Festus Haggen Deputy US Marshal (Gunsmoke)

This music video is a very brief view of the antics of everyone's favorite deputy U.S. marshal Festus Haggen. Based on the legendary series "Gunsmoke". Scene stealer Ken Curtis came on the cast of Gunsmoke as Festus Haggen in season 8 episode 13, "Us Haggens".
His next appearance was with his mule, Ruth, in "Prairie Wolfer" in season 9 episode 16.

[@We_Seek_Truth]

A few people are leaving negative comments about the music track, but I like that music a lot! I suppose most of the criticism about the music being too loud is basically just by people who don't like that music to begin with. But for me, I reckon it's one of the main reasons why I keep coming back and watching this over and over. When I'm busy washing dishes or preparing a meal. It's good to turn on and just let it play over and over on repeat play!!

[@larry3064]

The best thing about Gunsmoke was Festus.

[@keithgabbard4816]

I always loved the character Festus . He was a kind gentle soul but would kick ass when he had too .

[@melaniehefner1098]

After watching reruns with a Ken Curtis as Festus, I believe he should have been awarded an Emmy life achievement for best supporting actor. He is the top reason I watch Gunsmoke.

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Ken Curtis was my favorite by far and I still like Dennis Weaver as Chester. The casting for Gunsmoke should be a text study in casting actors for characters.

[@jorgecallico9177]

Agreed. Great sidekick. A fellow like that can make the show. When I was a young boy I remember my parents enjoying Dennis Weaver as the deputy and sidekick. And no doubt but that Weaver was good but far better suited to more serious roles such as McCloud and Spielberg's masterpiece "Dual". Whereas Ken Curris was absolutely brilliant as Festus. Some of the best episodes focussed upon his character.

[@stevemtc1]

Can’t argue there

[@leonpeynado8327]

@@CBSChicagoArtist m

[@mariskacandice890]

Agreed

[@larryrobertson2150]

The banter between Doc and Festus is absolutely priceless.

[@strattuner]

absolutely priceless,got a friend we got along just like them,that relationship to me is priceless,i believe that is the spice of life, our relationships with our counterparts,yep

[@nm202]

Festus and Doc are hilarious 🤣 I love them

[@Falconlibrary]

The banter between Spock and Bones on Star Trek was modeled after that.

[@all4mePope]

They all did some brilliant acting!!! RIP to those who are no longer here, may they rest forever in glory!

[@AMEER-114-]

Um theres not been any of them still here for a good while... That was so even back when you wrote this over a year ago.

[@jamesm.carter1633]

Festus is one of the best actors I have ever seen. He's one of my favorites on Gunsmoke.

[@michaelmullen4522]

Amen!

[@We_Seek_Truth]

Actually, the name of "actor" is Ken Curtis, and the name of the "character" is Festus Hagan, but we know what you meant.

[@jillstover8782]

Festus was my favorite! Still watching gunsmoke daily

[@mikehornexplorer6805]

Hello how are you doing over there?

[@m.r.g6762]

Y dond lo ven xq en peri no aparecen

[@bonniehorn3144]

PLEASE BRING BACK FESTUS!!!!! THE SHOW IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT HIM!!!! I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO HIS AND DOCS ARGUMENTS!!!!👍

[@michaelbrown-tq7yv]

Festus was one of my all time favorite characters, some of the phrases he use are priceless

[@debs8858]

I love to watch Gunsmoke.. Love Festus! Doesn't need the music over it..

[@rachellehughett4084]

One of my first Childhood dogs was called Festus because of this show. I still have his dog tag hanging on my wall.

[@davidcopperfield-notthemag397]

Festus was always my favorite. I think someone should compile a book of his sayings! Excellent character actor!

[@tyronedoberson3054]

Festus A True Hollywood Icon From Gunsmoke-- Tv -- Westerns, Nobody Does It Better ! R.I.P. Festus You're The Best !

[@amypatton6730]

Love love love Ken Curtis. THE BEST! Beautiful singer.

