On this date in 1955, the first episode of Gunsmoke aired on CBS. I still watch the show when I can.

Whiskey, rifles, pistols, wise doctors, good guys and bad guys...and Miss Kitty...

I watched it too.

Gunsmoke was a weekly family event at my house while growing up. I think the morality of the show helped build character. It, and others like it, certainly contributed to my interest in firearms and law enforcement. The stars are all gone now. I miss the characters, and the genre. (Sigh), I was born 100 years too late.

I watch the early episodes on INSP all the time. I prefer the Chester years.

I think I had a Gunsmoke lunch box/thermos. Wait, maybe it was Roy Rogers.

It was my dad's favorite show. I was allowed to stay up late to watch.

Arvo Ojala.

And the first episode was introduced by John Wayne. I’ve seen it on INSP before. I do like the 30 minute episodes the best.

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Originally posted by scot818:
And the first episode was introduced by John Wayne. I’ve seen it on INSP before. I do like the 30 minute episodes the best.

Interesting trivia. The producers wanted John Wayne to star in the series. He declined but recommended his friend James Arness (who he worked with in Hondo) for the role. Forks in the road.

My wife picked me up the 50th Anniversary dvd box set at a garage sale for $5 a couple years ago. I was watching it out in my ice fishing house last year when the game warden stopped by to check license and number of fish. Apparently he was a big fan he watched a hour long episode with me. I made him a cup of coffee and I had a few (more) beers!

^^^ That’s a great story!

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Originally posted by maxwayne:
On this date in 1955, the first episode of Gunsmoke aired on CBS.

And three years earlier, the radio version premiered. I recall listening to that, too. William Conrad was Matt Dillon, on the radio.

Mr.Dillon/Mr.Dillon/Mr.Dillon said Chester as he tried to run and catch up with Marshall Dillon. ......................drill sgt.

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Originally posted by HayesGreener:
I miss the characters, and the genre.

For those who like the genre, check your local listings for a show called Paradise (later renamed to Guns of Paradise). It originally aired from 1988 to 1991--only 56 episodes, unfortunately. I'm very fond of that show, and now that it's replaying, it brings back such good memories. It's about a gunfighter (Lee Horsley of Matt Houston) who has his sister's 4 children thrust upon him when she becomes ill. He tries to raise the children and become a rancher while always being tempted back to gunfighting. The Western genre is a perfect backdrop for telling a story.

Love watching Gunsmoke. I am watching Chester Goode on INSP right now!

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Originally posted by henryaz:

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Originally posted by maxwayne:
On this date in 1955, the first episode of Gunsmoke aired on CBS.

And three years earlier, the radio version premiered. I recall listening to that, too. William Conrad was Matt Dillon, on the radio.

I happened upon a retro radio station airing such programs. It was interesting to hear William Conrad playing Matt Dillon while he was playing the fat detective on TV.

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Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
My wife picked me up the 50th Anniversary dvd box set at a garage sale for $5 a couple years ago. I was watching it out in my ice fishing house last year when the game warden stopped by to check license and number of fish. Apparently he was a big fan he watched a hour long episode with me. I made him a cup of coffee and I had a few (more) beers!

I assume the license and number of fish were kosher?

But those were "the good ole days" growing up.

It premiered a couple months after I was born. I remember more of the Festus era growing up but am really enjoying the older episodes on MeTv. It airs at 13:00, so I tell my wife I have to get my 'Smoke on after lunch. I didn't remember Chester being so much of a doofus but his interactions with Doc are great. I swear Amanda Blake and Lucille Ball could be sisters.

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Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I happened upon a retro radio station airing such programs. It was interesting to hear William Conrad playing Matt Dillon while he was playing the fat detective on TV.

Another one for you. The actor playing Doc on the radio version of Gunsmoke, Howard McNear, was later (on TV) Floyd the Barber on The Andy Griffith Show.