Jump to content

Talk:Gunsmoke

Page contents not supported in other languages.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 185.181.236.101 (talk) at 11:04, 6 November 2017 (→Meston). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Meston

I think the article would benefit from clarification of Meston's involvement and role. He is widely referred to as the creator of Gunsmoke - but he doesn't seem to have been writing for it until some time after the first radio episode was broadcast (the audition scripts were written by Mort Fine and David Friedkin, the first episode by Walter Newman). When and how did Meston come into the picture? Was he initially a story editor? When and why did he begin writing? He seems to have been by far the most prolific writer for the radio show. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.126.4.90 (talk) 04:26, 18 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Meston wrote virtually all the episodes for the first four seasons of Gunsmoke on TV and some afterwards. After that he was down for "teleplay", and James Arness was Associate Producer.

Question

alcoholic doctor? Where does that come from? RickK 20:20, 31 Aug 2003 (UTC)

The Long Branch Saloon was a gathering place for all citizens of Dodge and Doc gathered there about as much as anybody else, but he was never portrayed as an alcoholic. That dubious distinction went to "Louie", who was the town drunk. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.31.96.13 (talk • contribs) 08:02, 22 April 2005

Try some research before trying to answer questions. You are confusing the TV version with the radio version. In the radio version, Doc was frequently depicted with a bottle or a drink, with slurred speech and a "sleepy" disposition. It's true that McNair later appeared this way on camera after a series of strokes left him partially paralysed, but on Gunsmoke he was acting. It's subtle but it's there, and before you cry that it's open to interpretation, cast and crew members made it clear in interviews that Doc was meant to be a bit of a boozer. It's similar to the subtle coloring of Miss Kitty: no one ever said on air that she was a prostitute, but that was the intent. 12.22.250.4 20:02, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Alcohol

Why was alcohol such a predominant part of the series? Every other minute there are whisky bottles, talk about drink, beer-guzzling, etc.. Were the writers Irish? 64.12.116.204 19:17, 20 October 2005 (UTC)Joachim von Ribbentrop[reply]

Wow, what a terrific ethnic slur.
Miss Kitty ran a saloon. You can't have a show not have alcohol with a saloon as one of its focal points. Mike H (Talking is hot) 03:30, 23 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

At the time/place the show was set, available water was rarely potable. Drinking alcohol (even among children) was done as a matter of course. JamesCurran (talk) 19:07, 22 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]


Cancellation threat

Gunsmoke didn't receive its cancellation threats in 1970, but rather 1967. It was then moved to Monday night in the early evening and ran for eight more years. Mike H 21:08, May 29, 2005 (UTC)


live or filmed?

Was the show performed live in its first season? I've seen one of the 1956 episodes and there seem to be some dialog errors, stepped on lines, etc.

Matt's declining appearance in later years

In about half of the episodes that I see on TV Land, it seems that Matt is out of town for most of the episode. He will either be seen riding out of town in the teaser or first act (or a character will mention that he is out of town), then will not be seen again until the last act or the epilogue. Did James Arness have a deal with the producers that allowed him to make a certain number of "cameo" appearances per season in later years? I've wondered for some time but have never seen this addressed. MccullarsJ 17:50, 28 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

To the best of my knowledge, there were two issues going on. One was that to have Arness front and centre for every hour-long episode was exhausting for Arness. (It'd still be exhausting today, but more so back then -- that was an era when filming 30-36 episodes a year was standard, as opposed to today's 22.) Also, the writers wanted to explore the other Dodge City characters, and create more of an ensemble show. So reducing the # of Arness' full-length appearances made everyone happy.

James Arness also had war wounds and they may have been aggravated by his having to walk long distances or ride fast on screen. White Arabian mare (talk) 19:09, 15 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Gunsmoke as a "happy Ending" series?

