Gunsmoke: An American Institution, Celebrating 50 Years of Television's Best Western

By: Ben Costello

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Starting on September 10, 1955, and continuing for more than 600 episodes over the next twenty years, Gunsmoke ruled the airwaves. Each week, Marshal Matt Dillon and his friends would face a new threat to the peace and lawfulness of their frontier home of Dodge City, Kansas—and each week, goodness and determination prevailed. Author, Ben Costello produced a remarkable testament to the on-screen characters and off-screen individuals who made the story lines come alive. With lead performer biographies, hundreds of episode and behind-the-scenes photographs, complete episode logs, updates on all the surviving cast members, and interviews with the show’s luminaries, GUNSMOKE: An American Institution will be a favorite for fans and historians alike.
Gunsmoke: An American Institution is a 'must read' for anyone who grew up with Matt Dillion, Miss Kitty, Doc, Chester, Festus, and all the other denizens of Dodge City and the Old West." The Midwest Book Review,
"Five Pounds of Pleasure Fellow Festus fanciers, look no further! The perfect Christmas gift is here. Gunsmoke: An American Institution by Ben Costello is the ultimate, be-all, end-all, definitive work on this television classic. Ben was my guest on "Topeka Talks" today and I was disappointed that the book had not arrived in time for the interview. Lo and behold, in this season of miracles, the promised goodies arrived DURING the interview.... It's a hefty volume--5 pounds and not an ounce of fat. Every page is a treasure. There is a synopsis of each episode along with the cast of guests for that show, as well as interviews, narrative, quotes, and hundreds of photos. There are endless hours of pleasure in this volume."
Sadly we lost Ben in 2021. What follows is a tribute to Ben Costello from his publisher, Linda Radke.
Words are my business, and yet, words escape me now. Ben Costello was my author, and I was his publisher. It all started over 15 years ago when his agent, Janette Anderson, approached me about publishing his book commemorating the 50th anniversary of America’s beloved western television series, Gunsmoke. I was no stranger to watching the series—rarely missing an episode—so I was intrigued by the prospect of publishing the book.
What a storied history it has been! I cannot begin to recount all the Gunsmoke roads Ben and I traveled together over the years. A publisher learns a lot about an author during the creation of their book, and with Ben, I quickly realized this was not just any book, and Ben was not just any author. He was deeply passionate about his love for the Gunsmoke television series, a passion that shines through every one of the 672 pages of his book! Beyond his work, Ben was a man of integrity, loved by all who knew him. He was kindhearted, with a great sense of humor, and a gentle soul. Despite his own troubles, Ben always found a way to make others smile and laugh. What I admired most about Ben was the love he had for his son, Eddie, who he kept close throughout his many travels.
Just a few months before his passing, Ben was thrilled when we re-released his “Jack and Walter: The Films of Lemmon and Matthau” in paperback. Recently, he approached me with an idea for a new book. As his publisher, I told him we would find a way to make his third book happen. Have you ever tried saying no to Ben? :)
I am heartbroken that we won’t be able to continue our publishing adventures together. Ben truly became part of the Five Star—and now—Story Monsters Press family. I miss Ben beyond words. I imagine he’s at the Long Branch Saloon right now, sharing a drink and some laughs with Marshal Matt Dillon’s James Arness, Miss Kitty’s Amanda Blake, and all the other cherished Gunsmoke actors who are no longer with us. The stories they must be telling!
Until our trails meet again, dear Ben.
With love and gratitude,
~Linda Radke, Story Monsters Press