Gunsmoke (1955 TV series)

**Gunsmoke** is a longest-running western television series ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS, with 635 total episodes. It was the second Western television series written for adults, premiering on September 10, 1955, four days after *The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp*. The first 12 seasons aired Saturdays at 10 pm, seasons 13 through 16 aired Mondays at 7:30 pm, and the last four seasons aired Mondays at 8 pm. During its second season in 1956, the program joined the list of the top-10 television programs broadcast in the United States. It quickly moved to number one and stayed there until 1961. It remained among the top-20 programs until 1964.

## Longevity records

The television series was the longest-running, primetime, live-action series on television (tied with *Law & Order* with 20 seasons each) until September 2019, when the 21st-season premiere of *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* surpassed *Gunsmoke*. However, *Gunsmoke* remains the longest-running, primetime, live-action series of the 20th century. As of 2017, it had the highest number of scripted episodes for any U.S. primetime, commercial, live-action television series. On April 29, 2018, *The Simpsons* surpassed *Gunsmoke* for the most scripted episodes. Some TV fans[*who?*] question its position as having the longest run. Some foreign-made programs, i.e. produced outside the U.S., have been broadcast in the U.S. and contend for the position as the longest-running series. As of 2016, *Gunsmoke* was rated fourth globally, after *Doctor Who* (1963–present), *Taggart* (1983–2010), and *The Bill* (1984–2010).

*Gunsmoke* was the last fictional primetime show that debuted in the 1950s to leave the air, and was so durable that only three shows from the *1960s* lasted past *Gunsmoke'*s final season in 1974–75.

### Character longevity

James Arness and Milburn Stone portrayed their *Gunsmoke* characters for 20 consecutive years, a feat later matched by Kelsey Grammer as the character Frasier Crane, but over two half-hour sitcoms (*Cheers* and *Frasier*). This feat would be surpassed by Mariska Hargitay, who has portrayed the character Olivia Benson on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* for over 21 consecutive years to date. However, Gunsmoke had 635 episodes and SVU only 420, so far. George Walsh, the announcer for *Gunsmoke*, began in 1952 on radio's *Gunsmoke* and continued until television's *Gunsmoke* was cancelled in 1975. The first seven seasons were jointly sponsored by L&M cigarettes and Remington shaving products.

### Transition to TV from radio

When *Gunsmoke* was adapted for television in 1955, in spite of a campaign to persuade the network, the network was not interested in bringing either Conrad or his radio costars to the television medium. Conrad's weight was rumored to be a deciding factor. Denver Pyle was also considered for the role, as was Raymond Burr, who was ultimately also seen as too heavy for the part. Charles Warren, television *Gunsmoke'*s first director, said, "His voice was fine, but he was too big. When he stood up, his chair stood with him." 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. The belief that Wayne was asked to star is disputed by Warren. Although he agrees Wayne encouraged Arness to take the role, Warren says, "I hired Jim Arness on the strength of a picture he's done for me... I never thought for a moment of offering it to Wayne."

According to Thomas "Duke" Miller, a TV/movie/celebrity expert, this story was told to him by legendary actor James Stewart:

"Jimmy said he was in the office with Charles Warren when Mr. Wayne came in. Mr. Warren asked Wayne if he knew James Arness, and Mr. Wayne said yes. Mr. Warren told Mr. Wayne about the transition of the show from radio to TV, and Mr. Wayne readily agreed that James Arness would be a terrific choice for the part of Matt Dillon. I have no reason to doubt the story, because Jimmy absolutely knew everybody."

In the end, the primary roles were all recast, with Arness taking the lead role of Marshal Matt Dillon (on the recommendation of Wayne, who also introduced the pilot), Dennis Weaver playing Chester Goode, Milburn Stone being cast as Dr. G. "Doc" Adams (later Galen "Doc" Adams), and Amanda Blake taking on the role of Miss Kitty Russell. Macdonnell became the associate producer of the TV show and later the producer. Meston was named head writer.

