In 1955, the TV western Gunsmoke premiered on CBS starring James Arness. There were lots of westerns on TV in 1955, but Gunsmoke was the only one to be introduced to its audience by the film actor, John Wayne. And when Wayne told the TV audience that they were in for something special from his friend, Jim Arness, he was not lying. For the next 20 years, James Arness, as Marshal Matt Dillon, established law and order on the longest running TV show of the 20th century.
James Arness passed away this month and with him a bit of my childhood history died as well. Arness was a World War II, Bronze Star Medal winning veteran. Prior to Gunsmoke, Arness acted in the movie, The Farmer’s Daughter, was the monster in the movie, The Thing, and the leading man in the horror film, Them.
But it was as U. S. Marshal Matt Dillon, that James Arness had his biggest impact on this urban kid from Baltimore. It was Arness’ portrayal of the lawman that reinforced the things my parents told me like: “Might doesn’t make right” and “When people can’t stand on their own two feet we should offer help, but not be offended if their pride doesn’t permit them to take it.”
James Arness was the right man to deliver those messages to this child of the 1950s. Mr. Arness was a fine actor, a war hero and his Marshal Matt Dillon made a great role model. That sounds like a very successful life to me.