James Arness - Archive Interview Part 1 of 5

[Lynn731]

He is my favorite male actor. I grew up watching Gunsmoke every time it was on.

[51LAY]

Great American hero in the tv westerns. He'll always be remembered like the "Duke" everyone related to his honest decent character he played in Gunsmoke. Thanks James for all the great years of growing up with Matt Dillon. I still watch your re-runs.

[AnthonyStJames]

I only became a fan in the last year, since I started watching Gunsmoke on the Encore Westerns channel. This man stood tall in the role of Matt Dillon--in more ways than one. That role was perfect for him.

[catholicpriest1]

Maybe they should have yelled "Action". That's what he was used to hearing before each scene on Gunsmoke for twenty years.

[AcePilot101]

He was a surfer before Gunsmoke.

[grace230608]

After watching this wonderful interview, I was more interested in his bio and he was not only just a buck private (he's so humble) he received multiple medals. TRULY INSPIRING.

[grace230608]

Peter Graves who just died recently is James Arness's Brother

[RainbowRoseConnie]

Where can I find the rest of the parts 2-5?

[elangelphoto]

Sharp as a tack. I hope I age so well. He is still Matt Dillon. Leader, strong, sense of humor, and focused. Gunsmoke autographed photos by Mr. Arness. website is

jamesarness com God Bless...

[randolph65]

I ENJOY LOOK AT UR MOVIES

[swifton1]

Mr.Dillon

[MegaTriumph1]

Happy Birthday James Arness. Way to go thanks for the interview.

[atp1962]

Is James still alive now? 2010

[choppog]

@atp1962 yup, 87 years old, his birthday was today

[sweetjill1]

@atp1962 yes he is atp and what a great man!

[llieber100]

What a nice man! He was (is!) so handsome, and still has that very recognizable voice. Nice interview

[RangerRob2009]

Great man and a really great actor. I loved the Gunsmoke series. Thank you James.

[EvelTwinOfSlogmaster]

Nice to see he was able to hold onto that magnetic, iconic voice well into his years. : ) They don't make men like this anymore.

[virrepirreboy]

Kung!

[michaelstanger]

cool

[SwellGalMary]

Wow, my dad went to high school with Jim Arness and use to talk about riding trains so I wonder if they did that together. Gotta love Jim Arness.

[theDUKE197908]

This guy is awesome,im really glad to see him. I think JAMES ARNESS is one of the greates western stars ever.

[loch70]

For swedes hes always Zebulon Macahan. = )

[ACLTony]

I still enjoy watching Gunsmoke. Such a well made show with excellent actors.

[Yourdeadmeat69]

What a bright, articulate, interesting man! I am so sorry about the loss of his brother Peter Graves, another fabulous and talented guy.

I am so glad they preserved this bit of movie and tv history.

[biffarone]

The show was called Gun Law in the United Kingdom.

[99tosign99]

Was the James Arness western called "Gun Law" at first ?

[Prionel]

What a nice man! I loved watching Gunsmoke as a kid.

Thanks, Mr Arness!

[Sapphirebabe1962]

i love watching gunsmoke

[karentex62]

His voice is so impressive!

[Gaspipenicklioni]

He's still got that look in his eye...........

[zzzmac]

Matt Dillon... thanks for all the years of making the TV series "Gunsmoke" when I was a kid.

[billheartyface]

how weird is that? someone named "graves" dies! unbelievable.

[Fugate171]

One of the most distinctive voices and presences in television history. Great memories watching Gunsmoke.

[DAngelo136]

Originally it was William Conrad (Cannon, Jake & The Fat Man, Rocky & Bullwinkle) who portrayed Matt Dillon on the radio. But because he was short and portly, he was passed over for the TV role. for the taller 6'5" James Arness.And the rest is history.

[DarianGTR06]

Great vid, thanks for posting.

[melollylolly]

great actor; great presence

[velourkungen]

2 me he will allways be zeb the most awesome character ever :)

[misspaddylee]

This is a treasure. James Arness is a treasure.

[RARARANDOMcopter]

Mehh. This man had a great influence on my growing up, watching him defend for what was right, Even with his life. sure it was a show, but james arness, aka matt dylan, will always be my hero.

the hell with anyone who disrespects this man.

[ranran19701]

an immortal legend with great longevity.

He will live for hundreds of years more....

[coldplayish]

I totally agree!

[newnewly]

when I was a kid I'd fastdraw w/ this dude and the fellow he was fastdrawing against on the street in Dodge City at the begining of Gunsmoke. served me well as I went on to rule the west.

[TremendoGallo]

What a BIG man. Is an american hero, and a legend

[phillipforbama]

Great vid. What a guy.

[SuperMagnetizer]

My father's two favorite shows were Gunsmoke and Mission: Impossible.

