One of My Favorite TV Shows Won Big at the Emmy Awards 63 Years Ago Today

Growing up as a kid in the 60's and early 70's, TV westerns were a staple of most young boys and some young girls. It was a great time to be a kid cuz' you would watch an episode of one the western series and then get together with your neighborhood friends and re-enact what happened. Yes, we actually went outside and played! It was definitely a different time for kids in those years and I'm glad I was a part of it.

One particular show that I grew up watching was the western Gunsmoke. James Arness was a giant of a man as he kept the law as a United States Marshall in Dodge City, Kansas. I think every young fan idolized him and wanted to be him when they grew up.

On this day in 1958, the 10th Emmy Awards were held in Hollywood. The event was held at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in the Ambassador Hotel. Danny Thomas hosted the event. (I'd say things have changed a little since that awards ceremony.)

That evening Gunsmoke beat out some big competition, shows that I also watched growing up. I think you would recognize some of them- Lassie, Perry Mason, Maverick, and Wagon Train.

Those were some of the top shows from the major networks in the late 50's. In fact, according to the outsider.com. it was considered a major coup as it beat out the other four shows. The article states the award that Gunsmoke won that evening:

 Earned the “Best Dramatic Series with Continuing Characters” Emmy

Sounds like it should have been celebrated with a round of drinks at the Longbranch with Sheriff Dillon, Chester, Doc, and Miss Kitty!