James Arness

GUNSMOKE: THE LONG RIDE, James Arness, 1993

Catch ‘Gunsmoke’s TV Movies This December on INSP

The films, all with original star James Arness, brought the show into the ’80s and ’90s.

Ken Curtis as Festus in Gunsmoke

How Many ‘Gunsmoke’ Characters Did Ken Curtis Play Besides Festus?

Curtis also played a con man, a Kiowa scout and a killer who looked just like Festus!

GUNSMOKE, from left: Amanda Blake, James Arness, Milburn Stone, (September 29, 1973), 1955-1975

Which Two ‘Gunsmoke’ Stars Hated Each Other at First?

And how did they finally work things out?

GUNSMOKE, Ken Curtis, 1955-1975, horse

The Real Story of Why Ken Curtis’ Festus Joined ‘Gunsmoke’

Intended for just one episode, Festus would become Marshal Matt Dillion’s longest running deputy!

GUNSMOKE: THE LONG RIDE, Ali MacGraw, James Arness, James Brolin, 1993

‘Gunsmoke The Long Ride’ Brought the Western Back in 1993

Do you remember the ‘Gunsmoke’ TV movies?

GUNSMOKE, James Arness, c. 1950s

Gunsmoke’ Premiered 70 Years Ago Today — Which Major Cast Member Almost Wasn’t On It?

A Western film legend eventually convinced him to take the role.

GUNSMOKE, James Arness, Amanda Blake, 1955-1975

The Untold Story of Matt Dillon’s Horse on ‘Gunsmoke’

Learn more about Buck, who was also seen in ‘Bonanza.’

Gunsmoke Cast composite image

Do You Remember The First ‘Gunsmoke’ Episode That Was Broadcast in Color?

The brand-new technology also required a glow-up for Miss Kitty!

Buck Taylor

Do You Remember When Buck Taylor’s Newly O’Brien Arrived in Dodge City on ‘Gunsmoke’?

Taylor and James Arness would form a lifelong friendship.

GUNSMOKE, from left: Amanda Blake, James Arness, (Season 6, 1960), 1955-1975.

‘Gunsmoke’s Marshal Matt Dillon’s Only Had One On-Screen Kiss — Do You Remember It?

In 20 seasons, the lawman only found love once.

Gunsmoke70-Press-Asset(1)

MeTV Celebrates ‘Gunsmoke’s’ 70th Anniversary With Monthlong Marathon

Spend all of September catching up on the best episodes of the classic series.

John Wayne and James Arness composite image

James Arness Almost Passed on ‘Gunsmoke’ … Until John Wayne Changed His Mind

The man who would become Matt Dillon wanted to work in film, not TV.

Gunsmoke Cast composite image

See Rare Behind-The-Scenes Photos From ‘Gunsmoke’

Check out the on-set antics on one of TV’s most beloved Westerns.

JAMES ARNESS, GUNSMOKE

What Happened When ‘Gunsmoke’ Star James Arness Nearly Died While Promoting the Show

A promotional event at a rodeo turned dangerous for the actor.

GUNSMOKE, Dennis Weaver, Amanda Blake, 1955-1975

Why Did Chester Goode Disappear From ‘Gunsmoke’?

One day, the deputy simply vanished from the series.

Gunsmoke TV show graphic

What Happened on the Final Episode of ‘Gunsmoke’?

After 20 seasons, how did the show finally call it quits?

The Day That John Wayne Completely Shocked the Entire ‘Gunsmoke’ Cast

No one thought that a star of that magnitude would do something like that.

Miss Kitty, Gunsmoke, Amanda Blake

Here’s Why Miss Kitty Disappeared From ‘Gunsmoke’

When CBS made a shocking decision that left the entire ‘Gunsmoke’ cast stunned, Amanda Blake was livid.

JAMES ARNESS, GUNSMOKE

5 Things You Never Knew About James Arness, Star of ‘Gunsmoke’

Before ‘Gunsmoke’ began in 1955, Arness lived a life that made him the perfect actor to play Matt Dillon.

THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD, (aka THE THING), top center: James Arness, left from top: James Young, Dewey Martin, Kenneth Tobey, right from top: John Dierkes, James Young, Robert Cornthwaite, Margaret Sheridan on poster art, 1951.

5 Otherworldly Facts About 1951’s ‘The Thing From Another World’

The sci-fi classic that inspired John Carpenter is still the subject of controversy over 70 years after its release.

GUNSMOKE, (from left): James Arness, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis, Milburn Stone, 1955-75.

7 Smoking Facts About the TV Western ‘Gunsmoke’

What classic ’60s TV show got canceled so ‘Gunsmoke’ could stay on the air?

The Best Classic TV Western Christmas Episodes, from ‘Wagon Train’ to ‘Gunsmoke’

Even out on the untamed frontier, the holidays were special.

TV Western Heroes collage

Roundup of Top 15 Western Heroes in TV & Film

From John Wayne and Clint Eastwood to Henry Fonda and Dennis Hopper, y’all will love this cattle drive of the bravest heroes from Westerns across film and TV.

scene from the black-and-white 1954 sci-fi movie

‘Them!’ Was the First & Best of the ’50s ‘Big Bug’ Movies

This classic about desert ants turned into giant monsters by A-bomb testing is a cut above the other ‘big bug’ creature features that followed, in both its atmosphere and execution.

Don Knotts as Barney Fife, playing harmonica alongside a goat, in
Classic TV On Today

A Goat Gets ‘Loaded’ in a Hilariously Memorable Episode of ‘The Andy Griffith Show’

Classic TV On March 23: A goat — and Otis — get loaded in different ways on The Andy Griffith Show, Lucille Ball joins Carol Burnett on her classic variety series and a memorable episode from Gunsmoke’s 20th and final season.

Invasion of Astro Monster
Classic TV On Today

And Still Champion! Godzilla Rules Comet’s March Monster Madness

Godzilla is the heavy favorite on Comet, the hunter becomes the hunted on ‘Gunsmoke,’ and Otis puts down the booze and picks up a badge.