luke? They didn't have to do it. They didn't. Who's "they," Roy? They didn't have to do it. Right there, just shootin' them deputies down like they done, then emptyin' their guns in this wagon, there ain't no words bad enough to call them. Now, look, I'm going down to Doc's to see how he's coming patching the boy. You get Newly and get the supplies together. Well, Matthew, that there boy, the way he was talkin', I don't think you got a measly prayer of finding out who that gang is. Well, he's had a little time to think about it. We'll see. Well, that shoulder is gonna be a little sore for a few days, so you better keep moving around. There isn't a whole lot of room to move around in here. Well, I mean just keep it limbered up. It'll heal better that way. That's right. Don't favor that arm at all. I read all about it. You read about what, Burke? Well, take a man with a broken leg. The sooner he walks on it, the better. That's very interesting. Burke, I seem to recall the last time you practiced mail-order medicine on yourself, you wound up with blood poisoning. How is he, Doc? He's gonna be all right, Matt, but I wasn't sure till just now. Dr. Burke offered his very capable medical advice. - I'll see you later. - Thanks, Doc. Roy, what can you possibly owe that gang after them killing your brother? I owe them plenty. Well, the law can collect it a whole lot better than you can. You know, Roy, you're just lucky that were left alive long enough to where you'd have a chance to talk to the law. The way they emptied their guns through that window, there was nobody figuring we'd be left alive, including me. It's a good thing that marshal from Hays wired ahead to expect you by noon. Roy, you're facing five years for riding with your brother, whether you had anything to do with that train robbery or not. Now, you can help yourself by naming names and telling us where we expect them to try to sell that stolen gold. I ain't gonna go crying to no judge. Uh-huh. Just as tough as his brother Luke, huh? That what you want written on your tombstone? You got some growing up to do, Roy. Do you have any idea what five years in prison'll do to somebody your age? You better think about that. Well, that's just the point. Outlaws that have got gold on their hands just can't go running around the countryside living off it or they'd leave a trail. Or they just sell it for less than it's worth. That's right, and I'll tell you something else. That's one of the reasons they ambushed that prison van, so that they could keep the secret of where they're gonna sell it. Well, it's certainly becoming a flourishing business to the south, this dealing in gold. Oh, I should say so. There are some places down there, I hear, that are discounting it 40, 50%. - Doing what, Doc? - They're di... Well, what that means is that if you got $100 in gold and you gotta get rid of it, well, then, you can sell it for 40 or... - Oh, never mind. - Now, wait just a minute, now. You mean if I was to have me a paper dollar bill, I could swap it for two dollars in gold from somebody? If you don't mind accepting stolen goods. Oh, I don't mind... Well, what I mean... is if I didn't know that this here gold was stoled in the first place, and I was... just happened to be in kind of a bargainin' shape, and this here fella, he come along with this here old mass of gold that he was... I understand exactly what you mean. What you're saying is that you don't mind at all accepting stolen gold. I ain't saying no such a thing. - I heard you... - I'll leave it up to Matthew... That young fella in the jail would like to talk to you. - Thanks, Burke. - All right. I better get over there too 'cause I sure wanna talk to him before he goes to sleep. Drink that before it goes flat, will you, Burke? Oh, thanks, Doc. Festus, um, I don't think I'd go in the gold buying business if I were you. I don't think it'd make you too happy. Oh, foot, Miss Kitty. I was just talkin' to myself, that's all, just sayin'... Uh, Burke, you... you on duty over at the jailhouse, are you? Well, sure. What I mean is are you fixin' to drink a glass of beer there and do deputyin' all at the same onced? Well, I've seen the marshal drink a beer, and you too, and you're still deputized. Oh, well, the marshal and the deputy, they're different when they ain't in charge of the jailhouse. But you, now, you go drinkin' beer and go over yonder to jailhouse, some fella'd be a-sayin', "That fella here in charge, he's a-drinkin' beer." Don't you see? Not that Matthew's gonna say nothin'. He'd probably say, "Well, you just go on and do whatever you think's fittin' and proper." Yeah, well, maybe... maybe he wouldn't like it, huh? Well, it... just could be or couldn't be that he would or wouldn't. A fella just don't know, just don't know. Yeah, well, I just hate to see a good beer go to waste. Oh, I can't stand to see that myself. Like I say, Matthew, he might not even say a word, I mean, seein' as how you're doin' him kind of a favor lookin' after the jail and everything. But if I was you, I'd