TWO NEW WESTERN COMEDIES (MAYBE) PLUS OSCARS!

ADAM SANDLER TO STAR IN ‘RIDICULOUS 6’ WESTERN COMEDY

Although there are no story details yet, one can guess from the title that it will be a spoof of THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.  Movie will star Sandler, and will be written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, whose previous collaborations include BILLY MADISON, HAPPY GILMORE, THE WEDDING SINGER, THE WATERBOY, LITTLE NICKY and MR. DEEDS.  To be produced by Sandler’s Happy Madison company, Deadline Hollywood reports that it is already slated for a Spring Break 2014 release. 

SETH MACFARLANE COUNTS ‘A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST’!

Deadline Hollywood reports that Universal has the current high-bid in the auction to make MILLION WAYS, Seth MacFarlane's Western comedy, which currently boasts a cast including McFarlane, Amanda Seyfried and Charlize Theron. It's described as a kindred spirit to BLAZING SADDLES.

ADAM SANDLER POSTPONES ‘RIDICULOUS 6’ WESTERN COMEDY

In a stunning reversal that left western aficionados and comedy fans breathing a collective sigh of relief, Adam Sandler has announced that he will not make RIDICULOUS 6 his next big-screen outing, but will instead make a ‘blended family’ comedy at Warner Brothers.  Sandler, who earlier this week won the coveted Razzy Award for his performance in THAT’S MY BOY – that’s his second straight ‘win’ after last year’s JACK AND JILL –  didn’t say whether Seth MacFarlane’s announcement had anything to do with his decision.

OSCARS A GOOD NIGHT FOR WESTERN FANS

Hal Needham

Tonight’s Academy Awards were shared among an unusually wide number of films, the result of a year with so many exceptional films.  The highlights for Western fans?  DJANGO UNCHAINED won Best Original Screenplay -- Quentin Tarantino, and Best Supporting Actor  --  Christoph Waltz.  LINCOLN won Best Actor – Daniel Day-Lewis, and Best Production Design – Rick Carter and Jim Erickson.  Also of particular delight to Western fans, stunt man and stunt coordinator Hal Needham was presented with an honorary Oscar for a splendid career.  As writer C. Courtney Joyner noted on Facebook, “In a way, it meant that Andy McLaglen, Burt Kennedy, Henry Hathaway, Gordon Douglas, John Stugess and Peckinpah were all at tonight's ceremony, thanks to Hal.”

WILD WILD WESTERNERS – BOOK REVIEW

If you’re read Western Clippings by Boyd Magers – and if you haven’t, you definitely should – you’ve read the work of Tom Weaver, who has an interview in nearly every issue.   Tom has cherry-picked some of his best for THE WILD WILD WESTERNERS, which comes from Bear Manor Media, is about 200 pages, and sells for $18.95. 

It’s a highly entertaining and informative collection, focusing and big-screen and small, big-budget and tiny, oaters, with a very eclectic selection of story-tellers.  Some of the speakers are famous – a long interview with Fess Parker for example.  Others are well-known to Western buffs – Andrew J. Fenady talking about the making of THE REBEL, and Ed Faulkner discussing his John Wayne-related career.

Mostly these are not ‘career interviews’, but ones that focus on a particular series or movie or personality, and are highly revealing, and full of unexpected details.  Robert Clarke talks about the James Warren and Tim Holt pictures he did at RKO, and what wonderful western director Lesley Selander was famous for – Paul Wurtzel remembers him for the same thing.  Robert Colbert remembers acting in the Warner Brothers TV Westerns, going from CHEYENNE to BRONCO to MAVERICK, and how Warners made him a 3^rd Maverick brother when James Garner threatened to walk.  His story of how WB handled a WGA strike alone is worth the price of the book! 

Gary Clarke shares how he got himself dropped from THE VIRGINIAN.   June Lockhart, who never starred in a western series, discusses the many guest appearances she made.  Among my favorites is UNTOUCHABLE Paul Picerni’s memories of making THE SCALPHUNTERS with Burt Lancaster and Telly Savalas.  His memories of Shelly Winters are worth twice the price of the book!  And actress Ann Robinson’s memories of stunt doubling for Shelly couldn’t be more different.   And who knew Ann Robinson started out doing horse stunts?

Not all of the stories come from actors.  Make-up artist Kenneth Chase discuses doing Ross Martin’s disguises on WILD, WILD WEST.  Cinematographer Richard Kline remembers when, as an assistant cameraman, he worked with Charlie Starrett on the DURANGO KID films.  Pat Fielder describes writing THE RIFLEMAN.  Paul Wurtzel recalls in the late 1950s, working as assistant director on the Bel-Air westerns, produced on a tight budget in Kanab, Utah by Howard W. Koch and Aubrey Schenck. 

WILD WILD WESTERNS is a fascinating collection of reminiscences, with plenty of fun for fans of all the sub-genres of American Westerns.  Weaver is never intrusive, always letting his subjects tell their stories.  And unlike so many books of interviews, it has an index, so you can quickly find those Chuck Connors or Lon Chaney Jr. stories you want to read to your wife.  Strongly recommended.  

TCM FANATIC - WESTERN NOW ONLINE!

And speaking of TCM (okay, nobody was), have I mentioned that the segment I was interviewed for is now viewable here?








