She played Miss Kitty Russell on the show. ", Fortunately for Weaver, however, the move proved to be the right one as far as his ongoing career in the industry was concerned. The Lone Writer is an American frontier and Old West journalist and historian. For whatever reason, she believed that this financial difference would cause problems for their brand new marriage. The shows success prompted other production companies to try making something similar. Bond also made an album with a new guitarist, Les Paul, in the 40s. I really like gunsmoke. Curtis pursued music for a long time and, after a while, added acting to his pursuits. I have the dvds and the books, cups and clothes. Now that's out of the way, a brief introduction. It was so well-loved that it went from airing for 30 minutes to an entire hour. In fact, Festus was the first to wearing a Deputy US Marshal badge on a semi-permanent part-time basis. She played the character of Miss Kitty for 19 years before leaving the show in 1974. My husband and I laugh so much watching Doc. It's pronounced Paw-rick, not Pad-raig. Gunsmoke was a great show. Milburn Stone, who played Doc Adams, performed almost in all episodes, except he missed six because of a heart attack. Looking at the reruns, it is amazing to see the roster of actors that started out or had roles on Gunsmoke: Ernest Borgnine, Clint Eastwood, James Mason, John Saxon, I cant even name them all. I cant figure out why the writers gave Chester the part they did. Chester was very good in the silly show he did with the 18 wheeler chasing him. The program ended on its 20th season, at a regular episode, which was sad for the cast, crew, and fans. The show was even canceled the year after she left, which some fans dont think is a coincidence. She was played by Amanda Blake on TV. Given she had reportedly fought cancer off several years earlier, some reports said Amanda passed away from cancer. can! His character didnt fit in the show at all. I would love to play a western character in a movie. Its a tribute to the actors, writers, and crew that we are discussing the show 47 years after it ended. Gunsmoke reruns never disappoint me. Every day he watches the Westerns and especially Gunsmoke. It won a primetime award for the most episodes on television until the Simpsons surpassed it. The thing that really ruffled my feathers was the way Chester would read Matts mail before he gave it to Matt. I truly love The Show Gunsmokes. Oh well, that was my opinion which doesnt account for much. How did Miss Kitty die in Gunsmoke? In the show, Dillon would tell criminals to "Get outta Dodge." Love them all. We watch everyday,but like Chester better than Festus. I think Festus and Doc was my favorite. I meant to say new people playing the characters and it wouldnt be the same. The show became a hit. Many people think the radio show stopped when the television show started, but it didnt. We often laugh at the shows costume budget, I think with the exception of Matt, Kitty, Chester and Doc they must have shopped at the skid row store, pretty dirty and ragged for most others. I wish they would do it all again, but they would have to have all new characters and it wouldnt be the same Im sure. It was the end of the trail. Little did she know, the Next: Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice Ended a 40 Year Franchise. When the last episode of Gunsmoke aired, the popular Western had been on television for 20 seasons. Funeral plans were pending. Miss Blake had no children. However, according to IMDb, she turned down the role due to her I was so happy! Matt, Kitty, Doc, and Chester are a tremendous cast. Wish those days of relatively innocent TV were back. My husband and I really enjoyed it. However, he was not the first Deputy Marshal Matt Dillion had officially appointed to help him. (is there a lady in Reno (75-80) who would like to join me?). However, she actually left the show after Season 19. It was hard for the show to find someone suited for the role. Despite the productions fear that people wouldnt accept him as a replacement for Chester, he gained popularity. She was in over 500 of the shows episodes. His official title was assistant to the Marshall, but while he often backed up Matt, he had no law enforcement authority of his own (he was a civilian employee). Even the person who did the voice-over for Marshall Dillon in the radio show didnt get picked as they thought he didnt have the looks for the show. She first starred in the 1950 western film, Stars in My Crown. She was also in another western called Cattle Town and Miss Robin Crusoe. Due to her experience in westerns, Gunsmoke was the perfect role. I had a friend named (Shorty) and he was identical to Festus. I like Festus better than Chester. & saw the show and old jail , Boot Hill. She was a board member of the Humane Society of the United States. I just read up on Chester and enjoyed the article very much. All things considered, it seems that Weaver's desire to move beyond playing Chester was the real reason that the beloved character permanently rode off into the Galloping onto CBS in 1955, "Gunsmoke" still leads the herd of TV Westerns as one of the most iconic examples of the genre ever to enthrall viewers eager for clear-cut, heroes-versus-bad-guys entertainment. They believed they were going to come back to shoot another season. Yes I like reading this. As shabby as he was, his character was loveable, and many found him endearing. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! The American Western series had 20 seasons, with 635 episodes aired in 20 years. Gunsmoke is my all time favorite. I think it is ashamed that after such a great long running Western wasnt informed of the Cancilation. Distractify is a registered trademark. She signed a contract with MGM while still in her teens, and her first film role was in the 1950 film, Stars in My Crown.. Besides playing Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke, Amanda Blake had a longstanding career in the industry. Festus was a GREAT replacement and a good addition to the show. But Festus was both more reliable and harder working, and rarely complained in comparison to Chester. Anyway we love, love, love Gunsmoke and can only say one thing. Amanda Blake plays the saloon employee in season two then she becomes the half-owner of Long Branch Saloon later on. The show last one more season on CBS, then was canceled. Festus never complained about things like that. After Blake died Aug. 16 at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, a statement composed by the hospital and the actress friends reported her death as the result of her long battle with cancer. He was the character people couldnt place in a boxa character they loved and hated. let infinite_scroll_device_constants = JSON.parse('{"TopAdUnit":{"Path":"\/21612127490\/na-desktop-is1","Template":"ad_pos_na-desktop-is1","SlotSizes":"[728, 90]","placeholder":"na-ad-top-desktop_placeholder-"},"LeftBottomAdUnit":{"Path":"\/21612127490\/na-desktop-isl","Template":"ad_pos_na-desktop-isl","SlotSizes":"[300, 250]","placeholder":"na-ad-left-bottom-desktop_placeholder-"},"RightBottomAdUnit":{"Path":"\/21612127490\/na-desktop-isr","Template":"ad_pos_na-desktop-isr","SlotSizes":"[300, 250]","placeholder":"na-ad-right-bottom-desktop_placeholder-"},"RightRail1":{"Path":"\/21612127490\/na-desktop-rr-sticky","Template":"ad_pos_na-desktop-rr-sticky","SlotSizes":"[[300, 250], [300, 600], [160, 600]]","placeholder":"na-RR1-ad-desktop_placeholder-"},"RightRailIntro":{"Path":"","Template":"","SlotSizes":""},"UdmId":"12095","NativoDivPath":"","Across33Id":"","FanPlacementId":"","ObWidgetId":"","AdsLazyLoadingDelay":"700","AbTestPercentage":"10","VidazooPixelId":"5eb946c53814170004432426","TaboolPerScreenMode":""}'); Beginning with season ten, Fetus has his right ear folded to give the impression he is not too bright and as seasons 11-20, he becomes dumber and more of a comic relief. He probably would have continued on the program if it hadnt ended. Nowadays fans get time to do what fans today do. Airing during what's regarded as the Golden Age of TV Westerns, "Gunsmoke" was just one of 30 different shoot-em-ups, or "horse operas," on TV in 1959 (viaPBS). Why Did Doc Leave 'Gunsmoke'? They tried out 26 different actors. I love Gunsmoke. ", The Real Reason Chester Was Written Off Gunsmoke. Before the seventh season, the episodes were only half an hour long. I really, really enjoy watching Gunsmoke reruns. Blake subsequently quit the popular television show, which was then in its 19th season. Never really saw how Chester left. Now I am watching it in 2022. The TV show Gunsmoke was a classic and it ran for 20 years on CBS. It is spread most often through sexual contact, needles or syringes shared by drug abusers, infected blood or blood products, and from pregnant women to their offspring. The book also reports that Arness and other actors wanted to work on Gunsmoke for one more season at least. The 18 wheeler show you wrote about was a Richard Matheson story and was directed by Steven Spielberg. Miss Kitty was no longer a potential rape victim of leering bad guys. If she took the role of Miss Kitty, she would have been earning far more than her new husband. Occasionally, they broadcast a Gunsmoke episode Ive not seen, before, but I dont mind watching the repeats. As one of those plucky cowpokes, "Gunsmoke" regular Dennis Weaver's Chester became one the period's most popular characters, with his familiar drawl and home-spun nature playing off against Arness' Dillon and his unflappable, earnest lawman persona. And why did they leave so