Vintage TV - Gunsmoke
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222222)
United States
December 21, 2025 6:39am CST
Gunsmoke started on radio and ran from 1952 to 1961. In 1955 it was adapted for TV and ran until 1975. It won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Cast:
U. S. Marshall Matt Dillon - James Arness
Galen "Doc" Adams - Milburn Stone - Town physician
Miss Kitty Russell - Amanda Blake - Saloon owner
Chester Goode - Dennis Weaver - Deputy
Festus Haggen- Ken Curtis - Deputy
Gunsmoke was an adult Western which took place in Dodge City. Most episodes revolved around upheaval caused by people arriving from outside the city. The deputies didn't seem very capable when Dillon wasn't around and add some comic relief.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
18 people like this
16 responses
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
21 Dec
Dad loved that show and watched it every time it came on television, which meant we kids and mom also watched it, too.
4 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Dec
@DaddyEvil I think he was a favorite of my father as well, along with Alan Ladd.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
21 Dec
@LindaOHio There were several actors dad loved to watch. James Arness was one of them.
4 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
21 Dec
I was never into Westerns. Hubby didn't care much for the serials...just the Western movies.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
21 Dec
I still enjoy it when I can catch it somewhere.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
22 Dec
I hope you and hubby have a good week.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
27 Dec
@LindaOHio Thanks, been busy, but good. Hope you have been doing good too.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
28 Dec
@Tampa_girl7 You're very welcome. It's been OK.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
21 Dec
We always watched Gunsmoke at home. Last summer I saw a few of them back when I was looking for something to watch. I used to like the fistfights when I was a kid.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Dec
My entire family were big fans of Gunsmoke. My grandmother, aunt and mom went to the rodeo here when they came as guests. They came home with a lot of signed photographs.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Dec
@LindaOHio .......They were a big hit in mines back then.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
22 Dec
That was cool. I don't remember our household watching Westerns much.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86568)
• United States
21 Dec
Worthless trivia: William Conrad was Marshall Dillon on the radio!
And that show ruined me: I thought Miss Kitty’s saloon was a respectable place…then I got older and learned what saloons were in the Old West. 
2 people like this
@SIDIKIMPOLE (3480)
• Eldoret, Kenya
21 Dec
Have searched for it. Luckily some episodes are on YouTube. Will make sure I watch it
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Dec
We used to cross the street to watch it with the grands... we didn't get our own TV till about 1960.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
22 Dec
@LindaOHio You must have been rich... 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
22 Dec
We had a TV when I was about 5; so that was 1953.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
23 Dec
@BarBaraPrz Far from it. My parents were very frugal; so maybe they were able to save for it. I don't know.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Dec
I was never into Westerns and never watch this show,
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
24 Dec
I never watched Gunsmoke during the time it ran on TV, but now I frequently watch it in re-runs. What a great show for those who enjoy Westerns which I do.
Fun fact: Besides Dennis Weaver, Burt Reynolds also got his start appearing as the half-breed Indian "Quint" on Gunsmoke.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
25 Dec
@LindaOHio Yes, he appeared in 50 episodes over 3 seasons in the early 60's. Then left to appear in films.
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@Dreamerby (10111)
• Calcutta, India
21 Dec
For a moment, she looked like Elizabeth Taylor to me.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
22 Dec
Yes. I have dozens of channels with nothing but reruns.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117196)
• El Paso, Texas
21 Dec
I remember watching this show back in the 60s, I wasn't a big fan of theirs but I had no say in what we'd watch.
Recently I've watched some of it on streaming video but they usually only run the episcodes of season 3 through 5 and not much more. And I think Amazon has all 20 seasons on sale but I'm not spending money on it.
1 person likes this
