OK, hang on, this is NOT what you are going to expect, LOL. Ask first, don't shoot, please! Made this as a spreadsheet but couldn't get it to post that way....only as an attachment, so follow the colors, (pain in the....oops, excuse me)!
IF WARD BOND HAD GOTTEN THE PART OF BUCK INSTEAD OF ANDY DEVINE
Situation Andy Devine's Buck (high, cracky voice) Ward Bond's Buck (deep, gruff, in charge voice)
Buck drives coach into the first town and is asked if he has the payroll for the mine Yes, it' right here, (and he touches the box with his foot) Well, ya think I dropped it off at the saloon? You got eyes....can't ya see it right here?
Buck talks about loan Jim, I'll pay you that two bits I owe you when I come through. Jim, don't forget that money you owe me.....oughta charge ya interest!
Buck ready to get down from coach Now you kids stay away from the wheel. Kids, you're liable to get your foot chopped off if ya don't stay away from this coach.
Talking about the weather Well we run into a little snow up there, not bad, but you fellahs better prepare for a good frost. Little white stuff up there, better get your heavy long johns out
Buck gets down from CoachKind of slides down from place to place Puts his foot on the side, grabs the handle and swings down
Buck talks to passengersPassengers out for Tonto, You better get out and stretch your legs, I mean your limbs Maam Ya came for Tonto, come on out. All else can stretch your legs. Yes, I said LEGS...that's what they are ain't they?
Buck opens door to coach Yes Maam you can get a cup of coffee across the street in the Hotel Hands on hips: I imagine you saw the Hotel across the street when we drove in didn't ya, Lady?
Buck comments on lady's countenance Maam, you look a little peeked. Heh Lady, what's up, ya look like you swallowed a frog.
Buck enters sheriff's office Hello Mink, hidey Fing. Well Marshall, I'm looking for my shotgun guard. (Saunters in dusting his hat off on his leg and nodding at men). Boys! Who the Gol Durn is riding shotgun?
Buck hears posse is out looking for The Ringo Kid who escaped jail Ringo, busted out, well good for him! Knew bars couldn't hold the Kid. Still need my shotgun man.
Sheriff says he reckons Ringo will be looking for Luke Plummer He better stay away from Lordsburg, I heard Luke's run all of his friends out of there. Well, gimme my guard, I need to give the boy a hand in Lordsburg. Get the lead out.
Sheriff decides to ride shotgun when he finds Luke is in Lordsburg When will I learn to keep my big mouth shut. I don't give a rat's ass who rides aside me as long as we get the Hell outa Dodge
Passengers load Lady folks ride forward, please.. If you ladies don't want to wind up on the floor, I suggest you sit facing forward!
When Buck hears Geronimo is on the loose (Starts to get off driver's seat) "Geronimo! Well then I ain't going! Pulls out whip and rifle and says, Sheriff and I will take care of HIM!
Buck stops at bank as banker is waving him down asking if there is room Sure is Mr, Gatewood. Going to Lordsburg? Well, of COURSE there is. Get in, we're not holding up for nobody!
Driving the coach through country If there's anything I don't like, it's driving a stagecoach through Apache country.Just waiting to get a crack at that Geronimo and his gang while we still have the Soldier boys.
Still driving Just took me this job to make enough money to marry my Mexican gifl Julietta and been working hard at it ever since Took this job to get me a stake for a nice little cattle ranch...won't be long now. Me and Ringo going in as partners!
Still driving and sheriff asks if he married her Sure, my Julietta's got the biggest family you ever did see. Bet I'm feeding half of Mexico. Ain't no woman gonna hogtie me, no Siree. Don't mind funning with them though.
Buck keeps shaking the reins very unnaturally for driving a team Will explain that later.
The Ringo Kid standing in the road Heh look, it's Ringo. Ringo, 'bout time we ran into you, get aboard.....Aw, stop flapping your lip, Sheriff.
Got to first stop Take it easy with Old Bessie now. Careful with those horses, they ain't cows you know.
Ringo says he thinks they can get through OK without the soldiers Listen here Kid, I'm driving this outfit, and if the soldiers go back, so am I. You bet your boots Kid, we got it made.
