List of Gunsmoke television episodes

Gunsmoke is an American western television series developed by Charles Marquis Warren and based on the radio program of the same name.^[1] The series ran for 20 seasons, making it the longest-running western in television history. The first episode aired in the United States on September 10, 1955, and the final episode aired on March 31, 1975.^[2][3] All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS.^[4] In the United Kingdom Gunsmoke was originally broadcast under the title Gun Law.^[5]

Gunsmoke was originally a half-hour program filmed in black-and-white. The series expanded to an hour in length with season seven and began filming in color season twelve. During its run 635 episodes were broadcast, of which 233 were 30 minutes in length and 402 were 60 minutes in length. Of the hour-long episodes 176 were in black-and-white and 226 in color.^[6] During season two, Gunsmoke became one of the ten most popular programs on American television and moved to number one in the third season. It remained at number one until 1961 and stayed in the top twenty until 1964. The series returned to prominence in 1967 following a shift in its programming time from Saturday to Monday night. From there Gunsmoke remained in the top twenty for the next seven years, dropping out only in its final season.^[4] In May 1975 CBS canceled the series. Alan Wagner, the network's vice president at the time, said, "It's better to get rid of a program one year too soon than one year too late."^[7] Between 1987 and 1994 five television movies based on the series were aired by CBS.^[8]

Gunsmoke is set in and around Dodge City, Kansas, in the post-Civil War era and centers on United States Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he enforces law and order in the city. In its original format the series also focuses on Dillon's friendship with three other citizens of Dodge City: Doctor Galen "Doc" Adams (Milburn Stone), the town's physician; Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), owner of the Long Branch Saloon; and Chester Goode (Dennis Weaver), Dillon's assistant.^[9] In season eight (1962–63) a fifth regular character was added to the cast: blacksmith Quint Asper (Burt Reynolds), who remained until the end of season ten (1964–65).^[10] Dennis Weaver left the series during season nine (1963–64) and was replaced by Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen, who became deputy to Marshall Dillon.^[11] Both Chester and Festus appear together in the season nine episode "The Prairie Wolfer," and Festus had initially appeared the previous season, playing the same character as a quasi-outlaw helping Dillon track a killer in "Us Haggens". In season eleven (1965–66), another deputy, Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood (Roger Ewing), was added to the cast.^[12] Ewing's character was replaced in season thirteen (1967–68) by Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor).^[13] Amanda Blake left the series at the end of season nineteen (1973–74) and was replaced in the final season by a new character, Miss Hannah, portrayed by Fran Ryan.^[14]

As of August 6, 2013, all episodes from the first nine seasons of Gunsmoke have been released on DVD while two other collections contain selected episodes from all twenty seasons. Three of the five television movies have been released on DVD as well. CBS DVD/Paramount Home Video has announced that both volumes of Season 10 will be released on DVD on August 12, 2014.^[15]

Episodes

• All episodes are listed in order of airdate.
• Series # refers to that episode's number within the overall series.
• Season # refers to the order in which the episode aired within that particular season.

Half-hour era

1955/56 through 1960/61
233 half-hour episodes (all black-and-white)
39 episodes for each of the first five seasons, with 38 episodes for the 6th season

Season 1 (1955-56)

Thirty-nine half-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Charles Marquis Warren; associate producer: Norman Macdonnell
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty)
Note: The premiere episode was introduced by John Wayne.^[16]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Matt Gets It"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: Charles Marquis Warren Story by: John Meston	September 10, 1955 (1955-09-10)
United States Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness)[17] of Dodge City must deal with fast trigger-happy outlaw Dan Grat (Paul Richards) who wants his way with the town.
2	2	"Hot Spell"	Charles Marquis Warren	E. Jack Neuman	September 17, 1955 (1955-09-17)
Matt must defend a gunman he despises from townspeople who want to lynch him for a crime he didn't commit.
3	3	"Word of Honor"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: Charles Marquis Warren Story by: John Meston	October 1, 1955 (1955-10-01)
To save his own life, murder witness Doc gives his word of honor to the killers that he won't expose them.
4	4	"Home Surgery"	Charles Marquis Warren	John Meston	October 8, 1955 (1955-10-08)
Matt tries to save the life of a man dying of gangrene.
5	5	"Obie Tater"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: Charles Marquis Warren Story by: John Meston	October 15, 1955 (1955-10-15)
A group of outlaws try to force an old prospector to give up his gold.
6	6	"Night Incident"	Charles Marquis Warren	Charles Marquis Warren	October 29, 1955 (1955-10-29)
No one believes a boy's claims that he overheard an outlaw planning a robbery.
7	7	"Smoking Out the Nolans"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: Charles Marquis Warren Story by: John Meston	November 5, 1955 (1955-11-05)
A landowner asks Matt to remove a couple from a home on part of his land, which the couple insists they bought and paid for, and which they refuse to vacate.
8	8	"Kite's Reward"	Charles Marquis Warren	John Meston	November 12, 1955 (1955-11-12)
An ex-outlaw's attempt to hang up his gun proves difficult.
9	9	"The Hunter"	Charles Marquis Warren	John Dunkel	November 26, 1955 (1955-11-26)
A legendary buffalo hunter invites the wrath of Indians when he sets out to cross their sacred hunting grounds.
10	10	"The Queue"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	December 3, 1955 (1955-12-03)
Two men try to force a Chinese man out of Dodge.
11	11	"General Parsley Smith"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: John Dunkel Story by: John Meston	December 10, 1955 (1955-12-10)
Parsley Smith, a teller of tall tales, claims the new town banker is plotting to make off with the depositors' money.
12	12	"Magnus"	Charles Marquis Warren	John Meston	December 24, 1955 (1955-12-24)
It's Christmas in Dodge and Chester isn't pleased when his brother Magnus arrives for a visit.
13	13	"Reed Survives"	Charles Marquis Warren	Les Crutchfield	December 31, 1955 (1955-12-31)
A beautiful young wife manipulates a young hired hand into killing her older husband.
14	14	"Professor Lute Bone"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	January 7, 1956 (1956-01-07)
A peddler's miracle curative contains opium and proves fatal.
15	15	"No Handcuffs"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	January 21, 1956 (1956-01-21)
A man who claims he's innocent of a murder in a corrupt town breaks out of Matt's jail, and his trail leads Matt to the corrupt sheriff.
16	16	"Reward for Matt"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	January 28, 1956 (1956-01-28)
A woman offers a $1,000 reward to the man who kills Matt Dillon.
17	17	"Robin Hood"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: Daniel B. Ullman Story by: John Meston	February 4, 1956 (1956-02-04)
Witnesses are refusing to testify against an infamous outlaw.
18	18	"Yorky"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	February 18, 1956 (1956-02-18)
Matt saves the life of a white boy raised by Indians who was shot trying to retrieve horses stolen from his tribe.
19	19	"20-20"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	February 25, 1956 (1956-02-25)
An ex-lawman and old friend of Matt's arrives in Dodge with failing eyesight, and a man who wants to kill him.
20	20	"Reunion '78"	Charles Marquis Warren	Harold Swanton	March 3, 1956 (1956-03-03)
A well-liked hardware drummer is actually a man wanted for multiple murders.
21	21	"Helping Hand"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	March 17, 1956 (1956-03-17)
Matt attempts to reform a young troublemaker.
22	22	"Tap Day for Kitty"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: John Dunkel Story by: John Meston	March 24, 1956 (1956-03-24)
An old rancher decides that he is going to marry Kitty.
23	23	"Indian Scout"	Charles Marquis Warren	John Dunkel	March 31, 1956 (1956-03-31)
When an old Indian scout murders a man, Matt pursues him into Comanche territory.
24	24	"The Pest Hole"	Charles Marquis Warren	David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr.	April 14, 1956 (1956-04-14)
Doc must find a way to thwart a typhoid epidemic in Dodge.
25	25	"The Big Broad"	Charles Marquis Warren	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	April 28, 1956 (1956-04-28)
Matt has to figure a way around a six-foot-tall, 200-pound woman with a six-gun.
26	26	"Hack Prine"	Charles Marquis Warren	John Meston	May 12, 1956 (1956-05-12)
An old friend of Matt's is now a gun-for-hire, in town to kill him.
27	27	"Cooter"	Robert Stevenson	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	May 19, 1956 (1956-05-19)
A dishonest gambler uses a mentally challenged man in a plot against Matt.
28	28	"The Killer"	Robert Stevenson	Screenplay by: John Dunkel Story by: John Meston	May 26, 1956 (1956-05-26)
Matt has to stop a cold-blooded killer (Charles Bronson) who preys on over-matched opponents.
29	29	"Doc's Revenge"	Ted Post	John Dunkel	June 9, 1956 (1956-06-09)
Doc has a change of heart about a man he hates and wants to kill face to face when the man is later shot in the back.
30	30	"The Preacher"	Robert Stevenson	Screenplay by: John Dunkel Story by: John Meston	June 16, 1956 (1956-06-16)
A preacher disgusted by violence is harassed by bully Sam Keeler (Chuck Connors) who despises his timid nature.
31	31	"How to Die for Nothing"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	June 23, 1956 (1956-06-23)
The brother of a man Matt was forced to kill vows to kill Matt by any means necessary.
32	32	"Dutch George"	Robert Stevenson	John Dunkel	June 30, 1956 (1956-06-30)
Matt is forced to arrest his childhood hero, who is now the leader of a gang of horse thieves.
33	33	"Prairie Happy"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	July 7, 1956 (1956-07-07)
A bitter old man tells fibs about Indians preparing to strike Dodge.
34	34	"Chester's Mail Order Bride"	Robert Stevenson	David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr.	July 14, 1956 (1956-07-14)
When Chester's mail-order bride arrives, neither she nor Chester are what the other are expecting.
35	35	"The Guitar"	Harry Horner	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	July 21, 1956 (1956-07-21)
An ex-Union soldier is forced to use violence against a pair of diehard Rebels.
36	36	"Cara"	Robert Stevenson	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	July 28, 1956 (1956-07-28)
Matt discovers that an old girlfriend is working on the opposite side of the law.
37	37	"Mr. and Mrs. Amber"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	August 4, 1956 (1956-08-04)
A self-described religious prophet makes life miserable for his daughter and her new husband.
38	38	"Unmarked Grave"	Ted Post	David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr.	August 18, 1956 (1956-08-18)
An old woman grieving over the loss of her outlaw son tries to help another young outlaw escape justice.
39	39	"Alarm at Pleasant Valley"	Ted Post	John Dunkel	August 25, 1956 (1956-08-25)
A homesteader is ambushed on the way to Dodge.

Season 2 (1956-57)

Thirty-nine half-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Charles Marquis Warren (episodes 40–49, 51–52, 57), Norman Macdonnell (episodes 50, 53–56, 58–78)
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty)^[18]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
40	1	"Cow Doctor"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: John Dunkel Story by: John Meston	September 8, 1956 (1956-09-08)
Matt is forced to release a killer due to insufficient evidence.
41	2	"Brush at Elkader"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	September 15, 1956 (1956-09-15)
Matt tracks a murderer to a strange town where the people are unwilling to cooperate.
42	3	"Custer"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Gil Doud Story by: John Meston	September 22, 1956 (1956-09-22)
Matt refuses to turn in a rustler for a court-martial.
43	4	"The Round Up"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	September 29, 1956 (1956-09-29)
Dodge City merchants celebrate the end of a round-up and unite against any acts of violence.
44	5	"Young Man with a Gun"	Christian Nyby	Screenplay by: Winston Miller Story by: John Meston	October 20, 1956 (1956-10-20)
The brother of an outlaw Matt killed swears revenge.
45	6	"Indian White"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: Tom Hanley	October 27, 1956 (1956-10-27)
A white boy who has been raised by Indians learns to live with his own race.
46	7	"How to Cure a Friend"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Winston Miller Story by: John Meston	November 10, 1956 (1956-11-10)
Matt is used by an old friend in a con game.
47	8	"Legal Revenge"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	November 17, 1956 (1956-11-17)
Doc comes upon a homesteader with a busted leg and a gun to protect himself from his wife.
48	9	"The Mistake"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: Gil Doud Story by: John Meston	November 24, 1956 (1956-11-24)
Matt leaves Dodge City unprotected when he sets out to find a killer.
49	10	"Greater Love"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Winston Miller Story by: John Meston	December 1, 1956 (1956-12-01)
An outlaw threatens to kill Doc if he does not help his wounded buddy.
50	11	"No Indians"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: John Dunkel Story by: John Meston	December 8, 1956 (1956-12-08)
Matt and Chester act as decoys to ambush renegade Indians.
51	12	"Spring Term"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: William F. Leicester Story by: John Meston	December 15, 1956 (1956-12-15)
Matt discovers that he was the intended victim of a murder he is investigating.
52	13	"Poor Pearl"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	December 22, 1956 (1956-12-22)
Matt helps a woman whose suitors are about to duel for her affections.
53	14	"Cholera"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	December 29, 1956 (1956-12-29)
A landowner tries to get a homesteader and his family kicked out.
54	15	"Pucket's New Year"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	January 5, 1957 (1957-01-05)
An old buffalo hunter's partner leaves him to die.
55	16	"The Cover Up"	William D. Russell	Screenplay by: William N. Robson Story by: John Meston	January 12, 1957 (1957-01-12)
Matt trails a gunman who shot a homesteader.
56	17	"Sins of the Father"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: John Dunkel Story by: John Meston	January 19, 1957 (1957-01-19)
An Indian woman faces prejudice for her father's raid on Dodge City.
57	18	"Kick Me"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: Endre Bohem and Louis Vittes Story by: John Meston	January 26, 1957 (1957-01-26)
A thief hatches a scheme to con a banker.
58	19	"Executioner"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: Gil Doud Story by: John Meston	February 2, 1957 (1957-02-02)
After a young gunfighter brazenly kills an over-matched rancher, the rancher's brother wants Matt to settle the score.
59	20	"Gone Straight"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	February 9, 1957 (1957-02-09)
Townspeople protect an outlaw they believe has reformed.
60	21	"Bloody Hands"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	February 16, 1957 (1957-02-16)
Matt decides to quit being a marshal after he shoots an unarmed man.
61	22	"Skid Row"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Gil Doud Story by: John Meston	February 23, 1957 (1957-02-23)
A woman comes a long way from the east to Dodge, only to realize that her fiancé has lost all his money and does not wish to marry her.
62	23	"Sweet and Sour"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	March 2, 1957 (1957-03-02)
A dance-hall girl manipulates her admirers into facing each other in gunfights.
63	24	"Cain"	Ted Post	John Meston	March 9, 1957 (1957-03-09)
A former gunslinger's past catches up to him.
64	25	"Bureaucrat"	Ted Post	Story by: John Meston Teleplay by: William F. Leicester	March 16, 1957 (1957-03-16)
An official from Washington sets out to tame Dodge City.
65	26	"Last Fling"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	March 23, 1957 (1957-03-23)
Kitty gets annoyed by a pair of old farmers who are each trying to have a fling with her.
66	27	"Chester's Murder"	Ted Post	John Meston	March 30, 1957 (1957-03-30)
Matt reluctantly arrests Chester for murder.
67	28	"The Photographer"	William D. Russell	John Dunkel	April 6, 1957 (1957-04-06)
A photographer from the east attempts to cross hostile Indian territory on his own.
68	29	"Wrong Man"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 13, 1957 (1957-04-13)
A cowboy vows revenge for the shooting of his friend, who was mistaken for a criminal.
69	30	"Big Girl Lost"	Ted Post	John Meston	April 20, 1957 (1957-04-20)
A saloon girl does not want her ex-fiancé to know about her job.
70	31	"What the Whiskey Drummer Heard"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Story by: John Meston Teleplay by: Gil Doud	April 27, 1957 (1957-04-27)
Matt fakes his death to lure a gunman out in the open.
71	32	"Cheap Labor"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	May 4, 1957 (1957-05-04)
A former gunslinger is goaded into a duel by his fiancee's brother.
72	33	"Moon"	William D. Russell	John Meston	May 11, 1957 (1957-05-11)
Matt seeks evidence to convict a poker dealer of murdering a gambler.
73	34	"Who Lives by the Sword"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	May 18, 1957 (1957-05-18)
A gunman manipulates two boys into facing him in a duel.
74	35	"Uncle Oliver"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	May 25, 1957 (1957-05-25)
Matt goes after an outlaw who shot Chester.
75	36	"Daddy-O"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	June 1, 1957 (1957-06-01)
Kitty's father arrives in Dodge to try and take her back to New Orleans.
76	37	"The Man Who Would Be Marshal"	William D. Russell	Screenplay by: David Victor and Herbert Little, Jr. Story by: John Meston	June 15, 1957 (1957-06-15)
A retired Army officer asks Matt to appoint him deputy.
77	38	"Liar from Blackhawk"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	June 22, 1957 (1957-06-22)
A braggart attempts to start a gunfight with a harmless drunk.
78	39	"Jealousy"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: Sam Peckinpah Story by: John Meston	June 29, 1957 (1957-06-29)
A hot-tempered man thinks Matt is pursuing his wife.

