FAREWELL, MARSHALL DILLON


June 3, 2011 was a sad day for us Gunsmoke fans. James Arness, the tall, soft spoken actor who played Marshall Matt Dillon for 20 years, passed away peacefully as he slept.... a fitting end to the life of the quiet, intensely private man. He was the lone surviving member of the original cast and I can only hope they are all having a big reunion now!

If the news of his death left you with one of those "empty stomach" feelings, it's no surprise to me, because that's how I felt. He was a big man who portrayed a big lawman on TV, and he captured a big place in our hearts. I hope you will remember him fondly, as I sure will.




Gunsmoke


The earlier TV cowboy shows, like The Lone Ranger or Hopalong Cassidy, were more about heroes and not so much about the real West. But then, along came Gunsmoke, one of the first "adult Westerns" on TV.

This show was more realistic and the Gunsmoke cast had a lot of interesting characters. Although Marshall Matt Dillon was the star, the one I remember most was Miss Kitty. How could you not remember her? She was so pretty and always wore fancy dresses, set off by her fiery red hair!



Background of the Show

The Gunsmoke TV series started out as a radio show in 1952 with the actor William Conrad doing the role of Matt Dillon, the town marshall. The show was on the radio for 9 years.

Here's a neat piece of info -

John Wayne was the first choice to play Marshall Dillon when the show was added to the TV lineup in 1955. But he didn't want to take on the commitment (in favor of his blossoming movie career!) so he suggested his young friend, James Arness, who was an unknown actor at the time. That was a stroke of good luck for James Arness who turned out to be perfect for the part that he played for the entire 20 years that Gunsmoke ran! And I'll bet John Wayne was on his Christmas list the entire time!

To help you get into a "Gunsmoke" mood, just click the center button on the video box below. You'll be taken right back to the '50's (or '60's or '70's) when you watched the beginning of the show on your own TV. Enjoy!

All About the Show

The show was set in Dodge City, Kansas around about 1873. And, originally, there were 4 main, regular Gunsmoke characters.

Matt Dillon (played by James Arness) was the central character as the town Marshall, standing for justice, sincerity and truth. His strong will kept him coming back even if he was beaten up, shot and ambushed!

DID YOU KNOW?

James Arness was so tall (6 ft. 7 in.) that co-stars often had to stand on platforms - or have Marshall Dillon stand in a low spot - to film scenes where they appeared next to him!

There was a cast of continuing characters who interacted with Marshall Dillon, and each other, as they went about their regular business.

Chester (played by Dennis Weaver) was Matt's loyal deputy. He walked with a limp (which was added purposely to make Dennis look more like a sidekick than a leading man). But this did make him one of the first regular characters on TV with a physical disability.

And do you remember his twangy voice and how you would hear him loudly calling for the Marshall, "Miisstterr Diillllonn!!" Who could forget that?

Miss Kitty, my favorite character, (played by Amanda Blake) ran the Long Branch Saloon. She was beautiful and didn't look like she belonged in a saloon. And she was a tough businesswoman, but with a very soft heart. She was a friend to anyone who needed one, and was like the oasis in a desert! She also had a real soft spot in her heart for Matt, but the most we ever saw between the two of them were meaningful smiles. Everyone knew that Miss Kitty really wanted to be romantically involved with the handsome Marshall!

Doc Adams (played by Milburn Stone) was the crusty, but kindly, old physician who took care of everyone's ills and patched up the guys who wound up on the receiving end in a gunfight!

There was also a supporting cast of other Dodge City residents who showed up in episodes now and then. They included -

Quint Asper, blacksmith (played by Burt Reynolds); Newly O'Brien, gunsmith (played by Buck Taylor); Thad Greenwood, Matt's young friend (played by Roger Ewing); Halligan and Ed O'Connor, local ranchers (played by Charles Wagenheim and Tom Brown); Louie Pheeters, town drunk (played by James Nusser); Barney Danches, telegraph agent (played by Charles Seel); Howie Culver, hotel clerk (played by Howard Culver); Percy Crump, undertaker (played by John Harper); Hank Miller, stableman (played by Hank Patterson); Nathan Burke, freight agent (played by Ted Jordan); Mr. Bodkin, banker (played by Roy Roberts); and Ma Smalley, boardinghouse owner (played by Sarah Selby); Sam, bartender (played by Glenn Strange).

Only James Arness (Matt Dillon) and Milburn Stone (Doc Adams) played their parts for the entire 20 years the show was on TV. During that time some key changes happened.

In 1964 Dennis Weaver (Chester) left and was replaced by the actor Ken Curtis who played Festus, a scruffy hillbilly deputy, until the show ended in 1975.