When horses need to be changed out Sheriff says, "Help me change the team, Buck" "Give me a hand with the team switch, Sheriff"
Voting on going on or back If the soldiers go back, so am I. Ain't THAT far to Lordsburg....they'll never have a chance with me, Ringo and the sheriff.
Buck announcing stage leaving, sheriff interrupts All aboard for Apache Wells, , (sheriff butts in), and Lordsburg. Those going to Apache Wells, , Don't interrupt me sheriff, and Lordsburg better get yourselves aboard....we're leaving with or without ya.
Going out the door to stage (Makes a sandwhich and eating it going out) Strolls to the bar and takes a long pull from the whiskey bottle
Buck takes a different trail to where it will be cold I'm using my head. Those breechclout Apaches don't like snow You idiot, want those Apaches down on us.......they don't like the High Country....you just watch me, ya hear?
Baby is born and brought out It's a BABY! Kinda scrawny little thing, ain't it?
All looking at baby It's a little girl. Why didn't somebody tell me. Girl, Huh? Was wondering when she was gonna pop.
Doc singing while others try to discuss Geronimo and plans Quiet Doc, this is a serious matter, ain't it? Doc, there's a time for singin' and a time for planning....this is the planning time.
Spotted Apache war smoke signals, all board Coach and leave Curly, why don't you take those cuffs off the Kid, he's mighty handy with a gun. Curly, Ringo's the best shot here, get those cuffs off him!
Get to Ferry and find it is burned Curly, look at the Ferry, its burned too. Damned redskins couldn't just burn the buildings, had to burn the Gol Darned Ferry too!
Crossed river with logs tied to coach and horses swimming Curly, do you think I should charge the baby half fare? Tell ya one thing, we find that woman's husband, he's gonna pay full fare for his new kid!
Buck notifies Luke that Ringo is on his way (Nodding and getting out in a hurry), Ringo says he'll be passing this way in 6 or 7 minutes. (Throws open the saloon doors with a shotgun in the crook of his arm), Ringo will be here to see to you three quicker than you can say flibbertigibbets!
NOW FOR THE ZINGER!
Now, this may upset some folks, but, after all, this is supposed to be our opinion and discussion of this can certainly follow. My take on this film is that the main story is about the passengers in the Coach, and Buck, the driver. I thought all the passengers played their parts admirably with maybe a little less emphasis on Lucy Mallory played by Louise Platt, who seemed to be more "just there"...probably not her fault, it is just that her part was not "fleshed out" as well as the others. Also, I wasn't particularly pleased with Benton Churchill who played Gatewood. Although I dearly love Duke, and at 30 years old getting his first really big break, I thought he did a fine job. But, to me, Ringo was more of a ride along character than the others...a bit like Curly, the sheriff. To tell the honest truth, I feel that Claire Trevor as Dallas, and Thomas Mitchell as Doc actually stole the whole show. They both had probably more time than Duke did. I didn't try to time it, it just seemed so. And, their roles seemed to be more important as a whole. Dallas portrayed courage, embarassment, caring and yes, dignity. While Doc was just pure delight at whatever he did. They both were in the last scene and Doc had the last word. As to my little synopsis of how it would have been if Ward had played Buck instead of Andy. I feel that Pappy never had planned for Ward to play that role, (be still my tongue), and he just used the 6-up as an excuse to Duke and Ward. Andy Devine gave the character Buck, the comedic relief that was needed in the film. Remember, Pappy always like to combine poetry with comedy. And there aren't too many out there who can play that kind of role except for Gabby Hayes, two peas in a pod only one is shy and timid, and the other is raucous and rowdy. So my dear Ward, please forgive me, but you were never meant for that role as my little synopsis above proves to me. I have seen this movie many times. Something always bothered me about it. While watching it AS a Group Watch, I now know what it was, and I have explained it to you all. Duke was not the real star to me. I am in my bunker and ready for attack from any direction. Keith
Lot of color changes there......probably screwed up somewhere. Careful, I am armed! LH Don't beLIEVE I am doing this, but had to do SOMETHING with this choice, LOL!