During the series, a total of 480 original episodes were broadcast, including . [citation needed], In the late 1940s, CBS chairman William S. Paley, a fan of the Philip Marlowe radio series, asked his programming chief, Hubell Robinson, to develop a hardcore Western series, about a "Philip Marlowe of the Old West". "[1] It ran unsponsored for its first few years, with CBS funding its production. In Meston's view, "Dillon was almost as scarred as the homicidal psychopaths who drifted into Dodge from all directions."[1]. Gunsmoke is an American western television series based on the radio program of the same name. The new mayor and the city council immediately passed two specific ordinances that targeted the Long Branch Saloon. The episode was based on "Matt's Love Story". The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with. Pretty on the outside and VERY ugly on the inside. Director John Brahm Writers Kathleen Hite Norman MacDonnell (based on the radio series created by) John Meston (based on the radio series created by) Stars James Arness Milburn Stone Westward pioneers passed through the city, as did missionaries, gamblers, and drifters. [4] Anheuser-Busch was the original beer served at the Long Branch. The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television. He campaigned as the mayor who would clean up Dodge City and rid it of the gambling and drinking presence. All DVDs have been released with English audio and close captioning from season 1 to 5 and starting season 6 English SDH. Milburn Stone was given free rein to choose the character's first name, and chose that of the ancient Greek physician and medical researcher Galen. Professional gambler and gunfighter Short's purchase of a partial interest in the saloon in 1883 was credited as one of the causes of the bloodless Dodge City War. We have a prop from the Longbranch Vintage Whiskey Bottle . Heres a look at 10 interesting facts you probably didnt know about the real Long Branch Saloon. We have a prop from the Longbranch "Vintage Whiskey Bottle". Clem. It was ever the stuff of legend."[2]. [11] The television show first portrayed Kitty as a saloon dance hall employee, then from season two, episode 36 ("Daddy-O"), as half-owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Onions rings, Mac and cheese and fries were all much better than expected in this high tourist area. Macdonnell later claimed, "Much of Matt Dillon's character grew out of Bill Conrad."[9]. The live music also made for an amazing visit! The series was filmed at the present site of California Lutheran University (CLU) and nearby Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, California. Conrad borrowed the surname from cartoonist Charles Addams as a testament to Doc's initially ghoulish comportment. All of these box sets are available on Region 1 DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS DVD. She appeared in the TV movie Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge, which picked up where the series left off and continued the adventures of Matt Dillon and the gang. Questions?? The program was set after the arrival of the railroad in Dodge City (1872) and Kansas had been a state since 1861. A gunrunner supplies the Pawnee with weapons. It was the scene of several altercations, shoot-outs, gunfights, and standoffs often associated with cattle towns in the American wild west. 71, gave law enforcement the power to define and punish vagrancy. [10] He came west and changed his name to escape a charge of murder. In 1970, Popular Library published the following paperback book written by Chris Stratton: In 1974, Award Books published the following paperback books written by Jackson Flynn based on the TV series: In 1998, Boulevard Books published the following paperbacks written by Gary McCarthy based on the TV series: A series of novels based upon the television series written by Joseph A. Kitty's long-lost father, who abandoned her when she was a baby, shows up in Dodge, eager to take her back to New Orleans with him. [55] As of 2017[update], it had the highest number of scripted episodes for any U.S. primetime, commercial, live-action television series. It remained among the top-20 programs until 1964. Ackerman and his scriptwriters, Mort Fine and David Friedkin, created an audition script called "Mark Dillon Goes to Gouge Eye" based on one of their Michael Shayne radio scripts, "The Case of the Crooked Wheel", from mid-1948. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. From the very first episode, Blake was one of the stars of the show. Drinks were kept cold in the winter with ice hauled up from the river; in the summer, ice was shipped by train from the mountains of Colorado. She was 60. She was 60. He heard noises from the next block, too, where the inevitable dog was barking. Transit #: 4461. The gunfight occurred between Levi Richardson and Frank Loving on April 5, 1879. The Long Branch served milk, tea, lemonade, sarsaparilla, and many types of alcohol, including champagne and beer. [4] Anheuser-Busch was the original beer served at the Long Branch. It quickly moved to number one and stayed there until 1961. Howard McNear starred as Dr. Charles Adams in the radio series, and Milburn Stone portrayed Dr. Galen Adams in the television version. Days later, three of the Long Branch prostitutes were arrested. In syndication, the entire 20-year run of Gunsmoke is separated into three packages by CBS Television Distribution: The program currently airs on four major venues: TV Land, which has carried the show since its inception in 1996, Encore Westerns, INSP, and Weigel Broadcasting's MeTV digital subchannel network. We finished the 20th year, we all expected to go on for another season, or two or three. Miss Kitty's boyfriend was Matt Dillon - the U.S. Marshall. Denver Pyle was also considered for the role, as was Raymond Burr, who was ultimately also seen as too heavy for the part. Certainly no one at the Long Branch Saloon. Blake ended up passing away two years later. The original beer that bartenders at the Long Branch Saloon served to patrons was Anheuser-Busch beer. A new establishment also named the Long Branch Saloon, largely based on Gunsmoke, was built as part of the modern non-profit Boot Hill Museum entertainment and exhibit theme park in Dodge City. Branch | ATM . The second one, Ordinance No. The server was arrogant and the beer very poor . Matt is out on the prairie hunting for a gunrunner that has been selling rifles to the Indians. Click below to begin your paid subscription. Harris decided that the saloon needed a clever name. Recipients of the Irishman/Irishwoman of the Year Award. [65] Other products include Gunsmoke puzzles,[66]. The Long Branch Saloonwas a well-known saloonin Dodge City, Kansasfrom about 1874 to 1885. Originally a popular radio show (called "Gun Law"), Gunsmoke is one of the most popular TV westerns in television history. A saloon of the same name was featured in the long-running radio and television drama, Gunsmoke. A gunrunner supplies the Pawnee with weapons. Meston relished the upending of cherished Western fiction clichs and said that few Westerns gave any inkling of how brutal the Old West was in reality. A third unique DVD box set, known as Gunsmoke: The Directors Collection, was also released with 10 selected episodes from certain seasons throughout the series' 20-year history. Amanda was born February 20, 1929 in Buffalo, New York. Though Meston championed him, Macdonnell thought Conrad might be overexposed. Over the past few decades, Gunsmoke has been incredibly popular in syndication, guaranteeing a steady payday for its actors and their estates. Was Kitty Russell ever refered to in the radio version of Gunsmoke as being the owner of the Long Branch Saloon?? With so many people coming in and out of town, things could get dicey at times. The saloon on the radio and TV series is based on, in fact, the actual Long Branch Saloon, which was a well-known saloon in Dodge City, Kansas from about 1874 to 1885. Brown or amber in color, no visible cracks Please email them, with any want lists. Episodes were aimed at adults with some of the most explicit content of their time, including violent crimes, scalpings, massacres, and opium addicts. Arness stars in all five made-for-television movies. With James Arness, Dennis Weaver, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake. It had several owners, most notably Chalk Beeson and gunfighter Luke Short. In Excellent Conditon. The saloon prospered until the railroad replaced the cattle drive. While Blake made a decent amount of money by selling, she would have made even more money if she held onto her residual rights to the show. Jack Saloon Old-Montreal. The Gunsmoke theme was composed by Rex Koury. He amputated a dying man's leg and lost the patient anyway. He rallied a few influential friends to help him, including Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson. [citation needed]. Now I am well and happily schooled on the subject. Red. Miss Kitty was written out of the script in 1974. In 2006, as part of Gunsmoke's 50th anniversary on TV, selected episodes were released on DVD in three different box sets. Of course, Blake might have netted an even bigger payday had she held onto those rights. [1], The saloon soon became the most popular and refined saloon in Dodge City. Soon, Short bought out Harriss partner, Chalk Beeson, and became part owner of the Long Branch. However, Meston was kept as the main writer. James Arness and Amanda Blake returned in their iconic roles of Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty, with Fran Ryan returning as Kitty's friend and saloon-owner Hannah and Buck Taylor as Newly O'Brian. The show continued in its new time slot at 8pm on Mondays. Gunsmoke is often a somber program, particularly in its early years. Mr. Warren asked Wayne if he knew James Arness, and