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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 20 aired in the United States on September 9, 1974, and the final episode aired on March 31, 1975. All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS.
Season 20 of Gunsmoke was the ninth season of color episodes, and the final season of the series. 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; and deputy Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor). Season 20 introduces a new character, Miss Hannah (Fran Ryan), to replace Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake) who left the show at the end of season 19.
See main article: List of Gunsmoke cast members.
Season 20 consisted of 24 one-hour color episodes produced by executive producer John Mantley along with producers Leonard Katzman (episodes 612-624, 635) and John G. Stephens (episodes 625-634), and associate producer Ron Honthaner.
Occasionally, titles were re-used. Season 20, episode 14 was the second time "The Squaw" was used as an episode title, the first being season 7, episode 7.
See also: List of Gunsmoke (TV series) episodes.
Season twenty aired Mondays at 8:00-9:00 pm (EST) on CBS.
The final season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on May 5, 2020.
The final season of Gunsmoke finished at #28 in the Nielsen ratings.