Gunsmoke

Hollywood: CBS Radio, Circa 1954. Vintage publicity photograph of William Conrad for the CBS radio series "Gunsmoke," circa 1954. Mimeo snipe and "CBS Photo by Gabor Rona" stamp on the verso.

"Gunsmoke" first aired on CBS radio on April 26, 1952 with William Conrad in the lead as Marshall Matt Dillon. Conrad was already one of radio's biggest stars because his distinctive, resonant voice when he was cast along side Parley Baer, Howard McNear, and Georgia Ellis in the unique, somber radio Western. "Gunsmoke," the radio show initially had difficulty in finding sponsors given its realistic and dark story lines but talk quickly began in adapting it for television. Despite a campaign to use the radio cast for the television series, producers chose otherwise and cast James Arness in Conrad's role. The radio series aired for nine years, ending on June 18, 1961.

8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus, with faint scratches to upper right, a small closed tear in right margin, and faint creasing in margins.

[Book #148545]