James Arness, RIP -- June 4, 2011

I was sorry to hear that James Arness had died. He was a World War II veteran, who was seriously injured during the invasion at Anzio. He played the monster in The Thing, but was famous for playing Marshal Matt Dillon in the television version of Gunsmoke.

I don't remember watching Gunsmoke when I was very young, but after I heard the radio version played on Gene Nelson's old time radio program on KSFO, I started watching it and enjoyed the last few seasons. I was impressed that the show had been on television since the 1950s.

The photograph shows Jim Arness with Amanda Blake, who played businesswoman Miss Kitty.