Talk:Gunsmoke
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alcoholic doctor? Where does that come from? RickK 20:20, 31 Aug 2003 (UTC)
The Long Branch Saloon was a gathering place for all citizens of Dodge and Doc gathered there about as much as anybody else, but he was never portrayed as an alcoholic. That dubious distinction went to "Louie", who was the town drunk. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 66.31.96.13 (talk • contribs) 08:02, 22 April 2005.
- Try some research before trying to answer questions. You are confusing the TV version with the radio version. In the radio version, Doc was frequently depicted with a bottle or a drink, with slurred speech and a "sleepy" disposition. It's true that McNair later appeared this way on camera after a series of strokes left him partially paralysed, but on Gunsmoke he was acting. It's subtle but it's there, and before you cry that it's open to interpretation, cast and crew members made it clear in interviews that Doc was meant to be a bit of a boozer. It's similar to the subtle coloring of Miss Kitty: no one ever said on air that she was a prostitute, but that was the intent. 12.22.250.4 20:02, 26 April 2006 (UTC)
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[edit] Cancellation threat
Gunsmoke didn't receive its cancellation threats in 1970, but rather 1967. It was then moved to Monday night in the early evening and ran for eight more years. Mike H 21:08, May 29, 2005 (UTC)
[edit] live or filmed?
Was the show performed live in its first season? I've seen one of the 1956 episodes and there seem to be some dialog errors, stepped on lines, etc.
[edit] Alcohol
Why was alcohol such a predominant part of the series? Every other minute there are whisky bottles, talk about drink, beer-guzzling, etc.. Were the writers Irish? 64.12.116.204 19:17, 20 October 2005 (UTC)Joachim von Ribbentrop
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- Wow, what a terrific ethnic slur.
- Miss Kitty ran a saloon. You can't have a show not have alcohol with a saloon as one of its focal points. Mike H (Talking is hot) 03:30, 23 October 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Matt's declining appearance in later years
In about half of the episodes that I see on TV Land, it seems that Matt is out of town for most of the episode. He will either be seen riding out of town in the teaser or first act (or a character will mention that he is out of town), then will not be seen again until the last act or the epilogue. Did James Arness have a deal with the producers that allowed him to make a certain number of "cameo" appearances per season in later years? I've wondered for some time but have never seen this addressed. MccullarsJ 17:50, 28 July 2006 (UTC)
- To the best of my knowledge, there were two issues going on. One was that to have Arness front and centre for every hour-long episode was exhausting for Arness. (It'd still be exhausting today, but moreso back then -- that was an era when filming 30-36 episodes a year was standard, as opposed to today's 22.) Also, the writers wanted to explore the other Dodge City characters, and create more of an ensemble show. So reducing the # of Arness' full-length appearances made everyone happy.
[edit] Gunsmoke as a "happy Ending" series?
- Could it be that one reason for this show longivity was that it was not only entertaining at time but also tales with happy ending? For example in epsiode "The Whispering Tree" [[John Saxon {actor}]] guest starred as a ex-convict trying to find hidden money from the robbery that sent him to prision. Complicating the fact is that his ex-gang and a obbessed railroad detective {Edward Asner} are also after the stolen loot. In the end there is a "Happy ending"-the farmer goes off with his family for a new life; the ex-gang either kills each other or are killed by Marshal Dillon; Redmond the Detective finds what remains of stolen loot. {Even as a "good guy" Asner plays like "LoU Grant" !!} {"Observer"}
