Anzio caught the Germans by surprise; however, the American General at the time did not take the advantage of the surprise and moved through the enemy. Instead he decided to group his forces together giving the time for the Germans to hit them continuously with Artillery. A lot of serviceman were killed, wounded and shell shocked during their stay in Anzio before they moved out.
My brothers and I lived and breathed Gunsmoke. We grew up in Iowa and our grandma lived in Los Angeles and worked in a restaurant frequented by tv people. She actually arranged for us to get on a live set of Gunsmoke in 1958. We met Matt, Chester, and Doc. Again in 1964 we visited the indoor Dodge City set and we met Festus and Sam. HUGE Gunsmoke fans. Thanks for the memories!!
Gunsmoke was dad's favorite show when I was a kid. We all loved it and especially James Arness. I wish Jim was still with us, young again, because he was our hero. My husband and I still watch Gunsmoke on tv - the old shows never get old no matter how many times we see them. Good wholesome entertainment that the whole family could enjoy. We need more shows like that now, and more heroes like Jim Arness and John Wayne.
Happy birthday sir. I'm 10 years younger. Born 1955. Yep, grew up on Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Rifleman an others. Wish there was a way to get movie makers to revisit some of these tried and true. 🎂🎈🎉
@@RichardCockerill I have found memories of my mom and dad while they were watching. Just wanted to respond with a hello an a Happy New Year 2020 to you. 🌻
James Arness was a perfect fit for Matt Dillon. I still watch Gunsmoke every day. I love to watch all of the characters that come out in Gunsmoke. They sure used a lot of attractive women on Gunsmoke. Gunsmoke is a show from a better time in America.
After 70+ years since it first aired... The show still gets watched by many generations including the new one. That goes to show you that true legends never die. Especially if you are a kind, decent person who represented yourself the way your character Marshall Dillon did. RIP Mr Arness. They are still watching Gunsmoke and it's currently 2022.
Everything I've read about James Arness portrayed him as a really nice man, exactly as one would picture him judging by his on screen role as Marshall Dillon. Rest in peace Sir, and thank you for being my hero.
@@deborahsoles9059 Wayne was not a racist. All the BS about him being racist was taken selectively out of context from a playboy interview. I'm looking to find it and post it.
As long as you don't count the child abuse, woman beating, rape, lynching, bigotry, and psychotic faux Christians, but yeah. I agree with you though that it's the best TV show ever, and James Arness is special beyond words.
A family show with a Chosen Family. Arness, Ken, Amanda Sam Dooley Reynolds for a while and Chester Good. Sorry about my mixing names of actors and characters. About John Wayne He was hilarious on I Love Lucy.
Many years ago I worked at a summer camp and had on a particular afternoon, gate duty. James Arness had the year before donated the land his ranch sat to the summer camp. This one afternoon, a car came towards the gate and in it was Mr. Arness. I spoke with him and thanked him for his work and he was very kind and warm and quite friendly. It was a one time meeting but I remember it well and I think on it often as he was a gentleman and a humanitarian.
I actually emailed him several times and he responded to all of them. I love westerns....even today. I still ride, wear my jeans, hat and live the cowboy life out in the pasture with my Labs....Jim Arness never forgotten and a great American true to his art form. Gunsmoke forever.
I'M A BIG FAN... I ENJOY EVERY EPISODE...THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE GREAT ADVENTURES...REST IN PEACE MR. ARNESS...HOPE YOUR STILL RIDING THAT BUCKSKIN HORSE...
Before he died I had the Honor of exchanging emails with Mr. Arness---I remember that the exchange was filled with his honesty and integrity and how he cared for folks.
They dont make men like Wayne and Arness anymore . Big tough straight talking honest men . Both played a good part in all their films and movies . Not like the midget heroes today ..
738polarbear That's simply incorrect. Julius Bjornsson is 6'9" tall, is an actor on "Game of Thrones" and holds the title of "World's Strongest Man". He's a gentleman and 2 inches taller than Arness. Hollywood didn't stop when Gunsmoke went off the air. And I'm a boomer at 70 y/o, not some kid. Loved Gunsmoke and Mr. Dillion.
@@bentnickel7487 The Mountain is a giant of a man. But for the most part actors today are a little on the small size, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Tow Hanks and so forth.
I have to disagree Don. Since, you've chosen 3 shorter actors, let me provide 6 older actors that we all love. Richard Kiel 7'2", Brad Garrett 6'8", James Cromwell 6'7", John Corbett 6'5", Christopher Lee 6'5", Vince Vaughn 6'5", Dwayne Johnson 6'5", Dolph Lungren 6'5", Tim Robbins 6'5", John Cleese 6'5" oh, I'm sorry, that was 10.
Len Drury One of those situations where you can't believe everything you read on the internet. Ultimately, denotes eventually, which implies that his career took a long time getting off the ground, which it did not. If you took the time to read about him, you would find he enjoyed immediate popularity and would not have needed to resort to porn. Of course, there will always be ones who say he was also gay, but again the totality of his body of work indicated that he was straight. Sorry to disappoint you.
I cannot imagine Gunsmoke without James Arness. He absolutely made the show. Of course his fellow actors were so great as well. It is by far the very best western of all those many westerns and stands out to this day.
cynsmi William Conrad played Matt Dillon for THREE YEARS before Gunsmoke on TV started. Radio Gunsmoke lasted for nine years total. If you want to know who REALLY established the character, listen to the old radio recordings. Arness was good, but Conrad was the BEST.
cynsmi Conrad started doing radio after WWII, when he was 25. He got covered up with radio work when TV Gunsmoke came along and couldn't get out of his radio contracts. In 1955 he was 35 and still slim. He got fat in his 50's and became huge by "Jake and the Fatman" in the 80's. He was one of my favorite actors.
