SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Actress Amanda Blake, who as Miss Kitty reigned for 19 years as the queen of Dodge City's Long Branch Saloon in the TV series ''Gunsmoke,'' died after a long battle with cancer. The central character is Matt Dillon, played by James Arness. plus the stairs are twice as wide as shown on TV, Also he had a window alongside the stairs. Former Kanab residents have reported they "remember seeing James Arness walking around town when shooting was going on." Miss Blake died Wednesday night at Mercy General Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Jerri Ewen. The Long Branch Saloon of “Gunsmoke” fame really did exist in Dodge City—and still does. Dunning writes that Dillon "played his hand and often lost. It started in 1955, while the radio show was still on the air, and ended in 1975 after 20 seasons. Specifically, it has been reported that an episode of Gunsmoke entitled "Drago" and guest starring Buddy Ebsen and Ben Johnson was filmed here. Gunsmoke (TV Series 1955–1975) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Some of the outdoor scenes were reportedly shot here. Tour Fort Dodge, follow the path of the Santa Fe Trail, and learn a few colorful stories along the way. A new establishment named the Long Branch Saloon, largely based on Gunsmoke, was built as part of the modern non-profit Boot Hill Museum entertainment and exhibit theme park in Dodge City. Loving was grazed on the hand by one bullet; Richardson was shot three times and died. Nikon D300,Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF 1/320s f/9.0 at 240.0mm iso200 full exif other sizes: small medium large original auto Learn More Interior of Table Bluff Hotel and Saloon in Table Bluff, Humboldt County, California, 1889. . A saloon using the same name was featured in almost every episode of the long-running radio and television drama, Gunsmoke. Anyone who watched the television show “Gunsmoke” growing up is well acquainted with Miss Kitty’s Long Branch Saloon of Dodge City, Kansas. [3], The saloon soon became the most popular and refined saloon in Dodge City. [3], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Long_Branch_Saloon&oldid=941550660, Buildings and structures in Dodge City, Kansas, Tourist attractions in Ford County, Kansas, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2016, Kansas articles missing geocoordinate data, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 19 February 2020, at 07:03. #Examiner Matt Dillon’s Office, Doc Adam’s Office (upstairs), The Long Branch Saloon, and The Dodge House Hotel. I used a lettering quill like the local sign painter would have done it back in Dodge City. Taking place in the 1870's, Sheriff Matt Dillon polices over the small Western town of Dodge City, Kansas, where people seem to have no respect for the law. Born the son of a famous Hollywood actor, Buck grew up on movie sets, watching his father, celebrated actor Dub Taylor, appear with such movie greats as John Wayne, Tex Ritter and Bob Willis and the Texas Playboys. #9. Most famous was the 1879 Long Branch Saloon Gunfight, in which Frank Loving killed Levi Richardson. It had numerous owners, most notably Chalk Beeson and gunfighter Luke Short. Some of you may have seen me before; I hope so. The establishment burned down in 1885 and was never rebuilt. Gunsmoke had a long run on TV. The saloon prospered until the railroad replaced the cattle drive. There are also reports of this location being used in some scenes from the movie "How the West was Won.". The Long Branch Saloon, one of the most historic saloons of the Old West, stills serves up a brewsky or two and a sarsaparilla at the Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, Kansas.. Back in the 1870’s Dodge City began to acquire its infamous stamp of lawlessness and gun slinging. The saloon hosted many Old West characters including Clay Allison, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Frank Loving, Dave Mather, Town Marshal Charlie Bassett, and brothers Ed, James, and Bat Masterson. Photograph of the actual interior of the real-life Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, Kansas, taken between 1870 and 1885 Gunsmoke was often a somber program, particularly in its early years. Long Branch Saloon: On the Gunsmoke Set: comment | share: Guest 28-Sep-2014 00:11: It was never used as Dodge City. Gambling ranged from five cent chuck-a-luck to thousand dollar poker.