With writer
John Meston, producer Norman
Macdonnell created "Gunsmoke," the preeminent (and first) adult western
on both radio and television. His contribution cannot be
overestimated--his genius was in his ability as a producer to assemble
a cohesive and highly creative team of writers, actors and production
personnel, a hallmark of both the radio and television versions of
"Gunsmoke."
Macdonnell served in the military during World War II and took part in
the D-Day landings at Normandy. He started work for CBS Radio as an
assistant director in 1946, worked on several radio series and
eventually became director of the critically acclaimed radio series
"Escape" before launching "Gunsmoke" on CBS Radio in 1952.
Initially passed over as producer when "Gunsmoke" was turned into TV
series (
Gunsmoke (1955)) in favor of
Charles Marquis Warren,
Macdonnell took over as producer in 1956, guiding the series to four
straight seasons (1957-1961) as the #1-rated program in network
television before being replaced in 1964 when the ratings started to
slip. MacDonnell later went on to a successful run heading up
The Virginian (1962) television
series.