Gunsmoke is an American Western television series developed by Charles Marquis Warren and based on the radio program of the same name. The series ran for 20 seasons, making it the longest-running Western in television history.
The first episode of season 19 aired in the United States on September 10, 1973, and the final episode aired on April 1, 1974. All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS.
Season 19 of Gunsmoke was the eighth season of color episodes. Previous seasons were filmed in black-and-white.
Synopsis Gunsmoke is set in and around Dodge City, Kansas, in the post-Civil War era and centers on United States Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he enforces law and order in the city. In its original format, the series also focuses on Dillon's friendship with deputy Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis); Doctor Galen "Doc" Adams (Milburn Stone), the town's physician; Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), saloon girl and later owner of the Long Branch Saloon; and deputy Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor).
Cast and characters
Main
James Arness as Matt Dillon Milburn Stone as Doc Amanda Blake as Kitty Glenn Strange as Sam Noonan Ken Curtis as Festus Buck Taylor as Newly
Production
Season 19 consisted of 24 one-hour color episodes produced by executive producer John Mantley along with producer Leonard Katzman an associate producer Ron Honthaner.
William Conrad, who was cast as the voice of Matt Dillon in the original Gunsmoke Radio series, provides narration at the beginning of both parts of episode 1 & 2, "Women for Sale" (parts 1 & 2).
Episodes
Release Broadcast Season nineteen aired Mondays at 8:00-9:00 pm (EST) on CBS.
Home media The nineteenth season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on February 4, 2020.
Reception Gunsmoke season 19 dropped to #15 in the Nielsen ratings.
Footnotes
References
External links
Gunsmoke season 19 at TV Guide