Season 3 (1957-58)

Thirty-nine half-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Norman Macdonnell
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty)^[19]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
79	1	"Crack-Up"	Ted Post	John Meston	September 14, 1957 (1957-09-14)
Matt must find out who sent a supposed professional killer to Dodge and why.
80	2	"Gun for Chester"	Louis King	John Meston	September 21, 1957 (1957-09-21)
The man who threatened to kill Chester arrives in town.
81	3	"Blood Money"	Louis King	John Meston	September 28, 1957 (1957-09-28)
The friendship between Harry Spener and Joe Harpe is jeopardized by the fact that there's a price on the latter's head.
82	4	"Kitty's Outlaw"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Screenplay by: Kathleen Hite Story by: John Meston	October 5, 1957 (1957-10-05)
Kitty's old boyfriend sets her up in a bank robbery.
83	5	"Potato Road"	Ted Post	John Meston	October 12, 1957 (1957-10-12)
A young man claims that his father committed a murder.
84	6	"Jesse"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	October 19, 1957 (1957-10-19)
Matt tries to help a young man find his father's killer.
85	7	"Mavis McCloud"	Buzz Kulik	Screenplay by: Kathleen Hite Story by: John Meston	October 26, 1957 (1957-10-26)
A girl from the east comes to Dodge to experience life in the west.
86	8	"Born to Hang"	Buzz Kulik	John Meston	November 2, 1957 (1957-11-02)
After he is saved from a hanging, a drifer plots revenge against those who tried to lynch him.
87	9	"Romeo"	Ted Post	John Meston	November 9, 1957 (1957-11-09)
Inspired by the play Romeo & Juliet, the children of feuding families fall in love.
88	10	"Never Pester Chester"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	November 16, 1957 (1957-11-16)
Matt hunts down two drifters who dragged Chester and left him for dead.
89	11	"Fingered"	James Sheldon	John Meston	November 23, 1957 (1957-11-23)
The people of Dodge gets suspicious of Jim Cobbett when his second wife vanishes just like his first.
90	12	"How to Kill a Woman"	John Rich	Screenplay by: David S. Peckinpah[A] Story by: John Meston	November 30, 1957 (1957-11-30)
Matt tracks down a gunman who robbed a stagecoach.
91	13	"Cows and Cribs"	Richard Whorf	Screenplay by: Kathleen Hite Story by: John Meston	December 7, 1957 (1957-12-07)
The residents of Dodge are wondering where Joe Nadler gets all his money – and where he goes to spend it.
92	14	"Doc's Reward"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	December 14, 1957 (1957-12-14)
Even though Doc has confessed to murder, Matt is unwilling to arrest him.
93	15	"Kitty Lost"	Ted Post	John Meston	December 21, 1957 (1957-12-21)
Kitty gets deserted in a desolate plain by a suitor she rejected.
94	16	"Twelfth Night"	John Rich	John Meston	December 28, 1957 (1957-12-28)
The remaining survivors of two feuding Ozark families face each other in Dodge.
95	17	"Joe Phy"	Ted Post	John Meston	January 4, 1958 (1958-01-04)
Marshal Joe Phy uses his reputation as a gunman to maintain order.
96	18	"Buffalo Man"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	January 11, 1958 (1958-01-11)
Matt and Chester get caught in the middle of a feud between Indians and buffalo hunters.
97	19	"Kitty Caught"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	January 18, 1958 (1958-01-18)
Bank robbers take Kitty hostage.
98	20	"Claustrophobia"	Ted Post	John Meston	January 25, 1958 (1958-01-25)
A pair of landgrabbers kill a homesteader's cattle to get his ranch.
99	21	"Ma Tennis"	Buzz Kulik	John Meston	February 1, 1958 (1958-02-01)
A woman claims to have killed her outlaw son to prevent him from turning himself in.
100	22	"Sunday Supplement"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	February 8, 1958 (1958-02-08)
A pair of journalists from the east cause trouble.
101	23	"Wild West"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	February 15, 1958 (1958-02-15)
Matt attempts to rescue a child's father from kidnappers.
102	24	"The Cabin"	John Rich	John Meston	February 22, 1958 (1958-02-22)
Matt finds a cabin to shelter himself from a blizzard, only to learn it is occupied by a pair of bank robbers.
103	25	"Dirt"	Ted Post	Screenplay by: David S. Peckinpah[A] Story by: John Meston	March 1, 1958 (1958-03-01)
A newlywed man is murdered moments after his wedding.
104	26	"Dooley Surrenders"	John Rich	John Meston	March 8, 1958 (1958-03-08)
Matt sets out to clear Emmett Dooley, who has been accused of murdering one of his hunting companions.
105	27	"Joke's on Us"	Ted Post	John Meston	March 15, 1958 (1958-03-15)
The widow and son of a man Jake Kaiser lynched are out to get him.
106	28	"Bottleman"	John Rich	John Meston	March 22, 1958 (1958-03-22)
Tom Cassidy, the town drunk, tries to pick a fight with Dan Clell, who has just arrived in Dodge.
107	29	"Laughing Gas"	Ted Post	James Fonda	March 29, 1958 (1958-03-29)
A former gunslinger is being bothered by bullies.
108	30	"Texas Cowboys"	John Rich	John Meston	April 5, 1958 (1958-04-05)
Cowboys from Texas set out to avenge their murdered friend.
109	31	"Amy's Good Deed"	John Rich	Screenplay by: Kathleen Hite Story by: John Meston	April 12, 1958 (1958-04-12)
A bitter old woman plots to kill Matt as revenge for the death of her brother.
110	32	"Hanging Man"	John Rich	John Meston	April 19, 1958 (1958-04-19)
Matt suspects murder when a merchant is found hanged in his office.
111	33	"Innocent Broad"	John Rich	Screenplay by: Kathleen Hite Story by: John Meston	April 26, 1958 (1958-04-26)
A woman's boyfriend causes trouble for Matt with his constant fits of jealousy.
112	34	"The Big Con"	John Rich	John Meston	May 3, 1958 (1958-05-03)
Doc is taken hostage by three con artists.
113	35	"Widow's Mite"	Ted Post	John Meston	May 10, 1958 (1958-05-10)
A gambler marries an outlaw's widow for her husband's stolen money.
114	36	"Chester's Hanging"	Ted Post	John Meston	May 17, 1958 (1958-05-17)
Matt arrests a drifter for robbing and murdering a cattle buyer.
115	37	"Carmen"	Ted Post	John Meston	May 24, 1958 (1958-05-24)
An Army major threatens to put Dodge under martial law after soldiers are killed in a robbery.
116	38	"Overland Express"	Seymour Berns	John Meston	May 31, 1958 (1958-05-31)
An outlaw holds up a stagecoach carrying a murderer to trial.
117	39	"The Gentleman"	Ted Post	John Meston	June 7, 1958 (1958-06-07)
One of Kitty's hostesses has fallen in love with a gambler, but one of the girl's old boyfriends has his suspicions.

Season 4 (1958-59)

Thirty-nine half-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Norman Macdonnell
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty)^[20]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
118	1	"Matt for Murder"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	September 13, 1958 (1958-09-13)
A witness claims to have seen Matt kill Red Samples' partner.
119	2	"The Patsy"	Richard Whorf	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	September 20, 1958 (1958-09-20)
One of the dance-hall girls accuses a man of murder.
120	3	"Gunsmuggler"	Richard Whorf	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	September 27, 1958 (1958-09-27)
Matt investigates an alleged Indian raid that seems to have wiped out a family.
121	4	"Monopoly"	Seymour Berns	Screenplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	October 4, 1958 (1958-10-04)
A stranger is purchasing all the local freight lines.
122	5	"Letter of the Law"	Richard Whorf	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	October 11, 1958 (1958-10-11)
Matt attempts to get a man and his expectant wife evicted from their home.
123	6	"Thoroughbreds"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	October 18, 1958 (1958-10-18)
Matt and Chester meet a man with two horses on the way back to Dodge who is not very friendly – until they see him spending money freely.
124	7	"Stage Hold-Up"	Ted Post	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	October 25, 1958 (1958-10-25)
A robber holds up a stagecoach carrying Matt, then turns up in Dodge.
125	8	"Lost Rifle"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	November 1, 1958 (1958-11-01)
A man who has had every motive to commit a murder swears that he is innocent.
126	9	"Land Deal"	Ted Post	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	November 8, 1958 (1958-11-08)
Matt gets suspicious of a land agent's generous offer.
127	10	"Lynching Man"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	November 15, 1958 (1958-11-15)
The townspeople prepare for a lynching when a pair of saddle tramps kill a homesteader and steal his horse.
128	11	"How to Kill a Friend"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	November 22, 1958 (1958-11-22)
Matt tells a pair of gamblers to get out of Dodge, but they hire a gunman to kill him.
129	12	"Grass"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	November 29, 1958 (1958-11-29)
A rancher takes Matt's advice and arms himself against Indians, then shoots a cowboy dressed as an Indian.
130	13	"The Cast"	Jesse Hibbs	John Meston	December 6, 1958 (1958-12-06)
A rancher blames Doc for the death of his wife.
131	14	"Robber Bridegroom"	Richard Whorf	John Meston	December 13, 1958 (1958-12-13)
A girl refuses to testify against the robbers who kidnapped her.
132	15	"Snakebite"	Ted Post	John Meston	December 20, 1958 (1958-12-20)
One of the drifters who killed a man's dog is found dead.
133	16	"Gypsum Hills Feud"	Richard Whorf	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	December 27, 1958 (1958-12-27)
Matt and Chester get caught in the middle of a bloody mountain feud between the Peavys and the Cades.
134	17	"Young Love"	Seymour Berns	John Meston	January 3, 1959 (1959-01-03)
The widow of a cattleman falls in love with the man who supposedly killed her husband.
135	18	"Marshal Proudfoot"	Jesse Hibbs	Story by: Tom Hanley Teleplay by: John Meston	January 10, 1959 (1959-01-10)
Chester's uncle thinks he is the marshal of Dodge City.
136	19	"Passive Resistance"	Ted Post	John Meston	January 17, 1959 (1959-01-17)
An elderly sheepherder who is against violence refuses to tell Matt the identity of the two cattleman who killed his sheep, burned his house, and left him for dead.
137	20	"Love of a Good Woman"	Arthur Hiller	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	January 24, 1959 (1959-01-24)
A recently released convict jeopardizes his parole when he sets out to kill Matt.
138	21	"Jayhawkers"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	January 31, 1959 (1959-01-31)
A drover asks Matt and Chester to help him protect his boss' herd from a renegade raid.
139	22	"Kitty's Rebellion"	Jesse Hibbs	Story by: Marian Clark Teleplay by: John Meston	February 7, 1959 (1959-02-07)
An old friend's brother attempts to 'save' Kitty from life as a saloonkeeper.
140	23	"Sky"	Ted Post	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	February 14, 1959 (1959-02-14)
A young man steals a horse when he is accused of murder.
141	24	"Doc Quits"	Edward Ludlum	John Meston	February 21, 1959 (1959-02-21)
Doc suspects the new town doctor of being a charlatan.
142	25	"The Bear"	Jesse Hibbs	John Meston	February 28, 1959 (1959-02-28)
A former saloon girl's upcoming marriage is jeopardized by her old boyfriend.
143	26	"The Coward"	Jesse Hibbs	John Meston	March 7, 1959 (1959-03-07)
Matt's double is murdered, leaving the residents of Dodge very confused.
144	27	"The F.U."	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	March 14, 1959 (1959-03-14)
Onie Baker is found dead after a quarrel with Al Clovis, who has gone missing.
145	28	"Wind"	Arthur Hiller	John Meston	March 21, 1959 (1959-03-21)
Matt suspects the new saloon girl of being affiliated with a crooked gambler.
146	29	"Fawn"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 4, 1959 (1959-04-04)
Matt frees a white woman and her daughter from slavery by the Indians.
147	30	"Renegade White"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: Les Crutchfield Story by: John Meston	April 11, 1959 (1959-04-11)
After getting out of jail, Ord Spicer begins selling rifles to Indians.
148	31	"Murder Warrant"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 18, 1959 (1959-04-18)
Matt protects a suspected killer from a trigger-happy deputy.
149	32	"Change of Heart"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 25, 1959 (1959-04-25)
Brisco Casis tries to stop his brother from marrying a saloon girl.
150	33	"Buffalo Hunter"	Ted Post	John Meston	May 2, 1959 (1959-05-02)
The head of a buffalo-hunting party is unwilling to tell Matt what he knows about the murders of two of his skinners.
151	34	"The Choice"	Ted Post	John Meston	May 9, 1959 (1959-05-09)
A pair of strangers are on Matt's 'wanted list'.
152	35	"There Never Was a Horse"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	May 16, 1959 (1959-05-16)
A nasty gunfighter kills a drunk to force Matt into a showdown.
153	36	"Print Asper"	Ted Post	John Meston	May 23, 1959 (1959-05-23)
A plainsman asks Matt for help in tracking down his son, who has killed his brother and another man.
154	37	"The Constable"	Arthur Hiller	John Meston	May 30, 1959 (1959-05-30)
A ranch foreman threatens to boycott Dodge City commerce if his cowboys are not left alone.
155	38	"Blue Horse"	Andrew V. McLaglen and Ted Post	Story by: Marian Clark Teleplay by: John Meston	June 6, 1959 (1959-06-06)
Print Asper wishes to leave his ranch to his sons, but his attorney has other plans.
156	39	"Cheyennes"	Ted Post	John Meston	June 13, 1959 (1959-06-13)
Matt hunts down the Indians who are killing settlers.