In 1974 Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty, my favorite!) left the show and was replaced by the actress Fran Ryan who played Miss Hannah and ran the Long Branch Saloon.

Gunsmoke was at the very beginning of a huge wave of Westerns on TV from the mid-50's to the mid-60's and, when it ended in 1975 after 20 years, it had run longer than any prime-time series with continuing characters in the history of TV!



More about the Actors

JAMES ARNESS passed away in his sleep on June 3, 2011. At age 88 he was the last member of the original regular cast. Click here if you would like to learn a lot about his life and his career.

MILBURN STONE, a native of Burrton Kansas, got his start in vaudeville. He played many different movie roles in his career but was best remembered as "Doc" in Gunsmoke (and was awarded an Emmy in 1968). He was the first regular cast member lost. In 1980, at age 75, Milburn Stone died of a heart attack.

AMANDA BLAKE had guest appearances on many other shows after Gunsmoke left the air in 1975, but died in 1989 at only 60 years of age. Her early death was caused by liver failure, brought on by viral hepatitis. She had contracted the AIDS virus from her fourth husband.

KEN CURTIS had roles in many other TV Westerns such as "The Yellow Rose" and "Conagher" but died of a heart attack in 1991 at 74 years of age.

DENNIS WEAVER went on to star in "McCloud" and "Emerald Point N.A.S." and became a humanitarian activist and an environmentalist later in his life. He died of cancer in 2006 at age 81. Remember how Chester walked with a limp? Well, Dennis said that doing things with a stiff leg was very hard and he took yoga classes to be able to move that way.

Tell us which sidekick was your favorite - Chester or Festus?

Here's your chance to sound off! Take a minute and think back about Dennis Weaver as Chester, and Ken Curtis as Festus. Chester was kinda cute and lovable; Festus was a bit scruffy and cantakerous. Both good in their roles, but which one was your favorite? Let everyone know!

Favorite Sidekick

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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BOTH CHESTER AND FESTUS 
I couldn't choose between Chester and Festus. They were both great in the roll they played on Gunsmoke. The world lost some great actors when the Gunsmoke …

Both Chester and Festus 
I use to say it was Chester, but then, Festus sorta grew on me. I'm actually watching Gunsmoke as I am writing this. It's the episode where Matt and Kitty …

Ken Curtis (Festus) 
Festus always had a very funny way of saying things but they were true. In fact, most of the sayings are true to this day....loved it. Awesome show back …

Festus is my favorite. 
Festus was honest and straight to the point. The way he said things made you laugh but he was telling the truth. Don't let him start to explain things...... …

Dennis Weaver-Chester  
I just loved the way Chester played his role. The way he walked and talked, Chester was just awsome!!

Festus. 
Festus, hands down, though I DO love Dennis Weaver. Festus, with the 'little hangy-down part", was a more colorful counterpoint to sensible Matt Dillon. …

Festus 
Festus was great. He could speak with his eyes. I loved how real and faithful he was.

Festus 
Festus was always funny and interesting to watch. Festus was honest and loyal to his friends. I also loved Louie.

Chester is my family 
The real Chester was my great grandfather, Last name was Crane. They came out from Kansas together to avoid a lynching. My Grandfather handed down the …

DOC......MILBURN STONE 
MY NAME IS PHIL AMBROS. I PLAYED DRUMS FOR FRANK SINATRA. ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS WAS BUDDY RICH. WHEN I AM NOT PLAYING DRUMS FOR THE BEST IN SHOW BIZ, …

Festus Hagen Not rated yet
THIS was a tough decision. I think Festus won me over due to how I find myself smiling alot while sitting here watching it. I was born in1954 and recall …

Chester or Festus? Not rated yet
Oh come on, trying to pick Festus over Chester is impossible .. . which do you like better, your left or your right hand? Fantastic characters, watching …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was the best..... hands down!

Ken Curtis, without question. Not rated yet
Gunsmoke, an American classic. Watch double episodes everyday. Far surpasses the shows on TV today.

Ken Curtis-FESTUS Not rated yet
Without a doubt...... FESTUS HAGGIN..... my favorite!

Ken Curtis Not rated yet
Him and Doc had amazing conversations. He was gruff, but cared about people.

Festus Not rated yet
Why you old skudder, there ain't no way, nobody else has got a hoot of chance. Dagnabit, don't cha see I'm the clear winner.

FESTUS WAS SO FUNNY Not rated yet
I LOVED CHESTER, BUT HE WAS SO WHINY WHERE FESTUS WAS SO FUNNY. THE EPISODE WHERE HE AND CLINT ASPER WENT TO WITCHITA TO GET NEW BELLOWS WAS GREAT. FESTUS …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was quite a character and did have a heart of gold. I thought the actor that portrayed him did a great job. Did he ever get an award for his portrayal …

Chester Not rated yet
Just the way Chester walked and hollered. He was my favorite!

