Gunsmoke | Hollywood Yesterday

Glenn Strange and Bela Lugosi in a Great Behind the Scenes Photo

October 5, 2021 By Joi

Bela Lugosi and Glenn Strange

Granted, I love all “on set” and “behind the scenes” pictures but there’s something extra special about this Bela Lugosi and Glenn Strange behind the scenes of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). Come on… Dracula smoking? You don’t see that everyday!

The 6’4″ Glenn Strange is best known by many as Frankenstein’s monster in this and other movies and television appearances but he also had a VERY fine career in movies. I, personally, associate him most with his role on Gunsmoke. He played the lovable bartender Sam Doonan for many years.

Cast of Gunsmoke

Pictured above, Glenn Strange, Ken Curtis, Roger Ewing, Milburn Stone, James Arness, and Amanda Blake.

You can buy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the hilarity on Prime Video.

A Little Gunsmoke Trivia and a Few Pictures of its WONDERFUL Stars

April 6, 2021 By Joi

James Arness and Ken Curtis

I’ve spent so much time in Dodge City in my life that looking at pictures of its stars (James Arness, Ken Curtis, Amanda Blake, Milburn Stone, Dennis Weaver, Buck Taylor, Glenn Strange…) is kind of like looking at pictures of family! My love for this series and its larger than life characters knows no limits.

A little Gunsmoke Trivia:

In the show’s twenty-year run, James Arness (Matt Dillon) was the only actor who appeared in every episode.
James Arness and John Wayne were friends. It was after a talk with the Duke that Arness decided to accept the role.
Dennis Weaver (Chester) said that he actually regretted giving Chester his limp. Apparently it became burdensome to maintain the limp in everything Chester did!
After sixteen seasons, the producers decided to let Milburn Stone (Doc Adams) choose Doc’s first name, as he had always simply been known as Doc Adams. Stone chose Galen, which was the surname of an ancient Greek physician and medical researcher.
James Arness and Milburn Stone are the only two regular cast members to stay with the show for its entire twenty-year, six hundred thirty-five-episode duration on CBS. In 1971, however, after Milburn Stone suffered a heart attack, Pat Hingle (portraying the character of Dr. John Chapman), replaced Stone for six episodes while he recovered. You can’t keep a good man down, though, and Stone AND Doc Adams returned.
During the show’s 20 seasons, Matt Dillon kissed only one lady and it wasn’t even Miss Kitty! He kissed Michael Learned’s character in the episode Matt’s Love Story (1973). Those of us who lived for his romance with Miss Kitty can take solace in the fact that he had suffered amnesia!
At 20 years and 635 episodes, Gunsmoke is the second longest-running American primetime television series to date. Unfortunately (for those of us who wanted Gunsmoke to retain the title), The Simpsons surpassed it.
The series was the final film project of Glenn Strange, who played the part of Sam, the bartender.

James Arness and Amanda Blake

The complete series of Gunsmoke is available on dvd. Obviously, because it’s TWENTY seasons, the price can be a little high. Worth it? Absolutely… but kind of high nonetheless. It is available “used,” however, for less money. I think what I’m going to do (which will probably cost more money in the long run) is buy each season individually. I desperately want the series in my collection, though, so one way or another I’m going to buy it!

Gunsmoke’s Perfect Cast: Milburn Stone, James Arness, Amanda Blake, and Ken Curtis

Picture of the Day: Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty) on Gunsmoke

March 18, 2020 By Joi

Amanda Blake, Miss Kitty (Gunsmoke)

My parents and I had a weeknight routine that lasted for what seems like my entire childhood (all the way through high school and into college). We would go to our favorite diner or the Dairy Queen near our house and order takeout. Then we’d bring it home and feed our faces while we watched our beloved “friends” in Dodge City. Miss Kitty, Matt Dillon, Festus (0r Chester), Doc Adams, Sam, and Newly were always there for us and… with chili dog in hand… we were always there for them!

Every weeknight from 10:30-11:30 pm like clockwork.

I have no idea, today, how I was ever able to sleep with a chili dog (or hamburger), onion rings, and a Coke on my stomach (I’d be in serious pain now if I tried it!), but it was never anything but bliss.

I am still as in love with the show, today, as I was then and I love to think of my mom and dad gathered around a Heavenly television catching episodes whenever possible.

The Gunsmoke (link to dvds on Amazon) cast was phenomenal – the people in charge of casting were on top of their game… not just the excellent regulars, but the guest stars as well. Every role was always filled to perfection.

Rio Bravo: It’s Never the Wrong Time to Watch this Classic Western

August 14, 2015 By Joi

Rio Bravo Lobby Card

I guess the fact that I am infatuated with Westerns shouldn’t surprise me – my dad was one of the three biggest Westerns fans in the entire world. Literally, the first movies I remember watching involve cowboys, dirt roads, shootouts, ladies in long skirts, and lots of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. Even some of my earliest television memories are of Gunsmoke.

Now married to another Western fan, my love for the genre continues. I was once asked who I preferred in Westerns, John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. I told them that was like asking me to choose between coffee and sweet tea – the answer is whichever one’s in front of me at the moment.

Two of my favorite all-time Westerns are Rio Bravo (1959) and El Dorado (1966). Even today, they’re just good, clean, outrageous fun to watch. I actually feel sorry for anyone who can’t sit back and enjoy a good old movie and simply take it for what it is. F-U-N. Picking my favorite between the two would, again, be like choosing between coffee or raspberry tea. I’ll take whichever one is in the room at the time.

John Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan, Angie Dickinson (Feathers), Ricky Nelson, Ward Bond – with a cast like this, how could it not be a classic?

In a pretty limited role – Carlos Robante, as Pedro, is also the very definition of scene-stealer.

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Rio Bravo Movie Poster

Plot: In a small town in Texas, John Wayne is Sheriff John T. Chance. Along with his “drunk” deputy/friend, Dude (portrayed brilliantly by Dean Martin), a crankly old man deputy with a limp “Stumpy” (Walter Brennan at his best), and a singing young sure-shot named Colorado (a VERY young Ricky Nelson), he has to keep an eye on a murderer whose very wealthy and powerful brother is trying to break out of jail. As if Sheriff Chance doesn’t have his hands full with these characters, a beautiful distraction named Feathers (beautifully played by Angie Dickinson) comes to town on the stagecoach. She’s mysterious, chatty, and filled with equal amounts of energy and trouble.

Let the games begin!

I could watch this movie once a week and never complain – even though I’m pretty sure I could quote every line that comes out of “Stumpy” and “Feathers.” How are you going to miss with names like those? The wonderful Walter Brennan (Stumpy) and too gorgeous to even be believed or forgiven Angie Dickinson (Feathers) are at their best – and that’s saying something.

If you’ve never watched Rio Bravo or El Dorado, I’d whole-heartedly recommend buying the DVDs. You’ll fall in love with both movies. If you HAVE seen them, watch them again.

Somehow they just get better and better with each viewing.