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Gunsmoke: An American Institution
In recognition of the show's golden anniversary, author Ben Costello has produced a remarkable testament to the on-screen characters and off-screen individuals who made the story lines come alive. With lead performer biographies, hundreds of episode and behind-the-scenes photographs, complete episode logs, updates on all the surviving cast members, and interviews with the show's luminaries, Gunsmoke: An American Institution will be a favorite for fans and historians alike. Now available in paperback for the first time!
622 pages, Hardcover
First published August 16, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 10, 2019
A FEAST FOR GUNSMOKE FANS.
This is one heck of book and a wonderful tribute to what many of us consider the greatest Western series ever aired on television. Lots of great biographical information about the stars and the production crew, interviews with Dennis Weaver, Buck Taylor and Burt Reynolds and a complete guide to all 635 episodes.
Really enjoyed perusing the memorabilia section showing all the Gunsmoke spin-off merchandise. But what makes this book priceless is the hundreds of photos of the series regulars, guest stars and writers and directors associated with the production, countless episode stills and behind the scenes shots including 16 pages in full color. Pretty much the definitive book on this great series.
My only drawback to the book is its shape and design. The 7 1/2" x 9" size is a wee bit cumbersome but probably no more so than all those tumbleweeds that plagued the wind swept Front Street of old Dodge City. The 620 pages of terrific "Gunsmoke" lore more than makes up for this slight inconvenience.
This is one heck of book and a wonderful tribute to what many of us consider the greatest Western series ever aired on television. Lots of great biographical information about the stars and the production crew, interviews with Dennis Weaver, Buck Taylor and Burt Reynolds and a complete guide to all 635 episodes.
Really enjoyed perusing the memorabilia section showing all the Gunsmoke spin-off merchandise. But what makes this book priceless is the hundreds of photos of the series regulars, guest stars and writers and directors associated with the production, countless episode stills and behind the scenes shots including 16 pages in full color. Pretty much the definitive book on this great series.
My only drawback to the book is its shape and design. The 7 1/2" x 9" size is a wee bit cumbersome but probably no more so than all those tumbleweeds that plagued the wind swept Front Street of old Dodge City. The 620 pages of terrific "Gunsmoke" lore more than makes up for this slight inconvenience.
April 25, 2019
First of all, this book gets at least three stars for just existing. My mom starting watching Gunsmoke on cable and got hooked and by now has probably seen every episode. Knowing my local library can be an incredible resource, you never know what they have (book, large print, DVD, CDs, kids and teen books), I looked up Gunsmoke and weeding out the DVDs I was shocked to find this book though it was just what I was looking for. By this time I had watched some episodes of the series and liked it. I've since come to the conclusion that Gunsmoke is the best western of it's time which is 1955 to 1975, and possibly beyond (though Wild, Wild West was pretty good and the much later Lonesome Dove are worthwhile competition).
The book talks about how the series started, talks about the individual stars, has several interviews, talks about the writers, the directors and has details about every single episode as well as the movies that came after.
If you like Gunsmoke then you have to have this book if you can find it. If you are interested in television westerns, then you should get this book. The only negative thing I can say about it is I hate the format. It's roughly 8 1/2 X 11 but rather than being 11 inches high it's 8 1/2 inches high and 11 inches wide. It's a cumbersome book, very thick and large and heavy.
The book talks about how the series started, talks about the individual stars, has several interviews, talks about the writers, the directors and has details about every single episode as well as the movies that came after.
If you like Gunsmoke then you have to have this book if you can find it. If you are interested in television westerns, then you should get this book. The only negative thing I can say about it is I hate the format. It's roughly 8 1/2 X 11 but rather than being 11 inches high it's 8 1/2 inches high and 11 inches wide. It's a cumbersome book, very thick and large and heavy.
March 15, 2017
Standard overview of the series. Bios, episode reviews etc. Some neat trivia but no way in-depth.
January 2, 2023
All you need to know about Gunsmoke
A wonderful, fascinating, fun, interesting read. Perfect book for anyone who just discovered the series. I learned quite a bit. Perfect for Western enthusiasts and a welcome addition to the collection of Gun smoke fans.
A wonderful, fascinating, fun, interesting read. Perfect book for anyone who just discovered the series. I learned quite a bit. Perfect for Western enthusiasts and a welcome addition to the collection of Gun smoke fans.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews