The Greatest Western Never Made

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    Howdy All,
    Several years ago when I was pretty bored, I wrote out the cast and crew of what would be a billion dollar western film. I called it the "Greatest Western Never Made." I never did come up with a story line, or anything like that, just the cast and crew and the working title of the film, which is "Ambush at Canyon Gap". I thought I would post the cast here, and let folks play around with it, come up with a story line and so forth. I thought you all might enjoy it. Sort of like the "Three Word Story" that Chance came up with, but with this you don't have to limit yourself to three words. Just write what you want and anyone and everyone can jump in. We can all just sort of build on each others writings. Have fun with it, and here is the cast and crew of


    "Ambush at Canyon Gap"
    (The Greatest Western Never Made)


    AMBUSH AT CANYON GAP

    A Batjac Production
    Directed by John Ford
    Assistant Director: Andrew McLaglen
    Second Unit Director: Yakima Canutt
    Cinematography by William Clothier
    Screenplay by James Edward Grant
    Based on a story by Louis L’Amour
    Original Musical Score by Max Steiner
    With Original Songs by Stan Jones

    Filmed in CinemaScope on location in Four Corners, Colorado

    STARRING:

    =The Slash M Ranch=
    John Wayne as Jim McDonnell, owner of the Slash M
    Maureen O’Hara as Mary McDonnell, his wife
    Patrick Wayne as Pat McDonnell, his son
    Michael Landon as Joseph McDonnell, his son
    Ben Johnson as Cooper Flynn, foreman of the Slash M
    Hank Worden as Slim, the Slash M cook

    -The Slash M Cowboys-
    Sheb Wooley as Jeb Perkins
    Jock Mahoney as Charlie Watts
    Pedro Armendariz as Carlos Reynoso
    Bill Elliott as Buster Curtis
    Leo G. Gordon as Ed Higgins
    Ed Faulkner as Gil Nolan

    =The Circle D Ranch=
    Charlton Heston as Dan Morgan, owner of the Circle D
    Anna Lee as Ruth Morgan, his wife
    Vera Miles as Ellen Morgan, his daughter
    Debbie Reynolds as Lila Morgan, his daughter
    Barbara Eden as Betty Morgan, his daughter
    Forrest Tucker as Jud Masters, foreman of the Circle D

    -The Circle D Cowboys-
    Gene Evans as Stringer
    Jeff Chandler as Sam Connors
    Russell Johnson as Lance Butler
    Roy Barcroft as Pete Chandler
    Dan Duryea as Luke Owens
    Noah Berry Jr. as Casey Hayden

    =The J Bar Ranch=
    Burt Lancaster as Jack Betts, owner of the J Bar
    Barbara Stanwyck as Anna Betts, his wife
    Terry Moore as May Betts, his daughter
    James Best as Hobart “Hobie” Betts, his son
    Clint Eastwood as Luke Betts, his son
    Bob Steele as Elmo “Waco” Betts, foreman of the J Bar, and brother of Jack Betts

    -The J Bar Cowboys-
    James Arness as Pete Olson
    Rod Cameron as Jenkins
    Clint Eastwood as Boone Lee
    Peter Breck as Lonnie Black
    Don Durant as Rocky McDonald
    Lee Van Cleef as Reese Maddock

    =The Citizens of Canyon Gap=
    Stewart Granger as Lafe Carew, a gambler
    Andy Devine as Otis Julesworth,the town barber and dentist
    Al “Fuzzy’ Knight as Chester Gregg, the town liveryman
    Karl Swenson as Doc Werner, the town doctor
    George Montgomery as Mike McDonnell, town Marshall and brother of Jim McDonnell, the owner of the Slash M
    Gregg Palmer as Seth McCoy, town deputy
    Edgar Buchanan as Jug Jensen, the town drunk
    Olive Cary as Libby Gale, owner of the Gale Boarding House
    Chill Wills as the Rev. Henry Langdon, pastor of the town church
    Jimmy Stewart as Matt Bowdin, owner of Bowdin’s Mercantile
    Paulette Goddard as Emily Bowdin, wife of Matt Bowdin
    George “Gabby” Hayes as Kiowa Jones an old buffalo hunter and Indian fighter. A Resident of Canyon Gap
    Arthur Hunnicutt as Josephus Haynes, another old buffalo hunter and Indian fighter, and close friend of Kiowa Jones
    Royal Dano as Jasper Diggs, the town undertaker
    John McIntyre as Carl Miller, owner of Miller’s Hardware
    Cameron Mitchell as Hank Miller, carpenter and co-owner of Miller’s Hardware. Brother of Carl Miller
    Milburn Stone as , the town postmaster
    Ernest Borgnine as Muley, the town blacksmith
    John Doucette as Deke Logan, the town Gunsmith
    Strother Martin as Horace Pratt, president of the Cattlemen’s Bank
    Elisha Cook, Jr. as Josiah Putter, bank teller
    Paul Fix as Baxter Tewksbury, owner, editor and publisher of the Canyon Clarion, the town newspaper
    Pat Buttram as Ed Gray, agent of the D.&R.G. Railroad
    Glenn Ford as Jeff Stratton, owner of the Ophir Land Company, and land speculator
    Mala Powers as Miss Sarah Johnson, school teacher
    Warren Stevens as Mark Davis, a tailor
    Yvonne DeCarlo as Nan Davis, a dress maker and wife of Mark Davis
    Victor French as George Sasson, the town butcher
    Steve Forrest as Dave Owens, the town telegrapher

    =Davis County Officials=
    J. Carroll Naish as the Hon. Phineas Barnes, county judge
    Hoot Gibson as Jack Cody, Bailiff of the county court
    Ward Bond as Lou Martin, County Sheriff
    Harry Carey, Jr. as Rusty Weaver, deputy sheriff
    Ken Curtis as Dave Bryman, deputy sheriff
    John Agar as Milt Brown, deputy sheriff
    Bruce Cabot as Ross Meessinger, county brand inspector

    =Federal Marshals=
    Joel McCrea as Chris Tanner, Deputy U.S. Marshall
    Randolph Scott as Webb Barclay, Deputy U.S. Marshall

    =The Monarch Hotel=
    Smiley Burnett as Bub Howard, the Monarch proprietor
    Dub Taylor as Elmer “Hardtack” Hanna, cook at the Monarch Hotel

    =The Butterfield Stage Line=
    Denver Pyle as , the stage station operator
    Jack Elam as Skeet Dawson, stage driver
    Walter Brennan as J. D. Fain, stagecoach shotgun rider

    =The Ambassador Saloon=
    Charles Starrett as Brady Allen, owner of the Ambassador
    Dorothy Provine as Bonnie Malone, saloon singer
    Guinn “Big Boy” Williams as Joe Bledsoe, bartender
    John Carradine as Dan Garrett a Faro dealer
    Pedro Gonzales Gonzales as Little Pete, the swamper

    =The Red Horse Saloon=
    Ray Teal as Joe Murphy, owner of the Red Horse
    Richard Boone as Morg Jackson, Gambler
    Angie Dickinson as Molly, a saloon girl
    John Mitchum as Red Sinclair, bartender
    Edmund O’Brien as Old Billy, the swamper

    =Norris Brothers Saddle, Harness, Tack and Leather Repair=
    Paul Brinegar as Ab Norris
    Shug Fisher as Ike Norris

    =The Goldstar Freighting Company=
    Scott Brady as Bob Allbright, co-owner of The Goldstar Freighting Company
    Glenn Strange as Jess Denham, co-owner of The Goldstar Freighting Company
    Slim Pickens as Lem McGee, wagon driver
    George Kennedy as Matt Starr, wagon driver

    =The Outlaws=
    Jack Palance as Black Sam Clay, outlaw leader
    Henry Silva as George Clay, brother of Sam Clay
    Lee Marvin as Monte Fain, member of the Sam Clay Gang
    Jim Davis as Lance Hall, member of the Sam Clay Gang
    Jeff Corey as Pace Gordon, member of the Sam Clay Gang

    =Members of the Huchaca Indian Tribe=
    Iron Eyes Cody as Grey Smoke, the Chief
    Jay Silverheels as Medicine Elk
    Michael Dante as Blood on His Face
    Michael Pate as Hawk
    Ned Romero as Many Horses
    Anthony Caruso as Long Blade
    Anthony Quinn as Many Lodges
    Michael Ansara as Young Wolf
    Frank De Kova as White Buffalo

    =Stunts Performed by=
    Cliff Lyons, Stunt Coordinator
    Chuck Roberson
    Chuck Hayward
    Dean Smith
    Jerry Gatlin
    Frank McGrath
    Loren Janes
    Terry Wilson
    Fred Kennedy
    Richard Farnsworth
    Bob Morgan
    Bear Hudkins

    "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them" It may be time worn, but it's the best life-creed I know.

    Quote from William T Brooks

    Sounds Like A Winner to Me, When Do We Start Production ?
    :wink_smile:
    Chilibill
    :cowboy:


    I forgot to add catering by Chili Bill! We'll be out to your ranch to start production, so start making a BIG pot of your famous chili! LOL!

    "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them" It may be time worn, but it's the best life-creed I know.

    I do not think there is enough money in the world to put together a great picture like that. But we will eat good with ChilliBill around!!!!:thumbs_up:

    :film: " When the legend becomes fact print the legend"

    Well Pard you did it! The only thing I see missing is Shug Fisher and Colorado Bob as Grizzley old prospectors. Kinda like real life for you!
    Take care..and I ain't gonna say anything about your a _ _ !:wink_smile:

    That'll Be the Day!

    Holy Cow - what a production this would have to be! This would have to be the greatest western with this kind of cast. There would have to be more than one studio involved (like "The Towering Inferno") because of the budget.

    Cheers - Jay:beer:
    "Not hardly!!!"

    Hi

    Well if we are meant to be writing a screenplay hows this for a starter.

    As the words Directed by John Ford fade into the distance the cameras pan across the desert and the ice capped mountains in the background. If there are no mountains then the sagebrush and mighty cactuses until it comes to rest on a high gorge.

    The Narrator:

    'Its is I881.The place you are viewing is Canyon Gap a rift in a high plateau whose high walls hold many dark secrets. After many years of conflict between the settlers and the Huchaca Indian Tribes the 5th Cavalry under General Crook finally defeated the tribe led by Grey Smoke and confined them to the reservation near the borders of that part of Colerado known as the four corners.

    With peace at last coming to this troubled land, progress was quick to follow. Near the protection of the great canyon ranches sprang up using the natural boundaries of the canyon to mark their territory- ranches like the Slash M owned by hard hitting Jim McDonnell who had fought his way through the weather and the indians (fade in to Wayne), the Circle D and the J Bar who together formed a mighty cattle empire.

    To service these empires a town quickly grew up calling itself Canyon Gap and quickly became prosperous served by the Butterfield stagecoach line it brought many prominent citizens to inhabit its fine streets.




    Regards

    Arthur

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

    All I know is that if I was in this movie, I'd want to be one of the cowboys working at the Circle D. When you have Vera Miles, Debbie Reynolds and, Barbara Eden as the daughters of ranch owner, that's the place to be.


    Sorry, Arthur, but I call
    on that idea.


    I've always felt it was cheesy to try to claim that someone was "in" a movie because they were the narrator (like the way some people try to claim John Wayne and Spencer Tracy were in a movie together because Tracy narrated How the West Was Won). I'll give you a small cameo part, but the narrator? If you're not actually on screen, it doesn't count, I've always felt. Sorry, just a personal pet peve of mine.


