Blakes character was Miss Kathleen Kitty Russell, the proprietor of a saloon in Dodge City, the setting for Gunsmoke.. Miss Kitty in WebNow Tucker knows where to look for Miss Kitty. Therefore, Miss Kitty simply became a lady saloon owner. How was Miss Kitty written off Gunsmoke? LandumC goes there 164K subscribers Subscribe 19K Share 1.1M views 3 years ago A look at the A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? The character on Gunsmoke was named Kitty Russell, played by actress Amanda Blake. [2][4] She appeared in a few Hollywood films, such as the 1952 western Cattle Town and in the starring role of Miss Robin Crusoe, a 1954 adaptation of the Robinson Crusoe adventure. Webdid amanda blake wear a wig on gunsmoke did amanda blake wear a wig on gunsmoke WebMost memorably, the phrase was made famous by this show, in which villains were often commanded to "get the hell out of Dodge". What started as a half-hour show eventually extended to an hour due to popularity. In 1997, the Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge opened at Rancho Seco Park in Herald, California. Arness showed up as Matt Dillon for every single one. He was told to distinguish his character from Dillon, so he decided that a limp would be a unique character trait to make Chester stand out. Thad learns to shoot, ride and fish and seems to be settling in to country life after being a city boy. She did appear on a number of television shows, including a recurring comedy routine on The Red Skelton Show; as a celebrity on Hollywood Squares, Tattletales, and the 1970s revival of Match Game; and comedy appearances on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast. Marshall Matt Dillon and Chester are in the store and the proprietor Jonas asks Matt if Miss Kitty is in still in town because he thought he saw her at Willow Bend when the stage stopped. Speaking of saloons, did you know that a Gunsmoke regular also was a Big Band singer? WebAnswer (1 of 6): Interesting question that caused this old man to do a bit of www photo research and analysis. WebKathleen Hite wrote a true gem in "Miss Kitty" about a young orphan Thad Ferrin (well played by Roger Mobley) who is whisked from the hands of evil by his bio-mom, then by The topic of this video has been processed in the spirit of this goal. They were some of the first to breed cheetahs successfully in captivity; they raised seven generations of cheetahs. In 1954, she appeared in A Star Is Born. Who wrote this in The New York Times playing with a net really does improve the game? In 1968, Blake was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Tucker then says he is going to Dodge City to get his boy and talks about a beautiful women he wants to see there named Miss Kitty who hates him. You are planning an exercise that will include the m16 and m203. Vince Carter for all five seasons of the CBS-TV sitcom series Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964-1969). It ended its 20 seasons with a regular episode. How did you use the result to determine who walked fastest and slowest? Blake subsequently quit the popular television show, which was then in its 19th season. If required by education, we may also present a detail of the topic that may be objectionable to some people. Back at the Marshall's office Doc, Chester and Matt talk about the possibility that it was Miss Kitty picking up the boy at the stage stop. Blakes fifth husband, Mark Spaeth, an Austin, Texas, city councilman and developer, died of pneumonia in 1985 at age 45. From shoot outs to shenanigans at the Long Branch Saloon, the show had it all. Although never confirmed, it was heavily implied by creator Norman McDonnell that she [10] She had been known for bringing her pet lion, Kemo, onto the Gunsmoke set. Tucker crosses paths with Charlie coming back the next morning from Dodge and confronts him on why he went there. Directed by Harry Harris, the episode, which was written Kathleen The boy waits for her out of earshot and she tells Matt that she has some things to tell him but not right now. At one point Dillon says to Chester, "You're Giving Me the Willies", a phrase the Online Etymology Dictoinary says didn't exist in any form until the 1890s, decades after the story's setting. Charlie comes to town looking for Miss Kitty and meets Chester at the Longbranch, and in a couple of minutes Chester has told Sutton everything about Miss Kitty leaving town and Charlie realizes that he saw her on the road, and knows the direction she is headed. She departs and Jonas tells Matt he wonders why she bought a boys rifle and some candy. Directed by Harry Harris, the episode, which was written Kathleen Hite, was originally broadcast on CBS-TV on October 14, 1961. You also get to see Peter, Jan, and