THE COMANCHEROS

DIRECTED BY MICHAEL CURTIZ and JOHN WAYNE-uncredited
MUSIC BY ELMER BERNSTEIN
20th.CENTURY FOX

293294295


INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary

Texas Ranger Jake Cutter arrests gambler Paul Regret,
but soon finds himself teamed with his prisoner in an undercover effort to defeat a band of renegade arms merchants
and thieves known as Comancheros.

Summary written by Jim Beaver

Writing credits
Paul Wellman (novel) (as Paul I. Wellman)

James Edward Grant screenplay
Clair Huffaker screenplay

Full Cast

John Wayne .... Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter
Stuart Whitman .... Paul Regret
Ina Balin .... Pilar Graile
Nehemiah Persoff .... Graile
Lee Marvin .... Tully Crow
Michael Ansara .... Amelung
Patrick Wayne .... Tobe (Texas Ranger) (as Pat Wayne)
Bruce Cabot .... Maj. Henry (Ranger CO)
Joan O'Brien .... Melinda Marshall
Jack Elam .... Horseface (Comanchero)
Edgar Buchanan .... Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus Jackson Breen
Henry Daniell .... Gireaux
Richard Devon .... Esteban
Phil Arnold .... Nervous barfly (uncredited)
Anne Barton .... Mrs. Schofield (uncredited)
Steve Baylor .... Comanchero (uncredited)
Don Brodie .... Card Dealer (uncredited)
Alan Carney .... Stillwater bartender (uncredited)
Iphigenie Castiglioni .... Josefina (uncredited)
Dennis Cole .... (uncredited)
Booth Colman .... Hotel clerk (uncredited)
Gabriel Curtiz .... Marsac (uncredited)
John Dierkes .... Ranger Bill Larsen (uncredited)
Ilana Dowding .... Mary Schofield (uncredited)
William Fawcett .... Poker player (uncredited)
Joe Gray .... (uncredited)
George J. Lewis .... Chief Iron Shirt (uncredited)
Jon Lormer .... Elderly man on riverboat (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... (uncredited)
Roger Mobley .... Bub Schofield (uncredited)
Gregg Palmer .... Bouvier (opponent in duel) (uncredited)
Michael Ross .... Gordo (Graile's bodyguard) (uncredited)
Leigh Snowden .... Evie (uncredited)
Bob Steele .... Pa Schofield (uncredited)
Lusita Triana .... Spanish dancer (uncredited)
Ralph Volkie .... Riverboat steward (uncredited)
Aissa Wayne .... Bessie Marshall (uncredited)
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams .... Ed McBain (gunrunner) (uncredited)

Produced by
George Sherman .... producer

Cinematography by
William H. Clothier (director of photography)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack R. Berne .... assistant director
Cliff Lyons .... action sequences director

Stunts

Denny Arnold .... stunts (uncredited)
Jim Burk .... stunts (uncredited)
Joe Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Tap Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Bill Hart .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward .... stunts (uncredited)
Tom Hennesy .... stunts (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)
Dean Smith .... stunts (uncredited)
Bill Williams .... stunts (uncredited)
Jack Williams .... stunts (uncredited)

Filming Locations

Dead Horse Point State Park - State Highway 313, Moab, Utah, USA

Fisher Towers, Moab, Utah, USA

Kings Bottom, Utah, USA

La Sal Mountains, La Sal, Utah, USA

Professor Valley, Moab, Utah, USA

Red Rock Crossing, Sedona, Arizona, USA
(credits sequence)

Trivia

* During much of the shooting, director Michael Curtiz was seriously ill (he died of cancer shortly after the film's release).
On the days when Curtiz was too ill to work, John Wayne took over direction of the film,
and when it was completed he told the studio that he did not want credit as co-director and insisted that Curtiz' name alone appear as director.

* When John Wayne signs the hotel register as "McBain", one of the names in the register is William H. Clothier, the film's director of photography.

Goofs

* Errors in geography: There are no mountains between New Orleans and Texas, unlike what is shown in the film.

* Revealing mistakes: After Regret hits Cutter with a shovel, Cutter wakes up when it starts raining. Somehow, the sky is still blue and there are strong shadows. It is only raining about 30 feet from Cutter.

* Anachronisms: Cutter is shown wearing a Texas Ranger Badge. These badges were not introduced until the 1880s, 37 years after the year the movie story takes place (1843).

Previous discussion:-
The Comancheros ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Memorable Quotes

Tully Crow: I got one rule: never go to bed without makin' a profit.

Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: Mon-sewer, you may not live long enough to hang.

Paul Regret: Mind a suggestion friend? Trouble with you is you don't enjoy the game for its own rewards: stimulation, relaxation, pleasant association,
and interesting conversation.
Tully Crow: Shut your mouth.

