RIP Marshall Dillon..You done Good

[deziloooooo]

Since it's Saturday , a bit of leeway on the threads by Tenn sometimes on Saturdays, weekends, and I feel there are few here who have not watched the show and the man , 20 years was quite a run, and while I still listen to the original on XM old time radio show , a great one played him on radio, William Conrad, for TV , I don't think they could have made a better choice in casting.

James was "Matt Dillon ". thanks for the memories and enjoyment over the year Marshall Dillon, you were as good as they come. IMHO

For those interested in these things, James Arness was wouded in 1943 in the leg at the invasion of "Anzio" in Italy, a hell hole if there ever was one, spent a year and a half in the Hospital before being released, came out with a permanent limp, so a 'John Wayne " wound he did not get. John Wayne wound? Gets hit , goes down, get up and wins the war...does not happen.

RIP... Marshall Dillon
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tv.yahoo.com/news/article/tv-news.en.ap.org/tv-news.en.ap.org-20110603-us_obit_james_arness
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[Click on link to read article]
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Gunsmoke" star James Arness died Friday, June 3, 2011 of natural causes. He was 88.
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Matt Dillon, the mythical marshal of Dodge City, stood tall — all 6 feet, 6 inches of him — on "Gunsmoke" from 1955 to 1975. He outlasted dozens of other Western heroes while making history on TV's longest-running dramatic series, a record that held until NBC's "Law & Order" tied the CBS Western's record in 2010.

Through all those gunslinging years, James Arness, who died Friday, kept Marshal Dillon righteous, peace-seeking and, most of all, believable.

Fickle viewers can kill a TV hero as surely as a bullet from an outlaw's six-gun. But Arness knew how to maintain order not only in circa-1870s Dodge City, but also among the TV audience, whose itchy fingers on their channel changers he knew how to calm.

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."

[mmhmm]

I guess all us old fogeys remember Gunsmoke. Even some of the younger ones will have seen the re-runs, eh, Dezi? James Arness' brother, Peter Graves, passed away last year, I believe. He starred in the television series Mission Impossible. Both gave us a lot of pleasure over the years. They'll be well remembered.

[deziloooooo]

Jun 4, 2011 13:25:33 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I guess all us old fogeys remember Gunsmoke. Even some of the younger ones will have seen the re-runs, eh, Dezi? James Arness' brother, Peter Graves, passed away last year, I believe. He starred in the television series Mission Impossible. Both gave us a lot of pleasure over the years. They'll be well remembered.

I still listen most nights to one of the Radio programs on XM, that ran nine years, Conrad read for the TV show but it was a courtesy reading, his short status ans obesity were not going to make it on TV, acually he did have a role once on the TV show and also wrote two shows for TV, and on Radio he is great, as Arness was on TV.

After Gunsmoke went off he came back and did some Movie for TV shows playing a retired Dillon, a rancher who's called on for what ever or goes after some bad guys, has a grown daughter, not sure if Kitty was supposed to be the mother...never got that clear, guess I could google. The movies made for TV very good...and he looks like a older , face lined retired one..much more deadly happenings too.

On one he and a older Sherriff stand up to like six and literally blow em away, plus get shot themslves..then just ride away, guess left them for the buzzards...realistic .
Another one, seems his past history before becoming Marshall, he was a wild one, a mountain man, trapper ...new and lived with Indians, other mountain man types.

If you ever get a chance , try to watch them, if you like that gendre , they are good. Not great but very good for what they are.

[safeharbor37]

To demonstrate how long ago that was, Burt Reynolds* [1963-65] played the blacksmith on the series in one of his early roles, but the most interesting thing I think, is that John Wayne was offered the role first, but refused the role and recommended James Arness instead. At some point in the series, it appears that James Arness had earned more money from "Gunsmoke" than Wayne had earned from all his movie roles combined, up to that point.
*Burt Reynolds is actually slightly older than I am.

[mmhmm]

I remember Burt Reynolds in the blacksmith role, safeharbor. I was also aware John Wayne was offered the part and recommended James Arness. Seems they were friends. James Arness, originally, didn't want the part but "The Duke" talked him into it.

[marshabar1]

What a wonderful part of life Gunsmoke was for families in the 1960's. A Sunday night tradition for millions. Loved the show, sometimes you laughed, sometimes you cried. When I was about eight years old the Gunsmoke cast came through our little town on the train. Somehow my mother heard about it and we were at the station to wave, my three year old brother dressed in his cowboy outfit complete with holster and pistol. We were thrilled to be taken aboard the train to meet Marshall Dillon, Miss Kitty, Chester Good and Doc. Marshall Dillon wanted us children to ride along to the next stop with them but my little brother refused. Marshall Dillon was the tallest man I'd ever seen and Miss Kitty was so pretty. They were all in costume. Wonderful memory.

RIP James Arness.

