The Transformation of Miss Kitty’s Profession

The transition of Gunsmoke from radio to television maintained most of its original essence, but with intriguing modifications. Among these, Amanda Blake’s character Miss Kitty underwent a significant transformation. Originally portrayed with a job deemed too controversial for TV screens, the character’s occupation saw a major shift to suit the visual medium’s audience expectations.

In the radio version of Gunsmoke, Miss Kitty was the madame of a brothel, a role that was subtly altered for the television adaptation to cater to a wider, family-friendly audience. This change required careful suggestion of her original role without making explicit references, navigating the era’s content sensitivities while retaining character depth.