Festus and Ole Ruth are the stars of this episode! I will never forget the first time I saw Festus and Ruth (the original go anywhere 4WD) cross the gorge, this has stayed with me my whole life! It's called loyalty! Tuck insulted Ruth and Festus shut him down with word and deed. This was Hog Haggen's grandson at his best. For instance; when Ruth had completed the cross of the gorge, Festus says, "I knowed you could do it Ruth,you're the best ole boy they ever was. And if ary a man makes another back-handy comment about you, I'll be on him like stink on a skunk!" And earlier Festus said; "A mule's got more stand-bottom than any horse, and if ole Ruth was so minded, this here tick bitten, spavined mule could make Jubilee ashamed to be called a horse!" It's values like these that make Gunsmoke so far above anything being made today on TV or on the silver screen.
6 Reviews
A Lesson About Gambling!!
ellisel9 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The opening part of "Jubilee" began with the Frye family fulfilling their normal chores on the farm. Caleb, Bess, and Anne were welcoming Festus Haggen to the farm for a bite. Tuck Frye was riding his horse -- Jubilee -- instead of taking care of the farm. Tuck's only concern was to win a few races at the start of the show.
Tuck Frye won his race against another horse in town. Ed Wells was interested in purchasing Jubilee for $500 from Tuck Frye at Sam's Bar. Tuck balked at the notion; and by the same token, wanted to obtain more money to raise studs in relation to Jubilee. Bess entered Dodge City with her children at the general store. Burke and Newly said "Hello!" to Bess Frye about Tuck's proposition from Ed Wells. Burke told her that Tuck turned down Ed Wells's offer; she ended her conversation with Burke and Newly. Tuck Frye did not appreciate Bess Frye interfering in his business discussions at Sam's Bar. He told her to head back to the farm. Bess defied his orders ostensibly. Tuck slapped her in the face ... and that was the end of the matter.
Tuck's self-indulgence with Jubilee caused tension and friction on the farm. He wanted to win more races in order to obtain his self-serving attitude ... instead of working on the farm and having their children having essential items like shoes, pants, shirts, and books. His attempt of winning his wife's affection -- albeit in a disgusting way -- would allow him to grant his wife happiness and warmth. His self-serving attitude in reference to his gambling would eventually catch up with him.
Ed Wells would meet Dave Chaney at the Dodge House. The former would do everything possible to obtain possession of Jubilee. The latter would have a horse called Gold Rush in order to beat Jubilee in Saturday's race. Ed Wells arrived at the farm to raise the offer of buying Jubilee for $800. Festus Haggen arrived later at the farm. Tuck Frye was acting sarcastically in reference to Ruth the mule. Festus Haggen had an ulterior motive: he would bet on doing six months' worth of chores at the Frye Farm if Ruth lost to Jubilee in a wager involving tasks versus Tuck Frye's deed. Little did Tuck Frye knew that Festus Haggen would have Ruth race against Jubilee by going around the gorges for about ten miles. Ruth eventually beat Jubilee fair and square in the race into Dodge City. Tuck Frye lost the deed and Jubilee to Ed Wells. He acted resentful and hostile to his loss.
Tuck Frye became drunk and incoherent at Sam's. Miss Kitty eventually told Tuck Frye that he piled on abuse to his friends because of his affliction to gambling. Tuck Frye made a desperate attempt to win back his horse ... even if he wagered all $800 on Jubilee. Dave Chaney did not take more than $400 of Tuck Frye's money. Gold Rush eventually defeated Jubilee in the race. Tuck Frye would eventually realize that he needed to place the remaining $400 in the bank. An Educational 10.5!! Food For Thought: This episode dealt with the lesson about losing everything to gambling from the 1972-1973 Television Season. Some people could lose everything without warning!!
Tuck Frye won his race against another horse in town. Ed Wells was interested in purchasing Jubilee for $500 from Tuck Frye at Sam's Bar. Tuck balked at the notion; and by the same token, wanted to obtain more money to raise studs in relation to Jubilee. Bess entered Dodge City with her children at the general store. Burke and Newly said "Hello!" to Bess Frye about Tuck's proposition from Ed Wells. Burke told her that Tuck turned down Ed Wells's offer; she ended her conversation with Burke and Newly. Tuck Frye did not appreciate Bess Frye interfering in his business discussions at Sam's Bar. He told her to head back to the farm. Bess defied his orders ostensibly. Tuck slapped her in the face ... and that was the end of the matter.
