The Conservative Cave
Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: CG6468 on June 03, 2011, 02:07:17 PM
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James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
CBS
James Arness portrayed Marshal Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke" for 20 years after the series debuted in 1955.
By ROBERT D. McFADDEN
Published: June 3, 2011
James Arness, who burnished the legend of America’s epic West as Marshal Matt Dillon, the laconic peacemaker of Dodge City on “Gunsmoke,†one of the longest-running dramatic series in television history, died on Friday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 88.
A family spokeswoman, Ginny Fazer, confirmed the death. Mr. Arness was terribly shy and had almost no training as an actor. A wartime leg wound made it painful for him to mount a horse. But he became the best-known tin star of his era, portraying the towering, weathered marshal for 20 years, from 1955 to 1975. He also made some 50 films and television movies, mostly westerns, in a career that stretched across five decades.
LINK: Article (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/04/arts/television/james-arness-marshal-on-gunsmoke-dies-at-88.html?_r=1&)
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RIP Mr Dillon.
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It seems odd that there was no hint of a limp even when Matt Dillon climbed aboard a horse, but that Dennis Weaver's character, Chester, limped along like he had a wooden leg.
My fave of the two sidekicks was Festus anyway. Seemed scraggly, unkempt, but street smart. Didn't know the term "ear lobe" so he just called it "that hangin' down part."
The goofy shit we remember.....
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It seems odd that there was no hint of a limp even when Matt Dillon climbed aboard a horse, but that Dennis Weaver's character, Chester, limped along like he had a wooden leg.
My fave of the two sidekicks was Festus anyway. Seemed scraggly, unkempt, but street smart. Didn't know the term "ear lobe" so he just called it "that hangin' down part."
The goofy shit we remember.....
I always liked Festus. Several years ago I was surprised to learn that he was singer. Apparently he was fairly good at it.
I grew up with Gunsmoke. In our house you had to sit down and be quiet when Gunsmoke was on. If you had to say something you were instructed to wait until station identification.
James Arness, to me, was the ultimate screen cowboy. My wife considers it sacrilege, but I always like his westerns better than John Wayne's.
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I always liked Festus. Several years ago I was surprised to learn that he was singer. Apparently he was fairly good at it.
I grew up with Gunsmoke. In our house you had to sit down and be quiet when Gunsmoke was on. If you had to say something you were instructed to wait until station identification.
James Arness, to me, was the ultimate screen cowboy. My wife considers it sacrilege, but I always like his westerns better than John Wayne's.
John Wayne was offered the role in Gunsmoke but turned it down. He recommended Arness for the part.
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[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woo-rKUNrS0[/youtube]
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Arness also played the part of the monster in the 1951 version of "The Thing...[/i]".
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044121/
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(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4696263346_71b97178d2_b.jpg)
scared the living shit outta me when i was a kid