Good evening. My name's Wayne. Some of you may have seen me before; I hope so. I've been kicking around Hollywood a long time. I've made a lot of pictures out here, all kinds, and some of them have been Westerns. And that's what I'm here to tell you about tonight: a Western—a new television show called *Gunsmoke*. No, I'm not in it. I wish I were, though, because I think it's the best thing of its kind that's come along, and I hope you'll agree with me; it's honest, it's adult, it's realistic. When I first heard about the show *Gunsmoke*, I knew there was only one man to play in it: James Arness. He's a young fellow, and maybe new to some of you, but I've worked with him and I predict he'll be a big star, so you might as well get used to him, like you've had to get used to *me*! And now I'm proud to present my friend Jim Arness in *Gunsmoke*.

— John Wayne, first *Gunsmoke* TV episode, "Matt Gets It".

## Additional casting

Chester and Festus Haggen are perhaps Dillon's most recognizable sidekicks, though others became acting deputies for 2+1⁄2- to 7+1⁄2-year stints: Quint Asper (Burt Reynolds) (1962–65), Thad Greenwood (Roger Ewing) (1966–68), and Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor) (1967–75), 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.

In 1962, Burt Reynolds was added to the show's lineup, as the "halfbreed" blacksmith Quint Asper, and performed that role from the year just before the departure of Chester Goode and to just after the appearance of Festus Haggen. Three of the actors, who played Dodge deputies, Ken Curtis, Roger Ewing, and Buck Taylor, had previous guest roles. Curtis, a big band and Western singer (Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Shep Fields Band, Sons of the Pioneers), had five previous guest roles, including one in 1963 as a shady ladies' man named Kyle Kelly ("Lover Boy," season 9, show two [episode 307]).

Curtis first appeared in the 1959 episode "Jayhawkers" (season four, episode 21 [episode 138]), wherein he played Phil Jacks, a Texas cowboy, with Jack Elam as his boss during a cattle drive from Texas. The second was another 1959 episode titled "Change of Heart" (season four, episode 32 [episode 149]), where he played Brisco. The third appearance is the 1960 episode "The Ex-Urbanites" (season five, episode 30 [episode 186]), where he plays Jesse. He also had a small role as an Indian named Scout in the episode "Speak Me Fair" (season five, episode 34 [episode 190]) in 1960. Curtis was reared in Las Animas, Colorado, and for a time was a son-in-law of director John Ford.

In 1963, Weaver left the series to pursue a broader acting career in TV series and films. In 1964, Curtis was signed as a regular to play the stubbornly illiterate hillbilly Festus Haggen. The character, heretofore a comic feature, came to town in a 1962 episode titled "Us Haggens" to avenge the death of his twin brother Fergus, and decided to stay in Dodge when the deed was done. Initially on the fringes of Dodge society, Festus was slowly phased in as a reliable sidekick/part-time deputy to Matt Dillon when Reynolds left in 1965. In the episode "Alias Festus Haggen", he is mistaken for a robber and killer, whom he has to expose, to free himself (both parts played by Curtis). In a comic relief episode, "Mad Dog", another case of mistaken identity forces Festus to fight three sons of a man killed by his cousin. As a side note, only one episode has all three actors in it playing their respective roles, in the 1964 episode titled "Prairie Wolfer" (season 9, episode 16 [episode 321]), with Dennis Weaver as Chester, Burt Reynolds as Quint, and Ken Curtis as Festus. The 1964 episode titled "Once a Haggen" (season 9, episode 18 [episode 323]) is the second of only two occasions in which Chester and Festus appear in the same episode.

When Milburn Stone left the series for heart bypass surgery in 1971, Pat Hingle played his temporary replacement, Dr. John Chapman, for several episodes. His presence was at first roundly resisted by Festus, a bickersome but close friend of Doc Adams.

Well-known actors played "visiting characters". Jeanette Nolan played Dirty Sally in several episodes.

## Character back stories

The back stories of some of the main characters were largely left to the imagination of the viewer. Matt Dillon spent his early years in foster care, knew the Bible, was a wayward, brawling cowboy, and was later mentored by a caring lawman. In a few episodes, he mentions having spent some time in the army. Kitty Russell was born in New Orleans and reared by a flashy foster mother (who once visited Dodge), although her father visited Dodge on one occasion and wished to have her return to New Orleans. Barkeep Sam is said to be married, but no wife is ever seen. (In the episode "Tafton", he is seen side by side with a woman in a church singing.)