[JubalCalif]

Mr Arness comes across as so humble, gentle, intelligent, thoughtful & articulate. Of course he looks older here...but he sounds as strong as ever! Thank heavens for youtube, where we can enjoy entertaining & informative clips like this. THANK YOU for sharing! :)

[64bolts]

The good old days! Enjoyed listening to the class interview.

[JChris200182]

He's a legend, i remember watching the sci-fi movie 'The Thing' and at first i had no idea that he played as the creature.

[1pasquale2]

This was fantastic. I always like James Arness, and I learned some things about him in this interview that confirmed what I had always suspected and another that was very personal to me. He came across as the nice, humble man I always thought he was and he fought at Anzio which is where my oldest brother was killed in 1944. I am so glad that I found this out. Thank you.

[BufordStone]

Great man.

[MBFLA45]

Very enjoyable interview. Great role model... gracious, intelligent and never a hint of scandal. The later 1-hour color episodes were ok, but the earlier black and white half-hour shows were fantastic. If they were made today there'd be howls because of the lack of political correctness. Tough, gritty, and realistic... nobody else ever came close. I've been catching up on them this month under the "Marshall Dillon" title. If youj've missed the early ones... check 'em out.

[SuperBrumley]

James Arness in Gunsmoke was my favorite Sheriff. Gunsmoke is my favorite western of all. I love Mat and Festus. Thanks for entertaining us in our living rooms over the years. We love you guys!

kathy

[grace230608]

@SuperBrumley did you see the video of Ken Curtis (FESTUS) singing tumbling tumbleweeds. great

[ebradbrah]

James Arness is a descendant of Norwegian Vikings

[museack]

@ebradbrah

I think only his Father was Norwegian. He says his Mother's maiden name was Duesler which sounds German to me. He was probably only 1/2 Norse.

[gguerra3]

@museack

You are correct as per the Wikipedia article

[1967PONTIACGTO]

This is a very interesting interview. How to leave us dangling, with him on live television being shot from the waist up while they change his pants during the broadcast! It's also interesting about the soldiers from the European theatre anticipating going on to Japan to invade. I bet none of them minded that Truman decided to use the A bomb.

[jimjam69]

I watched Gunsmoke for a long time and he was one of my fav actors.Its was funny i told my uncle he looked like James Arness 1. bc i was so small(3 which made him so tall. .It was a magic moment for me when this show came on.

[JulietDeltaCarlie]

When I was a kid, I remember watching Gunsmoke with my grandfather. In my opinion, even modern day westerns in the new century can't compete with Gunsmoke, it was truly ahead of its time, and this man is an absolute legend.

[naeema]

Great Western Actor! really talented!

thanks alot for the interview.

[THETRADOGGFUL]

gun smoke hands down the best western on tv. most westerns back then were just half hour. this show gave you soild hour of great drama and laughs

[000266617]

Was a popular western.

But Bonanza, Have Gun Will Travel, Raw Hide beats it,

Any of those three and others because of their writing

[keithallenlaw]

Bonanza was on for an hour too.

[ancientastronomer]

Yeah, and it sucked for the full hour too. Each and every time it was on.

[Lynn731]

Jim is my favorite actor. I grew up watching Gunsmoke. I buy every DVD that comes out, and watch it on TV Land. Jim and the cast are great. I marvel at how many now famous actors started on Gunsmoke.

[VanWADebbie]

Perry Mason series produced a number of actors that started their careers at about the same time. CBS seemed to be a starter for new stars.

[MsTrucker2]

I just love James Arness,he is so great actor. I still watch Gunsmoke, then my children and now my grand children.

[mowm88]

Love James Arness. You forget how BIG he is, 6-7 or so.

[bennyv69]

Great to see big james i'm actually related to him.

By the way i'm from Norway.

[tomkes100]

THE THING THEM and then GUNSMOKe this Jim Arness is all AMERICAN decent humble kind and very bright. Thanks Jim. one of the Dukes disciveries. Youre tops. may you live 1000 years.. This film tv histiorian ranks you ******* in my book. TOMK

[Blinkymyt]

Wonderful interview series with James Arness. I met him myself, and found him to be a humble and intelligent gentleman. Thanks again, and five sterling stars. Amicably, John

[brianeclus]

James you look great. Where is Rolf? Rolf contact me please! Sarah

[vampirehippie]

I love james arness. i love gunsmoke! and for the note rumored they are making a new gun smoke movie in 2012.

[TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

A mans man. What a wonderful actor. The kind of man you would love to go fishing or hunting with.

[sargoth37]

I always loved the opening gunfight in Gunsmoke.

[blkshepherd]

the thing from another world

[artkent]

So great to see this. I love him and Gunsmoke still. It's great to see how natural he is, so authentic.

