Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge
Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge is the first made-for-television Western film based on the 20-year (1955–1975) television version of Gunsmoke starring James Arness. Although it is supposed to be set in the wilds of Kansas, it was filmed in Alberta, Canada.[1]
| Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Jim Byrnes |
| Directed by | Vincent McEveety |
| Starring | James Arness Amanda Blake Steve Forrest Buck Taylor Earl Holliman |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 94 minutes |
| Production company | CBS Entertainment Productions |
| Distributor | CBS Television Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | September 26, 1987 |
Plot
Retired US Marshal Matt Dillon, now a fur trapper, is knifed by thieves, brought back to Dodge, and nursed by Kitty Russell. He is hunted by vengeful past nemesis, Will Mannon, who has sworn to kill Matt, and holds Kitty hostage in exchange for a final showdown.
Cast
- James Arness as Matt Dillon
- Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell
- Steve Forrest as Will Mannon
- Buck Taylor as Newly O'Brien
- Earl Holliman as Jake Flagg
- Fran Ryan as Hannah
- Ken Olandt as Lt. Brian Dexter
- W. Morgan Sheppard as Digger McCloud
- Patrice Martinez as Bright Water
- Tantoo Cardinal as Little Doe
- Mickey Jones as Oakum
Production
Ken Curtis, who played Festus on the series, turned the project down in the wake of being offered far less compensation than Amanda Blake. Blake, meanwhile, returned to the role of Miss Kitty after having left Gunsmoke prior to the original series' 20th and final season. This was her last appearance in the role, and the movie ends with Kitty leaving Dodge again, seemingly bitter over her long unresolved relationship with Matt, and traumatized yet again by Mannon's brutality.
Steve Forrest's return as Mannon occurred in spite of the character seemingly having been killed off at the end of his first and only appearance in the regular series. The movie largely replays the storyline of that episode, including the cat and mouse mindgames between Mannon and Kitty. The main difference is that Matt is faster on the draw this time, implying that Mannon isn't quite the man he used to be, after a long stretch in prison, and Kitty sapping his confidence.
Subsequent TV movies based on the series starring James Arness are Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990), Gunsmoke: To the Last Man (1992), Gunsmoke: The Long Ride (1993), and Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994). None of those movies took place in Dodge, or featured any cast members other than Arness.
Nielsen Ratings
The film would rank second in its timeslot, with a 16.6/31 rating/share, and ranked 28th out of 68 programs airing that week.[2]
References
- James Arness: An Autobiography by James Arness, Burt Reynolds, James E. Wise, Jr.