Twelve episodes, from 1955 to 1964, were selected for the Gunsmoke: Volume I box set, and another twelve episodes, from 1964 to 1975, were selected for the Gunsmoke: Volume II box set. Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. Chester . [13] The television show first portrayed Kitty as a saloon dance hall employee, then from season two, episode 36 ("Daddy-O"), as half-owner of the Long Branch Saloon. In syndication, the entire 20-year run of Gunsmoke is separated into three packages by CBS Television Distribution: The program currently airs on four major venues: TV Land, which has carried the show since its inception in 1996, Encore Westerns, INSP, and Weigel Broadcasting's MeTV digital subchannel network. Ken Curtis balked at the salary offer he received and said that he should be paid based on Festus's importance in the character hierarchy. In the end, the primary roles were all recast, with Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon (on the recommendation of Wayne, who also introduced the pilot), Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode, Milburn Stone as Dr. G. "Doc" Adams (later Galen "Doc" Adams), and Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Updated July 25, 2017 9:22 AM. However, it's his work in Gunsmoke that we'll always remember and love him for. [64], Dodge City's Boot Hill Museum has a tribute to Gunsmoke, including set furniture from the 1960s and an old television tuned to the show. Episodes were aimed at adults with some of the most explicit content of their time, including violent crimes, scalpings, massacres, and opium addicts. Dolly Parton Quite a Witch! During its second season in 1956, the program joined the list of the top-10 television programs broadcast in the United States. Two versions of the same pilot episode titled "Mark Dillon Goes to Gouge Eye" were produced with Rye Billsbury and Howard Culver playing Marshal Mark Dillon as the lead, not yet played by Conrad. Gunsmoke was set in Dodge City, Kansas, during the thriving cattle days of the 1870s. In the end, CBS simply took it away from Macdonnell and began preparing for the television version. Evans: Paul Langton. She has appeared in dozens of television series and had featured roles in films such as A Guide for the Married Man and The Cheyenne Social Club, both directed by Gene Kelly, as well as The Rounders opposite Henry Fonda and Glenn Ford and two Elvis Presley movies, Roustabout and Frankie and Johnny.. She began her performing career singing at Radio City . Gunsmoke was set in Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1890s and began as a radio program that CBS aired from 1952 to 1961. The film, shot in Alberta, features a now-retired Marshal Dillon being attacked and a vengeful former rival returning to Dodge City to entrap him. Mr. Warren asked Wayne if he knew James Arness, and Mr. Wayne said yes. Other films included Gunsmoke: To the Last Man (1992), Gunsmoke: The Long Ride (1993), and Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994). James Arness and Amanda Blake returned in their iconic roles of Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty, with Fran Ryan returning as Kitty's friend and saloon-owner Hannah and Buck Taylor as Newly O'Brian. Men start killing each other over saloon girl Dolly Varden (Whitney Blake), who seems to . Conrad directed two television episodes, in 1963 and 1971, and McNear appeared on six, playing characters other than Doc, including three times as storekeeper Howard Rudd. Bill Strathman played the man in a later version.[28]. Melody Ranch actually was purchased by one of the greatest on-screen cowboys ever, Gene Autry, in 1952. Wherever she stands, the gambler close by wins. His real name was Dr. Calvin Moore. Heraclio Cantrell and Father Hernando Cantrell. The Marshal Dillon syndicated reruns of half-hour episodes lasted from 1961 until 1964 on CBS, originally on Tuesday nights within its time in reruns. You need to be logged in to continue. In 1967, the 12th season, CBS planned to cancel the series, but widespread viewer reaction (including a mention in Congress and the behind-the-scenes pressure from Babe Paley, the wife of CBS's longtime president William S. Paley) prevented its demise. 