Gunsmoke actor Milburn Stone was among the show’s remarkably charming ensemble cast. Few performers ever played a role longer than he starred as Doc Adams. Over the course of Gunsmoke‘s record-setting run, Stone didn’t appear in a total of seven episodes. However, it wasn’t a decision of his own. Here’s a look at what happened to cause his absence.
‘Gunsmoke’ actor Milburn Stone played Doc Adams for 20 seasons Milburn Stone as Doc Adams | CBS via Getty Images
Stone was first cast as Doc Adams along with the other original Gunsmoke actors. This also included James Arness as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell, and Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode. Similar to his co-stars, Stone took his Gunsmoke character and ran with it, giving him the name “Galen.” Additionally, he gave the character a greater degree of softness compared to the radio iteration.
‘Gunsmoke’ actor Milburn Stone played Doc Adams for 20 seasons Milburn Stone as Doc Adams | CBS via Getty Images
Stone was first cast as Doc Adams along with the other original Gunsmoke actors. This also included James Arness as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell, and Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode. Similar to his co-stars, Stone took his Gunsmoke character and ran with it, giving him the name “Galen.” Additionally, he gave the character a greater degree of softness compared to the radio iteration.
- 3/5/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Gunsmoke lead U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon found himself in a lot of gun duels over the years in his fight to protect Dodge City from villains. However, he wasn’t always able to best every single gunfighter he came across. Matt still managed to defeat bad guys, even when he didn’t draw first. A physicist once explained why Matt still won the Gunsmoke opening title credits duel, even though he drew second.
‘Gunsmoke’ opening showed Matt Dillon in a gun duel James Arness as Matt Dillon | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
James Arness was first brought onto Gunsmoke starting with the first episode of the television adaptation of the popular radio show. He played the marshal for all 20 seasons, which ran from 1955 to 1975. However, the opening title credits made some changes over the years.
The original opening that started with episode 1 was shot on an outside street, rather than a painted backdrop.
‘Gunsmoke’ opening showed Matt Dillon in a gun duel James Arness as Matt Dillon | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
James Arness was first brought onto Gunsmoke starting with the first episode of the television adaptation of the popular radio show. He played the marshal for all 20 seasons, which ran from 1955 to 1975. However, the opening title credits made some changes over the years.
The original opening that started with episode 1 was shot on an outside street, rather than a painted backdrop.
- 3/4/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Gunsmoke was one of the most popular television shows ever to hit the air. The network, CBS, knew what it had on its hands after its 1955 premiere and milked it for 20 seasons before suddenly canceling it in 1975. The Western genre later died off, as its wave of popularity never quite returned to form. Here’s a list of five other vintage television shows to dig into if Gunsmoke was your jam.
L-r: Milburn Stone as Doc Adams, James Arness as Matt Dillon, Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell, and Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen | CBS via Getty Images ‘Bonanza’ (1959-1973) L-r: Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright, Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright, Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright, and Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright | Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Bonanza first hit the air in 1959, a few years after Gunsmoke first established its legs among Western shows. The story follows...
L-r: Milburn Stone as Doc Adams, James Arness as Matt Dillon, Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell, and Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen | CBS via Getty Images ‘Bonanza’ (1959-1973) L-r: Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright, Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright, Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright, and Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright | Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Bonanza first hit the air in 1959, a few years after Gunsmoke first established its legs among Western shows. The story follows...
- 2/28/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Gunsmoke actor James Arness was a master of the Western genre, but he didn’t care for HBO’s Deadwood. His contributions to the genre came long before the premium cable channel released the popular television show, representing a different era of storytelling. However, Arness recognized how it meant something for a certain type of audience seeking entertainment.
‘Gunsmoke’ actor James Arness defined the Western genre on television James Arness | Screen Archives/Getty Images
Legendary movie star John Wayne defined the Western cowboy on the silver screen for many years. Later, Clint Eastwood provided a much more violent image of the West that Wayne disagreed with, resulting in him writing an angry letter to voice his frustrations. However, the classic movie star recommended Arness to accept the role of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke.
Arness would go on to represent an era of Western storytelling for television, becoming...
‘Gunsmoke’ actor James Arness defined the Western genre on television James Arness | Screen Archives/Getty Images
Legendary movie star John Wayne defined the Western cowboy on the silver screen for many years. Later, Clint Eastwood provided a much more violent image of the West that Wayne disagreed with, resulting in him writing an angry letter to voice his frustrations. However, the classic movie star recommended Arness to accept the role of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke.
Arness would go on to represent an era of Western storytelling for television, becoming...