Tuck's self-indulgence with Jubilee caused tension and friction on the farm. He wanted to win more races in order to obtain his self-serving attitude ... instead of working on the farm and having their children having essential items like shoes, pants, shirts, and books. His attempt of winning his wife's affection -- albeit in a disgusting way -- would allow him to grant his wife happiness and warmth. His self-serving attitude in reference to his gambling would eventually catch up with him.
Ed Wells would meet Dave Chaney at the Dodge House. The former would do everything possible to obtain possession of Jubilee. The latter would have a horse called Gold Rush in order to beat Jubilee in Saturday's race. Ed Wells arrived at the farm to raise the offer of buying Jubilee for $800. Festus Haggen arrived later at the farm. Tuck Frye was acting sarcastically in reference to Ruth the mule. Festus Haggen had an ulterior motive: he would bet on doing six months' worth of chores at the Frye Farm if Ruth lost to Jubilee in a wager involving tasks versus Tuck Frye's deed. Little did Tuck Frye knew that Festus Haggen would have Ruth race against Jubilee by going around the gorges for about ten miles. Ruth eventually beat Jubilee fair and square in the race into Dodge City. Tuck Frye lost the deed and Jubilee to Ed Wells. He acted resentful and hostile to his loss.
Tuck Frye became drunk and incoherent at Sam's. Miss Kitty eventually told Tuck Frye that he piled on abuse to his friends because of his affliction to gambling. Tuck Frye made a desperate attempt to win back his horse ... even if he wagered all $800 on Jubilee. Dave Chaney did not take more than $400 of Tuck Frye's money. Gold Rush eventually defeated Jubilee in the race. Tuck Frye would eventually realize that he needed to place the remaining $400 in the bank. An Educational 10.5!! Food For Thought: This episode dealt with the lesson about losing everything to gambling from the 1972-1973 Television Season. Some people could lose everything without warning!!
Weak Treatment of a Potentially Interesting Story
wdavidreynolds14 September 2021
Tuck Frye has become obsessed with his horse Jubilee, a fast horse he raised from a colt. Jubilee becomes more important to Tuck than anything else in his life, including his wife, children, and the farm they own. He is so confident in the horse's ability to outrun other horses; he gambles money his family can ill afford to lose on the outcome of the races he runs with Jubilee.
Tuck's wife, Bess, and his kids Annie and Caleb often have to go without needed items because of Tuck's obsession with the horse. The citizens of Dodge City gossip about the way Tuck neglects his family and farm, but any attempts to convince Tuck of the error of his ways are rebuffed.
A gambler in Dodge named Ed Wells offers to buy Jubilee for $550, and then later raises his offer to $800, but Frye absolutely refuses to consider selling the horse.
Festus Haggen takes special interest in the Frye family. He brings them food and a deer he killed while hunting. Annie and Caleb call him "Uncle Festus."
When Festus hears about the $800 offer from Wells, he is astounded that Tuck turned it down and is quite vocal about his disapproval. Tuck dismisses Haggen's protestations and insults Festus's mule, Ruth.
Festus challenges Tuck to a race from the Frye farm to Dodge. Festus agrees to work for six months on the farm for free if Ruth loses, but if the mule wins, Tuck must sell Jubilee to Wells. Festus knows he has a chance, because the road into Dodge from the farm goes around a gorge. The trip on the road is around six miles, but by going through the treacherous gorge, the trip is only about a mile -- something a horse cannot do but a mule might. Of course, Festus and Ruth win the race, and Tuck is forced to sell Jubilee to Ed Wells.
Meanwhile, gambler Dave Chaney has arrived in Dodge. He and Ed Wells are old rivals. Now that Wells owns Jubilee, he and Chaney organize a race between Jubilee and a horse Chaney owns named Goldrush. Tuck is willing to bet everything Wells paid him for Jubilee plus his farm on Jubilee to win the race.
Tom Skerritt appears for the fifth and final time in a Gunsmoke episode in this story. He plays the Tuck Frye character with the appropriate amount of stubborn aloofness. Actress Collin Wilcox-Horne (later Collin Wilcox Paxton) fills the role of Bess Frye, Tuck's wife, in her only Gunsmoke appearance. Little-known child actors Lori Rutherford and Todd Cameron play the Frye children.
This story includes one of three appearances in the series by actor Scott Brady. He plays the character Ed Wells in this episode. A post-Gilligan's Island Alan Hale, Jr. Appears for the third and final time in a Gunsmoke installment. He fills the role of Dave Chaney here.