[@wandajones6157]

Lord how I love Festus. He's a one of a kind. Ken Kurtis was too. Gunsmoke is my favorite show. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂❣❣❣❣❣

[@clubredken13]

I just got addicted to Gunsmoke a few months ago. Dennis Weaver as Chester is fine but that idea of his to have the leg issue might have made him ornery. In real life. Recently I've checked Wikipedia and to my luck this season is when Festus .... makes his debut! I can't wait. And Prairie Wolfer just aired yesterday. His first show. And he's so good. Something about Festus is special. It must be because Ken Curtis is so good. That's it.

[@We_Seek_Truth]

The first episode with Festus was "Us Hagens". A simple google search will tell you, "His first appearance as Festus was in season 8, episode 13, "Us Haggens", which debuted December 8, 1962." [Wikipedia] "Prairie Wolfer" was a little over a year later. (Season 9, episode 16, which aired Jan 18, 1964.) I agree except that his character became too... exaggerated or something after about the 10th season. By the color episodes starting in season 12 he was usually too much for me to take. But the original Festus in the 9th and 10th seasons is great!

[@clubredken13]

@@We_Seek_Truth Interesting! Since the Prairie Wolfie show is tomorrow. That's the one that has Chester and Festus together. And the Bandit. Also known as Burt Reynolds. So the coolest Gunsmoke episode ever. I never watched the show until a couple years ago a really amazing episode with Festus that was 2 episodes he was stuck in the desert with a crazy coot.

[@We_Seek_Truth]

@@clubredken13 Yes, that's a great episode! Noah Berry is also in that episode. It also has a pretty good ending. Gunsmoke is famous for its sad, tragic endings. That's something I don't like.

[@rodcrawford5547]

I was almost a sleep when the music came on @ 1:54, scared me to death! It came out of nowhere, and was fairly loud...😂😂😂

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Sorry, Rod. When I have the time, I'm going to revised the most popular video like this one and fix the audio and maybe take the music out. Thanks for the reply.

[@We_Seek_Truth]

​​​​@@CBSChicagoArtist Please leave this one posted. Many of us really like that music - and at that volume. We can tell you brought the music volume down when there was talking. We reckon it's more a matter of music taste than anything. It's not country music. Maybe country-rock or southern-rock. Thanks so much for making and posting this video!

[@1Taj]

Absolutely LOVE Ken Curtis! Festus is my favorite character of all the westerns, movies included. Something Ken and Festus had in common was a heart the size of Texas and a personality that you will never forget. Love the clip, Thanks for posting it!

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Thanks, Tammie. Festus is the Bestus...Ken Curtis was one of the best performers ever.

[@We_Seek_Truth]

This music is PERFECT for Festus! Both The Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Festus Hagen are from the Ozarks, but this music just fits him perfectly! I love the way you edited the music!! And this video montage is GREAT! EVERYTHING is just PERFECT about this video!!!

[@Townsendcat2]

I love festus!!! Rip sir!!!

[@sandraestel4866]

God I love fests hagen he's my family

[@user-cf9np9cy8q]

Nice compilation you put together. I love Festus and Gunsmoke it was a dam good show

[@deborahmitchell6532]

Gunsmoke, ole Festus. He's a good actor on Gunsmoke, and a good deputy. I wish they'd put him back on Gunsmoke. He's what made you laugh. I love them all. 👍

[@bonniehorn3144]

PLEASE, PLRASE, PLRASE BRING BACK FESTUS, IT IS NOT WORTH WATCHING WITHOUT HIM !!!!!!!

[@rustyquoin]

Ken Curtis was on Gunsmoke twice as far as I’ve seen before his becoming Festus Haggen. The first one he played a guy who would mess around with a young woman’s affections, get what he wanted, and then move on. The second one was about a Texas herd which needed help from a band of rustlers and Matt and Chester help them out. The Dennis Weaver and Ken Curtis characters get along great since they were both from Texas. My favorite though, was early Ken Curtis as Festus. You didn’t know what to make of him. He was obviously a dangerous person, and the question was how much should Matt trust this back woods person, because Festus did not give up much. Later, of course, he became comic relief between himself and Doc, just like Chester had been, and I do like those shows. But I best like the shows in which one does not know wtf is actually happening in the mind of this not from Dodge person, and what he is capable of. It must have been great television for those adults watching it for the first time.