Bent Nickel None of the Radio cast actors or actresses made the transition to the television Gunsmoke? Howard Macnear and William Conrad were very busy voice actors, John Dehner. Parley Baer was another. Baer made a good Chester, and so did Dennis Weaver. Festus was something else altogether. Arness had the easiest job!!
I kinda liked "The Virginian". They were like western movies since the show ran for 1.5 hours. And man, you just couldn't beat James Drury as "The Virginian". And the the theme music is fantastic--right up there with Bonanza. Speaking of Bonanza, I really enjoyed the comedy episodes something that Gunsmoke lacked. I know the repartee between Doc and Festus was funny at times, but not the whole episode as Bonanza episodes were.
I named my son Matthew after Matt Dillon, my late father's favorite star. I sent an email to Mr. Arness and he mailed me a beautiful photo as Marshall Dillon with a wonderful personal message. Such a classy and wonderful man.
Our family loved Gunsmoke; Matt, Chester, Doc and Kitty, later Festus. Great era for westerns; Rifleman, Wanted Dead or Alive, Have Gun, Will Travel, Rawhide, the Rebel, Bonanza, Big Valley, etc. There are few good directors anymore. Movies are a sad lot.
My favorite episode was "The noose". Hadn't seen that episode until a couple years ago and it riveted me to the chair! Superb story and perfectly acted by all involved. 🙏
My father loved westerns and he would watch them all the time, i would also watch them with him when i was a young boy, now i love watching Gunsmoke, James Arness was perfect for the role of Matt Dillon
So, Matthew Dillon was an awesome character, played by an amazing actor, no wonder the show lasted for so long. I still watch Gunsmoke re-runs to this day
His right backhand was blindingly fast for a 6'7' 250 lb. man! Also, I'd swear they used a heavier sound effect when his punches landed! A Towering Awesome Force. Still watch almost every night.
I used to watch Gunsmoke as a child with my grandfather! What a great show that preached American Values! God bless you James Arness! We will not see your like again!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS. I love Gunsmoke and watch it almost everyday. James Arness was my hero in life and as Matt. Great interview!Thank you again!KEN
I Love Gunsmoke too, Ken and once got to email James Arness several times to discuss his limp (he says it was a real limp from an old football injury. Did anyone notice that Dillon gets shot in the opening credits here...I don't remember that at all! Was it changed?
I remember in the early ones his gunshot was second, but I never saw him fall. I'm watching them again, and they are well written, and did bring a lot of current issues onto the TV screens. Logical and emotional mixed well enough to bring across morality as not a corney thing, but rather a good thing. Great Television!
Which one does he come second in. I just checked season 1 episode 5 and he shoots first in the opening credits. I'm watching them again too right now 1x5 is what I'm up to :)
hmmm....I'd always heard it was from a WWII injury suffered at Anzio, Italy. Bill O'Reilly interviewed him and said it took 16 mos. for him to rehab from that. It bothered him enough that by the end of the Gunsmoke series they were using a stunt double for many of the scenes where he got on a horse. Maybe he was being modest calling it a football injury.
Gary Balanesi ..I cannot substantiate a rumor I had heard from my neighbor, the sound man on the set, but apparently, Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake) was not only an alcoholic and was drunk during most of the taping, but also was passed around the set for sexual liaisons with most of the cast and crew at one time or another...even Doc got his fair share of Kitty, and apparently she preferred to take it in the rear end....also my neighbor said that she usually smelled like poop....
When I picture or think of the best Cowboy/Lawman/Marshall, the first person that I think of is James Arness and Matt Dillon! Best, most memorable Cowboy in TV and Movie history!!! RIP to all the cast members of Gunsmoke. We miss you all!
We watched Gunsmoke every week in my house. That's one reason I still love Westerns....I read that James Arness was injured during WWII, that's why he had a limp. You can see it during some scenes.
The commentor above you said that he has it from Arness himself that it was a football injury. So which is it football injury or war injury? Perhaps he played football in the war? lol
Bent Nickel Yes. He spent a long time in a military hospital. There is a picture of him with his brother, who was Peter Graves, in uniforms when he came to visit Mr Arness in the hospital. James Arness was a great kidder/jokester so it isn't hard to believe he told someone it was a football injury. Also those who knew him said he didn't like to talk about his war injuries, as are most of our veterans. There is a biography of James Arness written by someone who did biographies of our war veterans who were also stars. Some of this information is included in the Gunsmoke Anniversary DVD's produced by Boxleighter.
I watch Gunsmoke on ME tv a lot. I'm 34 so its more of my parents generation, but I get sad when watching it wishing that could of been my generation.. Everyone keeps their clothes on, respects each other, actually has morals!! God I can't stand my generation...
Dude man aged wonderfully. He will forever be an Icon. He had an amazing variety of guest stars on his show. I mean unusual people like Morry Amsterdam, Rose Marie, Marian Seldes, Bette Davis, Theodore Bikel, Cecily Tyson, Michael Learned. I loved the earlier episodes that focused on the relationships between the core characters. There were some hilarious exchanges between Doc and Matt, Doc and Chester in particular. Also lets not forget Doc and Festus.
James personified everything great about the wild west, he was tall big strong but fair and didn't bully anyone or take his power as US marshall and abuse it, I'm only 48 but through re runs James and Chuck Connors have become my two heros
I also watch metv and bonanza, rifleman, wagon train. I'm 34.l also. But i disagree. I live the modern era. And things are more fair today that they were back then. Maybe things aren't as traditional as they were back then.
You don't know nothing about Gunsmoke who do you think you are I for one love that Gunsmoke and had every watched every episode unlike you miss Shannon
I appreciate an actor who makes it big in a particular genre or as a particular character, and then is humble enough to stick with it instead of thinking he is above his roots and has to move on to more egotistically satisfying things. One of the reasons I appreciate James Arness.