[rovo]

Marshall Dillon was the tallest man I'd ever seen and Miss Kitty was so pretty. They were all in costume.

Miss Kitty lived across the street from us in Arizona. What a beyotch. The only time she ever had for us was when she needed someone to watch her dogs for a few days. An all around unpleasant person (and not very attractive in real life).

[deziloooooo]

Jun 4, 2011 16:20:49 GMT -5 @marshabar1 said:

What a wonderful part of life Gun smoke was for families in the 1960's. A Sunday night tradition for millions. Loved the show, sometimes you laughed, sometimes you cried. When I was about eight years old the Gun smoke cast came through our little town on the train. Somehow my mother heard about it and we were at the station to wave, my three year old brother dressed in his cowboy outfit complete with holster and pistol. We were thrilled to be taken aboard the train to meet Marshall Dillon, Miss Kitty, Chester Good and Doc. Marshall Dillon wanted us children to ride along to the next stop with them but my little brother refused. Marshall Dillon was the tallest man I'd ever seen and Miss Kitty was so pretty. They were all in costume. Wonderful memory.

RIP James Arness.

Marsha what a GREAT experience...your brother, you should have thrown him off the train..gone on to the next town. Jim was 6'6 "

John Wayne , on the first show did a intro to the show and Jim, introducing him to the audience, up to then , never a big part where most would know him, I just read it a while ago, went to a web site ...anyione interested , be glad to pull it up. I didn't know Burt Reynolds role as the Black Smith, will look for him if they ever play the real old ones.

They were worried because the Radio Version also very populer..The real aficionado's always thought TV version didn't measure up...can't please everyone I guess..I'm a aficionado, and my fellow ones, they are just nuts.

As a kid where I lived it seemed to come on about 9:30 /10PM, real late..way past my bed time, and if I was still up, sometimes , try to stay awake , radio on bed stand next to bed,..now I listen when ever h ever on, usually few times during the week on XM..sorry MOM, I'm a big boy now.

[deziloooooo]

Jun 4, 2011 16:36:45 GMT -5 rovo said:

Marshall Dillon was the tallest man I'd ever seen and Miss Kitty was so pretty. They were all in costume.

Miss Kitty lived across the street from us in Arizona. What a beyotch. The only time she ever had for us was when she needed someone to watch her dogs for a few days. An all around unpleasant person (and not very attractive in real life).

What a dissapointment..possible her hard work, typ of work,

" Pardner, ya know they just didn't serve drinks and socilized with the good old bouys down stairs ya know, hombre?.

I remember reading a long interview with her after show went off ..think she was set for life, this one, the next one, the one coming after that..invested well..don't think she really worked afterwards..beleive passed from a cancer..always thought that was why at the end she looked as she did..treatments..I could be wrong about that and if you know, let me know.

Thought she really ddin't have a lot of close friends..possible wrong about that too.

[mmhmm]

Sometimes, rovo, it's pretty disappointing when you do come to know some of these people (only slightly, mind you!) and find out they're real jackarses! I can think of quite a few who fit that picture to a tee. Ernest Borgnine was one. Blech! Smelled like a dead goat and was just generally obnoxious.

We had a small cruiser when we lived in California and used to go by John Wayne's home on our way out of the harbor. His PT boat was usually docked there, and there were often people enjoying themselves on the boat. John Wayne and his wife would always wave and lift a glass as we went by. Seemed like pretty down to earth folks ... from a distance, anyway. At least, they were friendly.

[deziloooooo]

Jun 4, 2011 16:55:35 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Sometimes, rovo, it's pretty disappointing when you do come to know some of these people (only slightly, mind you!) and find out they're real jackarses! I can think of quite a few who fit that picture to a tee. Ernest Borgnine was one. Blech! Smelled like a dead goat and was just generally obnoxious.

We had a small cruiser when we lived in California and used to go by John Wayne's home on our way out of the harbor. His PT boat was usually docked there, and there were often people enjoying themselves on the boat. John Wayne and his wife would always wave and lift a glass as we went by. Seemed like pretty down to earth folks ... from a distance, anyway. At least, they were friendly.

The Duke had a PT boat?? didn't know that, knew he had a big yaught, thought motor/Sail but not about the PT Boat. You go Duke, he was something.

Many Woman didn't care for him..but guys, even if his politics at times anbit much...

Bourgnine? He was originally from Hamden Ct..then New Haven, had a Italian Wife, customer of my parents store at times...a , how to say, basically a Italian wife that would fit Bourgnine..he did divorce her...has a daughter with her. Think he's in his 90's now.

[rovo]

I didn't know the Duke had a PT boat but it fits the imagine. LOL.

Yup. Known or not, there are jackasses all over the place. I suppose if one is famous they are more likely to be that way.

