Marshal Matt Dillon is a fictional character featured on both the radio and television versions of Gunsmoke. Dillon is the U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas who works to preserve law and order in the western frontier of the 1870's. Gunsmoke was a long-running old-time radio and television Western drama program set in Dodge City, Kansas during the settlement of the American West. ... The United States Marshals Service, part of the United States Department of Justice, is the United States oldest federal law enforcement agency. ... For Michael Curtizs 1939 western movie, see Dodge City (1939 movie). ... Official language(s) None Capital Topeka Largest city Wichita Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 15th 82,277 mi²; 213,096 km² 211 mi; 340 km 400 mi; 645 km 0. ...

On radio, Dillon was portrayed by William Conrad, whose booming voice helped to project a larger than life presence. In the opening of most radio episodes, the announcer would describe the show as "the story of the violence that moved west with young America, and the story of a man who moved with it." Matt Dillon would take over, saying, "I'm that man, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful . . . and a little lonely." Dillon narrated many of the radio episodes, and in radio and to a lesser extent on television, he often struggled with the dangers and reality of his job and the tragic results of most situations. In both versions, too, his closest friends were his deputy Chester, physician Doc Adams, and Miss Kitty Russell, the saloon girl. On radio, Marshal Dillon often referred to his good friend Wild Bill Hickock. Conrad in Cannon William Conrad (September 27, 1920 – February 11, 1994), born William Cann, was an American actor and narrator in radio, film and television noted for his gifted use of a marvelous baritone voice, as well as for his sizable girth. ... James Butler Hickok (May 27, 1837-August 2, 1876) better known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a semi-legendary figure in the American Wild West. ...

In a 1949 audition show (or pilot) for the radio series, the character was named "Mark Dillon," but by 1952, when the regular series aired, he had become Matt Dillon. When the program came to television in 1955, James Arness was given the role, and would play it for the next twenty years. A television pilot is the first episode of an intended television series. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... James Arness James Arness (originally Aurness) (born May 26, 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an actor best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke for 20 years, a record length for prime time shows that is shared with Kelsey Grammer’s portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane. ...

Sources

• Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. pp. 301-306. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195076788

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