James Arness vaulted into the annals of television history with his iconic portrayal of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon in the long-running television Western Gunsmoke. Armed with a quick draw and an even quicker wit, the principled and intelligent Marshal Dillon brought peace and righteousness to the lawless frontier of 1800s Dodge City with the help of his trusted deputy, Chester Goode (Dennis Weaver), his friend Doc Adams (Milburn Stone), and saloon keeper Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake).

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Season 1 Ep.31: How to Die for Nothing

Zach and Bulow, up with a cattle drive, are raising a ruckus. Matt wants Zach’s gun. He won’t give it up. Matt hits him. Bulow draws his gun. Matt kills him. Zach tells Matt Bulow’s brother Howard will shoot you in the back. Matt sees a guy hiding in the shadows. It’s not Howard, but Howard comes up and introduces himself. Matt locks Howard up. Will Jacklin, the trail boss, comes for Howard. Will says he has fourteen men down the street. Reisling, the hotel owner, tells Matt you have to set him free. Matt tells Chester to go get Howard. Matt tells Jacklin, his men and Howard to get outta Dodge. Howard reaffirms he is going to kill Matt. Ben Cherry, a friend of Chester’s Pa, raised Chester. Reisling says he’s going to ride out to the cattle drive camp and tell the men they’re welcome in Dodge. Matt and Chester go to the Dodge House to see how he did. Howard shoots at Matt from upstairs. Matt kills Howard.

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Dodge City, known as the Sodom and Gomorrah of the plains, is a typical frontier city of the late 1800s with typical problems ranging from rumored Indian raids to bank and stage robberies, cattle rustling, and family feuds. All of these must be dealt with within the law and that task falls to… More Matt Dillon, US Marshal (James Arness).

Dillon is a man who prefers the use of logic over the use of the gun but the nature of the people passing through Dodge doesn’t always leave him that choice. Aided by various assistants and deputies over the years (played by Dennis Weaver, Burt Reynolds, and Ken Curtis), he does his best to keep the lawless element out of his town and his territory. Matt often solves his crimes through keen observation and deduction, an innovative approach for the times.

Crucial information about cases is often provided by his beautiful companion, Long Branch owner Kitty Russell(Amanda Blake), while they drink beer or whiskey in her establishment. Matt also often exchanges banter or bounces his theories off of the crusty town doctor, Galen Adams (Milburn Stone).

Cast and Crew:

* James Arness – Marshal Matt Dillon
* Milburn Stone – Dr. Galen ‘Doc’ Adams
* Amanda Blake – Kitty Russell, saloon owner
* Dennis Weaver – Chester Goode, deputy

# Writers: John Meston

# Director: Andrew V. McLaglen

Production Company: Arness Production Company, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Filmaster Productions
Original Air Date: 1955
Audio & Video: Mono – Black and White (1955-1966) | Color (1966-1975)

Additional details in:

Gunsmoke season 1 in IMDB | Gunsmoke episodes in TV.com | Gunsmoke TV Series in Wikipedia

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