Before James Arness became known for his role in “Gunsmoke”, he was playing a very different kind of role in his real life – a soldier in the United States military during World War II.
His vision for his future was to become a fighter pilot, but something would hold him back. He did, however, become a rifleman. And he would find himself deployed to fight in the Battle of Anzio.
Miss Kitty
Amanda Blake played the fiery-haired saloon owner, Kitty Russell. And those who watched the show know that her hair is far from the only fiery thing about her. But Blake wasn’t the first actress who was up for the saucy saloon proprietress. Originally, the show’s creators offered the role to Polly Bond.
Fortunately for Blake, Bond declined the role, and it was then all up to her to bring Kitty to life – and she did just that.
The Romance That Never Happened
Those who may have been expecting things to heat up on screen between Kitty and the leading man were destined to wait a long time.
In fact, even though it may have been implied that the saloon owner was secretly working a job that was a little more, well, secret, they never actually showed anything happening between them, no matter how badly fans may have wanted it to happen.
War Time
During his time at war, Arness wounded his leg pretty severely and was evacuated home for medical care.
He was lucky to be alive, but, sadly, his wounds would haunt him throughout his entire life. While he did heal from the injury, he suffered from chronic pain in his right leg for the rest of his life. Still, he didn't let that stop him from having a successful career.
Where Did Kitty Go?
When season 20 of the show began, there was an important character missing, and questions to be answered. The saloon keeper was nowhere to be found. But where had she gone, and why?
Rather than being written off of the show, Amanda Blake’s character was simply left entirely out of the season following her last performance. Kitty was tired of seeing Dillon nearly killed on a regular basis, which was one of the reasons that she left.