Paul Colt's Blog, page 19
May 1, 2022
The Comancheros
John Wayne headlines a not-so-classic-western-film series because it is one of his lesser-known works and we’ve never done it before on these pages. The 1961 film is based on a 1952 novel by Paul Wellman. The director’s chair eventually landed on Michael Curtiz after posing as a roulette wheel. Curtiz, best known for directing the classic Casablanca, was unable to finish the film due to terminal illness. Wayne completed the film as uncredited director.
The cast included Wayne in the lead as Texas Ranger Jake Cutter, in pursuit of gambler Paul Regret played by Stuart Whitman. Regret’s romantic interest, Pilar Graile is played by Ina Balin. Her name didn’t ring a bell, but she did. Others included Lee Marvin, Jack Elam and Edgar Buchanan. Three minor players of interest include Wayne’s son, Patrick, Michael Ansara before he was discovered and a sentimental favorite of mine Bob Steel, nearing the end of his career.
Set in 1843 Texas, the story has Regret on the run from a death sentence for killing the son of a Louisiana judge in a duel. With Texas Ranger Jake Cutter in pursuit, Regret stays a free man just long enough to fall in love with the mysterious Pilar Graile. With Regret in custody,
Cutter stops at a friend’s Ranch where they are attacked by Comanche. The source of the Indian trouble is a renegade band of gun runners, known as the Comancheros. During the Comanche attack, Regret escapes. Rather than flee, he rides for help, returning with a company of Texas Rangers to runoff the Indian attack. Regret is rewarded for his unselfish act, by the rangers sending word to Louisiana, Regret couldn’t be their man because he was riding with them.
Regret joins the Rangers and along with Cutter they use a Comanchero supply wagon to insinuate themselves into the band’s hideout. There Regret is reunited with Pilar who turns out to be the daughter of the Comanchero leader. All ends well when Cutter, Regret, and the Rangers to defeat the Comanche and the Comancheros. Regret and Pilar ride off to happily ever-after in Mexico while Jake returns to the Rangers.
Next Week: The Professionals
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Paul
The cast included Wayne in the lead as Texas Ranger Jake Cutter, in pursuit of gambler Paul Regret played by Stuart Whitman. Regret’s romantic interest, Pilar Graile is played by Ina Balin. Her name didn’t ring a bell, but she did. Others included Lee Marvin, Jack Elam and Edgar Buchanan. Three minor players of interest include Wayne’s son, Patrick, Michael Ansara before he was discovered and a sentimental favorite of mine Bob Steel, nearing the end of his career.
Set in 1843 Texas, the story has Regret on the run from a death sentence for killing the son of a Louisiana judge in a duel. With Texas Ranger Jake Cutter in pursuit, Regret stays a free man just long enough to fall in love with the mysterious Pilar Graile. With Regret in custody,
Cutter stops at a friend’s Ranch where they are attacked by Comanche. The source of the Indian trouble is a renegade band of gun runners, known as the Comancheros. During the Comanche attack, Regret escapes. Rather than flee, he rides for help, returning with a company of Texas Rangers to runoff the Indian attack. Regret is rewarded for his unselfish act, by the rangers sending word to Louisiana, Regret couldn’t be their man because he was riding with them.
Regret joins the Rangers and along with Cutter they use a Comanchero supply wagon to insinuate themselves into the band’s hideout. There Regret is reunited with Pilar who turns out to be the daughter of the Comanchero leader. All ends well when Cutter, Regret, and the Rangers to defeat the Comanche and the Comancheros. Regret and Pilar ride off to happily ever-after in Mexico while Jake returns to the Rangers.
Next Week: The Professionals
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Paul
April 16, 2022
Not So Classic Western Films
We researched and posted most all the classic western films as well as the actors who did their good guys and bad. What I learned is we’ve barely scratched the surface. I started compiling a list I call ‘Not So Classic Western Films’. The list keeps going and going and . . . well you get the idea. It seemed foreordained we should try to tackle the list. Just try? Just try, because the information about some of these films is little more than a title, and maybe a lobby poster.
That said, we are going to try. If you recognize some of these, congratulations! You are a true western film aficionado! If you don’t, for what it is worth, you are in great company. The list started with a note pad on my desk, built out of the filmographies of some of the actors included in previous post series. Then I noticed titles appearing in more than one filmography. I started printing those lists and the lists got longer. The December 2021 issue of Western Writers of America’s Roundup Magazine added still more titles to the list. Where to begin?