Since the story is set in and around Dodge City during a time of celebration in the town, the regular cast, including the Doc Adams, Kitty Russell, Newly O'Brien, and Matt Dillon characters, in addition to Festus, are all present. Some of the familiar faces like Nathan Burke and Mr. Lathrop also make appearances. There are many uncredited extras posing as town visitors.
Variations on the gambling addict theme are common in television. However, Tuck Frye appears to be more invested in the horse and its abilities than he is addicted to gambling. His misplaced confidence in Jubilee's speed feeds his confidence that he can amass wealth easily by gambling on the horse.
The problem with this story is not the theme, as familiar as it might be. The content consists of weak, watered-down plot elements that are easily anticipated before they occur. The ending is particularly awful. If the writers had a magic genie suddenly appear and resolve all conflicts, it would have not been much worse. There is absolutely nothing surprising in the whole story. The acting in this episode is first-rate, which makes the poor handling of the story seem even worse.
Tuck's wife, Bess, and his kids Annie and Caleb often have to go without needed items because of Tuck's obsession with the horse. The citizens of Dodge City gossip about the way Tuck neglects his family and farm, but any attempts to convince Tuck of the error of his ways are rebuffed.
A gambler in Dodge named Ed Wells offers to buy Jubilee for $550, and then later raises his offer to $800, but Frye absolutely refuses to consider selling the horse.
Festus Haggen takes special interest in the Frye family. He brings them food and a deer he killed while hunting. Annie and Caleb call him "Uncle Festus."
When Festus hears about the $800 offer from Wells, he is astounded that Tuck turned it down and is quite vocal about his disapproval. Tuck dismisses Haggen's protestations and insults Festus's mule, Ruth.
Festus challenges Tuck to a race from the Frye farm to Dodge. Festus agrees to work for six months on the farm for free if Ruth loses, but if the mule wins, Tuck must sell Jubilee to Wells. Festus knows he has a chance, because the road into Dodge from the farm goes around a gorge. The trip on the road is around six miles, but by going through the treacherous gorge, the trip is only about a mile -- something a horse cannot do but a mule might. Of course, Festus and Ruth win the race, and Tuck is forced to sell Jubilee to Ed Wells.
Meanwhile, gambler Dave Chaney has arrived in Dodge. He and Ed Wells are old rivals. Now that Wells owns Jubilee, he and Chaney organize a race between Jubilee and a horse Chaney owns named Goldrush. Tuck is willing to bet everything Wells paid him for Jubilee plus his farm on Jubilee to win the race.
Tom Skerritt appears for the fifth and final time in a Gunsmoke episode in this story. He plays the Tuck Frye character with the appropriate amount of stubborn aloofness. Actress Collin Wilcox-Horne (later Collin Wilcox Paxton) fills the role of Bess Frye, Tuck's wife, in her only Gunsmoke appearance. Little-known child actors Lori Rutherford and Todd Cameron play the Frye children.
This story includes one of three appearances in the series by actor Scott Brady. He plays the character Ed Wells in this episode. A post-Gilligan's Island Alan Hale, Jr. Appears for the third and final time in a Gunsmoke installment. He fills the role of Dave Chaney here.
Since the story is set in and around Dodge City during a time of celebration in the town, the regular cast, including the Doc Adams, Kitty Russell, Newly O'Brien, and Matt Dillon characters, in addition to Festus, are all present. Some of the familiar faces like Nathan Burke and Mr. Lathrop also make appearances. There are many uncredited extras posing as town visitors.
Variations on the gambling addict theme are common in television. However, Tuck Frye appears to be more invested in the horse and its abilities than he is addicted to gambling. His misplaced confidence in Jubilee's speed feeds his confidence that he can amass wealth easily by gambling on the horse.
The problem with this story is not the theme, as familiar as it might be. The content consists of weak, watered-down plot elements that are easily anticipated before they occur. The ending is particularly awful. If the writers had a magic genie suddenly appear and resolve all conflicts, it would have not been much worse. There is absolutely nothing surprising in the whole story. The acting in this episode is first-rate, which makes the poor handling of the story seem even worse.
Why should the viewer care?
grizzledgeezer5 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
"Jubilee" makes a startling contrast with the immediately preceding "Hostage!". It would be hard to imagine two more-different episodes. "Hostage!" is exciting and memorable. "Jubilee" is an example of what happens when the writer is more interested in a happy ending than telling an honest story.
