15 Greatest TV Characters of the 1960s: Festus Haggen

Name: Festus Haggen

Portrayed by: Ken Curtis

TV series: Gunsmoke (the Festus years were 1964-75).

Occupation: Trapper; deputy marshal.

Early Life: The Haggens were "hill folk." Festus came to Dodge City after his twin brother, Fergus, was left for dead by his outlaw uncle. Festus didn't trust the city folk at first--and vice versa. Eventually, he warmed up to the local residents and sometimes served as Marshal Dillon's deputy.

Family and Friends: Brother Fergus and Uncle Black Jack (the aforementioned outlaw). Doc Stone became Festus' best friend and they often enjoyed friendly arguments over beers at the Long Branch Saloon. Other friends included Quint Asper, the blacksmith, and Festus's mule Ruth.

Useful Skills:  Playing cards; trapping; tossing horseshoes.

Trademarks: His eye squint.

Classic quote: "Golly bill!" and "That's just proof right there that us Haggens knows a heap more about some things than folks gives us credit for."

Classic episodes: "Us Haggens" (chronicles his arrival in Dodge City); "Wishbone" (Festus helps Doc, who is bitten by a snake); "Island in the Desert" (Festus is shot in the desert and found by a hermit played by Strother Martin)

Gunsmoke -- "Get out of Dodge before I talk you to death" .

I shouldn't admit this, but on the night of the first moon landing in 1969, instead of viewing this momentous historical event, I was watching Gunsmoke. Yes I am embarrassed, but I need to illustrate the depth of my fan love for this western. In my defense I did manage to catch Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon.

Obviously I was a fan of Gunsmoke, and aside from my silly obsession, there were many elements that combined to create what some feel is the greatest television western series of all time. It had been a success as a radio drama for several years with William Conrad in the role of Marshal Dillon. When they decided to turn it into a television show they originally approached John Wayne, who rejected the offer in favor of his continuing motion picture career. But he did recommend that they hire James Arness, a young actor who played supporting roles in several of Wayne's films.Arness was hired and began a 20 year stint as the Marshal of Dodge City.

Television Westerns prior to Gunsmoke, like Hopalong Cassidy, were mainly television versions of the popular B- movie shoot -- 'em -- ups, lots of action, little plot. But Gunsmoke the television series would have the same qualities as the literate and character driven radio show. In other words, it would strive to be televisions first "adult" Western.

This was a western series that minimized massive cattle roundups, Indian attacks, and bloody gunfights and concentrated more on human interest and character development. Excellent writers, directors and actors worked together to produce the perfect hybrid of traditional Western elements and the distinct personalities who populated Dodge city and its environs. Many prominent guest stars portrayed characters who found themselves temporarily in Dodge and interacting with the local denizens in ways which often created conflicts that formed the basis for the ensuing drama. Instead of utilizing violence as a solution to these problems , the writers' goal was to create a dialogue among the various disputing parties that would dampen their anger and hostility and result in a peaceful outcome. As in real life happy endings were not guaranteed. Sometimes these healing conversations were presented with minimal or no interruption, creating one of the only annoying factors in an otherwise satisfying episode.

There is no doubt that the producers' shift in emphasis towards character development using literate scripts, good actors and creative directors turned what could have been just another Western into a landmark television series.