"Gunsmoke" (1955) TV series 1955-1975

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Directors:

Gary Nelson
Sam Peckinpah

Writers:

Calvin Clements Jr. (writer) (1965)
James Favor (story)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

Release Date:

10 September 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Western

Plot:

Marshall Matt Dillon keeps the peace in the rough and tumble Dodge City.

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title | Bartender | Based On Radio Show | Deputy Marshal | Saloon Owner

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 11 wins & 14 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Oct. 16	2:00 PM	TVLAND	Abelia	#14.8
Fri. Oct. 17	2:00 PM	TVLAND	The Railroad	#14.9

Cast

James Arness	...	Marshal Matt Dillon / ... (616 episodes, 1955-1975)
Milburn Stone	...	Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams / ... (405 episodes, 1955-1975)
Amanda Blake	...	Kitty Russell / ... (367 episodes, 1955-1974)

Also Known As:

Gun Law (UK)
Marshal Dillon (USA) (rerun title)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (1955-1961) (233 episodes) (including commercials) | USA:60 min (1961-1975) (402 episodes) (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White (1955-1966) | Colour (1966-1975)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:TV-G (some episodes) | USA:TV-PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Bell Ranch, Santa Susana, California, USA

Company:

Arness Productions

Trivia:

"Gunsmoke" was created by writer John Meston and producer Norman MacDonnell as a radio series that premiered on CBS in 1952. Many of the early television episodes are adaptations of Meston's radio scripts. The radio series ran for more than 400 episodes and lasted until 1961.

Quotes:

Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams: I'll tell you why the Hagens live so long.
Festus Haggen: Why?
Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams: 'Cause they're too dumb to know they're dead!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The A-Team: The Say U.N.C.L.E. Affair (#5.6)" (1986)

Soundtrack:

The Old Trail

Matt Dillon was a hero in the truest since of the word.

Having Tivo (a system that records programs automatically) has re-introduced Gunsmoke to me. I was a young boy when it began in the 1950's. I loved the early shows. The 1962 shows are being aired on TV Land right now and I have about a dozen recorded for future viewing. I wanted to make an observation about James Arness's character, Matt Dillon. He was my hero growing up and watching the show. After seeing the shows again, 40 years later, I know why. Matt was justice. He meted out retribution to those who were evil. Here he was, standing 6 feet seven inches with a voice like God.

Watching Matt save the day in episode after episode made me realize how great it would to have a Matt around today: someone who would stand up to the bully, step in a wield his gun at the villains taking advantage of anyone in sight. I guess we all had heroes, but who could ever match James Arness. He was fair, gentle, understanding, but had the strength and skill to ward off any foe.

I miss Matt Dillon. We won't see his like again. Even Clint Eastwood, with his Dirty Harry justice, did not have the depth of Matt with his combination of gunplay and compassion.