  • Could it be that one reason for this show longivity was that it was not only entertaining at time but also tales with happy ending? For example in epsiode "The Whispering Tree" John Saxon (actor) guest starred as a ex-convict trying to find hidden money from the robbery that sent him to prision. Complicating the fact is that his ex-gang and a obbessed railroad detective {Edward Asner} are also after the stolen loot. In the end there is a "Happy ending"-the farmer goes off with his family for a new life; the ex-gang either kills each other or are killed by Marshal Dillon; Redmond the Detective finds what remains of stolen loot. {Even as a "good guy" Asner plays like "Lou Grant (TV series)" !!} {"Observer"}
Only barely following that, but it appears that you are engaging in supposition based only on your personal observation (original research). This is not a fan forum, it's a discussion area for improving the article. If you feel your position is valid, do some reasearch and find citable sources to back up your argument. This is not the place to open a debate about "what could be". 12.22.250.4 17:45, 7 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Longevity

I just added in some information about Arness playing the same character in a Primetime scripted TV show for a long period of time. The Brits have two actors who have played the same characters for 27 years and 30 years....and the last one is till acting in the show. In terms of primetime scripted TV, there are also a number of TV shows that have eclipsed Gunsmoke's 20 year record now, including Dr who which has been running for 43 years and The Bill, Taggart and Casualty which have been running for more than 23 years.

Sign your posts, please. Just to be accurate, Doctor Who has not been running continuously for 43 years, or even for 43 years total. The sixteen year gap between the cancellation of the original series and the debut of the new one makes a huge difference. That said, I don't understand where someone got the idea that it has been running 36 years as stated in the article. 1963 to 1989 is 26 years (25 if you want to exclude the 1986-7 hiatus), plus three for the 2005-2007 series (as of this date). That makes 29 if you're being generous, not 36 or 43. The presence of DW on TV longevity lists is due to it being the longest-running sci-fi genre show, not the longest running show period, so let's not inflate the numbers please. If the only qualification is that it be a scripted drama (nowhere in the Longevity section does it say prime time scripted drama), where is the mention of the long-running daytime dramas, some of which have run continuously for over 30 years? 12.22.250.4 18:07, 7 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

However, Doctor Who did has 23 continuous years (1962-1986) which puts it past Gunsmoke even if we disregard all incarnation of DW after 1986. Also, by number of seasons, Law & Order ties Gunsmoke, with 20. Gunsmoke is way ahead by number of episodes, but of we are counting episodes instead of seasons than Taggart is out of the running. JamesCurran (talk) 18:53, 22 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I added a link under the Listen To section to the Big Broadcast, a radio program on WAMU 88.5 FM (US radio) website that runs Gunsmoke episodes on Sunday nights at 8pm. Jddphd 00:24, 11 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Fair use rationale for Image:Gunsmoke52.jpg

Image:Gunsmoke52.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 01:01, 7 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Roger Ewing's Stint on Gunsmoke

This is a great site. Gunsmoke is my all time favorite TV show.

Roger Ewing's stint on the show was from 1965 to 1967, not 1966 to 1968. This seems to be confirmed in the DVD sets that I have of Gunsmoke.

RB3Deering (talk) 16:19, 27 April 2008 (UTC) RB3Deering[reply]

Timing too speculative to be encyclopedic?

I was thinking of adding a sentence on the timing of this show, but upon further thought, felt it might be too speculative. See what you think.

Obviously, it's in the Old West. The TV movie "To the Last Man" (I presume these are considered canon) had Marshal Dillon retired already in the 1880s, given the date of a war he is in the middle of. Would it be fair to say that the TV show, as any rate, would be "The 1870s"? Or, since there aren't real dates given, would that be too speculative.

I hesitate to consider it any earlier, as I don't recall any references in the TV series to the Civil War. I almost think a paper or something did read a date in the early 1870s at one point, and it's quite possible, since the episodes usually didn't take place over more than a week's time, that 20 years of episodes could be fit into 10 years.