Ed McBain (gunrunner): Now that I can look back on it, I can see how bad it was. That's how I came to give myself up.
Ranger CO Maj. Henry: Yep, after breaking one ranger's jaw and slicing up two others with a Bowie knife.
Ed McBain (gunrunner): Oh, I feel bad about that. I wasn't using my head.
Ranger CO Maj. Henry: You used everything else! Feet, fist and teeth!
Ed McBain (gunrunner): Yes, sir. But them rangers won me over. If I had just known men like that, I might never have fell in with bad companions.

[While Regret and Cutter are tied up as prisoners]
Paul Regret: I wonder if they know how much trouble they're in.

Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: I'll bet he was a man to stand aside from when he was young and limber.

Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: It's time we both quit, Crow. You don't like losing to me, and I don't like winning from you.

Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: Let him make a run for it, I'd say to myself.
Paul Regret: And then what would you say?
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: And then I'd say back to myself, you can't let him run. You swore an oath whent they put that badge on you.
Paul Regret: And that's important to you?
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: I said I swore an oath.
Paul Regret: Words!
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: Mon-sewer, words are what men live by... words they say and mean.

Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: You see those dark markings? A cross patch over light. It makes him look like a rattler.
But you can see a thousand like him. But when you see your first rattlesnake, you'll know the difference.
Paul Regret: You still haven't told me how you tell a Commanche from a tame Indian.
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: Just like your first rattler. One look and you'll know.

Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus Jackson Breen: Most say, except for them who are unfair minded,
that I have the finest legal mind in the entire southwest. So you can have faith in your lawyer, son. How much money you got?
Paul Regret: I don't have any.
Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus Jackson Breen: Well, I'm beginning to doubt your chances against the law.

Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus Jackson Breen: Major here has told me what your troubles are.
I've been thinking it over and in light of my forty years experience in legal jurisprudence,
I have come to the positive conclusion that there ain't no way to do this legal and honest... but being good sensible Texans,
we'll do it illegal and dishonest! Now all the boys here in the room have agreed to sign a paper I have prepared.
They all are going to commit perjury. That's legal language for just a plain, dumb blasted lie.

Paul Regret: How do you know you killed him?
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: There wasn't time not to!

Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: It would break my heart if I had to put a bullet in your back.
Paul Regret: It would make me sad also.

Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: You think I'm simple minded.
Paul Regret: Yes, I think you're simple minded.
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: Well, don't make a point of saying it too often... and once more would be too often!

Paul Regret: Gentlemen, let's remember we're gentlemen.
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: Forget it! He's just spittin' out words to see where they splatter.

Paul Regret: Am I to believe that you weighed and appraised and then selected me out of all the men on this boat?

Pilar Graile: Do not be too conceited. It's not a very large boat.
[last lines]
Pilar Graile: Take care of yourself, Big Jake. We've sort of gotten used to you.

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Hi,
One of my favourites, and I really enjoy this film.
It's great entertainment full of fun, and lots of action.
Duke more convincing in his authorative type role,
made a great Texas Ranger.
This was the start of him having no love interest,and establishing a pattern
for later films.
He was now 54, his hair had grown thin, and he was having trouble controlling his weight.
Duke's screen image, was now shifting to that, of a mature hero, one of enduring strength,
who observed younger mens, love affair, with understanding and a touch of humour.
The chemistry between, Duke and Stuart Whitman was obvious,
apart from THE LONGEST DAY, it's a pity they didn't make a another feature, together.
Lee Marvin, was cast brilliantly as 'Crow', and it's a shame
he was only on the screen, for about 10 minutes.
Jack Elam, added his usual, character part.
It is also interesting in the Stunts section,
to see the Canutt family, so involved.

Here's an interesting comment, mentioning some special features:-
Author: haristas from USA from IMDb
I really enjoy this film, though it's more about how much I love the sights in the American Southwest,*
and William Clothier's Cinemascope photography of locals in Utah and Arizona is simply stunning here,*
and the wonderful Elmer Bernstein score, and less to do with the conventions of the Western genre in general
and John Wayne movies in particular. Both had become pretty stale by the time this picture was made.
As a 'serious' Western it can be dismissed; it's about as historically accurate as "Blazing Saddles"*
and I don't know what's supposed to look worse, the scalped head make-up Lee Marvin (who practically steals the film)
wears or the wig-pieces Wayne sports
. However, this forty-year-old movie plays as better entertainment than most movies made today.*
It's hardly cynical, tries to reinforce ideas of right and wrong, and knows it's not to be taken seriously anyway.*
You can also tell that everyone seems to be having a very good time making this movie.
It's also the last of more than 150 films directed by Michael Curtiz (though Wayne had to direct a lot of it himself when
Curtiz fell ill [Curtiz died shortly after filming ended]). A beautiful letterboxed transfer of this movie was done for laserdisc in 1993.
It also featured commentary by stars Stuart Whitman, Patrick Wayne,
Michael Ansara and Nehemiah Persoff, as well as production stills, script pages,
posters and lobby cards. Somebody at Fox at the time thought the movie deserved this 'Collector's Edition' treatment,
so I can only hope that person is still there and that this will be replicated on DVD soon.

