Gunsmoke, in color or black and white

revolver59 · Sep 30, 2016

I don't know if it's just me or there are others out there that enjoy watching the black and white episodes of (Gunsmoke), the shows in color just don't seem to be authentic for some reason.
I also enjoy watching the Highway Patrol show with Broderick Crawford, The Rifleman, and The Andy Griffith show.

Watchdog · Sep 30, 2016

Black and White Forever! The old B&W Gunsmoke episodes remind me of time spent with my dad. Ditto for Have Gun, Will Travel.

Let's don't forget some really good B&W films, either. The Last Picture Show, Raging Bull, The Elephant Man, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid...just to mention a few. Oh, and Young Frankenstein! And Clint Eastwood filmed Letters From Iwo Jima in black and white...a beautifully shot film.

susieqz · Sep 30, 2016

those first 30 minute b&w gunsmokes were great.
by the time color came, the show was tired.
the one hour shows aren't worth watching

Old TexMex · Sep 30, 2016

revolver59 said:
I don't know if it's just me or there are others out there that enjoy watching the black and white episodes of (Gunsmoke), the shows in color just don't seem to be authentic for some reason.
I also enjoy watching the Highway Patrol show with Broderick Crawford, The Rifleman, and The Andy Griffith show.

M Squad. Watch M Squad!

Targets Guy · Oct 1, 2016

b/w without a doubt

GKC · Oct 1, 2016

I grew up watching a B&W television. My parents didn't get a color TV until I left home (which I tried not to take personally.) Those old shows that I watched growing up just don't look right in color.

Chuck24 · Oct 1, 2016

Black & White definitely, somehow just seems more authentic. There are iirc some B&W hour shows with Quint. Color brought Newley whom I can't stand plus miss Kitty is starting to show some age.

M1A · Oct 1, 2016

I grew up with B&W, so I do like it. But, I really don't care if it's in color. I like the show and whether the broadcast is B&W or color goes unnoticed.
Colorization of classics I do not like.

Jack Flash · Oct 1, 2016

The early half hour b&w Gunsmokes were meant for a more mature audience. Matt didn't always let the other guy draw first. Sometimes he and Chester killed people who needed killin'. (A lot of the villains were out-and-out cutthroats.) And don't forget how the saloon girls at the Long Branch could sometimes be seen going up the stairs with a cowboy.

There are several episodes where an innocent man is hung despite Matt's best efforts to overturn the conviction, find the guilty party, etc.

As the show went on, the writers began to modify some of this, no doubt to placate the TV censors. So it's hard to compare the early ones to the later ones, they just aren't as gritty.

the ringo kid · Oct 1, 2016

revolver59 said:
I don't know if it's just me or there are others out there that enjoy watching the black and white episodes of (Gunsmoke), the shows in color just don't seem to be authentic for some reason.
I also enjoy watching the Highway Patrol show with Broderick Crawford, The Rifleman, and The Andy Griffith show.

I like the black and white the best of almost anythings. Seems grittier somehow? and nostalgic. Currently on season 1 of: Daniel Boone and its in glorious black and white.

PS, hint: Boone thread coming to a theater (website) near you soon.

AZretired · Oct 3, 2016

Chuck24 said:
Black & White definitely, somehow just seems more authentic. There are iirc some B&W hour shows with Quint. Color brought Newley whom I can't stand plus miss Kitty is starting to show some age.

Never liked Newly, Festus was a joke. Chester was much better. Once it went to color Matt was in the show less and less. The last few seasons there are episodes where Matt only makes a cameo type appearance at the beginning and end of the show.

Bonanza was the same, early seasons were much better shows.

Ron M. · Oct 3, 2016

Jack Flash said:
The early half hour b&w Gunsmokes were meant for a more mature audience. Matt didn't always let the other guy draw first. Sometimes he and Chester killed people who needed killin'. (A lot of the villains were out-and-out cutthroats.) And don't forget how the saloon girls at the Long Branch could sometimes be seen going up the stairs with a cowboy.

There are several episodes where an innocent man is hung despite Matt's best efforts to overturn the conviction, find the guilty party, etc.

As the show went on, the writers began to modify some of this, no doubt to placate the TV censors. So it's hard to compare the early ones to the later ones, they just aren't as gritty.

I agree, just saw the episode where Chester was seriously injured by two rough guys who dragged him from their horse...Matt faced down the bigger guy (Buddy Baer, Max Baer's brother and a prior boxer and actor) in the alley and beat him up, then said to a bystander..."Tell him if I see him again, I'll kill him..."

Lee's Landing Billy · Oct 3, 2016

Both and ALL. Favorite episode, "Mannon". Steve Forrest as Will Mannon comes to town, has his way with Kitty and then outdraws Matt and shoots him down. Camera pulls back, Mannon turns away, and a loud voice calls MANNON! He turns quickly, draws, and Matt, laying in the street, shoots him dead. WOW!!! Good Guy always won!

wbraswell · Oct 3, 2016

B&W, with Chester, before Matt wore permanent press shirts!

revolver59 · Oct 6, 2016

Mannon was on just a few days ago, great episode!

Jingles · Oct 6, 2016

I can watch and re-watch the old half-hour Gunsmokes all day long. I've probably got 40 of the later color versions on the DVR I just can't manage to watch at all. BTW, anyone else think time (and color TV) was not kind to Miss Kitty?

Wyatt Burp · Oct 6, 2016

Lee's Landing Billy said:
Both and ALL. Favorite episode, "Mannon". Steve Forrest as Will Mannon comes to town, has his way with Kitty and then outdraws Matt and shoots him down. Camera pulls back, Mannon turns away, and a loud voice calls MANNON! He turns quickly, draws, and Matt, laying in the street, shoots him dead. WOW!!! Good Guy always won!

The ones with Steve Forrest were great. Besides Mannon, check out The Widowmaker. It probably has more face to face fast draw gunfights than all others. My favorite it "One killer on ice" with John Drew Barrymore.

hobby-gunsmith · Oct 6, 2016

gunsmoke, in color or black and white

I truly enjoy the black and white episodes. One question, why aren't the episodes with Dennis Weaver, as Chester, aired for television? The only ones televised are with Festus as the deputy marshal.

Nick

Jingles · Oct 6, 2016

hobby-gunsmith said:
One question, why aren't the episodes with Dennis Weaver, as Chester, aired for television?
Nick

Starz Encore Western runs them every day at 3:00 and 3:30 PM Pacific time. Right now they are on season #3.

rwsmith · Oct 6, 2016

I like the B&Ws

The stories were more 'gritty' and probably more realistic than later shows after Dodge became a metropolis.

Gunsmoke, in color or black and white

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