James Arness

1923 - 2011

The star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, Gunsmoke (1955). Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness (formerly had been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother later became a newspaper columnist. James attended West High School in Minneapolis. Although he appeared in school plays, he had no interest in performing, and dreamed instead of going to sea. After high school, he attended one semester at Beloit College before receiving his draft notice in 1943. He entered the army and trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, before shipping out for North Africa. After landing at Casablanca, Arness joined the 3rd Infantry Division in time for the invasion of Anzio. Ten days after the invasion, Arness was severely wounded in the leg and foot by German machine-gun fire. His wounds, which plagued him the rest of his life, resulted in his medical discharge from the army. While recuperating in a Clinton, Iowa hospital, he was visited by his younger brother Peter (later to gain fame as actor Peter Graves), who suggested he take a radio course at the University of Minnesota. James did so, and a teacher recommended him for a job as an announcer at a Minneapolis radio station. Though seemingly headed for success in radio, he followed a boyhood friend's suggestion and went with the friend to Hollywood in hopes of getting work as film extras. He studied at the Bliss-Hayden Theatre School under actor Harry Hayden, and while appearing in a play there was spotted by agent Leon Lance. Lance got the actor a role as Loretta Young's brother in The Farmer's Daughter (1947). The director of that film, H.C. Potter, recommended that he drop the "u" from his last name and soon thereafter the actor was officially known as James Arness. Little work followed this break, He appeared in a production of "Candida", and married his leading lady, Virginia Chapman. He began to get small roles with frequency, often, due to his size, villainous characters. Most notable among these was that of the space alien in The Thing from Another World (1951). While playing a Greek warrior in a play, Arness was spotted by agent Charles K. Feldman, who represented John Wayne. Feldman introduced Arness to Wayne, who put the self-described 6' 6" actor under personal contract. Arness played several roles over the next few years for and with Wayne, whom he considered a mentor. In 1955, Wayne recommended Arness for the lead role of Matt Dillon in the TV series Gunsmoke (1955). (Contrary to urban legend, Wayne himself was never offered the role.) Arness at first declined, thinking a TV series could derail his growing film career, but Wayne argued for the show, and Arness accepted. After the cancellation of "Gunsmoke" in 1975, Arness took on another successful Western project, "How The West Was Won." A brief modern police drama, McClain's Law (1981), followed, and Arness played his mentor John Wayne's role in Red River (1988), a remake of the Wayne classic.

Фильмы

Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice

Jerry Jameson

James Arness, Bruce Boxleitner

Retired marshal Dillon goes after a 15 year old boy who is determined to kill the men responsible for the murder of his mother during a stagecoach robbery

Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice

1994

США, вестерн

The Macahan's

James Arness, Eva Marie Saint

Zeb Macahan, a pioneering westerner, helps move his brother's family to the wild west. They run into several obstacles including the breakout of the Civil War. This sends the father back to fight in the war and leaves the family to move on ahead.

The Macahans

8.2 ⚠️ 1976

вестерн

In a Lonely Place

Nicholas Ray

Humphrey Bogart, Gloria Grahame

An aspiring actress begins to suspect that her temperamental and mentally impaired boyfriend is a murderer.

In a Lonely Place

7.9 1950

США, детектив

For the Love of Spock

Adam Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner

The life of Star Trek's Mr. Spock — as well as that of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played Mr. Spock for almost fifty years —written and directed by his son, Adam.

For the Love of Spock

7.6 2016

США, документальный

Stars in My Crown

Jacques Tourneur

Joel McCrea, Ellen Drew

The story of a young pastor coming to a small town in the United States to set up his ministry. The movie tells of the various relationships and struggles he goes through as he goes about raising his family and preaching to the community.

Stars in My Crown

7.4 ⚠️ 1950

США, драма

Battleground

William A. Wellman

Van Johnson, John Hodiak

Members of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division are fighting for their country amidst the rugged terrain of Bastogne, Belgium, in December 1944. Holley and his American compatriots have already seen one of their own, Roderigues, perish under enemy fire. The men try to rebuff another series of Nazi attacks, but what they really need is a change in the weather. Without clear skies, they'll never get the air support they need.

Battleground

7.4 1949

США, боевик

Gunsmoke: The Last Apache

Charles Correll

James Arness, Richard Kiley

James Arness rides again as Matt Dillon, the US Marshal he made popular in the 1955-75 TV series. In this movie he goes after a renegade Apache named Wolf (Joe Lara) who has taken his daughter captive. As a bargaining chip, Dillon helps two sons of Apache chief Geronimo out of the fort stockade and offers them in trade. Dillon is aided by an Army scout, Chalk Brighton (Kiley). Written by John Sacksteder

Gunsmoke: The Last Apache

7.2 ⚠️ 1990

США, вестерн

Them!

Gordon Douglas

James Whitmore, James Arness

As a result of nuclear testing, gigantic, ferocious mutant ants appear in the American desert southwest, and a father-daughter team of entomologists join forces with the state police officer who first discovers their existence, an FBI agent and, eventually, the US Army to eradicate the menace, before it spreads across the continent, and the world.

Them!

7.2 1954

США, фантастика

Gunsmoke: To the Last Man

Jerry Jameson

James Arness, Pat Hingle

Retired marshal Matt Dillon tracks Arizona rustlers and lands in the middle of the 1880s Pleasant Valley War.

Gunsmoke: To the Last Man

7.2 ⚠️ 1992

США, вестерн

Gunsmoke: The Long Ride

Jerry Jameson

James Arness, James Brolin

For thirty years, Marshall Matt Dillon fought to preserve the law in Dodge City… now, he's wanted for murder and fighting to clear his name. Three deputies ride up with a warrant for Dillon's arrest, a wealthy mine operator has been gunned down in cold blood and an eyewitness says Dillon was the murderer.

Gunsmoke: The Long Ride

7.2 ⚠️ 1993

США, вестерн

The Farmer's Daughter

H. C. Potter

Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten

After leaving her family's farm to study nursing in the city, a young woman finds herself on an unexpected path towards politics.

The Farmer's Daughter

7.2 ⚠️ 1947

США, комедия

Wagon Master

John Ford

Ben Johnson, Joanne Dru

Two young drifters guide a Mormon wagon train to the San Juan Valley and encounter cutthroats, Navajo, geography, and moral challenges on the journey.

Wagon Master

7.1 1950

США, приключения

Hondo

John Farrow

John Wayne, Geraldine Page

Army despatch rider Hondo Lane discovers a woman and her son living in the midst of warring Apaches, and he becomes their protector.

Hondo

7.0 1953

США, вестерн

The Thing from Another World

Christian Nyby

Kenneth Tobey, Margaret Sheridan

Scientists and US Air Force officials fend off a blood-thirsty alien organism while investigating at a remote arctic outpost.

The Thing from Another World

7.0 1951

США, фантастика

Carbine Williams

Richard Thorpe

James Stewart, Jean Hagen

David Marshall Williams is sent to a prison farm where he works in the tool shop and eventually develops the precursor of the famous M-1 Carbine automatic rifle used in World War II.

Carbine Williams

6.9 ⚠️ 1952

США, криминал

Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge

Vincent McEveety

James Arness, Amanda Blake

Will Mannon, "product of the Devil's loins," is released from a frontier prison and promptly goes in search of the people who put him there some 12 years ago -- Matt Dillon and Kitty Russell.

Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge

6.9 ⚠️ 1987

США, боевик