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

That was a great episode I think the title was called "Loverboy". I knew it was Ken Curtis when I saw the rerun because I already knew how he looked from other films. He did fool a lot a people in that one because he was such a smooth operator. Happy Holidays, Jim.

[@lucyreichert4550]

Jim Stewart))

[@cherylT321]

I saw another episode where Chester protects doc from two men trying to kill them. One of them was Ken Curtis, playing a very low watt bulb. Chester ends up tying him up; he lets on that the man doc was trying to help was murdered by his own brother, the main guy who wanted them dead!

[@richelliott9320]

Some great character actors back in those days

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Just like family members, Rich.

[@inamorata966]

Speaking as an urbanite, Festus was a fearless, backwoods badass. Rides around on an effing mule, fer pete's sake! I've watched Gunsmoke just about every day for the past year on meTV. Take it from me: Festus doesn't back down. Better bring a lunch pail, brother, 'cause he goes the distance.

[@virginiacook2724]

Love Festus!

[@DJames-ll1cd]

Gotta love Gunsmoke and old Festus was the bestus!!!

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Gunsmoke Forever!

[@MikeMaxwell1961]

There was never an episode complete if it was without Festus.

[@S0lidState]

Ken Curtis and Denver Pyle, two great actors from the harsh lands of east Colorado.

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

They were legendary. Text book acting and beyond. You'll never see the likes of their profession again. This generation jist doesn't have it.

[@michaelbrown-tq7yv]

When Ken curtis first started look at his character. There so much life in his eyes like a gleam to them. In the later episodes after hes deputy it's like life had finally beat him down. His eyes dont have that same brightness to them.

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

I assume that was just hard work and old age, Michael, but he still got it done. Some of the stunts that he did on "Gunsmoke" was always amazing to me. He really should have gotten more credit for his role.

[@lendrury2771]

@@CBSChicagoArtist that's because I heard that he was snorting alot of cocaine by then .yep took the life right out of him

[@cherylT321]

Len Drury. I didn’t know he did drugs!

[@lauriedavis400]

Do you know that for a FACT Len Drury?! Of course you realize how IRRESPONSIBLE it would be to spread _UNSUBSTANTIATED_ _RUMORS._ ... ... So what’s your PROOF? ... Please lemme know ASAP so i can change my entire life and everything i stand for. If i decide to go on living. ... So sorry! Please DO go on and explain to us how YOU “LEN DRURY” (yeah right) are absolutely _CERTAIN_ that one of my biggest HEROS EVER was nothing but a piece of shit druggie? And don’t forget either you can completely PROVE what you *BOLDLY* stated about Mr Curtis _OR_ you’re simply a big fucking LIAR. ... ... ... Uhh Len? Dude? ... ... WE ARE WAITING?!?

[@lauriedavis400]

C’mon Cheryl T.! Geez you just automatically BELIEVE him?!? How _DARE_ “Len” speak ill of the dead?! Plus _i_ believe he’s full of shit!

[@blkxdragon]

Thanks for the music accompaniment. I don’t know what would have done without that constant distraction!

[@lottiestanley7696]

Thank you!!!! A wonderful job. Can't get enough 'Festus'. The music could ha ve been softer but it was a wonderful compilation of scenes. Love to see more! Some Doc and Festus scenes blended, sound good to me ;) Among others!

[@We_Seek_Truth]

This is a great montage, compilation video!! Excellent video editing, and audio editing - both!! The audio track has been looped several times and just goes on and on!! For the people who like Festus but don't like that song... that's truly a shame. But for those of us who like Festus AND that song this is a GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@jameshall8455]

Wonderful Years. Bless you ALL. RIP Matt Dillon. Miss Kitty. Chester. Festus. Doc Adams. Quint and the many Guest Stars like Sammy Davis Jr (wonderful job) Harrison Ford. Too many to mention .....RIP to the Regulars

[@AMEER-114-]

You realize that Matt, Kitty, Chester, Festus and Doc didnt die right? That these actors were real people with their own REAL NAMES right?

