Gunsmoke on Television

Gunsmoke debuted on CBS television on September 10th 1955 at 10pm on Saturday night.  It was not an immediate hit that season but came back the next season to finish tied for 7th place (I've Got a Secret).  The next season 1957-58 it was the #1 show in primetime with a 43.1 rating, well ahead of the Danny Thomas Show and leading several other westerns into the top ten prime time show list like #3 Tales of Wells Fargo, #4 Have Gun Will Travel, #6 The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp and at #8 The Restless Gun.  
This would be the first of 4 straight seasons that Gunsmoke was the #1 rated show on television.  A record that it held until All In the Family had 5 straight seasons at #1 (1971-1976).

What I am going to do to pay tribute to this feat by Gunsmoke I am going to post as many of the episodes from that first season it was #1 in the ratings (1957-58) as I can find.   First of all though I would like to show the episode from this week, April 26th of 1957, "Innocent Broad".

The Story of Gunsmoke Followup

In yesterday's posting of the 6 part series "The Story of Gunsmoke" (courtesy of Buck Benny's Podcast) they had the episode of "Marshall Proudfoot" which aired July 20th 1958 on CBS radio season 6.

The TV version of the episode also called "Marshall Proudfoot", but instead of Chester's father coming to visit it was his uncle but otherwise the script stay pretty close to the radio version.  This aired January 10th 1959, season 4.

The Story of Gunsmoke

Thanks to Buck Benny and in celebration of its 60th anniversary, here in 6 parts is a retrospective of Gunsmoke the radio version. This was done in the early 70s and contains interviews with William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Parley Baer (Chester), John Meston and Norman McDonnell (the creators,writers and producers) and Georgia Ellis (Miss Kitty).

This is a great show with a lot of behind the scenes stories and even discusses the beginning of the television version.

Gunsmoke - Chester's Hanging

Time for another Gunsmoke on Radio and Gunsmoke on TV comparison.   Tonight's episode is Chester's Hanging which originally aired on radio Feb 12 1955 (Season 3) and then was made into a tv episode which aired May 17th 1958 (Season 3) on CBS television.


Here is the radio episode




The TV version

Gunsmoke - The Tragedian

Season 5 Episode 20 of that season aired January 23rd 1960

This revolves around and down and out actor turned card sharp who Matt and Chester decide to help instead of arrest.
The highlight for Gunsmoke fans was the appearance of Howard McNear as Joe the owner/cook of a local restaurant.
The longtime cast member of the radio version of Gunsmoke originating the role of Doc Adams before moving into the equally legendary role of Floyd the barber on the Andy Griffith Show.

Gunsmoke on Radio - Billy the Kid (1st episode)

Billy The Kid was the first regularly scheduled episode of Gunsmoke.  After 2 audition episodes that were recorded but never aired, the show would debut April 26th 1952 with William Conrad as US Marshall Matt Dillon.

Gunsmoke on Radio - Amy's Good Deed

Episode originally aired on CBS radio November 27th 1955 Season 4 episode 14,  written by John Meston.




Aired on CBS television April 12th 1958 Episode 109 season 3 written for tv by Kathleen Hite.
Guest star Jeanette Nolan as Amy

Gunsmoke on Radio - Cheyennes

From Season 3 Episode 22 of the season aired on CBS Radio Feb 5th 1955




Aired on CBS television Season 4 Episode 156 June 13th 1959
(my apologies for the so so quality)

Gunsmoke - Bad Seed

From Season 6 Episode 216  originally aired Feb 4th 1961

Gunsmoke - Never Pester Chester

This episode aired on CBS TV November 16 1957, Season 3
in this episode the character of Stobo, was played by Jacob "Buddy" Baer who was the brother of heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer and uncle to Max Baer Jr, better known as "Jethro Bodine" on the Beverly Hillbillies.
Originally aired on CBS radio Season 1 July 5th 1952

Gunsmoke - Old Comrade

Fascinating episode of Gunsmoke.  Frank Sutton (Sgt Carter on Gomer Pyle USMC) plays a Gomer like character who is the son of a renowned US Army General.


Episode 16 of Season 8 aired 12/29/1962

Gunsmoke on Radio - The Old Lady

This edition of Gunsmoke on Radio is from January 24th 1953, Episode 39 written by Kathleen Hite.

The Old Lady

Gunsmoke - Smoking Out the Nolans

Season 1 Episode 7  aired 11/05/1955


originally aired on radio as "Smoking Out the Beedles" 11/06/1954

Gunsmoke - The Pest Hole

Season 1  episode 24    first aired 04/14/1956
this episode has Howard McNear as a lawyer


 Howard McNear originated and at this time played Doc Adams on the radio version of Gunsmoke.

Gunsmoke in Annie Oakley

From Season 5 10/17/1959
originally aired on radio August 19th 1956