How many saloons are in Gunsmoke? - AnswersAll The Long Branch Saloon, often shortened to the Long Branch, is a saloon operated by Miss Kitty in the town of Dodge City, Kansas. Red. Owner Operators in Montreal - Local and Highway - CDI. Gunsmoke | Long Branch Saloon Classic TV T-Shirt - amazon.com In 1990, the second telefilm, Gunsmoke: The Last Apache, premiered. John Dunning wrote, "The listener heard extraneous dialogue in the background, just above the muted shouts of kids playing in an alley. Matt captures the man, Serpa, and is on his way back to Dodge. Richardson fired at Loving, but the bullet just grazed his hand. But the biggest deciding factor was Blake had numerous health problems. The television show first portrayed Kitty as a saloon employee (dance-hall girl/prostitute), then from season two, episode 36 ("Daddy-O"), as half-owner of the Long Branch Saloon . Luke Short tried to intervene on their behalf and he ended up firing his gun at law enforcement. She managed to beat her battle with cancer. Technically she died of liver failure brought on by viral hepatitis, which was AIDS-related.. [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. Miss Kitty had a permanent room upstair where she also could entertain if she wanted too. The show won 15 Primetime Emmy awards as well as other accolades. Three other popular shows, Gilligan's Island, Lost in Space, and The Incredible Hulk, met the same abrupt fate. 514-874-8730. [23] The original radio version was conducted by Koury. Two versions were recorded. A total of 635 episodes were aired over it's 20 year run. Sharkey proposed that the Award dinner take place in December. Gunsmoke was set in Dodge City, Kansas, during the thriving cattle days of the 1870s. Bets were placed and if the cowboys beat the soldiers, the soldiers agreed to provide building materials to construct a saloon. 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. The flavours and kind of food is very "USA style", not surprising because this restaurant concept comes from the USFor example, do not expect real crispy bacon in your burger because it will be very thick and uncooked bacon.I would not recommend this place as there are plenty of nice place to eat around, and in the same style, I would recommend more a place like Gaspard Tavern with a nice terasse on the street or on the roof top. The Long Branchs tenure as the best-known saloon of the Old West was a relatively short one. Built in 1874, the Long Branch Saloon played host to cattle drivers, cowboys, outlaws, saloon girls, gunslingers, and entertainers for just over a decade. Heres a look at 10 interesting facts you probably didnt know about the real Long Branch Saloon. The television series was the longest-running, primetime, live-action television series at 20 seasons, until September 2019 with the 21st-season premiere of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Amanda was born February 20, 1929 in Buffalo, New York. In 1885, fire roared through the downtown blocks, destroying many businesses, including the Long Branch Saloon. That the TV show was not a sham is due in no small part to the continued strength of Meston's scripts."[1]. The Long Branch Saloon was a well-known saloon in Dodge City, Kansas from about 1874 to 1885. Doc Adams and Festus Haggen were not featured in the film. The belief that Wayne was asked to star is disputed by Warren. [53] In September 1975, though still ranking among the top-30 programs in the ratings, Gunsmoke was canceled after a 20-year run; it was replaced by Mary Tyler Moore spin-offs Rhoda and Phyllis (though Rhoda actually debuted while Gunsmoke was still airing first-run). In making the selection each year, the Grand Council feels inspired and proud that each award recipient is a proud American of Irish descent who has distinguished themselves by their leadership and dedication. The Gunsmoke radio theme song and later TV theme is titled "Old Trails", also known as "Boothill". A short time later, a new mayor of Dodge City was elected. The argument spilled into an exchange of gunfire. Most famous was the 1879 Long Branch Saloon Gunfight, in which Frank Loving killed Levi Richardson. Apart from the doleful tone, Gunsmoke is distinct from other radio Westerns, as the dialogue is often slow and halting, and the outstanding sound effects give a palpable sense of the prairie setting. We will be happy to combine any multiple buys on shipping. Answer: b . Loving confronted Richardson and the two began to argue. Most famous was the 1879 Long Branch Saloon Gunfight, in which Frank Loving killed Levi Richardson. The establishment provided gambling and live entertainment, including Beeson's five-person orchestra. Matt is out on the prairie hunting for a gunrunner that has been selling rifles to the Indians. In 1955, the series was adapted for television and ran for 20 seasons. 28 on, In 2019, the radio episode "The Cabin" was selected by the. ): 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. 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. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, and founded by German immigrants, the beer brewer was popular in the region from the mid-1800s onward. [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". Conrad's weight was rumored to be a deciding factor. Harris decided that the saloon needed a clever name. In 2006, as part of Gunsmoke's 50th anniversary on TV, selected episodes were released on DVD in three different box sets. Gunsmoke: Miss Kitty Actress Amanda Blake Sold Her Residual Rights for Massive Amount in 1961. If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please. In 1977, doctors diagnosed Blake with oral cancer. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Gambling ranged from five cent chuck-a-luck to thousand dollar poker. 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. The Hartland toy company included an 8" (1/9th scale) plastic Matt Dillion figure and his horse Old Faithful Buck in their line of famous TV cowboys and horses during the 1950s. Gunsmoke S 1 E 1 : Charles Marquis Warren. - Internet Archive The TV/Western "Gunsmoke" 1955-1975 Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon. For other uses, see, Television series (19551975) and TV movies. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. Claude. But there were also moments of playful camaraderie. Miss Kitty's boyfriend was Matt Dillon - the U.S. Marshall. Sweet and Sour: Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. A great item for fans of classic TV. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 1.5, terrain of 2. . Click below to begin your paid subscription. Dunning writes that Dillon "played his hand and often lost. 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. Very excited to visit this place but what a let down . Ask Bailey5763 about Jack Saloon Old-Montreal, Ask Westscotian about Jack Saloon Old-Montreal, Ask LuvsToShop about Jack Saloon Old-Montreal, Ask salsaSISI about Jack Saloon Old-Montreal. 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. Why Did Amanda Blake Leave 'Gunsmoke'? - Distractify However, McNear's performances steadily became more warm-hearted and sympathetic. In Meston's view, "Dillon was almost as scarred as the homicidal psychopaths who drifted into Dodge from all directions."[1]. 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. Urgently hiring. [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. [54] The original Law & Order, which was canceled in 2010 after tying Gunsmoke's longevity record for a live-action, primetime television series, began its 21st season in February 2022. 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. 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). List of Gunsmoke (radio series) episodes - Wikipedia All were very good. Two versions of the same pilot episode titled "Mark Dillon Goes to Gouge Eye" were produced with Rye Billsbury and Howard Culver playing Marshal Mark Dillon as the lead, not yet played by Conrad. He was Lawrence E. Deger, a man of strong moral conviction. Claude replaced Sam in the last season of Gunsmoke. 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). The entire cast was stunned by the cancellation, as they were unaware that CBS was considering it. So why did Blake leave? Amanda Blake appeared in over 500 episodes of the television series, with her last being the April 1, 1974, episode titled, "The Disciple". When the soldiers lost, they had to pay up on the bet: they bought the lumber and building materials needed to build a saloon in the town. Initially on the fringes of Dodge society, Festus Haggen was slowly phased in as a reliable sidekick and part-time deputy to Matt Dillon when Reynolds left in 1965. Warning - it is VERY loud when live music is playing. The Long Branch served milk, tea, lemonade, sarsaparilla, and all types of alcohol including champagne and beer. The episode was based on "Matt's Love Story". Arness stars in all five made-for-television movies. Marshal (actually a deputy marshal, because only the senior officer in the district holds the title "marshal") would not be based in Dodge City and would not be involved in local law enforcement. 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. The musicians put on a show every night for the enjoyment of the saloon patrons. GOOD LUCK BIDDERS!! Bets were placed and if the cowboys beat the soldiers, the soldiers agreed to provide building materials to construct a saloon. Chalk Beeson kept the crowds entertained performing with his five-piece orchestra. However, previously in. Transit #: 4461. Well have to . Today, that amount would be equivalent to $774,856. Loving was grazed on the hand by one bullet; Richardson was shot three times and died. Harris gave his pal a job at the Long Branch Saloon. How do you know? In the summer months, the owners paid to have ice from the mountains of Colorado shipped via train to Dodge City so that the drinks at the Long Branch would remain refreshingly cool. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The group petitioned the Kansas governor, George W. Glick. Charles Warren, television Gunsmoke's first director, said, "His voice was fine, but he was too big. From the very first episode, Blake was one of the stars of the show. The saloon hosted many Old West characters including Clay Allison, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Frank Loving, Mysterious Dave, Charlie Bassett (town marshal), and brothers Ed, James, and Bat Masterson. The saloon was the site of a gunfight on April 5, 1879, between Frank Loving and Levi Richardson. Branch | ATM . Get Directions. The TV series ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS, with 635 total episodes. Best Continuing Supporting Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic or Comedy Series: Dennis Weaver nominated (winner: Best Dramatic Series with Continuing Characters won, Best Editing of a Film for Television: Mike Pozen for "How to Kill a Woman" won. The city was overrun with cowboys and ranchers with plenty of money and nowhere to spend it. We were seated near the back of the restaurant and still had to yell at our server in order to be heard. [12] The producers wanted to find a sponsor that would allow them to keep the show the way it was. Chalk Beeson kept the crowds entertained performing with his five-piece orchestra. The TV/Western Gunsmoke 1955-1975 Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon. 71, gave law enforcement the power to define and punish vagrancy. During his audition, however, Conrad won over Macdonnell after reading only a few lines. A few years later, in 1878, the saloon was purchased by a prominent local rancher and farmer, Chalkley Beeson, and his partner, William Harris. Meston was head writer. The saloon prospered until the railroad replaced the cattle drive. Shipping: We ship on Wednesdays by priority mail. All of these box sets are available on Region 1 DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS DVD. She was a half owner of the "Long Branch Saloon" with Bill Pence, who she later bought out his half and was full owner. She was very accommodating, explaining items on the menu that we (with limited French) did not understand.We settled on burger and fries which was a great choice. The establishment burned down in 1885 and was never rebuilt. The series also appears intermittently on MeTV's themed sister network Decades, which CBS holds a partial interest in; it appears on the schedule depending on the theme and year a particular day has. [65] Other products include Gunsmoke puzzles,[66]. Dunning notes, "The show drew critical acclaim for unprecedented realism."[1]. With James Arness, Dennis Weaver, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake. According to legend, a group of soldiers and a group of cowboys decided to play a friendly game of ball. "Gunsmoke" Kitty Cornered (TV Episode 1964) - IMDb GitHub export from English Wikipedia. more. Miss Hannah . Read more about the lawmen and outlaws of the Old West: Although Karen lives in the Midwest, she likes to put the emphasis on the "west." This spelled trouble for the Long Branch. Production paid Blake a lump sum of $100,000 for the rights. Was Kitty Russell ever refered to in the radio version of Gunsmoke as being the owner of the Long Branch Saloon?? Ken Curtis balked at the salary offer he received and said that he should be paid based on Festus's importance in the character hierarchy. The saloon prospered until the railroad replaced the cattle drive. Gunsmoke in History If you are a collector of TV/Western memorabilia, this would make a great add to your collection! I have no reason to doubt the story, because Jimmy absolutely knew everybody.". Poor service - crap beer - Jack Saloon Old-Montreal 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. What was the profession of Miss Kitty (Gunsmoke radio and television The Dinner has become part of the Grand Council lexicon and is now a yearly stand-alone event in January. 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. The server was arrogant and the beer very poor . Governor Glick, along with Dodge City business owners, powerful cattlemen, ranch owners, and officials with the Santa Fe Railroad, pressured Mayor Deger to abolish his ordinances and reopen the drinking and gambling establishments of the city. I don't remember who played the role of Rena on radio. We ordered three different burgers and three different side dishes. Chalkley Beeson, one of the many owners of the Long Branch Saloon, may have been a successful rancher and entrepreneur, but his true passion was music. Permission for these . It then went to an hour-long format. A gunrunner supplies the Pawnee with weapons. Blake starred on Gunsmoke as saloon owner Miss Kitty for 19 years. Long Branch Saloon | Gunsmoke Wiki | Fandom The show continued in its new time slot at 8pm on Mondays. Miss Blake died Wednesday night at Mercy General Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Jerri Ewen. Long Hours, Short Pay: Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. Strauss "had one vice, or rather obsession. Miss Kitty, who was a main character in the TV show, was portrayed as the owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Beeson was a talented musician and led a five-piece orchestra that played nightly. Evenings + 4. Now Matt has to find a way to escape before being killed. It is furnished with an 1881 bar and two Golden Eagles on top of the back bar that were once owned by Beeson. Many episodes end on a somber note, and villains often get away with their crimes. 