Mr. Wayne said yes. The Long Branch Saloon was not rebuilt. However, previously in. The exterior was modeled on period photographs of the original building, while the interior is consistent with period saloons of the era. [24] William Lava composed the original theme music for television, as noted in the program credits. As originally pitched to CBS executives, this was to be an adult Western, not a grown-up Hopalong Cassidy. Matt arrests him, but when the Pawnee find out, they capture Matt and free his prisoner. Drinks were kept cold in the winter with ice from the river; in the summer ice was shipped by train from the mountains of Colorado. Beeson was a talented musician and led a five-piece orchestra that played nightly. [6][7] CBS liked the Culver version better, and Ackerman was told to proceed. At last, the mayor conceded. Kitty mentions for the first time that she is a half-owner of the Long Branch Saloon, with Bill Pence. Miss Kitty was a fan-favorite on Gunsmoke, as the owner of the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City. There was no recurrence of cancer, her doctor, Dr. Lou Nishimura, told People. The event eventually became known as the Dodge City War.. The lyrics of the theme, never aired on the radio or television show, were recorded and released by Tex Ritter in 1955. Loving confronted Richardson and the two began to argue. [1], The saloon was built as the result of a wager between cowboys and soldiers playing ball. Urgently hiring. . Dunning writes that Dillon "played his hand and often lost. Hiring multiple candidates. The Dad tries to get Kitty to sell her half of the . Series producers said that if the show were sponsored, they would have to "clean the show up". I went to my GUNSMOKE book and found that the episode was the last one of the 55-56 season on radio. Gunsmoke is the last fictional primetime show that debuted in the 1950s to leave the air and only three shows from the 1960s that lasted past its final season in 197475. [1] The magazine observed that she is "obviously not selling chocolate bars". Violence and tragedy result when Matt and Chester persuade a reluctant Kitty to hire flirtatious Rena Decker as a Long Branch hostess. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. It was the scene of several altercations, shoot-outs, gunfights, and standoffs often associated with cattle towns in the American wild west. ): Ma Smalley (boardinghouse owner; 19611972): Barney Danches (telegraph agent; 19651974): Best Action or Adventure Series nominated (winner: Best Continuing Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic Series: James Arness nominated (winner: Best Continuing Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic or Comedy Series: James Arness nominated (winner: Robert Young for. Answer: all of the above . Our own Iliad and Odyssey, created from standard elements of the dime novel and the pulp Western as romanticized by [Ned] Buntline, [Bret] Harte, and [Mark] Twain. Did Miss Kitty own the saloon in Gunsmoke? Gunsmoke | Long Branch Saloon Classic TV T-Shirt. The Long Branch Saloon was a well-known saloon in Dodge City, Kansas from about 1874 to 1885. In the early years, most of the TV episodes were adapted from the radio scripts, often using identical scenes and dialogue. 822. Between the early 1840s and the end of the 1860s, more than 400,000 settlers traversed the 2,170-mile Oregon, Even if all you had to go on was what you learned in movies, you probably know that, Humans have been creating rock art since paleolithic times. Dodge City was at a crossroads of the western frontier. The lonely cowboys, fresh off a long cattle drive, could pay for the company of one of the many prostitutes or soiled doves that worked out of the Long Branch. Signed photographs from the show's actors and other memorabilia are on display including a vest worn by Sam the bartender and a dress worn by Miss Kitty. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, and founded by German immigrants, the beer brewer was popular in the region from the mid-1800s onward. Blakes character Miss Kitty was the proprietor of the Long Branch Saloon out in Dodge City. Up to $250,000 a year. [8], Macdonnell and Meston wanted to create a radio Western for adults, in contrast to the prevailing juvenile fare such as The Lone Ranger and The Cisco Kid. From 1955 to 1961, Gunsmoke is a half-hour show, retitled Marshal Dillon in syndication. Because Amanda Blake had died the year before, the writers revisited a 1973 episode for the movie. Individual stations such as KFWD in Dallas also carry the series in their markets. That the TV show was not a sham is due in no small part to the continued strength of Meston's scripts."