This is it. The real Gunsmoke. This is the half hour broadcasts heavy on drama and character acting and in glorious black and white. The series picked up right from the radio program that was so popular in the early fifties. John Wayne even introduced the series with a brief introduction.
These are beautiful short morality tales of the kind that have gone with the wind. Tough stuff with a heart.
August 3, 2008My father grew up watching gunsmoke and I thought it would be another hokey cowboy show. I was pleasently surpised to find out that it was very well written and full of life lessons applicable to anytime and place.
July 6, 2008This was purchased as a gift for my brother and if you like older TV shows this is a good buy.
April 14, 2008 |  | See how it all began for the longest running dramatic series in the history of television! |  |
"GUNSMOKE" premiered in 1955 and was canceled in 1975, for a total of 20 seasons and 635 episodes. It is one of the best, if not the best, television series of all time. Originally, it was in the black and white half hour format, then it went to black and white full hour, and finally to the beloved color full hour programming. The episodes in color are probably the best known to today's audiences. But I guarantee you that the episodes from the original black and white programming are just as good, and the first season is no exception. This great show also had an excellent cast. James Arness was Marshal Matt Dillon of Dodge City, Kansas, Amanda Blake was Miss Kitty Russell, a prostitute at first, and then later the full owner of The Long Branch. When the show first started out, Kitty was just a madame, or, as the show so cleverly disguised it, a "saloon girl". Over time, the many fans of the show began to see her profession as awkward, because how could she work in the saloon when there was a certain special relationship between her and Matt? Since the show was so strongly devoted to its fans, the writers changed Miss Kitty to at first half owner, and then later, full owner. However, the show never took Kitty and Matt's relationship to a higher level. It would be strange to see Marshal Dillon come home to a house full of kids, now wouldn't it? Also in the main cast were Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode, and Milburn Stone as Galen "Doc" Adams. Chester was not a deputy, but more of a helper to Matt. He was best known for his straight legged limp and his high pitched cries of "Mr. Dillon". Doc was a crusty and cantankerous old coot on the outside, but had a very good heart on the inside. The constant friendly badgering between Doc and Chester was always hilarious, so much that they eventually became somewhat of a comedy act. Unfortunately, Weaver left the show in 1964 to pursue other things. This is when the newer and more familiar to modern audience age of "Gunsmoke" was ushered in. When the show brought in Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen in 1959, Roger Ewing as Thad Greenwood in 1965, and Buck Taylor as Newly O'Brien in 1967. But I am not picky, and love any episode just as much as another. I shall look forward to all those episodes, some of which I have never seen. Other wonderful characteristics of this show were its impeccable use of guest stars, and transitioning the Western genre from the old serials of the 1940's to the adult Western. This show was actually the first adult television Western. The writers and producers attempt was to break away from the cliche-laden Lone Ranger to the realistic West. No masked men found here! The first season of "Gunsmoke" did not feature as much as it would later in the way of special guest stars, because it was just viewed as another Western. However, this first season did have several guest stars, such as John Dehner, Royal Dano, Aaron Spelling, Charles Bronson, and Strother Martin. The guest stars can be found more abundantly in later seasons, but it did not take long for the producers to realize the jackpot they had found for television. Below is a list of all the episodes that can be found in this 6-disc set.
1. MATT GETS IT (Series Pilot)
2. HOT SPELL
3. WORD OF HONOR
4. HOME SURGERY
5. OBIE TATER
6. NIGHT INCIDENT
7. SMOKING OUT THE NOLANS
8. KITE'S REWARD
9. THE HUNTER
10. THE QUEUE
11. GENERAL PARSLEY SMITH
12. MAGNUS
13. REED SURVIVES
14. PROFESSOR LUTE BONE
15. NO HANDCUFFS
16. REWARD FOR MATT
17. ROBIN HOOD
18. YORKY
19. 20-20
20. REUNION '78
21. HELPING HAND
22. TAP DAY FOR KITTY
23. INDIAN SCOUT
24. THE PEST HOLE
25. THE BIG BROAD
26. HACK PRINE
27. COOTER
28. THE KILLER
29. DOC'S REVENGE
30. THE PREACHER
31. HOW TO DIE FOR NOTHING
32. DUTCH GEORGE
33. PRAIRIE HAPPY
34. CHESTER'S MAIL ORDER BRIDE
35. THE GUITAR
36. CARA
37. MR. AND MRS. AMBER
38. UNMARKED GRAVE
39. ALARM AT PLEASANT VALLEY
Excellent show! The very best in television entertainment!
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THIS REVIEW IS DEDICATED TO ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, INVOLVED WITH THE MAKING OF "GUNSMOKE".
April 12, 2008| | | Gunsmoke- The First Season | |
I would highly recommened this 39 episode set to all Gunsmoke fans. James Arness seems to be more involved in these episodes than in later years. Many actors performed in these episodes who later became well known on their own. I hope they come out with another similar set like this, with more new episodes from the 50's & 60's. Excellent B & W picture quality and easy to navigate format.
April 6, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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