10 out of 15 found this helpful. The regulars who are still with us are: Roger Ewing (Thad Greenwood), who is 73; Buck Taylor (Newly O'Brien), who is 77; and Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper), who is 79. Though Meston championed him, Macdonnell thought Conrad might be overexposed. Fred McDougall, a stuntman often appearing as an extra on the show, played the man after the show changed to a new soundstage in season 10. Best Continuing Supporting Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic or Comedy Series: Dennis Weaver nominated (winner: Best Dramatic Series with Continuing Characters won, Best Editing of a Film for Television: Mike Pozen for "How to Kill a Woman" won. Sign in to vote. All DVDs have been released with English audio and close captioning from season 1 to 5 and starting season 6 English SDH. "Gunsmoke: An American Institution, Celebrating 50 Years of Television's Best Western" Written by Ben Costello, Foreword by Jim Byrnes, and Introduction by Jon Voight and published by Five Star Publications, Inc.(now Story Monsters LLC) Published 1 edition (December 22, 2012), Bill Carter, "NBC Will Bring Back All Three, This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 00:31. Marshal (actually a deputy marshal, because only the senior officer in the district holds the title "marshal") would not be based in Dodge City and would not be involved in local law enforcement. Jim Buck (stage driver; 19571962) and Floyd (bartender; 197475): Deputy Marshal Clayton Thaddeus "Thad" Greenwood (19651967): Newly O'Brian (gunsmith/Deputy Marshal; 19671975): Bill Pence (Long Branch owner/co-owner 1955?56? Additionally, Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS DVD have released the series in its entirety on DVD for 13 years between 2007 and 2020 in Region 1 (all of the seasons except for season one and seasons sixteen through twenty were split into two volumes). When aired in the United Kingdom, the television series was initially titled Gun Law,[1] later reverting to Gunsmoke. Wilks (1 Episode), Willard Kerner (1 Episode), Herkimer Crawford (1 Episode), Carl (1 Episode), Aaron Barker (1 Episode), Judge Warfield (1 Episode), Rev. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. Strauss "had one vice, or rather obsession. Makeup Department [12] He came west and changed his name to escape a charge of murder. Gunsmoke was TV's number-one-ranked show from 1957 to 1961, then expanded to one hour, and slipped into a decline. IF you could keep players in the game. Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. [19], When Gunsmoke was adapted for television in 1955, contrary to a campaign to persuade the network, the network was not interested in bringing either Conrad or his radio costars to the television medium. Sue Ane Langdon is an American actress. Login to create it. From 1955 to 1961, Gunsmoke is a half-hour show, retitled Marshal Dillon in syndication. He saved a girl from brutal rapists, then found himself unable to offer her what she needed to stop her from moving into life as a prostitute. We finished the 20th year, we all expected to go on for another season, or two or three. The series remained in the top 10 until the 197374 television season. [69] Other products include Gunsmoke puzzles,[70], American radio and television Western drama series, This article is about the radio and television series. Matt gets a tiger-by-the-tail in this episode. This old flame of Matt's shows up trying to get evil accomplished. [citation needed]. A complication arose when Culver's contract as the star of Straight Arrow would not allow him to do another Western series. In the early years, most of the TV episodes were adapted from the radio scripts, often using identical scenes and dialogue. It was Silly fun. Robert Brubaker as townsman Jim Buck (1957-1961), as bartender Floyd (1974-1975) [3] Kelton Garwood (aka Jonathan Harper) as undertaker Percy Crump (1966-1972) Dabbs Greer as merchant Mr. Jonas (1956-1968) Pat Hingle as Dr. John Chapman (1971) Victor Izay as bartender Bull (1970-1974) FRESNO, Calif. (AP) _ Ken Curtis, a singer and actor who starred as Marshal Matt Dillon's sidekick on the long-running television western Gunsmoke, has died at age 74. This episode aired