Gunsmoke was set in Dodge City, Kansas; the year, arbitrarily, was 1873. Crusty old Doc Adams, the only cast member besides Arness to stay with the show for its entire twenty year run, was the town's kindly, sympathetic physician. Doc spent most of his spare time, as did many of Dodge City's residents, at the Longbranch Saloon, which was owned and operated by Kitty Russell.

Kitty was extremely softhearted, beneath what could be a very businesslike exterior. Kitty had eyes for Matt Dillon, a dauntless and fearless United States Marshal. Matt's loyal, well-meaning deputy was Chester goode, who walked with a pronounced limp, talked with a twang, and brewed a mean pot of coffee. Chester left the series in 1964 and was replaced by Festus Haggen, the scruffy hillbilly deputy who remained for the rest of the run. Matt Dillon set the tone of the show throughout its long life, standing for justice, sincerity, and truth.

Cast and Characters

• James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon
• Milburn Stone as Dr. Galen (Doc) Stone
• Amanda Blake as Kitty Russel (1955-1975)
• Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode (1955-1964)
• Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen (1964-1975)
• Burt Reynolds as Quint Asper (1962-1965)
• Glenn Strange as Sam the Bartender (1962-1974)
• Roger Ewing as Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood (1965-1967)
• Buck Taylor as Newly O'Brien (1967-1975)
• Dabbs Greer as Mr. Jones (1955-1960)
• James Nusser as Louie Pheeters
• Howard Culver as Howie
• Charles Seel as Barney
• Tom Brown as Ed O'Connor
• John Harper as Percy Crump
• Hank Patterson as Hank (1957-1975)
• Sarah Shelby as Ma Smalley (1962-1975)
• Ted Jordan as Nathan Burke (1964-1975)
• Roy Roberts as Mr. Bodkin (1965-1975)
• Woody Chamblis as Mr. Lathrop (1966-1975)
• Charles Wagenheim as Halligan (1967-1975)
• Fran Ryan as Miss Hannah (1974-1975)

Broadcast History, Episode Guide & TV Schedule

First Telecast: September 10, 1955
Last Telecast: September 1, 1975
Original Network: CBS
Number of Seasons: 20
Number of Episodes: 635
Original Primetime TV Schedule:

• September 1955- September 1961, CBS, Saturday 10:00-10:30pm
• September 1961- September 1967, CBS, Saturday 10:00-11:00pm
• October 1961- June 1964, ABC, Tuesday 7:30-8:00pm
• September 1967- September 1971, CBS, Monday 7:30-8:00pm
• September 1971- September 1975, CBS, Monday 8:00-9:00pm

Theme Song and Opening Intro

"Gunsmoke" (also known as "Old Trails") by Glenn Spencer and Rex Koury

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Gunsmoke On DVD

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