THE AUTRY NATIONAL CENTER

Built by cowboy actor, singer, baseball and TV entrepreneur Gene Autry, and designed by the Disney Imagineering team, the Autry is a world-class museum housing a fascinating collection of items related to the fact, fiction, film, history and art of the American West. In addition to their permanent galleries (to which new items are frequently added), they have temporary shows. The Autry has many special programs every week -- sometimes several in a day. To check their daily calendar, CLICK HERE. And they always have gold panning for kids every weekend. For directions, hours, admission prices, and all other information, CLICK HERE.



HOLLYWOOD HERITAGE MUSEUM

Across the street from the Hollywood Bowl, this building, once the headquarters of Lasky-Famous Players (later Paramount Pictures) was the original DeMille Barn, where Cecil B. DeMille made the first Hollywoodwestern, The Squaw Man. They have a permanent display of movie props, documents and other items related to early, especially silent, film production. They also have occasional special programs. 2100 Highland Ave., L.A. CA 323-874-2276. Thursday – Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. $5 for adults, $3 for senior, $1 for children.



WELLSFARGO HISTORY MUSEUM

This small but entertaining museum gives a detailed history of Wells Fargo when the name suggested stage-coaches rather than ATMS. There’s a historically accurate reproduction of an agent’s office, an original Concord Coach, and other historical displays. Open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Admission is free. 213-253-7166. 333 S. Grand Street, L.A. CA.


WESTERN ALL OVER THE DIAL


INSP’s SADDLE-UP SATURDAY features a block of rarely-seen classics THE VIRGINIAN and HIGH CHAPARRAL, along with BONANZA and THE BIG VALLEY. On weekdays they’re showing LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, BIG VALLEY, HIGH CHAPARRAL and DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN.


ME-TV’s Saturday line-up includes THE REBEL and WAGON TRAIN. On weekdays it’s DANIEL BOONE, GUNSMOKE, BONANZA, BIG VALLEY, WILD WILD WEST, and THE RIFLEMAN.


RFD-TV, the channel whose president bought Trigger and Bullet at auction, have a special love for Roy Rogers. They show an episode of The Roy Rogers Show on Sunday mornings, a Roy Rogers movie on Tuesday mornings, and repeat them during the week.


WHT-TV has a weekday afternoon line-up that’s perfect for kids, featuring LASSIE, THE ROY ROGERS SHOW and THE LONE RANGER.


TV-LAND angered viewers by dropping GUNSMOKE, but now it’s back every weekday, along with BONANZA.

THE WRAP UP

That's all for this week's Round-up!   On Saturday, March 9th, the Hallmark Movie Channel will premiere OUR WILD HEARTS -- if you remember reading about it in the Round-up as just WILD HEARTS, you remember correctly: they've changed the title.  I hope to have an interview with its star and director Ricky Schroder in next week's Round-up.

Happy Trails,

Henry

All Original Contents Copyright February 2013 by Henry C. Parke -- All Rights Reserved

L.A. ITALIA FEST RED CARPET!

Vera and Giuliano Gemma

Sunday night was the opening night of the 8^th Annual Los Angeles, Italia Film, Fashion and Art Fest.  The year 2013 has been declared the Year of the Italian Culture in America, by both U.S. President Obama and Italian President Monti, and the Fest is inaugurating the Jack Valenti Legend Award, named in honor of the long-time President of the Motion Picture Association of America, and former special assistant to Lyndon Johnson in the White House.   The first recipient of the award is Best Actor Oscar winner, for SCENT OF A WOMAN, Al Pacino, who will be seen next month as the title character in PHIL SPECTOR, and will soon be heard as a voice in DESPICABLE ME 2. 

Rachel Hunter

The Fest encompasses all genres of filmmaking, from documentary to history, romance to comedy, horror to animation – last night saw the premiere of the animated feature GLADIATORS OF ROME 3D – and, thank goodness the Western.  The very first film screened, at nine on Sunday morning, was a documentary about Sergio Leone.  There are a pair of documentaries by off-spring of Spaghetti-Western stars; GIULIANO GEMMA: AN ITALIAN IN THE WORLD, directed by his daughter, Vera Gemma, which screened last night, and FRANCO NERO: THE MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES, directed by his son Carlo Gabriel Nero, which will screen on Tuesday night.  Also screening during the festival are classic Spaghetti Westerns TEXAS, ADIOS (this morning),DJANGO, and KEOMA, all starring Franco Nero, RINGO THE KILLER, starring Giuliano Gemma, and DJANGO KILL…IF YOU LIVE, SHOOT!, starring Tomas Milian.

Kat Kramer

The Fest is held in the Chinese 6 Theatre, on the 3^rd floor of the Hollywood and Highland Complex, whose Dolby Theatre is the home of next Sunday’s Academy Awards.  When I arrived last night, the first faces I recognized in the crowd were producer Harvey Weinstein, whose DJANGO UNCHAINED and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK have a load of Oscar nominations, and producer-director William Lustig, whose Blue Underground distributes most of the westerns being shown at the Fest.  I took my spot along the red carpet, between reporters from Canada and Dubai, and soon (okay, actually not that soon, but eventually) the stars came by.  First was beautiful model and actress Rachel Hunter.  Next came actress Kat Kramer, daughter of actress Karen Sharpe and producer/director Stanley Kramer, whose centennial is being celebrated this year.  I asked her which were her personal favorites among her father’s work.  “I like IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD, and HIGH NOON, of course.  I think INHERIT THE WIND is my personal favorite through, and GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER, because my godmother was Katherine Hepburn, and that movie is still relevant today.  And he also made a film in Italy, which I should reiterate, it’s a good time for tonight: THE SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA, with Anthony Quinn, Anna Magnani, Giancarlo Gianni – I believe that was his debut, and Virna Lisi, and Giuseppe Rotunno was the cinematographer.”  I asked what she was up to.  “I’m working on lots of things, trying to follow in his footsteps, and do my own thing at the same time.  My own one-woman theatrical show which is singing, characters and monologues, about my own search, has a music theme to it.  And there are films and television programs that I’m working on.  I’m really happy to be here tonight for the honoree, to celebrate Al Pacino, who I’m a big fan of, and (actor) Michele Placido as well.  And Jack Valenti was a good friend of my father’s.”