Over all a pleasant, undemanding, watchable bit of fun,
Rating 8/10

Dull, uneventful, poor acting, bad script and poor story lines are words and phrases that should not be associated with this terrific movie.

The first thing that stands out about this movie is the sharp, witty and intelligent dialogue that enriches each scene.

Elmer Bernsteins excellent musical score enhances the movie and gives the movie an edge over many other westerns.

John Wayne is superb in this film playing one of his most tradional characters and illustrating effectively what what he stood for and embodied.

Stuart Whitman is on fine form next to the Duke and Lee Marvin makes a good cameo appearance as Tully Crow.

In addition to all this the storyline is slick and wel directed with plenty of great dialogue, bad guys and shootouts.

Along with El dorado I think this is John Waynes most traditional movie and it features the best shootout of any Duke movie right at the end.

Make sure you watch this movie, you wont be disappointed.

:agent:

It has been awhile since we've watched this movie. I do remember that it seemed that the farther they got into the comancheros hideout, the less likely it seemed they'd be coming out, although the Duke is pretty good at saving the day.

At Deep Discount DVD ([Only registered and activated users can see links]), the movie is available individually and as part of a boxed set; they also have a movie poster.

In addition to having the movie in both DVD and VHS, Amazon ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) also has a soundtrack CD, a collector's knife set and the book by Paul Wellman.

Chester :newyear:

Hi,
I have been researching all the threads, back to the startt of the JWMB,
looking for previous discussion, relating to the movies.
I have found the following, comments, and have copied them here,
so that they are now under one forum:-

The Comancheros, and the John Wayne Tree

General Sterling Price*
post Feb 14 2004, 04:50 AM

Tonight my wife and I watched The Comancheros, and it seems that each time I see it, it goes up a few notches on my list of favorites. The dialog between Wayne and "Paul Regret" all the way through is great. It was filmed back in early 60s in Moab, Utah. My wife lived there for a year in the mid-80s, and she and her family went hiking in the La Sal mountains just east of Moab. Locals there directed them to what is known as the John Wayne tree, so they went for a look-see. Sure enough there was an apsen with the name John Wayne carved into it. They were told that JW carved it during a film shoot...and we have determined that it must have been Comancheros. So if you are ever in Moab, UT, just ask the locals and they will direct you to it.

Does anyone else share my particular fondness for this film? I think in many ways, it captures the pure essence of JW in a western film.

GSP
Hondo Duke Lane
post Feb 14 2004, 05:07 AM

This is the first film that Duke did after his production of The Alamo. Duke almost went broke making that movie, and needed a lift after disappionting release of it. The Comancheros did the trick and help Duke out of a financial diaster in 1961. The Alamo brought him a little money back, but it caused him a lot of heartache.

Cheers, Hondo B)
itdo*
post Feb 14 2004, 09:48 AM

I have been to Moab, mainly of course to find the locations of JW pictures. The scenery is just wonderful. But I must have missed out the tree! Too bad. The first one JW did in that area is Rio Grande and I tried - unsuccessfully - to find the spot where they build the adobe town for the big shoot-out. I was in the right area, but not in the exact right spot which is a private area.
Where Ford placed the fort in "Rio Grande" is at the Colorado river, and that's a private owned ranch as well (he also filmed a fort sequence of "Cheyenne Autumn" there).
I found the spot where they filmed the fording of the Colorado, doubling for the Rio Grande (where JW meets Mexican officials) and he himself named a characteristic stone "locomotive" spot.
Not far from there is Devil's Tower, where The Comancheros had their camp - there's no trace of that left. Anyway, people get there for hiking, not for location scouting. If you'd like to know more, there's a good book: "Where God put the West", that'll tell you all about films made in that area. One motel in town claims to be the one "where JW slept".

Hondo, the first film released after Alamo was North to Alaska, the first of his new deal with Fox,
which included Comancheros, that came right after that one. But the first one he went filming (actually when Alamo was still to be released) was Hatari!
arthurarnell*
post Feb 14 2004, 02:40 PM

Hi,

One of the reasons I love certain films is the sound track.
Von Korngolds stirring music of the thirties and forties in Robin Hood and the Sea Hawks equally matched Errol Flynns stirring deed of daring and carried the audience along.