Tuck Frye (Tom Skerrit) has a nice farm that he's let decline because he's more interested in his race horse Jubilee. He hates farming, and hopes to eventually make a fortune racing and studding the animal. He repeatedly turns down Ed Wells' (Scott Brady) offers to buy the horse, selling it only after Festus cleverly tricks him into doing so. But when Dave Chaney (Alan Hale Jr), Wells' friendly competitor, shows up, Tuck can't resist betting the money /and/ the farm in a race pitting Jubilee against Chaney's "Gold Rush".
The problem is that Wells and Chaney are portrayed as such decent people, far more interested in horse-racing than money, that it's obvious Chaney doesn't take Tuck's bet seriously. And -- surprise! -- he returns the bet when Jubilee loses.
A good writer doesn't telegraph the ending! The moment we're aware Tuck can't lose the farm is the moment we lose interest in the characters and their problems. Not only is there a somewhat icky happy ending, but the /central/ issue of the story -- that Tuck isn't happy as a farmer -- isn't explored. How he handles this would make an excellent story -- but it isn't told.
Another example of lame, lazy storytelling. Raspberries to Freeman and Savage.
PS: This is the first "Gunsmoke" episode in which the perennially youthful Tom Skerritt finally starts "looking like" Tom Skerritt.
Tuck Frye (Tom Skerrit) has a nice farm that he's let decline because he's more interested in his race horse Jubilee. He hates farming, and hopes to eventually make a fortune racing and studding the animal. He repeatedly turns down Ed Wells' (Scott Brady) offers to buy the horse, selling it only after Festus cleverly tricks him into doing so. But when Dave Chaney (Alan Hale Jr), Wells' friendly competitor, shows up, Tuck can't resist betting the money /and/ the farm in a race pitting Jubilee against Chaney's "Gold Rush".
The problem is that Wells and Chaney are portrayed as such decent people, far more interested in horse-racing than money, that it's obvious Chaney doesn't take Tuck's bet seriously. And -- surprise! -- he returns the bet when Jubilee loses.
A good writer doesn't telegraph the ending! The moment we're aware Tuck can't lose the farm is the moment we lose interest in the characters and their problems. Not only is there a somewhat icky happy ending, but the /central/ issue of the story -- that Tuck isn't happy as a farmer -- isn't explored. How he handles this would make an excellent story -- but it isn't told.
Another example of lame, lazy storytelling. Raspberries to Freeman and Savage.
PS: This is the first "Gunsmoke" episode in which the perennially youthful Tom Skerritt finally starts "looking like" Tom Skerritt.
The Year of Jubilee
GaryPeterson6720 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
JUBILEE is one of those "morality play" episodes of Gunsmoke, but while sometimes heavy handed, it contains enough strong acting and welcome guest stars to keep it galloping along at a good trot through to the end credits.
Tom Skerritt plays Tuck Frye, a farmer who has been neglecting his family due to his recent preoccupation with his horse Jubilee. Adding credibility to the stereotype about small towns where everybody knows your business, the latest past-time in Dodge is dishing about and dissing Tuck for being a neglectful husband. Collin Wilcox-Horne plays Tuck's simple-minded wife with an over-the-top pathos, shuffling about with a hangdog expression and wide eyes like the puppy that just got spanked for soiling the rug.
It's a troubled marriage and you can see where both parties are wrong. Tuck invests all his time training Jubilee, but despite finding personal success and fulfillment he is failing to provide for his family. His wife Bess makes no secret of her contempt for Tuck and Jubilee, not even showing up at a big race, having no words of congratulation when he wins and even embarrassing him in front of the crowd at the Long Branch who are celebrating his victory. One can understand (if not excuse) why Tuck turned his energies towards a hobby that brought such affirmation from others since it was so lacking in his home.
The meddling by Festus, Matt, Kitty and even Sam is motivated by good intentions and ultimately has its reward. The only real antagonist in the episode is Tuck's selfishness, which is overcome by having his puffed-up ego punctured by Jubilee losing the race against Gold Rush, but especially by his wife when she shows him respect and kindness by showing up at the climactic race and generously suggesting they buy back Jubilee as a buddy horse.
Tom Skerritt plays Tuck with good-natured enthusiasm and guest stars Scott "Shotgun Slade" Brady and the Gilligan's Skipper Alan Hale, Jr make for fun watching. Brady and Hale play the most amiable and fair racehorse owners you'll meet, in the racket for fun and friendly competition, not money; for example, Brady pays a fair price for Jubilee and later Hale refuses Skerritt's foolish attempt to bet all of his money and the deed to his farm on a Jubilee victory. As was often the case in these later episodes, the main cast is relegated to the background, with the exception here of Festus, though Matt, Doc, Kitty and Newly each appear and contribute (and Sam gets to say more here than in many episodes, which delighted this Glenn Strange fan).
