Amazon.com reviews for
"Gunsmoke" (1955) More at IMDb Pro »

Gunsmoke: Matt Gets It & Hack Prime (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: No less a Western hero than John Wayne introduced Gunsmoke: The Premiere Episode to television audiences in 1955, giving the series its auspicious start. James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon is as tough as Wayne but is also as quick with his wits as with his gun. In "Matt Gets It," the first episode, Dillon is shot down early on and must find other means to defeat a crazed gunslinger. Other characters are also introduced: Miss Kitty, Doc, and Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode. The realism and intelligent writing shine through even in this early work, and carry over into "Hack Prine," the pilot shot to launch the series. Some of the concepts integral to the classic Western, such as even villains refusing to shoot an unarmed man, seem a bit dated now, but that lends a charm to the series that is mighty hard to find these days. --Rob Lightner