Gunsmoke is an American Western television series that ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS, with 635 total episodes. The first 12 seasons aired Saturdays at 10 pm (EST), 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. From 1967 through 1973, it regained its top-10 rating status, dropping to 15 in the 1973–1974 season and finally to 26 in its final season. In all, it was number one for four seasons, and in the top 10 for 13 of its 20 seasons. It is the second adult Western series to premiere, four days after The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Airing for 20 seasons, it was the longest-running American primetime TV series until it was surpassed by The Simpsons.
Premise Set in Dodge City, Kansas during the years following the American Civil War, the series follows the lives of US Marshal Matt Dillon and the citizens he is sworn to protect. Among them are his deputies, Chester Goode, and later Festus Haggen, town physician Galen "Doc" Adams, and saloon owner, Miss Kitty Russell. Most episodes involve disruptions caused by those arriving from outside Dodge City. Since Dillon's authority extends beyond town, some episodes focus on his travels, while other plots revolve around mishaps occurring while Dillon is gone. Both deputies are shown to be loyal, but often inept or indecisive at handling problems when Dillon is not around. Although Dillon and Miss Kitty are never portrayed in a romantic relationship, it is apparent they care deeply for each other. Doc Adams is portrayed as a very competent and caring physician, but his conservative treatment methods often frustrate his patients who expect a quick recovery. Doc and both deputies are often used as comic relief over the course of the series. As the series progressed, much less is seen of Matt Dillon. The series began to resemble an anthology with Dodge City as a backdrop for storylines around the show's guest stars.
Cast
Main
James Arness as US Marshal Matt Dillon (1955–1975), the U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas, who works to preserve law and order in the western frontier of the 1870s. Milburn Stone as Galen "Doc" Adams (1955–1975) Amanda Blake as Kathleen "Kitty" Russell (1955–1974), owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Kitty's character type suggests a seductress by implication, but Blake's portrayal of the role gave it additional depth to avoid what might have otherwise been a stereotype. She played the role of an affectionate wife to Matt, and sister or mother to guest casts as necessary. Blake's Kitty remained her own person, echoing the culture's awareness of the liberated woman. Dennis Weaver as Chester B. Goode (1955–1964), Marshal Dillon's initial sidekick. Burt Reynolds as Quint Asper (1962–1965), deputy Marshal and blacksmith. Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen (1964–1975), deputy Marshal and Dillon's second sidekick. Roger Ewing as Thad Greenwood (1965–1967), deputy Marshal and handyman. Buck Taylor as Newly O'Brien (1967–1975), who served as deputy Marshal and doctor-in-training, having some studies in medicine through his uncle, which then continued under Doc Adams.
Recurring Dabbs Greer as Wilbur Jonas (1955–1963), storekeeper Howard Culver as Howie Uzzell (1955–1975), hotel clerk George Selk as Moss Grimmick (1955–1963), stableman Judson Pratt and Barney Phillips as Bill Pence (1955–1957; 1958–1961), Long Branch owner/co-owner James Nusser as Louie Pheeters (1961–1970), town drunk Sarah Selby as Ma Smalley (1961–1972), boardinghouse owner Hank Patterson as Hank Miller (1963–1975), stableman Roy Roberts as Mr. Bodkin (1963–1970), banker Charles Seel as Barney Danches (1965–1974), telegraph agent Roy Barcroft as Roy (1965–1969), townsperson Charles Wagenheim as Halligan (1966–1975), rancher Woody Chambliss as Mr. Lathrop (1966–1975), storekeeper Ted Jordan as Nathan Burke (1966–1975), freight agent Jonathan Harper as Percy Crump (1966–1972), undertaker Tom Brown as Ed O'Connor (1968–1972), rancher Herb Vigran as Judge Brooker (1970–1975): Pat Hingle as John Chapman (1971), doctor when Stone temporarily left for heart bypass surgery Fran Ryan as Miss Hannah (1974–1975), saloon owner
Guest stars
During its twenty year run, Gunsmoke's guest stars included several Academy Award winners.
Several guest stars were Academy Award nominees.
Guest stars on the series also included Emmy Award winners.
Tony Award winning guest stars included:
Several guest stars on Gunsmoke went on later to star in their own Westerns.
Episodes
Background and production
Background Gunsmoke began in 1952 as a radio series. In 1955, producer Norman Macdonnell, along with John Meston and Charles Marquis Warren decided to bring the series to television. The series launched with Warren as producer-director and Robert Stabler as executive producer. The series was originally created by Filmaster at Columbia Studios. It would later be filmed at Paramount and James Arness would become producer and owner of the company.
Casting John Wayne was originally offered the role of Matt Dillon, but he turned it down. Instead, Wayne recommended James Arness for the role. Arness had already appeared in several films, including The Thing. Arness's six-foot-six stature and rugged appearance personified the traditional image of the Western hero. Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, and Milburn Stone were hired to fill out the cast. By the 1973-1974 season, Arness, Blake, and Stone were the only remaining original cast. Some characters came and went, others were replaced with similar characters.
Filming The television series was filmed at the present site of California Lutheran University (CLU) and nearby Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, California.
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