- 2/12/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Long-running television shows frequently have to roll with the punches and figure out ways to keep audiences wanting to tune in. Gunsmoke made Ken Curtis’ Festus Haggen a series regular to replace Dennis Weaver’s beloved Chester Goode after he left to pursue other acting opportunities. However, Curtis refused to return for the first made-for-tv Gunsmoke movie after its 20-season run because of a couple of serious disagreements with a producer.
‘Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge’ reintroduced audiences to Dodge City Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen | CBS via Getty Images
Gunsmoke met its end on CBS in 1975 after a surprise cancelation that the cast and crew didn’t see coming. The network returned the world back to Dodge City in 1987 with the first made-for-tv movie for the series subtitled Return to Dodge. U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon actor James Arness and Miss Kitty Russell star Amanda Blake both came back.
The...
‘Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge’ reintroduced audiences to Dodge City Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen | CBS via Getty Images
Gunsmoke met its end on CBS in 1975 after a surprise cancelation that the cast and crew didn’t see coming. The network returned the world back to Dodge City in 1987 with the first made-for-tv movie for the series subtitled Return to Dodge. U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon actor James Arness and Miss Kitty Russell star Amanda Blake both came back.
The...
- 2/6/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Gunsmoke actor Milburn Stone and the rest of the cast members regularly received fan letters that allowed them to keep their finger on the pulse of the show. This provided them with the opportunity to engage with the viewers, but it also gave them an idea of what worked on the show and what didn’t. There was one Gunsmoke fan letter that stuck out to Stone that changed how he played Doc Adams in the future.
‘Gunsmoke’ actor Milburn Stone took Doc Adams seriously Milburn Stone as Doc Adams | CBS via Getty Images
Stone was brought on as one of the original principal cast members along with James Arness, Amanda Blake, and Dennis Weaver. However, they didn’t all initially get along. Stone initially “hated” Arness because he didn’t think that he took the job seriously enough. He brought professionalism to the set, which resulted in him looking at his co-stars with frustration.
‘Gunsmoke’ actor Milburn Stone took Doc Adams seriously Milburn Stone as Doc Adams | CBS via Getty Images
Stone was brought on as one of the original principal cast members along with James Arness, Amanda Blake, and Dennis Weaver. However, they didn’t all initially get along. Stone initially “hated” Arness because he didn’t think that he took the job seriously enough. He brought professionalism to the set, which resulted in him looking at his co-stars with frustration.
- 2/4/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Television shows and feature films aren’t always medically accurate, although such mistakes can destroy the illusion of reality when they’re far off from the real science. Gunsmoke actor Milburn Stone was bombarded with letters from real-life doctors in response to the medical information in the show. As a result, he decided to start learning medicine in his own time to start double-checking the scripts.
‘Gunsmoke’ actor Milburn Stone chose Doc Adam’s name Milburn Stone as Doc Adams | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Stone played Doc Adams on Gunsmoke, but the character didn’t always have a first name. It took 16 years for the producers to finally want to settle on a name. Stone did such a wonderful job with the character that they gave him the honor of coming up with a name for him. He ultimately decided on the name “Galen,” which came from Claudius “Galen” Galenus.
‘Gunsmoke’ actor Milburn Stone chose Doc Adam’s name Milburn Stone as Doc Adams | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Stone played Doc Adams on Gunsmoke, but the character didn’t always have a first name. It took 16 years for the producers to finally want to settle on a name. Stone did such a wonderful job with the character that they gave him the honor of coming up with a name for him. He ultimately decided on the name “Galen,” which came from Claudius “Galen” Galenus.
- 2/3/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Gunsmoke was on television for so long that it was likely one of those shows that felt like a rite of passage for rising stars. After all, with 20 seasons of television, there are plenty of opportunities for actors looking for a big break to snag a guest appearance on the popular Western TV show. Buck Taylor did a lot more than just that. The actor joined star James Arness for roughly half the iconic series’ run. Here’s the wild road that eventually led him to Gunsmoke.
Buck Taylor is best known for his work on TV’s ‘Gunsmoke’ Promotional portrait of the cast of the American television series ‘Gunsmoke,’ July 23, 1969. Foreground, American actors James Arness (Marshal Matt Dillon) and Amanda Blake (1929 – 1989) (as Kitty Russell); on staircase from left, Ken Curtis (1916 – 1991) (as U.S. Deputy Marshal Festus Haggen), Buck Taylor (Newly O’Brien), and Milburn Stone (1904 – 1980) (as Dr. Galen Adams...
Buck Taylor is best known for his work on TV’s ‘Gunsmoke’ Promotional portrait of the cast of the American television series ‘Gunsmoke,’ July 23, 1969. Foreground, American actors James Arness (Marshal Matt Dillon) and Amanda Blake (1929 – 1989) (as Kitty Russell); on staircase from left, Ken Curtis (1916 – 1991) (as U.S. Deputy Marshal Festus Haggen), Buck Taylor (Newly O’Brien), and Milburn Stone (1904 – 1980) (as Dr. Galen Adams...
