blowbama A marshal(Matt Dillon) from Dodge, Kansas. Keeping law and order in a rough town called Dodge. This marshal isn't corrupt and plays it fair. Story contains a deputy, doctor, female saloon owner, and various other town people that are regulars as well. This show started out as originally one half hour. But then it became an hour long show. It was on the air for 20 years. From 1955 to 1975.

Lynn731 My favorite episode of all 20 years is Mannon. He is a nasty very vain gunman, faster than Matt Dillon, who takes the town over when Dillon is gone. He is fond of Kitty, and tries to win her over. It is their interaction that makes this episode the best. Kitty psychs him out, telling him things like he isn't near the man Dillon is, cutting his face with a whiskey bottle when he is beating her, etc. The thought of a scar across his face really infuriates him. Her methods make Mannon question himself, and that is just the edge Dillon needs. Although Mannon is faster and shoots Dillon down, his shot isn't true and Dillon manages to get up some, call him out, and when he turns, shoots him. We all assumed he killed him. In a later show Mannon gets out of prison, kills the sentencing judge, and the warden of the KS penitentiary. He also appears in a 3rd episode as I recall. Kitty's attempts to save Dillon's life through "working" on Mannon's image of himself, and questioning his manhood, make this what I think is the best episode of all. Apparently I am not the only one, as this episode is included in the Director's Cut DVD.

dataconflossmoor From the radio days,and then to television, "Gunsmoke" has become THE!! classic television western of all time!! Why was it so popular? A lot of reasons!! The imagery of how dreadfully scary it would be to live in the Kansas territory (aka Dodge City) during the late 1800's was superbly executed in this series!! Even the title "Gunsmoke" suggests that there was always a shootout, hence, you always saw gun smoke in the air!! The cast became legendary in this show!! All of them have been the recipients of residuals to this series that have made them wealthy ten times over again in their own rights!! "Gunsmoke" has been the longest running prime time television series in the history of television thus far!! "Law and Order" is now breathing down it's neck!! America's fascination with the rugged old west gave way to many Westerns and Western T.V. Shows... "Gunsmoke" was the typification of American's desire to indulge in the prefabricated small screen version of Cowboys in action!! Accolades for this show are endless, and "Gunsmoke" would, without question, be categorized as something that is as "American as Apple Pie"..... I loved this show, and as a kid, it entertained me in that wholesome sort of way!! You did get a feel for how difficult things were for settlers of Dodge City, and you, as a comfortable twentieth century American, evaluating the deplorable circumstances of yesteryear, can appreciate the sacrifices our pioneers of "Gunsmoke" endured!! The overall assessment of this television show: American classics should be treasured!!!

Jrdmln My comment is about what my favorite seasons are.my favorite years are the last Nine Years,Which were from 1966-1975.I like the first 11 seasons too.I just thought the last Nine year were the best.One reason is that I like color better than Black and White,and the opening theme song was better in the last Nine Years,and in the First Ten seasons James Arness was the only person in the Opening Theme song.That is why I like Last Nine Years of the show the best.What Years do you guys like?Just to let you know when I posted this I did it on 10-24-06 2006.My Email address is [email protected] is my all time Favorite TV show.