[handyman2]

The thing I liked about John Wayne, Arness and Paul Newman was when you saw them up close they looked the same in person as on the screen. Not a lot of makeup. Some have so much paste on when you see them in real life they just don't look normal.
Wayne and Newman filmed some parts of movies in Fla. and I got to see them up close. I was 20 or so at the time and did grunt work for a company that provided specialty lighting. The thing that surprised me that in broad daylight for some shots they still used some lighting to remove any shadows in scenes that moved about.

[handyman2]

The thing I liked about John Wayne, Arness and Paul Newman was when you saw them up close they looked the same in person as on the screen. Not a lot of makeup. Some have so much paste on when you see them in real life they just don't look normal.
Wayne and Newman filmed some parts of movies in Fla. and I got to see them up close. I was 20 or so at the time and did grunt work for a company that provided specialty lighting. The thing that surprised me that in broad daylight for some shots they still used some lighting to remove any shadows in scenes that moved about.
I always thought that in some episode of GUNSMOKE that Dillion would marry Miss Kitty. NOPE.

[marshabar1]

I always thought that in some episode of GUNSMOKE that Dillion would marry Miss Kitty. NOPE.

Miss Kitty was a madame, was she not?

Years ago my sister and her family were at a western ghost town and one of the activities was to have old fashioned costumed photographs taken. When my sister wanted to dress as a saloon girl her rancher husband said, "You mean as a whore?" She was flabbergasted because it had never occurred to her in all those years of watching westerns that, indeed, the saloon girls were whores. True fact. I was flabbergasted when she related it to me because it had never crossed my mind either.

[deziloooooo]

Jun 4, 2011 21:21:56 GMT -5 @marshabar1 said:

I always thought that in some episode of GUNSMOKE that Dillion would marry Miss Kitty. NOPE.

Miss Kitty was a madame, was she not?

Years ago my sister and her family were at a western ghost town and one of the activities was to have old fashioned costumed photographs taken. When my sister wanted to dress as a saloon girl her rancher husband said, "You mean as a whore?" She was flabbergasted because it had never occurred to her in all those years of watching westerns that, indeed, the saloon girls were whores. True fact. I was flabbergasted when she related it to me because it had never crossed my mind either.

Yep, thus my post above now reprinted here,

"What a dissapointment..possible her hard work, type of work,

" Pardner, ya know they just didn't serve drinks and socilized with the good old boys down stairs ya know, hombre?."

[handyman2]

Mercy Not Miss Kitty. Why that would be scandalous. Oh I am sure miss Kitty would have never been involved in anything like that. Well little kids one day must face reality. I did not like her that much anyway, she was kind of snippish at times.

[mmhmm]

I was told the huge SHIP the Waynes had docked was a PT boat. Now, I wouldn't know a PT boat from a catamaran, so I'm just dishin' jive, really. My father, bless his sainted soul, said it wasn't a PT boat, at all. According to him, it was a converted mine sweeper. Daddy was a Navy feller, so he might have known what he was talking about ... or, he might not have. I'll never know. All I know is, it was BIIIIIIIGGGGG! ;D

[deziloooooo]

Jun 5, 2011 1:51:51 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I was told the huge SHIP the Waynes had docked was a PT boat. Now, I wouldn't know a PT boat from a catamaran, so I'm just dishin' jive, really. My father, bless his sainted soul, said it wasn't a PT boat, at all. According to him, it was a converted mine sweeper. Daddy was a Navy feller, so he might have known what he was talking about ... or, he might not have. I'll never know. All I know is, it was BIIIIIIIGGGGG! ;D

Your , bless his sainted soul, was right on, no PT Boat, which while still good size, not much room for a conversion for a yought, but a MineSweeper ...biggi.

wwarii.com/blog/archives/john-waynes-yacht-was-wwii-minesweeper/

The motor / Sail I was thinking of I think was another action star, Douglas Fairbanks Jr or such...or wai Erroll Flyn...one of them , think Flyn.

[mmhmm]

Wow, Dezi! Thanks! So, dear ol' dad was right on! I'm sure he's chuckling as we speak. ;D

[deziloooooo]

Jun 5, 2011 10:46:03 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Wow, Dezi! Thanks! So, dear ol' dad was right on! I'm sure he's chuckling as we speak. ;D

I was trying to find a picture of theb"Wild Goose " when John owned it, the one today is as a rentable day cruiser and additions have been added topside, you get a idea but it's different but this "you tube", hate em because for me as moon told me have to wait, buffering before playing, but you might not have that problem, some good shots of the boat you might want to see, remember as it was.

Glad to see boat still in great shape, taken care of, they dry dock it once a year for up keep and is available for charter and day trips wheic is neat..actually in 2008 a trip was only $16-. possible just a walk about, not sure if it went out for that amount, but still reasonable.

[mmhmm]

I'll take a look around, Dezi, and see if I can find pictures of the yacht as I remember seeing it. Gotta work tonight, so I'd best get things underway here. Thanks, though, for verifying ol' dad.