Dennis Christopher and Paul Dooley

I next spoke to Dennis Christopher, whose break-away film was 1979’s BREAKING AWAY.  He’s worked steadily ever since, but got much attention this year playing Leo DiCaprio’s consigliore  in DJANGO UNCHAINED.  He was delighted to be working with such a high level of performers.  “It was fantasic, it was a feast to be sitting around that table with those actors like Leo, Christoph, Samuel L. Jackson and Jamie Foxx.  Amazing.”   I asked him how he liked working with Franco Nero.  “Oh, fantastic!  We were in the same hotel, so we would have a couple of cocktails together, and he’s just somebody that I’d loved for so long -- and he was the original Django!  It was an honor to meet him.  And he’s a great guy.”  I asked if he watched a lot of spaghetti westerns to prepare for DJANGO UNCHAINED.  “I actually did.  And Quentin likes to show them on the weekends, so I did.  And of course I got DJANGO right away.  And there are so many versions – there’s SUKIYAKI DJANGO, and the original, and I watched them all – absolutely amazing.  Plus horseback-riding lessons.  Which I didn’t get to use, but I did take them, and then they decided to put us in a carriage.”  I asked him if he’d want to do another Western if he got the chance.  “Well, I did when I was much younger.  I did THE OREGON TRAIL (1976 series starring Rod Taylor), and I was in DEADWOOD for a season.  But not a cowboy; I was an actor.” 

Dennis Christopher, Winnie Holzman and Paul Dooley

I saw next coming down the red carpet actor Paul Dooley, and asked Dennis if Dooley hadn’t played his father in BREAKING AWAY.  “Yes; we have a famous father-son act, as a matter of fact.  (Laughs) You know if Paul works, they can get me at a discount.”  Paul Dooley was with his wife Winnie Holtzman, creator of MY SO CALLED LIFE and playwright of WICKED.  Paul told me, “We’ve also written a play for ourselves.”  Winnie added, “We’re going to open it here in L.A. in April at the Odyssey Theatre.  It’s called ASSISTED LIVING.”  Paul added, “We’re in rehearsal now.  But about BREAKING AWAY;  I’m very close with Dennis ever since then.  And we’ve actually worked together after that.  He got a job on LAW & ORDER, they needed a father, he told them about me, I got the job.” 

“That’s great,” I said, “because you made such a great father and son relationship; charming movie, and so many of the cast went on to do so well.”

“Oh yeah!  Jackie Earle Haley, a new career.   Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Barbara Barrie.” 

Maria Christina Heller

Next up was Italian actress Maria Christina Heller, who is in Dario Argento’s upcoming DRACULA 3D.  At the Fest last year, Dario showed forty minutes of clips, which looked terrific.  I asked Maria about working with Argento.  “It’s great!  He knows what he wants; he’s very nice on set.  It was a great experience.  There was also the double-camera thing, because it’s 3D; it was the first time for me.  You look down, there’s the regular camera, and there’s the mirror reflecting into the other camera.” 

Larry and Shawn King

Soon Larry King and his wife Shawn were making their way down the red carpet.  He was asked what his pick was for the Best Picture Oscar.  “This was a great year for movies.  I loved ARGO.  I loved LINCOLN.  Another great movie was FLIGHT.  SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK is terrific.  I wasn’t that crazy about the one about the killing of Osama Bin Laden.  It was okay, it wasn’t great for me.  My favorite movie, which (my wife) has not seen yet, was DJANGO UNCHAINED.  I loved the performances.  I loved the theme.  It was hysterically funny, and exciting and violent.  It was everything about filmmaking.”  I asked him what his favorite Western was.  “Good question.  A tie.  SHANE and HIGH NOON.”  Mrs. King said, “I was going to say BLAZING SADDLES,” and Larry agreed.  “That’s right up there, too.  Mel Brooks.  ‘Me Mongo.  Me misunderstood.’”

Al Pacino

A few minutes later Al Pacino, the man of the evening, appeared, and I chose not to embarrass him by pointing out that he had never been in a Western.  

Giuliano Gemma

All the press had been given photo cheat-sheets in advance, showing pictures of all the expected celebrities.  A few had come who were not on the list, and a few had not shown up.  My one big disappointment was that Giuliano Gemma had not appeared.  We all started putting away our equipment, and I walked away from the red carpet, when who did I see, on the other side of a mirrored pillar, but Giuliano, looking very elegant in his tuxedo.  I asked him which of his Westerns are his favorites.  “You know, I made about seventeen Westerns, but I don’t know the titles in English.  A PISTOL FOR RINGO, THE RETURN OF RINGO.”

“I was just watching ARIZONA COLT last night.  That’s a delightful picture.”

“Ahh…nice!”

“How do you like your daughter’s documentary?”

“She made a good work; it just brings about twenty years of my filmography.   We have to do a second part.”

“And when are you going to do another western?”