Season 5 (1959-60)

Thirty-nine half-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Norman Macdonnell
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty)^[21]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
157	1	"Target"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Story by: Les Crutchfield Teleplay by: John Meston	September 5, 1959 (1959-09-05)
A gypsy girl's father disapproves of a young man's romance with her.
158	2	"Kitty's Injury"	Buzz Kulik	Story by: Marian Clark Teleplay by: John Meston	September 19, 1959 (1959-09-19)
Kitty sustains injury from falling off a horse.
159	3	"Horse Deal"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	September 26, 1959 (1959-09-26)
Matt seems to be too lazy to catch horse thieves when ranchers are being sold stolen horses.
160	4	"Johnny Red"	Buzz Kulik	Story by: Les Crutchfield Teleplay by: John Meston	October 3, 1959 (1959-10-03)
Matt suspects a new arrival of being a ruthless criminal.
161	5	"Tail to the Wind"	Christian Nyby	Story by: Les Crutchfield Teleplay by: John Meston	October 10, 1959 (1959-10-10)
A rancher who has been threatened refuses Matt's help.
162	6	"Annie Oakley"	Jesse Hibbs	John Meston	October 17, 1959 (1959-10-17)
A woman who has been feeling neglected by her husband manipulates him into fighting a neighbor.
163	7	"Kangaroo"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	October 24, 1959 (1959-10-24)
A family of psychopaths takes Chester hostage.
164	8	"Saludos"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Story by: Les Crutchfield Teleplay by: John Meston	October 31, 1959 (1959-10-31)
Three cowboys are suspected of shooting a woman who is half Native American.
165	9	"Brother Whelp"	R.G. Springsteen	Story by: Les Crutchfield Teleplay by: John Meston	November 7, 1959 (1959-11-07)
A man returns to Dodge to kill his brother as revenge for marrying his fiancée.
166	10	"The Boots"	Jesse Hibbs	John Meston	November 14, 1959 (1959-11-14)
A young man is unaware that his hero was once a gunslinger.
167	11	"Odd Man Out"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Story by: Les Crutchfield Teleplay by: John Meston	November 21, 1959 (1959-11-21)
Matt suspects foul play when an old farmer claims his wife left him.
168	12	"Miguel's Daughter"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Story by: Marian Clark Teleplay by: John Meston	November 28, 1959 (1959-11-28)
Although Kitty has prevented two men from molesting Chavela Ramirez, the girl's father wants revenge.
169	13	"Box o' Rocks"	R.G. Springsteen	Les Crutchfield	December 5, 1959 (1959-12-05)
A coffin at a funeral is found to be filled with rocks.
170	14	"False Witness"	Ted Post	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	December 12, 1959 (1959-12-12)
A man claims he can identify a murderer just to get attention.
171	15	"Tag, You're It"	Jesse Hibbs	Les Crutchfield	December 19, 1959 (1959-12-19)
A notorious gunfighter comes to Dodge, making the townspeople curious as to who he's after.
172	16	"Thick 'n' Thin"	Stuart Heisler	Story by: Les Crutchfield Teleplay by: John Meston	December 26, 1959 (1959-12-26)
Two old ranch partners have a falling out.
173	17	"Groat's Grudge"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Story by: Marian Clark Teleplay by: John Meston	January 2, 1960 (1960-01-02)
A former Rebel sets out to settle the score with a cowboy he thinks killed his wife during Sherman's march through Georgia.
174	18	"Big Tom"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	January 9, 1960 (1960-01-09)
A scheming fighting manager sets up a dangerous boxing match.
175	19	"Till Death Do Us"	Jean Yarbrough	Les Crutchfield	January 16, 1960 (1960-01-16)
A killer targets an eccentric old man and his wife.
176	20	"The Tragedian"	Arthur Hiller	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Les Crutchfield	January 23, 1960 (1960-01-23)
An out-of-work actor gets in trouble for playing marked cards.
177	21	"Hinka Do"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	January 30, 1960 (1960-01-30)
The new saloonkeeper in Dodge is a woman who knows how to handle a six-shooter.
178	22	"Doc Judge"	Arthur Hiller	John Meston	February 6, 1960 (1960-02-06)
With Matt out of town, Doc only has Chester to protect him when his life is threatened.
179	23	"Moo Moo Raid"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Story by: Les Crutchfield Teleplay by: John Meston	February 13, 1960 (1960-02-13)
Two trail bosses argue over how to get across a swollen river.
180	24	"Kitty's Killing"	Arthur Hiller	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	February 20, 1960 (1960-02-20)
Kitty risks herself to stop an attempted murder.
181	25	"Jailbait Janet"	Jesse Hibbs	Les Crutchfield	February 27, 1960 (1960-02-27)
One of a bandit's children kills a man during a robbery.
182	26	"Unwanted Deputy"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	March 5, 1960 (1960-03-05)
A convicted murderer's brother runs against Matt for marshal.
183	27	"Where'd They Go"	Jesse Hibbs	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Les Crutchfield	March 12, 1960 (1960-03-12)
A storekeeper accuses a farmer of robbing him, but has no proof.
184	28	"Crowbait Bob"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	March 26, 1960 (1960-03-26)
Kitty is named the sole heir in Crowbait Bob's will.
185	29	"Colleen So Green"	Jean Yarbrough	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Les Crutchfield	April 2, 1960 (1960-04-02)
A Southern belle uses her charm to take over Dodge.
186	30	"The Ex-Urbanites"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 9, 1960 (1960-04-09)
Chester takes care of Doc when they are ambushed by a pair of outlaws.
187	31	"I Thee Wed"	Jesse Hibbs	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Les Crutchfield	April 16, 1960 (1960-04-16)
A man keeps beating his wife after she pays the fine for his jail time.
188	32	"The Lady Killer"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 23, 1960 (1960-04-23)
Matt suspects Kitty's new saloon girl is a hired killer.
189	33	"Gentleman's Disagreement"	Jesse Hibbs	Les Crutchfield	April 30, 1960 (1960-04-30)
A showdown is set to take place between the blacksmith and a gunman who used to court his wife.
190	34	"Speak Me Fair"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	May 7, 1960 (1960-05-07)
On a hunting trip, Matt, Doc and Chester find a savagely beaten Indian boy.
191	35	"Belle's Back"	Jesse Hibbs	Les Crutchfield	May 14, 1960 (1960-05-14)
Belle Ainsley returns to Dodge, but does not receive a warm welcome.
192	36	"The Bobsy Twins"	Jesse Hibbs	John Meston	May 21, 1960 (1960-05-21)
Twin brothers try to kill all Indians.
193	37	"Old Flame"	Jesse Hibbs	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	May 28, 1960 (1960-05-28)
An old girlfriend asks Matt to protect her from her husband.
194	38	"The Deserter"	Arthur Hiller	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	June 4, 1960 (1960-06-04)
A soldier and a civilian conspire to steal an Army payroll.
195	39	"Cherry Red"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	June 11, 1960 (1960-06-11)
Matt is reluctant to tell Cherry O'Dell that her husband's been killed.

Season 6 (1960-61)

Thirty-eight half-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Norman Macdonnell; associate producer: James Arness
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty)^[22]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
196	1	"Friend's Pay-Off"	Jesse Hibbs	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	September 3, 1960 (1960-09-03)
A dying man claims that a friend of Matt's is a bank robber.
197	2	"The Blacksmith"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Norman MacDonnell	September 17, 1960 (1960-09-17)
Dodge's blacksmith plans his wedding to his mail-order bride.
198	3	"Small Water"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	September 24, 1960 (1960-09-24)
Matt is forced to kill a man for resisting arrest, only to incur the wrath of the man's family.
199	4	"Say Uncle"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	October 1, 1960 (1960-10-01)
A young man suspects his uncle of murdering his father.
200	5	"Shooting Stopover"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	October 8, 1960 (1960-10-08)
Matt tries to bring a killer to Wichita on a stagecoach carrying a stagecoach, a preacher and a huge shipment of gold.
201	6	"The Peace Officer"	Jesse Hibbs	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Norman MacDonnell	October 15, 1960 (1960-10-15)
A former sheriff plans his revenge on Matt for firing him.
202	7	"Don Matteo"	Jesse Hibbs	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	October 22, 1960 (1960-10-22)
Esteban Garcia arrives in Dodge to kill Grave Tabor, who has already been kicked out.
203	8	"The Worm"	Arthur Hiller	John Meston	October 29, 1960 (1960-10-29)
A buffalo hunter comes to Dodge not only to sell his hides, but also to pick a fight.
204	9	"The Badge"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	November 12, 1960 (1960-11-12)
Matt is wounded and taken hostage by a pair of outlaws.
205	10	"Distant Drummer"	Arthur Hiller	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	November 19, 1960 (1960-11-19)
Matt has trouble with a couple of troublesome mule skinners.
206	11	"Ben Tolliver's Stud"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Norman MacDonnell	November 26, 1960 (1960-11-26)
A ranch hand is accused of stealing a horse by his former boss.
207	12	"No Chip"	Jean Yarbrough	John Meston	December 3, 1960 (1960-12-03)
A feud ensues when the Dolans' cattle stray onto the Mossmans' land.
208	13	"The Wake"	Gerald Mayer	John Meston	December 10, 1960 (1960-12-10)
A drifter tries to give his friend a proper burial.
209	14	"The Cook"	Ted Post	John Meston	December 17, 1960 (1960-12-17)
A drifter's cooking is preferred over the food at a local café.
210	15	"Old Fool"	Ted Post	John Meston	December 24, 1960 (1960-12-24)
A widow pursues a married man.
211	16	"Brother Love"	Franklin Adreon	John Meston	December 31, 1960 (1960-12-31)
A dying storekeeper's last word is Matt's only clue to finding the man who killed him.
212	17	"Bad Sheriff"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	January 7, 1961 (1961-01-07)
A desperado impersonates a sheriff and turns in a fellow outlaw.
213	18	"Unloaded Gun"	Jesse Hibbs	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	January 14, 1961 (1961-01-14)
Matt catches a fever while tracking down outlaws.
214	19	"Tall Trapper"	Harry Harris Jr.	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	January 21, 1961 (1961-01-21)
The morning after a couple take shelter with a trapper, the woman is found beaten to death.
215	20	"Love Thy Neighbor"	Dennis Weaver	John Meston	January 28, 1961 (1961-01-28)
Peter Scooper starts a feud between his family and the Galloways when he takes potatoes from the Galloway farm.
216	21	"Bad Seed"	Harry Harris	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Norman MacDonnell	February 4, 1961 (1961-02-04)
A girl asks Matt to save her from her alcoholic father.
217	22	"Kitty Shot"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	February 11, 1961 (1961-02-11)
Kitty gets shot trying to stop a fight in her saloon.
218	23	"About Chester"	Alan Crosland Jr.	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Frank Paris	February 25, 1961 (1961-02-25)
Doc has gone missing and it is up to Chester to find him.
219	24	"Harriet"	Gene Fowler Jr.	John Meston	March 4, 1961 (1961-03-04)
A girl comes to Dodge on foot after she witnesses her father's murder.
220	25	"Potshot"	Harry Harris Jr.	John Meston	March 11, 1961 (1961-03-11)
Bank robbers bushwhack Chester on their way to Dodge.
221	26	"Old Faces"	Harry Harris	John Meston	March 18, 1961 (1961-03-18)
There is something familiar about Tom Cook's new bride.
222	27	"Big Man"	Gerald Mayer	John Meston	March 25, 1961 (1961-03-25)
Matt must prove his innocence when he is accused of beating a man to death.
223	28	"Little Girl"	Dennis Weaver	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Kathleen Hite	April 1, 1961 (1961-04-01)
Matt and Chester find a burnt-down shack and a girl who claims her father died in the blaze.
224	29	"Stolen Horses"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Norman MacDonnell	April 8, 1961 (1961-04-08)
Matt and Chester track down a horse thief.
225	30	"Minnie"	Harry Harris	John Meston	April 15, 1961 (1961-04-15)
A woman named Minnie Higgins falls in love with Doc.
226	31	"Bless Me Till I Die"	Ted Post	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Ray Kemper	April 22, 1961 (1961-04-22)
A man nearly kills a couple on their way to Dodge.
227	32	"Long Hours, Short Pay"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 29, 1961 (1961-04-29)
A gunrunner gets the Pawnees mad in order to sell his weapons.
228	33	"Hard Virtue"	Dennis Weaver	John Meston	May 6, 1961 (1961-05-06)
A man gets a job, unaware that his boss is trying to make a move on his wife.
229	34	"The Imposter"	Byron Paul	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Kathleen Hite	May 13, 1961 (1961-05-13)
A man claims to be a sheriff from Texas, but a murder gets everyone suspicious about him.
230	35	"Chester's Dilemma"	Ted Post	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Vic Perrin	May 20, 1961 (1961-05-20)
Chester learns a terrible secret about a girl who is sweet on him.
231	36	"The Love of Money"	Ted Post	John Meston	May 27, 1961 (1961-05-27)
A retired lawman falls for a saloon hostess on his way to a new life.
232	37	"Melinda Miles"	William D. Faralla	John Meston	June 3, 1961 (1961-06-03)
A woman is torn between the man she loves and the one her father picked for her.
233	38	"Colorado Sheriff"	Jesse Hibbs	John Meston	June 17, 1961 (1961-06-17)
Matt and Chester must find out who shot two strangers from Colorado.

One-hour black-and-white era

1961/62 through 1965/66
176 black-and-white full-hour episodes
(all two-parters counted as two individual hour-long episodes)

Season 7 (1961-62)

Thirty-four one-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Norman Macdonnell; associate producer: Frank Paris
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty)^[23]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
234	1	"Perce"	Harry Harris	John Meston	September 30, 1961 (1961-09-30)
An outlaw named Perce McCall helps Matt fend off three gunmen, much to everyone's surprise.
235	2	"Old Yellow Boots"	Ted Post	John Meston	October 7, 1961 (1961-10-07)
Since a fortune-hunting cowboy is engaged to a wealthy woman, he is suspected of murdering her brother, who objected to their union.
236	3	"Miss Kitty"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	October 14, 1961 (1961-10-14)
When Kitty takes a young boy off the stagecoach one night, Matt attempts to figure out his identity.
237	4	"Harper's Blood"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	October 21, 1961 (1961-10-21)
A man tries to balance the "bad blood" between his sons upon learning that his wife's grandfather was a murderer.
238	5	"All That"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	October 28, 1961 (1961-10-28)
A rancher tries to save his property from foreclosure.
239	6	"Long, Long Trail"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Kathleen Hite	November 4, 1961 (1961-11-04)
Matt accompanies a young woman on a treacherous journey across the desert where they face sandstorms, thirst and Indians.
240	7	"The Squaw"	Gerald Mayer	John Dunkel	November 11, 1961 (1961-11-11)
A fun-loving man tries to make up for lost time after his wife dies.
241	8	"Chesterland"	Ted Post	Kathleen Hite	November 18, 1961 (1961-11-18)
Chester purchases a piece of land when he gets engaged.
242	9	"Milly"	Richard Whorf	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Hal Moffett	November 25, 1961 (1961-11-25)
Milly Glover decides to marry the first available in order to support herself and her brother.
243	10	"Indian Ford"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Dunkel	December 2, 1961 (1961-12-02)
Matt helps an Indian-hating officer find a white girl, hoping the search will not end in violence.
244	11	"Apprentice Doc"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	December 9, 1961 (1961-12-09)
Doc is kidnapped by a gang of outlaws to treat one who has been injured and another turns out to be an expert in medicine.
245	12	"Nina's Revenge"	Tay Garnett	John Meston	December 16, 1961 (1961-12-16)
Nina Sharky hatches a plan to get away from her tight-fisted father and fortune-hunting husband.
246	13	"Marry Me"	Dennis Weaver	Kathleen Hite	December 23, 1961 (1961-12-23)
Sweet Billy Cathcart tries to find a woman for his big brother since family custom dictates that the oldest get married first.
247	14	"A Man a Day"	Harry Harris	John Meston	December 30, 1961 (1961-12-30)
Outlaws threaten to kill someone every day unless Matt gets out of town.
248	15	"The Do-Badder"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	January 6, 1962 (1962-01-06)
A pair of drifters plot to ambush a prospector who is on his way to Dodge after striking big.
249	16	"Lacey"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	January 13, 1962 (1962-01-13)
A man is suspected of murdering his fiancée's father.
250	17	"Cody's Code"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	January 20, 1962 (1962-01-20)
A wounded outlaw jeopardizes Cody Durham's courtship with Rose Loring.
251	18	"Old Dan"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Kathleen Hite	January 27, 1962 (1962-01-27)
Doc tries to keep an alcoholic off the bottle.
252	19	"Catawomper"	Harry Harris	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: James Favor	February 10, 1962 (1962-02-10)
A woman tries to make her boyfriend jealous when she has had enough of his attitude.
253	20	"Half Straight"	Ted Post	John Meston	February 17, 1962 (1962-02-17)
Matt is stalked by a hired killer.
254	21	"He Learned About Women"	Tay Garnett	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: John Rosser	February 24, 1962 (1962-02-24)
Matt goes after a band of comancheros who raided a camp and kidnapped a girl.
255	22	"The Gallows"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	March 3, 1962 (1962-03-03)
Matt is certain that the man convicted of murder, he is taking to the gallows, is innocent.
256	23	"Reprisal"	Harry Harris	John Meston	March 10, 1962 (1962-03-10)
A woman plots her revenge on Matt for killing her husband in a gunfight.
257	24	"Coventry"	Christian Nyby	John Meston	March 17, 1962 (1962-03-17)
A man and his expectant wife are stranded on the prairie and Dean Beard is unwilling to help them, especially since he has been ostracized after being acquitted of murder.
258	25	"The Widow"	Ted Post	John Dunkel	March 24, 1962 (1962-03-24)
A widow arrives in Dodge to witness the shenanigans of town drunk Emil Peck.
259	26	"Durham Bull"	Harry Harris	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Jack Shettlesworth	March 31, 1962 (1962-03-31)
A gang's luck turns around when they come to Dodge.
260	27	"Wagon Girls"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 7, 1962 (1962-04-07)
Matt meets a mail-order bride on the prairie who claims that she is trying to run away from a ruthless wagon master.
261	28	"The Dealer"	Harry Harris	Television Story and Teleplay by: John Dunkel Based on a Story by: Les Crutchfield	April 14, 1962 (1962-04-14)
A woman resents her suitor more than ever when he kills her father in self-defense.
262	29	"The Summons"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: Kathleen Hite Story by: Marian Clark	April 21, 1962 (1962-04-21)
An outlaw kills his partner for a huge reward, except there was never a price in the first place.
263	30	"The Dreamers"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 28, 1962 (1962-04-28)
A miner tries to use his new-found wealth to win over Kitty.
264	31	"Cale"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	May 5, 1962 (1962-05-05)
A young rider is wounded when he is suspected of being a horse thief's accomplice.
265	32	"Chester's Indian"	Joseph Sargent	Kathleen Hite	May 12, 1962 (1962-05-12)
While on a fishing trip, Chester shoots an Indian who was courting a white teenage girl, whom Matt tries to save from her ruthless father.
266	33	"The Prisoner"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Robert E. Thompson	May 19, 1962 (1962-05-19)
A military prison escapee shows up in Dodge.
267	34	"The Boys"	Harry Harris	John Meston	May 26, 1962 (1962-05-26)
A snake-oil pitchman hatches a scheme to swindle the citizens of Dodge.

