Saturday, November 21, 2009 10:53 AM EST
Gunsmoke
Premiering on CBS in September 1955 and completing its network run September 1975, Gunsmoke is the longest running dramatic series in the history of television. Two of its stars, James Arness and Milburn Stone, remained all 20 seasons, with Amanda Blake a close second, departing after 19 years. The series started out as a half-hour show, and expanded to an hour in its seventh season. Prior to Gunsmoke (and The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp which premiered the same week), western shows generally focused on fantasy characters such as the Lone Ranger and Hopalong Cassidy, holdovers from movie and radio serials. Gunsmoke was one of the earliest "adult westerns," centering around the exploits of Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) in the frontier town of Dodge City, Kansas in 1873. His kindly companion was Doc Adams (Milburn Stone), the town physician who spent many hours chugging beers at the Long Branch Saloon, owned and operated by the shapely Kitty Russell. Over the years there were several changes in the supporting cast, most notably the replacement of Matt's loyal deputy, Chester Goode (Dennis Weaver), with hillbilly deputy Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis). Gunsmoke started a longtime trend for TV westerns. At one point there were 30 of them on the air at the same time. But Gunsmoke outlasted the others and at the time of its cancellation in 1975, it was the only show of its kind still on the air.
time
episode title
11/23/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Milligan
A local farmer joins a posse and is criticized and punished for shooting an outlaw in the back. Harry Morgan and Joseph Campanella guest-star.
A local farmer joins a posse and is criticized and punished for shooting an outlaw in the back. Harry Morgan and Joseph Campanella guest-star.
11/24/09 - 1:00 PM EST
The Sodbusters
Marshal Dillon appears on the scene as a group of cattlemen are trying to gun down a farmer in a fight over water rights. Leif Garrett and Harrison Ford guest-star.
Marshal Dillon appears on the scene as a group of cattlemen are trying to gun down a farmer in a fight over water rights. Leif Garrett and Harrison Ford guest-star.
11/25/09 - 1:00 PM EST
The Brothers
After being duped into helping to shoot and kill an outlaw, Kitty finds herself pursued by the outlaw's brother.
After being duped into helping to shoot and kill an outlaw, Kitty finds herself pursued by the outlaw's brother.
12/01/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Hostage
A gang of marauders, "The Dog Soldiers," swears vengeance against Dillon by shooting down Kitty. As Kitty lies critically wounded, Matt starts tracking the outlaw who shot her.
A gang of marauders, "The Dog Soldiers," swears vengeance against Dillon by shooting down Kitty. As Kitty lies critically wounded, Matt starts tracking the outlaw who shot her.
12/02/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Jubilee
Ed Wells, a Kansas farmer, dreams of striking it rich with his quarter horse. Seeing the futility of the dream of riches, Festus wins a bet, and the farmer is forced to see Jubilee beat another horse in a match race. Alan Hale and Scott Brady guest-star.
Ed Wells, a Kansas farmer, dreams of striking it rich with his quarter horse. Seeing the futility of the dream of riches, Festus wins a bet, and the farmer is forced to see Jubilee beat another horse in a match race. Alan Hale and Scott Brady guest-star.
12/03/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Arizona Midnight
A little cowboy astride a giant horse claims that the horse turns into an elephant when the moon is full. Dodge City residents are stunned when they see an elephant, wearing the cowboy's hat, appear in the street.
A little cowboy astride a giant horse claims that the horse turns into an elephant when the moon is full. Dodge City residents are stunned when they see an elephant, wearing the cowboy's hat, appear in the street.
12/04/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Homecoming
Two outlaw brothers return to Dodge City to visit their dying mother and threaten to take Kitty and Doc as hostages to ensure their safe escape across the border to Mexico. Festus goes to the rescue.
Two outlaw brothers return to Dodge City to visit their dying mother and threaten to take Kitty and Doc as hostages to ensure their safe escape across the border to Mexico. Festus goes to the rescue.
12/07/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Patricia
Newly marries a young woman whom he had courted while both were tending the injured from a Kansas tornado. However, Doc confirms that the woman is suffering from a life-threatening blood disease.
Newly marries a young woman whom he had courted while both were tending the injured from a Kansas tornado. However, Doc confirms that the woman is suffering from a life-threatening blood disease.
12/08/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Shadler
After masquerading as a priest, convict Boone Shadler escapes from prison. Newly is forced into an uneasy alliance with Shadler to save a small town from outlaws. Earl Holliman, Denver Pyle, and Diana Hyland guest-star.
After masquerading as a priest, convict Boone Shadler escapes from prison. Newly is forced into an uneasy alliance with Shadler to save a small town from outlaws. Earl Holliman, Denver Pyle, and Diana Hyland guest-star.
12/09/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Quiet Day In Dodge
Not having slept for two days, Marshal Dillon has a tough time when he returns to Dodge City with a dangerous prisoner. Margaret Hamilton guest-stars.
Not having slept for two days, Marshal Dillon has a tough time when he returns to Dodge City with a dangerous prisoner. Margaret Hamilton guest-stars.
12/10/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Wheland's Men
An outlaw gang terrorizes Dodge City during Marshal Dillon's absence. Miss Kitty boldly challenges the leader to a poker game, with Dillon's life as the stake. Harrison Ford and Gerald McRaney guest-star.
An outlaw gang terrorizes Dodge City during Marshal Dillon's absence. Miss Kitty boldly challenges the leader to a poker game, with Dillon's life as the stake. Harrison Ford and Gerald McRaney guest-star.
12/11/09 - 1:00 PM EST
Kimbrough
Matt Dillon learns that the man who taught him everything he knows is now an itinerant drunk reduced to sweeping out stables for whiskey money.
Matt Dillon learns that the man who taught him everything he knows is now an itinerant drunk reduced to sweeping out stables for whiskey money.
