Gunsmoke

Whilst we have many beer-like substitutes on sets today, it seems like the Gunsmoke actors often enjoyed real beer on the set of this iconic show. Many things have changed since those first black and white episode of Gunsmoke aired for the first time in 1955. But one thing that has always remained in the…

James Arness, the lucky actor who was ultimately chosen to play Gunsmoke’s leading man, Marshal Matt Dillon, was in his thirties when the first season aired. Gunsmoke is still one of the most beloved shows in the American Western drama and has made history as one of the longest-running shows on television. Throughout the course…

Amanda Blake had already made a name for herself when she joined the cast of Gunsmoke, though she was only in her 20s. Gunsmoke is still one of the most influential old American Western shows in the history of television. The stories of Marshal Matt Dillon and his exploits to try and restore law and…

CBS decided in 1966 that Gunsmoke would start airing in color, but James Arness was adamant about keeping the show’s gritty appearance intact. Gunsmoke was on the air for just under 20 years (and it ran for a total of 20 seasons) between 1955 and 1975.This is a feat which has only been accomplished by…

Although there were some squabbles on the set of Gunsmoke, most of the cast members really did get along well over the years. Gunsmoke ran for a total of 20 seasons, and it continues to be one of the most-beloved and most-influential Western shows to this day. It turns out that one of the reasons…

Gunsmoke had many different filming locations in its 20-season run, but most of the early seasons were filmed at Melody Ranch and the CBS Studio Center. Gunsmoke was one of the original Western television shows which really set the tone for the entire genre. In the beginning, many of the outdoor scenes of Gunsmoke were…

While some fans still believe that Dennis Weaver was kicked off Gunsmoke because of James Arness, the actor was actually beloved by most of his colleagues. James Arness may not have always been the top choice to play Matt Dillon, but the actor has now become synonymous with the character. Although there were always rumors…

Miss Kitty’s mole on Gunsmoke was not real, but it could have been one of Amanda Blake’s real freckles which they simply enhanced for the show. Marshal Matt Dillon may have been the lead in Gunsmoke, but Miss Kitty quickly became a favorite among fans who watched the show. The behind-the-scenes details of Miss Kitty’s…