Certainly not a great episode, and one that pales in a season that boasted standout episodes like THE RIVER and BOHANNAN, but an episode that more than delivers on its promise to provide an hour's worth of Western entertainment.
Tom Skerritt plays Tuck Frye, a farmer who has been neglecting his family due to his recent preoccupation with his horse Jubilee. Adding credibility to the stereotype about small towns where everybody knows your business, the latest past-time in Dodge is dishing about and dissing Tuck for being a neglectful husband. Collin Wilcox-Horne plays Tuck's simple-minded wife with an over-the-top pathos, shuffling about with a hangdog expression and wide eyes like the puppy that just got spanked for soiling the rug.
It's a troubled marriage and you can see where both parties are wrong. Tuck invests all his time training Jubilee, but despite finding personal success and fulfillment he is failing to provide for his family. His wife Bess makes no secret of her contempt for Tuck and Jubilee, not even showing up at a big race, having no words of congratulation when he wins and even embarrassing him in front of the crowd at the Long Branch who are celebrating his victory. One can understand (if not excuse) why Tuck turned his energies towards a hobby that brought such affirmation from others since it was so lacking in his home.
The meddling by Festus, Matt, Kitty and even Sam is motivated by good intentions and ultimately has its reward. The only real antagonist in the episode is Tuck's selfishness, which is overcome by having his puffed-up ego punctured by Jubilee losing the race against Gold Rush, but especially by his wife when she shows him respect and kindness by showing up at the climactic race and generously suggesting they buy back Jubilee as a buddy horse.
Tom Skerritt plays Tuck with good-natured enthusiasm and guest stars Scott "Shotgun Slade" Brady and the Gilligan's Skipper Alan Hale, Jr make for fun watching. Brady and Hale play the most amiable and fair racehorse owners you'll meet, in the racket for fun and friendly competition, not money; for example, Brady pays a fair price for Jubilee and later Hale refuses Skerritt's foolish attempt to bet all of his money and the deed to his farm on a Jubilee victory. As was often the case in these later episodes, the main cast is relegated to the background, with the exception here of Festus, though Matt, Doc, Kitty and Newly each appear and contribute (and Sam gets to say more here than in many episodes, which delighted this Glenn Strange fan).
Certainly not a great episode, and one that pales in a season that boasted standout episodes like THE RIVER and BOHANNAN, but an episode that more than delivers on its promise to provide an hour's worth of Western entertainment.
A moral story, yes. But that does not make it a good watch
kfo94947 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Even though this was a nice story about what gambling can do in ones life, it was not really an exciting episode that wanted to hold the viewer's attention the entire time.
The story centers around Tuck Frye a young man that has a wife and children living outside Dodge. But Tuck had a problem. He has a race horse named Jubliee and appears to love the horse more than he loves his family. Because of the horse, Tuck is willing to gamble away all his money plus his farm on his horse winning a race.
Festus, feeling bad for the wife and kids, makes a bet with Tuck that he can get to Dodge riding his mule before Tuck can riding Jubilee. Festus actually wins the race when he takes Ruth, his mule, through the gorge where a horse cannot go. Tuck is require to sell his beloved horse for $800 to a man in town.
But that is not all, he then takes half the money and puts in all down on Jubilee to win. This will be a lesson in the outcome of gambling.
Sure it was a nice moral story but the circumstance surrounding the race just did not seem real. An average show is as good as it gets.
The story centers around Tuck Frye a young man that has a wife and children living outside Dodge. But Tuck had a problem. He has a race horse named Jubliee and appears to love the horse more than he loves his family. Because of the horse, Tuck is willing to gamble away all his money plus his farm on his horse winning a race.
Festus, feeling bad for the wife and kids, makes a bet with Tuck that he can get to Dodge riding his mule before Tuck can riding Jubilee. Festus actually wins the race when he takes Ruth, his mule, through the gorge where a horse cannot go. Tuck is require to sell his beloved horse for $800 to a man in town.
But that is not all, he then takes half the money and puts in all down on Jubilee to win. This will be a lesson in the outcome of gambling.
Sure it was a nice moral story but the circumstance surrounding the race just did not seem real. An average show is as good as it gets.
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