“Ahh…the Western, it is finished.  We don’t have the opportunity.  But maybe Tarantino will call me – why not?!” 

George Pennacchio, David O. Russell, Harvey Weinstein

The press had largely dispersed when who should arrive on the red carpet but SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK director David O. Russell.  I asked him when he was going to make a Western.  “You know, I wrote a western, and I don’t know if that will get made.  And the wonderful Irwin Winkler, who’s a wonderful producer, who produced RAGING BULL, showed me a really great Western script that he has, that I was honored to look at, so I think it’s a matter of time.  My favorite westerns would be THE SEARCHERS.  This is an interesting story.  Harvey Weinstein called me up on the set of this movie (SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK), and said, ‘I think you need to have a moment at the end that feels like the door is closing on the American family, and they’re in their home.  Like at the end of THE SEARCHERS.’  I’m standing on the set with Robert De Niro in Philadelphia, and I said (to Havey), ‘That’s a western.  I don’t understand.’  He says, ‘No-no.  The door closes and John Wayne leaves, and you feel the family at home in their home.’  And I said, ‘Okay, I think I get it.’  And that’s why we ended up with the ending we have for that movie.  Inspired by a Western, so there you go, brother: thank you John Ford.”    

I’ll have more about the festival in next week’s Round-up.  Los Angeles Italia continues through Saturday.  For details on screenings, all of which are free, on a first-come, first-served basis, go HERE.  

‘DJANGO UNCHAINED’ IN DOUBLE-BILLS AT NEW BEVERLY CINEMA

Quentin Tarantino has decided to pair up his Western with a clever choice of 2^nd features.  On Fri. and Sat., Feb. 16 & 17, it plays with BUCK AND THE PREACHER (1972), directed by Sidney Poitier, starring him and Harry Belafonte as a wagon-master and a con man helping freed slaves.  On Sun., Mon. and Tues., Feb. 18-20 it’s FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, a revenge tale whose parallels are obvious.  On Wed. and Thurs., Feb. 21-22, it’s SKIN GAME (1971), starring James Garner and Lou Gossett as con men running an ‘escaped slave’ scam.   

TCM'S ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD FEATURES 'RIO BRAVO' AND ANGIE DICKINSON

As part of the build-up to their annual Los Angeles Film Festival, TCM is making stops across the country with various classic movies, featuring live appearances by stars.  On Tuesday, February 19th, at 7:30, Dallas, Texas will welcome Angie Dickinson to a screening of RIO BRAVO at the Historic Texas Theater at   231 West Jefferson Boulevard.  Ben Mankiewicz will host.

That'll be it for tonight!  Have a great week, and come back next Sunday for more about the L.A. Ital Fest, a great new Spaghetti Western collection that's about to be released, and more!

Happy Trails,

Henry

All Original Contents -- and this week it's ALL original -- Copyright February 2013 by Henry C. Parke -- All Rights Reserved!

L. A. ITAL FEST; 2 NEW HALLMARK WESTERNS

LOS ANGELES ITALIA FESTIVAL 2013 CELEBRATES ‘SPAGHETTI WESTERN MASTERS’

Franco Nero and Joan Collins at last year's Festival

The festival, which runs from Sunday, February 17^th through Saturday, February 23^rd, will honor Al Pacino with the first Jack Valenti – Los Angeles Italia Legend Award, and will be held at the Chinese Theatre 6 in Hollywood.  The screenings are free, on a first come, first served basis, although you may need to RSVP for events with live appearances.  Those of particular interest to Western fans begin on Sunday morning at 9, with the documentary ONCE UPON A TIME…SERGIO LEONE, directed by Giovanni Minoli.  That evening, at 10:40 p.m., the world premiere of another documentary, GIULIANO GEMMA: AN ITALIAN IN THE WORLD, directed by Vera Gemma.  Giuliano Gemma was a popular star first of gladiator movies, then of many Spaghetti Westerns, including A PISTOL FOR RINGO, ARIZONA COLT and ALIVE OR PREFERABLY DEAD. 

On Monday, February 18^th at 10:30 a.m., TEXAS, ADIOS, directed by Ferdinando Baldi and starring Franco Nero, will be screened.  On Tuesday, February 19^th at 9 a.m., DJANGO KILL…IF YOU LIVE, SHOOT!, starring Tomas Milian and directed by Giulio Questi will screen.  At ten p.m., the short documentary FRANCO NERO: THE MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES, directed by Carlo Gabriel Nero will screen, followed by the original DJANGO, starring Nero, and directed by Sergio Corbucci.  On Wednesday, February 20^th, at 10 p.m., RINGO THE KILLER, directed by Duccio Tessari and starring Giuliano Gemma, will screen.  On Friday, February 22^nd, at 8 p.m., Franco Nero will attend a screening of LETTERS TO JULIET (not a Western), in which he costars with his wife, Vanessa Redgrave, and Amanda Seyfried.  Finally on Saturday, February 23^rd, 3:40 p.m., Sergio Leone’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA (a gangster film, not a Western) will screen.  To learn more about these screenings, or about the many non-Western screenings and events, go HERE.

HULU TO MAKE A WESTERN!

Hulu, the online service for downloading and viewing TV episodes and movies, is entering the world of original programming with a Western!  Entitled QUICK DRAW, there is nothing else that I can reveal at this time, except that they will be shooting eight episodes over four weeks IN Southern California.  When I can share more, I will!

TWO NEW WESTERNS ON HALLMARK THIS MARCH!