[3]. Blake reigned as Miss Kitty, queen of Dodge City’s Long Branch Saloon, for 19 years in the TV series ″Gunsmoke.″ Set in the lawless cattle town of Dodge City, Kan., in the late 1800s, ″Gunsmoke″ was one of television’s original ″adult westerns″ in the mid-1950s. prietress of the Long Branch saloon and-uh-dance hall in Old Dodge, the words cause the eyes of listeners to leak like frontier plumbing. The exterior was modeled on period photographs of the original building, while the interior is consistent with period saloons of the era. First of all I watch Gunsmoke almost everyday and used to watch it with my parents and sister when I was young. It was the scene of several altercations, shoot-outs, gunfights, and standoffs often associated with cattle towns in the American wild west. The substrate is 3/4 thick pine with a moulding frame. The Long Branch Saloon (Gunsmoke) Image Credit: CBS/Twitter. Harris named it after his hometown of Long Branch, New Jersey. Loving accused Richardson of making disrespectful advances towards his wife, and the two got into an argument that turned into a gunfight across a table. Sep 16, 2019 - Original Broadcasts Of 'Gunsmoke', One Of My Most Favorite OTR Shows! It is furnished with an 1881 bar and two Golden Eagles on top of the back bar that were once owned by Beeson. On both sides of the swinging door that lead into the Long Branch Saloon, there are pictures of a beer each with what two words written below? With James Arness, Dennis Weaver, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake. [1], Chalkley Beeson, a wealthy farmer and rancher, and William Harris bought the saloon in 1878. Docs office was up a long set of stairs. Its a great show, well written and always one of my favorites. Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston.The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West.The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television. What viewers may not have realized is that the Long Branch … Professional gambler and gunfighter Short's purchase of a partial interest in the saloon in 1883 was credited as one of the causes of the bloodless Dodge City War. Gunsmoke Long Branch Saloon sign. Image Credit: Reddit. 1. The Long Branch Saloon: Bob Stabler (near saloon doors) with CBS reps, Harry Ackerman and Hal Hudson. This was Miss Kitty's Longbranch saloon! And ... working in the Long Branch Saloon. The "Red /Strawberry Rock" in the background is Utah. She died in 1989 and left her $400,000 estate to PAWS. Mar 22, 2012 - Took Dad to see the old Gunsmoke set. Gunsmoke, one of the longest running TV series, ran from 1955 to 1975. Feel free to add your own! That said there are some questions that I have. Fans loved watching the relationship unfold between Marshal Matt Dillon. It turns out that the town near Newhall California, known as Melody Ranch, had a rich history in the making of Western films and TV programs until 1962 when it burned to the ground. The Drago episode was done here and one other with Festus, It was also used in an episode of the Macahans. Blake played the role of the "Miss Kitty," owner of the Long Branch Saloon, on the classic TV western for 19 years, from 1955 to 1974. The Northern, Wyatt Earp’s saloon in Tonopah, Nevada, c.1902. A saloon gal's old beau is in town, and she expects trouble when he finds out where she is working. The Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, Kansas. Hop on the Dodge City Trolley for a trip back to the 1870’s. It was built in part for Westward the Women with Robert Taylor. Also Alan Ladd in The Rebel. [citation needed] Beeson was a talented musician and led a five-piece orchestra that played nightly. I’ve made a lot of pictures out here, all kinds, and some of them have been Westerns. . Gunsmoke was one of the earliest "adult westerns," centering around the exploits of Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) in the frontier town of Dodge City, Kansas in 1873. A new establishment named the Long Branch Saloon, largely based on Gunsmoke, was built as part of the modern non-profit Boot Hill Museumentertainment and exhibit theme park in Dodge City. It was built in … The Long Branch Saloon was a well-known saloon in Dodge City, Kansas from about 1874 to 1885. Town Marshal Bassett arrested Loving, but on April 7, a coroner′s inquest ruled that Loving had