A Man’s Man!
Who is Matt Dillon? Marshall Matt Dillon is a fictional character played on radio and television by the great Jame Arness in the western drama Gunsmoke.
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Matt Dillon’s job as a U.S. Marshal was all about keeping the peace and making sure justice was served out in the wild west.
What town did Marshall Matt Dillon reside in?
Dodge City, Kansas
Fun Fact About Gunsmoke
Actor James Arness actually got to sit down with the Marshall Of Dodge City, KS at the time, Marshall Ramon House.
This get-together was a heartfelt moment during the promotional tour that the producers organized for Gunsmoke, bringing people together to share in the excitement and camaraderie of a beloved series.
It took place in a replica of the Long Branch Saloon, which was owned by Miss Kitty on the show. Photo below:
Marsall Ramon House can be seen on the far right above
Gunsmoke Radio Show
The Gunsmoke radio show ran from 1952 until 1961. Marshall Matt Dillon was portrayed by William Conrad.
His deep and powerful voice was perfect for broadcasting, captivating listeners with its rich timbre and commanding presence.
This unique vocal quality not only attracted a loyal audience but also earned him top dollar at the time, as clients and networks sought his expertise for various projects.
He gained prominence in the industry for his emotional storytelling, establishing himself as a top voice talent in broadcasting.
In the 1870s, violence moved west along with American settlers and Marshall Dillon moved with it!
“I’m that man, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, the 1st man they look for and the last they want to meet.
It’s a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful … and a little lonely.” – Matt Dillon.
In fact the content of the radio show was darker and more violent than the TV show.
TV network censors were vigilant back then and insisted on clean show…or as clean as a western could be.
The Gunsmoke TV Show
The Gunsmoke television program ran an incredible 20 years (1955-1975). What a run!
Between 1955 to 1961, Gunsmoke was a 30 minute show. It then went to a 60 minute format. Gunsmoke was retitled Marshal Dillon in syndication
Other Gunsmoke Cast Members
Regulars
- James Arness as Matt Dillon
- Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode (1955–1964)
- Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell (1955–1974)
- Milburn Stone as Doc Galen Adams
- Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen (1964–1975)
- Burt Reynolds as Quint Asper (1962–1965)
- Roger Ewing as Thaddeus “Thad” Greenwood (1965–1967)
- Buck Taylor as Newly O’Brien (1967–1975)
- Glenn Strange as Sam Noonan (1961–1973)
Recurring Roles
- Dabbs Greer as Mr. Jonas
- Roy Roberts as Mr. Bodkin (1965–1975)
- Herb Vigran as Judge Brooker
- Howard Culver as Howie the hotel clerk
- Pat Hingle as Dr. John Chapman (1971)
- James Nusser as Louie Pheeters (1956-1970)
- Tom Brown as Ed O’Connor (1959, 1968–1974)
- Ted Jordan as Nathan Burke
Gunsmoke TV Show Trivia
Here are 10 interesting trivia facts about the classic TV show Gunsmoke:
- Longest-Running Primetime Drama
Gunsmoke aired for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, making it one of the longest-running primetime drama series in TV history with 635 episodes. - Started as a Radio Show
Before its TV debut, Gunsmoke was a popular radio series that aired from 1952 to 1961. William Conrad, who voiced Marshal Matt Dillon on the radio, was considered for the TV role but was deemed not the right fit visually. - James Arness’s Epic Run as Matt Dillon
James Arness, who played Matt Dillon, appeared in all 20 seasons and set a record for the longest uninterrupted role by a single actor playing the same character in prime-time television. - John Wayne’s Involvement
John Wayne, a Hollywood Western icon, introduced the first episode of Gunsmoke on TV as a favor to his friend, James Arness, and recommended Arness for the role of Matt Dillon. - Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty
Amanda Blake played Miss Kitty Russell, the saloon owner, for 19 seasons. Her departure in 1974, just before the final season, was attributed to her desire to leave the show before it ended. - “Festus” – Ken Curtis’s Unique Take
Ken Curtis, who played the memorable deputy Festus Haggen, originally auditioned for the role of Marshal Dillon! He later joined the cast as Festus and brought a comedic, backwoods flavor to the character, becoming a fan favorite. - Canceled Without a Finale
After 20 seasons, Gunsmoke was canceled suddenly in 1975. It did not have a proper series finale, which was unusual for such a long-running show. - First TV Show in Color
Gunsmoke was one of the first shows to experiment with color in the 1960s, moving fully to color by 1966, which helped maintain its appeal as other shows transitioned to color broadcasts. - Milburn Stone as Doc Adams
Milburn Stone, who played the gruff but lovable Doc Adams, was with Gunsmoke for its entire run. He won an Emmy for his role in 1968, recognizing his portrayal of one of TV’s most iconic doctors. - Influential Impact on Future Westerns
Gunsmoke set a high standard for Westerns and influenced many future shows and films. It was known for tackling tough moral issues and maintaining historical accuracy, with its impact extending to shows like Bonanza and The Rifleman.
These pieces of trivia highlight how Gunsmoke not only dominated television for two decades but also left a lasting legacy in the Western genre.
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