[@KJ-nx7hh]

MORE PLEASE..! Awesomeness...If you build it , They will watch.. I usually leave the tv on ol west all nite...

[@We_Seek_Truth]

The music is by The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, who are from the Missouri Ozarks and Festus is ALSO from the Missouri Ozarks, so that music is VERY appropriate! My family is also from the Ozarks, so of course we'uns like it 'round here! If you like the music please say so. There are some people expressing negative comments about it. And it's fine to have different tastes in music, but I suspect they are probably a (vocal) minority who dislike it. You can't please everybody. For myself, I really like this video because of the great clips of Festus, but ALSO because of the MUSIC!! Great editing, both video and audio!! I wouldn't play this video NEARLY as much without this music track.

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Thank you for your message. I'm glad to hear that you liked the mountain backwoods style of the video, similar to Festus. It was definitely an interesting experiment, and I appreciate your feedback. I'm looking forward to creating another video in the near future, and I'm committed to making it cleaner and better edited. Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me, and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[@caseychilton8013]

FESTUS IS A DAM GOOD OL BOY HE'S ONE OF A KIND

[@caseychilton8013]

YES HE IS HE'S ONE OF A KIND

[@We_Seek_Truth]

I sure like this montage. Nice editing and I love the audio track!

[@pave9764]

Work in a nursing home n this is on the tv's of many of the residents

[@user-dq9ch9pi9s]

Those early half hour episodes with Chester. Were great. Fast pace, stories good. Grew up on episodes in color. Both suit me fine.

[@bradrunyan1241]

Unfricking real, the best I’ve ever seen! Don’t stop! I love it!

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

More will come, Brad. Thank you.

[@lottiestanley7696]

"More" is good news to me!!!!

[@TheDonz1943]

Festus was a Former Son of the Pioneers Singer when he was a Young Handsome Boy

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

He was a great singer and he's very normal looking away from his Festus getup.

[@Mrlrobertson]

Also Son in Law to the great director John Ford.

[@DanneyTanner]

I love Matts personality😍

[@cleophusfowler]

I liked it! Great song.

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Thanks, Barron.

[@pricea3030]

Love this Character!

[@carnitamathus866]

Love the background music 🎶 🎵 👌

[@vincentfranklin17]

As much as I like Matt Dillon, I like Festus a bit more. Especially early kick-ass- if you-mess -with me Festus!

[@vallongtine4398]

Still watch gunsmoke

[@rockzulla]

i love gunsmoke.

[@spaceguy7777]

nobody like Festus Hagan...get that man a beer!

[@rohricwl]

The loud music makes this unwatchable

[@We_Seek_Truth]

Be honest... You just don't like that music, not that it was too loud. Right? I'd feel the same way if I didn't like the music,😊 but I like this song - A LOT! So tell me, you just don't like that music, not that it was too loud. Am I right??

[@rohricwl]

@@We_Seek_Truth I can take it or leave it. If I didn't like it, I would have written "I don't like the music." I wrote that it was too loud because it was too loud. Also. it obscured the dialogue, and after a while it was a substitute for dialogue. I hadn't seen this for three years, so I watched it again, but after five minutes or so I stopped. It was tiresome watching fragments of scenes without dialogue, but the poster suppressed the dialogue. The flashes of episodes with only music--even then it was too loud--without dialogue was entertaining at first but grew tedious.

[@rafael55]

Damn music.

[@mariagarriga4591]

Great video, I love Festus!!

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Festus is the Bestus, Maria. Thanks".

[@keithliggins8545]

The music is too freaking loud!

[@thomasbryant2601]

OMG where that music came from

[@tgtina.g2613]

They do this to ruin the video on purpose.

[@gordonredwine8559]

If the music was intended to ruin the video,it was 100% successful. I ha dot quit watching. That & this was just plain stupid how it was put together.