Clearly no network has a greater commitment to the Western genre than the Hallmark Movie Channel.  Last month they aired QUEEN OF HEARTS (read my review HERE ),the third annual entry in their GOODNIGHT FOR JUSTICE franchise, co-created by, and starring Luke Perry as a 19^th Century Wyoming circuit judge.  Last June they premiered HANNAH’S LAW (read my review HERE ), and in March they’ll premiere two new Westerns: no other outlet has produced four new Westerns in a year.  No one else comes close.

The first, airing Saturday, March 9^th, is WILD HEARTS stars Ricky Schroder and his real-life daughter Cambrie Schroder.  Written by Ricky and Andrea (Mrs. Ricky) Schroder and directed by Ricky, it’s a present-day Western tale about a young girl who leaves Malibu for the Sierra Nevada Mountains to find her father, and hopefully establish a relationship.  He’s a professional wrangler, and they are both drawn together and apart over the future of a wild mustang named Bravo.  Also featured in the cast of this Schroder Family Production are three of Cambrie’s siblings, Holden, Luke and Faith.  Also lurking in this film is one of the current West’s most effective villains, Martin Kove.  I spoke with Ricky about his appearance in the most recent GOODNIGHT FOR JUSTICE film (you can read that HERE ) and hope to interview Ricky again, along with daughter Cambrie, very soon, and we’ll also be discussing LONESOME DOVE and his other Westerns.

‘SHADOW ON THE MESA’ will premiere on the Hallmark Movie Channel on Saturday, March 23^rd at 8 p.m.  Star Kevin Sorbo trades in his Hercules sandals for cowboy boots; co-starring with TRUE BLOOD’S Wes Brown; Gail O’Grady, thrice Emmy nominated for NYPD BLUE; Meredith Baxter, thrice Emmy nominated for FAMILY and A WOMAN SCORNED: THE BETTY BRODERICK STORY; Greg Evigan, well-remembered for B.J. AND THE BEAR and MY TWO DADS; and Barry Corbin of NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and many others, and twice Emmy nominated for NORTHERN EXPOSURE. 

Wes Brown plays a bounty hunter searching for his mother’s killer, and enlisting the aid of the father he never knew, Sorbo.  Director David S. Cass Sr. knows westerns from the inside out.  Before he began directing 2^nd unit on HERE COME THE BRIDES, he started out at Old Tucson, stunting for Sam Peckinpah in DEADLY COMPANIONS, and later doubling for John Wayne and Robert Mitchum.  Incidentally, much of the cast has more Western experience than you might guess.  Gail O’Grady’s first screen role was in THE THREE AMIGOS, but don’t go crazy looking for her: her part was cut.  Greg Evigan was effective in the underrated but quite watchable 6 GUNS, playing a sheriff (read my review HERE ). Barry Corbin has many Western credits, but he has two very recent ones of particular interest: in REDEMPTION: FOR ROBBING THE DEAD (read my review HERE ) he’s very moving as a sympathetic judge.  In Ernest Borgnine’s last film, THE MAN WHO SHOOK THE HAND OF VICENTE FERNANDEZ (read my review HERE ) he’s hateful and funny as the Rascal-riding head outlaw bullying the other denizens of a retirement home.  And in 2012, Kevin Sorbo donned a beard to play Lincoln opposite Barry Bostwick, who plays the title character in F.D.R. – AMERICAN BADDASS (there are some questions as to the historical accuracy in this one, but it is a comedy).

NEW BEVERLY CINEMA DOUBLE-BILLS ‘DJANGO UNCHAINED’

‘DJANGO UNCHAINED’ has been screening at Quentin Tarantino’s own Hollywood revival house, The New Beverly Cinema, since the movie opened.  Now they’ve announced that starting on this Friday the 15^th, it will continue for two more weeks, but in a double-bill.  It’s not been disclosed what the second feature(s) will be , nor whether it’ll be two weeks with one other movie, a different double-bill every day, or something in between.  There is much speculation that DJANGO UNCHAINED will be paired with Spaghetti Westerns.  Stay tuned!

MORE MOVIES ANNOUNCED FOR ‘WHAT IS A WESTERN?’ AUTRY SERIES

The once-a-month screenings, now in their third year, will continue, while skipping the month of March, preempted by the play THE BIRD HOUSE, written by Cherokee playwright Diane Glancy.  The series is curated by Jeffrey Richardson, Gamble Curator of Western History, Popular Culture, and Firearms, who always leads a discussion of the film’s history prior to the screening.  All of the screening are on Saturdays.

April 20^th, RAMROD (1947), directed by Andre De Toth, starring Veronica Lake and Joel McCrea.  Also on hand, guest presenter James D’Arc, Curator of the Motion Picture Archive at Brigham Young University. 

May 11^th, HUD (1963), directed by Martin Ritt, starring Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas and Patricia Neal.

June 8^th, DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944), directed by Billy Wilder, starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson.  (Great noir, but I wouldn’t call it a Western)  Guest presenter, Glynn Martin, Exec. Director of the Los Angeles Police Museum.

July 13^th, BLAZING SADDLES (1974), directed by Mel Brooks, starring Cleavin Little, Gene Wilde and Slim Pickens.

August 10^th, QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER (1990), directed by Simon Wincer, starring Tom Sellick, Laura San Giacomo and Alan Rickman.

