18 Facts About Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston.

Gunsmoke was set in Dodge City, Kansas, during the thriving cattle days of the 1870s.

Gunsmoke was acerbic, somewhat mercenary, and borderline alcoholic, in the program's early years.

Gunsmoke came west and changed his name to escape a charge of murder.

Gunsmoke is often a somber program, particularly in its early years.

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Gunsmoke saved a girl from brutal rapists, then found himself unable to offer her what she needed to stop her from moving into.

Apart from the doleful tone, Gunsmoke is distinct from other radio Westerns, as the dialogue is often slow and halting, and the outstanding sound effects give a palpable sense of the prairie setting.

Gunsmoke heard noises from the next block, too, where the inevitable dog was barking.

Gunsmoke is unique from other Westerns in that it was unsponsored in the first few years of production.

When Gunsmoke was adapted for television in 1955, contrary to a campaign to persuade the network, the network was not interested in bringing either Conrad or his radio costars to the television medium.

From 1955 to 1961, Gunsmoke is a half-hour show, retitled Marshal Dillon in syndication.

In syndication, the entire 20-year run of Gunsmoke is separated into three packages by CBS Television Distribution:.

Gunsmoke was TV's number-one-ranked show from 1957 to 1961, then expanded to one hour, and slipped into a decline.

In September 1975, though still ranking among the top-30 programs in the ratings, Gunsmoke was canceled after a 20-year run; it was replaced by Mary Tyler Moore spin-offs Rhoda and Phyllis.

Gunsmoke has one spin-off series, Dirty Sally, a semicomedy starring Jeanette Nolan as an old woman and Dack Rambo as a young gunfighter, leaving Dodge City for California to pan for gold.

George Walsh, the announcer for Gunsmoke, began in 1952 on the radio series and continued until the television series was canceled in 1975.

Dodge City's Boot Hill Museum has a tribute to Gunsmoke, including set furniture from the 1960s and an old television tuned to the show.

Gunsmoke brand was used to endorse numerous products, including cottage cheese and cigarettes.