He had a great voice, and years later I asked him to do some voice over’s for How The West Was Won. Since Amanda Blake had died the year before, the writers decided to revisit a 1973 episode for the movie. Chester's middle initial was given as "W" in the June 15, 1958, episode "Old Flame", and a few episodes later, on the July 7, 1958, episode "Marshal Proudfoot", his middle name, and that of his 10 siblings, is revealed to be Wesley. Weaver, himself an impressive 6'2", often looked small alongside Arness' height at 6'7"; this could be partly due to the character Chester having a limp. To within one, what year was Gunsmoke expanded from a half to a full hour? With James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis. While Marshall Matt Dillon ran most of the show, even he needed help in the form of a deputy. The set for the first 156 episodes of Gunsmoke from 1955 to 1959. The actor chose the name of the ancient Greek physician and medical researcher Galen. Gunsmoke was first broadcast in color in the 1966-67 season. Answer: 1961 Gunsmoke was cancelled in the late 60's but was reinstated by CBS's Board Chairman. The radio series first aired on CBS on April 26, 1952 with the episode "Billy the Kid", written by Walter Newman, and ended on June 18, 1961. Actor James Arness, left, and Amanda Blake, right, get big laughs at Dennis Weavers rope fumbling, during a rehearsal for a CBS-TV Gunsmoke, April 19, 1962. During its second season in 1956, the program joined the list of the top-10 television programs broadcast in the United States. In an earlier 1956 episode ("How to Cure a Friend", season two, episode seven), the owner of the Long Branch was named Bill Pence (a role played by at least three different actors over the years). "Gunsmoke" was created by writer John Meston and producer Norman MacDonnell as a radio series that premiered on CBS in 1952. The amiable Waco expatriate was usually described as Dillon's "assistant", but in the December 13, 1952, episode "Post Martin", Dillon described Chester as Dillon's deputy. When Blake decided not to return for the show's 20th (and final) season, the character was said to have returned to New Orleans. Despite that, it was originally scheduled to air 4/26/56 but was shown 5/12/56 the originally scheduled date for Cooter. Gunsmoke had one spin-off series, Dirty Sally, a semicomedy starring Jeanette Nolan as an old woman and Dack Rambo as a young gunfighter, leaving Dodge City for California to pan for gold. Lowell Toy Manufacturing Corporation ("It's a Lowell Game") issued Gunsmoke as their game No. Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. Chester was played by Dennis Weaver, who went on to star in the NBC Mystery Movie rotating TV series entry of a police drama with a comedic touch, McCloud, in the early 1970s. Three other popular shows, Gilligan's Island, Lost in Space, and The Incredible Hulk met the same fate, in the same, abrupt manner. [citation needed], Miss Kitty, who after the radio series ended, was said by some to have engaged in prostitution, began in that role in the television series, working in the Long Branch Saloon. In this historic prologue (included in this first-season round-up), Wayne hypes Gunsmoke as "honest, adult, and realistic." The entire cast was stunned by the cancellation, as they were unaware that CBS was considering it. However, McNear's performances steadily became more warm-hearted and sympathetic. “Gunsmoke” ran 20 years and had 635 episodes, making it the longest-running American prime-time drama TV series to date. Dunning writes that Dillon, "played his hand and often lost. Keeping Up With The Times. But what did he get up to after the famous western ended? He made his Hollywood debut in 1938 as a singer with swing bands. He saved a girl from brutal rapists then found himself unable to offer her what she needed to stop her from moving into ... life as a prostitute."[15]. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Some of you may have seen me before; I hope so. Amanda Blake appeared in over 500 episodes of the television series, with her last being the April 1, 1974 episode titled, "The Disciple". He amputated a dying man's leg and lost the patient anyway. This page was last edited on 18 February 2021, at 08:35. 822. The TV version was thought to have been first conducted by CBS west coast music director Lud Gluskin. Meston was named head writer. A complication arose, though; Culver's contract as the star of Straight Arrow would not allow him to do another Western series. The series was the top-rated show from 1957 to 1961 and maintained excellent ratings throughout its run. Omissions? His presence was at first roundly resisted by Festus, a bickersome but close friend of Doc Adams. Subsequently, Miss Kitty transitioned to sole owner. In 1964, Curtis was signed as a regular to play the stubbornly illiterate hillbilly Festus Haggen. Howard McNear starred as Dr. Charles Adams in the radio series, with Milburn Stone portraying Dr. Galen Adams in the television version. After a slow start in which he took jobs as a carpenter and salesman, a role in MGM's "Battleground" (1949) was a career turning point. They were airing them on Tuesday nights at 7:30 pm. The program lasted 13 weeks and aired in the first half of 1974, a year before Gunsmoke ended. On radio's Gunsmoke, Doc Adams's real name was Dr. Calvin Moore. Mr. Warren told Mr. Wayne about the transition of the show from radio to TV, and Mr. Wayne readily agreed that James Arness would be a terrific choice for the part of Matt Dillon. And that's what I'm here to tell you about tonight: a Western—a new television show called Gunsmoke. [36] The nearest Miss Kitty gets to being married is when she has to pretend to be married to Cavalry Sgt. [40] In September 1975, despite still ranking among the top-30 programs in the ratings, Gunsmoke was cancelled after a 20-year run; it was replaced by Mary Tyler Moore spin-offs Rhoda and Phyllis (though Rhoda actually debuted while Gunsmoke was still airing first-run). Gunsmoke was often a somber program, particularly in its early years. “Gunsmoke” ran 20 years and had 635 episodes, making it the longest-running American prime-time drama TV series to date. [35] The nearest that Matt and Miss Kitty have to a romantic evening together is when they try to have dinner over the Long Branch Saloon ("A Quiet Day In Dodge", 1973).