But, even the date of "1870s" might be too broad for an encyclopedia. Anyway, it's up to you if you think it fits, go ahead.209.244.30.221 (talk) 00:26, 11 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'd have to check on the genre, but I don't know that Westerns held to a particular timeline the way, say, a mystery like Perry Mason (current) did, or even something set in the past or future.
Gunsmoke began at a time when storytelling via TV ws still evolving. The Lone Ranger is another example - IIRC, one early radio broadcast gives the date of 1896(!), whereas later, it seems to be implied it began in the 1870s. (Not that he couldn't have been Long Ranger for over 20 years, so I'll concede that episdoes need not be chronological - with that or with Gunsmoke.)
So, yes, I think a time frame of "The Old West" is probably as good as you can get. "Gunsmoke," like the "The Lone Ranger," came over from radio, so that likely adds to the confusion over setting it any closer. You could probably argue successfully that episodes are not necessarily chronological, and occur with around the time of 1868-1881. But, that would be using logic, and while proper logic is always accurte, it would also considered original research. :-)Somebody or his brother (talk) 13:55, 26 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

¶ One of the radio episodes explicitly puts the events in the month before Custer's death in the Little Big Horn massacre (June 26, 1876). Sussmanbern (talk) 05:17, 29 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The longest running TV series

It dont seem fair to compare animated shows with shows that use live aging actors. Bert simpson does not look one day older today than he did in the first episode. Animated shows and caracters like the simpsons and mickey mouse can continue producing new episodes forever without needing to replace one actor. We would never consider comparing Bert's acting ability with James Arness. But, with that said I congratulate the Simpsons producers and writers for thier successand longevity. Long live Gunsmoke. 75.225.164.174 (talk) 23:10, 17 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

First, it's Bart. Second, actors for long-running animated shows do eventually need to be replaced, as they provide the voices for the characters, and may become too ill to work, die, or become uninterested in continuing to portray their character. Mickey Mouse has been around since the late 20s, and I'm pretty sure that the person who voiced him back then isn't the same person voicing him today. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 04:45, 6 August 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I can see in the introductory paragraphs that the show had 635 episodes, but the info box says only 413. Can somebody please explain this? Alphapeta (talk) 03:11, 1 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

GunsmokeNet.com

A bunch of information is cited to this website, but it does not appear to be a reliable source. Can better sources be found? Yworo (talk) 22:38, 11 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Einstein

I saw on another article that Einstein guest starred on Gunsmoke. But there is no mention of that in the article OR in the discussion group. 'Sup wid dat yo>?

76.65.22.7 (talk) 06:47, 26 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]


He didn't appear on Gunsmoke. I added something to the Miscellaneous section addressing that rumor. Pha telegrapher (talk) 22:36, 4 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Okay, who Vandalized This Article?

This article should be fixed and the vandal of it should be blocked.75.72.35.253 (talk) 00:16, 15 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for catching the vandalism, I've requested that the page be protected. --Funandtrvl (talk) 02:24, 15 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Gunsmoke TV series

Shouldn't the TV series be split into its own article? --Blakebs (talk) 10:53, 10 February 2011 (CST)

Gunsmoke Vs. Law & Order

The television version ran for 11 seasons from 1984 to 1995, and still remains the United States' longest-running prime time, live-action drama with 635 episodes (Law & Order ended in 2010 with 20 seasons, 456 episodes) Ill be either removing or changing, as "longest-running prime time" would definately not go to Gunsmoke...It can have a million episodes, in 19 seasons and still not get the title of "longest-running prime time" because Law & Order ran from 1990-2010 (20 years) where as Gunsmoke ran from 1982-1995 (13 years). A 7 year difference. You can say it had the most episodes for a prime time, live-action drama (I don't know if that is true)...but not longest as Law & Order was around for a longer period of time. -- MelbourneStar☆ (talk) 06:11, 15 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I didn't, thats the thing. That was there before my edit. -- MelbourneStar☆ (talk to me) 23:23, 1 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Well Im sure I didn't make up this date on my own...Look I'll revert my newest edit to what you edited, but I really don't have a clue where this '1982-1995' date came from. -- MelbourneStar☆ (talk to me) 02:09, 2 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

TV Bootleg Favs?

Two articles, this one and Mayberry R.F.D., reference a book called TV Bootleg Favs but I can't find any other mention of the book anywhere on the Internet. Further, Google says the name of the author, "Hershal Brenchacks", only exists on the Mayberry RFD article.