James Arness was and still is my hero. Although I was not born when the show began, I have been recording all of the episodes on INSP. Marshal Dillon is the only man who scared the poop out of me. I loved him like a father.
Thanks for the great memories , i grew up watching gunsmoke , never missed an episode, it was and still is the greatest show to ever be on television, and yes i still watch it every chance i get ,
My Grandfather was a District attorney from 1959 to 1972 and he always told me a story of a person suspected of stealling something from his neighbors garage and his alibi was that he and his family were at home watching gun smoke. There was to much against the person that his alibi was unbelievable and in my Grandfathers closing statements he said "there was a lot of smoke in this trial, just not gun smoke" my grandfather passed on September 25, 2020 at the age of 90.... We watched many of gun smoke reruns in the last year and a half along with his favorite show M.A.S.H.! Because he was in Korea in '55 & '56 in the US Army Central Intelligence Core (C.I.C.)! He was able to be apart of that due to his law degree... He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association for over 50 years and did not retire until he was 80 years old! I miss him terribly! Thank you all who read this for listening! James Arness will live forever in tv as my Grandfather will in my heart! May God Be With You All!
The radio series ran from 1952 to 1961. John Dunning wrote that among radio drama enthusiasts, "Gunsmoke is routinely placed among the best shows of any kind and any time." The television series ran for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, and lasted for 635 episodes. At the end of its run in 1975, Los Angeles Times columnist Cecil Smith wrote: "Gunsmoke was the dramatization of the American epic legend of the west. Our own Iliad and Odyssey, created from standard elements of the dime novel and the pulp Western as romanticized by [Ned] Buntline, [Bret] Harte, and [Mark] Twain. It was ever the stuff of legend
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE LIKE HIM TODAY???. THEIR ARE NONE!!!..TODAY WE HAVE NOBODY'S THAT THINK THEY ARE SOMEBODY'S, AND CAN'T ACT WORTH A SHIT.. THANKS MR ARNESS FOR WHAT YOU GAVE US FOR SO MANY FINE YEARS..
One day I was in line at the dollar store and there were three collage girl in line be hide me. One of the girls said remember back in the day when we would watch Gunsmoke and Bonanza? Well I turned around and said I remember back in the day and watching those programs first run I also remember the U.S only having 48 states. They yelled out ON WAY.
His character always thought things through, and did what was right. He was a good man in real life as well. Here, or on the other side, we love you James.
I have watched Gunsmoke ever since I was a little girl. my dad loved and passed it on to his children. I watch it now with my husband, there are no good shows like there use to be.
i watch gunsmoke at least 4 times on different stations. my late dad only got to watch it once a week.. he would be in his glory today because it is probably on 8 to 10 times a day!
I JUST re-started viewing Gunsmoke.......after fifty years. It was my father's favorite TV show. It didn't quite get-it at that time, but I do Now. James Arness used his body language and facial expressions to speak VOLUMES.
I just freaked out. I suddenly remembered when Gunsmoke 💨 first aired in color. The reason I remember so well is because they made it a big deal on TV 📺 & I was excited too because I loved the show. My dad grew up with the guy that played Festus.
I had the pleasant experience of meeting James Arness when I was a young boy. My father -- who, as a film company representative, knew the series' cinematographer -- took me to a set where indoor scenes were being shot one day. I ended up also meeting two other actors in the series: Dennis Weaver ("Chester") and Amanda Blake ("Kitty"). One of the reasons that Arness was such a sought-after figure was his height -- he was 6'7". By itself, that may have made him the central figure whenever he was in a scene. But there was also a nice collaborative feeling in how the cast did their work.
I watch it all the time I'm watching an episode right now .I love the show and all the actors .James was perfect for this character .I can't imagine anyone doing it better . I miss him and the other stars .
the greatest cast ever on a tv show,they were all great,my favorite was Chester, he played the role to the hilt,when he left the show was still good but never the same.i have all the episodes with Chester on dvd and still watch and enjoy them once in a while.
Agreed. But I also liked Burt Reynolds as Quint--even though he left after just one season. Gunsmoke was his first chance to show the world his acting skills. RIP Burt and Quint.
Love the show and still watch it whenever I get the chance. We see Rifleman a bit more regularly on a good time slot from METV. The old westerns were so well made and that's perhaps why people appreciate them just as much today. Jame Arness was a class act and John Wayne obviously thought so as well.
I watch Gunsmoke every day. Hes on insp station about all day. I never get tired of watching it brings back memories of watching it with my dad growing up. Brings back great memories
I was your waitress at Mammoth Lakes in the summer of 1971 or 1972. You were a good tipper and extremely handsome. My dad was a Gunsmoke regular, so I've also seen a lot, if not everyone of the episodes. And my grandmother is buried at Forest Lawn in Glendale, as you are. Thank you for all the great memories.
Memories of a better time, when standards meant something.. and James Arness represented the QUIET AMERICAN, a man of integrity, forthright and honorable. He represented all that was good about Americans, and like Gary Cooper, he represents the best in men.
Just watching Gunsmoke on TV now t My Dadloved his Cowboy ! - Always on TV when I was a kid! -Just looking to see if this Great Actor was still kicking about - Sad to hear he's gone !
David Carney Right, and he was acting like he had a brilliant film career before Gunsmoke. Taking the role of Matt Dillon was a no-brainer. If he didn't, he might've ended up playing a dual role in Godzilla vs Frankenstein.
I loved James Aries’s in Gunsmoke when I was a child and still watch the reruns. He was a very handsome man and great actor 👍 he lives a good good long life and died of natural cases. Hope I live that long in good health until it’s my time to go home to be with the Lord. R.I.P. James see you soon. 🙏😇🌸🌷🌻💕🌹👍
I sure miss him, Arness. He was on every Monday night when I was a kid, eating dinner. Anyways, there's never been a better tv show and as it turns out, a better man in the media. I trust he rests well with the Lord, life was not always easy for this man.