two days after James Arness' 37th birthday (born 05-26-1923). The TV version was thought to have been first conducted by CBS west coast music director Lud Gluskin. Dirty Sally was a humorous western television series about a hard-drinking cantankerous old woman and a young former outlaw traveling to the California gold fields in a wagon pulled by a mule named Worthless. Many episodes end on a somber note, and villains often get away with their crimes. It is the second Western television series written for adults,[18] premiering on September 10, 1955, four days after The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. The program was funded by CBS in the first two years. Pickens (1 Episode), Ben Snow (2 Episodes), Cooter (1 Episode), Dooley (1 Episode), Timble (1 Episode), Gene Bunch (1 Episode), Mr. Stooler (1 Episode), Rowley (1 Episode), Ed Davey (1 Episode), Billy (1 Episode), Dillard (1 Episode), Roberts (1 Episode), Bert (1 Episode), Ben (1 Episode), Ross (1 Episode), Charlie (1 Episode), Driver (1 Episode), Sterret (1 Episode), Jep Hunter (1 Episode), George Chandler (1 Episode), Fallon (1 Episode), Mr. Lauter (1 Episode), Orely (3 Episodes), Hap (2 Episodes), Red Bailey (2 Episodes), Hotel Clerk (1 Episode), Weevil (1 Episode), Carl Wilkins (1 Episode), Riney (1 Episode), Clell Williams (2 Episodes), Amos Carver (1 Episode), Dave Carpenter (1 Episode), Luke Rumbaugh (1 Episode), Gainer (1 Episode), Sheriff Shackwood (1 Episode), Ben Rawlins (1 Episode), Jubal Gray (1 Episode), Wes Cameron (1 Episode), Jim Basset (1 Episode), Townsman (1 Episode), Captain (1 Episode), Rev Tucker (1 Episode), Judge (1 Episode), Snood (1 Episode), Juror (1 Episode), Telegrapher (1 Episode), Preacher (1 Episode), Bailiff (1 Episode), Mr. Jonas (1 Episode), Ned (1 Episode), Bull (6 Episodes), Bartender (2 Episodes), Depositor (1 Episode), Barkeep (1 Episode), Dutch (1 Episode), Elias Franklin (1 Episode), Ben Bartlett (1 Episode), Jed (1 Episode), Charlie Fess (1 Episode), Gus (1 Episode), Cain Vestal (1 Episode), James Riley (1 Episode), Colonel (1 Episode), Harper (1 Episode), Sheriff (1 Episode), Jep (1 Episode), Chris Kelly (1 Episode), Deke (1 Episode), Al Tresh (1 Episode), Reb (1 Episode), Seth (1 Episode), Sweet Billy (1 Episode), Speeler (1 Episode), Lafe (1 Episode), Jed Hakes (1 Episode), Hack (1 Episode), Solis (1 Episode), Sy Sherne (1 Episode), Jed Butler (1 Episode), Howard Kane (1 Episode), Art McLane (1 Episode), Marshal Clint Tucker (1 Episode), Worth Sweeney (1 Episode), Ad (1 Episode), Harry (1 Episode), Roy (1 Episode), Tobe (1 Episode), Simeon (1 Episode), Hatcher (1 Episode), Scroggs (1 Episode), Anson (1 Episode), Dekker (1 Episode), Bent (1 Episode), Harve (1 Episode), Toby (1 Episode), Lucas (2 Episodes), Will Stroud (1 Episode), Jim Cavanaugh (1 Episode), Gance (1 Episode), Jess Bradman (1 Episode), Colpitt (1 Episode), McKee (1 Episode), Rolling (1 Episode), Ed Glick (1 Episode), Charlie (1 Episode), Indian (1 Episode), Chief Little Hawk (1 Episode), Indian Chief (1 Episode), The Indian (1 Episode), Goriko (1 Episode), Brave (1 Episode), Warrior (1 Episode), Indian Policeman (1 Episode), Scarface (1 Episode), Nebo (3 Episodes), Garvey (1 Episode), Lt. Snell (1 Episode), Jack Garvin (1 Episode), Croyden (1 Episode), Wade Pasco (1 Episode), Zack Hodges (1 Episode), Dunster (1 Episode), Bo Harper (1 Episode), Williams (1 Episode), Lefty (1 Episode), John Thenly (1 Episode), Densen (1 Episode), Otis Miller (1 Episode), Boles (1 Episode), Bones Cunningham (1 Episode), Ridge Sadler (1 Episode), Reb (1 Episode), Billy (2 Episodes), Charlie Hacker (2 Episodes), Clint Sorils (1 Episode), Bodie Tatum (1 Episode), Shaw Anderson (1 Episode), Jess Hume (1 Episode), Thomas Evans (1 Episode), Will Parmalee (1 Episode), Pink Simmons (1 Episode), Mr. Phipps (1 Episode), Elbin (1 Episode), Grubby (1 Episode), Ritchie (1 Episode), Ira (1 Episode), Sam Peeples (1 Episode), Husk (1 Episode), Old Man (1 Episode), Terry (1 Episode), Henry Rucker (1 Episode), Leach (1 Episode), Michael Drennan (1 Episode), Sy (1 Episode), Clay (1 Episode), Martin (1 Episode), Gregory Bellow (1 Episode), Kelly (1 Episode), Hiller (2 Episodes), Lucifer Jones (1 Episode), Hal (1 Episode), Bert Case (1 Episode), Hager (1 