Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge is the first TV-movie based on the 20-year television version of Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West....

starring James Arness

James Arness

James King Arness was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon in the television series Gunsmoke for 20 years...

. Retired US Marshal Matt Dillon

Marshal Matt Dillon

Marshal Matt Dillon is a fictional character featured on both the radio and television versions of Gunsmoke. He serves as the U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas who works to preserve law and order in the western frontier of the 1870s. The character was created by writer John Meston, who...

, now a fur trapper, is shot by thieves, brought back to Dodge, and nursed by Kitty Russel. He is hunted by vengeful, past nemesis Mannon, who holds a battered Kitty hostage in exchange for a showdown.

Cast

• James Arness
  James Arness
  James King Arness was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon in the television series Gunsmoke for 20 years...
  
   as Matt Dillon
• Amanda Blake
  Amanda Blake
  Amanda Blake was an American actress known for the role of the red-haired saloon proprietress "Miss Kitty Russell" on the television western Gunsmoke.-Early life and career:...
  
   as Kitty
• Steve Forrest as Mannon
• Buck Taylor
  Buck Taylor
  Walter Clarence "Buck" Taylor, III is an American actor and water color artist best known for his role as gunsmith-turned-deputy Newly O'Brien in 113 episodes during the last eight seasons of CBS's Gunsmoke television series . In recent years, he has painted the portrait of his friend and Gunsmoke...
  
   as Newly O'Brien
• Earl Holliman
  Earl Holliman
  -Early life:Earl Holliman was born at Delhi in Richland Parish of northeastern Louisiana. Holliman’s biological father died before he was born, and his biological mother, living in poverty with several other children, gave him up for adoption at birth...
  
   as Jake Flagg
• Fran Ryan
  Fran Ryan
  Fran Ryan was an American character actress featured in television and films. She was born in Los Angeles, California....
  
   as Hannah

Production

Ken Curtis

Ken Curtis

Ken Curtis was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the long-running CBS western television series Gunsmoke.-Early years:...

 (Festus Haggen

Festus Haggen

Festus Haggen was Marshal Matt Dillon's only official deputy on the CBS television series Gunsmoke. He came to Dodge City in an episode titled "Us Haggens" to avenge the death of his twin brother, Fergus. Played by Ken Curtis, he first appeared in 1962 and was showcased full-time from 1964 until 1975...

) turned the project down in the wake of being offered far less compensation than Amanda Blake.