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Gunsmoke's filming schedule was hard for its cast to keep up with
A hard schedule? That’s nothing a true Western hero can’t handle!
Gunsmoke was a staple of television during the 1960s and ’70s. It aired for 20 long seasons— that’s two decades of filming, scheduling, and countless moments that helped shape Western TV history.
Gunsmoke was the kind of show everyone wanted to be part of. With its steady production schedule and devoted fan base, it was also a series few wanted to leave, including its main star, James Arness.
The show survived threats of cancellation, a constantly shifting TV landscape, changes in its time slot, a switch from black and white to color, the deaths of cast members, and a major format shift from a 30-minute program to a full hour. Its staying power was a big part of what made it special. Through it all, there stood that quiet, steady Western hero: James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon.
Working on Gunsmoke wasn’t always easy. The long filming days and demanding production schedule made it one of the toughest shows in town. But for many in the cast and crew, it was worth every second.
Among the regulars were Milburn Stone as Doc, Ken Curtis as Festus, Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty, and many more. These characters were essential to the Gunsmoke formula— warm, reliable, and layered, with relationships that felt believable.
In a 1969 interview with The Register, as the cast headed into their 15th season, Arness said he was glad to be back in the saddle again.
"It's always good to start a new season," Arness said. "But after this many years, it wears you down physically."
"I figure we've made between 400 to 500 episodes over the years," Arness continued. "It's the equivalent of John Wayne doing five feature-length movies every year for the past 14 years."
Despite the toll the schedule took, Arness rarely complained. The role made him a millionaire and a major star, and he worked hard for the money he earned, often putting in 10 to 12-hour days.
Another part of Gunsmoke’s success was the off-screen bond between the cast.
"Jim isn’t an easy man to get to know, but he’s never copped a plea or complained," Stone said. "He’s tops, as far as I’m concerned." His co-star Ken Curtis, who played the fan-favorite Festus Haggen, agreed.
"When I first joined the show, I was overwhelmed by the warmth and friendliness of everyone connected with it," Curtis said. "I spent a lot of time worrying about being resented as the comedy foil, but it was a waste of time. I’ve never been better treated in my life."
Over 20 seasons, Gunsmoke became more than a TV show— it became part of American pop culture.
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