[madkoffe]

I have a signed card from all of the zeb macahan family :-)

I think i got it in late 80:is.

[opiewontaylor]

Such a class act.. They really do not make guys like this anymore.

[hotpeach9]

They sure dont.You're right!

[Ricar41]

Absolutely he could play a role in a western. He 's pretty sharp

[vinegaroon1]

I think he could still handle a role in a western. not the marshal anymore, but maybe a hardened old deputy or bartender.

[PeterFirthFan]

They don't make westerns any more.

[Frostbyte380]

I liked him in How the West Was Won

[FashonbugWA]

Wasn't he also The Creature from the Black Lagoon? I was thinking it was him.

[superstrangevideo]

not the creature from the black lagoon, but the alien monster in THe Thing 1951

[johnnecron]

Peter Graves is his brother

[toreswe]

I'm also born May 26! :D

[FrankieJ111688]

really? whoa cool; happy birthday! lol!

[FrankieJ111688]

when he was talking about his last name, the spelling was a mix-up; spell it one way.

[burrfscott]

gUNSMOKE WAS NUMBER 1 LONGER THAN ANY OTHER SHOW.

[CulturePeaceForever]

This actor really has a powerful presence.

[CJurasin]

Wasn't James the "Monster" in an old Sci Fi Movie???

[BizzyinMichigan]

Yes. He played a character called "The Thing" in the 1951 film "The Thing from Another World"

[quinnterick]

is he still alive

[U3X6785]

Yes he is 86

[savammy]

@quinnterick yes he is

[timothyowendowdall]

A class act always was gumsmoke stills holds up God bless you Jim

[josephdupont]

Henry..you need to pump up the audio. it is easliy done.

[5thcorps]

Sounds a lot like the duke here in his old age

[robdogg71]

i wasnt born back then but i watch the rerun he a good actor it make me want to be bborn back then lot of memory with that show and james arness.

[DeirdreAnnMary]

Excellent video - great to hear James again. I grew up watching "Gunsmoke" and still watch reruns here in Alaska and still enjoy him. Good wholesome series.

[climaximus1]

..and me growing up with Zeb McCain..

[1tufftahoe]

The best thing ever for my generation was How the West was Won, The Macahans, I greatly miss good tv

[selmer6player]

i remember trying to quickdraw faster than matt in the '60s. never could. god bless you, james. thanks for the post!

[procommenter]

He resembles Rev. Billy Graham.

[mandrake2273]

He does, doesn't he.

[grace230608]

@mandrake2273 I AGREE WITH YOUR COMPARISON OF Rev Billy Graham

[6043815]

More actors need to be humble like him. He was much loved!

[decker187]

I've always loved Mr. Arness and I'm thankful to be able to see these interviews of him. An honest man, a gentle man, a gentleness that even came through his Dillon persona. He never relished having to kill the bad guys but he did it when he felt it was necessary. He gave something to the role that a director could never call upon; it was just there. God bless, Mr. Arness, and thanks for the memories.

[walleyrt69]

Sad to see one of our heroes getting old but James Arness even aged with dignity.We need more like him anymore.God Bless James Arness,saw him every monday night for years and years.Thanx James.

[BullpenBoss]

It still amazes me that he never won an Emmy. I mean...he WAS US Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years plus the reunion movies! A great actor. A great American! God Bless you Mr Arness.

[dskap201]

Without question Mr. Arness has always been my very favorite actor! I am especially impressed with his memory and smooth way of getting things across. What an interview, what a guy.

If only we had a President like this man!

Gunsmoke, my all time favorite!

May God bless you Jim Arness!

[bennyv69]

Great to see james(zeb/matt dillon)

i'm actually related to him.

My father is acutally his 4th cousin so it's way out.

But i'm still related to big james.

[DStrebor]

Greatest western of all time, and I mean of all time!

[inkey2]

yeh, he still looks good, like he could kick some ass even at his age

[plainwain]

What an interview from T.V.'s greatest Western star(In my opinion). I particularly liked his insightful recollection of the Casablanca parallel ( @

[orion1497]

His brother was Peter Graves. Superior genetics. Don't see that much anymore in 3rd World America.

[JimNuccio]

I'ts playing OK now.  Server issues come and go.

[beachnikk]

I don't know why but this video keeps having to load as its being played. None of the others do this and is somewhat frustrating.

[dferg7223]

A true Legend! He looks great!

[captainarchernx01]

He looks like he could still kick my behind.

[Psycoberlusk]

A legend !

[warrior350es]

I like James Arness, he's a true icon.

[TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

This man is 85 and still looks like he could take care of business if he had to. A true Television Legend.

[videocrash]

another great guy, thanks for posting the interview.