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 - 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 - The Cook

I have been in a Gunsmoke mood lately, especially with the passing of James Arness.   Here is an episode from the TV series called -

 "The Cook"  Season 6 Episode 209 Aired: 12/17/1960





Here is the same episdode "The Cook" aired on radio 12/11/1960 Season 9 episode 9 of the season

Gunsmoke - Home Surgery

Season 1, episode 4  October 8th 1955  


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

James Arness R.I.P.

Today we lost a real giant and legend in television, James Arness, who will forever be know as Marshall Matt Dillon.   He passed away today at the age of 88 and just a little over a year after the death of his brother Peter Graves.    The LA Times obituary 

  Here is CNN's Brook Anderson with a brief look back at the life and career of James Arness.

Even though the role of US Marshall Matt Dillon was originated on radio in 1952 by William Conrad, and for some is still the quintessential version, James Arness was picked to bring the character to the little screen in 1955.   He played that role until the end of the show in 1975 (at the time the longest running prime time show in tv history) and made a few "Gunsmoke" tv movies in the 80s where again he saddled up at the US Marshall.  He was even prouder of his time spent in the US military during WWII where he was wounded in Anzio.

On a personal note, Gunsmoke, was my dad's favorite western and when I was very young I remember being quite aggravated that every monday night we had to watch Gunsmoke.   Now I look back with fondness of that time with my dad and hope that kids will look back and remember something like that when they are grown.


Here is the episode of Gunsmoke,  Hinka Do,  which aired in Season 5, episode 21, January 30th 1960.   Originally aired on radio in season 1 episode 24 October 10th 1952.

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

Even though I like the radio version much more than the tv show, my father never missed it. It was such a part of growing up I never realized it had been around so long.

Here from 1958-59 the 4th season - Stage Hold Up written by co creator John Meston (who wrote over 95% of the radio and tv episodes.