Miss Kitty Not rated yet
Miss Kitty! I was in love with her! Between 1955 and 1975 I was 11 years old and 31 years old respectively. She was always my favorite and still is! …

FESTUS HAGAN Not rated yet
Chester may have been better looking but I still liked Festus best. Festus had a heart of gold, always looking out for the less fortunate. I just watched …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was definitely my favorite!

Chester Not rated yet
He brought so much to the show. It was not the same after he left. It was one of the best westerns on TV. Now my husband and I are watching all the …

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Dennis Weaver as Chester Not rated yet
Dennis Weaver as Chester was definitely my favorite!

Festus Not rated yet
FESTUS WAS THE BEST!!

Festus and Chester  Not rated yet
I can't choose between them. Both characters were so different and brought equal enjoyment. I did like how Festus was handy with a gun, but Chester was …

Chester Not rated yet
CHESTER WAS GREAT AT HIS ROLE & A VERY GOOD ACTOR. HE WAS ALWAYS MY FAVORITE!

Festus Not rated yet
Among all the things that Festus said, one of the best things he ever said, when it came to reading, was something to the effect of "If it ain"t right …

Chester Goode Not rated yet
I always enjoyed Chester whenever he rose above his handicap. I really like to identify some of the stars that played bit parts on the show. Ken Curtis …

Chester Not rated yet
Chester was my favorite. When I saw reruns as a child I only saw the shows with Festus (Ken Curtis), & I never liked the show because of him. Later, I …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus Hagen was definitely my favorite!

Festus Not rated yet
Both characters and the actors who played them were excellent. I always enjoy Ken Curtis in any role, and feel the same way about Dennis Weaver. Both …

Chester Not rated yet
Chester was the original character that started from the radio version but Festus was a good replacement. Too bad the radio cast couldn't make the TV show …

Festus Not rated yet
I loved the way Festus and Doc would bicker back and forth, the things that Festus would say to the "old skudder" was priceless. Loved that show..

Milburn Stone Not rated yet
Although I enjoyed Milburn Stone as Doc Adams, my favorite character was James Arness. I saw him for the first time as the "Thing" in 1950 while stationed …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was my favorite because he was a true deputy with grit. Chester had his moments, but his constant whining and crying got on my nerves--he become …

Festus Hagan Not rated yet
Chester's stiff leg was over played....his drawl was all that was needed. Ken Curtis got the Festus character from a real person his father (a sheriff) …

Chester Not rated yet
Chester (Dennis Weaver) was my mother's cousin in Montrose Colorado (Pauline Weaver). Both were born in the same hospital in Joplin Mo. Dennis and Jerri …

Chester Not rated yet
Chester (Dennis Weaver) was my mother's cousin in Montrose Colorado (Pauline Weaver). Both were born in the same hospital in Joplin Mo. Dennis and Jerri …

Festus Not rated yet
I must say, I liked both, but if I had to choose it would Festus. Thanks!

Chester Not rated yet
Chester was my favorite.

Matt Dillon Not rated yet
I love all the characters of Gunsmoke, but Marshall Dillon was by far my favorite. I love Kitty, Doc, Chester, and Festus too, but Matt obviously is the …

Chester Not rated yet
Chester will always be my favorite.

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was my favorite...cause he was the best feller that you never did hear of this side of the river. He never did anything that would hurt anyone …

Ken Curtis Not rated yet
There couldn't be any other. It would be like Sheriff Andy Taylor without Barney Fife!

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was definitely my favorite! I thought that Chester was so needy of Marshall Dillon and,frankly, a sissy because he was always whining to Matt.

FESTUS and KITTY Not rated yet
Everybody knew Ms Kitty was Matt's lady. She said so, though they never kissed. But she did kiss him once on the cheek. On one show Matt said he couldnt …

Chester Not rated yet
Chester was my favorite because not only was he handsome and funny, but he was also not afraid to stand up to danger. He backed up Marshal Dillon when …

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Festus Not rated yet
Festus was definitely my favorite!

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was definitely my favorite!

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was always my favorite, from when he first met Mr. Dillon on his (Festus') hog farm until he eventually left the show. After Festus left both Newly …

Quint - Burt Reynolds Not rated yet
Might not have been a sidekick, but my favorite was always Quint, the blacksmith played by Burt Reynolds.

Chester Not rated yet
Chester was my favorite sidekick, but I liked the Doc character too.....he was too cool... and James Arness really made the series work..I loved that show... …

Chester Not rated yet
Chester was my favorite because he was loyal and likeable. Superbly acted, too.

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was definitely my favorite!

