Gunsmoke

The best of the series is the first five years when John Meston did most of the writing. He had a real feel of, what I perceive to be, the Old West to be really like. He did not go in for all of the frivolousness of later episodes. He did not rely on loud talking and grandiose brashness by the actors.

People in the earlier episodes gave the impression that they were ordinary, hard working people who barely eked a living out of a hard land. They did what they had to do to get by, out on the lonely Kansas plains. When they met disaster, it was "implied" on screen and the viewer could use his imagination as to what happened. Those shows did not have all of the "Hollywood" glitz that pervaded later episodes.

"Gunsmoke" was the first television Western. The longevity of the series is for two basic reasons: excellent scripts and and excellent casting. James Arness as Matt Dillon and Milburn Stone as Doc Adams remained with the series for all 20 years; Amanda Blake as Kitty was a regular for 19 years; Dennis Weaver as Chester ("Have a cup of coffee, Mr. Dillon") for 9 years; and Ken Curtis as Festus for the last 11 years. The writers never felt compelled to changing the characters to hype the story, like marrying off Matt and Kitty. The stories were adult, and frequently had endings that the Lone Ranger would not have appreciated. Even Buck Taylor as Newly and Glenn Strange as Sam the bartender were cast members for many years, Taylor until the the series ended and Strange until his death. . When "Gunsmoke" was abruptly canceled, it still had solid ratings, so the cancellation was a surprise. At the time, CBS was known for its capricious programming changes during a period when they were trying to appeal to a younger audience.

Festus's Haggen, a tough, street smart quick witted character, up until season 11 that is. Anyone who is a true fan of Gunsmoke especially the black and white episodes will notice that Festus's character changed drastically in season 11. Season 11 is when Festus had to start wearing his right ear bent over by his hat and it's also when the powers that be turned Festus Haggen into a bumbling idiot. Festus's character before season 11 was so prominent that he could have had his own show. Incidentally, Festus was Dillon's first true deputy U.S. Marshall, not Chester as most people think. Chester's character was like night and day. Some episodes he would seemingly have the ability to think and reason (somewhat) and other episodes he had the mental capacity of a child and some episodes he was almost feminine. I didn't mean to run on about Chester however, I just wanted to write this to pay my respects to possibly the greatest cast member Gunsmoke ever had, up until season 11 that is. Festus Haggen. If you've never noticed this, pay attention to Festus's character when he first appears in season 8, episode 13 "Us Haggens". Pay attention to how he talks, how he wears his hat, even how he walks. Festus character up until season 11 is tough, street smart and always paid his own way. After season 11 we never see this "Festus" again. His speech is drawled and protracted, his street smart persona his gone, and to make him look even more silly, he now bends his right ear over under his hat. Notice the episode "Ten little Indians" (season 11) the scene where Festus is sitting at the table with Al Tresh played by Warren Oates. This scene is hard for me to watch. Festus is acting like he's about one estrogen hormone away from being a woman. But that's coming from a die hard black and white fan of the original Festus Haggen. If anyone is a fan of the original Festus write a review and let me know.

Having Tivo (a system that records programs automatically) has re-introduced Gunsmoke to me. I was a young boy when it began in the 1950's. I loved the early shows. The 1962 shows are being aired on TV Land right now and I have about a dozen recorded for future viewing. I wanted to make an observation about James Arness's character, Matt Dillon. He was my hero growing up and watching the show. After seeing the shows again, 40 years later, I know why. Matt was justice. He meted out retribution to those who were evil. Here he was, standing 6 feet seven inches with a voice like God.

Watching Matt save the day in episode after episode made me realize how great it would to have a Matt around today: someone who would stand up to the bully, step in a wield his gun at the villains taking advantage of anyone in sight. I guess we all had heroes, but who could ever match James Arness. He was fair, gentle, understanding, but had the strength and skill to ward off any foe.

I miss Matt Dillon. We won't see his like again. Even Clint Eastwood, with his Dirty Harry justice, did not have the depth of Matt with his combination of gunplay and compassion.

I discovered Gunsmoke 34 years after it had been off the air, in 2008 by watching one of its late 1970's entry and was impressed, so I decided to start from the beginning and I am amazed by how a western tv show that began 14 years before I was even born could have been written to stand the test of time---65 years ago, and the early episodes (1 - 7) are some of the best written and acted human drama that can be applied to life today.