From left: Howard McNear, William Conrad, Georgia Ellis,
and Parley Baer.

The radio series “Gunsmoke” first aired on CBS on April 26, 1952 and
ended on June 18, 1961. The show stars William Conrad as Marshal
Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as
Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Dillon’s assistant, Chester Wesley
Proudfoot. The TV series changed the newly limping Chester’s last
name from Proudfoot to Goode.

Sound-effects man Ray Kemper (left)
with William Conrad.

Conrad with cast member Georgia Ellis.

 
William Conrad 
(September 27, 1920 – February 11, 1994)

The CBS Radio Western series Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr
aired January 22–October 28, 1956. Produced and directed by Norman
Macdonnell, this Western drama depicted life at old Fort Laramie during
the 19th Century. The 41 episodes starred Raymond Burr as Lee Quince,
captain of the cavalry. One year later, Burr became a television star as
Perry Mason.

Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964)

Popular actor Alan Ladd played the title role in the 1953 western movie,
Shane. Before fame, Ladd opened a hamburger and malt shop called
Tiny’s Patio before becoming a studio carpenter and an actor.

The Fastest Guitar Alive is a MGM motion picture starring singer Roy Orbison
in his only starring role as an actor. As a musical western, the story is set near
the end of the American Civil War with Orbison portraying a Southern spy with
a bullet-shooting guitar.

Samuel Pack "Sam" Elliott was born in Sacramento, California.

Elliott moved from California to Oregon with his family when he was a
teenager. He graduated from David Douglas High School in Portland 
and attended Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.

Sam Elliott was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Acting
Ensemble for his small role as the Chief Pilot of American Airlines in
Up in the Air. He has performed voice-over narration for various
commercials.

1998