Quint Asper's white father was killed by white scavengers. Thad Greenwood's father, a storekeeper, was harassed to death by a trio of loathsome ne'er-do-well thieves. Chester Goode is known to be one of many brothers raised by an aunt and uncle, and on one occasion, he mentions his mother; he refers to past service in the cavalry and years as a cattle driver in Texas. The cause of Chester's stiff right leg is never given, but it is shown as his own leg and not a prosthesis. No direct reference to his disability is ever made in the script, although some oblique moments paint the free-spirited, comic deputy with a darker tone. Newly O'Brien was named after a physician uncle who ignited his interest in medicine.

While Dillon and Miss Kitty clearly have a close personal relationship, the two never marry. In a July 2, 2002, Associated Press interview with Bob Thomas, Arness explained, "If they were man and wife, it would make a lot of difference. The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with." In the episode "Waste", featuring Johnny Whitaker as a boy with a prostitute mother, her madam questions Dillon as to why the law overlooks Miss Kitty's enterprise. Apparently, bordellos could exist "at the law's discretion," (meaning the marshal's). As a historical matter, prior to the First World War, few laws criminalized prostitution in the United States. The nearest that Matt and Miss Kitty have to a romantic evening together is when they try to have dinner over the Long Branch Saloon ("A Quiet Day In Dodge", 1973). Unfortunately, Marshal Dillon has been going over 30 hours without sleep, and when Kitty is distracted, he falls soundly asleep. The nearest Miss Kitty gets to being married is when she has to pretend to be married to Cavalry Sgt. Holly to save her from a robber gang ("Sergeant Holly", 1970). By the time of the "Gold Train" episode, Kitty remembers when she first met Matt – 17 years before. Miss Kitty was written out in 1974. The actress said she was tired and quit to protect the cast and crew she loved so much. When Blake decided not to return for the show's 20th (and final) season, the character was said to have returned to New Orleans. She was replaced by the hoarse-voiced, matronly actress Fran Ryan (known to many as the second Doris Ziffel on CBS's *Green Acres*.)

For over a decade on television, a sign hung over Doc's office that read "Dr. G. Adams". Milburn Stone was given free rein to choose the character's first name. The actor chose the name of the ancient Greek physician and medical researcher Galen. He is first referred to in this manner by Theodore Bikel as "Martin Kellums" in the season-10 episode, "Song for Dying", aired February 13, 1965.

## Radio and TV character differences

Differences were noted between the characters on the radio and TV versions of *Gunsmoke.* In the radio series, Doc was acerbic, somewhat mercenary, and borderline alcoholic, at least in the program's early years. On radio's *Gunsmoke*, Doc Adams's real name was Dr. Calvin Moore. He came west and changed his name to escape a charge of murder. The television Doc, though still crusty, was in many ways softer and warmer.

Nothing in the radio series suggested that Chester Proudfoot was disabled; this merely visual feature was added to the Chester Goode character on television because of actor Dennis Weaver's athletic build, to emphasize Chester's role as a follower and not an independent agent.[*citation needed*]

Miss Kitty, who after the radio series ended, was said by some to have engaged in prostitution, began in that role in the television series, working in the Long Branch Saloon. In an earlier 1956 episode ("How to Cure a Friend", season two, episode seven), the owner of the Long Branch was named Bill Pence (a role played by at least three different actors over the years). A later episode ("Daddy O", Season two, episode 36, filmed in 1956 and aired in 1957) begins with Chester pointing out to Matt (who had been out of town) a new sign under the Long Branch Saloon sign saying "Russell & Pence, Proprietors". In that same episode, John Dehner portrayed a dubious New Orleans businessman claiming to be Kitty's father, who tried to talk her into selling her half interest in the Long Branch and returning to New Orleans with him as a partner in his alleged freight business.