Always a class act. The radio show actually went on for apx. 9 years, 1952 to 1961. He probably thought 3 because they used the radio scripts for the first 3 years.
I really enjoyed this! What a Gunsmoke fan I still am at age 61! I first watched this show with my dad- great memories! I LOVED and still do the character, Festus! My kinda guy! I still watch this show as much as possible! Great TV!!
What a kind and wonderful intro by Big John - and what a kind and wonderful man was James Arness; Gunsmoke was our cowboy staple from 1955 onward, reading about it here especially the great comments, evokes such warm memories. One episode I recall was during the close all schools winter of 1962/1963. We were sat waiting for the ads to end and the show to begin, the lounge was warm and a heavenly aroma of fresh baked bread abounded. Mum came in with the bread all cut n buttered with cheeses and pickles and hot chocolate drinks, not any old drink but heated Mikki - best choc drink on the planet; there was no better TV to honour for such a feast.
Not only a hero on TV but in real life..during WW2 he hit the beach at Anzio and earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart..Rest in Peace Hero..
Anzio caught the Germans by surprise; however, the American General at the time did not take the advantage of the surprise and moved through the enemy. Instead he decided to group his forces together giving the time for the Germans to hit them continuously with Artillery. A lot of serviceman were killed, wounded and shell shocked during their stay in Anzio before they moved out.
Born in 62. Remember mom and dad watching as a kid. Loving it myself now...
My brothers and I lived and breathed Gunsmoke. We grew up in Iowa and our grandma lived in Los Angeles and worked in a restaurant frequented by tv people. She actually arranged for us to get on a live set of Gunsmoke in 1958. We met Matt, Chester, and Doc. Again in 1964 we visited the indoor Dodge City set and we met Festus and Sam. HUGE Gunsmoke fans. Thanks for the memories!!
what was ken curtis like in real life
Class act Mr.Arness.Twenty years on the air and a lifetime of memories.
Dang near 40 years. You must remember "How the West Was Won" and Zeb McMahan.
Gunsmoke was dad's favorite show when I was a kid. We all loved it and especially James Arness. I wish Jim was still with us, young again, because he was our hero. My husband and I still watch Gunsmoke on tv - the old shows never get old no matter how many times we see them. Good wholesome entertainment that the whole family could enjoy. We need more shows like that now, and more heroes like Jim Arness and John Wayne.
Gunsmoke, Bonanza, the rifleman and little house on the prairie are my favorites. 😊
I didn't get to see it much as a kid as we didn't have a tv. But I doggone sure watch the reruns that play on Grit TV.
Luv It To This Day
Even as an older man, James Arness is remarkably forthright and direct and entirely modest and sincere. A born Western hero.
yea he gave good answers in this interview, it was an enjoyable watch
I was 10 years old when Gunsmoke first aired in 1955, I am now 73.It just seems like yesterday, Thank You James, RIP !
My dad is 80 and he's watched every Gunsmoke a kabillion times 😁
Like you I was born in 1945. Gunsmoke was a great show. I still watch the reruns.
Happy birthday sir. I'm 10 years younger. Born 1955. Yep, grew up on Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Rifleman an others. Wish there was a way to get movie makers to revisit some of these tried and true. 🎂🎈🎉
70 myself always watrched it
@@RichardCockerill I have found memories of my mom and dad while they were watching. Just wanted to respond with a hello an a Happy New Year 2020 to you. 🌻
Great great memories! Head and shoulders above 99% of the crap on TV today.
I agree with you avoid the junk on tv today and let's go back to the classics that work.
I loved his show as well. But todays ‘crap’ is better because now days they include races of all kinds. No white people dressed as Indians anymore.
@@JoseCastro-nq6dc
You bet it was the best shows ever I loved watch it
@@michaelwhitten1127 I still love watching those shows. Thanks for the reply
James Arness was a perfect fit for Matt Dillon. I still watch Gunsmoke every day. I love to watch all of the characters that come out in Gunsmoke. They sure used a lot of attractive women on Gunsmoke. Gunsmoke is a show from a better time in America.
After 70+ years since it first aired... The show still gets watched by many generations including the new one. That goes to show you that true legends never die. Especially if you are a kind, decent person who represented yourself the way your character Marshall Dillon did.
RIP Mr Arness.
They are still watching Gunsmoke and it's currently 2022.
Everything I've read about James Arness portrayed him as a really nice man, exactly as one would picture him judging by his on screen role as Marshall Dillon. Rest in peace Sir, and thank you for being my hero.
He was a racist.
@@markharrison2544 No, He wasn't.
@@markharrison2544 And how do you know that?
@@eolonizzi5189 He supported the illegal US invasion of Vietnam.
@@markharrison2544So did the leadership of BOTH parties JFK, LBJ, Hubert Humphrey and over half of the countries population.
A fine man from a time when right was right and wrong was simply wrong...
Loved Gunsmoke. Hate Wayne who was a racist , when I found out I banned my family from watching his movies.
@@deborahsoles9059
@PaцḶєє BlцєṢтяєєт Agreed. Another brain dead liberal moron.
Where men were men and women were glad of it.
@@deborahsoles9059 Wayne was not a racist. All the BS about him being racist was taken selectively out of context from a playboy interview. I'm looking to find it and post it.
James Arnass was the man of all men, A true legend. I love watching him until today! A true pro!
One of the greatest all pure American family shows ever on TV. Clean and no filthy language like todays trash.
As long as you don't count the child abuse, woman beating, rape, lynching, bigotry, and psychotic faux Christians, but yeah. I agree with you though that it's the best TV show ever, and James Arness is special beyond words.
And as long as you don't count "filthy" words like "hell" and "damn."
