The third season of the American Western television series Gunsmoke aired in the United States between September 14, 1957 and June 7, 1958. The season consisted of 39 black-and-white 30 minute episodes. All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS, originally airing Saturdays at 10:00-10:30 pm (EST).
Gunsmoke was 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.
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 three other citizens of Dodge City: 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 Chester Goode (Dennis Weaver), Dillon's assistant.
Cast and characters
Main James Arness as Matt Dillon Dennis Weaver as Chester Milburn Stone as Doc Amanda Blake as Kitty
Production Season 3 consisted of 39 half-hour black-and-white episodes produced by Norman Macdonnell.
The fight scene near the end of episode 18, "Buffalo Man", served as the basis for an educational film produced by the American Cinema Editors, called Film Editing: Interpretation & Values, used by film students all around the world.
Episodes
Release Broadcast Season three aired Saturdays at 10:00-10:30 pm (EST) on CBS.
Home media The third season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment in two volumes. The first 19 episodes were released on December 9, 2008 and the remaining 20 episodes were released on May 26, 2009.
Reception Gunsmoke held the number one primetime spot in the Nielsen ratings four years straight, for the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons.
Awards and nominations Award Year Category Nominee(s) / Work Result Primetime Emmy Awards 1958 Best Continuing Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic or Comedy Series James Arness Best Continuing Supporting Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic or Comedy Series Dennis Weaver Best Dramatic Series with Continuing Characters Gunsmoke Best Editing of a Film for Television Mike Pozen for "How to Kill a Woman" Best Teleplay Writing (Half-Hour or Less) John Meston for "Born to Hang"
Footnotes
References
External links
Gunsmoke season 3 at TV Guide