Cindy from The Brady Bunch. started. Marshal Matt Dillon was challenging to cast, The show really struggled to fill the iconic role, mostly because they really wanted, 6. Did they get Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty together at the end of He said he didnt know how she contracted the fatal disease. [5], Blake became best known for her 19-year stint as the saloon-keeper Miss Kitty on the television series Gunsmoke from 1955 to 1974. Ellis first appeared in the radio episode "Billy the Kid" (April 26, 1952) as "Francie Richards" - a former girlfriend of Matt Dillon's and the widow of a criminal - but the character of "Miss Kitty" did not appear until the May 10, 1952, episode "Jaliscoe". The proprietor Jonas loads up a wagon for Miss Kitty and she will not answer Chester's question on where she is going. How did you use the result to determine who walked fastest and slowest? Two outlaws are dividing the money from a bank robbery by a campfire. Gunsmoke: Miss Kittys Occupation Was Omitted from TV Show After Hints in Early Seasons. Long before its characters were name-dropped in a, viewers tuned in to the 20-season series to watch Marshal Dillon defeat villains in the. 1. Blake did have throat cancer, but that wasnt the reason that she died, said Dr. Lou Nishimura, a Sacramento internist. Frank Sutton, who plays the part of Charlie in this episode, will later play Sgt. There to keep the citizens safe, and the town as peaceful as possible is Marshal Matt Dillon. Web"Miss Kitty" was the third episode of Season 7 of Gunsmoke, also the 236th overall episode of the series. Miss Kitty doesn't take abuse well. After she declined, it was all Blake. After Kitty leaves Dodge in a wagon, she is seen riding on a dirt road and there are car or truck tire tracks in the dirt. She rides out to the Willow Bend Relay Station to meet a stagecoach. Quite the run. WebGunsmoke: Season 12, Episode 3https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0594461/ Yes sir, Miss Kitty Russell, played by actress Amanda Blake on the long-running CBS western, actually fronted a house of prostitution, according to IMDB. Blake, 60, had AIDS symptoms for about a year, said Nishimura. Many Gunsmoke viewers know Miss Kitty as the owner of the town saloon in Dodge City. There were multiple famous guest stars, 2. Miss Kitty Russell is the owner of the Long Branch saloon in Dodge City. Movies. He took her away, and he doesn't even care." She warned local patriots of Banastre Tarleton's approach, giving them time to group and prepare for the Battle of Cowpens (January 17, 1781), a major American victory that helped pave the way for the British defeat at Yorktown. Whats kind of funny about this is CBS actually let the show drop hints about Miss Kittys true occupation during its first couple of seasons. After Thad is asleep Miss Kitty tells the Kelks the story of Thad's parents. 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Here are some things you may not have known about the iconic show. "She was my whole life, Miss Kitty. [citation needed] She married Mark Edward Spaeth in 1984. Now Sinatra, The Chairman of the Board himself, was becoming a very big star in the 1940s. Kitty and Thad ride into town with the wagon. Remember, though, when Gunsmoke was on TV. In the radio series, Kitty's profession was hinted at, but never explicit; in a 1953 interview with Time, Macdonnell declared, "Kitty is just someone Matt has to visit every once in a while". It ended in 1961 after over 400 episodes. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty in the long-running Gunsmoke television series, died of AIDS-related complications, not cancer as previously reported, her doctor said Monday. With 635 episodes Gunsmoke seemed hard to beat, but The Simpsons have now surpassed it. His mother Ellie worked for her and married Tucker Ferrin who is an outlaw. Blake felt like it was home to her on the days when she was not needed. He ended up regretting this decision because it can't be that easy limping week after week. What is A person who sells flower is called? So instead, they cut Gilligan, and his crew and Gunsmoke stole their time slot. Kitty has her friends in Dodge buzzing when she meets the stage in the early hours to pick up a small boy. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? In the book Gunsmoke: An American Institution, Celebrating 50 Years of Televisions Best Western, author Ben Costello interviewed Reynolds, who notes that he thought he was being brought on as a guest star, not in a recurring role. The last time Miss Kitty got abused, she had to kill the crazy old man in "Kitty's Killing" (season 5, episode 24). A running gag is that while she and Matt Dillon have feelings for one another, the only time they get [7] She was the third performer inducted, after Tom Mix and Gary Cooper, selected in 1958 and in 1966. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Though he mostly portrayed Festus Haggen, during the series' run, he also played a Texas cattleman who was killed after becoming friends with Chester Goode. [6] Kemo lived in an animal compound at her home, at which she and husband Frank Gilbert ran an experimental breeding program for cheetahs. On February 27, 1974, Blake brought a lion named Kemo on to the Gunsmoke set.[6]. She reprised the role in the 1987 television movie, Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge., The Best Benefits of HughesNet for the Home Internet User, How to Maximize Your HughesNet Internet Services, Get the Best AT&T Phone Plan for Your Family, Floor & Decor: How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Budget, Choose the Perfect Floor & Decor Stone Flooring for Your Home, How to Find Athleta Clothing That Fits You, How to Dress for Maximum Comfort in Athleta Clothing, Update Your Homes Interior Design With Raymour and Flanigan, How to Find Raymour and Flanigan Home Office Furniture. "You were married a long time. Jerri Ewen, a Mercy General spokeswoman, said she reported cancer as the cause of death at the request of Blakes close friends. All wonder, especially his foster parents: could his real mother be Kitty? See production, box office & company info, (based on the radio series created by) (uncredited), Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. James Arness is the only actor to appear in every episode, 5. In this case, the friends were the family, Ewen said. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty in the long-running Gunsmoke television series, died of AIDS-related complications, not Blake was a heavy cigarette smoker and had surgery for oral cancer in 1977. Check out Toby Keith's song "Shoulda Been a Cowboy" in which he talks about Marshal Dillon & Miss Kitty. After Blake died Aug. 16 at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, a statement composed by the hospital and the actress friends reported her death as the result of her long battle with cancer. The show's opener changed in the 1970s, 13. How did they write miss kitty out of gunsmoke? The closest that Kitty ever comes to getting "married ' is by Cavalry Sgt. In 1954, she appeared in A Star Is Born. The show had no idea that the network was going to cancel the show, so they weren't able to make any preparations for ending the beloved show. Dodge City is a typical town of the late 1800s, with its share of saloon brawls, family arguments, bank robberies and Indian threats. AIDS is caused by a virus that attacks the bodys immune system. All wonder, especially his foster parents: could his real mother be Kitty?Kitty has her friends in Dodge buzzing when she meets the stage in the early hours to pick up a small boy. Wiki User 2014-01-10 15:47:06 Study now See answer (1) Best Answer Copy They didn't - she just wasn't there Unfortunately, William Conrad, who had voiced the character on the radio show, didn't get the part because they felt he wasn't attractive enough (ouch). Dillon would tell criminals to "Get outta Dodge," referring to the show's setting of Dodge City, Kansas. [1] After the divorce from Whitman, she would go to the 'saloon set' of Gunsmoke. What are the two applications of bifilar suspension? Jed looked up at her and his eyes filled with tears. Blakes death certificate listed the immediate cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest due to liver failure and CMV hepatitis. When Kitty takes a young boy off the stagecoach one night, Matt attempts to figure out his identity. In 1957, Blake guest-starred as Betty Lavon-Coate in the episode titled "Coate of Many Colors" on Rod Cameron's crime drama, State Trooper. The show popularized the phrase 'Get out of Dodge', 9. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. What is A person who sells flower is called? Spaeth died in 1985. what type of danger zone is needed for this exercise. Which is greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch? Blake left Gunsmoke in 1974. Actress Amanda Blake lived up to her Miss Kitty persona even after TVs Gunsmoke ended in 1975. What Happened To Amanda Blake, Gunsmokes Sassy Miss Kitty?She Went Into Semi-Retirement and Instead Devoted More Time To Her Animals. On The Controversy Amidst Her Death. Amanda Blake died at age 60 on August 16, 1989, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, California.A Career That Spanned Nearly Four Decades. Blake was a telephone operator and briefly attended Pomona College before she took up acting.