[@ronnierocket9135]

I had to stop watching after 4 minutes music too loud too annoying

[@suttybuddy7273]

@John Carter Yes

[@Hawkeye-ef4xf]

Why put in the music? Totally ruined it.

[@1hhenry]

Don't need the music!

[@Gert-d1b]

Nomusic❤

[@We_Seek_Truth]

The music is great. We can watch him all day without music. This music is a treat. They're from the Ozarks just like Festus.

[@charleshill984]

A perfectly good video ruined with loud music.

[@pokerface5553]

I was just gettin' ready to say the same damn thing.

[@juliearmymom7807]

I had to turn it off.

[@Mrlrobertson]

Golly Bill, Matthew, that old scudder Doc just bought me uh beer.

[@shellybelly2745]

I got the whole series on DVD for Christmas this past year. Don't watch the smutt on t.v. nowadays.

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

I'm getting the series in April if there's still some left. Enjoy them, Shelly.

[@miriamadinaisrael5702]

I just wish you would give more of the gunsmoke show's I love every one just about seen them all

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Miriam, I would do it like that but KZbin is so strict about their policies when it comes to the rights of old TV series and movies.

[@mikehornexplorer6805]

Hello how are you doing over there 😍😍😍

[@ianbell7342]

one of my faves ❤

[@jeffbasalto5274]

Festus great man singer actor love you festus R I P sir.

[@vickisoto6422]

Love Festus 💓

[@davidaaaa4611]

I liked Matt and Festus. I liked Ken Curtis in Ripcord also.

[@dawnmare3519]

Nice job , Luved it !

[@barrycharles4640]

Documentaries (today) have very loud music too... can't hear the narrator sometimes.

[@herdfan697278]

What part of your music did you think we would like better than Gunsmoke the series?

[@axiomaddict]

Music is too damn loud.

[@janaprocella8268]

THE MUSIC. IS AN INTRUSIVE.!! I WANT MUSIC I'LL LOOK UP MUSIC WISH I HADN'T PUT THAT..ON HERE

[@jimdemilio761]

Ken Curtis was fucking BRILLIANT as Festus! Also a great country singer .

[@ronmifsud6946]

Love the sound of a ...harmonica instrument

[@lauriedavis400]

So i just recently read that Mr Curtis did his own stunts, including the athletic one @7:13!

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

He was a great talented man with many gifts to offer from a perform"s perspective, and he did everything well. Mr. Curtis to me was about as much of a superstar as the ones that's been labeled as superstars. I'm so glad to be around to see and hear his great work.

[@Falconlibrary]

"If'n you kill Matt Dillon, you better make sure I'm laid out beside him. 'Cause if I ain't, I will be after you like thunder follers the lightning."--Festus Haggen to one of Dillon's enemies.

[@SouthernGospelConventionMusic]

The music really mucks this up.

[@roynewman7316]

Chester was the original and the best

[@rrichards3399]

i enjoyed the journey, thnx

[@We_Seek_Truth]

I suppose he should make another video without any music, but with only the dialogue - for the minority who don't like music over video clip-jobs, or whatever they call these types of collections of video clips. You can never please everybody. To me, music works great! Especially THIS music!! Personally, I can't get enough of this particular video!!!

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

Great posting

[@kidnabi2388]

Love this show ( don't know any other 13 year-olds who do)

[@jimtazzis9310]

Great show !

[@superchickensuperchicken7939]

why did they put this toxic music in the video, it doesn't fit?

[@brucekoster9253]

Nothin' wrong with the music.....it just doesn't fit the show.....not even close!

[@prostreetmark]

William This is the best damn music you will ever hear!!! Southern Rock!!! You know 38 Special,Molly Hatchet,Lynard Skynard ! Just to name a few!!! And Gracie no keep the freaking music best music you will ever hear also!!!

[@sargintrock2538]

Ken Curtis from the John Ford corral!

[@anonymousperson8487]

I'm confused, was that season 1 or the first music video ever made?

