Posts from alamo221 in thread „Richard Widmark“

I'll have to find The Last Wagon, sounds like a goodie-

"When casting the film,although Widmark, was not his first choice,
Duke was initially elated, but this was to soon change.
"Duke took out an ad, in a trade magazine, that hailed Widmark's acting skills,
and it said in, big bold letters,

"WELCOME ABOARD DICK" "

From what I've read, that was another bit of urban legend. Richard Widmark went by "Dick" quite often and had no problem with it. Apparently the real problem occured
well before production began. The story I heard went something like this: both Duke and Richard Widmark were friends of Olive Carey. One nite while Duke was visiting Olive Carey, Widmark stopped by. When Duke saw him, Duke said something derogatory about Widmark's role in Kiss of Death. Richard Widmark never forgot it and when the casting was being done for The Alamo, Duke offered Widmark Travis. Widmark wanted Bowie. Duke said something about how he wanted someone big in the role, and Widmark said "I can play big". Richard Widmark didn't really want to do the film originally, but was between work at that time, and took it grudgingly. They DID seem to keep things professional on the set tho for the most part.

I've enjoyed all Widmark's films, and thought he was especially good in westerns. The Alamo is pretty much my favorite Wayne film, and Widmark as Bowie only added to my enjoyment. The scene where he dismounts and joins Laurence Harvey, when his character could have left, was priceless. You never would have guess he & Duke didn't get along from watching the film. True pros!