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Author Topic: James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88  (Read 1494 times)

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Offline CG6468

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James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
« 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
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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2011, 04:27:51 PM »
RIP Mr Dillon.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2011, 06:20:32 PM »
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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Offline ChuckJ

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Re: James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2011, 07:47:56 PM »
Quote from: Eupher on June 03, 2011, 06:20:32 PM
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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Offline Tucker

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Re: James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2011, 06:32:26 AM »
Quote from: ChuckJ on June 03, 2011, 07:47:56 PM
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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Offline Airwolf

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Re: James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2011, 04:46:27 PM »
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woo-rKUNrS0[/youtube]
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Offline marv

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Re: James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2011, 05:54:53 AM »
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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Offline namvet

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Re: James Arness, Marshal on ‘Gunsmoke,’ Dies at 88
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2011, 07:52:47 AM »


scared the living shit outta me when i was a kid
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