The Only Movie Appearance By Gunsmoke’s Marshal Dillon Is The Weirdest Cameo Of All Time

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Despite starring in one of television’s most enduring shows, Gunsmoke‘s Marshal Dillon only appeared in a single movie. A common story claims John Wayne rejected Gunsmoke, but it wouldn’t have made sense for a major film star like him to switch to television back then.

Wayne played a key role in James Arness getting the lead role in Gunsmoke because they were close friends and Wayne recommended him. Arness starred as Marshal Dillon in the long-running Western from 1955 to 1975, appearing in all 635 episodes. He later also starred in five Gunsmoke TV movies, and the series concluded in 1994 after 40 years with the film One Man’s Justice.

Alias Jesse James Is The Only Big Screen Appearance By Gunsmoke’s Marshal Dillon

Even though Gunsmoke was incredibly popular, it never really translated to the movies. Back in the 1950s, films and television were largely kept separate. However, James Arness did make a brief, uncredited appearance as Matt Dillon in Bob Hope’s comedic Western, Alias Jesse James.

The movie centers around a funny case of mistaken identity: Hope’s clumsy insurance agent is thought to be the notorious outlaw Jesse James. Meanwhile, the real Jesse James is attempting to kill Hope’s character, Milford, to cash in on a large life insurance policy. While Alias Jesse James isn’t considered one of Hope’s strongest comedies, it’s a charming and respectful nod to Western films.

The story culminates in a showdown between Hope’s Milford and the James gang, bringing in several well-known characters from classic Westerns to lend a hand. Among them is Marshal Dillon, played by Arness, who shoots a criminal and famously says, “Another one for Boot Hill.” ‘Boot Hill’ in Gunsmoke refers to a cemetery, and Dillon frequently threatens to send outlaws there.

Alias Jesse James Parade Of Cameos Has Aged Poorly

The movie Alias Jesse James featured brief, uncredited appearances by famous actors like Gary Cooper (from High Noon), Ward Bond (from Wagon Train), and Roy Rogers. These cameos were kept secret to avoid legal issues with copyright. What might have seemed like a fun surprise for viewers in the 1950s doesn’t quite have the same impact today, almost 70 years later.

Most viewers probably won’t recognize many of the actors or understand the references to their famous lines. The joke gets old quickly after a few appearances, though. While it doesn’t ruin the plot of Alias Jesse James, it definitely feels like a product of the era it was made in.

Alias Jesse James Cameo Caused Copyright Issues In Later Reasons

It’s enjoyable to see James Arness as Marshal Dillon in a movie, but considering how famous the character became, it feels a bit odd that he’s just briefly included. Some sources say James Garner also filmed a cameo as Maverick, but that scene didn’t make it into the final cut of Alias Jesse James.

Disputes over rights caused some guest appearances to be cut from television broadcasts of Alias Jesse James, including appearances by Arness as Dillon and Hugh O’Brian from The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Fortunately, most copies of Alias Jesse James now include these cameos, restoring the film to its original theatrical version.

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2026-01-17 20:48