Gunsmoke Summary
Genres: Western
As of this writing, Gunsmoke holds the distinction not only of being the longest-running TV western series, but also the longest-running dramatic series in network television history. The program began life in 1952 as a CBS radio program, set in Dodge City, Kansas in the 1870s. The radio version, which lasted until 1961, starred William Conrad as US Marshal Matt Dillon, Parley Baer as his deputy Chester Proudfoot, Howard McNear as Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Three years into the series' radio run, producers Norman MacDonnell, John Meston and Charles Marquis Warren decided to bring Gunsmoke to television. After a brief period in which they were considering transferring the talented but physically inappropriate radio cast to the TV version, the producers opted to choose a whole new cast. It has been claimed that John Wayne was first choice for the role of TV's Matt Dillon, but in fact Wayne was far too big a film star to even consider taking the job. Instead, Wayne suggested that the producers cast his prot
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