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Word of Honor: Directed by Charles Marquis Warren. With James Arness, Dennis Weaver, Milburn Stone, Robert Middleton. Doc is sworn to secrecy to protect a cruel gang guilty of murder.
- (264)
- Western
- Charles Marquis Warren
- 1955-10-01
"Gunsmoke" Word of Honor (TV Episode 1955) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
- Overview
- Synopsis
- Storyline
Word of Honor was the third episode in Season 1 of Gunsmoke, the third ovarall episode in the series. Directed by series creator Charles Marquis Warren, who also penned the screenplay, the episode, whose story was written by John Meston, originally aired on CBS-TV on October 1, 1955.
Doc is sworn to secrecy to protect a cruel gang guilty of murder.
To save his own life, murder witness Doc gives his word of honor to the killers that he won't expose them.
Three men abducted twenty-four-year-old Hank Worth, son of wealthy Dodge City area resident Jake Worth (Robert Middleton). The men planned to hold Hank for $20,000 ransom. When the young man tried to escape, one of the abductors shot him in the back. The kidnappers convinced Doc Adams to travel thirty-five miles from Dodge to tend to Hank's injuries. Unfortunately, the wound is lethal, and even Doc cannot save the young man's life.
After Hank dies, Jack and Rudy, two of the kidnappers (Thom Carney, Dick Paxton), want to kill Doc so he cannot identify them. Harry (Claude Akins), who leads the trio, knows Doc is the only doctor with one hundred miles. He agrees to let Doc go free if Doc will swear not to reveal their whereabouts or identities. Doc agrees to their terms and returns to Dodge. Doc tells Matt about the incident, but he refuses to identify the perpetrators. Soon, Jake Worth rides into Dodge and tells Marshal Dillon that Hank is being held for ransom. Jake is willing to pay the ransom, but he wants Matt to help make sure Hank is returned safely. Of course, Matt already knows Hank is dead.
Marshal Dillon suggests he and Jake attempt to retrieve the money. When they ride to where the money was left per the kidnappers' instructions, the money is missing, and they find Hank's dead body propped against a tree. Now Jake wants revenge. He insists Matt tell him the identity of the person with the knowledge of who was responsible for Hank's death. Matt cannot share that information with Jake without betraying Doc's confidence. Doc then devises a plan to lure the kidnappers into town by spreading the word that he violated his promise. Jake Worth is angry at Matt, and the kidnappers are determined to kill Doc because they think he lied to them.
Before sparing his life and freeing him, they force the reluctant Doc to give his word of honor that he will never reveal their identities. Hank Worth, son of wealthy rancher Jake Worth, is kidnapped by three men and held for $20,000 ransom.
Word of Honor Aired Oct 1, 1955 Drama Western Reviews Matt tries to protect the sole witness to a murder from the ruthless outlaws who intend to silence the man.