A family show with a Chosen Family. Arness, Ken, Amanda Sam Dooley Reynolds for a while and Chester Good. Sorry about my mixing names of actors and characters. About John Wayne He was hilarious on I Love Lucy.
And gun violence was out of control, but a great show nonetheless. 😉
and it was funny too! great characters in that program, as well as the cast who played them. those truly were the days.
Many years ago I worked at a summer camp and had on a particular afternoon, gate duty. James Arness had the year before donated the land his ranch sat to the summer camp. This one afternoon, a car came towards the gate and in it was Mr. Arness. I spoke with him and thanked him for his work and he was very kind and warm and quite friendly. It was a one time meeting but I remember it well and I think on it often as he was a gentleman and a humanitarian.
He and his brother Peter Graves really started resembling each other as they aged. Loved them both in everything they did!
Been watching Gunsmoke on Pluto, sure brings back great memories of my childhood.
I actually emailed him several times and he responded to all of them. I love westerns....even today. I still ride, wear my jeans, hat and live the cowboy life out in the pasture with my Labs....Jim Arness never forgotten and a great American true to his art form. Gunsmoke forever.
I'M A BIG FAN... I ENJOY EVERY EPISODE...THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE GREAT ADVENTURES...REST IN PEACE MR. ARNESS...HOPE YOUR STILL RIDING THAT BUCKSKIN HORSE...
Born 1952, got a TV a while later. Always watched Gunsmoke, the folks and I. Watched reruns for years. Made me a fan of James Arness forever! 😀👏👍👍
I love Gunsmoke and I still watch it every day at 12 noon
Il
I love gun smoke.
Before he died I had the Honor of exchanging emails with Mr. Arness---I remember that the exchange was filled with his honesty and integrity and how he cared for folks.
He’s my hero 😍 I watched him as a kid I still watch him today Great show. Great man RIP Marshall Dillon
Love Gunsmoke! My dad was a big fan too. He loved all the old westerns.
I loved Gunsmoke....James Arness brought joy to many....continued rest, Marshall.
One of the best actors ever in Hollywood Rest In Peace you will be missed
They dont make men like Wayne and Arness anymore . Big tough straight talking honest men . Both played a good part in all their films and movies . Not like the midget heroes today ..
738polarbear That's simply incorrect. Julius Bjornsson is 6'9" tall, is an actor on "Game of Thrones" and holds the title of "World's Strongest Man". He's a gentleman and 2 inches taller than Arness. Hollywood didn't stop when Gunsmoke went off the air. And I'm a boomer at 70 y/o, not some kid. Loved Gunsmoke and Mr. Dillion.
@@bentnickel7487 Hahahahahahahahahaha...............
@@bentnickel7487 The Mountain is a giant of a man. But for the most part actors today are a little on the small size, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Tow Hanks and so forth.
I have to disagree Don. Since, you've chosen 3 shorter actors, let me provide 6 older actors that we all love. Richard Kiel 7'2", Brad Garrett 6'8", James Cromwell 6'7", John Corbett 6'5", Christopher Lee 6'5", Vince Vaughn 6'5", Dwayne Johnson 6'5", Dolph Lungren 6'5", Tim Robbins 6'5", John Cleese 6'5" oh, I'm sorry, that was 10.
Len Drury One of those situations where you can't believe everything you read on the internet. Ultimately, denotes eventually, which implies that his career took a long time getting off the ground, which it did not. If you took the time to read about him, you would find he enjoyed immediate popularity and would not have needed to resort to porn. Of course, there will always be ones who say he was also gay, but again the totality of his body of work indicated that he was straight. Sorry to disappoint you.
I cannot imagine Gunsmoke without James Arness. He absolutely made the show. Of course his fellow actors were so great as well. It is by far the very best western of all those many westerns and stands out to this day.
cynsmi William Conrad played Matt Dillon for THREE YEARS before Gunsmoke on TV started. Radio Gunsmoke lasted for nine years total. If you want to know who REALLY established the character, listen to the old radio recordings. Arness was good, but Conrad was the BEST.
I agree but Conrad was too portly to do the TV Dillion. I’ve heard the radio version is terrific..and even a little darker and dramatic.
cynsmi Conrad started doing radio after WWII, when he was 25. He got covered up with radio work when TV Gunsmoke came along and couldn't get out of his radio contracts. In 1955 he was 35 and still slim. He got fat in his 50's and became huge by "Jake and the Fatman" in the 80's. He was one of my favorite actors.
Bent Nickel None of the Radio cast actors or actresses made the transition to the television Gunsmoke? Howard Macnear and William Conrad were very busy voice actors, John Dehner. Parley Baer was another. Baer made a good Chester, and so did Dennis Weaver. Festus was something else altogether. Arness had the easiest job!!
I kinda liked "The Virginian". They were like western movies since the show ran for 1.5 hours. And man, you just couldn't beat James Drury as "The Virginian". And the the theme music is fantastic--right up there with Bonanza. Speaking of Bonanza, I really enjoyed the comedy episodes something that Gunsmoke lacked. I know the repartee between Doc and Festus was funny at times, but not the whole episode as Bonanza episodes were.
I named my son Matthew after Matt Dillon, my late father's favorite star. I sent an email to Mr. Arness and he mailed me a beautiful photo as Marshall Dillon with a wonderful personal message. Such a classy and wonderful man.
My favorite Western drama of all time! I'm proud to have been born in Dodge City and will always honor the memory of James Arness. God Bless him
Gun smoke was the best James arness was like a father figure to me steve
James Arness had the kind of total honesty and authenticity as an actor that is extremely,, and this made him the perfect Matt Dillon.
Yep cool on and off stage
No other actor could play MATT DILLON but Jim Arness. Wondered why his brother Peter Graves never appeared on GUNSMOKE.
The best jim
@@tanmaxwell4599 was James ever on Mission Impossible?