And now, the Sergio Leone, ‘Man With No Name’ Triptych, on September 14^th, A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, on October 12^th, FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, and on November 2^nd, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

But wait, there’s more:  On Saturday, February 23^rd, at noon, there will be a double-feature screening of Gene Autry movies, as there is on the last Saturday of every month.  This time it is  BLUE MOUNTAIN SKIES (1939), and GENE AUTRY AND THE MOUNTIES (1951). 

And, not a screening, but a book talk and signing, on Saturday, March 9^th, at 2 p.m., Pulitzer Prize winner Glenn Frankel discusses his latest book, THE SEARCHERS, THE MAKING OF AN AMERICAN LEGEND, with documentary director Nick Redman.

‘HEAVEN’S GATE’ TO SCREEN AT FILM FORUM, NEW YORK!

Praised as a masterpiece, mocked as a bomb, what is certain is that director Michael Cimino is one of the finest directing talents of the 20^th century, yet this movie cost an unheard-of-for-the-time fortune, and crashed and burned.  For one week, from March 22^nd through the 28^th, New Yorkers can see a new 4K restoration of the complete director’s cut, and judge for themselves.  I’ve never seen it, and am leery of watching an epic for the first time on a TV screen.  If I could get to New York, I’d be first in line.

LEE MARVIN MOVIES, AND THE SIEGE AT THE ALAMO, AT THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE!

On Saturday, February 16^th, 7:30 pm at the Egyptian, catch a double bill of Lee Marvin’s Oscar winner, CAT BALLOU and THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE.  UPDATE!  JUST FOUND OUT 'CAT BALLOU' DIRECTOR ELLIOT SILVERSTEIN WILL BE PRESENT TO SPEAK BETWEEN MOVIES!  Same time, same date at the Aero it’s GONE WITH THE WIND.  Thursday the 21^st at the Egyptian, Lee stars in HELL IN THE PACIFIC and THE PROFESSIONALS.  And on Saturday, February 23^rd, to mark the 13-day siege that began on this date in 1836, the Egyptian will screen Budd Boeticcher’s THE MAN FROM THE ALAMO, starring Glenn Ford.  Co-star Jeanne Cooper will be signing her autobiography beforehand, and after will join co-star Julie Adams, and Glenn Ford’s son Peter Ford for a discussion.

WESTERN WINS AT BAFTA

BAFTA, the British Oscars, were awarded tonight.  Quentin Tarantino won Best Original Screenplay, and Christoph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor for DJANGO UNCHAINED.  Daniel Day-Lewis was named Best Actor for LINCOLN.

TCM FANATIC - WESTERN NOW ONLINE!

And speaking of TCM (okay, nobody was), have I mentioned that the segment I was interviewed for is now viewable here?








THE AUTRY NATIONAL CENTER

Built by cowboy actor, singer, baseball and TV entrepreneur Gene Autry, and designed by the Disney Imagineering team, the Autry is a world-class museum housing a fascinating collection of items related to the fact, fiction, film, history and art of the American West. In addition to their permanent galleries (to which new items are frequently added), they have temporary shows. The Autry has many special programs every week -- sometimes several in a day. To check their daily calendar, CLICK HERE. And they always have gold panning for kids every weekend. For directions, hours, admission prices, and all other information, CLICK HERE.



HOLLYWOOD HERITAGE MUSEUM

Across the street from the Hollywood Bowl, this building, once the headquarters of Lasky-Famous Players (later Paramount Pictures) was the original DeMille Barn, where Cecil B. DeMille made the first Hollywoodwestern, The Squaw Man. They have a permanent display of movie props, documents and other items related to early, especially silent, film production. They also have occasional special programs. 2100 Highland Ave., L.A. CA 323-874-2276. Thursday – Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. $5 for adults, $3 for senior, $1 for children.



WELLSFARGO HISTORY MUSEUM

This small but entertaining museum gives a detailed history of Wells Fargo when the name suggested stage-coaches rather than ATMS. There’s a historically accurate reproduction of an agent’s office, an original Concord Coach, and other historical displays. Open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Admission is free. 213-253-7166. 333 S. Grand Street, L.A. CA.


WESTERN ALL OVER THE DIAL


INSP’s SADDLE-UP SATURDAY features a block of rarely-seen classics THE VIRGINIAN and HIGH CHAPARRAL, along with BONANZA and THE BIG VALLEY. On weekdays they’re showing LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, BIG VALLEY, HIGH CHAPARRAL and DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN.


ME-TV’s Saturday line-up includes THE REBEL and WAGON TRAIN. On weekdays it’s DANIEL BOONE, GUNSMOKE, BONANZA, BIG VALLEY, WILD WILD WEST, and THE RIFLEMAN.


RFD-TV, the channel whose president bought Trigger and Bullet at auction, have a special love for Roy Rogers. They show an episode of The Roy Rogers Show on Sunday mornings, a Roy Rogers movie on Tuesday mornings, and repeat them during the week.


WHT-TV has a weekday afternoon line-up that’s perfect for kids, featuring LASSIE, THE ROY ROGERS SHOW and THE LONE RANGER.


TV-LAND angered viewers by dropping GUNSMOKE, but now it’s back every weekday, along with BONANZA.


