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Milburn Stone loved the chemistry between the cast on Gunsmoke
Stone had faith that the cast's chemistry would carry the show.
One of the things always mentioned about the success of Gunsmoke is its impressive longevity. With a whopping 20 seasons, they must have been doing something right.
While many actors credit the scripts, producers, or the characters, Milburn Stone simply credited his co-stars—the group of actors who made Gunsmoke their home.
Stone, who played Gunsmoke's doctor, Doc Adams, was so convincing in the role that some of his castmates would even ask him for medical advice outside of the long-running series. He was the on-set doctor, even though he had no medical training to back it up.
While Gunsmoke's popularity remained a mystery to some, Stone had it all figured out. Though he was just the "folksy little doctor," he had great insight—not just on medical problems, but on what it took to make Gunsmoke one of the longest-running Westerns of the decade.
"It's sheer magic, and no one can tell you different," Stone said in a 1960 interview with The Buffalo News. "I'd say it's the chemistry of Matt, Kitty, Chester and myself. If one of us goes, the show goes."
At the time of this interview, Dennis Weaver, who played the role of Chester, had only one year left in his contract and wasn't planning to re-sign. Stone was concerned about how this would affect the series but had faith that the chemistry among the cast could carry on.
"Apart from that strange chemistry between the characters, it's the basic honesty of the stories that make it go," Stone said.
According to the interview, Stone said he would miss Weaver. The two became just as close on-screen as they were off during their time on the series together. Weaver left Gunsmoke in 1964 mainly because he was interested in exploring different roles.
"When we start tearing the scripts to threads, Dennis invariably comes up with a simple, direct analysis," Stone said. "He's going to be a great director someday. The boy doesn't get lost in the forest."
As for Stone, he stayed until the very end. The role became a defining part of both his personal life and career, just as his co-stars did.
"Anybody could have played Doc," Stone said. "Oh, I believe that. But that doesn't prove anything. The point is that I'm playing the doc."
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