unknown facts about gunsmoke
Gunsmoke: About The Show
Facts About Gunsmoke

About The Show!

Here are some Fun Facts About Gunsmoke. Well, actually many fans already know these facts but let’s continue anyway:

U.S. Marshall Matt Dillon is a character portrayed on television by the great Jame Arness in the western drama Gunsmoke. The entire show is based on Dillon’s efforts to uphold justice in the Old West

What town did Gunsmoke take place in?

Dodge City, Kansas


classic car hats

Video: Gunsmoke – Opening and Closing Theme

More About Gunsmoke

Actor James Arness actually got to meet the current Marshall Of Dodge City, KS, Marshall Ramon House. This gathering was part of a promotional tour the producers were running for the show, and as a result ratings did improve. It took place in a dummy version of the Long Branch Saloon, which was owned by Miss Kitty on the show. Photo below:

Facts About Gunsmoke

Far Right: Marsall Ramon House


The Radio Show

Facts About Gunsmoke

The Gunsmoke radio program was broadcast between 1952 to 1961. Marshall Matt Dillon was voiced by William Conrad. His deep and powerful sound was perfect for broadcasting and he was paid handsomely.

“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

The Gunsmoke TV Show

The Gunsmoke TV show aired for an amazing twenty years (1955-1975)!

Between 1955 to 1961, Gunsmoke was a thirty-minute program. It then progressed to a sixty-minute show. Firstly, it was unique in it’s writing. Secondly, it educated many people on the history of the old west. Thirdly, it introduced the relatively new medium of television to fine acting and directing

Gunsmoke was later titled Marshal Dillon in syndication

rawhide t-shirt
tie dye t-shirts
click to purchase

Unknown Facts About Gunsmoke

  • Actor James Arness was wounded in combat in Anzio, Italy during World War II while serving as a rifleman in the US Army. As a result, his wounds made it difficult to walk around during filming of the show. The director had Arness film most of his upright scenes in the morning when his injuries would be less debilitating
  • Three child actors from The Brady Bunch appeared on Gunsmoke. Christopher Knight (Peter Brady), Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) and Eve Plumb (Jan Brady)
  • The cast found out about the cancellation of Gunsmoke by reading it in the newspaper. Nobody in management had the decency to tell them in person. Shameful!
  • James Arness dyed his naturally blond hair dark brown for 20 years in order to fit into his character
  • John Wayne was initially offered the role of Matt Dillon but told producers that James Arness would be a better fit. What a classy move by The Duke! another great unknown factabout Gunsmoke
  • Gunsmoke was originally scheduled for cancellation in 1967 due to low ratings but the network president was such a fan of the show that he switched Gunsmoke to the Gilligan’s Island slot and that was the end of Gilligan and friends!
  • Gunsmoke filmed 635 episodes and James Arness appeared in every episode!
  • Four actors from the classic sci-fi TV show Star Trek appeared on Gunsmoke in different episodes. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley and James Doohan all made appearances as various characters. They did not appear on the show at the same time but rather in separate episodes
  • Gunsmoke popularized the saying “Get Out Of Dodge”, referring to it’s location, Dodge City Kansas
  • During Gunsmoke’s 20 year run, US Marshall Matt Dillon shot 407 people. POW!

Other Gunsmoke Cast Members

Regulars

pet merchandise

Recurring Roles

patriotic apparel

There were numerous guest stars throughout the show’s run, including John Wayne, Lee Marvin, and Angie Dickinson.

Despite its popularity, Gunsmoke was not without controversy. In fact, the show was often criticized for its depiction of Native Americans and African Americans, who were often portrayed as one-dimensional stereotypes. However, it’s important to remember that Gunsmoke was a product of its time, and it’s still beloved by many for its incredible storytelling, unforgettable characters, and groundbreaking impact on television history.

In conclusion, Gunsmoke is a show that will always be remembered as one of the greatest of all time. Its impact on popular culture is undeniable, and its legacy lives on to this day. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering it for the first time, Gunsmoke is a must-watch for anyone who loves great television.

Thanks for reading our list of interesting facts about Gunsmoke!


About James Arness

james arness
Follow us on Instagram

11 responses to “Gunsmoke: About The Show”

  1. […] Marshall Ramon House. This get-together was part of a promotional tour the producers were doing for Gunsmoke. It took place in a replica of the Long Branch Saloon, which was owned by Miss Kitty on the show. […]

  2. […] There exists a town of 208 residents down at the bottom of the canyon. It’s called Supai Village. It is the only town in the USA that still gets their mail delivered by mule train […]

  3. […] Love Lucy ran for 6 seasons and produced 180 episodes. Between 1958 and 1960, Lucy and Desi decided to change the format to an hour-long show shown twice a month. It was called […]

  4. […] one point to another. It was now an extravaganza of scenic stops which, to many, was a vacation adventure in and of […]

  5. […] If you wish to start in California and travel northeast, your starting point would be at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard in Santa Monica California. Be sure to visit the Santa Monica Pier while you’re in the area! You won’t regret it! […]

  6. […] that he have plenty of peanut butter on hand to dip his apple slices in. Staffers tell the story of Griffith losing his cool when that peanut butter was not available. DO NOT mess with Matlock’s peanut […]

  7. […] big star was the beautiful and talented Elizabeth Montgomery. She received 5 Emmy nominations and 4 Golden Globe nominations during Bewitched’s eight-year […]

  8. […] 1971, CBS canceled the show and began a publicity campaign to rid itself of the reputation of being a “rural” network. Similar shows that were […]

  9. […] The Brady Bunch was groundbreaking for its time, as it was one of the first television series to feature a blended family. The series was also notable for its moral messages and family-friendly themes. […]

  10. […] Tony Randall was hired to portray Felix Unger, he lobbied heavily to get Mickey Rooney hired for the role of Oscar Madison. Producer Gary Marshall wanted Jack Klugman and we don’t need to […]

  11. […] like Lonely Are the Brave (1962) and Cleopatra (1963). In most of his films, his roles were often police or military officers and he showcased his talents for playing arrogant characters. During the 1960s, […]

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress.com.

%d bloggers like this: