Gunsmoke is an American western radio series, which was developed for radio by John Meston and Norman Macdonnell. The series ran for nine seasons and was broadcast by CBS.[1] The first episode of the series originally aired in the United States on April 26, 1952,[2] and the final first-run episode aired on June 11, 1961.[3] During the series, a total of 480 original episodes were broadcast, including shows with re-used or adapted scripts.[4] A television version of the series premiered in 1955.[5]
The original pilot episode of Gunsmoke was entitled "Mark Dillon Goes to Gouge Eye" and was recorded twice. The first was on June 11, 1949, with Rye Billsbury as Dillon and the second on July 15, 1949, with Howard Culver in the lead. Neither pilot was aired and the hero's name was eventually changed from Mark Dillon to Matt Dillon.[7]
Haendiges, Jerry (1996–2004). "Gunsmoke radio log". Jerry Haendiges Productions. Retrieved January 14, 2010. (runs to 480 episodes as it includes shows with re-used scripts)