Gunsmoke season 13
| Gunsmoke | |
|---|---|
| Season 13 | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 25 |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | September 11, 1967 – March 4, 1968 |
| Season chronology | |
Gunsmoke is an American Western television series developed by Charles Marquis Warren and based on the radio program of the same name.[1] The series ran for 20 seasons, making it the longest-running Western in television history.[2][3]
The first episode of season 13 aired in the United States on September 11, 1967, and the final episode aired on March 4, 1968. All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS.[4]
Season 13 of Gunsmoke was the second season of color episodes. Previous seasons were filmed in black-and-white.
Synopsis
Gunsmoke is set in and around Dodge City, Kansas, in the post-Civil War era and centers on United States Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he enforces law and order in the city. In its original format, the series also focuses on Dillon's friendship with deputy Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis);[5] Doctor Galen "Doc" Adams (Milburn Stone), the town's physician; and Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), saloon girl and later owner of the Long Branch Saloon.[6] Deputy Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor) was added to the cast in season 13.[7]
Cast and characters
Main
- James Arness as Matt Dillon
- Ken Curtis as Festus
- Milburn Stone as Doc
- Amanda Blake as Kitty
- Buck Taylor as Newly[8]
Production
Season 13 consisted of 25 one-hour color episodes produced by John Mantley and associate producer Joseph Dackow.
Writing
This season included a rewrite of season 8, episode 28, "I Call Him Wonder" released as episode 14, "Wonder".
The title for episode 19, "Blood Money", was also used in season 3, episode 3.
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 439 | 1 | "The Wreckers" | Robert Totten | Hal Sitowitz | September 11, 1967 |
| 440 | 2 | "Cattle Barons" | Gunnar Hellström | Clyde Ware | September 18, 1967 |
| 441 | 3 | "The Prodigal" | Bernard McEveety | Calvin Clements, Sr. | September 25, 1967 |
| 442 | 4 | "Vengeance (Part 1)" | Richard C. Sarafian | Calvin Clements, Sr. | October 2, 1967 |
| 443 | 5 | "Vengeance (Part 2)" | Richard C. Sarafian | Calvin Clements, Sr. | October 9, 1967 |
| 444 | 6 | "A Hat" | Robert Totten | Ron Bishop | October 16, 1967 |
| 445 | 7 | "Hard Luck Henry" | John Rich | Warren Douglas | October 23, 1967 |
| 446 | 8 | "Major Glory" | Robert Totten | Story by : Clyde Ware and Richard Carr Teleplay by : Richard Carr | October 30, 1967 |
| 447 | 9 | "The Pillagers" | Vincent McEveety | Calvin Clements, Sr. | November 6, 1967 |
| 448 | 10 | "Prairie Wolfer" | Robert Butler | Calvin Clements, Sr. | November 13, 1967 |
| 449 | 11 | "Stranger in Town" | E. Darrell Hallenbeck | Story by : Emily Mosher and John Dunkel Screenplay by : John Dunkel | November 20, 1967 |
| 450 | 12 | "Death Train" | Gunnar Hellström | Ken Trevey | November 27, 1967 |
| 451 | 13 | "Rope Fever" | David Alexander | Chris Rellas | December 4, 1967 |
| 452 | 14 | "Wonder" | Irving J. Moore | Story by : Mary Worrell and William Blinn Screenplay by : William Blinn | December 18, 1967 |
| 453 | 15 | "Baker's Dozen" | Irving J. Moore | Charles Joseph Stone | December 25, 1967 |
| 454 | 16 | "The Victim" | Vincent McEveety | Story by : Hal Sitowitz Screenplay by : Arthur Rowe | January 1, 1968 |
| 455 | 17 | "Dead Man's Law" | John Rich | Calvin Clements, Jr. | January 8, 1968 |
| 456 | 18 | "Nowhere to Run" | Vincent McEveety | Story by : Robert Totten Screenplay by : Ron Honthaner | January 15, 1968 |
| 457 | 19 | "Blood Money" | Robert Totten | Hal Sitowitz | January 22, 1968 |
| 458 | 20 | "Hill Girl" | Robert Totten | Calvin Clements, Sr. | January 29, 1968 |
| 459 | 21 | "The Gunrunners" | Irving J. Moore | Hal Sitowitz | February 5, 1968 |
| 460 | 22 | "The Jackals" | Alvin Ganzer | Calvin Clements, Jr. | February 12, 1968 |
| 461 | 23 | "The First People" | Robert Totten | Calvin Clements, Sr. | February 19, 1968 |
| 462 | 24 | "Mr. Sam'l" | Gunnar Hellström | Harry Kronman | February 26, 1968 |
| 463 | 25 | "A Noose for Dobie Price" | Richard C. Sarafian | Antony Ellis | March 4, 1968 |
Release
Broadcast
Gunsmoke began its thirteenth season in a new timeslot (Mondays at 7:30 PM eastern time). With this the series returned to being among the top ten highest rated programs, where it remained for the next six seasons.[8]
Home media
The thirteenth season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment in a two volume set on May 22, 2018.
Reception
After failing to make the top 30 the previous season, Gunsmoke season 13 moved to a new timeslot and jumped to #4 in the Nielsen ratings.[9]
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year[a] | Category | Nominee(s) / Work | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 1968 | Outstanding Achievement in Musical Composition | Morton Stevens for "Major Glory" | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama | Milburn Stone | Won |
- ^ Indicates the year of ceremony.
Footnotes
- ^ Barbaras 1990, p. 74–75.
- ^ Brooks & Marsh 2007, p. 424–425.
- ^ McNeil 1996, p. 351–352.
- ^ Brooks & Marsh 2007, p. 570.
- ^ Barbaras 1990, p. 116–118.
- ^ Barbaras 1990, p. 87–102.
- ^ Barbaras 1990, p. 147–148.
- ^ a b Costello 2006, p. 76; 429–442.
- ^
- "1966-1967 TV Ratings". classictvguide.com.
- "1967-1968 TV Ratings". classictvguide.com.
References
- Barbaras, SuzAnne & Gabor (1990). Gunsmoke: A Complete History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-89950-418-3.
- Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.
- Costello, Ben (2006). Gunsmoke: An American Institution. Chandler, Arizona: Five Star Publications, Inc. ISBN 978-1-58985-014-9.
- McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.