Probably would've been awkward Dillion time travels to meet Phelps? LOL
Robin breeden
Our family loved Gunsmoke; Matt, Chester, Doc and Kitty, later Festus. Great era for westerns; Rifleman, Wanted Dead or Alive, Have Gun, Will Travel, Rawhide, the Rebel, Bonanza, Big Valley, etc. There are few good directors anymore. Movies are a sad lot.
Don't forget Newly.😁
Great man and actor- lives on forever on Gunsmoke. RIP Mr. Arness.
I corresponded with him years ago. I told him that I admired his role and it was my biggest source of respect for LE, especially the Marshal Service.
Jim and I were great friends and He was JUST what You see, A kinder Man has never lived.
You are so blessed to have been friends with him. He was a real American hero!
You can Proud and Lucky about knowing Him❤💢‼️
My favorite episode was "The noose". Hadn't seen that episode until a couple years ago and it riveted me to the chair! Superb story and perfectly acted by all involved. 🙏
Only one word I can use to not only describe James Arness (Marshall Dillon) but the Gunsmoke series....BELOVED!!!
My father loved westerns and he would watch them all the time, i would also watch them with him when i was a young boy, now i love watching Gunsmoke, James Arness was perfect for the role of Matt Dillon
So, Matthew Dillon was an awesome character, played by an amazing actor, no wonder the show lasted for so long.
I still watch Gunsmoke re-runs to this day
His right backhand was blindingly fast for a 6'7' 250 lb. man! Also, I'd swear they used a heavier sound effect when his punches landed! A Towering Awesome Force. Still watch almost every night.
I used to watch Gunsmoke as a child with my grandfather! What a great show that preached American Values! God bless you James Arness! We will not see your like again!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS. I love Gunsmoke and watch it almost everyday. James Arness was my hero in life and as Matt. Great interview!Thank you again!KEN
I Love Gunsmoke too, Ken and once got to email James Arness several times to discuss his limp (he says it was a real limp from an old football injury. Did anyone notice that Dillon gets shot in the opening credits here...I don't remember that at all! Was it changed?
Nashville Tennessee
Wow, lucky to have read your comment because I was also wondering about the limp.
I remember in the early ones his gunshot was second, but I never saw him fall. I'm watching them again, and they are well written, and did bring a lot of current issues onto the TV screens. Logical and emotional mixed well enough to bring across morality as not a corney thing, but rather a good thing. Great Television!
Which one does he come second in. I just checked season 1 episode 5 and he shoots first in the opening credits.
I'm watching them again too right now 1x5 is what I'm up to :)
hmmm....I'd always heard it was from a WWII injury suffered at Anzio, Italy. Bill O'Reilly interviewed him and said it took 16 mos. for him to rehab from that. It bothered him enough that by the end of the Gunsmoke series they were using a stunt double for many of the scenes where he got on a horse. Maybe he was being modest calling it a football injury.
Love Gunsmoke to this day... Chester, Doc, kitty, and Festus...
Gary Balanesi ..I cannot substantiate a rumor I had heard from my neighbor, the sound man on the set, but apparently, Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake) was not only an alcoholic and was drunk during most of the taping, but also was passed around the set for sexual liaisons with most of the cast and crew at one time or another...even Doc got his fair share of Kitty, and apparently she preferred to take it in the rear end....also my neighbor said that she usually smelled like poop....
William M j
@@williamm4812 bwahaha hahahahaha but she couldn't handle big jim arness because the homie was packing the beef
.man was huge I heard
@@williamm4812
Probably just a sound man making sounds
You forgot Sam
When I picture or think of the best Cowboy/Lawman/Marshall, the first person that I think of is James Arness and Matt Dillon! Best, most memorable Cowboy in TV and Movie history!!! RIP to all the cast members of Gunsmoke. We miss you all!
Still love the man he was a veteran and a great actor. My most favor man. Always seem so nice and very handsome man. Always
We watched Gunsmoke every week in my house. That's one reason I still love Westerns....I read that James Arness was injured during WWII, that's why he had a limp. You can see it during some scenes.
The commentor above you said that he has it from Arness himself that it was a football injury. So which is it football injury or war injury?
Perhaps he played football in the war? lol
All I can tell you is that Jim told me it was from an old injury he got from playing football! (I think he said in college!).
U are correct, He was very badly wounded in his lower leg and foot, he lost a part of his foot and that injury was a problem for him all his life.
Jim HARDY Arness received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his 2 years in the Army.
Bent Nickel Yes. He spent a long time in a military hospital. There is a picture of him with his brother, who was Peter Graves, in uniforms when he came to visit Mr Arness in the hospital. James Arness was a great kidder/jokester so it isn't hard to believe he told someone it was a football injury. Also those who knew him said he didn't like to talk about his war injuries, as are most of our veterans. There is a biography of James Arness written by someone who did biographies of our war veterans who were also stars. Some of this information is included in the Gunsmoke Anniversary DVD's produced by Boxleighter.
Best actors in the US history John Wayne and James Arness.
Best Marshall ever, need a man like him to clean up D.C.
Yeah, but he'd have turned Democrat now, in order to do that.
No, democrats are. the dirty ones.
No, democrats are. the dirty ones.
Not enough jails for the criminals in D.C.
@@davegreene8588 And that ain't happenin'.....
@@yumatoma9010 That's right,Democrats are truly the dirty ones.....sickening....!!!
I watch Gunsmoke on ME tv a lot. I'm 34 so its more of my parents generation, but I get sad when watching it wishing that could of been my generation.. Everyone keeps their clothes on, respects each other, actually has morals!! God I can't stand my generation...
