Gunsmoke (TV series)
Adult Western series set in post-Civil War Dodge City.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Gunsmoke, an American Western television series, aired on CBS for 20 seasons from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, totaling 635 episodes. It premiered just four days after *The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp*, making it the second adult Western series to debut. For years, it held the record as the longest-running American primetime TV series until *The Simpsons* surpassed it.
The show’s time slot shifted over its run. The first 12 seasons aired Saturdays at 10 pm (EST), seasons 13 through 16 moved to Mondays at 7:30 pm, and the final four seasons aired Mondays at 8 pm. During its second season in 1956, Gunsmoke entered the top 10 television programs in the United States. It quickly climbed to number one, where it stayed until 1961, and remained among the top 20 through 1964. From 1967 to 1973, it regained top-10 status, then dropped to 15th in the 1973–1974 season and 26th in its final season. Overall, it ranked number one for four seasons and in the top 10 for 13 of its 20 seasons.
Set in Dodge City, Kansas, after the American Civil War, the series follows U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon and the citizens he protects. Key characters include 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 outsiders arriving in Dodge City. Because Dillon’s authority extends beyond town, some episodes focus on his travels, while others revolve around mishaps during his absence. Both deputies are loyal but often inept or indecisive when Dillon is away. Though Dillon and Miss Kitty never have a romantic relationship on screen, they clearly care deeply for each other. Doc Adams is a competent and caring physician, but his conservative methods frustrate patients expecting quick recoveries. Doc and both deputies frequently provide comic relief. As the series progressed, Matt Dillon appeared less, and the show began to resemble an anthology with Dodge City as a backdrop for guest-star storylines.
The main cast included James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon (1955–1975), Milburn Stone as Doc Adams (1955–1975), and Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell (1955–1974), owner of the Long Branch Saloon.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Charles Marquis Warren
- Genre
- Western
- Based On
- Gunsmoke · John Meston · Norman Macdonnell
- Starring
- James Arness / Milburn Stone / Amanda Blake / Dennis Weaver / Burt Reynolds / Ken Curtis / Roger Ewing / Buck Taylor
- Theme Music Composer
- Rex Koury / Glenn Spencer
- Country
- United States
- Num Seasons
- 20
- Num Episodes
- 635
- List Episodes
- List of Gunsmoke television episodes
- Runtime
- 26 minutes (1955–1961) / 50 minutes (1961–1975)
- Company
- CBS Productions / Filmaster Productions / Arness and Company / (1959–1961) / The Arness Production Company / (1961–1964)
- Network
- CBS
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Set in Dodge City, Kansas, during the years following the American Civil War, Gunsmoke follows U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon and the citizens he protects, including deputies Chester Goode and later Festus Haggen, town physician Doc Adams, and saloon owner Miss Kitty Russell. Most episodes involve disruptions from outsiders, with some plots focusing on Dillon's travels or mishaps in his absence. The series began as a half-hour show from 1955 to 1961, then expanded to an hour-long format. It was retitled Marshal Dillon in syndication and Gun Law in the UK. The show's theme music was composed by Glenn Spencer. Contrary to some reports, CBS informed the cast and producers of the cancellation before the public announcement, not through trade papers without prior notice.
Reader's Guide
Gunsmoke originated as a radio series in 1952 before being adapted for television by producer Norman Macdonnell, John Meston, and Charles Marquis Warren. John Wayne recommended James Arness for the lead role after turning it down himself. The series was filmed at the present site of California Lutheran University and Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, California. Its theme song, 'Old Trails,' composed by Glenn Spenser and Rex Koury, features a slow, diatonic melody mimicking horse hooves. The show was cancelled in 1975 without public announcement, stunning the cast and crew. A two-part episode 'Pike' served as a pilot for the spinoff Dirty Sally. Gunsmoke spent four seasons as the number-one program and ranked in the top 10 for 13 of its 20 seasons.
Did You Know?
- Gunsmoke was the second adult Western series to premiere, four days after The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.
- The series was originally offered to John Wayne, who turned it down and recommended James Arness.
- The television theme song 'Old Trails' was composed by Glenn Spenser and Rex Koury, with lyrics recorded by Tex Ritter in 1955.
- The show was cancelled after 20 seasons without prior notice to the cast or producers, who learned of it from trade papers.
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