CAHILL: UNITED STATES MARSHAL.

DIRECTED BY ANDREW McLAGLEN
PRODUCED BY MICHEL WAYNE
MUSIC BY ELMER BERNSTEIN
A BATJAC PRODUCTION
WARNER BROTHERS

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INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary

J.D. Cahill is the toughest U.S. Marshal they've got,
just the sound of his name makes bad guys stop in their tracks,
so when his two young boy's want to get his attention they decide to rob a bank.
They end up getting more than they bargained for.

Full Cast

John Wayne .... U.S. Marshal J.D. Cahill
George Kennedy .... Abe Fraser
Gary Grimes .... Danny Cahill
Neville Brand .... Lightfoot, Half-breed Comanche tracker
Clay O'Brien .... Billy Joe 'Budger' Cahill
Marie Windsor .... Mrs. Hetty Green
Morgan Paull .... Struther, Fraser Gang/Cahill's Ward
Dan Vadis .... Brownie, Fraser Gang
Royal Dano .... MacDonald, Hermit who sells Cahill the mule
Scott Walker .... Ben Tildy, Outlaw
Denver Pyle .... Denver, Danny & Billy Joe's caretaker
Jackie Coogan .... Charlie Smith, Town Drunk
Rayford Barnes .... Pee Wee Simser, Outlaw
Dan Kemp .... Joe Meehan, Outlaw
Harry Carey Jr. .... Hank, Jailer at Jefferson Davis County Jail
Walter Barnes .... Sheriff Grady, Valentine Texas
Paul Fix .... Old Man, Outlaw
Pepper Martin .... Hard Case
Vance Davis .... Negro
Ken Wolger .... Grandson of Old Man
Hank Worden .... Albert, Valentine Stationmaster
James Nusser .... Doctor Jones
Murray MacLeod .... Deputy Sheriff Gordine
Hunter von Leer .... Deputy Sheriff Jim Kane
Ralph Volkie
Chuck Roberson .... Leader of Bunch
Joseph Culliton .... Red Hair (uncredited)

Stunts

Chuck Roberson .... stunt coordinator
Jerry Gatlin .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Terhune .... stunt double (uncredited)
Walter Wyatt .... stunts (uncredited)

Filming Location

Durango, Mexico

Goofs

Rain falling at two different and constant angles
when Billy Joe Cahill hides from Abe Frased in the farmyard.

# Errors in geography: Cahill claims to be in Bexar Texas -
which is in the Southwest corner of Bexar County
which surrounds San Antonio in the center of Texas -
but the sign at the jail says Jeff Davis County which is in far West Texas

This was one of the last John Wayne movies I got round to seeing. For some strange reason it doesnt seem to get the TV airings of other JW movies.

The Train Robbers being the other example.

It is an enjoyable movie although it does not fit into the standard John Wayne western category. I think it is a little two low key for some people and George Kennedy dominates the movie more than John Wayne.

The WB promo made for the movie by Robin's Nest Productions called The Man who wore the star which explores the facts of western pioneer life with clips from the movie is well worth watching. This promo is available on the DVD release.

Hi,
Cahill's just about an OK movie, and Duke's own quote sums it up,
It just wasn't, a well done picture, it needed better writing,it needed a little better care in making

It was generally agreed, that it was a tedious film to make and followed
a stale formula.
I believe that on the films premiere, there were demonstrations,
on behalf of thr Indians, about the films poor reflection of them.
Rating 6/10

Memorable Quotes

J.D. Cahill: My apologies, ma'am. Slight negligence in his upbringing.
J.D. Cahill: Mister, I ain't got a bigoted bone in my body. You don't drop that axe I'll blast you to hell as quick as I would a white man.
Lightfoot: Give me my five dollars. If you get shot tonight, I'll disappear. Oh, I'll come back and bury you... and mumble something Christian over your grave.
J.D. Cahill: Lightfoot, your kindness overwhelms me.

Billy Joe 'Budger' Cahill: You're bleeding again, Pa.
J.D. Cahill: Yeah, I guess it goes with the badge. You got a kerchief?
Billy Joe 'Budger' Cahill: Yeah.
J.D. Cahill: Jam it in this hole. It'll stop the bleeding.

[talking to the town drunk who is locked in a jail cell]
J.D. Cahill: Charlie, what are you doing in here? It ain't Thursday.
Charlie Smith, Town Drunk: A man has got a right to change his mind. Besides, it's going to rain on Thursday. And drinking in the rain, that's bad for your health.

[yelling at vultures circling overhead]
Pee Wee Simser, Outlaw: Oh no you ain't! You ain't going to get me today, you dirty beady-eyed little sons. Because old Pee Wee ain't going to die today. You filthy scavengers!
J.D. Cahill: Oh, shut up, Simser! If a buzzard bites you, he'd never eat meat again.