ask him about that, drinkin' beer, I mean. Then you'll know. Marshal, I've been thinking. I'm... I'm gonna cooperate with you. Good, Roy. All right, let's start with the names. Well, I don't think the names'll help you. None of them's wanted. Benson's been the leader, but I don't even think that's his right name. How many in the gang? Well, there was eight, counting Luke and me, but that leaves six. Where do you think they were headed with that gold they stole off the train? Well, down to Carcaros, New Mexico. It's just south of the Cristo mountains. But they see a lawmen anywhere around there and they close the town up tight. You'd think it was a sheep village. You'll never even find Sanders unless he knows who he's dealing with. Sanders? He's the man you see in Carcaros if you have gold to sell. Uh-huh. Then he's more important than the Benson gang. I don't think so. They're not gonna be travelling through towns with 100 pounds of gold. They're probably staying outside, skirting through the hills. Yeah, they'll be pushing those horses day and night too. We're gonna have to do the same thing. We'll be ready in two hours. I'm gonna be leaving you on your own here, Roy. I'm not gonna be running at this point. Well, he's all yours, Doc. I'm gonna head over to Judge Brooker's and pick up some warrants. He's got more on his mind than he's talking about. Have to wait and see what it is later. Roy. You look fine. How does that shoulder feel? I got bigger worries than this shoulder. Hey, Doc, maybe you can answer me a question. If someone's born not being able to hear or speak, except when they're about 14 they start hearing, is that a good sign that someday they may be able to speak? Well... hard to say. Trauma at birth could create a deaf-mute. - Trauma? - Injury. Now, discounting the possibility of a mental defect, I'd say... Mental defect? Does this look like a... like a girl who can't think straight? Nice-looking girl. Yeah, no girl who can understand both English and Spanish has got anything wrong with her mind. That's quite an accomplishment. Maybe she can't speak because she's never been taught. Never been taught? Well, yes, even an infant has to be taught to speak. They have to learn how to control sound, you see. Now, I don't know that that's true in her case. Her problem could... well, it could stem from any one of a dozen sources. Yeah. I bet we'd have no problem if we had the money for one of them big, fancy eastern hospitals. Well, maybe yes, maybe no, but, in any event, no doctor, no doctor would even attempt a diagnosis without first seeing the patient. Roy, you got a long ride ahead of you. You better get some rest. Well, there it is. No telegraph, no stage ever going through. If Benson's been there and gone, I'll know it the minute I hit the livery. If so, you'll find me riding back this way fast. Don't you think we ought to slip off down yonder with you, so's we can be close by in case anything was to go wrong? You think that's a sleepy-looking town down there now, you ought to see it the minute a stranger passes the livery. You wouldn't even find a dog on the street. All right, Roy. You know the town. You know Sanders. - Deseame buena suerte. - Buena suerte, amigo. I'll ride down partway with you. What was that you two was a-jabberin' about there? You mean "Buena suerte, amigo"? Well, he said, "Wish me luck," and that's what I did. You know somethin', Newly, I kind of wish that I'd learned me how to talk some Mexican. It'd come in handy for a fella who travels around as much as I do. Like that there lady barber there in Juarez. It'd have helped me so much if I could have made her understand. Festus, you don't have to speak Spanish to get along with the ladies. After all, you know the old saying, love is a universal language. Well, who's talkin' about love? She was a-scrapin' my face with a dull razor. I couldn't make her understand that I didn't have the hide of no hog, don't you see? All right. Doc told me about that girl you have in town. Yeah. I'll be paying her a call. Well, it's gonna be light in a couple of hours. I'll expect you on your way out of there by then. Should be on the road out. Roy. You know that wasteland south of town there? You know, some men seem to think that's an easy way out, a fast horse and headed for Mexico and all your troubles are left behind. It's been about the size of it from what I've seen. Don't fool yourself about that, Roy. A man carries his troubles with him. Yeah. I'll be out first light. We'll take a position above the road just outside of town there. Marshal, you can't help like that kid, but I don't trust him. Neither do I. I just hope he doesn't hang himself with the rope we're giving him. Alfonso. Oh, Roy, mi querido amigo! It's good to see you again. - Cómo está? - Muy bien. A man has to work and live. The others, amigo? - They're not here yet? - No. I came on a little bit ahead. Could you feed him but keep him saddled? 