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

Ben Costello

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1589852222 ISBN 13: 9781589852228

Publisher: Book Street Press, 2012

Synopsis

In recognition of the show's golden anniversary, author Ben Costello has 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. Now available in paperback for the first time!

About this title

About the Author

Ben Costello is a self-confessed film and television buff. Starting at the age of five, he has appeared on stage in a variety of dramatic and comedic roles. He also enjoys writing and directing. Along with fellow comedian John Babrowski, Costello has played in casinos and clubs from New York City to Las Vegas, frequently portraying characters similar to Abbott and Costello (no, Ben Costello and Bud Costello are not related). In fact, Costello and Babrowski performed the classic Who is on First routine at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, to kick off the 2000 World Series. They were the first to do so since Abbott and Costello performed the skit there 44 years earlier. Costello wrote, produced, and costarred in The Whitley & Costello Show in 1979. In 1987, he took the classic Laurel and Hardy movie Way Out West and adapted it for the stage, with the blessings of Lucille Hardy Price, widow of comedian Oliver Hardy. In 1988, his play titled Company B debuted. The show, a slapstick musical tribute to World War II, was so popular that it spawned five stage sequels. For his work on this production, Costello won Best Actor, Writer, Director, and Production awards from the Southern California Theatre Leagues. Costello teaches seminars on Hollywood Comedy and Comedians and is an authority on television and motion picture Westerns. A divorced father of one, Costello makes his home in the desert community of Joshua Tree, California.

Review

5.0 out of 5 stars ~ I have a couple books on Gunsmoke. This one is the best by far and if offers more insight on the history of the T.V. show than anything I have read before. Great buy for the Gunsmoke fan!! --Robert Anderson

What a book, what a show, what a cast, crew and pleasure it was to be part of it --Actor Lance LeGault

5.0 out of 5 stars ~ A FEAST FOR GUNSMOKE FANS ~ This is one heck of a book and a wonderful tribute to what many of us consider the greatest western series ever shown on television: Gunsmoke. Lots of great biographical information about the stars and the production crew, interviews with Dennis Weaver, Buck Taylor and Burt Reynolds and a complete guide to all 635 episodes. Really enjoyed perusing the memorabilia section showing all the Gunsmoke spin-off merchandise. But what makes this book priceless is the hundreds of photos of the series regulars and guest stars and writers and directors associated with the production, countless episode stills and behind the scenes shots including 16 pages in full color. Pretty much the definitive book on Gunsmoke. --Anthony McGillon

About this edition

• Publisher: Book Street Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1589852222
• ISBN 13: 9781589852228
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 672