- 2/3/2023
- by Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Once an actor becomes synonymous with a particular character, it can often complicate their personal and professional lives. But Gunsmoke actor Buck Taylor seems nothing but grateful for his association with that show. In fact, he credits Gunsmoke for bringing many great things into his life. Taylor even claims he wouldn’t have met his wife without his role on Gunsmoke.
Buck Taylor was a fan-favorite on ‘Gunsmoke’ as Newly O’Brien
#BuckTaylor played Newly on Gunsmoke — and he's still acting at age 82!
See him on Guns Of Paradise — 4p Et on @getTV
What have you seen him in? pic.twitter.com/GYeAdfLtKU
— getTV (@gettv) November 30, 2020
From 1967 to 1975, Taylor played acting deputy Newly O’Brien on the popular CBS series. The character fulfilled the same purpose on the show as his predecessors, Burt Reynolds’ Quint Asper and Roger Ewing’s Thad Greenwood. Newly also served as a backup deputy and a doctor-in-training,...
Buck Taylor was a fan-favorite on ‘Gunsmoke’ as Newly O’Brien
#BuckTaylor played Newly on Gunsmoke — and he's still acting at age 82!
See him on Guns Of Paradise — 4p Et on @getTV
What have you seen him in? pic.twitter.com/GYeAdfLtKU
— getTV (@gettv) November 30, 2020
From 1967 to 1975, Taylor played acting deputy Newly O’Brien on the popular CBS series. The character fulfilled the same purpose on the show as his predecessors, Burt Reynolds’ Quint Asper and Roger Ewing’s Thad Greenwood. Newly also served as a backup deputy and a doctor-in-training,...
- 2/2/2023
- by Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Some may say that television hasn’t been too good to senior citizens in terms of their stereotypical depictions. Regardless of the unflattering portrayals there had been some memorable oldsters (in this case over 60) that have given us equal shares of both laughs and cries. In “For Mature Audiences Only”, let’s take a look at some of the more mature characterizations that had an impact on our daily doses of entertainment on the glorious boob tube.
Instead of doing a typical top ten or top twenty listing let’s go in between with a top fifteen selection, shall we? The “For Mature Audiences Only” choices are not necessarily a tasting that everyone will agree on. Perhaps you have your own preferences that were omitted or something that you feel should be added? Anyway, here are the candidates in alphabetical order…
Now for our pop cultural Pepto Bismol personalities:
1.) Doc Galen Adams,...
Instead of doing a typical top ten or top twenty listing let’s go in between with a top fifteen selection, shall we? The “For Mature Audiences Only” choices are not necessarily a tasting that everyone will agree on. Perhaps you have your own preferences that were omitted or something that you feel should be added? Anyway, here are the candidates in alphabetical order…
Now for our pop cultural Pepto Bismol personalities:
1.) Doc Galen Adams,...
- 5/27/2014
- by Frank Ochieng
- SoundOnSight
CBS is slowly rolling out on DVD television's longest running show, Gunsmoke. Season 7 (Volume 1) of this 20-year series continues the saga of Dodge City, Kansas, where American western tropes are hashed out—and rehashed—each week. There are cowboys, prostitutes, and outlaws galore in this surprisingly heartwarming series.
Just like Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, too, has an episodic formula. Each episode features a small group of new characters who in some way get involved with Dodge City and the main characters of the show. Usually they cause trouble that requires the attention of Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) and almost always results in the death of one of the guest stars. Other main characters include saloon-owner Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake), Doc Adams (Milburn Stone), and Dillon's deputy sidekick Chester (Dennis Weaver). While there are no real recurring stories, there are solid relationships between the main characters that keep viewers engaged—especially...
Just like Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, too, has an episodic formula. Each episode features a small group of new characters who in some way get involved with Dodge City and the main characters of the show. Usually they cause trouble that requires the attention of Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) and almost always results in the death of one of the guest stars. Other main characters include saloon-owner Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake), Doc Adams (Milburn Stone), and Dillon's deputy sidekick Chester (Dennis Weaver). While there are no real recurring stories, there are solid relationships between the main characters that keep viewers engaged—especially...
- 12/14/2012
- by John Keith
- JustPressPlay.net
Filed under: Reality-Free, TV News
Legendary 'Gunsmoke' star James Arness, a bigger-than-life actor who kept the peace as Marshal Matt Dillon during the show's remarkable 20-year run, died Friday of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, Calif., his family told the Los Angeles Times. He was 88.
'Gunsmoke' debuted on CBS in 1955 and ran until 1975, in the process making Arness one of the more enduring stars on television and the Matt Dillon character one of its most beloved and trusted.
The 6' 7" Arness towered over the cast, including Dillon's deputy, Chester, played by Dennis Weaver. Other supporting stars included Amanda Blake as Kitty and Milburn Stone as Doc Adams.
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Legendary 'Gunsmoke' star James Arness, a bigger-than-life actor who kept the peace as Marshal Matt Dillon during the show's remarkable 20-year run, died Friday of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, Calif., his family told the Los Angeles Times. He was 88.
'Gunsmoke' debuted on CBS in 1955 and ran until 1975, in the process making Arness one of the more enduring stars on television and the Matt Dillon character one of its most beloved and trusted.
The 6' 7" Arness towered over the cast, including Dillon's deputy, Chester, played by Dennis Weaver. Other supporting stars included Amanda Blake as Kitty and Milburn Stone as Doc Adams.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments...
- 6/3/2011
- by PopEater Staff
- Aol TV.
Gunsnoke is I believe the longest running show about cowboys in history. As far as it being the longest running show ever, I think The Simpsons passed it up, but who's counting.A big screen version of Gunsmoke is coming and it looks like some A-listers are fighting to play the part of Marshall Dillon.The La Times has more:As incarnated first on the mid-century radio serial and later in the CBS prime-time hit, Dillon is the Western hero charged with maintaining law and order in a period Kansas town filled with colorful vagrants, misfits and desperadoes. He carries on in these adventures with the help of town physician Doc Adams and tavern owner Miss Kitty Russell. The studio is high on Pitt, who with his turn in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" is one of the few boldface names to star in a Western.
- 2/5/2010
- LRMonline.com
It remains the longest running prime time drama series in the history of television (1955-1975), and with Hollywood's current fascination with remakes, it was just a matter of time before Gunsmoke received a contemporary big screen makeover, a subject about which we first reported last August.
The Los Angeles Times is now reporting that CBS Films is moving forward with their big screen adaptation of the classic Western, and the project is attracting some of Hollywood's top actors to play the lawman Marshal Matt Dillon.
Brad Pitt has emerged as the leading candidate for the gun-slinging role, with Ryan Reynolds also a contender for the role.
On the 1955 show, Dillon is the Western hero charged with maintaining law and order in a period Kansas town filled with colorful vagrants, misfits and desperadoes. He carries on in these adventures with the help of town physician Doc Adams and tavern owner Miss Kitty Russell.
The Los Angeles Times is now reporting that CBS Films is moving forward with their big screen adaptation of the classic Western, and the project is attracting some of Hollywood's top actors to play the lawman Marshal Matt Dillon.
Brad Pitt has emerged as the leading candidate for the gun-slinging role, with Ryan Reynolds also a contender for the role.
On the 1955 show, Dillon is the Western hero charged with maintaining law and order in a period Kansas town filled with colorful vagrants, misfits and desperadoes. He carries on in these adventures with the help of town physician Doc Adams and tavern owner Miss Kitty Russell.
- 2/5/2010
- CinemaSpy
First there was the news that The Big Valley is going big screen. Now it's Gunsmoke getting the silver screen adaptation. Are westerns coming back and nobody told me?
Gunsmoke, the long running CBS western, the series that made a star of James Arness and was a fixture on the Tiffany network from 1955-1975, will be turned into a motion picture.
CBS Films has turned to the writer of National Treasure: Book of Secrets to craft a new incarnation of the exploits of Marshal Matt Dillon in the western town of Dodge City. The Marshal, as fans of the show or those who've seen the drama on TVLand, was ably assisted by Miss Kitty -- owner of the Long Branch Saloon -- and Doc Adams, the Dodge City doctor.Continue reading Gunsmoke getting the big screen treatment
Filed under: TV on the Bigscreen, OpEd, Reality-Free
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Gunsmoke, the long running CBS western, the series that made a star of James Arness and was a fixture on the Tiffany network from 1955-1975, will be turned into a motion picture.
CBS Films has turned to the writer of National Treasure: Book of Secrets to craft a new incarnation of the exploits of Marshal Matt Dillon in the western town of Dodge City. The Marshal, as fans of the show or those who've seen the drama on TVLand, was ably assisted by Miss Kitty -- owner of the Long Branch Saloon -- and Doc Adams, the Dodge City doctor.Continue reading Gunsmoke getting the big screen treatment
Filed under: TV on the Bigscreen, OpEd, Reality-Free
Permalink | Email this | | Comments...
- 8/6/2009
- by Allison Waldman
- Aol TV.
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