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| Image Alt: | Gunsmoke (title screen) |
| Starring: | |
| Num Episodes: | 24 |
| Network: | CBS |
| Episode List: | List of Gunsmoke (TV series) episodes |
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 18 aired in the United States on September 11, 1972, and the final episode aired on March 5, 1973. All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS.
Season 18 of Gunsmoke was the seventh season of color episodes. Previous seasons were filmed in black-and-white.
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).
See main article: List of Gunsmoke cast members.
Season 18 consisted of 24 one-hour color episodes produced by executive producer John Mantley along with producer Leonard Katzman an associate producer Ron Honthaner.
Occasionally, titles were reused from previous seasons. This season included three such episodes: episode 12, "The Brothers (formerly 'Incident at Sayville Junction')", which was also a title used in season 11; episode 16, "Homecoming", which was also a title used in season 9, episode 34; and episode 22, "Jesse", which was a title used in season 3, episode 6.
See also: List of Gunsmoke (TV series) episodes.
Season eighteen aired Mondays at 8:00-9:00 pm (EST) on CBS.
The eighteenth season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on February 4, 2020.
Gunsmoke season 18 reached #8 in the Nielsen ratings.