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\u2018Gunsmoke\u2019 Monthlong Marathon Planned for 70th Anniversary<\/a> originally appeared on Parade<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n Gunsmoke<\/em> is taking over the airwaves in honor of the 70th anniversary of its premiere.<\/p>\n MeTV is celebrating with a monthlong marathon that will last from Saturday, August 30, to Saturday, September 27. Every week, the network will select a theme and air correlating episodes each weekday at 1 p.m. ET\/PT. The channel will also show Gunsmoke<\/em>\u2019s five made-for-TV movies every Saturday at 11 a.m. ET\/PT.<\/p>\n The weekly themes include \u201cA Week of Firsts\u201d featuring first episodes and cast appearances, \u201cBest of Matt Dillon Week\u201d in honor of James Arness\u2019<\/a><\/strong> character, \u201cBest Characters of Dodge City\u201d highlighting the show\u2019s notable costars and \u201cGuest Stars Week\u201d showcasing famous actors in guest roles.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac <\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a> \ud83c\udfac<\/strong><\/p>\n As for the movies, 1987\u2019s Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge<\/em> is scheduled to air on Aug. 30 followed by 1990\u2019s Gunsmoke: The Last Apache<\/em> on Sept. 6, 1992\u2019s Gunsmoke: To the Last Man<\/em> on Sept. 13, 1993\u2019s Gunsmoke: The Long Ride<\/em> on Sept. 20 and 1994\u2019s Gunsmoke: One Man\u2019s Justice<\/em> on Sept. 27.<\/p>\n The Gunsmoke<\/em> TV show was adapted from a radio series that ran from April 1952 to June 1961. The Western followed<\/a> U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon and the citizens of Dodge City, Kansas, in the years after the Civil War.<\/p>\n The television adaptation premiered on Sept. 10, 1955, on CBS. In addition to Arness in the role of Dillon, the original cast was rounded out by Milburn Stone<\/strong> as Galen \u201cDoc\u201d Adams, Amanda Blake<\/strong> as Kathleen \u201cKitty\u201d Russell and Dennis Weaver<\/strong> as Chester B. Goode, with Ken Curtis<\/strong> joining the series in 1964 as Festus Haggen.<\/p>\n Gunsmoke<\/em> aired for 20 seasons and 635 episodes until its March 31, 1975, series finale, setting a record for the longest-running primetime live-action TV show at the time. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit<\/em> later overcame Gunsmoke<\/em> when its 21st season began in 2022.<\/p>\n