17 revealing behind-the-scenes-photos from Gunsmoke

Amanda Blake, James Arness and crew obviously had fun over those two decades.

The Everett Collection

Gunsmoke lasted a remarkable — perhaps untouchable, at least when it comes to hourlong dramas — 20 seasons. It must have been a pleasure to act in the show. How else to explain that a core cast could work together for two decades? James Arness would continue to return to the role of Marshal Matt Dillon in subsequent TV movies, all the up until 1994. 

His castmates, including Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty), Ken Curtis (Festus) and Milburn Stone (Doc), would also play their roles for years and years.

Let's take a peek behind the scenes of this most iconic of American Westerns. 

Image: The Everett Collection

Amanda Blake reads a letter, perhaps a piece of fan mail. In full color, you can see the splendor of her costumes from the black & white years.


Image: The Everett Collection

M*A*S*H favorite Harry Morgan pops in for a guest roll in a later episode, giving him time to kick back with Arness on the porch.


Image: The Everett Collection

Blake keeps it clean for the airwaves of the 1950s.

Image: The Everett Collection

Director Bill Conrad (center, with his back to the camera) walks the cast through a script.


Image: AP Photo

Keeping the peace in Dodge City is no funny business, but Arness and Curtis share a laugh with Betty Hutton on the set.


Image: AP Photo

Arness peers over a collar of leis he received after he crossed the finish line first in the Multihull Transpacific Yacht Race, Sunday, July 15, 1968, in Honolulu.


Image: The Everett Collection

Blake sure earned a lot of clams working on the show.


Image: AP Photo

Arness and Blake get big laughs at Dennis Weaver's rope fumbling during a rehearsal.

Image: AP Photo

Hickman Hill, grandson of veteran Western actor Tom Mix, makes his acting debut in a segment of Gunsmoke.


Image: AP Photo

Members of the Texas A&M football team meet Arness as they visit the set, October 9, 1964.


Image: AP Photo

President Ronald Reagan is flanked by Blake and Garland Murphy of the American Cancer Institute, during a White House ceremony in 1984. Blake was presented the American Cancer Society's Courage Award.


Image: AP Photo

Craig Arness gets the drop on dad during an afternoon of play at the Arness home in 1958.


Image: The Everett Collection

Dennis Weaver (Chester Goode) leans on a lamppost with Blake on set. Interesting to see that, in color, Goode wears a pink shirt.

Image: AP Photo

Doc, Dillon and Kitty visit the real Dodge City in Kansas in 1958.


Image: AP Photo

Arness sits with his wife, Virginia Arness, 23, in 1958.


Image: AP Photo

Milburn Stone collects an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor — Drama in 1968. Next to his is Barbara Anderson, who won the same award for Ironside.


Image: AP Photo

Amanda Blake and James Arness reunite at the Golden Boot Awards, August 15, 1986.

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5 Comments

Metv481 35 months ago
My Grandpa was born in 1886 and I was a young kid in the 60’s. Gunsmoke was televised on Sunday evenings, the day we always visited him, and I was not allowed to talk to him during the show. While a commercial played, I asked him why I couldn’t talk to him during Gunsmoke, he said it was his favorite show because that’s how it was when he was a young boy. I love Gunsmoke to this day. It reminds me of my Grandpa and it was a great show that still holds up.
slim115W 54 months ago
Gunsmoke is not one of my favorite shows, it is my FAVORITE show.
Russ 58 months ago
The actress in the tub must have been the thing to do in the 50's. This is Peggy Castle from "Lawman"
RedSamRackham 66 months ago
All Chester episodes were B&W so we never saw pink shirt. ☺
Bfreder 69 months ago
I like Metv because they show my favorite program gunsmoke! Thanks 😊
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