    Quote

    "I am not intoxicated - yet." McLintock!

    Hi ejgreen

    I take your point and everyone has their opinion, that what makes this board so great.

    But surely some of the greatest actors going have been put in the role of the Narrator, if you contribute to the end product of the picture either on or off screen you must receive the credit for it.
    Michael Rennie as an example in Rommel Desert Fox did the opeing narration and if you hadn't realised who it was no one would have known because he wasn't credited.

    But as I said before its a matter of opinion.

    Regards

    Arthur

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

    Hi Bob

    PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE can I be an extra in this film or even the great mans gofer?

    And please can you write a small part for my Dad? we will foot our own expenses, do our own stunts and require no wages.

    THANKS PARTNER :wink_smile:

    By the way

    you have Clint Eastwood in twice!!! I never really liked him (but it would'nt put me off being an extra!!)

    and no Dean Martin? Surely even Canyon gap had a town drunk.

    Be who you are & say what you feel Because those who mind dont matter & those who matter dont mind

    Edited once, last by Elly: Addition ().

    Saturday Noon. Mike McDonnell the town marshal of Canyon Gap stood outside of the Ambassador saloon, leaning on the hitching rail, he was talking to the town doctor Doc Werner.
    Werner turned to Mike,
    "Last saturday in the month marshal"
    McDonnell nodded.
    "Sure is doc"
    Werner continued.
    "By eight o'clock tonight the town will be alive with the cowhands from the Slash M, the Circle D and The J.Bar ranches."
    "Yep"
    "Are you expecting any trouble?"
    McDonnell thought for a while before answering.
    "No, Seth and I can handle most things, and all three owners have told their men to behave".
    "Including Jim?" said Werner.
    McDonnell looked straight at the doctor.
    "Including my Brother" he said quietly.
    The sound of hooves approaching down the street distracted both men.
    Doc Werner took his watch out of his waistcoat pocket.
    "Five past noon. the stage is almost on time".
    As he replaced his watch the resplendant red Butterfield Stagecoach rattled to a halt slightly ahead of them.
    J.D.Fain the coach shot gun rider jumped down and seeing McDonnell shouted out a greeting and opened the coach door. An elderly man climbed out followed by a woman wearing a long blue dress and hat.
    The pair approached McDonnell.
    "Howdy marshal, I'm a business man from Huston Texas. This is my daughter Elly we're on our way to Denver but decided to stop over for a day, can you recommend a good hotel?"
    McDonnell pointed up the street.
    "Well there's the Monarch Hotel run by Bub Howard, the beds are comfortable but the food isn't up to much. But if you want good food and comfort go to Libby Gale the owner of the Gale Boarding House".
    The elderly man gave his thanks and the couple made towards the boarding house.
    Distracted by the couple McDonnell almost failed to notice that a third passenger had disembarked from the coach, turning he was in time to see the stranger picking up his bag.
    The man stood six feet two thin dressed in a black three piece suit. holding his stetson his hair was silvery grey and immaculate. McDonnell also noticed his colt 45 slung low around his waist.
    McDonnell approached the stranger.
    "Howdy".
    he man turned to meet him.
    "Marshal".
    "We haven't met do you mind telling me your buisnes in town?"
    "I don't mind in the least marshal my names Lafe Carew and I'm a professional gambler".
    He halted before continuing,
    "Oh and by the way marshal you won't find any wanted poster on me. Now if you'll excuse me I think you said that the boarding house was down there".
    Watching Carew walk away McDonnell wondered what the night had in for him.

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

    Edited 3 times, last by arthurarnell ().

    Arthur

    this is great! i cant wait for the next instalment and of course the premiere.

    I assume Bob that being an extra and Mr Wayne's gofer qualifies me to attend the world premiere?

    Be who you are & say what you feel Because those who mind dont matter & those who matter dont mind