The Thing Is No More

[Pappy]

Probably only a few will know who I am talking about, the Thing was one of the early rolls of actor James Arness. Obviously he will remembered by everyone as the gentle, yet stearn, Marshall Matt Dillon that he portrayed for 20 years. He was 88.

Some trivia I learned from the article I read on hs death.

He first turned down the role for fear of being type cast. At the urging of John Wayne, who was first offered the role, he changed his mind.

Only one other TV character lasted 20 years, Kelsey Grammer's Frazier.

When 'Gunsmoke' went off the air in 1975 it was the only western series still playing.

[Martin]

Trivia for Jim Arness

Jim Arness used to own most of the ranch land between Tucson and Nogales. The studios would rent the area and film outdoor scenes for Gunsmoke and Bonanza on the ranch.
The studios would rent horses from a specialist in Hollywood. Dan Blocker and Jim Arness would ride the same horse as they were two of the biggest horse riding stars in Hollywood.

[cabinetman]

James Arness was the perfect "Matt Dillon". He will be missed. IMO, the original "The Thing" was far better than the remake.

.

[Bruce Cohen]

Nobody plays "the Veggie" man better. Not a bad cowboy either, like I'd really know what a good cowboy acts like.
You can't expect much from a NY Jew.
Bruce

[gsmittle]

James Arness was the perfect "Matt Dillon". He will be missed. IMO, the original "The Thing" was far better than the remake.

.

+1 on that! I remember watching "Gunsmoke" with my dad almost every week until it went off the air. 1975 was the year I graduated from high school.

Wasn't there one episode with a green female alien? Or am I thinking of "Bonanza?"

g.

[eezlock]

The Thing is no more.....

Marshal Matt Dillon will be surely missed....that is for sure! He was and still is my favorite "old west lawman" no other like him. His sidekick and deputy Festus Haggin was also one of my favorites.

[billwmeyer]

Yes, Matt, Doc, Chester and Festus are together again. They were a great group of actors. I still watch reruns of Gunsmoke when I can.

My wife drug me to a rodeo in Ft Smith Arkansas around 1971 or 72. The reason she had to drag me was because Ken Curtis - Festus was singing. I did not want to hear that voice sing. Of course his Gunsmoke voice was put on. His singing voice was one of the best I ever heard.

Bill

[ironhat]

Jim was a heck of an actor. Does anyone know if Miss Kitty is still around? As these Hollywood/ TV stars pass it feels like my life is getting shorter. Hmmmmm....

[cabinetman]

Jim was a heck of an actor. Does anyone know if Miss Kitty is still around? As these Hollywood/ TV stars pass it feels like my life is getting shorter. Hmmmmm....

Sorry to say she (Amanda Blake) died in 1989.

.

[Pappy]

Arness was the last living member of the main cast. (Doc, Chester, Festus, Kitty and Matt)