'Gunsmoke' trivia

"Gunsmoke," starring James Arness as Marshal Dillon, ran for two decades, the longest-running drama in history.

• "Gunsmoke" was on the air from 1955-75, making it the longest-running drama in television history.

• In all, there were 635 episodes — 235 half-hour shows and 400 hourlong shows.

• Regular cast members included James Arness as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, Amanda Blake as saloon-owner Kitty, Dennis Weaver as deputy Chester and Milburn Stone as Doc. Weaver left in 1964 and was replaced by Ken Curtis as the hillbilly deputy Festus. Burt Reynolds played a blacksmith for two seasons in the mid-'60s. Buck Taylor played Newly O'Brien for the last eight seasons. Amanda Blake left the show after the 19th season.

• In 1957, "Gunsmoke" became the first Western to win an Emmy.

• James Arness was nominated three times for an Emmy but never won, losing to Robert Young twice (1956, 1957) and Raymond Burr once (1958-59).

• Dennis Weaver won an Emmy for his supporting role as Chester in 1958-59; Milburn Stone for his role as Doc in 1967-68. Amanda Blake was nominated in 1958-59 but lost to Barbara Hale.

• "Gunsmoke" ranked No. 1 in the Nielsen ratings in 1957 and remained in the top 10 for much of its run.

• Before "Gunsmoke," James Arness had the title role in the sci-fi thriller "The Thing from Another World" (1951).

• About 26 actors were tested for the part of Matt Dillon. Denver Pyle thought he had the job, until John Wayne prevailed upon CBS to consider James Arness, who had a contract with Wayne's production company at the time.

• Before coming to television, "Gunsmoke" was a radio drama, with William Conrad as Matt Dillon.

• For 20 years, "Gunsmoke" was set in Dodge City, Kan.sas, in 1873.

• Before becoming an actor, James Arness served in the Army during World War II. He was wounded on the Anzio beachhead in 1944, earning a Purple Heart. He later said it shortened him an inch on the left side — he was 6 feet 7 inches on the right side and 6 feet 6 inches on the left.

• "Gunsmoke" was canceled after its 15th season but an outpouring of fan support — and a direct order from CBS board chairman William S. Paley — put it back on the schedule.

• When "Gunsmoke" finally went off the air in 1975, its time slot was replaced by two sitcoms that were spinoffs of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Rhoda" (in its second season) and "Phyllis" (in its first).

• Five "Gunsmoke" TV movies were made after the series ended (between 1987-1993).

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Sources: Ben Costello, author of "Gunsmoke: An American Institution"; "The Emmys," by Thomas O'Neil; Deseret Morning News archives