So does the book, or even the author, actually exist? The horrible formatting of the references on both articles and the fact that they have differing lists of top shows make me fairly certain that it doesn't but I'd like to know for sure before deleting them. --Kitsunegami (talk) 03:27, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Chesters Bad Leg was NOT wooden

In the article it states "The question as to whether Chester Goode's stiff right leg was wooden or just maimed, was never fully answered. Doc and he never discussed the issue"

In fact they did discuss chesters leg once, in the episode titled "The Round Up" Doc say's that Chester has TWO sprained ankles. So i guess that answers the question if it is wooden or not. 174.125.90.211 (talk) 09:59, 29 April 2011 (UTC)Bonanzaplaylists 4/29/2011[reply]

Chester's leg was definitely his own and not a prosthetic. It's too bad they never gave an explanation like having a horse fall on him or being shot. White Arabian mare (talk) 19:04, 15 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

contradiction re Conrad

didn't get the role due to : "his obesity" vs. "(his weight was rumored to be a deciding factor)"  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.127.128.154 (talk) 21:16, 4 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Was Chester Goode ever mentioned after he left the series?

I always wondered if Chester, Quint, or any other characters were ever mentioned after they left the show. Any takers? Like in MASH, characters were mentioned after they left. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.222.81.208 (talk) 15:34, 4 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, yes. There's an episode in which people are being murdered, and Matt figures out that they'd all served on the same jury. Chester is mentioned as one of the jurors, and possibly one or two other characters. I'm certain other episodes could be cited. WilliamSommerwerck (talk) 15:23, 4 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Episode 21, Season 15: "Kiowa"

Audie Murphy had a nonspeaking role as a Native American in this episode. Apparently he isn't listed in the credits, and his role is not major, but that is Audie Murphy. He appears several times with the Kiowa Chief.01:16, 7 May 2013 (UTC)24.21.39.53 (talk)

WHY DID THEY PUT DOC OFFICE UPSTAIR

WHY DID THEY PUT DOC OFFICE UPSTAIR — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.255.85.217 (talk) 22:18, 27 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It was rather common, at least as recently as the 1950s, for office space to be provide on the second floor over a retail establishment. The rent was probably low and the retail owner had a second sorce of income. Wschart (talk) 17:48, 22 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

My mother says when she was a child in the 50s and 60s the doctor's office was in fact over the drugstore. Walking up stairs must be good for sick people, or that's what they must have believed anyway. White Arabian mare (talk) 19:06, 15 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Just how suggestive were the early TV episodes?

"Although early film episodes showed her descending from her second-floor rooms in the saloon with Matt, or showed her or one of her girls leading a cowboy up to those same rooms, these scenes disappeared later on, and viewers were guided to see Miss Kitty just as a kindhearted businesswoman."

I've watched all the first- and second-season shows available on YouTube. (Several are missing.) The scene showing Kitty descending with Matt occurs at 9AM, when Matt has awakened Kitty to discuss something important. One of the "employees" is standing outside her room, not fully clothed, suggesting the obvious. However, I don't believe there's any episode that can be interpreted as unequivocally revealing that the Long Branch trafficked in the delights of the flesh. (The Long Branch was a real saloon, and its name is nothing if not suggestive.)

There's no doubt Kitty was a prostitute at some point -- certainly before she arrived in Dodge, and possibly even through the first few seasons. (This might explain where she got the money to be a co-owner -- but the cash would have had to have come from an awfully long line of trail hands.) And she seems surprisingly picky for a prostitute. In "The Photographer", she's asked to pose with Grubby (Ned Glass), an adorable bearded prospector, and she's disgusted. Gal, the only reason you can turn down a customer is if he appears to be diseased. (The better class of "warehouses" had attendants to check customers for venereal disease.)