This is probably a good place to begin. Why? I just finished book six in my Great Western Detective League series. For those of you keeping score, that means I have two in the can. Number four, Assassin’s Witness just released. Next up is research for new historical novel. Those books typically take three or four years to research and write. I’ve got some time just now. What you don’t know is I binge write these posts. I crank ‘em out in a binge, while working on things like research. Posting one a week, I easily work six, nine, twelve months in advance.
So, grab some popcorn and your beverage of choice. You’re likely to find films in this series you remember, films you’ve heard of, and films you never heard of. Who knows if they are available in any modern media? If some are, maybe we’ll tease you into enjoying a few.
Next Week: The Comancheros
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Paul
That said, we are going to try. If you recognize some of these, congratulations! You are a true western film aficionado! If you don’t, for what it is worth, you are in great company. The list started with a note pad on my desk, built out of the filmographies of some of the actors included in previous post series. Then I noticed titles appearing in more than one filmography. I started printing those lists and the lists got longer. The December 2021 issue of Western Writers of America’s Roundup Magazine added still more titles to the list. Where to begin?
This is probably a good place to begin. Why? I just finished book six in my Great Western Detective League series. For those of you keeping score, that means I have two in the can. Number four, Assassin’s Witness just released. Next up is research for new historical novel. Those books typically take three or four years to research and write. I’ve got some time just now. What you don’t know is I binge write these posts. I crank ‘em out in a binge, while working on things like research. Posting one a week, I easily work six, nine, twelve months in advance.
So, grab some popcorn and your beverage of choice. You’re likely to find films in this series you remember, films you’ve heard of, and films you never heard of. Who knows if they are available in any modern media? If some are, maybe we’ll tease you into enjoying a few.
Next Week: The Comancheros
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 9, 2022
Jack Elam
Jack Elam had the look to do dark and dangerous characters. Victim of an accident in youth, Elam lost sight in his left eye, giving it a lazy menacing drift. Repeatedly cast in the role of a villain, early in his career he became something of a western icon for the bad guy in the black hat.
Jack Elam’s filmography includes seventy-three films, fifty-two of which are westerns. His work in television includes countless guest-star appearances in many of the most popular western series of the fifties and sixties. Count among them Have Gun Will Travel, Rawhide, Gunsmoke, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Rifleman, The Rebel, Cheyenne, F Troop, Lawman, The Lone Ranger, and Bonanza.
Elam’s villain-hood dominated his early roles beginning in 1947. A funny thing happened in 1969. Elam was cast in a comedic role of Jake in Support Your Local Sheriff opposite James Garner. Sheriff Jason McCullough (Garner) deputizes town bum Jake to help tame lawless elements terrorizing a town caught in a gold boom. The role changed the trajectory of his career. Elam’s villainous roles began to dwindle in favor of his newly discovered flare for the comedic.
Other notable roles include co-starring with Clint Walker in The Night of the Grizzly and opposite John Wayne in Howard Hawk’s Rio Lobo. Set at the end of the civil war Elam is cast as the father of Confederate Sgt. Tuscarora Philips who, along with his commanding officer hijack a Union payroll train. They are captured by Union Colonel Cord McNally (John Wayne). McNally knows the Rebs must have had inside information pointing to a traitor in the Union ranks. Philips and his commanding officer refuse to talk initially. Elam’s comic character assists McNally to protect his son as the conspiracy unravels.
Next Week: Not So Classic Western Films
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Paul
Jack Elam’s filmography includes seventy-three films, fifty-two of which are westerns. His work in television includes countless guest-star appearances in many of the most popular western series of the fifties and sixties. Count among them Have Gun Will Travel, Rawhide, Gunsmoke, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Rifleman, The Rebel, Cheyenne, F Troop, Lawman, The Lone Ranger, and Bonanza.
Elam’s villain-hood dominated his early roles beginning in 1947. A funny thing happened in 1969. Elam was cast in a comedic role of Jake in Support Your Local Sheriff opposite James Garner. Sheriff Jason McCullough (Garner) deputizes town bum Jake to help tame lawless elements terrorizing a town caught in a gold boom. The role changed the trajectory of his career. Elam’s villainous roles began to dwindle in favor of his newly discovered flare for the comedic.