many full beers at the bar?? According to the book, The Gunsmoke Chronicles: A New History of Televisions Greatest Western by David R. Greenland, the cast and crew of Gunsmoke were pretty shocked to find out that the show had been canceled. They married in April 1984, and divorced a short time later. The book also reports that Arness and other actors wanted to work on Gunsmoke for one more season at least. Miss Blake, a resident of Sacramento, was a longtime activist for animal protection. She had just married Tommy Bond, a child actor who had played Butch on The Little Rascals. He had left acting and was instead working in production at a local TV station. It had numerous loyal fans who were undoubtedly upset about its cancelation. I do not like Festus. Miss Blake left Gunsmoke in 1974 after 19 years. Does anyone know why after season 10 Fetus was turned into somewhat of an idiot? She was such an integral part of the show, with many episodes centered around her in the western series. Chester was always whining about not having eaten or not getting enough sleep, or having to do something else before eating, sleeping or having a drink. Miss Blake died Wednesday night at Mercy General Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Jerri Ewen. Gunsmoke is one of my all-time favorite shows and Festus was my favorite character. {PPInfiniteScroll.addLazyLoadingAds()}; Noteabley is a food site. Then, in 1970, Weaver landed another role that would see him in a cowboy hat and occasionally atop a horse, as he took on the lead in the modern-day police drama "McCloud," which would run until 1977 (per IMDb). Amanda was known to be a very heavy cigarette smoker and she unfortunately fell ill in 1977. It is safe to assume he, as Festus would have continued since he didnt leave any indication of departing the show Gunsmoke. Just like in the real world, not everyone has the same personality otherwise we would be all like mindless zombies. 73 of 75 found this interesting | Share this The show ended. She had left the show after its 19th season and was not involved with the final season. I absolutely LOVE watching Gunsmoke. Dennis Weaver, who played Chester, started his program and had to leaveGunsmoke. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing this? According to David R. Greenlands book, The Gunsmoke Chronicles: A New History of Televisions Greatest A very detailed article, thank you for this. Chester did a LOT more whining than Festus. Blakes character was Miss Kathleen Kitty Russell, the proprietor of a saloon in Dodge City, the setting for Gunsmoke. After Blake left the show, the writers decided that Kitty had left Dodge City for New Orleans. . Each character was the perfect fit for their time. let advertisementDisclaimer = 'ADVERTISEMENT'; Arness also appeared in every single episode of Gunsmoke, which also saw countless future movie stars pass through it, including Kurt Russell, Jodie Foster - who actually appeared three times - and Burt Reynolds. Gunsmoke Bartenders Death Shook Up Blake, Costars Perhaps another thing that contributed to Blakes departure was the death of Glenn Strange. Strange died on Sept. 23, 1973, from lung cancer at 74 years old. He portrayed Sam Noonan, a mainstay bartender on Gunsmoke. He was beloved by many on the show. Blake left Gunsmoke in 1974 after 19 years in televisions Dodge City. Why did Matt Dillon never marry Kitty? Ultimately, Arness believed the producers behind Gunsmoke made the right choice. They didnt commit to a Dillon/Miss Kitty relationship because it kept viewers invested. They would often tune in each week to see if the two ended up together. Where does Matt Dillon live on Gunsmoke? Once she knew she had it, she decided to keep it to herself, said Pat Derby, a close friend of Amanda. Blake, 58, underwent surgery for oral cancer in 1977 and afterward made appearances throughout the country on behalf of the American Cancer Society. Festus was a character onGunsmokeuntil 1975: when the network ended the show. I watch, at least, 6 to 10 episodes per day I am wanting to find and watch the LAST episode with Ken Curtis one of my favorites I watch Gunsmoke on cable channel METV! I would have preferred the character of Festus to have retained more of the edge he had in Prairie Wolfer, as opposed to becoming a comedic figure. Saw this show every week with my parents when I was a kid. . ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Plaschke: Lakers live up to their legacy with a close-out win for the ages, James Corden gets a star-studded send-off on his final Late Late Show, Kim Kardashian is catching shade from Patti LuPone and Sharon Stone for AHS casting, Jonathan Majors accuser gets full temporary protection order ahead of court date, Review: The Russo brothers spy thriller Citadel has plenty of action and little else, Former Springer bouncer Steve Wilkos pays tribute to TV mentor Jerry Springer. She lived in Phoenix, making her commute rather unbearably long. If I needed someone to watch my back, my money would be on Festus. We were the Native family there. However, some characters made more impressions than others. What You Should Know About The Final Episode Of Gunsmoke, Buffalo Man Full Episode Gunsmoke, Season #03, Episode #18, Blood Money Full Episode Gunsmoke, Season #13, Episode #19, Blood Money Full Episode Gunsmoke, Season #03, Episode #03, Bad Seed Full Episode Gunsmoke, Season #06, Episode #21, Abelia Full Episode Gunsmoke, Season #14, Episode #08. Ewen said the hospital reported the death to the federal Centers for Disease Control. Check your facts before you write something. Inside Milburn Stone's Western Role However, none of them lasted or thrived for as long as, Ken Curtis played Festus, Dillons sidekick, in. Kitty Left For A Strange Reason There was no denying that Glenn Strange, who was an actual cowboy-turned-actor, had a huge impact on his co-stars. He was also Dillons deputy. . Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Only a handful of television shows can boast of lasting for 20 seasons, and shockingly. Join us as we explore some of the most intriguing and obscure details about Matt Dillon and the gang from Dodge City. let infinite_scroll_layout_settings = JSON.parse('{"layoutSettings":{"autoConsent":0,"introParagraphType":"Social_image","imagePosition":"","notClickableHeader":0,"additionalPost":1,"vidazooPixelStartPage":0},"topAd":{"position":"Before","element":" figure","startsFrom":1},"video":{"provider":"Vidazoo","startsFrom":3},"rightRail":{"type":"Per_item","startsFrom":0,"onceOnHowManyItems":2}}'); This difficulty was because the production wanted to have John Wayne, who refused to take the position. Polly Bond was first offered the star spot in the show. WebIn all the color episodes of Gunsmoke, the introduction had the major stars pictured sequentially in ovals as the Gunsmoke theme played in the background. If yes, keep reading! We love the whole cast of actors including Festus. Gunsmokewas a popular and successful show, going from a 30- minute run on television to an hour. 8. We watch atleast 2 reruns most days. So why was Weaver's fan-favorite character written off the show in its ninth season ostensibly at the height of the show's popularity? I started watching Gunsmoke as a child and I loved watching it then and then I found it on Pluto which carries all 20 seasons Im in season 8 of it now and Im going to continue to watch it until I see every single episode I watch it all day long I dont watch nothing else I seen a lot of the actors at Sydney Iowa Rodeo several years ago our parents took us up there and we got to see a lot of movie actors some of them on Gunsmoke for there. I was so sad when I learned that Milburn Stone had passed away. I still frequently watch it. ", Related: Gunsmoke: The Long Ride Finds Marshal Dillion Framed For Murder. His main character was Festus, but he also acted as a cattleman who was friends with Chester Goode but got killed. Her fifth marriage, in April, 1984, was to Mark Spaeth, a city councilman and developer in Austin, Tex. They were so funny together. "The Sharecroppers" was a more comedic outing that was in no way intended as a final episode, which is a point that led to bitterness among the cast and especially Arness. While it's not unheard of for a long-running, hit TV show not to receive a finale - Married With Children would later receive the same fate when it was suddenly axed following season 11 - Gunsmoke ending with no fanfare at all was one of the most egregious. Chester makes Festus look like Biden! Blake played Kitty from the series debut in 1955 until 1974. An article published in People in 1989 reported, "There was no recurrence of cancer, her physician, Dr. Lou Nishimura, said at the time. My most favorite shows ever. I like Chester better to. Gunsmoke: Why the Original Actress Offered the Part of Miss Kitty Turned Down Role, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWDFcUW_SCo, Favorite Kitty/Matt Clips Part 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWDFcUW_SCo). Watching Gunsmoke was an absolute must in my family, as I was growing up, which is funny because my family worked in a tourist attraction that was called Frontier Town. Ken Curtis played Festus, Dillons sidekick, inGunsmoke. My Uncle got me started watching gunsmoke , and I still think of him while watching the reruns! Nishimura was interviewed following a report Friday on Sacramento television station KRBK quoting friends of Blake who said AIDS had played a role in her death. Ewen said she never saw the death certificate. While John Wayne was once reported to have been in contention