Smartorhypo
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Glucedee
It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.
Twilightfa
Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.
Tthomaskyte
This programme was way ahead of its time in being the first TV western made for adults. I recently saw one episode on Youtube which was thought-provoking. A father ashamed of the way his cowardly, murderer son is begging him to stave off his execution, actually tricks the son into behaving like a man as he stands on the gallows. The degree of thought that went into the scripts encouraged good actors to accept guest roles. Together with the performances from a strong regular cast, James Arness, Dennis Weaver, Amanda Blake, Milburn Stone, Ken Curtis and Burt Reynolds, this made Gunsmoke a rare quality programme of the time.
afetrmath2
I have many warm memories of Gunsmoke and many episodes are like old friends. One in particular involved a hillbilly family: a father and two sons. The younger son, Sweet Billy, wanted to get married, but his older brother hadn't found a bride yet. So, he went into town town to find a woman. He chose on Kitty and, according to tradition, took her with him. After she was rescued, the boy apologized to Miss Kitty, explaining that he could't marry her after all and went back to his folks. It was very touching.The boy was played by Don Dubbins, who later played the troubled recruit in the Jack Webb movie "The D.I."I still recall the promo for Gunsmoke, featuring both John Wayne and James Arness. John Wayne invited us to watch this history-making western and this (young) actor James Arness.At the end there was this touching exchange (quoted from memory):Arness: Thank you for all those nice words, John. (shakes hands)Wayne: (grins) I had to be nice. You're bigger than me.Arness: Taller, maybe.
dataconflossmoor
From the radio days,and then to television, "Gunsmoke" has become THE!! classic television western of all time!! Why was it so popular? A lot of reasons!! The imagery of how dreadfully scary it would be to live in the Kansas territory (aka Dodge City) during the late 1800's was superbly executed in this series!! Even the title "Gunsmoke" suggests that there was always a shootout, hence, you always saw gun smoke in the air!! The cast became legendary in this show!! All of them have been the recipients of residuals to this series that have made them wealthy ten times over again in their own rights!! "Gunsmoke" has been the longest running prime time television series in the history of television thus far!! "Law and Order" is now breathing down it's neck!! America's fascination with the rugged old west gave way to many Westerns and Western T.V. Shows... "Gunsmoke" was the typification of American's desire to indulge in the prefabricated small screen version of Cowboys in action!! Accolades for this show are endless, and "Gunsmoke" would, without question, be categorized as something that is as "American as Apple Pie"..... I loved this show, and as a kid, it entertained me in that wholesome sort of way!! You did get a feel for how difficult things were for settlers of Dodge City, and you, as a comfortable twentieth century American, evaluating the deplorable circumstances of yesteryear, can appreciate the sacrifices our pioneers of "Gunsmoke" endured!! The overall assessment of this television show: American classics should be treasured!!!
trulykeyless
There was a song titled "Mister Grillon" published in the mid-fifties which featured the voices of Chester, Marshall Dillon, and Kittie. It was something of a comical charactorization of the three. While Marshall Grillon and Kittie sit drinking in the Longbranch, billin and cooin with each other, a frantic and increasingly frustrated Chester is sent clomping repeatedly in and out of the saloon to check on Doc who has been shot through the neck with an arrow by Indians that are attacking the town. The frenzied state of Chester reaches a pinnacle as the inebriated Marshall Grillon and Kittie, in a final effort to get rid of the pestering Chester, send him to find out on which side of the neck Doc has been hit. The record was a 45 rpm single and I don't recall what was on the flip side. Has anyone else heard it? Please let me know.DL
