Gunsmoke TV Show - Gunsmoke Television Show - Yahoo! TV

Arness as Dillon was great, but without the rest of the cast it just couldn't have lasted for 20 years. Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty was superb as a strong, entreprenurial women of the late 19th century. The concept sounds absurd, and would have been in the hands of a less gifted actress. Dennis Weaver as Chester was well-cast, and it seemed it might not be possible to replace him, but Ken Curtis as Festus took the deputy role to another level. And as for Doc Adams, Milburn Stone was perfection. He and Festus often stole the show with their dialogues. The fact that most fans can recall all of the actor who had leading roles, not just one or two is an indication of just how indelible an impression they left. The stories were also well crafted, and still stand up after half a century in the case of the early years.