Dude man aged wonderfully. He will forever be an Icon. He had an amazing variety of guest stars on his show. I mean unusual people like Morry Amsterdam, Rose Marie, Marian Seldes, Bette Davis, Theodore Bikel, Cecily Tyson, Michael Learned. I loved the earlier episodes that focused on the relationships between the core characters. There were some hilarious exchanges between Doc and Matt, Doc and Chester in particular. Also lets not forget Doc and Festus.
James personified everything great about the wild west, he was tall big strong but fair and didn't bully anyone or take his power as US marshall and abuse it, I'm only 48 but through re runs James and Chuck Connors have become my two heros
I also watch metv and bonanza, rifleman, wagon train. I'm 34.l also. But i disagree. I live the modern era. And things are more fair today that they were back then. Maybe things aren't as traditional as they were back then.
You don't know nothing about Gunsmoke who do you think you are I for one love that Gunsmoke and had every watched every episode unlike you miss Shannon
Amen brother who does she think she is I too Love Gunsmoke and have watched every episode
James always a class act. Many westerns in the 60s. I miss that decade terrible. Toooo much reality tv nowadays !
110th!!!
watched Gunsmoke every Sunday night as a kid and today still enjoy watching gunsmoke at lunchtime on a workday.
I still watch Gunsmoke every weekend! Never get tired of the episodes!
I appreciate an actor who makes it big in a particular genre or as a particular character, and then is humble enough to stick with it instead of thinking he is above his roots and has to move on to more egotistically satisfying things. One of the reasons I appreciate James Arness.
Wow takes me back to a simpler time a 10 year old kid watching one of his favorite shows on Saturday night.
Thanks!
Thank God for MeTV and antenna TV ..some of best shows of all times still to this day..by far
JBF Midnightson Also on INSP network
Still one of my favorite shows, so glad INSP TV airs it.
I love Gunsmoke.James Arness is so convincing at his job.
I watch the reruns everyday
DAY. TRUE Fan.
James Arness was and still is my hero. Although I was not born when the show began, I have been recording all of the episodes on INSP. Marshal Dillon is the only man who scared the poop out of me. I loved him like a father.
Thanks for the great memories , i grew up watching gunsmoke , never missed an episode, it was and still is the greatest show to ever be on television, and yes i still watch it every chance i get ,
My Grandfather was a District attorney from 1959 to 1972 and he always told me a story of a person suspected of stealling something from his neighbors garage and his alibi was that he and his family were at home watching gun smoke. There was to much against the person that his alibi was unbelievable and in my Grandfathers closing statements he said "there was a lot of smoke in this trial, just not gun smoke" my grandfather passed on September 25, 2020 at the age of 90....
We watched many of gun smoke reruns in the last year and a half along with his favorite show M.A.S.H.! Because he was in Korea in '55 & '56 in the US Army Central Intelligence Core (C.I.C.)! He was able to be apart of that due to his law degree...
He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association for over 50 years and did not retire until he was 80 years old!
I miss him terribly! Thank you all who read this for listening!
James Arness will live forever in tv as my Grandfather will in my heart!
May God Be With You All!
The radio version, with Bill Conrad, was outstanding. Very good acting and writing in it.
The radio series ran from 1952 to 1961. John Dunning wrote that among radio drama enthusiasts, "Gunsmoke is routinely placed among the best shows of any kind and any time." The television series ran for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, and lasted for 635 episodes. At the end of its run in 1975, Los Angeles Times columnist Cecil Smith wrote: "Gunsmoke was the dramatization of the American epic legend of the west. Our own Iliad and Odyssey, created from standard elements of the dime novel and the pulp Western as romanticized by [Ned] Buntline, [Bret] Harte, and [Mark] Twain. It was ever the stuff of legend
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE LIKE HIM TODAY???. THEIR ARE NONE!!!..TODAY WE HAVE NOBODY'S THAT THINK THEY ARE SOMEBODY'S, AND CAN'T ACT WORTH A SHIT.. THANKS MR ARNESS FOR WHAT YOU GAVE US FOR SO MANY FINE YEARS..
One day I was in line at the dollar store and there were three collage girl in line be hide me. One of the girls said remember back in the day when we would watch Gunsmoke and Bonanza? Well I turned around and said I remember back in the day and watching those programs first run I also remember the U.S only having 48 states. They yelled out ON WAY.
I think you meant to say college girls.
No way?
?
His character always thought things through, and did what was right. He was a good man in real life as well. Here, or on the other side, we love you James.
I have watched Gunsmoke ever since I was a little girl. my dad loved and passed it on to his children. I watch it now with my husband, there are no good shows like there use to be.
👏
I watched Gunsmoke as a kid and I am 63 years old and still watch Gunsmoke everyday at one on me T.V. Matt Dillion Rocks !!!
calling movies "pictures" makes my heart flutter, and i blush.
i watch gunsmoke at least 4 times on different stations. my late dad only got to watch it once a week.. he would be in his glory today because it is probably on 8 to 10 times a day!
“He really talked turkey to me”.
How can you not love this guy?
I JUST re-started viewing Gunsmoke.......after fifty years. It was my father's favorite TV show. It didn't quite get-it at that time, but I do Now. James Arness used his body language and facial expressions to speak VOLUMES.
I always wonder why Matt Dillion and Kitty never even kissed or hug.
I am watching all the old shows since June of 18.
I just freaked out. I suddenly remembered when Gunsmoke 💨 first aired in color. The reason I remember so well is because they made it a big deal on TV 📺 & I was excited too because I loved the show. My dad grew up with the guy that played Festus.
Stevie Gee Festus was played by Ken Curtis.
Bruce Graham dad has been gone a long time, but remember his story. They played stick ball in the street. I thought it was cool then.
I had the pleasant experience of meeting James Arness when I was a young boy. My father -- who, as a film company representative, knew the series' cinematographer -- took me to a set where indoor scenes were being shot one day. I ended up also meeting two other actors in the series: Dennis Weaver ("Chester") and Amanda Blake ("Kitty"). One of the reasons that Arness was such a sought-after figure was his height -- he was 6'7". By itself, that may have made him the central figure whenever he was in a scene. But there was also a nice collaborative feeling in how the cast did their work.
