Actor James Arness, who protected the citizens of Dodge City as Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years (1955-1975) on the TV series “Gunsmoke” has died of natural causes. He was 88.
In an era when TV actors typically chewed the scenery, Arness had a credible, commanding presence by hardly uttering a word. A typical scene found a dozen cowboys riding up to the town jail intent on busting out a prisoner pal.Dillon faces them all down.
“The first move anybody makes,” he says, with a slight shake of his head, “I cut you in two.”
Arness’ defiant but rueful delivery is so understated, he makes Clint Eastwood seem like a loudmouth.
No wonder “Gunsmoke” wore so well. And became the last word on a programming craze that some seasons found as many as 30 Westerns on the air. When “Gunsmoke” went off in 1975, it was the only Western left.
No wonder “Gunsmoke” wore so well. And became the last word on a programming craze that some seasons found as many as 30 Westerns on the air. When “Gunsmoke” went off in 1975, it was the only Western left.
Arness left a message for his fans on his website, planned ahead of time to be posted at his death. The Huffington Post has more on Arness’ life and career. Link -via Uncle John’s Blog
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