Gunsmoke season 16

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 16 aired in the United States on September 14, 1970, and the final episode aired on March 8, 1971. All episodes were broadcast in the U.S. by CBS.

Season 16 of Gunsmoke was the fifth 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; Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), saloon girl and later owner of the Long Branch Saloon; and deputy Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor).

Main

 * James Arness as Matt Dillon
 * Ken Curtis as Festus
 * Milburn Stone as Doc
 * Amanda Blake as Kitty
 * Buck Taylor as Newly

Production
Season 16 consisted of 24 one-hour color episodes produced by executive producer John Mantley along with producers Joseph Dackow (episodes 516–528) and Leonard Katzman (episodes 529–539).

"Pike", the two-part episode that ended the season, was later developed into a spin-off series entitled Dirty Sally.

Broadcast
Season sixteen aired Mondays at 7:30-8:30 pm (EST) on CBS.

Home media
The sixteenth season was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on December 10, 2019.

Reception
Gunsmoke season 16 reached #5 in the Nielsen ratings.