Other notable roles include co-starring with Clint Walker in The Night of the Grizzly and opposite John Wayne in Howard Hawk’s Rio Lobo. Set at the end of the civil war Elam is cast as the father of Confederate Sgt. Tuscarora Philips who, along with his commanding officer hijack a Union payroll train. They are captured by Union Colonel Cord McNally (John Wayne). McNally knows the Rebs must have had inside information pointing to a traitor in the Union ranks. Philips and his commanding officer refuse to talk initially. Elam’s comic character assists McNally to protect his son as the conspiracy unravels.
Next Week: Not So Classic Western Films
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Paul
March 26, 2022
Clint Walker
Not sure why Clint Walker shows up on a list of western villains, but he did. We’ve never profiled him so let’s do it anyway. Clint Walker appeared in a dozen western films, but for most of us he will forever be Cheyenne Bodie. Walker earns that recognition not only from eight seasons of the popular TV western series Cheyenne, Warner Brothers took the iconic role to the big screen in The Travelers, The Phynx, and Requiem to Massacre. Walker also appeared as Cheyenne in the made for TV movie, The Luck of the Draw and in a guest appearance in an episode of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues entitled Gunfighters.
Walker’s more notable western films include Fort Dobbs, Gold of the Seven Saints, and Yellowstone Kelly. In Fort Dobbs Walker plays the part of Gar Davis, a man wanted for murder. Walker plays a fur trader who along with his partner (Roger Moore) discover a gold stash coveted by a ruthless gang of outlaws. Warner Brothers dipped into its stable of successful TV series stars for Yellowstone Kelly. Walker appears in the title role opposite Lawman (John Russell) and Edd “Kookie” Byrnes of 77 Sunset Strip. “Kookie, Kookie lend me your comb.” “Crazy daddy-o!” I date myself. All three films were directed by Gordan Douglas.
Other appearances of note include the lead in Frank Sinatra’s war drama None but the Brave, and the role of the mild-mannered convict Posey opposite Lee Marvin in The Dirty Dozen. Other western films include Night of the Grizzly and More Dead Than Alive. And of course, guest appearances on The Lucy Show opposite Lucile Ball. In an interesting departure from his acting career and a reversal of the journey from print to film, Walker collaborated with western writer Kirby Jonas to publish the western novel Yaqui Gold.
Clint Walker came in for serious professional recognition with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and another on the Texas Trail of Fame at the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas. He was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Hall of Great Western Performers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was awarded The Motion Picture and Television Fund’s prestigious Golden Boot Award for significant contribution to the western genre.
Next Week: Jack Elam
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Walker’s more notable western films include Fort Dobbs, Gold of the Seven Saints, and Yellowstone Kelly. In Fort Dobbs Walker plays the part of Gar Davis, a man wanted for murder. Walker plays a fur trader who along with his partner (Roger Moore) discover a gold stash coveted by a ruthless gang of outlaws. Warner Brothers dipped into its stable of successful TV series stars for Yellowstone Kelly. Walker appears in the title role opposite Lawman (John Russell) and Edd “Kookie” Byrnes of 77 Sunset Strip. “Kookie, Kookie lend me your comb.” “Crazy daddy-o!” I date myself. All three films were directed by Gordan Douglas.
Other appearances of note include the lead in Frank Sinatra’s war drama None but the Brave, and the role of the mild-mannered convict Posey opposite Lee Marvin in The Dirty Dozen. Other western films include Night of the Grizzly and More Dead Than Alive. And of course, guest appearances on The Lucy Show opposite Lucile Ball. In an interesting departure from his acting career and a reversal of the journey from print to film, Walker collaborated with western writer Kirby Jonas to publish the western novel Yaqui Gold.
Clint Walker came in for serious professional recognition with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and another on the Texas Trail of Fame at the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas. He was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Hall of Great Western Performers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was awarded The Motion Picture and Television Fund’s prestigious Golden Boot Award for significant contribution to the western genre.
Next Week: Jack Elam
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Paul
March 19, 2022
John Dehner
Disney animator, radio newscaster and actor, feature film and TV actor, John Dehner did it all. Dehner voiced Paladin in the radio version of Have Gun Will Travel. Didn’t know there was one? Neither did I. What’s more interesting, the radio version was adapted from the TV series not the usual other way around. A first that didn’t last long.
The striking thing about John Dehner’s career is his versatility in the range of roles he played. He starred in the radio series Frontier Gentleman, as J. B. Kendall a British journalist roaming the late nineteenth century west looking for stories while getting into stories of his own with his guns. His versatility led to numerous guest appearances on TV western series. He had the gentleman smooth down, portraying pirate Jean Lafitte in a Bonanza episode titled The Gentleman from New Orleans.
