Gunsmoke is an American Western television series developed by Charles Marquis Warren and based on the radio program of the same name. The series ran for 20 seasons, making it the longest-running Western in television history.
The first episode of season 16 aired in the United States on September 14, 1970, and the final episode aired on March 8, 1971. All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS.
Season 16 of Gunsmoke was the fifth season of color episodes. Previous seasons were filmed in black-and-white.
Synopsis Gunsmoke is set in and around Dodge City, Kansas, in the post-Civil War era and centers on United States Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he enforces law and order in the city. In its original format, the series also focuses on Dillon's friendship with deputy Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis); Doctor Galen "Doc" Adams (Milburn Stone), the town's physician; Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), saloon girl and later owner of the Long Branch Saloon; and deputy Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor).
Cast and characters
Main
James Arness as Matt Dillon Milburn Stone as Doc Amanda Blake as Kitty Glenn Strange as Sam Noonan Ken Curtis as Festus Buck Taylor as Newly
Production
Season 16 consisted of 24 one-hour color episodes produced by executive producer John Mantley along with producers Joseph Dackow (episodes 516–528) and Leonard Katzman (episodes 529–539).
"Pike", the two-part episode that ended the season, was later developed into a spin-off series entitled Dirty Sally.
Episodes
Release Broadcast Season sixteen aired Mondays at 7:30-8:30 pm (EST) on CBS.
Home media The sixteenth season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on December 10, 2019.
Reception Gunsmoke season 16 reached #5 in the Nielsen ratings.
Footnotes
References
External links
Gunsmoke season 16 at TV Guide