Gunsmoke, Best of the Westerns

by Guy Belleranti

Like many boys growing up in the 1950’s and early 60’s the TV western captivated me. And none were as good as Gunsmoke.

Actually the show started out on radio with actor William Conrad providing the voice of Marshall Matt Dillon.

Then, in 1955, the program moved to TV. Early choices to play star character, Marshal Matt Dillon, included Denver Pyle and John Wayne. Wayne did introduce the first episode, but he declined the starring role as he was too busy with movies and didn’t want to commit to a TV series. However, he did suggest an alternate - James Arness.

Gunsmoke made TV history, running from 1955 to 1975, still the longest run of any series with continuing characters. Through 1960 the show was one half hour in length. Then it switched over to an hour.

Two reasons it ran for so many years had to be the stories and the actors. The show examined contemporary themes in a tasteful manner and created many memorable characters. You didn’t have to be a fan of westerns to love it. My mother, certainly no big western fan, professed it as her favorite TV program in the 60’s.

In addition to James Arness’ iconic Matt Dillon many other wonderful actors created equally wonderful characters. Amanda Blake was Kitty Russell, owner of the Long Branch Saloon and Matt’s long-time love interest. Also unforgettable was Milburn Stone’s crusty, but totally good-hearted Doc Adams. Dennis Weaver was memorable as Matt’s deputy, Chester Goode in the program’s first 10 years. Ken Curtis, as Festus Haggen, then became a regular until the series ended. And what a lovable creation was he! From his humorous sparring moments with Doc to his mule Ruth, Festus was a truly unique character.

Other important people on the program included Buck Taylor as Newley O’Brien, Roger Ewing as Thad and, Glenn Strange as Sam, the bartender. Burt Reynolds was a regular for several years in the early to mid 60’s, playing Quint Asper, Dodge City’s best blacksmith.

Arness, as Dillon, and Stone as Doc Adams, remained with the show for its entire twenty year run, though Stone did take a break for a number of episodes in 1971 while recovering from heart surgery. Amanda Blake’s Kitty stayed for the first 19 years.

The first eleven seasons were in black and white, the final 9 in color. There were over 630 episodes, 400 of them an hour in length.

Many great actors and actresses made guest appearances on Gunsmoke. Some of most famous included Bette Davis, Jon Voight, Richard Dreyfuss, Lee J. Cobb, Kurt Russell, Cloris Leachman, Ed Begley, Lee Van Cleef, Strother Martin and Ali MacGraw.

Indeed, Gunsmoke was a one of a kind series. And its popularity continues, for it can still be seen in TV reruns.

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