26 March 2025

Gunsmoke

Enjoys some shows

The Mistake (Gunsmoke) - 19th March 1955

The Guitar (Gunsmoke) - 26th December 1953

Chester's Murder (Gunsmoke) - 15th January 1955

Gunsmoke was a long-running American radio and television Western drama series created by Norman Macdonnell and John Meston. The radio series ran from 1952 to 1961, while the television series aired from 1955 to 1975, making it the longest-running American primetime television drama with continuous characters. The show was set in and around the town of Dodge City, Kansas during the settlement of the American West.

The Stars

The radio series starred William Conrad as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, with supporting roles played by Parley Baer as Chester Proudfoot, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell. When the show transitioned to television, James Arness took over the role of Marshal Dillon, while Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, and Dennis Weaver portrayed Doc Adams, Kitty Russell, and Chester Goode, respectively. Later additions to the television cast included Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen and Buck Taylor as Newly O'Brien.

Key Dates

The Gunsmoke radio series first aired on CBS on April 26, 1952, with the episode "Billy the Kid," and ran until June 18, 1961, for a total of 9 seasons and 480 episodes. The television adaptation premiered on September 10, 1955, and continued for 20 seasons, ending on March 31, 1975, with a total of 635 episodes. The show's transition from a half-hour to a one-hour format occurred in 1961.

Other Information

Gunsmoke was widely acclaimed and received numerous accolades, including 15 Primetime Emmy Awards. It was frequently ranked among the top-10 television programs in the Nielsen ratings and is considered one of the greatest and most influential television series of all time. The show's gritty, realistic portrayal of the American West, as well as its complex characters and storylines, set it apart from the more romanticized Westerns of the era.

The radio version of Gunsmoke was known for its somber tone and explicit content, including depictions of violence, crime, and the harsh realities of frontier life. The television series, while maintaining a similar level of realism, was somewhat more family-friendly in its approach. Both versions of the show were praised for their outstanding sound effects and multilayered, atmospheric production values.

Gunsmoke has had a lasting impact on the Western genre and has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and retrospective analyses. The show's enduring popularity has led to its continued syndication on various television networks and streaming platforms, ensuring that new generations of viewers can discover the timeless adventures of Marshal Matt Dillon and the residents of Dodge City.