for the lead role of Marshal Matt Dillon, this was eventually debunked, as it was unheard of for a movie star to switch to a TV series during this era. The series took place in Kansas (Dodge City). I wished one of the tv stations would start gunsmoke from the first show and show all of them in a row till the last one. Chesters main full-time job was to maintain Matts office and jail, feed prisoners, pick up the mail, and so on. The episode occurred during the middle of his run. I watch Gunsmoke every day, Im a widower living along on my small farm and enjoy westerns. She loved animals. I never saw Gunsmoke as a child. We like it better in black and white. To make matters worse, the final episode of Gunsmoke did not wrap up the series in any way. So they keep having me kidnapped., After Gunsmoke, she worked only sporadically, usually in guest appearances for TV game shows, movies of the week and such series as Edge of Night, Hart to Hart, and Love Boat., Miss Blake, born Beverly Louise Neill in Buffalo, N.Y., made her dramatic debut as a 10-year-old in a school pageant. "You can't cancel Gunsmoke," she said. It is impossible to say if Ken Curtis would have continued playing Festus onGunsmokeif the network hadnt chosen to end the show. For many,Gunsmoke was more than just a TV western, it was an epic journey that many followed for over two decades. WebJames Arness explained on the DVD commentary that after the first couple of seasons, they decided to drop those references to make the show more family friendly, and so Miss I prefer Chester, but Gunsmoke is so good even the worst episode is better than what we have today.The acting and the writing are superb.I watch it every day and reruns are OK by me. That actress was Miss Kitty Russell herself, Amanda Blake. So far I have seen Festus in 2 different episodes with Chester. Dennis Weaver, who played Chester, started his program and had to leave, Here are few things you should know about the show, James Arness played the role of Dillon in, The Brady Bunch (Cindy, Peter, and Jan) and some Star Trek stars (Spock, Scotty, Bones, and Kirk) made guest appearances in, Here are a few things you should know about the last episode of the great, It is impossible to say if Ken Curtis would have continued playing Festus on, if the network hadnt chosen to end the show. In seasons 8-9, he is a sharp individual who was very good at fending for himself. ", According to People, her declining health was a secret to most. CBS likely felt Gunsmoke was outdated and wanted to replace it with more contemporary shows, though it was still performing well. The movie was one of the very last times Amanda was on screen, but that doesn't explain why she left the role in the first place. And I really admire and respect the acting capabilities at a time when there were few bells and whistles and the focus was real storytelling of human beings in believable life circumstances. Blake had a pet lion called Kemo that she would sometimes bring to set. Amanda Blake made the character into everything that made her popular. I particularly dislike episodes that feature Festus. And at 71 years old, I am seeing eppisoads that I either never seen, or dont remember seeing as a young girl. Amanda returned to play Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge, a TV movie that ran in 1985. I love Festus but dont care for his Hagen relatives. The show aired many years ago, but it is still talked about by people of all ages, especially those who watched and enjoyed it. Chester was always whining, not very interesting. Hope they never stop the reruns. I LOVE THE THE SHOW HAVE WATCHED IT FOR OVER 55 YEARS. I loved her very much, Weaver said. Festus just let crooks dressed as calvary take over the town. According to the article, the final episode was titled The Sharecroppers.. Dillon was very annoying. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. She didnt want to live in a goldfish bowl., Milburn Stone Aka "Doc" Didn't Leave 'Gunsmoke' by Choice, The Actor Behind Chester on 'Gunsmoke' Grew Restless Playing the Sidekick. Marshal Matt Dillon. He was a Haggen every time his last name was used. It is one of the most popular Western television shows from the mid-1950s to the 1970s. Blake left Gunsmoke in 1974. I record several episodes daily, and look for those with Festus in it. All Rights Reserved. She projected a subdued sensuality and a clear implication that Marshal Matt Dillon, played by James Arness, had only to show his interest and she would gladly become romantically involved with him. Eat, drink and enjoy life with the foodies of the world. Here's why classic Western series Gunsmoke was canceled after 20 years and didn't receive a finale episode. Blake did have throat cancer, but that wasnt the reason that she died, said Dr. Lou Nishimura, a