'Cause I'll be leaving about first light. Good, good. Of course, amigo. And brother Luke? He is well, I think? I guess you hadn't heard. Luke's dead. - News travels slow down here. - I am deeply sorrowed, Roy. Andale, caballo. Vengas. I'm sorry it took so long to get back this time, honey. Seeing that your aunt still doesn't like me just proves that you must be taken care of real good. Still say you make the best morning bread in town, Mrs. Ramos. Oh, every time I look at you, I just don't see how anybody has the right to be that pretty. I sure did miss you. Or maybe it was your cooking. I almost didn't make it back this time, honey. Luke's dead. Yeah, I know. Hit me kind of hard too. Not too many people put much stock by Luke, but... he always shared right down the line with me. Benson had him murdered. Anyway, what I was saying about me almost not making it... I had to make a deal with the law. I was facing five years of prison. I was kind of hoping we'd have two or three sons by then. But I told 'em I'd play along. The marshal can have the others, but I want Benson. I'm gonna put a bullet... Now, don't go telling me it's not the thing to do. Luke's my brother and I owed him. Don't you understand? Benson killed Luke. Now, you just shut... This is between Luke and me. This is something he'd be doing for me. Even without talking, you say too much. All right. My deal with the marshal is that he gets the gold and Sanders and Benson. That's the way I'll play it. The way you handle me without saying anything. I wonder what you'd do if you could talk. Honey, I talked to a doctor in Dodge and he said that sometimes people can't talk just 'cause they've never tried, and... and, like a baby, they have to learn how to talk. Say my name, Maria. Say "Roy." Come on, you gotta try. Say "Roy." Come on. All right. All right, maybe it takes more than just trying. If we had the money for one of them big eastern hospitals... But it doesn't make any difference between us. It doesn't. It doesn't make any difference at all. I gotta go, honey, but I'll be back later. And you don't worry about a thing. You're looking awful good, Mrs. Ramos. I don't know why you still call yourself a widow. I was just on my way to see you fellas. Mr. Sanders wants to see you. So Luke is dead and you're speaking for Benson, huh? That's a little strange, Roy. "Strange" maybe is the word for me riding in and telling you about it. Pretty bum luck is what I'd say about Luke dying. Let me hear you tell again what you call "a little trouble." There's nothing to add to it. Luke and me got caught. Benson hit the prison wagon taking us down to Dodge. Luke got killed, but Benson managed to free me. You tell it so simply. It was over in a minute. There was lead flying around, Luke getting killed. Then I took off with Benson and the rest and hid in the mountains. Now you're speaking for Benson. Well, he wasn't about to leave the amount of gold we got this time. 30,000. Oh, I guess you didn't hear about the amount of gold we got. Well, all the news we heard that a train north of Hays was robbed. Yeah, it was an express car. Surprised us. We didn't know how much it was carrying. I don't quite understand Benson sending in a boy like you to speak for him. Well, why shouldn't he send me in? I'm not here to do any bargaining. Just came in with a "take it or leave it" price, 50%, right down the middle. Go ahead. How close by is Benson? He'll be here about mid-morning. Foot of Black Mesa? 15,000 in bank notes. 15,000 in bank notes. Except he's pulling in from the east this time, like to meet you in Rock Canyon. Why Rock Canyon? 'Cause we're gonna be taking the ridges on down to the border. Why Rock Canyon? Uh, Benson also mentioned that maybe you're getting a little nervous about the big money, wondered if 30,000's a little rich for your blood. A fresh tongue is easily tamed, my friend. - I'll tell Benson how you feel. - Now, wait, Roy. You know this whole territory is tightening on gold deals. Frankly, Benson's as worried as you about the goods we're carrying. That's why he'll accept 50%. We were thinking 40 this trip. Well, you'll think 50 or we'll take it down ourselves. You know, boys... I wouldn't be surprised to find Benson taking orders from this boy soon. Yeah, well, I'm working on that too. - 50%? - Agreed. Rock Canyon, then, mid-morning. Rock Canyon. Maria, I want you to trust me on this. I want you to leave a note that we're getting married again, in a church this time, just like your aunt always wanted. Now, listen very carefully. I want you to get your horse and ride over to Old Town and meet me there. Train comes through about noon for water. We're getting on that train. Remember, now, before noon. Well, there he be, Matthew. And I wouldn't have bet you a thin dime that he'd be comin' back here lookin' for us. I'll you one thing, Festus, I wasn't sure. - That can't be him. - Well, it sure ain't no ghost. Come on. I got a hunch who those two might be. How'd you get out of that prison wagon? - Bars weren't set that tight. - What were you doing in Carcaros? Talking to Sanders, find out how much he'd give for that gold we're carrying. Or