Season 8 (1962-63)

Thirty-eight one-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Norman Macdonnell; associate producer: Frank Paris
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper)^[24]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
268	1	"The Search"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	September 15, 1962 (1962-09-15)
A suspected horse thief tries to survive in the wilderness when he gets hurt fleeing from his pursuers.
269	2	"Call Me Dodie"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	September 22, 1962 (1962-09-22)
Matt meets a girl who ran away from an orphanage that functions like a prison.
270	3	"Quint Asper Comes Home"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	September 29, 1962 (1962-09-29)
A half-Indian named Quint Asper vows revenge on all white men when a pair of drifters kill his father and threaten his mother.
271	4	"Root Down"	Sobey Martin	Kathleen Hite	October 6, 1962 (1962-10-06)
A woman attempts to lure Chester into marriage.
272	5	"Jenny"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	October 13, 1962 (1962-10-13)
An outlaw's girl takes a shine to Matt.
273	6	"Collie's Free"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	October 20, 1962 (1962-10-20)
After spending eight years in prison, Collie Patten plots his revenge on Matt.
274	7	"The Ditch"	Harry Harris	Les Crutchfield	October 27, 1962 (1962-10-27)
Matt tries to prevent a range war as a rancher takes steps to cut off the homesteaders' water supply.
275	8	"The Trappers"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Dunkel	November 3, 1962 (1962-11-03)
The friendship between two trappers is ruined when one leaves the other to die during an Indian attack.
276	9	"Phoebe Strunk"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	November 10, 1962 (1962-11-10)
Phoebe Strunk and her murderous clan terrorize Dodge.
277	10	"The Hunger"	Harry Harris	Jack Curtis	November 17, 1962 (1962-11-17)
Matt comes to the rescue when a father and son abuse the mother and daughter.
278	11	"Abe Blocker"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	November 24, 1962 (1962-11-24)
Matt pursues a frontiersman who is using force to take homesteaders' land.
279	12	"The Way It Is"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	December 1, 1962 (1962-12-01)
Kitty meets an injured traveler after Matt breaks a date with her.
280	13	"Us Haggens"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	December 8, 1962 (1962-12-08)
Matt hunts down outlaw Black Jack Haggen and is assisted by the killer's nephew Festus, who has his own reasons for wanting to find his uncle.
281	14	"Uncle Sunday"	Joseph Sargent	John Meston	December 15, 1962 (1962-12-15)
Chester's uncle Sunday comes to visit, and Chester's plan to shorten that visit does not exactly work out.
282	15	"False Front"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Hal Moffett	December 22, 1962 (1962-12-22)
A gambler makes a bet that a man who has never used a gun can pass as a gunslinger.
283	16	"Old Comrade"	Harry Harris	John Dunkel	December 29, 1962 (1962-12-29)
A fall guy learns that his father, a general, is dying.
284	17	"Louis Pheeters"	Harry Harris	John Meston	January 5, 1963 (1963-01-05)
The town drunk witnesses a man killing his wife's alleged lover.
285	18	"The Renegades"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	January 12, 1963 (1963-01-12)
Quint tries to convince an Army officer that white renegades are responsible for starting the latest Indian uprising.
286	19	"Cotter's Girl"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	January 19, 1963 (1963-01-19)
Matt attempts to civilize a teenage mountain girl.
287	20	"The Bad One"	Charles Martin	Gwen Bagni	January 26, 1963 (1963-01-26)
Matt must find out why a woman is refusing to identify a stagecoach robber.
288	21	"The Cousin"	Harry Harris	Teleplay by: Kathleen Hite Story by: Marian Clark	February 2, 1963 (1963-02-02)
Matt's foster brother forces him into a showdown.
289	22	"Shona"	Ted Post	John Meston	February 9, 1963 (1963-02-09)
As the citizens of Dodge deal with the strain of Indian raids, a farmer brings his ailing Indian wife into town for treatment.
290	23	"Ash"	Harry Harris	John Meston	February 16, 1963 (1963-02-16)
The friendship between business partners is jeopardized when one of them sustains a head injury, changing his personality.
291	24	"Blind Man's Bluff"	Ted Post	John Meston	February 23, 1963 (1963-02-23)
While searching for a murderer, Matt is beaten so badly he cannot see straight.
292	25	"Quint's Indian"	Fred Jackman, Jr.	Teleplay by: John Meston Story by: Marian Clark	March 2, 1963 (1963-03-02)
Quint is accused of horse theft and beaten by a group of vigilantes.
293	26	"Anybody Can Kill a Marshal"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	March 9, 1963 (1963-03-09)
A pair of outlaws hire a drifter to do what they could not: kill Matt Dillon.
294	27	"Two of a Kind"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Merwin Gerard	March 16, 1963 (1963-03-16)
Matt gets caught in the middle of a feud between two immigrants.
295	28	"I Call Him Wonder"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	March 23, 1963 (1963-03-23)
The bigoted citizens of Dodge refuse to hire a drifter just because he has picked up an orphaned Indian boy.
296	29	"With a Smile"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Teleplay by: John Meston Based on a story by: Bud Furillo & George Main	March 30, 1963 (1963-03-30)
A powerful rancher's spoiled son gets violent when a pretty girl rebuffs his affections.
297	30	"The Far Places"	Harry Harris	John Dunkel	April 6, 1963 (1963-04-06)
Matt tries to ease the tension between a rancher and her son.
298	31	"Panacea Sykes"	William Conrad	Kathleen Hite	April 13, 1963 (1963-04-13)
The elderly Panacea Sykes is a conniving thief bent on robbing Kitty.
299	32	"Tell Chester"	Joseph Sargent	Frank Paris	April 20, 1963 (1963-04-20)
A girl Chester likes has no idea that the man she has her eye on is already married.
300	33	"Quint-Cident"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Kathleen Hite	April 27, 1963 (1963-04-27)
Quint incurs the wrath of a widow he turned down.
301	34	"Old York"	Harry Harris	John Meston	May 4, 1963 (1963-05-04)
Matt comes face to face with the outlaw who saved his life long ago.
302	35	"Daddy Went Away"	Joseph Sargent	Teleplay by: Kathleen Hite Story by: John Rosser	May 11, 1963 (1963-05-11)
A widow returns Chester's affections.
303	36	"The Odyssey of Jubal Tanner"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Paul Savage	May 18, 1963 (1963-05-18)
A saloon girl and a drifter team up to find the man who murdered the girl's fiancė and shot the drifter.
304	37	"Jeb"	Harry Harris	Paul Savage	May 25, 1963 (1963-05-25)
A man buys an allegedly stolen horse from a farm boy, which proves to be a big mistake.
305	38	"The Quest for Asa Janin"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Paul Savage	June 1, 1963 (1963-06-01)
Matt becomes convinced that Dave Ingalls is innocent of murder, so he sets out to find the real killer before Ingalls is wrongfully hanged.

Season 9 (1963-64)

Thirty-six one-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Norman Macdonnell; associate producer: Frank Paris
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Dennis Weaver (Chester), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Ken Curtis (Festus), Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper)^[25]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
306	1	"Kate Heller"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	September 28, 1963 (1963-09-28)
A young man commits murder and ambushes Matt.
307	2	"Lover Boy"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	October 5, 1963 (1963-10-05)
A ladies' man takes up with a married woman. Last episode in which Ken Curtis appears as a character other than Festus.
308	3	"Legends Don't Sleep"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	October 12, 1963 (1963-10-12)
After getting out of prison, an infamous gunman meets a cocky young man eager to cash in on his reputation.
309	4	"Tobe"	John English	Paul Savage	October 19, 1963 (1963-10-19)
Tobe Hostader befriends a saloon girl whose ex-boyfriend is near.
310	5	"Easy Come"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	October 26, 1963 (1963-10-26)
Elmo Sippy is superficially pleasant, but is actually a psychopathic killer, devoid of restraint or remorse.
311	6	"My Sister's Keeper"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	November 2, 1963 (1963-11-02)
A grief-stricken widower gets a job as a hired hand for two sisters.
312	7	"Quint's Trail"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	November 9, 1963 (1963-11-09)
Quint guides a family on a hazardous trail to Oregon.
313	8	"Carter Caper"	Jerry Hopper	John Meston	November 16, 1963 (1963-11-16)
A man gets beaten up for trying to steal another man's horse, and plots his revenge.
314	9	"Ex-Con"	Thomas Carr	John Meston	November 30, 1963 (1963-11-30)
An ex-convict comes to Dodge with the intention of shooting Matt dead.
315	10	"Extradition: Part 1"	John English	Antony Ellis	December 7, 1963 (1963-12-07)
Matt tracks an accused murderer to Texas.
316	11	"Extradition: Part 2"	John English	Antony Ellis	December 14, 1963 (1963-12-14)
Matt, the murderer, and the lieutenant ride back to the border -- followed by bandits.
317	12	"The Magician"	Harry Harris	John A. Kneubuhl	December 21, 1963 (1963-12-21)
A traveling medicine man is accused of cheating at cards.
318	13	"Pa Hack's Brood"	Jerry Hopper	Paul Savage	December 28, 1963 (1963-12-28)
Pa Hack tries to get his daughter married to a successful rancher, so he can lead an idle life.
319	14	"The Glory and the Mud"	Jerry Hopper	Gwen Bagni	January 4, 1964 (1964-01-04)
A young man tries to make a name for himself as a fast draw when Matt turns him down as deputy.
320	15	"Dry Well"	Harry Harris	John Meston	January 11, 1964 (1964-01-11)
A married woman is having affairs with men much younger than her husband.
321	16	"Prairie Wolfer"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Dunkel	January 18, 1964 (1964-01-18)
Someone or something is slaughtering cattle.
322	17	"Friend"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	January 25, 1964 (1964-01-25)
Matt heads to a nearby town to investigate a friend's death.
323	18	"Once a Haggen"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	February 1, 1964 (1964-02-01)
A friend of Festus' is accused of murdering the man who bested them at poker.
324	19	"No Hands"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	February 8, 1964 (1964-02-08)
Doc is threatened by the Ginnis clan when he fails to respond quickly to their demands for treatment.
325	20	"May Blossoms"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Kathleen Hite	February 15, 1964 (1964-02-15)
Festus' cousin Mayblossom comes to town to marry him because of a pact between their fathers.
326	21	"The Bassops"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Tom Hanley	February 22, 1964 (1964-02-22)
A family finds Matt and a prisoner handcuffed to one another - with the prisoner claiming to be the marshal.
327	22	"The Kite"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	February 29, 1964 (1964-02-29)
Matt must stop a killer from realizing his victim's daughter was a witness.
328	23	"Comanches Is Soft"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	March 7, 1964 (1964-03-07)
After spending a wild night in Wichita, Quint and Festus deal with a saloon girl who claims they invited her to Dodge.
329	24	"Father's Love"	Harry Harris	John Meston	March 14, 1964 (1964-03-14)
A woman learns that the man who tried to have his way with her is her husband's uncle.
330	25	"Now That April's Here"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	March 21, 1964 (1964-03-21)
The only ones who believe Festus' girlfriend witnessed a murder are the killers themselves.
331	26	"Caleb"	Harry Harris	Paul Savage	March 28, 1964 (1964-03-28)
Caleb Marr comes to Dodge in search of a meaningful life after finally acknowledging his failure at farming.
332	27	"Owney Tupper Had a Daughter"	Jerry Hopper	Paul Savage	April 4, 1964 (1964-04-04)
Owney Tupper starts behaving "responsibly" in order to retrieve his daughter from her aunt's custody.
333	28	"Bently"	Harry Harris	John A. Kneubuhl	April 11, 1964 (1964-04-11)
Chester doubts a man's deathbed murder confession, so he sets out to find the real killer. Chester's last episode.
334	29	"Kitty Cornered"	John Brahm	Kathleen Hite	April 18, 1964 (1964-04-18)
A rival saloon owner forces Kitty into a deadly competition.
335	30	"The Promoter"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	April 25, 1964 (1964-04-25)
An ex-farmer decides to become a fight promoter to make his fortune.
336	31	"Trip West"	Harry Harris	John Dunkel	May 2, 1964 (1964-05-02)
A timid bank clerk goes through a surprising change in personality when he is told he only has a short time to live.
337	32	"Scot Free"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	May 9, 1964 (1964-05-09)
Rob Scot leaves his family and prepares to start a new life with Nora Brand – after they dispose of her husband's body.
338	33	"The Warden"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	May 16, 1964 (1964-05-16)
Festus protects a young Indian maiden from a farmer who bought her from her father.
339	34	"Homecoming"	Harry Harris	Shimon Bar-David[B]	May 23, 1964 (1964-05-23)
The ex-husband of Hector Lowell's wife claims that the Lowells' home, land and business belong to him.
340	35	"The Other Half"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Dunkel	May 30, 1964 (1964-05-30)
A love triangle between a girl and twin brothers turns tragic.
341	36	"Journey for Three"	Harry Harris	Frank Paris	June 6, 1964 (1964-06-06)
A stranger accompanies two brothers on their trip to California.