[1]. All were very good. In the end, CBS simply took it away from Macdonnell and began preparing for the television version. Additionally, Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS DVD have released the series in its entirety on DVD for 13 years between 2007 and 2020 in Region 1 (all of the seasons except for season one and seasons sixteen through twenty were split into two volumes). Gunsmoke star Amanda Blake made quite a chunk of money for her role in the western. The sassy owner of Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City was played by actress Amanda Blake, a woman who would forever make her mark not only in. "[1], Gunsmoke is unique from other Westerns in that it was unsponsored in the first few years of production. In 1955, the series was adapted for television and ran for 20 seasons. It did take a long time for our food to arrive, but overall we were quite satisfied with the experience. A role rarely depicted when the show debuted in 1955, the role of Miss Kittya rough . A gentlemanly wager was placed on the outcome of the game. Violence and tragedy result when Matt and Chester persuade a reluctant Kitty to hire flirtatious Rena Decker as a Long Branch hostess.Violence and tragedy result when Matt and Chester persuade a reluctant Kitty to hire flirtatious Rena Decker as a Long Branch hostess.Violence and tragedy result when Matt and Chester persuade a reluctant Kitty to hire flirtatious Rena Decker as a Long Branch hostess. Gunsmoke Collector Plate Matt Kitty Dodge Longbranch Doc Festus, Empty Wild Turkey Longbranch Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Bottle W/cork 750, Empty Wild Turkey Longbranch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottles W, "Gunsmoke" Longbranch Saloon's Whiskey Shot Glasses, 30 Ml Trinket Tin Round Red W/ Longbranch Token Good For Food, Whiskey A, John Wayne "THE SHOOTIST" Classic Whiskey Shot Glass, "Gunsmoke" Longbranch Saloon's Whiskey Bottle, 2023 - WorthPoint Corporation | 5 Concourse Parkway NE, Suite 2900. The crispy cream donut burger was very unique and delicious. The Gunsmoke brand was used to endorse numerous products, including cottage cheese[64] and cigarettes. How do you know? A total of 635 episodes were aired over it's 20 year run. "[18], According to Thomas "Duke" Miller, a TV and movie celebrity expert, this story was told to him by legendary actor James Stewart: "Jimmy said he was in the office with Charles Warren when Mr. Wayne came in. It is furnished with an 1881 bar and two Golden Eagles on top of the back bar that were once owned by Beeson. The wooden structures burned quickly and there was no stopping the flames. 1130 Sherbrooke St W Unit 100, MONTREAL, QC . In the episode, Matt loses his memory and his heart during a brief liaison with "Mike" Yardner (played by Michael Learned, better known for playing Olivia in The Waltons). Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. The sassy owner of Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City was played by actress Amanda Blake, a woman who would forever make her mark not. For other uses, see, Television series (19551975) and TV movies. Sometime in 1959, Ellis was billed as Georgia Hawkins instead of Georgia Ellis. Sweet and Sour: Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. Blake starred on Gunsmoke as saloon owner Miss Kitty for 19 years. Dillon, as portrayed by Conrad, was a lonely, isolated man, toughened by a hard life. i think I've seen almost every episode, and still have never seen a piano in the Long branch! [1], Chalkley Beeson, a wealthy farmer and rancher, and William Harris bought the saloon in 1878. In the film, Learned returns as Mike, who reveals to Marshal Dillon that he is the father of their daughter,[44] Beth (played by Amy Stock-Poynton) and asks him for help in saving her from a band on Apaches. Little did she know, the role would have guaranteed her at least two decades of work. Production paid Blake a lump sum of $100,000 for the rights. On April 29, 2018, The Simpsons surpassed the show for the most scripted episodes. Brown or amber in color, no visible cracks or breaks, 12" high and considered a "Fifth" The winning bidder will receive a Certificate of Authenenticity from Hollywoodpropsupply. The entire cast was stunned by the cancellation, as they were unaware that CBS was considering it. In that series, many of the scenes took place at the Long Branch Saloon. The saloon was built as the result of a wager between cowboys and soldiers playing ball. The first, recorded in June 1949, was very much like a hardcore detective series and starred Michael Rye (credited as Rye Billsbury) as Dillon;[5][4] the second, recorded in July 1949, starred Straight Arrow actor Howard Culver in a more Western, lighter version of the same script. **OWNER OPERATORS CAN MAKE UP TO $250K+ PER YEAR WORKING FULL-TIME WITH US! If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please. A new establishment named the Long Branch Saloon, largely based on the Gunsmoke series, was built as part of the modern Boot Hill Museum entertainment and exhibit complex in Dodge City. Very excited to visit this place but what a let down . Own or manage this property? Kitty Russell: