He was considered for the TV role of Matt Dillon, but the producers didn’t think he had the right look either. Raymond Burr was considered too. I think they made the right choice will James Arness. Conrad and Burr wound up where they should be, too.
Yes, James Arness was perfect. Also, we females found him sooo attractive. Yes, I had a bit of a crush on him as a little girl. But I wanted him to marry Miss Kitty, lol.
Raymond Burr made a good Perry Mason. I rooted for him as a little kid, and hated Hamilton Burger. My parents kept telling me he was just doing his job, but as a little kid, all I could see was Bad Man. For some reason, I didn’t wonder why he didn’t marry Della Street. Kids! Go figure.
Nowadays, I suppose kids wouldn’t watch such shows, but we all did back then. The adult themes were done so they went over our heads, and the gunfights and brawls didn’t turn us into violent thugs.
iirc john wayne suggested arness...