His twelve appearances on Gunsmoke gave us enough versatility to make our heads spin in roles ranging from Miss Kitty’s daddy to town drunk, psycho killer, deranged mule skinner, to town nobody turned hero for killing a gunman and a squaw-man.
Dehner’s film work included the role of Sheriff Pat Garrett opposite Paul Newman’s Billy the Kid in The Left Handed Gun. Most of the time his film work played the bad guy side of the law as he did opposite Glen Ford in The Fastest Gun Alive.
Next Week: Clint Walker
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The striking thing about John Dehner’s career is his versatility in the range of roles he played. He starred in the radio series Frontier Gentleman, as J. B. Kendall a British journalist roaming the late nineteenth century west looking for stories while getting into stories of his own with his guns. His versatility led to numerous guest appearances on TV western series. He had the gentleman smooth down, portraying pirate Jean Lafitte in a Bonanza episode titled The Gentleman from New Orleans.
His twelve appearances on Gunsmoke gave us enough versatility to make our heads spin in roles ranging from Miss Kitty’s daddy to town drunk, psycho killer, deranged mule skinner, to town nobody turned hero for killing a gunman and a squaw-man.
Dehner’s film work included the role of Sheriff Pat Garrett opposite Paul Newman’s Billy the Kid in The Left Handed Gun. Most of the time his film work played the bad guy side of the law as he did opposite Glen Ford in The Fastest Gun Alive.
Next Week: Clint Walker
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Paul
March 12, 2022
DeForest Kelley
DeForest Kelley got his start in westerns in a 1949 episode of The Lone Ranger television series. From that humble beginning Kelley went on to the big screen in Gunfight at the OK Corral, playing Morgan Earp to Burt Lancaster’s Wyatt Earp. In one of the more unusual twists to bad guy filmographies, Kelley would go on to be cast in two more portrayals of that legendary gunfight. He played Ike Clanton in a made for television presentation of the popular tv series You Are There. Remember that one? Kelley’s third OK Corral cast him as Tom McLaury when Starship Enterprise visited the historic shootout in an October ’68 episode titled Spectre of the Gun. Kelley’s Star Trek character, Doc McCoy morphed into the Cowboy outlaw.
Kelley came by his western creds honestly with a total of ten western films, including Tension at Table Rock, The Law and Jake Wade, Warlock, Gunfight at Comanche Creek, Black Spurs, Town Tamer, Apache Uprising, Johnny Reno, and Waco. For all that his Star Trek character is iconic. They say Sci-fi films are westerns with spaceships for horses. Maybe so.
Kelley’s western work had a heady run, making guest appearances in nearly all the prominent tv western series of the 50’s and 60’s, including Wanted: Dead or Alive, Boots and Saddles, Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theater, Death Valley Days, Riverboat, Lawman, Bat Masterson, Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Laredo, and Bonanza. Did I miss some? Probably.
In a touch of irony DeForest Kelley left western films behind for fear of being type-cast as a western villain, only to become personified by a nine year run in his Star Trek role.
Next Week: John Dehner
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Kelley came by his western creds honestly with a total of ten western films, including Tension at Table Rock, The Law and Jake Wade, Warlock, Gunfight at Comanche Creek, Black Spurs, Town Tamer, Apache Uprising, Johnny Reno, and Waco. For all that his Star Trek character is iconic. They say Sci-fi films are westerns with spaceships for horses. Maybe so.
Kelley’s western work had a heady run, making guest appearances in nearly all the prominent tv western series of the 50’s and 60’s, including Wanted: Dead or Alive, Boots and Saddles, Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theater, Death Valley Days, Riverboat, Lawman, Bat Masterson, Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Laredo, and Bonanza. Did I miss some? Probably.
In a touch of irony DeForest Kelley left western films behind for fear of being type-cast as a western villain, only to become personified by a nine year run in his Star Trek role.
Next Week: John Dehner
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Paul
March 5, 2022
Bill McKinney
Bill McKinney is one of those faces we recognize, but if pressed we’d have a hard time recalling why. The best way to profile him is by the roles he played, two in particular. McKinney appeared in some good westerns. The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean with Paul Newman, Junior Bonner with Steve McQueen and City Slickers II with Billy Crystal to name a few along with a half a dozen or so lesser knowns. The two that standout are The Shootist and The Outlaw Josey Wales.