you boys forget I got a share coming? For a wet-eared kid, you got plenty of savvy. Yeah, and plenty of talking to do, to Benson. We're riding to the foot of Black Mesa. - Come on. - Let's go. Nothing about it sounds right. You riding in to dicker with Sanders, willing to forget about Luke? - Nah. - I ain't gonna forget about Luke. That's between you and me. One of these days we'll make a personal thing out of it. Kid, you got more lip than brains. Well, I had to come down here. I had no choice to get out of Kansas. They got posters all over up there on me now. I tell you, kid, you're just plain unlucky. You know, you come a long way... just to get buried. All right there, you men! Get your hands away from those guns! All right, get your hands up. Over here. Come on, get over there together. - Get the cuffs and the irons on 'em. - Right. Come on. Newly, check the other saddlebags for the rest of the gold. That there is a sight, ain't it? - This Benson? - Yeah, that's him. Well, we got the gold and the gang, Matthew. The onliest that ain't here is Sanders. There's one more missing, Festus. Roy. Throw them guns in the rocks. I said throw them guns out! We got a new deal, Sanders. It's 100% for me. Throw those saddlebags over. All right, now, the three of you climb down and take your boots off. Unless you wanna be buried with them on. That's right, tie them boots on good, boys. We wouldn't want you to lose 'em. It's not too late, Roy, to discuss this further. Slap them horses. Get 'em moving. Sanders, I got a lot less patience with you since I buried my brother. There'll be no place that boy'll hide... if it takes my whole life. Our young friend wants an hour's start, excepting he's gonna find it's no good. You get started after them horses. The exercise'll do you good. How do. I understand you're the man that knows everything that goes on in this town. Señor Marshal, I'm only a poor livery man. What about Roy Stewart? Has he ridden back this way? Roy? I... I have not seen him, Señor Marshal, since... since leaving. It was early this morning, Señor Marshal, believe me. Mm-hm. And his girl, where does she live? Maria? She is not here. She also left. She rode down south. Well, a man named Sanders, did you ever hear of him? Señor Marshal, I have never heard this name before, believe me, Señor Marshal. Mm-hm. Thanks. Hasta luego, Señor Marshal. Que le vaya bien. Muchas felicidades. Everything worked out real well. You're trying to tell me something? Doesn't the train run by here anymore? He says the train hasn't come by here for a month. Come on, we gotta get out of here quick. Come on, Maria. Come on. You don't feel good? You're gonna feel worse if we don't get out of here quick. I robbed Sanders of the gold money he was carrying. Money for hospitals and doctors. Now, come on. Maria. Maria. Señor. - Maria. - Señor, señor. Gracias. Maria? Maria? Feeling better? Maybe it was just riding in the sun. What is it? B... B... What are you trying to say? Ba... by. W... Well... you talked. You talked, honey. Baby? Our... Our baby? And... And you're... Say it again. Say it. Ba... by. Baby. Baby. Oh, God. God, thank you. Thank you, thank you. The money. We don't need it now. You talked. We don't need any of it. We'll turn it in to the marshal. Horses. Better hide those horses quick. They're here. Call 'em off, Sanders! Call 'em off! - Enough! - Here's your money, Sanders. Now, stop shooting. You've been a bad boy. You better come down here. Roy! I'm coming! They won't hurt you. They won't hurt you. You ain't very smart, Roy. There are easier ways to make money. Hold it right there. Are you Sanders? That's a lot of money you're carrying around, isn't it? There's no law against having money, Marshal. There is when you're using it to buy stolen gold, and I got a lot of people willing to talk about that. Wait till you hear the story about how I was robbed about an hour ago. That's something else we're gonna talk about. The doctor's still with her. He says she's gonna be all right, though. Good. I'm glad to hear that, Roy. You know, Roy, you kept part of your bargain with me. But you also took a lot on your own shoulders, and you'll have to face a judge about that. Yeah. Well, do you think if I leave you around here running loose that you'll show up when the judge arrives? Well, you're not gonna find me far from Maria. That's about what I figured. - Good luck, amigo. - Buena suerte, Marshal. You know, I was thinking out there what a dumb husband you've got. Real dumb. But all that's gonna change. Would you think it was dumb if I... if I asked you to... say "baby" again? R... R... R... Roy. Roy. Y... You said my... You said my name.
Behind the Scenes of The Cage
Burke, a freight agent, is wearing a deputy’s badge in this episode.
Looking for More Gunsmoke Episodes?
If you’re a fan of Westerns, then you need to watch Gunsmoke! It’s a classic show aired and produced by CBS that has stood the test of time. The Cage is the 26th episode of Season 15.
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