They probably wouldn't call it sexual tension back then but there were a few episodes in which we thought (and hoped) Marshall Dillon and Miss Kitty would hook-up (by yesterday's standards that would be kiss).
Matt got his first kiss from Kitty (on the cheek no less) in season 16! I'd call that sexual frustration, Tis, not tension!
I love the early black and white episodes of "Gunsmoke." Dennis Weaver was fantastic as Chester, and Burt Reynolds was wonderful as Quint, but as soon as Festus came on board the show became a parody of itself. In the latter episodes Arness hardly played a role at all. He usually showed up for the last five minutes or so. But I loved the character of Matt Dillon. He was an all-timer.
R.I.P James Arness.