The Shootist, based on a novel by Glendon Swarthout, was John Wayne’s last film. In it he plays aging gunslinger J. B. Books who, in an imitation of life, is dying of cancer. McKinney plays Jay Cobb, one of three men Books invites to what would become his last gunfight. Other cast members of note include Jimmy Stewart as Doc Hostetler, Lauren Bacall as rooming house marm, Bond Rogers, Harry Morgan as Marshal Thibido and Ron Howard as Gillom, Bond’s teenage son who grows close to Books in his last days.
Diagnosed as terminal, Books chooses his way to die. After ordering his own headstone, he invites Mike Sweeney (Richard Boone), Jack Pulford (Hugh O’Brien) and Cobb to join him at 11:00 am in the Metropole Saloon on January 29th, Books Birthday. Each have a score to settle. Books gives his horse to Gillom and heads to the saloon. He offers a birthday toast to his guests, each of whom then try to kill him, starting with Cobb. Books kills them one after another. When the bartender back shoots Books, Gillom kills the bartender with the dying Books’ gun.
The Outlaw Josey Wales stars Clint Eastwood in a film set against the Kansas Missouri border prelude to the civil war. McKinney plays Captain Terrill, leader of a band of Kansas Jayhawks who murder Wales’ wife and young son. Wales joins “Bloody Bill” Anderson’s Missouri guerilla bushwackers, seeking revenge. When Anderson is persuaded to surrender, Wales refuses and escapes. Terrill’s Jayhawks massacre the Missourians.
Wales and companions hide out in an abandon ranch where they are discovered by Terrill and his Jayhawks. A furious gunfight ensues in which Terrill’s men are wiped out. Terrill flees. Wales’ pursuit overtakes the Jayhawk captain and corners him. Out of ammunition, Terrill goes for his sabre. In the struggle that follows, Terrill dies by his own blade.
Next Week: Deforest Kelley
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Paul
The Shootist, based on a novel by Glendon Swarthout, was John Wayne’s last film. In it he plays aging gunslinger J. B. Books who, in an imitation of life, is dying of cancer. McKinney plays Jay Cobb, one of three men Books invites to what would become his last gunfight. Other cast members of note include Jimmy Stewart as Doc Hostetler, Lauren Bacall as rooming house marm, Bond Rogers, Harry Morgan as Marshal Thibido and Ron Howard as Gillom, Bond’s teenage son who grows close to Books in his last days.
Diagnosed as terminal, Books chooses his way to die. After ordering his own headstone, he invites Mike Sweeney (Richard Boone), Jack Pulford (Hugh O’Brien) and Cobb to join him at 11:00 am in the Metropole Saloon on January 29th, Books Birthday. Each have a score to settle. Books gives his horse to Gillom and heads to the saloon. He offers a birthday toast to his guests, each of whom then try to kill him, starting with Cobb. Books kills them one after another. When the bartender back shoots Books, Gillom kills the bartender with the dying Books’ gun.
The Outlaw Josey Wales stars Clint Eastwood in a film set against the Kansas Missouri border prelude to the civil war. McKinney plays Captain Terrill, leader of a band of Kansas Jayhawks who murder Wales’ wife and young son. Wales joins “Bloody Bill” Anderson’s Missouri guerilla bushwackers, seeking revenge. When Anderson is persuaded to surrender, Wales refuses and escapes. Terrill’s Jayhawks massacre the Missourians.
Wales and companions hide out in an abandon ranch where they are discovered by Terrill and his Jayhawks. A furious gunfight ensues in which Terrill’s men are wiped out. Terrill flees. Wales’ pursuit overtakes the Jayhawk captain and corners him. Out of ammunition, Terrill goes for his sabre. In the struggle that follows, Terrill dies by his own blade.
Next Week: Deforest Kelley
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Paul
February 26, 2022
Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall’s favorite role was, the loveable Augustus “Gus” McCrae in Lonesome Dove. It should be. It won him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries. He played a gentle counterpart to the hard-hearted Captain Woodrow Call. We know the story. Former Texas Rangers, Gus and Call, along with tracker Joshua Deets, cowhand Pea Eye Parker and Call’s illegitimate son Newt Dobbs trail a herd from Texas to Montana. They are joined on the trail by outlaw Jake Spoon and prostitute, Lorena “Lorie” Wood. Spoon abandons her, and she is abducted by renegade Blue Duck and a band of cutthroat Comancheros. Gus rides to the rescue and Laurie’s grateful protection.