Episode), Hewitt (1 Episode), Jesse Hill (1 Episode), Harmon (1 Episode), Ian McGovern (1 Episode), Hank Luz (1 Episode), Raff (1 Episode), Tabe (1 Episode), Lars Karlgren (1 Episode), McGruder (1 Episode), Mr. Hubert (1 Episode), Hutch (1 Episode), Adam (1 Episode), Jess (2 Episodes), Ben Rodman (2 Episodes), Web Fraley (2 Episodes), Billy (1 Episode), Pruit (1 Episode), Judd Ward (1 Episode), Milty Sims (1 Episode), Sam Rickers (1 Episode), Rankin (1 Episode), Nally (1 Episode), Newspaper Editor (1 Episode), Chet (1 Episode), Turner (1 Episode), Floyd Babcock (1 Episode), Wally (1 Episode), Packy (2 Episodes), Stage Man (1 Episode), Liveryman (1 Episode), Hawkins (1 Episode), Turner (1 Episode), Nebs (1 Episode), Old Prospector (1 Episode), Bert Fraley (1 Episode), Waiter (4 Episodes), Shay (1 Episode), Chief Red Knife (1 Episode), Horse Trader (1 Episode), Hank Purvis (1 Episode), Purvis (1 Episode), Dan Slade (1 Episode), Eddie (1 Episode), Potter (1 Episode), Lieutenant (1 Episode), Joe Kell (1 Episode), Bartender (1 Episode), Brown (1 Episode), Jack Beaver (1 Episode), Roy Gast (1 Episode), Prof. Eliot (1 Episode), Glover (1 Episode), Jed Bates (1 Episode), Cob (1 Episode), Duggan (1 Episode), Seldon (1 Episode), Bird (1 Episode), Liveryman (1 Episode), Lon (1 Episode), Bud (1 Episode), Joe Digger (1 Episode), Lon Jensen (1 Episode), Rod (1 Episode), Crep (1 Episode), Ben Walling (1 Episode), Hi Stevens (1 Episode), Hodge (1 Episode), Harley (1 Episode), Nate (1 Episode), Leader (1 Episode), Young Man (1 Episode), Alvy (1 Episode), Rainey (1 Episode), Leroy (1 Episode), Floyd Coleman (2 Episodes), Cary (1 Episode), Jud (1 Episode), Hoagler (1 Episode), Varden (1 Episode), Zel (1 Episode), Boyd Avery (1 Episode), Meade (1 Episode), Cornet (1 Episode), Sam Smith (1 Episode), Martin Brewer (1 Episode), Sage (1 Episode), Barker (1 Episode), Relko (1 Episode), Morris Cragin (1 Episode), Sally Fergus (3 Episodes), Amy (1 Episode), Ma Grilk (1 Episode), Emma Grundy (1 Episode), Rose (1 Episode), Aunt Thede (1 Episode), Abelia (3 Episodes), Abbie (1 Episode), Francie (1 Episode), Stella (1 Episode), Ada Stanley (1 Episode), Anne Madison (1 Episode), Travis (1 Episode), Morff (1 Episode), Binders (1 Episode), Cowboy (1 Episode), Telegrapher (1 Episode), Stage Driver (1 Episode), Wolfer (1 Episode), Barfly (1 Episode), Paulette Duvalier (2 Episodes), Amelita Avila (1 Episode), Mignon Anderson (1 Episode), Shona (1 Episode), Mora (1 Episode), The Woman (1 Episode), Kisla (1 Episode), Josh Walker (1 Episode), Abner (1 Episode), Blacksmith (1 Episode), Corley (1 Episode), Tully (1 Episode), Cleavus Lukens (1 Episode), Eli Snider (1 Episode), Ben Miller (1 Episode), Bartender (2 Episodes), Henry Wade (1 Episode), Dave Clifford (1 Episode), Jake Hawkins (1 Episode), Floyd (1 Episode), Murphy (1 Episode), Head Wrangler (1 Episode), Rance (1 Episode), Dan (1 Episode), Clay Young (1 Episode), Jim Cobbett (1 Episode), Serpa (1 Episode), Zeno (1 Episode), Shanks (1 Episode), Tom (1 Episode), Pitt (1 Episode), Luke Cumberledge (1 Episode), Kelby (1 Episode), Hickock (1 Episode), Ab Rankin (1 Episode), Pegger (1 Episode), Swarner (1 Episode), Bayloe (1 Episode), Cyrus (1 Episode), Stark (1 Episode), Ben Payson (1 Episode), Emil (1 Episode), Hug (1 Episode), Judge Josh Pike (1 Episode), Nate (1 Episode), Coney (1 Episode), Bill Jennings (1 Episode), Emmett (1 Episode), Bowman (1 Episode), Hobie (1 Episode), Mrs. Tilman (1 Episode), Ess Cutler (1 Episode), Miss Howell (1 Episode), Jessie Copperton (1 Episode), Minnie (1 Episode), Phoebe (1 Episode), Mrs.Curtin (1 Episode), Jim Redigo (1 Episode), Carl (1 Episode), Carney (1 Episode), Cpl. He was the son of a sheriff and worked on a jail farm as a boy. [25] This seemed to have been a habit of CBS. He would never miss a Saturday night TV program called Gunsmoke, a western about Marshall Matt Dillon in Dodge City, Kansas, and his many exploits. Meston relished the upending of cherished Western fiction clichs and said that few Westerns gave any inkling of how brutal the Old West was in reality. [8], Macdonnell and Meston wanted to create a radio Western for adults, in contrast to the prevailing juvenile fare such as The Lone Ranger and The Cisco Kid. In 2006, as part of