WRAPPING UP…

Spent Saturday afternoon at The Autry, watching LAST OF THE MOHICANS in beautiful – if a little scratchy – 35mm.  I hadn’t seen it in its entirety since it opened twenty-one years ago, and I think I may have to add it to my regular every-two-years rotation, along with the best of Ford and Hawks, LONESOME DOVE and TOMBSTONE.  Amazing that after two decades, Madeline Stowe looks as beautiful in the current REVENGE as she does here, and Daniel Day-Lewis, though not as ‘ripped’ in his Academy Award-nominated LINCOLN as he is here, has aged well.  Russell Means, who we recently lost, turns in a fine performance, as does the terrifying Wes Studi, and whose name jumped out of the end titles but HELL ON WHEEL’S Colm Meany as a British officer.  As Curator Jeffrey Richardson pointed out, classifying it as a Western is iffy, unless you go back to the original designation of west of the thirteen original colonies.  But that’s good enough for me.  If you haven’t watched it in a while, it’s well worth tracking down.  And Jeff also says director Michael Mann is thinking of doing another Western.  I’m crossing my fingers!

Happy Trails,

Henry

All Original Contents Copyright February 2013 by Henry C. Parke - All Rights Reserved

HARDIN BIOPIC MOVES FORWARD

Back in June of 2012 I announced that a film biography about John Wesley Hardin was in the works (you can read that story HERE ), and the response was tremendous.  And half a year later, I keep getting inquiries as to the project’s progress.  I think that’s for two reasons:  #1, the poster art featuring Justin Ament as Hardin is such a grabber, and #2, because John Wesley Hardin, the man, was such a fascinating character, and unlike most heroes and villains of the era, he’s not been over-exposed in motion pictures or television. 

I just spoke to Larry Zeug, who co-wrote the screenplay with his wife Linda Ann Head.  It’s their first screenplay; prior to becoming a writer-producer, Larry worked for 32 years in the aerospace industry and, after that, he became an armorer in motion pictures, starting with TOMBSTONE, on which he was the on-set gunsmith.  “And I was an actor in that movie – I was one of the ‘red-sash’ gang.”  He’s been working on the HARDIN project since around 1999.  “Drew Gomber is a historian out of New Mexico.  You see him on the History Channel a lot, as a talking head.  Peter Sherayko and I did the first WILD WEST TECH SHOW for the History Channel; Drew was a talking head on that first show.  Later Peter and I were doing a show in New Mexico called THE FAR SIDE OF JERICHO; I was the armorer on it, and Peter supplied the saddles.  When we had a break one weekend, we drove down to Lincoln (home of the Lincoln County Wars) to see Drew.  He gave me a booklet he’d sell to people he gave tours to, and the first (article) was a thirteen page story on John Wesley Hardin.  When I read it, I thought, man, this has got everything you need for a movie!  It’s got love interest, violence, action – but it’s all true.”

Larry Zeug

After two unsatisfactory experiences with screenwriters, his wife said, “’Larry, why don’t you write the screenplay?’  I told her it would take me years to single-finger type it.  But my wife can type as fast as I can talk.  Her and I sat down and, in seventeen days, wrote a screenplay.  We were up all night, figuring how long it takes to ride from point A to point B.  So it’s more realistic than just jumping from one spot to another.  My passion has been to do this story.  And I’m supplying all the firearms for this, all the gun-leather, all the blanks.

“We wrote the screenplay.  Then I got with (actor and producer) Justin Ament, who I had done a movie with called SHADOWHEART, through Miguel Corona.  (We) took (the script) before the board of the Bank of Oregon.  They did a script-reading, and they funded it $25 million.  But they wanted us to build a town in Oregon, and shoot it in Oregon.  Then I got a call from Justin, and he said, ‘Would you give up money to shoot it in Texas?’  I said, ‘Yeah.  I wrote it to shoot around the Alamo Village in Bracketville, Texas, because I’d worked there before.’  So I gave up $15 million to shoot it in Texas.  We’re going to do it for ten. 

“We’ve had contact with Alamo Village; they’ve been out of business since 2006, so we’ve had to convince the gal who owns it to let us shoot there, which we did, and now we’ve got Texas really behind us, even to a contact in the Governor’s office.  The plan is to start shooting in May.  I figure a four week shoot maximum in Bracketville, and then I have a guy, Cliff Tanertt in Albany who’s offered his long-horn cattle, to come up there and shoot all the ranch scenes.  Cliff owns a lot of buildings up there at Fort Griffin, and this is where a lot of the action took place, with John Sellman, Scarborough, and all these people that are in our show. 

“I’ve got enough information on Hardin that I could write two years of series (episodes), and that’s something else that I’m proposing, to do a series.  I’ve been talking to Justin Ament about how we could go right into shooting a series.” 

How’s the casting going?  “Michael Biehn, who played Ringo in TOMBSTONE, is going to play Hardin’s father.  I’ve got Jodie Davis playing Mary Hardin, John’s mother.  Marshall Teague will play Armstrong, the Texas Ranger who captures Hardin on the train. Peter Sherayko’s playing John Sellman (the man who killed Hardin). Ike Terry Clanton, who’s related to the original (O.K. Corral) Clantons, he’s playing Bob Weaver.  The old man from AMERICAN HOGGERS, Jerry Campbell, he and his son Robert Campbell are playing parts in the show. Miguel Corona is going to play (vaquero and killer) Juan Bedino.  Justin Ament, who was originally going to play Hardin, is going to play Jim Taylor (of the Sutton-Taylor feud). Frank Stallone is in it.  Jennifer Blanc is in it. Drew Gombers is going to play Henry Brown, the one who was playing dice with Hardin when he got killed.  I didn’t even write a part for myself.  Everyone asks me, ‘What are you playing?’  I say, ‘I’m playing left field.’”

