Gunsmoke

GUNSMOKE, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, 1955-1975

The Surprising Way Dennis Weaver Landed His Life-Changing Role on ‘Gunsmoke’

He had a very different kind of job before landing the part.

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

Who Was the Best Classic TV Western Couple? (POLL)

Vote for your favorite!

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.

GUNSMOKE, Glenn Strange, Amanda Blake, James Arness, Ken Curtis, Milburn Stone, ?, 1955-75

MeTV’s All-Western Channel WEST Announces Full Christmas Schedule

Check out special Christmas episodes of ‘Gunsmoke,’ ‘Laramie,’ ‘Cheyenne’ and more.

Diane Ladd - 'Alice'

Screen Legend Diane Ladd Dies at 89

She was best known for her films ‘Wild at Heart,’ ‘Rambling Rose,’ and ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.’

WEST PR BOTTOM

Will MeTV Drop Westerns Now That It Has an All-Western Spinoff Channel?

How will WEST impact the schedule of other stations?

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?

AMERICAN GRAFFITI, Ron Howard, 1973

This Forgotten ‘Gunsmoke’ Episode Starred a Young Ron Howard

It was the actor/ director’s only appearance on the show.

GUNSMOKE, Bette Davis, 'The Jailer' (Season 12, aired October 1, 1966), 1955-75.

The Sad Reason Bette Davis Appeared on ‘Gunsmoke’

The Oscar-winning actress felt that at that point in her career, “nobody cares.”

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, Glenn Strange, 1955-75 (1972 photo)

The Heartbreaking Reason Glenn Strange Left ‘Gunsmoke’

His final episode of the show airs today on MeTV at 1pm EST.

GUNSMOKE, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, 1955-1975

Who’s Still Alive From ‘Gunsmoke’?

We can’t forget to mention the many guest stars who went on to have big careers.

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

Where Can You Watch ‘Gunsmoke’ on TV?

The classic Western can still be found on the airwaves every single day.

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.

THE RIFLEMAN, Johnny Crawford, Chuck Connors, (Feb 1959), 1958-1962.

6 Things You Never Knew About ‘The Rifleman’

Chuck Connors portrayed TV’s first single parent — and real parents wrote to him for advice!

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.

GUNSMOKE, Milburn Stone, 1955-75

Remembering Milburn Stone, Doc from ‘Gunsmoke’

He spent decades in the film industry before he took up his post in Dodge City.

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, Glenn Strange, 1955-75 (1972 photo)

Remembering Glenn Strange, Sam Noonan from ‘Gunsmoke’

He began his career in Westerns, but had a detour as a famous monster before settling in Dodge City.

GUNSMOKE, Dennis Weaver, Amanda Blake, 1955-1975

Why Did Chester Goode Disappear From ‘Gunsmoke’?

One day, the deputy simply vanished from the series.

GUNSMOKE, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, 1955-1975

Remembering Amanda Blake, Miss Kitty From ‘Gunsmoke’

She was more than just the star of over 500 episodes of the show — she was also a dedicated activist who passed too soon.

Gunsmoke TV show graphic

What Happened on the Final Episode of ‘Gunsmoke’?

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