[to an outlaw trying to rescue the prisoners]
J.D. Cahill: Well, there's no use prodding around. I'm willing to die trying to keep 'em. The question is, are you willing to die trying to take 'em. Now I'm cold and hungry and wet and tired and short-tempered, so get on with it!

J.D. Cahill: Oh, MacDonald! This is Cahill. How are you?
MacDonald, Hermit who sells Cahill the mule: Fine... leastwise, no one has tried to hang me lately.

Danny Cahill: One thing I hate more than a Commanche is half of one.
J.D. Cahill: His name is Lightfoot. And I wouldn't call him, 'Breed' to his face if I was you... not if you want to reach maturity.

J.D. Cahill: Any of you want to surrender?
Ben Tildy, Outlaw: Now what did you say?
J.D. Cahill: I said, 'Any of you want to surrender?'
Ben Tildy, Outlaw: Five of us and one of you! I'll say one thing for you, J.D., you got style! Yes sir, you got style!

J.D. Cahill: Lightfoot, Amy and me tried for a lot of years to have children... but maybe they came along too late in my life.
Lightfoot: J.D.?
J.D. Cahill: Yeah?
Lightfoot: There ain't nothing too late... if you love it.

[to a wounded outlaw]
J.D. Cahill: You call the tune and you pay the piper. Meaning... you don't like the treatment, don't rob the banks.

INFORMATION IMDb

I'd agree with Duke Pilgrim's comment regarding George Kennedy's character - a truly maniacal bad guy; he was really scary :fear2: !

Deep Discount DVD ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) offers it for under $10, and also sells posters of the film.

Amazon ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) has it, but for $12.99.

Chester :newyear:

Hi all,
It is enjoyable movie for me and I like it more when I watch it for the second time. For the good review I sertainly must see it for the third, but because it is now the movie of the week I'd like to add Just a few comments.
It is any doubt brilliant beginning of the film and all that snow add athmosphere to it. I was always doubting were it could be with all that snow, because in the whole film it seems to be summer. Were he chased that outlaws?
Other nice thing at the beginning is Duke singing that song about walkins the streets down in Loredo from the Three Godfathers, were Harry Carey Jr. sings it. By the way is it possible to get somewere words of it?
And it is little personal feeling in this movie for me, because when I got passion for work I too sometimes forgot to look: with what problems my son is living. But thanks God he hasn't intention to rob bank.
I agree with all posts about very impressive evil in the film, mainly because of great Kennedy work. But I don't think that Dukes side are weaker.
Regards,
Vera :rolleyes:

Hi Vera,

Your wish is my command.

Streets of Laredo

As I walked out on the streets of Laredo.
As I walked out on Laredo one day,
I spied a poor cowboy wrapped in white linen,
Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay.

"I can see by your outfit that you are a cowboy."
These words he did say as I boldly walked by.
"Come an' sit down beside me an' hear my sad story.
"I'm shot in the breast an' I know I must die."

"It was once in the saddle, I used to go dashing.
"Once in the saddle, I used to go gay.
"First to the card-house and then down to Rose's.
"But I'm shot in the breast and I'm dying today."

"Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin.
"Six dance-hall maidens to bear up my pall.
"Throw bunches of roses all over my coffin.
"Roses to deaden the clods as they fall."

"Then beat the drum slowly, play the Fife lowly.
"Play the dead march as you carry me along.
"Take me to the green valley, lay the sod o'er me,
"I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong."

"Then go write a letter to my grey-haired mother,
"An' tell her the cowboy that she loved has gone.
"But please not one word of the man who had killed me.
"Don't mention his name and his name will pass on."

When thus he had spoken, the hot sun was setting.
The streets of Laredo grew cold as the clay.
We took the young cowboy down to the green valley,
And there stands his marker, we made, to this day.

We beat the drum slowly and played the Fife lowly,
Played the dead march as we carried him along.
Down in the green valley, laid the sod o'er him.
He was a young cowboy and he said he'd done wrong.

Thanks for your comments,
Please also go to the biography relating to George Kennedy,

Pals of the Saddle- George Kennedy ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Keith, thank you very much,
Your kindness are overwhelming!
Regards,
Vera :rolleyes:

I think that Cahill U.S. Marshal (Andrew V. McLaglen, 1973) is a bit underrated. Many film fans don't like the sort of Disney quality that comes with a story focused on children, but the moral dilemmas are engaging and the theme of generational fracture is relevant and vital, for that time and for all times. I'm sure that many troubled fathers and sons can relate to it. It may not be a truly significant movie, and the filmmaking is probably mediocre at best, but it's worth viewing, and George Kennedy makes for a memorably menacing villain.