Season 10 (1964-65)

Thirty-six one-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Norman Macdonnell (episodes 342–348, 350, 352, 361, 367), Philip Leacock (episodes 349, 351, 353–360, 362–366, 368–377); associate producer: Frank Paris
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Milburn Stone (Doc), Ken Curtis (Festus), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper)^[26]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
342	1	"Blue Heaven"	Michael O'Herlihy	Les Crutchfield	September 26, 1964 (1964-09-26)
A young man and a fugitive team up as they run from their respective pursuers.
343	2	"Crooked Mile"	Andrew V. McLaglen	Les Crutchfield	October 3, 1964 (1964-10-03)
A girl's whip-wielding father does not approve of her romance with Quint.
344	3	"Old Man"	Harry Harris	John Meston	October 10, 1964 (1964-10-10)
Matt must find out who killed Joe Silva when an old man is framed for the crime.
345	4	"The Violators"	Harry Harris	John Dunkel	October 17, 1964 (1964-10-17)
A man's scalping leads the citizens of Dodge to suspect the Indians of doing the deed.
346	5	"Doctor's Wife"	Harry Harris	George Eckstein	October 24, 1964 (1964-10-24)
A new doctor arrives in Dodge and his wife starts a smear campaign against Doc Adams.
347	6	"Take Her, She's Cheap"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	October 31, 1964 (1964-10-31)
A grateful family gives Matt their daughter to be his bride.
348	7	"Help Me, Kitty"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	November 7, 1964 (1964-11-07)
Kitty and an unmarried expectant mother end up in the desert when bandits attack their stagecoach.
349	8	"Hung High"	Mark Rydell	John Meston	November 14, 1964 (1964-11-14)
A lawman-hater causes trouble for Matt and a retired marshal.
350	9	"Jonah Hutchinson"	Harry Harris	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 21, 1964 (1964-11-21)
After spending 30 years in prison, Jonah Hutchinson sets out to rebuild his ranching empire.
351	10	"Big Man, Big Target"	Michael O'Herlihy	John Mantley	November 28, 1964 (1964-11-28)
Pike Beechum plots to off his lover's husband.
352	11	"Chicken"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	December 5, 1964 (1964-12-05)
A meek man is given credit for killing four outlaws.
353	12	"Innocence"	Harry Harris	John Meston	December 12, 1964 (1964-12-12)
The hatred between two men is intensified by their affections for the same girl.
354	13	"Aunt Thede"	Sutton Roley	Kathleen Hite	December 19, 1964 (1964-12-19)
Festus' aunt Thede and a young woman both seek to get married.
355	14	"Hammerhead"	Christian Nyby	Antony Ellis	December 26, 1964 (1964-12-26)
A wealthy gambler comes to Dodge to buy horses, leading rival traders to have a race to demonstrate the speed of their steeds.
356	15	"Double Entry"	Joseph Sargent	Les Crutchfield	January 2, 1965 (1965-01-02)
Brad McCain tries to take advantage of his friendship with Matt.
357	16	"Run, Sheep, Run"	Harry Harris	John Meston	January 9, 1965 (1965-01-09)
A man causes trouble for a young couple when he buys a ranch from them and refuses to pay for a year.
358	17	"Deputy Festus"	Harry Harris	Calvin Clements, Sr.	January 16, 1965 (1965-01-16)
Festus, acting as Matt's deputy, learns that the drunken trappers he put in jail are his cousins.
359	18	"One Killer on Ice"	Joseph H. Lewis	Richard Carr	January 23, 1965 (1965-01-23)
Two bounty hunters talk Matt into protecting them and their prisoner from ambush.
360	19	"Chief Joseph"	Mark Rydell	Teleplay by: Clyde Ware Story by: Thomas Warner	January 30, 1965 (1965-01-30)
A desperately ill chief causes tension when he lodges in the Dodge House.
361	20	"Circus Trick"	William F. Claxton	Les Crutchfield	February 6, 1965 (1965-02-06)
Festus's girlfriend joins a circus troupe.
362	21	"Song for Dying"	Allen Reisner	Harry Kronman	February 13, 1965 (1965-02-13)
A carefree minstrel faces the wrath of the vengeful Lukens clan.
363	22	"Winner Take All"	Vincent McEveety	Les Crutchfield	February 20, 1965 (1965-02-20)
Matt intervenes when an intese feud between the Renner brothers reaches its breaking point.
364	23	"Eliab's Aim"	Richard C. Sarafian	Will Corry	February 27, 1965 (1965-02-27)
Festus' nephew Eliab comes gunning for his right ear lobe.
365	24	"Thursday's Child"	Joseph H. Lewis	Robert Lewin	March 6, 1965 (1965-03-06)
Doc falls for a woman (Jean Arthur) who's haunted by her past.
366	25	"Breckinridge"	Vincent McEveety	Les Crutchfield	March 13, 1965 (1965-03-13)
A lawyer from the east questions Matt's every move.
367	26	"Bank Baby"	Andrew V. McLaglen	John Meston	March 20, 1965 (1965-03-20)
Bert Clum plots to rob pilgrim families in nearby camps.
368	27	"The Lady"	Mark Rydell	John Mantley	March 27, 1965 (1965-03-27)
A woman who used to be rich takes a job at the Long Branch while she and her niece are on their way to San Francisco.
369	28	"Dry Road to Nowhere"	Vincent McEveety	Harry Kronman	April 3, 1965 (1965-04-03)
Matt must find out why a gunman is stalking a temperance preacher.
370	29	"Twenty Miles from Dodge"	Mark Rydell	Clyde Ware	April 10, 1965 (1965-04-10)
A gang of outlaws abduct Kitty and her fellow stagecoach passengers.
371	30	"The Pariah"	Harry Harris	Calvin Clements, Sr.	April 17, 1965 (1965-04-17)
An immigrant's life improves when he kills an outlaw - at least for a while.
372	31	"Gilt Guilt"	Harry Harris	Kathleen Hite	April 24, 1965 (1965-04-24)
Doc treats a woman and her son for scurvy.
373	32	"Bad Lady from Brookline"	Michael O'Herlihy	Gustave Field	May 1, 1965 (1965-05-01)
A woman tries to raise her son in Dodge after her husband is killed in a gunfight.
374	33	"Two Tall Men"	Vincent McEveety	Frank Q. Dobbs & Robert Stewart, Jr.	May 8, 1965 (1965-05-08)
Matt faces fear and hostility in Ridge Town where he investigates an old murder case.
375	34	"Honey Pot"	Harry Harris	John Meston	May 15, 1965 (1965-05-15)
Newcomer Ben Stack makes a play for saloon girl Honey Dare.
376	35	"The New Society"	Joseph Sargent	Calvin Clements, Sr.	May 22, 1965 (1965-05-22)
A cowboy admires a buffalo hunter too much to admit that the buffalo hunter is also a thief.
377	36	"He Who Steals"	Harry Harris	John Meston	May 29, 1965 (1965-05-29)
Festus goes after the bandits who robbed and assaulted Doc. (Final John Meston script.)

Season 11 (1965-66)

Thirty-two one-hour episodes, black-and-white
Producer: Philip Leacock; associate producer: John Mantley
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Roger Ewing (Thad)^[27]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
378	1	"Seven Hours to Dawn"	Vincent McEveety	Clyde Ware	September 18, 1965 (1965-09-18)
A treacherous gang of outlaws take over Dodge.
379	2	"The Storm"	Joseph Sargent	Paul Savage	September 25, 1965 (1965-09-25)
A buffalo hunter is sentenced to be hanged for a murder he did not commit, the real culprits being the sons of Matt's old friend Adam Benteen.
380	3	"Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood"	Joseph Sargent	Calvin Clements, Sr.	October 2, 1965 (1965-10-02)
Thad Greenwood trails the four tough guys who caused his father to have a fatal heart attack.
381	4	"Ten Little Indians"	Mark Rydell	George Eckstein	October 9, 1965 (1965-10-09)
Matt must find out who hired the gunfighters that he has been facing in and out of Dodge.
382	5	"Taps for Old Jeb"	James Sheldon	Les Crutchfield	October 16, 1965 (1965-10-16)
Prospector Jeb Carter hires a bodyguard to protect his gold after years of searching finally pay off.
383	6	"Kioga"	Harry Harris	Robert Lewin	October 23, 1965 (1965-10-23)
A young wounded Indian hunts down the fur trader who killed his father and attacked her sister.
384	7	"The Bounty Hunter"	Harry Harris	Paul Savage	October 30, 1965 (1965-10-30)
A bounty hunter comes out of retirement to find the man who murdered a rich rancher's son.
385	8	"The Reward"	Marc Daniels	Gilbert Ralston, Scott Hunt & Beth Keele	November 6, 1965 (1965-11-06)
A convicted gold-mine swindler gets out of prison to resume mining – with money he is accused of stealing.
386	9	"Malachi"	Gary Nelson	William Putman	November 13, 1965 (1965-11-13)
Town drunk Malachi Harper poses as marshal just to impress his brother.
387	10	"The Pretender"	Vincent McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 20, 1965 (1965-11-20)
The Dano brothers return home from prison to a dying mother and a bitter father.
388	11	"South Wind"	Allen Reisner	Jack Bartlett	November 27, 1965 (1965-11-27)
A boy goes into hiding after witnessing his father's murder.
389	12	"The Hostage"	Vincent McEveety	Teleplay by: Clyde Ware Story by: Joe Ann Johnson	December 4, 1965 (1965-12-04)
Four convicts take Matt hostage on their way to Mexico.
390	13	"Outlaw's Woman"	Mark Rydell	Clyde Ware	December 11, 1965 (1965-12-11)
Matt is surprised to see that the fleeing train robber he shot is a woman.
391	14	"The Avengers"	Vincent McEveety	Donn Mullally	December 18, 1965 (1965-12-18)
A judge and his two sons plot their revenge when they suspect Festus and Kitty of murdering a member of their family.
392	15	"Gold Mine"	Abner Biberman	Scott Hunt & Beth Keele	December 25, 1965 (1965-12-25)
Kitty meets a young mute boy in a rough mining town where she has come to claim a gold mine.
393	16	"Death Watch"	Mark Rydell	Calvin Clements, Sr.	January 8, 1966 (1966-01-08)
Matt attempts to protect a wounded outlaw from a pair of bounty hunters.
394	17	"Sweet Billy, Singer of Songs"	Alvin Ganzer	Gustave Field	January 15, 1966 (1966-01-15)
Festus's nephew Billy comes to Dodge to find a wife.
395	18	"The Raid: Part 1"	Vincent McEveety	Clyde Ware	January 22, 1966 (1966-01-22)
A band out of outlaws terrorize Dodge. (Franz Waxman score)
396	19	"The Raid: Part 2"	Vincent McEveety	Clyde Ware	January 29, 1966 (1966-01-29)
The outlaws take Doc hostage after they rob the bank and set Dodge on fire. (Franz Waxman score)
397	20	"Killer at Large"	Marc Daniels	Calvin Clements, Sr.	February 5, 1966 (1966-02-05)
Festus flees Dodge after killing a medicine-show sharpshooter in a gunfight.
398	21	"My Father's Guitar"	Robert Totten	Hal Sitowitz	February 12, 1966 (1966-02-12)
A wanderer believes his father's guitar is worth killing for.
399	22	"Wishbone"	Marc Daniels	Paul Savage	February 19, 1966 (1966-02-19)
Matt goes after three bandits who robbed a stagecoach and killed the driver and guard.
400	23	"Sanctuary"	Harry Harris	Calvin Clements, Sr.	February 26, 1966 (1966-02-26)
A bank robber takes refuge in a church where he holds the pastor and two women hostage.
401	24	"Honor Before Justice"	Harry Harris	Teleplay by: Frank Q. Dobbs Story by: Frank Q. Dobbs & Robert Stewart, Jr.	March 5, 1966 (1966-03-05)
An Indian girl's father is sentenced to die for a murder he did not commit.
402	25	"The Brothers"	Tay Garnett	Tom Hanley	March 12, 1966 (1966-03-12)
Matt captures a young outlaw, who waits for his brother to free him.
403	26	"Which Dr."	Peter Graves	Les Crutchfield	March 19, 1966 (1966-03-19)
Buffalo hunters kidnap Doc and Festus. (directed by James Arness's brother)
404	27	"Harvest"	Harry Harris	Les Crutchfield	March 26, 1966 (1966-03-26)
Ben Payson's daughter falls for one of the Scottish homesteaders who have threatened to take his land.
405	28	"By Line"	Allen Reisner	Les Crutchfield	April 9, 1966 (1966-04-09)
Despite his illiteracy, Festus becomes a reporter for Dodge's new paper.
406	29	"Treasure of John Walking Fox"	Marc Daniels	Teleplay by: Clyde Ware Story by: Leo Bagby	April 16, 1966 (1966-04-16)
A hunter and his companion are taunted by the bigoted townspeople of Dodge.
407	30	"My Father, My Son"	Robert Totten	Hal Sitowitz	April 23, 1966 (1966-04-23)
A gunslinger kills a young man out to gain a reputation, then faces the wrath of the dead man's family.
408	31	"Parson Comes to Town"	Marc Daniels	Verne Jay	April 30, 1966 (1966-04-30)
A stranger wearing a murdered preacher's coat causes tension in Dodge when he announces his intention to watch someone die.
409	32	"Prime of Life"	Robert Totten	Daniel B. Ullman	May 7, 1966 (1966-05-07)
Young Kyle Stoner is involved with a pair of thieves who beat up Festus (final black-and-white episode).

One-hour color era

1966/67 through 1974/75
226 color episodes (all full-hour)
(all two- or three-parters counted as two or three individual hour-long episodes)

Season 12 (1966-67)

Twenty-nine one-hour episodes, color
Executive producer: Philip Leacock; producer: John Mantley
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Roger Ewing (Thad)
CBS cancelled the series due to low ratings. However, letters of protest and pressure from his wife persuaded William S. Paley, the network's chief executive, to re-instate Gunsmoke for a thirteenth season.^[28][29]
Note: In 1997 TV Guide ranked "The Jailer" as episode No. 28 on its "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" list.^[30]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
410	1	"Snap Decision"	Mark Rydell	Richard Carr	September 17, 1966 (1966-09-17)
Matt turns in his badge after being forced to kill a horse thief who was once his friend (first color episode).
411	2	"The Goldtakers"	Vincent McEveety	Clyde Ware	September 24, 1966 (1966-09-24)
An outlaw brings his cohorts to Dodge to melt down the shipment of gold they have stolen.
412	3	"The Jailer"	Vincent McEveety	Hal Sitowitz	October 1, 1966 (1966-10-01)
A powerful matriarch plots her revenge on Matt for having her husband hanged six years ago.
413	4	"The Mission"	Mark Rydell	Richard Carr	October 8, 1966 (1966-10-08)
While in Mexico, Matt has his badge, horse and prisoner stolen by Americans.
414	5	"The Good People"	Robert Totten	James Landis	October 15, 1966 (1966-10-15)
Matt uses a young man's guilty conscience to find the men responsible for lynching a suspected rustler.
415	6	"Gunfighter, R.I.P."	Mark Rydell	Story by: Michael Fisher Teleplay by: Hal Sitowitz	October 22, 1966 (1966-10-22)
A gunslinger hired to kill Matt reconsiders when a Chinese girl tends to his wounds.
416	7	"The Wrong Man"	Robert Totten	Teleplay by: Clyde Ware Story by: Robert Lewin	October 29, 1966 (1966-10-29)
A farmer is charged with murdering the card shark who won his borrowed money.
417	8	"The Whispering Tree"	Vincent McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 12, 1966 (1966-11-12)
An ex-convict returns home to find the loot he stashed.
418	9	"The Well"	Marc Daniels	Francis Cockrell	November 19, 1966 (1966-11-19)
When Dodge is struck by a drought, Festus looks for water and Matt uses a rainmaker to give the people hope.
419	10	"Stage Stop"	Irving J. Moore	Hal Sitowitz	November 26, 1966 (1966-11-26)
Doc takes a stand against bandits at a stage stop along with a pregnant woman and a blind man.
420	11	"The Newcomers"	Robert Totten	Calvin Clements, Sr.	December 3, 1966 (1966-12-03)
An immigrant must decide whether to pay off a blackmailer who claims to have seen the immigrant's son commit murder.
421	12	"Quaker Girl"	Bernard L. Kowalski	Preston Wood	December 10, 1966 (1966-12-10)
After being deputized, Thad deals with mistaken indentity and a pair of outlaws as he takes a killer across the plains.
422	13	"The Moonstone"	Richard A. Colla	Paul Savage	December 17, 1966 (1966-12-17)
An ex-criminal fears that a conflict involving his girlfriend, brother and old partner will reveal his past.
423	14	"Champion of the World"	Marc Daniels	Les Crutchfield	December 24, 1966 (1966-12-24)
An ex-fighter and a con artist conspire to persuade Kitty into selling the Long Branch.
424	15	"The Hanging"	Bernard L. Kowalski	Teleplay by: Calvin Clements, Sr. Story by: Calvin Clements, Jr.	December 31, 1966 (1966-12-31)
Matt must determine how and when the partners of a murderer he has in custody will make their move.
425	16	"Saturday Night"	Robert Totten	Clyde Ware	January 7, 1967 (1967-01-07)
One of the drovers in a cattle drive plans to free Matt's prisoner.
426	17	"Mad Dog"	Charles R. Rondeau	Jay Simms	January 14, 1967 (1967-01-14)
Festus is mistaken for a hired gunman in the town of Bucklin.
427	18	"Muley"	Allen Reisner	Les Crutchfield	January 21, 1967 (1967-01-21)
Although a young outlaw has wounded Matt, he is unable to concentrate on finishing the marshal off because of his affections for a girl.
428	19	"Mail Drop"	Robert Totten	Calvin Clements, Sr.	January 28, 1967 (1967-01-28)
A boy comes looking for his father, unaware that he is a wanted outlaw.
429	20	"Old Friend"	Allen Reisner	Clyde Ware	February 4, 1967 (1967-02-04)
Marshal Burl Masters trails the gang of outlaws who burned his town and ran off with his woman.
430	21	"Fandango"	James Landis	Don Ingalls	February 11, 1967 (1967-02-11)
A rancher is stalking Matt and his prisoner.
431	22	"The Returning"	Marc Daniels	James Landis	February 18, 1967 (1967-02-18)
An honest woman in need of money faces temptation when her outlaw husband goes on the lam, leaving her $20,000.
432	23	"The Lure"	Marc Daniels	Clyde Ware	February 25, 1967 (1967-02-25)
Kitty is abducted by an outlaw and tries to turn his daughter against him to escape.
433	24	"Noose of Gold"	Irving J. Moore	Clyde Ware	March 4, 1967 (1967-03-04)
A state official uses Matt's friendship with an outlaw for personal gain.
434	25	"The Favor"	Marc Daniels	Don Ingalls	March 11, 1967 (1967-03-11)
Kitty is torn between Matt and the man he is looking for – a vengeful killer who once saved her life.
435	26	"Mistaken Identity"	Robert Totten	Paul Savage and Les Crutchfield	March 18, 1967 (1967-03-18)
A fugitive learns that the man whose identity he is using is being brought in by Matt. Guest stars: Albert Salmi and Sam Melville
436	27	"Ladies from St. Louis"	Irving J. Moore	Clyde Ware	March 25, 1967 (1967-03-25)
A group of nuns bring their injured protector to Dodge – without mentioning he is a former criminal.
437	28	"Nitro: Part 1"	Robert Totten	Preston Wood	April 8, 1967 (1967-04-08)
A gang hires a drifter to mix nitroglycerin for them.
438	29	"Nitro: Part 2"	Robert Totten	Preston Wood	April 15, 1967 (1967-04-15)
The drifter hired by the gang mixes one last batch of nitroglycerin.

