Here’s why Kitty Russell never shared a kiss with Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke’s Kitty Russell, the proprietor of Long Branch Saloon for 20 years, and Marshal Matt Dillon was everyone’s favorite “will they?” or “won’t they?” couple.

The two characters shared a strong bond and a relationship that was speculated, hinted at and rumored to have been much more than just a friendship during the entire 20-season run.

TV viewers loved their love, and most were desperate for more romance between the two characters before Gunsmoke ended in 1975. Kitty even won herself a famous nickname created by TV viewers and critics across the country: “Kissless Kitty.”

As much as fans wanted to see a relationship blossom between the two, the actress who played Kitty had a different idea.

According to a 1964 interview with Fort Lauderdale News, Amanda Blake said people would ask her about Matt Dillon around 40 to 100 times per week. She added: “But to an actress, questions are a pretty good indication of how well she’s doing.”

“I am more encouraged than annoyed by the one question I have to answer more than any other: ‘Aren’t you going to be kissed by Marshal Dillon?'” Blake said.

The answer was a simple and straightforward “no” each time she was asked. But that answer always invited a second follow-up question: “Why not?”

Since the beginning of the series, Kitty and Marshal Matt Dillon had a spark between them. But as Blake said it: “Wrong place, wrong time.”

“Romantic love, while not unknown to that time and place, had to be secondary to the protagonist’s struggle to stay alive and do his job. For the Marshal to become overly involved in a romance would dilute the drama of his story,” Blake said.

According to the interview, Blake said producers and cast members avoided the love story at all costs. The producers eliminated the possibility from the series all together, not even leaving a door open for the two love birds.

“Of course, it’s traditional that Western heroes like their horses way better than they do girls,” Blake said. “I can assure you that Marshal Dillon likes me – Kitty Russell – better than he does his horse. I can also assure you that he won’t ever be caught kissing a horse!”

Blake said that Gunsmoke was a TV program aimed at everyone. It was based around the idea that the Western could reach any audience — from young to old — and the Old West history could carry the series. There was no time for kissin’ and huggin’.

“If viewers want visible romance between Kitty and The Marshal, they’ll have to supply it themselves in their imaginations,” Blake said. “As I’ve had to do.”