acted in self-defense and he was released without charges. The exterior was modeled on period photographs of the original building, while the interior is consistent with period saloons of the era. A Chuck [4] Anheuser-Busch was the original beer served at the Long Branch. Drinks were kept cold in the winter with ice from the river; in the summer ice was shipped by train from the mountains of Colorado. A saloon using the same name was featured in almost every episode of the long-running radio and television drama, Gunsmoke. The woman on horseback on the left may be Josie Earp. Biographical information … Hotels near The Long Branch Saloon: (0.24 mi) Boot Hill Bed & Breakfast (0.22 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dodge City (0.77 mi) Best Western Plus Country Inn & Suites (0.39 mi) Dodge City KOA (1.99 mi) Best Western North Edge Inn; View all hotels near The Long Branch Saloon on Tripadvisor Danial Boone was filmed there, and that was also the set for My Friend Flika. It was never used as Dodge City. It is realistically distressed to look aged. Supposedly this old TV set -- located in Johnson Canyon near Kanab, Utah -- was used as a secondary location for filming the old Gunsmoke TV series. On Draught When coming through the front door of Dillon's office, there are pegs on the inside wall on which to hang your hat. Boot Hill Museum: nice replica of old dodge city & gunsmoke fame - See 1,020 traveler reviews, 686 candid photos, and great deals for Dodge City, KS, at Tripadvisor. Directed by Ted Post. He arrived too late to prevent a lynching. Sort of. Long Branch Saloon view map. In an earlier 1956 episode, the owner of the Long Branch was named Bill Pence. That cannot be Doc Adams stairs to his office, as they were on the left. After a long and successful movie career, Buck is still a part of the West by dipping into his creative sides with his paintings. The Drago episode was done here and one other with Festus, It was also used in an episode of the Macahans. The building is still standing in Kanab, Utah, though based on these pictures it looks as if that might not be the case for long. These vintage style wood signs have intentional wear marks. The establishment provided gambling and live entertainment, including Beeson's five-person orchestra. 'Gunsmoke' Aired From April 26th 1952 To June 18th 1961 With A Total Of 414 Radio Stories, Many Of Which Were Later Adopted For The TV Show. There is no dought that Drago was filmed in Utah. I’ve been kicking around Hollywood a long time. The diner from Looper. Bets were placed and if the cowboys beat the soldiers, the soldiers agreed to provide building materials to construct a saloon. The "office" of a working girl could range from the saloon or dance hall, to a "crib," to a fancy parlor house. Law & Order SVU is going to become the longest running drama on TV when season 21 airs next season. The name "Long Branch Saloon" was popularized when it was used in the incredibly popular western TV series, Gunsmoke. Another western premiered in the same season as Gunsmoke. It is furnished with an 1881 bar and two Golden Eag… Also Alan Ladd in The Rebel. The saloon was built as the result of a wager between cowboys and soldiers playing ball. The saloon was the site of a gunfight on April 5, 1879, between Frank Loving and Levi Richardson. She was 60. Built c.1874. Of The 480 Airings (Some Reruns Or Reused Scripts) Only 6 Episodes Are 'Lost'. Visit the original locations of the Longbranch Saloon, Gospel Hill, Front Street and so much more. The saloon was integral to the plot with Miss Kitty even becoming a … The Long Branch served milk, tea, lemonade, sarsaparilla, and all types of alcohol including champagne and beer. [2] It was a plain storefront bar with little ornamentation, typical for frontier saloons of the time. She lived at the PAWS sanctuary the final two years of her life. Also, there was a lot of filming in what's known as Swain Creek off HWY 14 near Duck Creek, Utah. Miss Kitty was a fan-favorite on Gunsmoke, as the owner of the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City.Amanda Blake made the character into everything that made her popular. Gunsmoke is an American radio and television western drama series Norman MacDonnel and John Meston. The pro-prietress, as all faithful Gunsmoke viewers know, is Kitty Russell. It also was centered around a peace officer in Dodge City.