[@jacksonjackson3871]

I have always loved that song

[@allengodsey4641]

Exactly and that music somehow fitting

[@sandranapier3741]

I liked the Music♥️♦️

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

Thanks' Sandra, glad you enjoyed it.

[@cecilshivers5386]

Me to I came up to this kind of ROCK N ROLL 😎

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

I'm with you, Cecil, It's 'The Ozark Mountain Daredevils" from 1973 and "Gunsmoke" was still on the tube.

[@cecilshivers5386]

@@CBSChicagoArtist I still watch gunsmoke all the time.

[@billh.6135]

Good video, but I'm afraid the music ruined it. Had to bow out watching it before it was half way through. 😖

[@genegoodwin8925]

The loud music made it hard to listen to what the people were saying. I watched this video to hear them, not some stupid music that was playing too loudly.

[@CraigEElliott]

No kidding

[@We_Seek_Truth]

They turned the music way down whenever someone was talking. I had no problem hearing the dialogue over the music. You probably just don't like that music. I love it, but to each their own. This is actually a very well done production. I've been around radio and television productions in my life, as well as recording live and studio music, and rerecording prerecorded productions. This was also a very good collection of Festus. A masterful montage. A creative compilation.

[@We_Seek_Truth]

Actually, if you don't like this music, you are in A VERY SMALL MINORITY!! I recommend you don't listen to this video. If you want to watch Gunsmoke videos, there are some internet websites that are excellent. You will have to do your own research, but there are a few sites that are free - and no subscription required.

[@We_Seek_Truth]

There are a few websites out there that are free, that have broadcast quality, some have no commercials, and with no subscription required. I won't list any here as KZbin will delete my comment. (They may anyway!)

[@richardfannin9652]

You are a jerk-ass.

[@bhaygood7306]

Sorry a.. music mess up the hold video if u have to put music to video please do not put on u tube please

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

B Haygood, you post videos with no music on your KZbin channel and I'll post videos with music on mine. If you hate the music that much, there's videos with audio only on the video list too".

[@andrewanderson5095]

Whats with that background music? I can't hear what they are saying?

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

There's another video titled "Deputy Festus Haggen, Origin" without a singing soundtrack. you can hear the audio better, the other original video is a music video.

[@cecilshivers5386]

Old Festus is tuffer than a two dollar stake.lol

[@cecilshivers5386]

That's what they say if you won't to get Heaven you got to rise a LITTLE HELL .SO I RISE A LITTLE EVERY DAY !😎

[@jamesvickers9476]

Festus is riding the mule an got the horse packing....

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

I remember that scene as a kid and I couldn't believe it.

[@cherylT321]

That’s funny!

[@joysaab3084]

I stumbled upon this show after watching all episodes of ' 'Bonanza'

[@pameladyck6422]

Would love to see the full episode

[@raymondwillis6744]

Ken Curtis was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis

[@We_Seek_Truth]

Best thing that ever happened to Gunsmoke was for Chester to leave, and the second best thing was to bring Festus as Matt's sidekick. Chester was a flunky, Festus was a true sidekick. Oh, Chester had his good points, but he absolutely drove me up the wall with his never-ending screw-ups and talking with his mouth full and being generally obnoxious. Festus had a cool thing going on... usually. I can't count the number of times Chester screwed up. Especially in episode "The F. U." (s4e27). (Bet you can guess what F.U. stands for!) He was always moaning about something in that high-pitched voice, and saying " I'm just as SORRY as I can BE!" I know Dennis Weaver was an intelligent person and the creators and writers made his character that way, but he sure was good at that part.😭

[@CBSChicagoArtist]

I love both characters, but Festus edged Chester out just a little, because I grew up right at the time he was brought into Gunsmoke to replace Chester, while the great Dennis Weaver was preparing to head off for further roles in his acting career. On a bright note, for Mr. Weaver washed away his Chester Good typecast. I believe, Sean Connery and Dennis Weaver were two of the best actors that got the public to think of them as actors instead of their characters.

[@user-go3vx1im8d]

Gunsmoke awesome