Keith

Some years ago I heard a brilliant rendition of that song by Jim Reeves, does anyone know if this version exists online anywhere?

Regarding Cahill, I actually think that it is one of Duke/Mclaglens better collaberations. I am not a fan of Mclaglen in general although he made some decent non duke movies such as Shenendoah, Bandelera and 'The Flying Geese'. However for whatever reason he was not as effective with the Duke. 'The Undefeated' and 'Hellfighters' were both horrendous and 'Chisum' was weak in many areas, I actually think that Cahill was as good as 'Chisum' in many levels.

Cahill benefits from a reasonable storyline and strong acting from the main protagonists, the story flows well and there is a touch of darkness addes which helps the movie. Of course the movie contains weaknesses mostly these can be blamed on Mclaglen, a better script, sharper direction and more character development would have improved this movie immencely.

:agent:

I think the problem is that viewers expect Cahill to be like a Rooster Cogburn type of character and while there is some action it is more a story movie between an absent father and two sons who get involved with a bank robber.

It is an engaging story and well worth watching but it is unlike other John Wayne movies particularly of that era which I think puts people off the film.


Mike

With only a meagre ten posts I thought I'd try and add some flavour to this discussion by adding a movie review of the film, the review is by critic 'Charles Tatum.

In 1973, John Wayne continued making safe, similar westerns that really did nothing to change the genre, except for his final film "The Shootist." "Cahill- United States Marshal" falls into this sure category.

Wayne is the title character, a tough U.S. marshal who is gone from home a lot, letting his sons Gary Grimes and Clay O'Brien fend for themselves. In order to get back at their dad, seventeen year old Grimes and eleven year old O'Brien join with a gang led by George Kennedy to rob the town bank. The group has a foolproof plan- get themselves locked in jail, escape, rob the bank, then lock themselves up again with a perfect alibi. The bank is robbed, but Kennedy's empty promises about no one getting hurt are broken as the sheriff and a deputy are killed. O'Brien is told to hide the loot, and Grimes and his brother are threatened if they ever talk.

By this point, Wayne has returned to town, and takes Grimes to go track the imaginary bank robbers. They do stumble upon a group of outlaws, and these men are arrested and sentenced to hang. Grimes and O'Brien must now work to get the hidden loot to Kennedy, save the four innocent men, and look over their shoulder as their father becomes more suspicious of their weird behavior. People begin dying as the truth is slowly uncovered.

I have always liked John Wayne. He had huge screen presence that has never been equalled. The voice, the stance, you know right away when he is onscreen. Say what you want about the bad film choices he made, and he made some doozies, even his mediocre films are better than some of the cow plop Hollywood passes out today.

"Cahill" is a good film, despite some flaws. There is never a scene where Wayne finds out the truth about his criminally inclined children, one second he doesn't know, the next second he does. I would have liked to see him figure it out and react. Also, some of McLaglen's action sequences are just plain stilted. Watch the scene where Wayne catches a knife in his shoulder, barely wincing, and knowing that the knife was already there when the scene began. Same for the ridiculous owl-scares-kids scene, with a large fake bird on some string.

Neville Brand, a name you may not know, but a face you have seen in films before, is excellent here as Lightfoot, a half Comanche tracker who fancies himself a great warrior. Denver Pyle, Jackie Coogan, Royal Dano, and Paul Fix are all well known film veterans, but are given just one or two scenes each and just a handful of lines. Some of the gun scenes are bloody, but the gore looks like bright red paint and is not convincing.

:agent:

This is superior to Chisum I feel and infinitely more enjoyable, and Neville Brand was just great. I will be going more in depth after I watch this film again.

Hi Brannigan

It is so different to other JW movies that it tends to get overlooked by fans. It is a worth watching with a strong storyline.


Mike

I've always liked this movie. I think the opening scene is one of Duke's best starts in a movie; and you're right Neville Brand was great in it. It's kind of a low budget movie, some people are turned away by that, but not me. I like a good small film that tells a good story much better than some of the blockbusters they make today, that's all CGI and no story.

I strongly dislike CGI when it takes precedence over story.

I never noticed Neville until I saw this movie. He was great in this and I've noticed him in other movies just because of this one. He was a great asset to this movie.

It is a compact film with basically a story of a father's relationships with his sons but it is strongly scripted. A much overlooked movie. I particularly like the Cahill Promo which comes with the DVD which explains what life in small towns was like in the West with shots of the movie.


Mike

I like it when they include those TV specials on the Disc, they are my favorite special features.

Yes a review of what is out there as promos and extras with the main films would be great idea for posts as well as notifying fans of what is available.