Gus sees Laurie along with Call and the herd to Oglala Nebraska where Gus meets up with Clara Allen, the love of a past life. Clara’s husband is dying, leaving no opportunity to rekindle the flame. She offers to take Laurie in. Gus promises to return. Reaching Montana, Gus is caught in the open while hunting by a band of Indians. He survives the encounter but is wounded by arrows in both legs. He is taken to Miles City where one leg is amputated. When he is told the other leg must come off or he will die, he refuses. He asks Call to see that Laurie gets his money and that he is buried in Texas. The following spring Call fulfills his promises in a manner of Charles Goodnight providing for his partner Oliver Loving.
When it comes to Robert Duvall roles, who can forget his Lucky Ned Pepper to John Wayne’s Rooster Cogburn in the original True Grit. “Bold talk for a one-eyed fat man.” “Fill your hands you son-of-a . . . “ Of lesser note, is his role as Jesse James in The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid, which marked the end of the James Younger Gang. An ambitious double bank robbery went sideways when the good folk of Northfield turned inhospitable and shot the living daylights out of the gang right there on Main Street, followed by a long and brutal pursuit.
We’ll close with Open Range and an ensemble cast reminiscent of Lonesome Dove. Duvall played “Boss” Spearman, an open range cattleman, cut out of cloth leftover from Woodrow Call, paired with Kevin Costner as sidekick, Charlie in an outfit that included a mentally challenged Mose and young Button. Costner directed but wanted Duvall as “Boss” and gave him top billing.
Next Week: Bill McKinney
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Gus sees Laurie along with Call and the herd to Oglala Nebraska where Gus meets up with Clara Allen, the love of a past life. Clara’s husband is dying, leaving no opportunity to rekindle the flame. She offers to take Laurie in. Gus promises to return. Reaching Montana, Gus is caught in the open while hunting by a band of Indians. He survives the encounter but is wounded by arrows in both legs. He is taken to Miles City where one leg is amputated. When he is told the other leg must come off or he will die, he refuses. He asks Call to see that Laurie gets his money and that he is buried in Texas. The following spring Call fulfills his promises in a manner of Charles Goodnight providing for his partner Oliver Loving.
When it comes to Robert Duvall roles, who can forget his Lucky Ned Pepper to John Wayne’s Rooster Cogburn in the original True Grit. “Bold talk for a one-eyed fat man.” “Fill your hands you son-of-a . . . “ Of lesser note, is his role as Jesse James in The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid, which marked the end of the James Younger Gang. An ambitious double bank robbery went sideways when the good folk of Northfield turned inhospitable and shot the living daylights out of the gang right there on Main Street, followed by a long and brutal pursuit.
We’ll close with Open Range and an ensemble cast reminiscent of Lonesome Dove. Duvall played “Boss” Spearman, an open range cattleman, cut out of cloth leftover from Woodrow Call, paired with Kevin Costner as sidekick, Charlie in an outfit that included a mentally challenged Mose and young Button. Costner directed but wanted Duvall as “Boss” and gave him top billing.
Next Week: Bill McKinney
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Ride easy,
Paul
February 19, 2022
Ed Begley
Ed Begley got his start in westerns on the radio, appearing in episodes of Tales of Texas Rangers. His film work totaled seven westerns including minor roles in Tulsa, Saddle Tramp, Wyoming Mail, Lady from Texas, Lone Star and Firecreek. His biggest hit was in Hang ‘Em High opposite Clint Eastwood. Television work included guest appearances in episodes of The Virginian, Bonanza, Wagon Train, The Wild Wild West Gunsmoke and the western-themed Big Boy episode of Robert Montgomery Presents.
In Big Boy Begley played Union Pacific railroad engineer Joe Grant. Set in Wyoming the story marks the passing of steam locomotion that built the rails west to the age of the diesel locomotive known as Big Boy. Grant has spent his career driving his beloved steam engine only to see it moth-balled by newer more powerful technology.
In Hang ‘Em High Begley plays Captain Wilson head of a posse chasing rustlers. They encounter Jed Cooper (Eastwood) driving a small herd of cattle. Wilson demands to see the bill of sale for the herd. Cooper produces it, only to be informed the man who sold him the herd was a rustler who murdered the rightful owner. Cooper claims to know none of that. One posse man believes him. Wilson and the rest do not and lynch him.