I will continue watching the episodes, and if I find any that clarify Ms Russell's source of income, I will post them here. WilliamSommerwerck (talk) 15:18, 4 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]

In one episode of King of the Hill Hank is told Miss Kitty is actually a brothel madam, and, being a big fan of the show, moans, "Oh, Miss Kitty." Perhaps this should be made a "Cultural Reference"? --The_Iconoclast (talk) 18:10, 3 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]

The Radio series

I've been listening to the radio series and it does sound like James Arness and Dennis Weaver talking. All can be downloaded for free and many great stories there.(178.236.117.122 (talk) 13:45, 4 September 2013 (UTC))[reply]

Title

Wasn't Gunsmoke originally titled 'Gun Law', at least on TV in the UK? Valetude (talk) 22:47, 24 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

In Britain, according to The Guardian. Clarityfiend (talk) 01:49, 25 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Well, that's good, Clarity. Could you or some other specialist insert this small mention into the article somewhere suitable? There are still some UK oldies like myself to whom this carries great emotional force. Early TV memories are becoming the new folklore. Valetude (talk) 23:57, 27 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
There you go. I've also created Gun Law (disambiguation). Clarityfiend (talk) 02:18, 28 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Dennis Weaver

I believe the comment that Dennis Weaver left the show to star in an unsuccessful series should be amended. Dennis Weaver went on to have a successful career, including both the series Gentle Ben and McCloud and the movie Duel, all of which happened a few years after he left Gunsmoke. For anyone not familiar with Dennis Weaver, the way that portion currently reads makes it sound like his career was over because he left Gunsmoke. Just an observation. Missyagogo (talk) 05:54, 16 February 2014 (UTC)[reply]

All that is true, but if Weaver left Gunsmoke specifically to star in a series that failed, then that statement is correct. It is not the same as saying that Weaver's career ended after Gunsmoke or anything. 68.146.52.234 (talk) 21:30, 5 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Final episode

This needs to be confirmed, but I read somewhere that the final episode of Gunsmoke doesn't even feature an appearance by James Arness other than in the opening credits. If correct this is worth noting in the cancellation discussion. 68.146.52.234 (talk) 21:30, 5 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Surviving Gunsmoke cast to reunite in real Dodge City (Sept 25-27, 2015)

Surviving Gunsmoke cast to reunite in real Dodge City http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article31061226.html • Sbmeirow • Talk • 03:55, 14 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Wardrobe

Not a big fan of the show, but it's easy to see from a few episodes that a lot of work when into Kitty's dresses. The article mentions that at least one dress is at the Boot Hill museum; but, I was curious if the fate of any others is known. Also, Alexander Velcoff (the man who likely dressed the entirety of the cast for almost twenty years) doesn't have an English page (there's a German one), and that's a little strange. 

2602:306:34AB:CF60:7408:727D:289E:4D82 (talk) 21:45, 10 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

United States Marshall

It is pointed out by Chester in S03E17 (Joe Phy) that there is just one United States Marshall to a territory. Matt Dillon uses Dodge City as his base but often travels quite some distance to keep law and order. In this episode, he and Chester have been travelling for almost a week to track a criminal. Other peace offices in the area would have been deputies. Sometimes being out of town for a week and more, it would be thought that there would also be a deputy in Dodge while Dillon was away as the town could be quite lively at times, especially when cattle herders rode into town, wanting to spend their hard earned money.(5.8.186.99 (talk) 11:31, 20 August 2017 (UTC))[reply]

Titles

Two strange titles in Season 4. Episode 27. The F.U. This is "the foul up" where everything that can go wrong does go wrong, ending up in Marshall Dillon losing the trail of some robbers who have stolen $20,000 of the people's money from the town bank. This would have had serious consequences for his job as many people went broke but we don't hear of this.

Season 4. Episode 35. "There never was a horse". This is from the western saying: "There never was a horse who could not be rode, or a man who could not be throwed". Dillon tells Chester it as another gunman appears in town wanting to challenge the fast drawing sheriff. This time, the man beats Dillon to the draw, shooting the gun out of his hand. Dillon has Chester sew him up (Doc is out of town) so he can have another try with the gunman, only to find him dead, having been shot in the back by a drunk who wanted to make a name for himself. (185.181.236.101 (talk) 06:19, 17 October 2017 (UTC))[reply]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Gunsmoke&oldid=808974933"