Gunsmoke's 50th anniversary on TV, selected episodes were released on DVD in three different box sets. ", "Heldenfels' Mailbag: 'The Little Couple,' Jean Peters, game show prizes", "TV Guide Magazine's 60 Best Series of All Time", "Jay-Z, a speech by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and 'Schoolhouse Rock!' Apart from the doleful tone, Gunsmoke is distinct from other radio Westerns, as the dialogue is often slow and halting, and the outstanding sound effects give a palpable sense of the prairie setting. director of photography Film Editing by Albrecht Joseph Casting By Lynn Stalmaster Set Decoration by Raymond Boltz Jr. He then joined the group Sons of the Pioneers, of which celebrity Roy Rogers was a member. However, McNear's performances steadily became more warm-hearted and sympathetic. James Arness, right, who starred as Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke," had a daughter who would later get screen time in the 1990 made-for-TV movie . After director John Ford hired the Pioneers for the western film, Wagon Master, Curtis began getting dozens of movie and TV roles. "[20] It has long been rumored that John Wayne was offered the role of Matt Dillon; according to Dennis Weaver's comments on the 50th Anniversary DVD, disc one, episode "Hack Prine", John Wayne was never even considered for the role; to have done so would have been preposterous, since Wayne was a top movie leading man. Tomatometer Not Yet Available . Curtis, who played deputy Festus Haggin from 1963-75, died in his sleep Sunday at his home here, family members said Monday. Chester and Festus Haggen are Dillon's sidekicks, though others became acting deputies for .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}2+12- to 7+12-year stints: Quint Asper (Burt Reynolds) (196265), Thad Greenwood (Roger Ewing) (196567), and Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor) (196775), who served as both back-up deputy and doctor-in-training, having some studies in medicine through his uncle, which then continued under Doc Adams. As originally pitched to CBS executives, this was to be an adult Western, not a grown-up Hopalong Cassidy. producer (as Norman Macdonnell) Cinematography by Fleet Southcott . Gunsmoke is often a somber program, particularly in its early years. 'GUNSMOKE,' Dennis Weaver, Amanda Blake, 1955-1975 / Everett Collection Dennis Weaver stayed with the show for nine years before he started chafing creatively. In 1970, Popular Library published the following paperback book written by Chris Stratton: In 1974, Award Books published the following paperback books written by Jackson Flynn based on the TV series: In 1998, Boulevard Books published the following paperbacks written by Gary McCarthy based on the TV series: A series of novels based upon the television series written by Joseph A. The first, recorded in June 1949, was very much like a hard core detective series and starred Michael Rye (credited as Rye Billsbury) as Dillon;[5][4] the second, recorded in July 1949, starred Straight Arrow actor Howard Culver in a more Western, lighter version of the same script. Dolly is played by Whitney Blake, who has a sharp edge and is a vicious cat to Marshal Dillon. (*Dolly Varden quote*) - "I'm not responsible for what men do.". Columbia Pictures heard the song and signed Curtis as a singing cowboy. 28 on, In 2019, the radio episode "The Cabin" was selected by the. Doc Adams and Festus Haggen were not featured in the film. Meston was head writer. Dunning writes that Dillon "played his hand and often lost. Robinson delegated this to his West Coast CBS vice president, Harry Ackerman, who had developed the Philip Marlowe series.[4]. Milburn Stone was given free rein to choose the character's first name, and chose that of the ancient Greek physician and medical researcher Galen. [62] This feat would be surpassed by Mariska Hargitay, who has portrayed the character Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for over 23 consecutive years to date. Gunsmoke has one spin-off series, Dirty Sally, a semicomedy starring Jeanette Nolan as an old woman and Dack Rambo as a young gunfighter, leaving Dodge City for California to pan for gold.
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