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. Curly Bill Brocius Shot and Killed by Wyatt Earp: Fake News or the Real Deal? Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. From 1955 to 1961, it ran in half hour episodes, and one hour episodes from 1962 to 1975. Production paid Blake a lump sum of $100,000 for the rights. Hiring multiple candidates. However, Meston was kept as the main writer. The Long Branch Saloon: Visit the 'Gunsmoke' Hangout Today in Dodge Certainly no one at the Long Branch Saloon. [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. "Gunsmoke: An American Institution, Celebrating 50 Years of Television's Best Western" Written by Ben Costello, Foreword by Jim Byrnes, and Introduction by Jon Voight and published by Five Star Publications, Inc.(now Story Monsters LLC) Published 1 edition (December 22, 2012), Bill Carter, "NBC Will Bring Back All Three, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 13:58. [10] He came west and changed his name to escape a charge of murder. Conrad was one of the last actors to audition for the role of Marshal Dillon. Later, Matt is about to have a shootout in the saloon, and the people standing behind him, don't move out of the way either. In the early years, most of the TV episodes were adapted from the radio scripts, often using identical scenes and dialogue. The show stars William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Dillon's assistant, Chester Wesley Proudfoot. The actor had been a heavy smoker during her life. However, a replica of the saloon was included in a collection of buildings erected in the mid- to late-1900s to serve as a tourist attraction. The establishment provided gambling and live entertainment, including Beeson's five-person orchestra. The film, shot in Alberta, features a now-retired Marshal Dillon being attacked and a vengeful former rival returning to Dodge City to entrap him. With James Arness, John Larch, Lalo Rios, Allan Lane. I have a question for any Gunsmoke - David Edward Sapp - Facebook Miss Kitty was long the fan-favorite on Gunsmoke. Fans of the television show Gunsmoke may have fond memories of the Long Branch, Dodge City, Kansass lively and popular saloon. He amputated a dying man's leg and lost the patient anyway. For this deed, Short was kicked out of Dodge. In a July 2, 2002, Associated Press interview with Bob Thomas, Arness explained, "If they were man and wife, it would make a lot of difference. Featuring a logo from the Long Branch Saloon as seen the iconic television series. Associated Press, July 2, 2002, Bob Thomas. "[1] Some listeners, such as Dunning, argue the radio version was more realistic. 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. ''She was a beautiful and gracious lady who had a lot to do with the success of . Matt arrests him, but when the Pawnee find out, they capture Matt and free his prisoner. In reality, a U.S. The establishment burned down in 1885 and was never rebuilt. 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. He was acerbic, somewhat mercenary, and borderline alcoholic, in the program's early years. 10 Interesting Facts About Long Branch Saloon, Dodge City's - OldWest When Loving returned fire, however, he struck Richardson three times, killing him. We have the largest network of branches and ATMs . The exterior was modeled on period photographs of the original building, while the interior is consistent with period saloons of the era. Sometime in 1959, Ellis was billed as Georgia Hawkins instead of Georgia Ellis. During the series, a total of 480 original episodes were broadcast, including . Instead of fighting the charges they were clearly guilty of, the owners of the Long Branch just paid the fines. [1] The magazine observed that she is "obviously not selling chocolate bars". We have a prop from the Longbranch "Vintage Whiskey Bottle". 4 y Miss Kitty was a brothel and saloon owner. . In 1881, one of William Harriss buddies, a gunslinger and gambler named Luke Short, arrived in Dodge City. Back in 1961, the actor took home a massive payday in exchange for selling her residual rights to the show. Mr. Warren told Mr. Wayne about the transition of the show from radio to TV, and Mr. Wayne readily agreed that James Arness would be a terrific choice for the part of Matt Dillon. Gambling was not legal in those days. 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. Fans loved watching the relationship unfold between Marshal Matt Dillon. 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. 