In another 1956 episode (involving a new saloon girl named "Rena Decker", who causes four deaths by provoking men into fighting over her), Miss Kitty identifies herself as half-owner of the Long Branch with Mr. Pence (played by Judson Pratt). Subsequently, Miss Kitty transitioned to sole owner. Although early film episodes showed her descending from her second-floor rooms in the saloon with Matt, or showed her or one of her girls leading a cowboy up to those same rooms, these scenes disappeared later on, and viewers were guided to see Miss Kitty just as a kindhearted businesswoman.[*citation needed*]

## Format

From 1955 to 1961, *Gunsmoke* was a half-hour show (retitled *Marshal Dillon* in syndication). It then went to an hour-long format. The series was retitled *Gun Law* in the UK. 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.

## Popularity

*Gunsmoke* was TV's number one-ranked show from 1957 to 1961 before slipping into a decline after expanding to an hour. In 1967, the show's 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. On the Biography Channel's *Behind The Scenes: Gilligan's Island* (2002), *Gilligan's Island* producer Sherwood Schwartz states that Babe pressured her husband not to cancel *Gunsmoke* in 1967, so the network cut *Gilligan's Island* instead. The show continued in its new time slot at 8 pm on Mondays. This scheduling move led to a spike in ratings that had it once again rally to the top 10 in the Nielsen ratings, which again saved the series when CBS purged most of its rural content in 1971. The series remained in the top 10 until the 1973–74 television season. In September 1975, despite still ranking among the top-30 programs in the ratings, *Gunsmoke* was cancelled after a 20-year run; it was replaced by *Mary Tyler Moore* spin-offs *Rhoda* and *Phyllis* (though *Rhoda* actually debuted while *Gunsmoke* was still airing first-run). Thirty TV Westerns came and went during its 20-year tenure, and *Gunsmoke* was the sole survivor, with *Alias Smith and Jones* and *Bonanza* both leaving the airwaves 2+1⁄2 years earlier in January 1973.

Arness and Stone remained with the show for its entire run, though Stone missed seven episodes in 1971 due to illness.

The entire cast was stunned by the cancellation, as they were unaware that CBS was considering it. According to Arness, "We didn't do a final, wrap-up show. We finished the 20th year, we all expected to go on for another season, or two or three. The (network) never told anybody they were thinking of canceling." The cast and crew read the news in the trade papers. This seemed to have been a habit of CBS. Three other popular shows, *Gilligan's Island*, *Lost in Space*, and *The Incredible Hulk* met the same fate, in the same, abrupt manner.

