Marshal Dillon for twenty+ years. Gun smoke was the anchor of our TV week growing up. I enjoyed his personal website were he interacted with fans through the years. A real great guy.
I remember having recently seen a bio mon Arness, and in it I learned that at one time John Wayne had once been considered for the part of Marshall Dillon. Instead, he passed it on to Arness, who had been a friend of his at the time. I sometimes wonder just how differant television history would have been if Wayne had taken the part instead.
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I get the feeling that TV was not meant for John Wayne.
He wasa larger than life figure (an image Hollywood & maybe he himself created) and being up on the big screen is where he belonged.
Arness's appeal as Marshall Dillon was something he made happen by imersing himself in that role. At first most tuned in because he was complimented by Wayne himself but after that it was up to Arness.
I think what John Wayne would have done would have been the same type he played in the movies.
That plays better on the big screen and I don't see Wayne sitting still for 20 years of playing the same guy.
A belated RIP for Mr. Arness.
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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." - Borderstone
I just remembered an old sci-fi movie that Arness was in ages ago. I think it was called It or some such title. All I know for sure was that he played an alien monster that had crash landed on the South Pole.
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RIP James Arness
- Borderstone