A near dead Cooper is rescued by a marshal working out of Judge Adam Fenton’s court in Fort Grant Arkansas. If this sounds a bit like Hanging Judge Isaac Parker from Fort Smith Arkansas, it should. Fenton is a hanging judge too. Cooper is tried and acquitted in Fenton’s court. The Judge promptly hires Cooper as a marshal to bring in those who lynched him.
One by one Cooper catches up with members of the posse who lynched him. Word starts to spread about a man with a hanging scar. Wilson sends a messenger to Fort Grant offering to reimburse Cooper for his lost herd. Cooper refuses the bribe. With the bribe refused Wilson and two of his henchmen determine to kill Cooper. They fail, though Cooper is seriously wounded. In a dispute over sentencing Cooper deems too harsh, Cooper attempts to resign. Fenton convinces him to stay with the location of Wilson’s ranch. In the bloody conclusion Cooper finishes off his assailants though Captain Wilson cheats the hangman by suicide.
Next Week: Robert Duvall
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Paul
In Big Boy Begley played Union Pacific railroad engineer Joe Grant. Set in Wyoming the story marks the passing of steam locomotion that built the rails west to the age of the diesel locomotive known as Big Boy. Grant has spent his career driving his beloved steam engine only to see it moth-balled by newer more powerful technology.
In Hang ‘Em High Begley plays Captain Wilson head of a posse chasing rustlers. They encounter Jed Cooper (Eastwood) driving a small herd of cattle. Wilson demands to see the bill of sale for the herd. Cooper produces it, only to be informed the man who sold him the herd was a rustler who murdered the rightful owner. Cooper claims to know none of that. One posse man believes him. Wilson and the rest do not and lynch him.
A near dead Cooper is rescued by a marshal working out of Judge Adam Fenton’s court in Fort Grant Arkansas. If this sounds a bit like Hanging Judge Isaac Parker from Fort Smith Arkansas, it should. Fenton is a hanging judge too. Cooper is tried and acquitted in Fenton’s court. The Judge promptly hires Cooper as a marshal to bring in those who lynched him.
One by one Cooper catches up with members of the posse who lynched him. Word starts to spread about a man with a hanging scar. Wilson sends a messenger to Fort Grant offering to reimburse Cooper for his lost herd. Cooper refuses the bribe. With the bribe refused Wilson and two of his henchmen determine to kill Cooper. They fail, though Cooper is seriously wounded. In a dispute over sentencing Cooper deems too harsh, Cooper attempts to resign. Fenton convinces him to stay with the location of Wilson’s ranch. In the bloody conclusion Cooper finishes off his assailants though Captain Wilson cheats the hangman by suicide.
Next Week: Robert Duvall
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Paul
February 12, 2022
John Carradine
John Carradine is one of the most prolific character actors of all time. He is credited with 351 film and TV credits, though he claimed uncredited work would bring total to 700. Here we focus on his western work, though his credits include Shakespearean roles and horror films. If you listen, you can hear the deep and distinctive voice he gave to all his characters.
Testimony to the quality of his work he became a stock company talent for both Cecil B. DeMille and John Ford where his best western roles were earned. He appeared with John Wayne in Ford’s Stagecoach and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance along with Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin. Carradine defined his star in the role of Preacher Casey in the epic film The Grapes of Wrath.
Carradine enjoyed extensive TV western credits, appearing in numerous episodes of series including, Johnny Ringo, Cimarron City, Overland Trail, Maverick, Sugarfoot, The Rebel, Bonanza, and The Rifleman.
In recognition of his substantial body of word John Carradine has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was inducted into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Western Performers Hall of Fame, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Next Week: Ed Begley
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Ride easy,
Paul
Testimony to the quality of his work he became a stock company talent for both Cecil B. DeMille and John Ford where his best western roles were earned. He appeared with John Wayne in Ford’s Stagecoach and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance along with Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin. Carradine defined his star in the role of Preacher Casey in the epic film The Grapes of Wrath.
Carradine enjoyed extensive TV western credits, appearing in numerous episodes of series including, Johnny Ringo, Cimarron City, Overland Trail, Maverick, Sugarfoot, The Rebel, Bonanza, and The Rifleman.
In recognition of his substantial body of word John Carradine has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was inducted into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Western Performers Hall of Fame, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Next Week: Ed Begley
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Ride easy,
Paul