So awesome that you got to meet him!!
I watch it all the time I'm watching an episode right now .I love the show and all the actors .James was perfect for this character .I can't imagine anyone
doing it better . I miss him and the other stars .
Greatest drama, greatest character in TV history. Never grow old.
James Arness is a Good actor.
Why don't you mention how much of a racist they were? Guess your just as well of a "Sell out!."
@@HawkeyeAssassins-zh4nz
No wonder whites always accuse us of playing the race card, racist idiots like you.
DUDE GROW UP!!!
R.I.P. JAMES ARNESS
@@HawkeyeAssassins-zh4nz - You're just another ignorant racist calling other people racist. What a joke.
the greatest cast ever on a tv show,they were all great,my favorite was Chester, he played the role to the hilt,when he left the show was still good but never the same.i have all the episodes with Chester on dvd and still watch and enjoy them once in a while.
Agreed. But I also liked Burt Reynolds as Quint--even though he left after just one season. Gunsmoke was his first chance to show the world his acting skills. RIP Burt and Quint.
Love this actor❤️ Such a wonderful cast created for this show. We watched when younger still watch today❣️ Been watching the marathon today 02/11/2018
Mary Logan Kelley
Dear madam,
Do you hear from James Arness son , Rolf Aurness.?
My husband and I watch Gunsmoke every night after the news.
What a good looking man he was!!
Love the show and still watch it whenever I get the chance. We see Rifleman a bit more regularly on a good time slot from METV. The old westerns were so well made and that's perhaps why people appreciate them just as much today. Jame Arness was a class act and John Wayne obviously thought so as well.
I watch Gunsmoke every day. Hes on insp station about all day. I never get tired of watching it brings back memories of watching it with my dad growing up. Brings back great memories
I was your waitress at Mammoth Lakes in the summer of 1971 or 1972. You were a good tipper and extremely handsome. My dad was a Gunsmoke regular, so I've also seen a lot, if not everyone of the episodes. And my grandmother is buried at Forest Lawn in Glendale, as you are. Thank you for all the great memories.
One of my all time favorite tv shows. James played the role perfect,great scripts,great acting,just a must see back when it was on
I love James Arness in Gunsmoke. And you too John Wayne. I watch gun smoke every day. He's one of the best. ❤
Gunsmoke is still my all-time favorite. I miss them all; Matt, Kitty, Doc, Festus, Thad, Sam, Louie.
Chester??
Chester??
Marshall Dillon was my Hero and always will be . will always miss you mr.Dillon.
Memories of a better time, when standards meant something.. and James Arness represented the QUIET AMERICAN, a man of integrity, forthright and honorable. He represented all that was good about Americans, and like Gary Cooper, he represents the best in men.
I love the big guy...He was great in The Thing from another world...Them...and of course Gunsmoke...Rest in peace big guy
Just watching Gunsmoke on TV now t My Dadloved his Cowboy ! - Always on TV when I was a kid! -Just looking to see if this Great Actor was still kicking about - Sad to hear he's gone !
p.s. the episode is called Sam McTavish M.D.
gunsmoke
David Carney Right, and he was acting like he had a brilliant film career before Gunsmoke. Taking the role of Matt Dillon was a no-brainer. If he didn't, he might've ended up playing a dual role in Godzilla vs Frankenstein.
Hondo, with the Duke, Ward Bond and James Arness.
I am still watching gunsmoke on METV. Great actor, oh no como pasa el tiempo. Gracias Thelma:))
We watch the reruns as well. Very good acting.
TV Land also plays Gunsmoke, I watch it on both channels when I can
I watch Gunsmoke every weeknight even today, love that show.
i met james arness in seward alaska, thorns showcase lounge back in 1971
They say Wayne really liked Arness-and Arness was taller than Wayne
Daniel Kleinmeier John Wayne was 6'4" and Arness was 6'7"
James was a giant 6'7"
Arness was taller than everyone
@@bentnickel7487 Wayne was a bum and a drunk
Arness was cool
I loved James Aries’s in Gunsmoke when I was a child and still watch the reruns. He was a very handsome man and great actor 👍 he lives a good good long life and died of natural cases. Hope I live that long in good health until it’s my time to go home to be with the Lord. R.I.P. James see you soon. 🙏😇🌸🌷🌻💕🌹👍
I sure miss him, Arness. He was on every Monday night when I was a kid, eating dinner. Anyways, there's never been a better tv show and as it turns out, a better man in the media. I trust he rests well with the Lord, life was not always easy for this man.
Always a class act. The radio show actually went on for apx. 9 years, 1952 to 1961. He probably thought 3 because they used the radio scripts for the first 3 years.
We got used to him! 20 years as Matt Dillon!
I really enjoyed this! What a Gunsmoke fan I still am at age 61! I first watched this show with my dad- great memories! I LOVED and still do the character, Festus! My kinda guy! I still watch this show as much as possible! Great TV!!
My most favorite show in the world. I love Gun Smoke.
What a kind and wonderful intro by Big John - and what a kind and wonderful man was James Arness; Gunsmoke was our cowboy staple from 1955 onward, reading about it here especially the great comments, evokes such warm memories. One episode I recall was during the close all schools winter of 1962/1963. We were sat waiting for the ads to end and the show to begin, the lounge was warm and a heavenly aroma of fresh baked bread abounded. Mum came in with the bread all cut n buttered with cheeses and pickles and hot chocolate drinks, not any old drink but heated Mikki - best choc drink on the planet; there was no better TV to honour for such a feast.
Yeah, big Marion was something else all right, including an exaggerator of his height! 6'4 my rear end