Fans of “Gunsmoke” were seriously invested in the show. After all, it was on the air for two whole decades, and so many people grew up watching it and continued to watch it into adulthood. So, most were pretty upset when the show ended the way it did.
After 20 years on the air, the show suddenly stopped playing new episodes. The last one ever aired was called “The Sharecropper,” and played in 1975. There was no tying up of any loose ends and no closure.
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.
Where Did Amanda Blake Go?
After 20 seasons, Blake decided she longer wanted to be a part of the show. But why? Was it a fight with the production team over her salary? Maybe she didn't get along with one of her co-stars? Well, the truth was actually a lot more tragic.
Amanda did not want to return to the show because her friend and co-star, Glenn Strange passed away. Strange was 74 when he lost his battle with lung cancer.
Adding Goode's Accent
Chester Goode was the first character cast during the first year of the show's production. Goode is played by Dennis Weaver who is known for his heavy accent and noticeable limp. The accent was an afterthought during the audition process, after Weaver’s first go-round when he was told that they wish he would’ve brought “more humor to the role.”
He added the accent to his line delivery the second time around – along with the famous limp – and producers were on the floor laughing.
Weaver Had to Audition With Everyone
Weaver was the first actor cast for the show, which meant that he had the privilege of setting some of the tone when it came to casting the other actors. What does that mean?
Well, he had to do chemistry checks with all the other actors, which meant he was present and reading with almost everyone who came to audition for the roles of Matt Dillon and Doc. Luckily, they ended up filling these roles too.