Gunsmoke season 12

Gunsmoke is an American Western television series developed by Charles Marquis Warren and based on the radio program of the same name. The series ran for 20 seasons, making it the longest-running Western in television history.

The first episode of season 12 aired in the United States on September 17, 1966, and the final episode aired on April 15, 1967. All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS.

Season 12 of Gunsmoke was the first season of color episodes. Previous seasons were filmed in black-and-white.

Synopsis
Gunsmoke is set in and around Dodge City, Kansas, in the post-Civil War era and centers on United States Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he enforces law and order in the city. In its original format, the series also focuses on Dillon's friendship with deputy Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis); Doctor Galen "Doc" Adams (Milburn Stone), the town's physician; and Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), saloon girl and later owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Deputy Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood (Roger Ewing) was added to the cast in season 11.

Main

 * James Arness as Matt Dillon
 * Ken Curtis as Festus
 * Milburn Stone as Doc
 * Amanda Blake as Kitty
 * Roger Ewing as Thad

Production
Season 12 consisted of 29 one-hour color episodes produced by Philip Leacock and associate producer John Mantley.

Broadcast
Season twelve aired Saturdays at 10:00-11:00 pm (EST) on CBS.

CBS cancelled the series due to low ratings. However, letters of protest and pressure from his wife persuaded William S. Paley, the network's chief executive, to reinstate Gunsmoke for a thirteenth season, whereupon its ratings rebounded and it again became one of the top ten highest rated programs for the next six seasons.

Home media
The twelfth season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment in a two volume set on September 20, 2016.

Response
Gunsmoke season 12 failed to make the top 30 in the Nielsen ratings.

In 1997, TV Guide ranked episode 3, "The Jailer", as number 28 on its "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" list.