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Norman MacDonnell

Norman MacDonnell

Writer, Producer

Born November 8, 1916 in Pasadena, California, USA

Died November 28, 1979

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Biography

With writer John Meston, producer Norman Macdonnell created "Gunsmoke," the preeminent (and first) adult western on both radio and television. His contribution cannot be overestimated--his genius was in his ability as a producer to assemble a cohesive and highly creative team of writers, actors and production personnel, a hallmark of both the radio and television versions of "Gunsmoke."

Macdonnell served in the military during World War II and took part in the D-Day landings at Normandy. He started work for CBS Radio as an assistant director in 1946, worked on several radio series and eventually became director of the critically acclaimed radio series "Escape" before launching "Gunsmoke" on CBS Radio in 1952.

Initially passed over as producer when "Gunsmoke" was turned into TV series (Gunsmoke (1955)) in favor of Charles Marquis Warren, Macdonnell took over as producer in 1956, guiding the series to four straight seasons (1957-1961) as the #1-rated program in network television before being replaced in 1964 when the ratings started to slip. MacDonnell later went on to a successful run heading up The Virginian (1962) television series.

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Filmography

Actor

2

Type

Year

TV's Western Heroes Poster

TV's Western Heroes Documentary1993Self

Wide Wide World Poster

Wide Wide World TV Series1955Self

Writer

1

Gunsmoke Poster

Gunsmoke TV Series1955

Producer

10

Type

Year

The Forsaken Westerns Poster

The Forsaken Westerns TV Series2017

McMasters of Sweetwater TV Movie1974

This Savage Land Poster

This Savage Land TV Movie1969

The Ballad of Josie Poster

The Ballad of Josie Feature Film1967

The Road West Poster

The Road West TV Series1966

Kraft Suspense Theatre Poster

Kraft Suspense Theatre TV Series1963

The Virginian Poster

The Virginian TV Series1962

The Texan Poster

The Texan TV Series1958

Playhouse 90 Poster

Playhouse 90 TV Series1956

Gunsmoke Poster

Gunsmoke TV Series1955

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