Season 13 (1967-68)

Twenty-five one-hour episodes, color
Producer: John Mantley; associate producer: Joseph Dackow
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Buck Taylor (Newly)
Gunsmoke began its thirteenth season in a new time-slot (Monday nights at 7:30 PM). With this the series returned to being among the top ten highest rated programs, where it remained for the next six seasons.^[31]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
439	1	"The Wreckers"	Robert Totten	Hal Sitowitz	September 11, 1967 (1967-09-11)
Kitty pins Matt's badge on an unconscious outlaw to protect the marshal from a holdup gang.
440	2	"Cattle Barons"	Gunnar Hellström	Clyde Ware	September 18, 1967 (1967-09-18)
Cattle barons fight over a large herd.
441	3	"The Prodigal"	Bernard McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	September 25, 1967 (1967-09-25)
A journalist looking for a sensational story talks Matt into reopening a murder case, where the marshal finds himself the prime suspect.
442	4	"Vengeance: Part 1"	Richard C. Sarafian	Calvin Clements, Sr.	October 2, 1967 (1967-10-02)
Matt tries to help when a drifter plans to avenge his friends who were trampled by a rancher's horsemen.
443	5	"Vengeance: Part 2"	Richard C. Sarafian	Calvin Clements, Sr.	October 9, 1967 (1967-10-09)
The drifter who is still bent on avenging his friends is arrested for murdering a town boss.
444	6	"A Hat"	Robert Totten	Ron Bishop	October 16, 1967 (1967-10-16)
A stray bullet ruins a frontiersman's hat, setting off a chain reaction of violence and retribution.
445	7	"Hard Luck Henry"	John Rich	Warren Douglas	October 23, 1967 (1967-10-23)
Festus goes to Pratt County with his clumsy cousin Henry to determine how a chest of gold should be divided among the Haggen clan.
446	8	"Major Glory"	Robert Totten	Teleplay by: Richard Carr Story by: Clyde Ware and Richard Carr	October 30, 1967 (1967-10-30)
A pair of Army deserters wait for the perfect opportunity to murder the sergeant who has been harassing him.
447	9	"The Pillagers"	Vincent McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 6, 1967 (1967-11-06)
A gang of outlaws kidnap Newly and Kitty based on their assumption that Newly is a doctor.
448	10	"Prairie Wolfer"	Robert Butler	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 13, 1967 (1967-11-13)
While Festus is acting marshal, a pair of trappers steal $20,000 from a fur trader who refused to buy their pelts.
449	11	"Stranger in Town"	E. Darrell Hallenbeck	Teleplay by: John Dunkel Story by: Emily Mosher and John Dunkel	November 20, 1967 (1967-11-20)
A hired killer gets distracted by his ex-wife and the son he never knew.
450	12	"Death Train"	Gunnar Hellström	Ken Trevey	November 27, 1967 (1967-11-27)
The passengers of a railroad car are quarantined for a fever that could spread.
451	13	"Rope Fever"	David Alexander	Chris Rellas	December 4, 1967 (1967-12-04)
A sheriff enjoys his new-found glory when he puts Festus in jail on a trumped-up murder charge.
452	14	"Wonder"	Irving J. Moore	Teleplay by: William Blinn Story by: Mary Worrell and William Blinn	December 18, 1967 (1967-12-18)
Matt helps an Indian boy find a drifter who is being bothered by disgruntled cowboys.
453	15	"Baker's Dozen"	Irving J. Moore	Charles Joseph Stone	December 25, 1967 (1967-12-25)
Doc fights to keep three orphaned babies from being separated.
454	16	"The Victim"	Vincent McEveety	Teleplay by: Arthur Rowe Story by: Hal Sitowitz	January 1, 1968 (1968-01-01)
Matt and a sheriff face off against a lynch mob.
455	17	"Deadman's Law"	John Rich	Calvin Clements, Jr.	January 8, 1968 (1968-01-08)
A group of vigilantes terrorizes Dodge as Festus goes looking for Matt.
456	18	"Nowhere to Run"	Vincent McEveety	Teleplay by: Ron Honthaner Story by: Robert Totten	January 15, 1968 (1968-01-15)
A pair of teenage thieves fear that their partner, who is stuck in a well, will give them away.
457	19	"Blood Money"	Robert Totten	Hal Sitowitz	January 22, 1968 (1968-01-22)
The father of a young gunfighter tries to end his son's career by wounding his gun hand.
458	20	"Hill Girl"	Robert Totten	Calvin Clements, Sr.	January 29, 1968 (1968-01-29)
Newly clashes with a country girl's tough half-brothers.
459	21	"The Gunrunners"	Irving J. Moore	Hal Sitowitz	February 5, 1968 (1968-02-05)
An old trapper attempts to mete out justice to Army deserters who injured his adopted Indian son.
460	22	"The Jackals"	Alvin Ganzer	Calvin Clements, Jr.	February 12, 1968 (1968-02-12)
Matt trails the man who plotted the murder of an old friend to Mexico.
461	23	"The First People"	Robert Totten	Calvin Clements, Sr.	February 19, 1968 (1968-02-19)
A politically ambitious Indian agent falsely accuses Matt of participating in a murder committed on the reservation.
462	24	"Mr. Sam'l"	Gunnar Hellström	Harry Kronman	February 26, 1968 (1968-02-26)
A rainmaker offers hope when Dodge is struck by a drought.
463	25	"A Noose for Dobie Price"	Richard C. Sarafian	Antony Ellis	March 4, 1968 (1968-03-04)
Matt enlists the help of a former outlaw to find two condemned killers who escaped from jail.

Season 14 (1968-69)

Twenty-six one-hour episodes, color
Producer / executive producer: John Mantley; associate producer: Joseph Dackow
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Buck Taylor (Newly)^[32]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
464	1	"Lyle's Kid"	Bernard McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	September 23, 1968 (1968-09-23)
Matt intervenes when a former lawman plans to use his son to settle a grudge.
465	2	"The Hide Cutters"	Bernard McEveety	Jack Turley	September 30, 1968 (1968-09-30)
Matt joins a cattle drive to prevent violence between a trail boss and his hands.
466	3	"Zavala"	Vincent McEveety	Paul Savage	October 7, 1968 (1968-10-07)
A young Mexican youngster has an ulterior motive for befriending Matt.
467	4	"Uncle Finney"	Bernard McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	October 14, 1968 (1968-10-14)
Two brothers turn in their wanted 103-year-old uncle for the reward.
468	5	"Slocum"	Leo Penn	Ron Bishop	October 21, 1968 (1968-10-21)
A Bible-spouting, moonshine-swilling rancher threatens Matt.
469	6	"O'Quillian"	John Rich	Ron Bishop	October 28, 1968 (1968-10-28)
Matt is forced to protect a troublemaking Irishman.
470	7	"9:12 to Dodge"	Marvin J. Chomsky	Preston Wood	November 11, 1968 (1968-11-11)
Matt and Doc have a tense train ride as they take a prisoner back to Dodge.
471	8	"Abelia"	Vincent McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 18, 1968 (1968-11-18)
Outlaws use a widow's home as their hideout.
472	9	"Railroad!"	Marvin J. Chomsky	Arthur Rowe	November 25, 1968 (1968-11-25)
Matt clashes with a railroad boss who is determined to buy a homesteader's land.
473	10	"The Miracle Man"	Bernard McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	December 2, 1968 (1968-12-02)
An Irish drummer falls for the woman he intended to swindle.
474	11	"Waco"	Robert Totten	Ron Bishop	December 9, 1968 (1968-12-09)
Fate seems to have other plans for Matt as he takes a prisoner back to Dodge.
475	12	"Lobo"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	December 16, 1968 (1968-12-16)
Matt and an old mountain man face off against angry cattlemen and greedy bounty hunters.
476	13	"Johnny Cross"	Herschel Daugherty	Calvin Clements, Sr.	December 23, 1968 (1968-12-23)
Newly intervenes when a pair of bounty hunters attempt to kill a desperado who swears that he is innocent.
477	14	"The Money Store"	Vincent McEveety	William Blinn	December 30, 1968 (1968-12-30)
Two children rob a bank.
478	15	"The Twisted Heritage"	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Paul Savage and Arthur Rowe Story by: Robert Heverly and Jack Turley	January 6, 1969 (1969-01-06)
Kitty clashes with the tyrannical mother of a rancher she just rescued.
479	16	"Time of the Jackals"	Vincent McEveety	Teleplay by: Paul Savage and Richard Fielder Story by: Paul Savage	January 13, 1969 (1969-01-13)
Matt finds himself marked for death as he looks for a killer.
480	17	"Mannon"	Robert Butler	Ron Bishop	January 20, 1969 (1969-01-20)
A former Quantrill Raider comes to Dodge to face Matt in a gunfight.
481	18	"Gold Town"	Gunnar Hellström	Calvin Clements, Sr.	January 27, 1969 (1969-01-27)
A pair of sharpsters salt a gold mine to con the citizens of Dodge.
482	19	"The Mark of Cain"	Vincent McEveety	Ron Bishop	February 3, 1969 (1969-02-03)
An ex-Confederate is haunted by his past.
483	20	"Reprisal"	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Jack Hawn and Paul Savage Story by: Jack Hawn	February 10, 1969 (1969-02-10)
Doc must choose between delivering a baby or saving the life of a man who committed a murder.
484	21	"The Long Night"	John Rich	Teleplay by: Paul Savage Story by: Richard Carr	February 17, 1969 (1969-02-17)
A group of bounty hunters intend to get even with Matt.
485	22	"The Night Riders"	Irving J. Moore	Calvin Clements, Sr.	February 24, 1969 (1969-02-24)
Festus faces a group of renegades bent on regaining land they lost during the Civil War.
486	23	"The Intruder"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	March 3, 1969 (1969-03-03)
Festus seeks help for his prisoner.
487	24	"The Good Samaritans"	Bernard McEveety	Paul Savage	March 10, 1969 (1969-03-10)
A family of former slaves give Matt shelter when he is injured.
488	25	"The Prisoner"	Leo Penn	Calvin Clements, Sr.	March 17, 1969 (1969-03-17)
Kitty is left in charge of a man about to be hanged for murder, but she believes that he is innocent and refuses to let another sheriff take him away.
489	26	"Exodus 21:22"	Herschel Daugherty	Arthur Rowe	March 24, 1969 (1969-03-24)
A former lawman goes after the men who murdered his wife.

Season 15 (1969-70)

Twenty-six one-hour episodes, color
Executive producer: John Mantley; producer: Joseph Dackow
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Buck Taylor (Newly)^[33]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
490	1	"The Devil's Outpost"	Philip Leacock	Teleplay by: Bob Barbash and Jim Byrnes Story by: Bob Barbash	September 22, 1969 (1969-09-22)
A wily outlaw is determined to free his younger brother from Matt's custody.
491	2	"Stryker"	Robert Totten	Herman Groves	September 29, 1969 (1969-09-29)
Matt is headed for a showdown with marshal-turned-outlaw John Stryker.
492	3	"Coreyville"	Bernard McEveety	Herman Groves	October 6, 1969 (1969-10-06)
Two feuding women refuse to reveal the identity of the killer Matt is looking for.
493	4	"Danny"	Bernard McEveety	Preston Wood	October 13, 1969 (1969-10-13)
An ailing con man plans to kill Matt to ensure his financial future.
494	5	"Hawk"	Gunnar Hellström	Kay Lenard & Jess Carneol	October 20, 1969 (1969-10-20)
A woman refuses to acknowledge that a half-Indian boy is her son.
495	6	"A Man Called Smith"	Vincent McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	October 27, 1969 (1969-10-27)
A widow is not what she seems to be.
496	7	"Charlie Noon"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	November 3, 1969 (1969-11-03)
Comanches follow Matt, his prisoner, an Indian widow and her white stepson.
497	8	"The Still"	Gunnar Hellström	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 10, 1969 (1969-11-10)
Festus faces off against a family of hillbillies.
498	9	"A Matter of Honor"	Robert Totten	Joy Dexter	November 17, 1969 (1969-11-17)
The town drunk is accused of a murder he witnessed.
499	10	"The Innocent"	Marvin J. Chomsky	Walter Black	November 24, 1969 (1969-11-24)
A missionary teacher heads for her first assignment.
500	11	"Ring of Darkness"	Bernard McEveety	Arthur Dales[C]	December 1, 1969 (1969-12-01)
A farmer faces a moral dilemma when he steals horses for a gang of outlaws to help his blind daughter.
501	12	"MacGraw"	Philip Leacock	Kay Lenard & Jess Carneol	December 8, 1969 (1969-12-08)
Ex-gunslinger Jake McGraw has returned to Dodge after twenty years in prison and for some reason has taken an interest in a saloon hostess and a young cowboy.
502	13	"Roots of Fear"	Philip Leacock	Arthur Browne, Jr.	December 15, 1969 (1969-12-15)
A dirt farmer and his kin plot to break into the bank when it's closed due to a panic.
503	14	"The Sisters"	Philip Leacock	William Kelley	December 29, 1969 (1969-12-29)
A scoundrel tries to con three nuns.
504	15	"The War Priest"	Bernard McEveety	William Kelley	January 5, 1970 (1970-01-05)
A drunken cavalry sergeant pursues an Indian warrior who takes Kitty hostage.
505	16	"The Pack Rat"	Philip Leacock	Teleplay by: Arthur Browne, Jr. and Jim Byrnes Story by: Arthur Browne, Jr.	January 12, 1970 (1970-01-12)
A young thief sets a fatal trap for Matt as the marshal takes an escaped prisoner to Dodge.
506	17	"The Judas Gun"	Vincent McEveety	Harry Kronman	January 19, 1970 (1970-01-19)
A hired gunman changes the balance of power in a family feud.
507	18	"Doctor Herman Schultz, M.D."	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Calvin Clements, Sr. Story by: Benny Rubin	January 26, 1970 (1970-01-26)
A hypnotist uses his skill to steal money.
508	19	"The Badge"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	February 2, 1970 (1970-02-02)
After Matt is wounded in a gunfight, Kitty puts the saloon up for sale and faces a new kind of trouble.
509	20	"Albert"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	February 9, 1970 (1970-02-09)
A bank teller foils a robbery and keeps the money for himself, only to wind up helping the robbers with their next attempt.
510	21	"Kiowa"	Bernard McEveety	Ron Bishop	February 16, 1970 (1970-02-16)
Matt helps search for a group of raiders who abducted a rancher's daughter.
511	22	"Celia"	Philip Leacock	Harry Kronman	February 23, 1970 (1970-02-23)
Newly must prove that a girl is a con artist bent on swindling a blacksmith.
512	23	"Morgan"	Bernard McEveety	Kay Lenard & Jess Carneol	March 2, 1970 (1970-03-02)
Outlaws take over Dodge and wait for Matt to arrive with a large shipment of gold.
513	24	"The Thieves"	Philip Leacock	Thomas Thompson	March 9, 1970 (1970-03-09)
The bartender takes an interest in a juvenile delinquent on probation.
514	25	"Hackett"	Vincent McEveety	William Kelley	March 16, 1970 (1970-03-16)
An ex-convict seeks revenge on a farmer who ran out on him during a robbery years ago.
515	26	"The Cage"	Bernard McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	March 23, 1970 (1970-03-23)
Matt leads a posse to find a gang of gold thieves.