Justin Ament

Of course, what most people are asking is who is playing John Wesley Hardin?  The investors, with a lot at stake, are going after some very recognizable names, but I’m not going to make problems for the producers by naming them here before a deal is cut. 

The director is Bob Misiorowski, one of the producers of TOMBSTONE, and director of DERAILED, SHARK ATTACK and ON THE BORDER among others.

Larry hasn’t seen DJANGO UNCHAINED yet, but he’s heard things.  “It’s supposed to 1858, and they’re using an 1860 Henry (rifle)!  I know the clothing, I know the saddles, I know the gun-leather, I know everything about this period of time.  And I’m making it so accurate that no one can criticize it.  That and bringing in firearms that a lot of people have never seen in their lifetime.”    I’ll have more about HARDIN as it gets closer to rolling camera.        

ABC ORDERS ‘BIG THUNDER’ PILOT

Continuing with their pattern of adapting successful E-ticket park-rides into movies -- often with great success, like PIRATES OF CARIBBEAN (and sometimes like THE COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE) – Disney will produce a Western pilot based on the BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD. 

The story centers on the gold-rush era mining town of Big Thunder in the Southwest.  After a natural disaster, a doctor and his family come to town, in what is supposed to be a great opportunity for them, but soon learn that not everything in Big Thunder is as it seems, especially as it relates to the tycoon who runs the town. 

The script is by Jason Fuchs, whose ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT was a big hit, and Chris Morgan, who scripted hit actioner FAST FIVE.  They’ll also exec produce. 

SUPER BOWL ADS INCLUDE NEW ‘LONE RANGER’ SPOT

In addition to a 22 second teaser spot, Disney has unveiled an action-packed minute-and- a-half  trailer.

CONGRATULATIONS NAACP TRIPLE-WINNER KERRY WASHINGTON

Kerry Washington took home three NAACP Image Awards earlier this week: Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for DJANGO UNCHAINED; Best Actress in a Series for SCANDAL; and President's Award for Special Achievement and Exceptional Public Service!

RFD FANS FORCE COX TO RETHINK CANCELLATION

(I’m having a terrible time refraining from making off-color puns, but out of respect for RFD-TV’s family image, I’ll control myself). 

Recently, RFD-TV & FamilyNet founder and President Patrick Gottsch appealed to his viewers who watch on the COX system to voice their support of the networks, and denounce the move to drop them from the system in favor of media conglomerates who wanted their spots on the dial.  I know many Round-up readers joined in the fight.  On Friday, Patrick issued the following statement: “Did all the letters and phone calls to Cox make a difference? YES!!! ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

“Because of the thousands of e-mails, letters, and calls in support of RFD-TV and FamilyNet over the past two weeks, I am pleased to report to you today that the crisis appears to be over for most Cox cable customers in regards to their receiving RFD-TV and/or FamilyNet on your cable system.”  He goes on to say that not only will the networks not be pulled off the air; in Omaha, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, where only RFD-TV is shown, the viewer response was so enthusiastic that they may add FamilyNet to their line-up as well.


'LAST OF THE MOHICANS' SATURDAY AT THE AUTRY

Don't miss LAST OF THE MOHICANS, 1:30 pm, this Saturday at the Autry! In 35mm, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeline Stowe and Russell Means. Discussion with Autry curator Jeffrey Richardson!

HAPPY 68TH BIRTHDAY TOM SELLECK!

The actor who made his biggest Western impression in an Australian film, QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER, made his first TV appearance on an episode of LANCER. Most of his Western work has been in high quality TV movies and mini-series, including three Louis L’Amours, THE SACKETTS, THE SHADOW RIDERS and CROSSFIRE TRAIL, Elmore Leonard’s LAST STAND AT SABRE RIVER, and the 2003 remake of Jack Shaffer’s MONTE WALSH.

HAPPY 73RD BIRTHDAY KATHERINE ROSS!

Beautiful and talented Katherine Ross, perhaps best remembered as Etta Place, whom she played twice, in BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, and WANTED: THE SUNDANCE WOMAN, her first Western movie was SHENANDOAH, with the great James Stewart.  Other memorable Western appearances include TELL THEM WILLIE BOY IS HERE, THE SHADOW RIDERS, THE REDHEADED STRANGER, and CONAGHER, sometimes co-starring with her equally Western-iconic husband Sam Elliot.  Her early television work includes episodes of THE VIRGINIAN, GUNSMOKE, WAGON TRAIN, THE BIG VALLEY and THE WILD WILD WEST.

HAPPY 85^TH BIRTHDAY STUART WHITMAN!

The former Army boxing champ first made an impression on Western fans when he appeared on three ROY ROGERS SHOW episodes, plus a RANGE RIDER, in 1952 and 1953.  He continued in a wide variety of western and civilian roles on big and small screen, including SEVEN MEN FROM NOW, but really clicked in 1963 as Paul Regret, opposite John Wayne in THE COMANCHEROS.  He followed in 1964 with RIO CONCHOS.  In 1967 he starred as Marshal Jim Crown in CIMARRON STRIP, sitting a horse handsomely, and it’s a shame that this excellent 90-minute Western drama only lasted one season.  His career has continued to be busy, and among his later Western appearances are a HEC RAMSEY episode, THE WHITE BUFFALO with Charles Bronson, GO WEST YOUNG GIRL, ONCE UPON A TEXAS TRAIN, and an episode of BRISCO COUNTY, JR.    

That's it for today's Roundup!

Happy Trails,

Henry

All Original Contents Copyright February 2013 by Henry C. Parke -- All Rights Reserved