## Episodes

1. *The Wreckers*
2. *Cattle Barons*
3. *The Prodigal*
4. *Vengeance (Part 1)*
5. *Vengeance (Part 2)*
6. *A Hat*
7. *Hard Luck Henry*
8. *Major Glory*
9. *The Pillagers*
10. *Prairie Wolfer*
11. *Stranger in Town*
12. *Death Train*
13. *Rope Fever*
14. *Wonder*
15. *Baker's Dozen*
16. *The Victim*
17. *Deadman's Law*
18. *Nowhere to Run*
19. *Blood Money*
20. *Hill Girl*
21. *The Gunrunners*
22. *The Jackals*
23. *The First People*
24. *Mr. Sam'l*
25. *A Noose for Dobie Price*
26. *Lyle's Kid*
27. *The Hidecutters*
28. *Zavala*
29. *Uncle Finney*
30. *Slocum*
31. *O'Quillian*
32. *9:12 to Dodge*
33. *Abelia*
34. *Railroad!*
35. *The Miracle Man*
36. *Waco*
37. *Lobo*
38. *Johnny Cross*
39. *The Money Store*
40. *The Twisted Heritage*
41. *Time of the Jackals*
42. *Mannon*
43. *Gold Town*
44. *The Mark of Cain*
45. *Reprisal*
46. *The Long Night*
47. *The Night Riders*
48. *The Intruder*
49. *The Good Samaritans*
50. *The Prisoner*
51. *Exodus 21:22*
52. *The Devil's Outpost*
53. *Stryker*
54. *Coreyville*
55. *Danny*
56. *Hawk*
57. *A Man Called Smith*
58. *Charlie Noon*
59. *The Still*
60. *A Matter of Honor*
61. *The Innocent*
62. *Ring of Darkness*
63. *MacGraw*
64. *Roots of Fear*
65. *The Sisters*
66. *The War Priest*
67. *The Pack Rat*
68. *The Judas Gun*
69. *Doctor Herman Schultz, M.D.*
70. *The Badge*
71. *Albert*
72. *Kiowa*
73. *Celia*
74. *Morgan*
75. *The Thieves*
76. *Hackett*
77. *The Cage*
78. *Chato*
79. *The Noose*
80. *Stark*
81. *Sam McTavish, M.D.*
82. *Gentry's Law*
83. *Snow Train (Part 1)*
84. *Snow Train (Part 2)*
85. *Luke*
86. *The Gun*
87. *The Scavengers*
88. *The Witness*
89. *McCabe*
90. *The Noon Day Devil*
91. *Sergeant Holly*
92. *Jenny*
93. *Captain Sligo*
94. *Mirage*
95. *The Tycoon*
96. *Jaekel*
97. *Murdoch*
98. *Cleavus*
99. *Lavery*
100. *Pike (Part 1)*
101. *Pike (Part 2)*
102. *The Lost*
103. *Phoenix*
104. *Waste (Part 1)*
105. *Waste (Part 2)*
106. *New Doctor in Town*
107. *The Legend*
108. *Trafton*
109. *Lynott*
110. *Lijah*
111. *My Brother's Keeper*
112. *Drago*
113. *The Bullet (Part 1)*
114. *The Bullet (Part 2)*
115. *The Bullet (Part 3)*
116. *P.S. Murry Christmas*
117. *No Tomorrow*
118. *Hidalgo*
119. *Tara*
120. *One for the Road*
121. *The Predators*
122. *Yankton*
123. *Blind Man's Buff*
124. *Alias Festus Haggin*
125. *The Wedding*
126. *The River (Part 1)*
127. *The River (Part 2)*
128. *Bohannan*
129. *The Judgement*
130. *The Drummer*
131. *Sarah*
132. *The Fugitives*
133. *Eleven Dollars*
134. *Milligan*
135. *Tatum*
136. *The Sodbusters*
137. *The Brothers*
138. *Hostage!*
139. *Jubilee*
140. *Arizona Midnight*
141. *Homecoming*
142. *Shadler*
143. *Patricia*
144. *A Quiet Day in Dodge*
145. *Whelan's Men*
146. *Kimbro*
147. *Jesse*
148. *Talbot*
149. *This Golden Land*
150. *Women for Sale (Part 1)*
151. *Women for Sale (Part 2)*
152. *Matt's Love Story*
153. *The Boy and the Sinner*
154. *The Widow-Maker*
155. *Kitty's Love Affair*
156. *The Widow and the Rogue*
157. *A Game of Death...An Act of Love (Part 1)*
158. *A Game of Death...An Act of Love (Part 2)*
159. *Lynch Town*
160. *The Hanging of Newly O'Brien*
161. *Susan Was Evil*
162. *The Deadly Innocent*
163. *The Child Between*
164. *A Family of Killers*
165. *Like Old Times*
166. *The Town Tamers*
167. *The Foundling*
168. *The Iron Blood of Courage*
169. *The Schoolmarm*
170. *Trail of Bloodshed*
171. *Cowtown Hustler*
172. *To Ride a Yeller Horse*
173. *The Disciple*
174. *Matt Dillon Must Die*
175. *Town in Chains*
176. *The Guns of Cibola Blanca (Part 1)*
177. *The Guns of Cibola Blanca (Part 2)*
178. *Thirty a Month and Found*
179. *The Wiving*
180. *The Iron Men*
181. *The Fourth Victim*
182. *The Tarnished Badge*
183. *In Performance of Duty*
184. *Island in the Desert (Part 1)*
185. *Island in the Desert (Part 2)*
186. *The Colonel*
187. *The Squaw*
188. *The Hiders*
189. *Larkin*
190. *The Fires of Ignorance*
191. *The Angry Land*
192. *Brides and Grooms*
193. *Hard Labor*
194. *I Have Promises to Keep*
195. *The Busters*
196. *Manolo*
197. *The Sharecroppers*

## History on Cartoonito UK

Since *Gunsmoke* made its Cartoonito UK debut on March 4, 2013, there are 197 episodes ever made.