Season 16 (1970-71)

Twenty-four one-hour episodes, color
Executive producer: John Mantley; producer: Joseph Dackow (episodes 516–528), Leonard Katzman (episodes 529–539)
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Buck Taylor (Newly)
Note: "Pike", the two-part episode that ended the season, was later developed into a spin-off series entitled Dirty Sally.^[34][35]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
516	1	"Chato"	Vincent McEveety	Paul F. Edwards	September 14, 1970 (1970-09-14)
Matt heads to New Mexico to track down a wily killer with a knach for murdering lawmen.
517	2	"The Noose"	Vincent McEveety	Arthur Browne, Jr.	September 21, 1970 (1970-09-21)
A stranger comes to Dodge to avenge his father's hanging.
518	3	"Stark"	Robert Totten	Donald Sanford	September 28, 1970 (1970-09-28)
Bounty hunter Louis Stark blackmails his prisoner, whose father is a wealthy rancher.
519	4	"Sam McTavish, M.D."	Bernard McEveety	Bethel Leslie & Gerry Day	October 5, 1970 (1970-10-05)
Dr. Sam McTavish answers Doc Adam's ad for a temporary replacement.
520	5	"Gentry's Law"	Vincent McEveety	Jack Miller	October 12, 1970 (1970-10-12)
A land baron considers his family above the law.
521	6	"Snow Train: Part 1"	Gunnar Hellström	Preston Wood	October 19, 1970 (1970-10-19)
The Sioux are after the white man who sold them poisonous whisky.
522	7	"Snow Train: Part 2"	Gunnar Hellström	Preston Wood	October 26, 1970 (1970-10-26)
Matt must find out who sold the Indians poisonous whisky when they take a trainload of passengers hostage.
523	8	"Luke"	Bernard McEveety	Jack Miller	November 2, 1970 (1970-11-02)
Outlaw Luke Dangerfield's dying wish is to see his daughter.
524	9	"The Gun"	Bernard McEveety	Donald Sanford	November 9, 1970 (1970-11-09)
A newspaperman from St. Louis exploits a teenage bank clerk who killed a notorious gunfighter.
525	10	"The Scavengers"	Robert Totten	Jim Byrnes	November 16, 1970 (1970-11-16)
A bounty is placed on Indians for allegedly massacring a camp site.
526	11	"The Witness"	Philip Leacock	Shimon Wincelberg	November 23, 1970 (1970-11-23)
A father gets rid of witnesses against his murderous son.
527	12	"McCabe"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	November 30, 1970 (1970-11-30)
Matt's prisoner McCabe is targeted by a lynch mob.
528	13	"The Noon Day Devil"	Philip Leacock	William Kelley	December 7, 1970 (1970-12-07)
A priest tries to save his murderous twin brother's soul.
529	14	"Sergeant Holly"	Bernard McEveety	William Kelley	December 14, 1970 (1970-12-14)
A sergeant sets out to find the man who framed him for stealing an Army payroll.
530	15	"Jenny"	Robert Totten	Jack Miller	December 28, 1970 (1970-12-28)
A bank robber hopes to recoup his losses after losing his money gambling.
531	16	"Captain Sligo"	William Conrad	William Kelley	January 4, 1971 (1971-01-04)
A retired whaler moves to Kansas and begins courting a widow.
532	17	"Mirage"	Vincent McEveety	Jack Miller	January 11, 1971 (1971-01-11)
Festus comes back from a desert shootout with no memory of what exactly took place.
533	18	"The Tycoon"	Bernard McEveety	Robert Vincent Wright	January 25, 1971 (1971-01-25)
Festus falls prey to a husband-hunter after coming into money.
534	19	"Jaekel"	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Calvin Clements, Sr. Story by: True Boardman & Thelma Boardman	February 1, 1971 (1971-02-01)
A pardoned convict returns to the woman he killed for.
535	20	"Murdoch"	Robert Totten	Jack Miller	February 8, 1971 (1971-02-08)
An aging lawman sets out to get the Carver gang - unaware that his son is with them.
536	21	"Cleavus"	Vincent McEveety	Richard Scott	February 15, 1971 (1971-02-15)
An unlucky fellow jumps a dead man's claim and starts courting Kitty.
537	22	"Lavery"	Vincent McEveety	Donald Sanford	February 22, 1971 (1971-02-22)
A troublemaker, out on probation, reunites with his old gang.
538	23	"Pike: Part 1"	Bernard McEveety	Jack Miller	March 1, 1971 (1971-03-01)
Crusty old Sally Fergus nurses a wounded young outlaw named Cyrus Pike back to health.
539	24	"Pike: Part 2"	Bernard McEveety	Jack Miller	March 8, 1971 (1971-03-08)
Having taken a shine to Cyrus while tending to his wounds, Sally tries to persuade him not to steal anymore.

Season 17 (1971-1972)

Twenty-four one-hour episodes, color
Executive producer: John Mantley; producer: Leonard Katzman; associate producer: Ron Honthaner
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Buck Taylor (Newly)^[36]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
540	1	"The Lost"	Robert Totten	Teleplay by: Jack Miller Story by: Warren Vanders	September 13, 1971 (1971-09-13)
Kitty befriends a wild child when she gets lost. (last Totten-directed episode)
541	2	"Phoenix"	Paul Stanley	Anthony Lawrence	September 20, 1971 (1971-09-20)
An ex-convict starts hiring himself out as a killer.
542	3	"Waste: Part 1"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	September 27, 1971 (1971-09-27)
Matt's search for an outlaw leads him to a boy without a mother and wagonload of saloon girls.
543	4	"Waste: Part 2"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	October 4, 1971 (1971-10-04)
Matt gets trapped in a deserted fort with the boy and saloon girls.
544	5	"New Doctor in Town"	Philip Leacock	Jack Miller	October 11, 1971 (1971-10-11)
The new town doctor finds it hard to be accepted as he tries to fill Doc Adams' shoes.
545	6	"The Legend"	Philip Leacock	Calvin Clements, Jr.	October 18, 1971 (1971-10-18)
A man heads down the same path as his outlaw brothers.
546	7	"Trafton"	Bernard McEveety	Ron Bishop	October 25, 1971 (1971-10-25)
An outlaw's compassion for his victims proves to be his downfall.
547	8	"Lynott"	Gunnar Hellström	Ron Bishop	November 1, 1971 (1971-11-01)
An easygoing former lawman fills in for Matt.
548	9	"Lijah"	Irving J. Moore	William Blinn	November 8, 1971 (1971-11-08)
A mountain man is accused of killing three people.
549	10	"My Brother's Keeper"	Paul Stanley	Arthur Dales[C]	November 15, 1971 (1971-11-15)
Festus tries to keep an old Indian alive, even though he wishes to die in peace.
550	11	"Drago"	Paul Stanley	Jim Byrnes	November 22, 1971 (1971-11-22)
A scout hunts down the man who murdered his female benefactor.
551	12	"Gold Train: The Bullet - Part 1"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	November 29, 1971 (1971-11-29)
Doc tries to save Matt when the marshal gets wounded.
552	13	"Gold Train: The Bullet - Part 2"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	December 6, 1971 (1971-12-06)
A group of bandits delay Matt's journey to Denver where the wounded marshal needs an operation.
553	14	"Gold Train: The Bullet - Part 3"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	December 13, 1971 (1971-12-13)
Doc performs an emergency surgery on Matt to save the marshal's life.
554	15	"P.S. Murry Christmas"	Herb Wallerstein	William Kelley	December 27, 1971 (1971-12-27)
A drifter and seven orphans find a way to melt the cold heart of the orphanage headmistress at Christmastime.
555	16	"No Tomorrow"	Irving J. Moore	Richard Fielder	January 3, 1972 (1972-01-03)
A falsely accused homesteader fights to prove his innocence.
556	17	"Hidalgo"	Paul Stanley	Colley Cibber	January 10, 1972 (1972-01-10)
An outlaw shoots Matt and leaves him to die in the desert of Chihuahua.
557	18	"Tara"	Bernard McEveety	William Kelley	January 17, 1972 (1972-01-17)
A charming widow plays Newly against a gunman.
558	19	"One for the Road"	Bernard McEveety	Jack Miller	January 24, 1972 (1972-01-24)
A drunk escapes from his reproving daughter.
559	20	"The Predators"	Bernard McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	January 31, 1972 (1972-01-31)
A 'mad' dog is killing cattle and sheep, while a vengeful gunman sets out to kill a man who shot him in the back four years ago.
560	21	"Yankton"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	February 7, 1972 (1972-02-07)
A saddle tramp uses a rancher's money to court his daughter.
561	22	"Blind Man's Buff"	Herb Wallerstein	Ron Honthaner	February 21, 1972 (1972-02-21)
A lonely widow takes care of a wounded man she finds outside her cabin.
562	23	"Alias Festus Haggin"	Vincent McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	March 6, 1972 (1972-03-06)
A case of mistaken identity ensues when Festus is believed to be wanted for murder.
563	24	"The Wedding"	Bernard McEveety	Harry Kronman	March 13, 1972 (1972-03-13)
A couple are determined to get married over their parents' objections.

Season 18 (1972-73)

Twenty-four one-hour episodes, color
Executive producer: John Mantley; producer: Leonard Katzman; associate producer: Ron Honthaner.
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Ken Curtis (Festus), Buck Taylor (Newly)^[37]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
564	1	"The River: Part 1"	Herb Wallerstein	Jack Miller	September 11, 1972 (1972-09-11)
Bandits chase Matt down Oregon's Rogue River.
565	2	"The River: Part 2"	Herb Wallerstein	Jack Miller	September 18, 1972 (1972-09-18)
Matt's adventure on Oregon's Rogue River comes to a thrilling conclusion.
566	3	"Bohannan"	Alf Kjellin	William Kelley	September 25, 1972 (1972-09-25)
A faith healer is asked to cure a terminally ill boy.
567	4	"The Judgement"	Philip Leacock	Shimon Wincelberg	October 2, 1972 (1972-10-02)
A gunman plots revenge against the man who turned him in as an Army deserter.
568	5	"The Drummer"	Bernard McEveety	Richard Fielder	October 9, 1972 (1972-10-09)
A salesman is forced to face his past.
569	6	"Sarah"	Gunnar Hellström	Calvin Clements, Sr.	October 16, 1972 (1972-10-16)
An old flame of Matt's gets him involved with stage robbers.
570	7	"The Fugitives"	Irving J. Moore	Charles Joseph Stone	October 23, 1972 (1972-10-23)
Doc is kidnapped and forced to save an outlaw's life.
571	8	"Eleven Dollars"	Irving J. Moore	Paul Savage	October 30, 1972 (1972-10-30)
Festus sets out to settle an $11 estate.
572	9	"Milligan"	Bernard McEveety	Ron Bishop	November 6, 1972 (1972-11-06)
A farmer is accused of shooting someone in the back.
573	10	"Tatum"	Gunnar Hellström	Jim Byrnes	November 13, 1972 (1972-11-13)
A dying gunman endures a long, sad journey to see his estranged daughters.
574	11	"The Sodbusters"	Robert Butler	Ron Bishop	November 20, 1972 (1972-11-20)
A sodbuster fights a cattle baron for her water supply.
575	12	"The Brothers"	Gunnar Hellström	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 27, 1972 (1972-11-27)
An outlaw's brother seeks revenge on Kitty for shooting him.
576	13	"Hostage!"	Gunnar Hellström	Paul F. Edwards	December 11, 1972 (1972-12-11)
After Matt kills a member of the Dog Soldiers, the rest of the gang shoot Kitty for revenge.
577	14	"Jubilee"	Herb Wallerstein	Teleplay by: Paul Savage Story by: Jack Freeman	December 18, 1972 (1972-12-18)
A poor sodbuster leaves his farm to race his prized quarter horse.
578	15	"Arizona Midnight"	Irving J. Moore	Dudley Bromley	January 1, 1973 (1973-01-01)
A midget claims that he will turn into an elephant at midnight.
579	16	"Homecoming"	Gunnar Hellström	Calvin Clements, Sr.	January 8, 1973 (1973-01-08)
A pair of outlaws return to Dodge to see their dying mother and take Kitty and Doc hostage.
580	17	"Shadler"	Arnold Laven	Jim Byrnes	January 15, 1973 (1973-01-15)
A condemned man posing as a priest is forced to help a stricken town.
581	18	"Patricia"	Alf Kjellin	Calvin Clements, Sr.	January 22, 1973 (1973-01-22)
Newly gets engaged to a leukemia victim.
582	19	"A Quiet Day in Dodge"	Alf Kjellin	Jack Miller	January 29, 1973 (1973-01-29)
Matt has a trying day as he deals with a vicious prisoner, a brawl at the Long Branch, a nine-year-old thief and Kitty giving him the silent treatment.
583	20	"Whelan's Men"	Paul F. Edwards	Ron Bishop	February 5, 1973 (1973-02-05)
A gang of outlaws take over Dodge while Matt is away, but a poker game with Kitty proves to be their undoing.
584	21	"Kimbro"	Gunnar Hellström	Jim Byrnes	February 12, 1973 (1973-02-12)
Matt's mentor in law enforcement is now on the skids.
585	22	"Jesse"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	February 19, 1973 (1973-02-19)
Festus runs into a friend who has escaped from prison.
586	23	"Talbot"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	February 26, 1973 (1973-02-26)
An outlaw's plans to rob the bank are sidetracked by his attraction to the woman whose husband he killed.
587	24	"This Golden Land"	Gunnar Hellström	Hal Sitowitz	March 5, 1973 (1973-03-05)
A Jewish family's faith is tested by the son's senseless death.

