Gun Law (1955–1975)
"Gunsmoke" (original title)

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

Stars:

James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 13 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
James Arness	...	Matt Dillon (635 episodes, 1955-1975)
Milburn Stone	...	Doc (604 episodes, 1955-1975)
Amanda Blake	...	Kitty (568 episodes, 1955-1974)
Ken Curtis	...	Festus (304 episodes, 1959-1975)
Dennis Weaver	...	Chester (290 episodes, 1955-1964)

Storyline

Marshal Matt Dillon is in charge of Dodge City, a town in the wild west where people often have no respect for the law. He deals on a daily basis with the problems associated with frontier life: cattle rustling, gunfights, brawls, standover tactics, and land fraud. Such situations call for sound judgement and brave actions: of which Marshal Dillon has plenty.

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Plot Keywords:

marshal | warrior | hero | colt .45 | tough guy | 

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Marshal Dillon

Filming Locations:

Bell Ranch, Santa Susana, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arness Production Company, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Filmaster Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 30 min 60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White (1955-1966) Color (1966-1975)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to a TV Guide article published in the August 23, 1975 issue (just before the show left the air), 26 actors screen-tested for the role of Matt Dillon. William Conrad (voice of radio's Matt Dillon) was one, but didn't look the part. Raymond Burr sounded great, but according to producer-director Charles Marquis Warren: "he was too big; when he stood up his chair stood up with him" (Burr later lost considerable weight to play Perry Mason)). John Pickard almost made it, but did poorly in a love scene with Kitty (he later guest-starred a few times in various roles). Warren and producer Norman MacDonnell stoutly denied that they even considered major film star John Wayne - but they went with James Arness, who looked and sounded a LOT like Wayne. When Arness was reluctant to take the role, Wayne persuaded him and even agreed to introduce the first episode.

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Quotes

U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon: [to any man seemingly planning to go gunning for somebody.] If you're gonna to use that gun, you better start on me.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.146 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"The Old Trail"
by Rex Koury and Glenn Spencer
Aspen Fair Music, Incorporated (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Gunsmoke will be remembered as the finest television western series of all time.

I remember watching Gunsmoke in the late 1950's. In black and white or in color it was consistently good, in large part, due to its talented cast. Originally John Wayne was offered the part but felt TV was not his cup of tea. He recommended a tall, good looking James Arness to play Matt Dillon and the rest is history.For the first 9 years, Dennis Weaver played Matt's devoted friend and deputy. Amanda Blake was perfect in the role of Miss Kitty, who ran the local Dodge City saloon. Milburn Stone, a long time screen actor, was given the part of Doc Adams, an outspoken man with a heart of gold. Then there was Ken Curtis who played Festus Hagen, a lovable deputy who was an equal replacement for Dennis Weaver. For 20 years, Gunsmoke graced the television line up at CBS. It was a different western in that its scripts were often filled with emotional stories that developed its characters. It employed many of our finest actors in guest roles. Realistic filming in Thousand Oaks, Ca. and in southwest Utah added to its appeal. It still runs today on Nick at Night and continues to captivate its audience. It is just plain good!!!