[2][3]. What are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer? Miss Kitty in pants and a shirt takes her horse out of the stables at 3 AM and is seen leaving by Moss (Dabbs Greer) who was spending the windy night in the barn because of a sick horse. He died of a brain tumor in the third to last episode of the series in the role of Harve Daley. The political focus on anti-violence became so strong during this period that the show felt it was inappropriate to keep airing Matt Dillon in a gunfight every single week. [13] The popular media later widely reported that Blake's doctor claimed that she had actually died of AIDS. Ewen said she never saw the death certificate. He would find his way toward performing individual concerts and hosting or guest-starring on major radio shows. What are the disadvantages of a clapper bridge? She became a supporter of the American Cancer Society and made fundraising appearances throughout the country. In 1985, she helped finance the start-up of the Performing Animal Welfare Society and devoted a great deal of time and money[clarification needed] in support of its efforts, including travels to Africa. WebGunsmoke was the first TV Western that appealed to adult viewers, depicting life as it might have been in a frontier town. Later, after a Gunsmoke reunion film, she made two feature-film appearances: in The Boost, a drug-addiction drama starring James Woods and Sean Young, and B.O.R.N, both in 1988. Death certificates are public documents under California law and are recorded with the county where a person dies. Buck Taylor also played another character before portraying the charming Newly O'Brien gunsmith turned deputy. Curtis started doing this upon returning from serving the country in World War II. [1] The magazine observed that she is "obviously not selling chocolate bars". Blake played Kitty from the series debut in 1955 until 1974. Webapartments in dallas that allow airbnb Uncovering hot babes since 1919. How did they write miss kitty out of gunsmoke? Menu. The constant agony of never getting to keep Matt Dillon, seemed to be exacerbated by the loss of several children along the way. 00:00 - How was Miss Kitty written off Gunsmoke?00:42 - Where is Arness buried?01:19 - Did Clint Eastwood ever appear on Gunsmoke?Laura S. Harris (2021, January 8.) Kitty Russell was played by actress Georgia Ellis on radio, and by Amanda Blake on TV. Tucker kills Charlie and heads for the Kelk farm. Blake married Don Whitman in 1954 and divorced him in 1956. Don't miss a story! Most notably, Kitty Russell was portrayed as a very different type of lady. Matt Dillon had one onscreen kiss throughout the tv series, Dillon got his one silver screen kiss in the episode "Matt's Love Story" with Michael Learned, who portrayed Olivia Walton on, 17. She appeared in a few Hollywood films, such as the 1952 western Cattle Town and in the starring role of Miss Robin Crusoe, a 1954 adaptation of the Robinson Crusoe adventure. The show really struggled to fill the iconic role, mostly because they really wanted John Wayne, who refused to leave his film career. She instead devoted more time to her animals. Because of her continuing role on television, Blake rarely had time for films. In the late 1940s, Blake was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as the studio saw her as its next Greer Garson. 1. Amanda Blakes last episode on Gunsmoke was The Disciple, which originally aired on April 1, 1974. Charlie meets Kitty on the road as asks for directions and then grabs her reigns. The role was initially offered to Polly Bond. From this place, Curtis found himself getting film roles. Here are some things you may not have known about the iconic show. Miss Kitty closes the Long Branch Saloon, puts it up for sale, and leaves Dodge. Kitty goes to the town of Ballard, where her friend Claire Hollis runs a saloon called The Nugget. Ballard is a would-be cow town, like an earlier version of Dodge City. After Blake left the show, the writers decided Nishimura was interviewed following a report Friday on Sacramento television station KRBK quoting friends of Blake who said AIDS had played a role in her death. The show once held the primetime record for the most-ever episodes, 16. As hard as it might be to believe, Curtis would sometimes fill in for Sinatra, who called himself a saloon singer, as lead vocalist for Dorsey. When somebody dies, you go by what the wishes of the family are. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change. They married in April 1984, and divorced a short time later. It's also the second-longest-running television series of all time with 5 Emmys to boot. It's also the second-longest-running television series of all time with 5 Emmys to boot. Sometime in 1959, Ellis was billed as Georgia Hawkins instead of Georgia Ellis. WebKathleen Hite wrote a true gem in "Miss Kitty" about a young orphan Thad Ferrin (well played by Roger Mobley) who is whisked from the hands of evil by his bio-mom, then by When Kitty takes a young boy off the stagecoach one night, Matt attempts to figure out his identity. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty in the long-running Gunsmoke television series, died of AIDS-related complications, not cancer as previously reported, her doctor said Monday. In the late 1940s, Blake was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as the studio saw her as its next Greer Garson. He even introduced the series in the first episode. Miss Blake, a resident of Sacramento, was a longtime activist for animal protection. Doc Adams didn't have a name for 16 seasons, 10. Doc is getting his horse's hoof looked at by Moss who comments on how Miss Kitty's horse and saddle are gone and he saw someone ride out at 3 AM that morning. WebThis is a scene from the second of a three-part storyline. Marshal Matt Dillon never married on Gunsmoke. Plus I always thought Miss Kitty would've made a good mother, Saloon keeper and all. WebGEORGIA ELLIS was Miss Kitty HOWARD McNEAR was Doc Adams PARLEY BAER was Chester Wesley Proudfoot. Actor Ken Curtis, best known as Festus, would be the vocalist for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in the 1940s. In my opinion Ms Blake was both a natural redhead and did have a likely flat mole or birthmark about 50 mm below the corner of her right eye. Menu. Ellie died because Tucker beat her. As one of those plucky cowpokes, "Gunsmoke" regular Dennis Weaver's Chester became one the period's most popular characters, with his familiar drawl and A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? [2] An out-take from the program makes this obvious. Kitty and Thad ride to a farm owned by Horace and Mattie Kelk (Harold J. Once a two-pack-a-day smoker, Blake had undergone surgery for oral cancer in 1977 and afterward made appearances throughout the country on behalf of the American Cancer Society. All wonder, especially his foster parents: could his real mother be Kitty?Kitty has her friends in Dodge buzzing when she meets the stage in the early hours to pick up a small boy. Blake did have throat cancer, but that wasnt the reason that she died, said Dr. Lou Nishimura, a Sacramento internist. The show last one more season on CBS, then was canceled. Kirk, Spock, Bones, and Scotty from Star Trek all appeared on the show. The phrase took on its current meaning in the 1960s and 70s when teenagers began to use it in its current form. Web"Gunsmoke" Miss Kitty (TV Episode 1961) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Web"Gunsmoke" Miss Kitty (TV Episode 1961) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Long before its characters were name-dropped in a Toby Keith classic,viewers tuned in to the 20-season series to watch Marshal Dillon defeat villains in the wild west of Dodge City, Kansas. [9], After Gunsmoke, Blake went into semi-retirement at her home in Phoenix and took on few film or television projects. Stone was given naming rights since it was his character, and he decided on the name "Galen.". She had a few more opportunities throughout the show and it was sad every time she let the children go. CBS was going to cancel the show, but some producers freaked out a bit. His stature grew and it would sometimes take him away from his Dorsey band duties. Kitty had promised Ellie that if anything happened to her she would take care of Thad. Which is greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch? Blake reigned as Miss Kitty, queen of Dodge Citys Long Branch Saloon, for 19 years in the TV series Gunsmoke. Set in the lawless cattle town of Dodge City, Kan., in the late 1800s, Gunsmoke was one of televisions original adult westerns in the mid-1950s. Ewen said the hospital reported the death to the federal Centers for Disease Control. Matt gets a wanted poster with a 500 reward for Tucker Ferrin. Why were Mexican workers able to find jobs in the Southwest? Catherine Moore Kate" Barry (17521823), one of Amanda's ancestors, was a heroine of the American Revolutionary War. James Arness, who played Dillon on the Gunsmoke TV series, said that show executives dropped those references to make the show more family-friendly. Now they only skirted the issue of her being a madam. Movies. Ken Curtis played multiple characters. He tells Matt and Chester that he wasn't sure if it was her but whoever it was rode off with the boy stage passenger. I wished that they could have kept Thad Ferrin on and somehow tied him into Thad Greenwood's story. Tucker Ferrin (John Lasell) hands Charlie (Frank Sutton) his share of the robbery money. What is the Denouement of the story a day in the country? written by Joe Rutland April 4, 2021. Amanda Blake entered into millions of homes as Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke for 19 seasons. Then Blake decided it was time to go. Blake, who portrayed the saloon owner in CBSs popular western TV series, left one season before the show ended. This was, primarily, due to the fact that she had been living in Phoenix and was commuting to Los Angeles for filming. Tucker starts beating on her and she grabs the rifle from over the mantle and shoots him. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies She bristled at the comment, forcing herself not to shout her reply. Her father was a banker. Along with her fourth husband, Frank Gilbert, she ran one of the first successful programs for breeding cheetahs in captivity. Originally a popular radio show (called "Gun Law"), Gunsmoke is one of the most popular TV westerns in television history. Blake reportedly was a one-time board member of the Humane Society of the United States. Kitty introduces Thad to Marshall Dillon and tells him that Tucker Ferrin is dead and that he is buried at the Kelk farm. Webhow many different characters did ken curtis play on gunsmokethe hardy family acrobats 26th February 2023 / in was forest whitaker in batteries not included / by / in was forest whitaker in batteries not included / by Blake did have throat cancer, but that wasn't the reason that she died, said Dr. [11], Blake joined with others in 1971 to form the Arizona Animal Welfare League, today the oldest and largest "no-kill" animal shelter in the state. After Kitty leaves Dodge in a wagon, she is seen riding on a dirt road and there are car or truck tire tracks in the dirt. So it was never mentioned. Miss Kitty is talking to Matt in the Long Branch Saloon and says she will be leaving town for a while. It is spread most often through sexual contact, needles or syringes shared by drug abusers, infected blood or blood products, and from pregnant women to their offspring. I wished that sweet boy's character could have been kept for a few more seasons. WebThe real reason MISS KITTY didn't return for the final season of GUNSMOKE! Web"Mavis was a wonderful woman," she said sincerely. Music buffs recall a name that comes to mind when mentioning the Dorsey band and the 1940s isFrank Sinatra. The radio series ran alongside the TV show, CBS was going to cancel the show, but some producers freaked out a bit. She pulls a pistol on him and tells him to leave. A short time later, Tucker confronts Miss Kitty, and starts beating on her to find out where his son is. What are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer? Why did Amanda Blake leave Gunsmoke? Eventually, she quit the show because she was sick of traveling. She lived in Phoenix but traveled to Hollywood to film the show. In her personal life, she was married briefly to Don Whitman in the 50s. She went on to marry three other men: Jason Seymour Day Jr., Frank Gilbert, and Mark Edward Spaeth. COPYRIGHT 2023, WOMG. From 1957-61 this was the number one show on television. Web"Miss Kitty" was the third episode of Season 7 of Gunsmoke, also the 236th overall episode of the series. But thats quite different from being a madam. Then in the episode "The Lost" where she helps a wild child become civilized, Kitty again surrenders the girl. He was involved with Miss Kitty Russell, owner of the Long Branch Saloon, but they never married. (Everett Collection) Amanda Blake (born Beverly Louise Neill, February 21, 1929[citation needed] August 16, 1989) was an American actress best known for the role of the red-haired saloon proprietress "Miss Kitty Russell" on the western television series Gunsmoke. Her close friends have insisted that she was not a drug user or sexually promiscuous, and that she may have acquired the disease from a former husband.[14]. Horace, Mattie and Thad come up from the pond and discover Kitty standing over the body with the gun. On the TV version, they changed his name to Chester Goode to avoid a possible dispute with Parley Baer who came up with the original name. She was openly a madame on the radio show, but producers felt that they needed to shy away from those details to be family-friendly on television. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome and cancer were listed on the certificate as contributing to her death. Gary Busey was the last character killed on the show, 11. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. WebOne reason was often expressed in the dialogue: a lawman made enemies, and being known as Matt Dillons girl would put Kitty in danger. Dillon got his one silver screen kiss in the episode "Matt's Love Story" with Michael Learned, who portrayed Olivia Walton onThe Waltons.