Festus Not rated yet
My favorite sidekick was Festus.

Chester Not rated yet
My husband and I love Chester! His expressions in his acting seemed so genuine. I loved the way he acted when he met a new girl in town. He was so funny. …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus made the show!

Festus Not rated yet
Ken Curtis was my favorite. I met him at a rodeo in New Mexico. Good actor and in person was unbelievably cool! I will never forget him!

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was my favorite. He had a good heart, he stuck his neck out for Matt, and was loved by Doc, Kitty and everyone he interacted with. He was also …

Chester and Festus were great Not rated yet
I think all of them were great, and it took all of them to make the show great. But James was the one that made the show work and last so many years. …

Festus Not rated yet
Mine was and will always be Festus. He was the star of the show, The voice and that way he had of speaking. I still to this very day greatly admire Festus. …

festus Not rated yet
Festus! It is difficult to believe such a beautiful voice was contained within that crusty old hillbilly! I loved his singing of the Searchers theme …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was my favorite.

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was definitely my favorite.

Festus Not rated yet
Both Chester and Festus were good in their roles, but Festus was my favorite. Dennis Weaver also played in the series Gentle Ben.

Festus Not rated yet
FESTUS was definitely my favorite.

Chester Not rated yet
Chester & Festus were both good, but the Doc was my favorite character.

Ken Curtis as Festus Not rated yet
I always enjoyed Dennis Weaver as Chester and I actually liked him in anything else he was ever in,especially McCloud. But being a cowgirl mountain woman, …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was like Doc. These two people made Gunsmoke what it was and still is today. Festus made you want to see how long it took him to get under Doc's …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus, without a doubt. At least he carried a sidearm as an aid to Matt Dillion and Festus was also a whole lot smarter and funnier than Chester.

Chester Not rated yet
I love Festus, but Chester is still my favorite!

Festus by far...what a character!!! Not rated yet
Festus by far...What a character!!!

Click here to write your own.

Festus Not rated yet
Festus never took heated brawl from anybody and he was always right there when Marshall Dillon needed him.

Festus (Ken Curtis) Not rated yet
Festus added a comical kick like no one else could. I loved the way he and Doc aggravated each other. I did have a huge crush on Thad though!

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was my favorite sidekick followed by Kitty and Doc. I liked the way Doc frequently rubbed his mustache under stress and the endearing friendship …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus had character & he was my favorite.

Ken Curtis as Festus Not rated yet
Festus was my favorite side kick. As gruff and back woods as he was he still was a very good lawman, and a strong image when the Marshal wasn't around. …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was always my favorite.

Festus & Doc Not rated yet
Festus and Doc are my honorary sweethearts.

Festus, Chester  Not rated yet
I enjoyed all the characters the same.

Festus Not rated yet
I just think he played the roll so well. Ken made Festus and it was big part of Gunsmoke.

ALL Not rated yet
JAMES I AWAYS WILL LOVE YOU FOR THE YEARS OF FUN WITH GUNSMOKE. YOU WERE LIKE MY BROTHER AND GAVE ME A PLACE TO STAY WITH YOU AND THE REST OF THE GANG …

KEN CURTIS Not rated yet
HE WAS A VERY FUNNY PERSON

festus Not rated yet
I saw Festus at the KY state fair in Louisville, KY when i was about 12 yrs old,1970. He came out riding a mule, played a banjo, sang & danced. He looked …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was kinda comical and he was also a great addition to the show. He was just a great actor.

Festus Not rated yet
Festus was the greatest. I loved his mule. He was funny and was very devoted. They don't make shows like that any more. Too bad. We will miss them all. …

festus Not rated yet
Festus was my favorite.

Ken Curtis Not rated yet
There wasn't anybody funnier than Festus when he was talking with Doc and he'd get Doc so mad he couldn't see straight. Or whenever Festus got together …

Festus Not rated yet
Festus had so many memorable moments and I think that the show was more interesting and funny after he joined the cast. His role was to me one of the most …

Festus Not rated yet
I thought Doc brought an awful lot to the show with his clever wit, especially when involved in a dialogue with Festus.

Burt Reynolds Not rated yet
I enjoyed Burt Reynolds character on the show. He was the blacksmith.

Festus Haggen Not rated yet
I loved Festus and loved the interaction with Doc Adams. Festus had a huge heart and looked after his "family" of Matt, Kitty and of course Doc. I think …

festus Not rated yet
Festus was my favortie. Just the way he looked at everything. He could not read but he was not dumb; he learned from life and I love the way him and …

Festus Not rated yet
I always enjoyed Chester and his humor, however, I am watching the series again on the Western Channel and see that Festus character is a lot deeper and …

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Judy LeFaivre
The Villages, Florida
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