Sacramento internist. Went to dodge city and visited the gunsmoke Love Gunsmoke and watch frequently. That's a major reason Arness - who starred in the first The Thing adaptation - eventually returned for 1987 TV movie Gunsmoke: Return To Dodge. She was in a western singing act called The Darling Sisters. She had her own show with her sister called The Rangeriders. She was the co-founder of the Toys For Tots drive. I love Gunsmoke; I watch it nearly every day from 1-4 pm on TV Land. Thad Greenwood was the first. The Associated Press shared the news about the cancelation of Gunsmoke on April 30, 1975. Surely you do know the difference between Dillon as the US Marshal [Head Marchal of the District] and a Deputy US Marshal. Cookies help us deliver our Services. It was a reference to the show's setting of Dodge City, Kansas. After Gunsmoke's season 20 finale "The Sharecroppers" aired, the cast and crew all expected to be renewed for at least another series, but CBS instead opted to Shortly after departing "Gunsmoke," the actor was cast in the single-season NBC comedy-drama "Kentucky Jones." Blakes character was Miss Kathleen Kitty Russell, the proprietor of a saloon in Dodge City, the setting for Gunsmoke. After Blake left the show, the writers Did you enjoy readingWhy Did Festus Leave Gunsmoke? Festus whining gets a little old after awhile. I love Festus singing too; Tumbleweed nearly makes me cry. No one knew the network planned to end the show, so the fans didnt get to see even a goodbye episode. In fact, it looked like in some cases Dillion wanted to smack him, too. Blakes death certificate listed the immediate cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest due to liver failure and CMV hepatitis. He plays an Indian where the Indian child gets beat up and a bad guy in the ex urbans or something like that name. The end was a usual episode entitled The Sharecroppers, mostly centered on Festus. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why did Amanda Blake leave Gunsmoke? Eventually, she quit the show because she was sick of traveling. She lived in Phoenix but traveled to Hollywood to film the show. In her personal life, she was married briefly to Don Whitman in the 50s. She went on to marry three other men: Jason Seymour Day Jr., Frank Gilbert, and Mark Edward Spaeth. Patricia had a blood disease and she died in the episode. WebMiss Kitty was replaced by Fran Ryans Miss Hannah for season 20. Actually, I love the scenes where all we do is, as Jim says, eyeball it.. They obsess over small details or binge the entire series or search for spoilers to what could happen. The Brady Bunch (Cindy, Peter, and Jan) and some Star Trek stars (Spock, Scotty, Bones, and Kirk) made guest appearances in Gunsmoke. Love it and watch it everyday. Why did you call Festus a Hillman? I was probably one of their biggest fans. He appeared on the hit western for three seasons. This is no reflection on the actors, who played their parts as written. Actress Amanda Blake, the earthy Miss Kitty who ran the Longbranch Saloon on the long-running television series Gunsmoke, died of oral and throat cancer I love gunsmoke one of my favorite westerns watch every night watched it since I was young and Im 72 and still watch reruns but I dont care I love the actors and I think they all are fantastic, I am 85 and watched Gunsmoke with my children when they were growing up, now we get together and watch it again. Gunsmoke debuted on CBS in 1955, and the series became both a critical and ratings hit. Dillons allies were his supporting characters. Do you want to know more about Gunsmoke and Festus? After Rogers 51 episodes over two seasons (11 and 12), Gunsmoke was briefly cancelled in 1967. b. Buck Taylor as Newly or, c. earlier, Roger Ewing as Thad. The show had all of the ingredients for greatness, which is evident by is popularity for 20 years. She was a beautiful and gracious lady who had a lot to do with the success of Gunsmoke, series star James Arness said Thursday. Characters came, stayed, and left. The latter marked not only the end of Gunsmoke as a franchise - at least for now - it was also Arness' final acting credit. The show lasted one more season on CBS, then was canceled. She was also on the cover of Down Beat music magazine. The last episode they worked on together was Hard labor.. My husband and I watch Gunsmoke every day and it was great reading all about the characters. Why did Festus quit Gunsmoke? Mannon also has an old score to settle with Miss Kitty. In 1984, the Cancer Society named her as the recipient of its Courage Award, which was presented to Blake in the Oval Office by President Ronald Reagan. What a character. There was a love interest between the red-haired Kitty Russell character and Arness Marshal Dillon, but the writers kept it off screen.