Season 19 (1973-74)

Twenty-four one-hour episodes, color
Executive producer: John Mantley; producer: Leonard Katzman; associate producer: Ron Honthaner
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Amanda Blake (Kitty), Buck Taylor (Newly)^[38]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
588	1	"Women for Sale: Part 1"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	September 10, 1973 (1973-09-10)
Matt goes up against white-slave traders.
589	2	"Women for Sale: Part 2"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	September 17, 1973 (1973-09-17)
Matt continues his pursuit of white-slave traders.
590	3	"Matt's Love Story"	Gunnar Hellström	Ron Bishop	September 24, 1973 (1973-09-24)
An amnesiac Matt falls in love with a young widow.
591	4	"The Boy and the Sinner"	Bernard McEveety	Hal Sitowitz	October 1, 1973 (1973-10-01)
A farm boy tries to stop a man from giving up his honor for booze.
592	5	"The Widow-Maker"	Bernard McEveety	Paul F. Edwards	October 8, 1973 (1973-10-08)
An ex-gunman is unable to put his reputation behind him.
593	6	"Kitty's Love Affair"	Vincent McEveety	Teleplay by: Paul Savage Story by: Joan E. Gessler & Susan Kotar	October 22, 1973 (1973-10-22)
A reformed gunfighter begins a courtship with Kitty.
594	7	"The Widow and the Rogue"	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Paul Savage Story by: Harvey Marlowe and Paul Savage	October 29, 1973 (1973-10-29)
Festus takes a charming, unethical petty thief back to Dodge, but must rely on him to protect a widow and her son.
595	8	"A Game of Death...An Act of Love: Part 1"	Gunnar Hellström	Paul F. Edwards	November 5, 1973 (1973-11-05)
A cattleman seeks vengeance against the Indians he suspects of killing his wife.
596	9	"A Game of Death...An Act of Love: Part 2"	Gunnar Hellström	Paul F. Edwards	November 12, 1973 (1973-11-12)
The Indians accused of murdering a cattleman's wife stand trial.
597	10	"Lynch Town"	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Calvin Clements, Sr. Story by: Anne Snyder & Joann Carlino	November 19, 1973 (1973-11-19)
An alcoholic judge is forced by Matt to hold an inquest into the death of a female saloonkeeper that resulted in the lynching of an innocent drifter.
598	11	"The Hanging of Newly O'Brien"	Alf Kjellin	Calvin Clements, Sr.	November 26, 1973 (1973-11-26)
A backwoods community wants to hang Newly for a failed emergency operation he performed.
599	12	"Susan Was Evil"	Bernard McEveety	William Keys	December 3, 1973 (1973-12-03)
Matt asks two women to take care of a wounded outlaw.
600	13	"The Deadly Innocent"	Bernard McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	December 17, 1973 (1973-12-17)
A mentally challenged young man struggles to live as an adult.
601	14	"The Child Between"	Irving J. Moore	Harry Kronman	December 24, 1973 (1973-12-24)
Newly tries to help care for the sick baby of a wanted man and his untrusting Indian wife.
602	15	"A Family of Killers"	Gunnar Hellström	William Keys	January 14, 1974 (1974-01-14)
Matt and a fellow marshal work together to track down a murderous family.
603	16	"Like Old Times"	Irving J. Moore	Richard Fielder	January 21, 1974 (1974-01-21)
A reformed safecracker tries to start his life over.
604	17	"The Town Tamers"	Gunnar Hellström	Paul Savage	January 28, 1974 (1974-01-28)
Matt and another marshal attempt to bring justice to a frontier town.
605	18	"The Foundling"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	February 11, 1974 (1974-02-11)
Matt must find a home for an abandoned baby girl.
606	19	"The Iron Blood of Courage"	Gunnar Hellström	Ron Bishop	February 18, 1974 (1974-02-18)
A gunfighter is hired to settle a disagreement over water rights.
607	20	"The Schoolmarm"	Bernard McEveety	Dick Nelson	February 25, 1974 (1974-02-25)
An umarried schoolteacher finds that she is pregnant as a result of her being raped.
608	21	"Trail of Bloodshed"	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Paul Savage Story by: Earl W. Wallace	March 4, 1974 (1974-03-04)
A young farmer sets out to find the man who killed his father.
609	22	"Cowtown Hustler"	Gunnar Hellström	Jim Byrnes	March 11, 1974 (1974-03-11)
A has-been pool player looks for a way to regain others' respect.
610	23	"To Ride a Yellow Horse"	Vincent McEveety	Calvin Clements, Sr.	March 18, 1974 (1974-03-18)
A mother seeks to fulfull her dreams for her children.
611	24	"Disciple"	Gunnar Hellström	Shimon Wincelberg	April 1, 1974 (1974-04-01)
Matt's life is changed when his gun arm is seriously wounded.

Season 20 (1974-75)

Twenty-four one-hour episodes, color
Executive producer: John Mantley; producer: Leonard Katzman; associate producer: Ron Honthaner
Regular cast: James Arness (Matt Dillon), Ken Curtis (Festus), Milburn Stone (Doc), Buck Taylor (Newly), Fran Ryan (Hannah)^[39]

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
612	1	"Matt Dillon Must Die!"	Victor French	Ray Goldrup	September 9, 1974 (1974-09-09)
A crazed killer bent on avenging his son's death captures Matt.
613	2	"A Town in Chains"	Bernard McEveety	Ron Bishop	September 16, 1974 (1974-09-16)
A gang of bank robbers take over a town to do one last heist.
614	3	"The Guns of Cibola Blanca: Part 1"	Gunnar Hellström	Paul Savage	September 23, 1974 (1974-09-23)
Outlaws hold Doc and a woman hostage at a desert stronghold.
615	4	"The Guns of Cibola Blanca: Part 2"	Gunnar Hellström	Paul Savage	September 30, 1974 (1974-09-30)
Matt, Festus and Newly hatch a plan to rescue Doc and his female companion from the outlaws who have taken them hostage.
616	5	"Thirty a Month and Found"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	October 7, 1974 (1974-10-07)
Three drovers find their way of life jeopardized by the railroad.
617	6	"The Wiving"	Victor French	Earl W. Wallace	October 14, 1974 (1974-10-14)
A farmer sends his sons into town to pick up brides.
618	7	"The Iron Men"	Gunnar Hellström	John Mantley	October 21, 1974 (1974-10-21)
Matt takes on the task of rehabilitating a drunk ex-lawman.
619	8	"The Fourth Victim"	Bernard McEveety	Jim Byrnes	November 4, 1974 (1974-11-04)
There is a killer on the loose in Dodge.
620	9	"The Tarnished Badge"	Michael O'Herlihy	Robert Vincent Wright	November 11, 1974 (1974-11-11)
Matt deals with a sheriff (Victor French) who rules his town with an iron fist...and who does not take it well when he is asked to resign. Guest star: Nick Nolte
621	10	"In Performance of Duty"	Gunnar Hellström	William Keys	November 18, 1974 (1974-11-18)
A family of outlaws stay a step ahead of the law by killing anyone who sees them.
622	11	"Island in the Desert: Part 1"	Gunnar Hellström	Jim Byrnes	December 2, 1974 (1974-12-02)
A half-crazy hermit rescues Festus.
623	12	"Island in the Desert: Part 2"	Gunnar Hellström	Jim Byrnes	December 9, 1974 (1974-12-09)
The hermit forces Festus to make packs of gold across the desert.
624	13	"The Colonel"	Bernard McEveety	Arthur Dales[C]	December 16, 1974 (1974-12-16)
A town drunk who was once an officer of the Army deals with his daughter's upcoming marriage.
625	14	"The Squaw"	Gunnar Hellström	Jim Byrnes	January 6, 1975 (1975-01-06)
An outlaw on the run must rely on an Indian woman cast off from her own tribe if he is to survive in the badlands.
626	15	"The Hiders"	Victor French	Paul Savage	January 13, 1975 (1975-01-13)
Festus tries to talk a teenager into leaving a gang of men who cut the skins off dead cattle.
627	16	"Larkin"	Gunnar Hellström	Jim Byrnes	January 20, 1975 (1975-01-20)
Newly tries to take a killer to Dodge with bounty hunters on his tail.
628	17	"The Fires of Ignorance"	Victor French	Jim Byrnes	January 27, 1975 (1975-01-27)
A teacher fights for children's right to education as he clashes with the father of one of his students.
629	18	"The Angry Land"	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Jim Byrnes Story by: Herman Groves	February 3, 1975 (1975-02-03)
An orphaned girl is turned away by her only relative.
630	19	"Brides and Grooms"	Victor French	Earl W. Wallace	February 10, 1975 (1975-02-10)
A farmer tries to get his sons married.
631	20	"Hard Labor"	Bernard McEveety	Teleplay by: Earl W. Wallace Story by: Hal Sitowitz	February 24, 1975 (1975-02-24)
Matt is convicted for a crime he did not commit and is sentenced to a life of hard labor in the judge's silver mine.
632	21	"I Have Promises to Keep"	Vincent McEveety	Teleplay by: William Putman and Earl W. Wallace Story by: William Putman	March 3, 1975 (1975-03-03)
An ailing precher is determined to build a church for the Comanches, despite the objecions of both whites and Indians.
633	22	"The Busters"	Vincent McEveety	Jim Byrnes	March 10, 1975 (1975-03-10)
A broncobuster has only two days to live after getting a fatal injury from getting thrown off a stallion.
634	23	"Manolo"	Gunnar Hellström	Teleplay by: Earl W. Wallace Story by: Harriet Charles and Earl W. Wallace	March 17, 1975 (1975-03-17)
A Basque sheepherder refuses to fight his father to prove his manhood.
635	24	"The Sharecroppers"	Leonard Katzman	Earl W. Wallace	March 31, 1975 (1975-03-31)
Festus ends up plowing crops for a family of farmers after accidentally shooting one of them in the leg and bringing him home.

Television movies

#	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Airdate[40]
1	Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge !Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge	McEveety, VincentVincent McEveety	Bynes, JimJim Bynes	September 26, 1987
2	Gunsmoke: The Last Apache !Gunsmoke: The Last Apache	Correll, CharlesCharles Correll	Wallace, Earl W.Earl W. Wallace	March 18, 1990
3	Gunsmoke: To the Last Man !Gunsmoke: To the Last Man	Jameson, JerryJerry Jameson	Wallace, Earl W.Earl W. Wallace	January 10, 1992
4	Gunsmoke: The Long Ride !Gunsmoke: The Long Ride	Jameson, JerryJerry Jameson	Stratton, BillBill Stratton	May 8, 1993
5	Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice !Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice	Jameson, JerryJerry Jameson	Longstreet, Harry and ReneeHarry and Renee Longstreet	February 10, 1994

Nielsen ratings

Season	Season premiere	Season finale	Timeslot	Nielsen rating[41]	Programs airing opposite Gunsmoke[41]
					NBC	ABC
1	September 10, 1955	August 25, 1956	Saturday, 10–10:30	—	The George Gobel Show	Tomorrow's Careers
2	September 8, 1956	July 6, 1957	Saturday, 10–10:30	8	The George Gobel Show	Masquerade Party
3	September 14, 1957	June 7, 1958	Saturday, 10–10:30	1	What's It For	Mike Wallace Interviews
4	September 13, 1958	June 13, 1959	Saturday, 10–10:30	1	Cimarron City	Sammy Kaye's Music
5	September 5, 1959	June 11, 1960	Saturday, 10–10:30	1	Five Fingers	Jubilee USA
6	September 3, 1960	June 17, 1961	Saturday, 10–10:30	1	The Nation's Future	Fight of the Week
7	September 30, 1961	May 26, 1962	Saturday, 10–11:00	3	NBC Saturday Night at the Movies	Fight of the Week
8	September 15, 1962	June 1, 1963	Saturday, 10–11:00	10	NBC Saturday Night at the Movies	Fight of the Week
9	September 28, 1963	June 6, 1964	Saturday, 10–11:00	20	NBC Saturday Night at the Movies	The Jerry Lewis Show
10	September 26, 1964	May 29, 1965	Saturday, 10–11:00	27	NBC Saturday Night at the Movies	Hollywood Palace
11	September 18, 1965	May 7, 1966	Saturday, 10–11:00	30	NBC Saturday Night at the Movies	Hollywood Palace
12	September 17, 1966	April 15, 1967	Saturday, 10–11:00	34	NBC Saturday Night at the Movies	Hollywood Palace
13	September 11, 1967	March 4, 1968	Monday, 7:30–8:30	4	The Monkees The Man From U.N.C.L.E.	Cowboy in Africa
14	September 23, 1968	March 24, 1969	Monday, 7:30–8:30	6	I Dream of Jeannie Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In	The Avengers
15	September 22, 1969	March 23, 1970	Monday, 7:30–8:30	2	My World and Welcome to It Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In	The Music Scene The New People
16	September 14, 1970	March 8, 1971	Monday, 7:30–8:30	5	The Red Skelton Show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In	The Young Lawyers
17	September 20, 1971	March 13, 1972	Monday, 8–9:00	4	Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In	Nanny and the Professor
18	September 11, 1972	March 5, 1973	Monday, 8–9:00	8	Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In	The Rookies
19	September 10, 1973	April 1, 1974	Monday, 8–9:00	15	Lotsa Luck Diana	The Rookies
20	September 9, 1974	March 31, 1975	Monday, 8–9:00	28	Born Free	The Rookies

Home media release

The first eleven seasons of Gunsmoke and the first three reunion films are available on DVD in Region 1. Two box sets—The 50th Anniversary Collection and The Director's Collection—have been released on DVD in Region 1. An over-year long hiatus happened between Seasons 11 & 12 for unknown reasons.

Gunsmoke season DVD releases
Season	Episodes	Discs	Release date	Ref
1	39	6	July 17, 2007	[42]
2	Volume 1: 20	3	January 8, 2008	[43]
	Volume 2: 19	3	May 27, 2008	[44]
3	Volume 1: 20	3	December 9, 2008	[45]
	Volume 2: 19	3	May 26, 2009	[46]
4	Volume 1: 20	3	October 5, 2010	[47]
	Volume 2: 19	3	December 14, 2010	[48]
5	Volume 1: 20	3	October 11, 2011	[49]
	Volume 2: 19	3	December 13, 2011	[50]
6	Volume 1: 19	3	August 7, 2012	[51]
	Volume 2: 19	3	October 16, 2012	[52]
7	Volume 1: 17	5	December 11, 2012	[53]
	Volume 2: 17	5	February 5, 2013	[54]
8	Volume 1: 19	5	May 7, 2013	[55]
	Volume 2: 19	5	May 7, 2013	[55]
9	Volume 1: 18	5	August 6, 2013	[56]
	Volume 2: 18	5	August 6, 2013	[56]
10	Volume 1: 18	5	August 12, 2014	[57]
	Volume 2: 18	5	August 12, 2014	[57]
Gunsmoke – 50th Anniversary DVD releases
Volume	Episodes	Discs	Release date	Ref
1	17	3	January 3, 2006	[58]
2	12	3	January 3, 2006	[59]
1 & 2	29	6	January 3, 2006	[60]
Gunsmoke – The Director's Collection DVD releases
Volume	Episodes	Discs	Release date	Ref
—	15	3	November 14, 2006	[61]
Gunsmoke TV-movie DVD releases
Title		Discs	Release date	Ref
Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge		1	May 11, 2004	[62]
Gunsmoke: The Last Apache		1	May 11, 2004	[63]
Gunsmoke: To the Last Man		1	May 11, 2004	[64]
The Gunsmoke Movie Collection		3	May 11, 2004	[65]

Notes

See also

• List of Gunsmoke radio episodes

Footnotes

References

• Costello, Ben (2006). Gunsmoke: An American Institution. Chandler, Arizona: Five Star Publications, Inc. ISBN 978-1-58985-014-9. 
• Barbaras, SuzAnne & Gabor (1990). Gunsmoke: A Complete History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-89950-418-3. 

External links

• Arness, James. "The Official Web Site of James Arness". Retrieved March 22, 2010. 
• Newcomb, Horace (2010). "Gunsmoke". The Museum of Broadcast Communications. Retrieved March 21, 2010.