You're too late. The Long Branch Saloon brought in a lot of money, particularly from the cattle drives. John Dunning wrote, "The listener heard extraneous dialogue in the background, just above the muted shouts of kids playing in an alley. The bartender at the Long Branch Saloon was Sam. See production, box office & company info, (story by) (screenplay by) (based on the radio series created by), (based on the radio series created by) (uncredited), (developed for television by) (uncredited), Kitty's father wants to rescue her from Dodge. Since both activities regularly took place at the Long Branch Saloon, the local lawmen routinely fined the saloon. Matt Dillon was played on radio by William Conrad and on TV by James Arness. Curly Bill Brocius Shot and Killed by Wyatt Earp: Fake News or the Real Deal? Neither was prostitution. Before she passed away, Blake reprised her role as Miss Kitty one last time in what ended up being one of her final film roles. [12] The producers wanted to find a sponsor that would allow them to keep the show the way it was. Audio; US Funds; Deposit; About this branch. Would definitely recommend! Built in 1874, the Long Branch Saloon played host to cattle drivers, cowboys, outlaws, saloon girls, gunslingers, and entertainers for just over a decade. Dillon and Kitty clearly have a close personal relationship. Harris named it after his hometown of Long Branch, New Jersey. [15] The first 12 seasons aired Saturdays at 10 pm, seasons 13 through 16 aired Mondays at 7:30pm, and the last four seasons aired Mondays at 8 pm. Lowell Toy Manufacturing Corporation ("It's a Lowell Game") issued Gunsmoke as game No. more. I have no reason to doubt the story, because Jimmy absolutely knew everybody.". Doc Adams and Festus Haggen were not featured in the film. Matt Dillon: Well, now, I've been known to do that. Claude. But there were also moments of playful camaraderie. different episodes had different bartenders, but Sam worked the most. The radio series ran from 1952 to 1961. She managed to beat her battle with cancer. Amanda Blake played Miss Kitty on 'Gunsmoke' for 19 years. It had several owners, most notably Chalk Beesonand gunfighterLuke Short. West with forewords by. In Excellent Conditon. The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television. Both sets are also available as a combined single "Gift Box Set". [18], James Arness, Milburn Stone, Ken Curtis, Dennis Weaver, and Amanda Blake are all inductees of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. A great item for fans of classic TV. Milburn Stone had died 7 years earlier in 1980 and the role of Doc was not recast. Robinson delegated this to his West Coast CBS vice president, Harry Ackerman, who had developed the Philip Marlowe series.[4]. Owner Operators in Montreal - Local and Highway - CDI. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. After multiple years of traveling, Blake grew tired of leaving her home. The cast and crew read the news in the trade papers. (c) Wyatt Earp. Joe Garrett: He says you hit him with your fist. Sam(Or maybe it was Clem) buy a saloon. So why did Blake leave? Conrad directed two television episodes, in 1963 and 1971, and McNear appeared on six, playing characters other than Doc, including three times as storekeeper Howard Rudd. It had numerous owners, most notably Chalk Beeson and gunfighter Luke Short. Macdonnell and Meston continued the radio version of Gunsmoke until 1961, making it one of the most enduring vintage radio dramas. Back in 1961, the actor took home a massive payday in exchange for selling her residual rights to the show. The Long Branch Saloon was featured in the western drama and made television history for 19 years from September 1955 to its final season in 1974. [60], Dodge City's Boot Hill Museum has a tribute to Gunsmoke, including set furniture from the 1960s and an old television tuned to the show. For this deed, Short was kicked out of Dodge. With James Arness, John Larch, Lalo Rios, Allan Lane. A comic strip version of the series ran in British newspapers for several years under the show's UK title. The Dinner would serve a dual purpose 1) to recognize the Aide to the Grand Marshal as the Irishman/Irishwoman of the Year and 2) Grand Council Delegates Christmas Party. [3], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}374504N 1000119W / 37.751N 100.022W / 37.751; -100.022, Interior of the Historic Long Branch Saloon, Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Long_Branch_Saloon&oldid=1135296679, This page was last edited on 23 January 2023, at 20:24. Kitty has never seen her father as he left the family in New Orleans when she was very small and she is not sure how she will react to his appearance. Perfect tee for anyone who loves westerns, Americana, or pop . It is the second Western television series written for adults, premiering on September 10, 1955, four days after The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.