Gunsmoke was one of the longest-running and most popular television Westerns of all time. The show aired on CBS from 1955 to 1975, spanning an incredible 20 seasons and 635 episodes. For the first 12 seasons, Gunsmoke was broadcast in black-and-white. It wasn’t until 1967 that the show made the switch to color.
When did Gunsmoke switch to color?
The first color episode of Gunsmoke aired on September 11, 1967 as part of the show’s 13th season premiere. The episode was titled “Thursday’s Child” and marked a major transition for the series. While black-and-white TV was still common in the 1960s, more shows were making the upgrade to color broadcasting. Gunsmoke was a bit late to the game compared to some other major series, but the vibrant hues of the Old West were finally realized for viewers at home.
What was significant about the first color episode?
For the cast and crew of Gunsmoke, the switch to color was a major technical challenge. Special colored filters had to be used for outdoor scenes to compensate for the bright prairie sunlight. Make-up and costumes also had to be adjusted to look right on color film. For viewers, the color brought a new realism to the Western setting and allowed them to see Dodge City and its inhabitants in a whole new way.
Overall, the first color episode marked a new era for Gunsmoke. While the storytelling and characters remained as strong as ever, the use of color created a more immersive viewing experience. It was a noteworthy transition that helped keep the show at the forefront of television entertainment.
What was the title of the first color episode?
The title of Gunsmoke’s first color episode was “Thursday’s Child.” This intriguing title refers to the old nursery rhyme that reads “Thursday’s child has far to go.” It proved fitting for an episode that represented a major step forward for the long-running show.
“Thursday’s Child” introduced a new adopted daughter for Matt Dillon, as well as a new love interest. The story combined drama and action in classic Gunsmoke fashion. While the episode’s script stood on its own merits, the vivid colors brought the Western setting to life as never before. Reds, browns, greens, and blues jumped off the screen in a way that black-and-white shows could never match.
Conclusion
The first color episode of Gunsmoke was a memorable milestone in the show’s history. After 12 successful seasons in black-and-white, “Thursday’s Child” ushered the series into a colorful new era. For 20 years and across more than 600 episodes, Gunsmoke enthralled television audiences with its gritty Western stories. The switch to color in 1967 added a new level of visual splendor that helped keep viewers tuned in for many more seasons to come.