Mike

I will see what I can do.

I knew you would take the hint:beer:

Mike

(SPOILERS!)

This movie was way better then I remembered and I loved this film! Elmer Bernstein's score really captured the mood of the film and it is one I wish I had on CD, and his theme here was very different from what he had done prior.

Clay O'Brien was fun to watch as he interacted with Duke, it's quite obvious that Duke loved small children and his scenes with Clay are among the best in the movie. Whenever Duke is in a scene with Clay he's got a twinkle in his eye.

Gary Grimes was kinda lightweight though, I never really felt that he was indeed hurt by his Father's absence like Clay was. Other than the fact that he was kind of washed out on screen by both Duke and George Kennedy and even little Clay, I have no other complaints.

The Opening scene remains my all time favorite for a John Wayne movie. You can totally believe that he could indeed make a 5 to 1 fight even.

Neville Brand he should have made another movie with Duke, you can honestly feel the friendship these two men have for each other and the respect is almost tangible. When Lightfoot dies you can literally feel the hatred Duke is showing on screen and his unexpressed desire for revenge.

One of the things that I picked up on this viewing was the fact in watching his face you know he knows more than he lets on about his children's role in the bank robbery. And you can plainly tell he's deeply hurt by that fact.

This movie is a dang good example of Duke's acting prowess it proves that he was always overlooked and underrated when it came to his skills as in actor. I feel that he honestly deserved an award for this film.

I knew for the longest time that Dobe was in this movie but I never could find him until last night when it hit like a haymaker from the Duke. He's the first officer that Duke meets on his way to the jail. And in terms of stupidity... I can't believe that I never found Paul Fix till last night.

I found Chuck Roberson easily enough... but those others were always hard for me to spot.

Marie Windsor looked stunning for a woman her age...

Hi Brannigan

3 Tracks from Cahill are on this CD [Only registered and activated users can see links]


Mike

Cahill was on this weekend. If I'd a had a brain I'd have let you all know. Sorry!

Hi Brannigan

3 Tracks from Cahill are on this CD [Only registered and activated users can see links]


Mike

Thanks fort the heads up.

Hi Lt Brannigan

This one is also worth buying mainly True Grit but it does have a track from Cahill

[Only registered and activated users can see links] 058QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Mike

I will be looking into those as I wander about.

I was mistaken, Cahill will be on this weekend, the 14th, 8:00pm Eastern on ION, whatever channel that is.

Two versions of the same poster ~

2047 2048

Not a great JW movie I think, probably due to the lack of Duke's screen time plus I found the 2 boys that played his sons very weak

Here is an example of the book from the movie. Enjoy!

Mark


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have just watched this film and, having read that it wasn t one of his better ones, especially by his own admission, wasn t sure what to expect. personally though, i really enjoyed it. it seemed to get better as it went on and i liked the idea of having a song half way through it. was this a 70s thing in general? i thought it was a nice family film

I think it is an underated film. It is different from most JW westerns but as you say it worth watching. Apart from Cahill the film Chisum (also directed by Andrew V Mc Laglen) has a song in the middle of it. I think this trend comes from Raindrops keep falling on my Head from Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid.

At least they didnt get John Wayne to sing !!!

just watched this film again and enjoyed it even more 2nd time around. i thought cahill was a good strong character who was trying to do the right thing, both for his boys and for the town. he also seems to have a good relationship and a lot of respect for the indians he works with.
my favourite line in the film was when he was bringing the bandits back to town who had robbed a mormon and he was determined not to give them up
[to an outlaw trying to rescue the prisoners]
J.D. Cahill: Well, there's no use prodding around. I'm willing to die trying to keep 'em. The question is, are you willing to die trying to take 'em. Now I'm cold and hungry and wet and tired and short-tempered, so get on with it!

thanks also for the words to the song ethan - i v e only just seen them

My first impression upon seeing this on its release, was that it seemed like a "made for TV" movie. I loved he opening scenes, and wished there were more like it. I've seen it a few more times over the years, and I guess my biggest complaint is the kids. I would have preferred the story being soley on Duke & Brand tracking "bad guys". For me, that would have made a better story. I just wasn't that interested in the kids. Brand, Kennedy, Carey, et al were great as usual.

This is actually Duke's ode to parenthood and most likely how he himself feels regarding his own supposed inadequacies as a parent and not being there for his children. Cahill, is a heartfelt look into Duke's views at parenting. Heck depending on how you look at it, it could be a slightly fictionalized take on his life as a parent.

Not a great film but enjoyable.with old George Kennedy as a very convincing villan. The youngest son was played by Clay O'Brien who was also in the Cowboys. The other son played by Gary Grimes made a fine western called The Culpepper Cattle Company.