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".

Gunsmoke - Murder Warrant

Here we have another look at how the radio version of Gunsmoke led the way for the tv version.

From season 2 on the radio and from season 4 on tv here is the episode "Murder Warrant"
written by John Meston.

Thanks to Bob Camardella and his great podcast Boxcars711 for the radio broadcast.

Originally aired on CBS Radio April 24th 1954


Aired on CBS television April 18th 1959

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.

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 - Pucket's New Year

From the television version of Gunsmoke, Season 2 originally aired January 5th 1957

Pucket's New Year written by John Meston

this was a great episode and in the style of the radio version since it was written by the man who wrote the majority of the radio episodes and the first 10 season's of television episodes.

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 - 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 - Grass

Season 4 Episode 129  aired 11/29/1959


originally aired on radio Season 1 episode 62  07/11/1953

Gunsmoke on Radio - The Last Episode

This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the airing of the last original episode of the radio version of Gunsmoke.   A true legend in radio history, this was the first "grown up" western which started airing in 1952.
Shortly after in 1954 the television version was aired on CBS and ran for 20 seasons.

Here, thanks to Buck Benny's wonderful podcast, is the last episode of Gunsmoke's radio version.

Letter of the Law from June 18th  1961 episode 28 of season 9 and the 413th of the entire run.  Written by John Meston.


The episode was made for the television version in Season 4 episode 5 October 11th 1958.

Gunsmoke - Home Surgery

Season 1, episode 4  October 8th 1955  


Originally aired on radio September 13th 1952  Season 1, episode 21