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. Owner Operators jobs in Montral, QC - ca.indeed.com ?, Justice, Suffolk County Court, Honorable Mario R. Biaggi, Presidents Award, 2003 Eamon Donohoe, Retired NYPD Sgt and Prop of The Saloon and The INN, Long Beach, NY, Irishman/woman of the Year and Aide to the Grand Marshal, 2009 Denis Mulchay, NYPD ES and Chairman, Project Children, 2014 Edwin Day, Rockland County Executive, 2023 Patrick J. Lynch, NYPD ES, and President, NYC PBA, N neart go cur le chile (Theres no strength without Unity), Patrick J. Lynch, NYPD ES, and President, NYC PBA. The person who actually purchased the Long Branch Saloon in 1878 and transformed it into Dodge City's most popular drinking establishment was (a) Doogie Parks. We finished the 20th year, we all expected to go on for another season, or two or three. The Long Branch Saloon of Dodge City, Kansas is one of the most famous Old West saloons in the United States, dating back to when outlaws and gunslingers were still roaming the country in the. Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), owner of the Long Branch Saloon; and Chester Goode (Dennis Weaver), Dillon's assistant. Kitty's dad comes to Dodge. The program lasted 14 weeks and aired in the first half of 1974, a year before Gunsmoke ended. Gambling ranged from five cent chuck-a-luck to thousand dollar poker.[3]. There was no recurrence of cancer, her doctor, Dr. Lou Nishimura, told People. The series was filmed at the present site of California Lutheran University (CLU) and nearby Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, California. Thirty TV westerns came and went during its 20-year tenure, and Gunsmoke was the sole survivor, with Alias Smith and Jones and Bonanza both leaving the airwaves 2+12 years earlier in January 1973. In 2008, Past President Brian J. Sharkey spearheaded the Irishman/Irishwoman Dinner revival. Dodge City, Kansas and the Long Branch Saloon were etched into Western legend by the hit series "Gunsmoke." The bar where Marshall Dillon and Miss Kitty spent 19 years and 500 episodes together romanticizing the Old West was an actual saloon built in 1874. Even folks who didnt drink or gamble frequented the Long Branch for the great music, dancing, and the non-alcoholic lemonades and sarsaparillas. [1], The saloon soon became the most popular and refined saloon in Dodge City. Episodes were aimed at adults with some of the most explicit content of their time, including violent crimes, scalpings, massacres, and opium addicts. Dillon, as portrayed by Conrad, was a lonely, isolated man, toughened by a hard life. Harris named it after his hometown of Long Branch, New Jersey. This place is very nice for its ambiance and to go for a drink. Soon, Short bought out Harriss partner, Chalk Beeson, and became part owner of the Long Branch. Gunsmoke was TV's number-one-ranked show from 1957 to 1961, then expanded to one hour, and slipped into a decline. The Long Branch served milk, tea, lemonade, sarsaparilla, and many types of alcohol, including champagne and beer. Atlanta, Georgia 30328 | 877.481.5750. Branch Services; ATM; Additional Services. Who ran the Long Branch when Kitty left Dodge? Brown or amber in color, no visible cracks The oldest known of which (so far) is cave, When it comes to Old West towns, most people think of empty dirt streets filled with tumbleweeds and, Prescotts unique history makes it one of Arizonas most interesting places to visit for families, history buffs and, Chuckwagon Chow: 8 Cattle-Drive Foods Cowboys Ate on the Trail, Im Your Huckleberry: the Real Meaning of Doc Hollidays Famous Line, 8 Famous (and Infamous) Sheriffs of the Old West. She did pretty much the same thing on Bonanza in The Ape. Joe Garrett: He says you hit him with your fist. The Long Branch Saloon was not rebuilt. Freddy. [citation needed], James Arness and Milburn Stone portrayed their Gunsmoke characters for 20 consecutive years, a feat later matched by Kelsey Grammer as the character Frasier Crane, but over two half-hour sitcoms (Cheers and Frasier). According to Arness, "We didn't do a final, wrap-up show. Harris named it after his hometown of Long Branch, New Jersey. This scheduling move led to a spike in ratings that had it once again rally to the top 10 in the Nielsen ratings, which again saved the series when CBS purged most of its rural content in 1971. Joe Garrett: Laster says you made things tough for him up in Wichita, marshal. Ritter was backed on that Capitol record by Rex Koury and the radio Gunsmoke orchestra. The radio series first aired on CBS on April 26, 1952, with the episode "Billy the Kid", written by Walter Newman, and ended on June 18, 1961. He even called on Charlie Bassett, who was the ex-sheriff of Dodge City and a one-time owner of the Long Branch. Today, that amount would be equivalent to $774,856. The series ran for 20 seasons, making it the longest-running western in television history. Related read: Big Jim Courtright: 9 Things 1883 Didnt Tell Us about the Old West Lawman. He rallied a few influential friends to help him, including Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson. [1], Chalkley Beeson, a wealthy farmer and rancher, and William Harris bought the saloon in 1878.