So it is with John Wayn westerns and in his case he had some fabulous composers compose some fabulous music. Apart from the Alamo and Red River. two films I particularly like, and both for different reasons are The Sons of Katie Elder and The Comancheros. The first because it is stirring throughout, the second because it seems to have many moods and in certain passages evokes a great deal of sadness.

it was probably no coincidence that Michael Curtiz directed Errol Flynn and The Comancheros.

With the aid of the music the film had vitality, motion and bounce. Westerns more than any other genre benefit from stirring music Bernsteins music in The Comancheros became as equally important to the film as the script, forcing itself to the forefront than than in some films remaining un-prtentious like in the background. When Wayne and Marvin drive the wagon at speed the music beats out the tempo and the speed the wagon goes, as it does when the Comancheros ride.

At other times when the music slows and qoes quiet, it gives, to me at any rate, a slight sense of peace, calmness nostalgia, a sadness almost a sense of ending and a remberance of John Wayne's quality. Which when you realise he would not die for another eighteen years may seem ridiculous, but as I couldn't know then but do now hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Incidentally I thought the movie was great.

Regards
Arthur

In the comancheros, when Lee Marvin was shot, what was Waynes response to, "are you sure you killed him?"

Originally posted by cookiequilts@Sep 23 2006, 04:02 PM
In the comancheros, when Lee Marvin was shot, what was Waynes response to, "are you sure you killed him?"
34814


I think his reply was: "There wasn't time not to." Or something like that. Good line by the way and, welcome to this nice forum.

One of my favorite John Wayne quotes is from the movie: El Dorado-where he plays the character: Cole Thornton. This is when he and Colorado (James Caan) first get into town (at night) and go over to the Sheriff's office where they are first challenged by and then recognized by: Bull--who is played by Arthur Hunnicut. They go inside the jail and Cole is told wher the drunken sheriff is (Robert Mitchum) and Cole goes into the cell, grabs a bucket of water-tossing it all onto the sheriff.

The sheriff spits, coughs and sputters saying: "What the hell are you doing here?" to which John Wayne says: "I'm looking at a tin star with a drunk pinned to it." I just love that line.

Originally posted by The Ringo Kid@Sep 23 2006, 03:50 PM
I think his reply was: "There wasn't time not to." Or something like that. Good line by the way and, welcome to this nice forum.

One of my favorite John Wayne quotes is from the movie: El Dorado-where he plays the character: Cole Thornton. This is when he and Colorado (James Caan) first get into town (at night) and go over to the Sheriff's office where they are first challenged by and then recognized by: Bull--who is played by Arthur Hunnicut. They go inside the jail and Cole is told wher the drunken sheriff is (Robert Mitchum) and Cole goes into the cell, grabs a bucket of water-tossing it all onto the sheriff.

The sheriff spits, coughs and sputters saying: "What the hell are you doing here?" to which John Wayne says: "I'm looking at a tin star with a drunk pinned to it." I just love that line.
34820


thanks, thats what my husband thought he said...I thought it was, "I wasnt trying not to!".....is there any place I could find out for sure?

Originally posted by cookiequilts@Sep 23 2006, 05:12 PM
thanks, thats what my husband thought he said...I thought it was, "I wasnt trying not to!".....is there any place I could find out for sure?
34822


Howdy Cookiequilts, and let me give you a big HOWDY and WELCOME to the best John Wayne site in the world. I wish I could tell you where to go and find the dialog, but all I can suggest is to watch the film. We have so many knowledgeable folks here, that I am sure someone will be of better help than me.
Best,
Colorado Bob

Originally posted by Colorado Bob@Sep 23 2006, 09:12 PM
Howdy Cookiequilts, and let me give you a big HOWDY and WELCOME to the best John Wayne site in the world. I wish I could tell you where to go and find the dialog, but all I can suggest is to watch the film. We have so many knowledgeable folks here, that I am sure someone will be of better help than me.
Best,
Colorado Bob
34827


thanks...we did but disagreed on what he said...I guess we will just have to watch it again and again...not a problem!

The line is defently 'There wasnt time not to'.

Robbie
:agent:

Originally posted by Robbie@Sep 24 2006, 12:52 PM
The line is defently 'There wasnt time not to'.

Robbie
:agent:
34846


thanks! I will tell my husband that he was right and make an appointment to have my hearing checked! thanks again!

Hi cookiequilts,

and WELCOME to the JWMB.

Thanks for your post, and you maybe interested,
there are dedicated threads for Duke's Movies,

Here is the link for

THE COMANCHEROS ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

there are more memorable qoutes, in that thread.

Best Wishes,

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Sep 25 2006, 09:54 AM
Hi cookiequilts,

and WELCOME to the JWMB.

Thanks for your post, and you maybe interested,
there are dedicated threads for Duke's Movies,

Here is the link for

THE COMMANCHEROS ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

there are more memorable qoutes, in that thread.

Best Wishes,
34871


this site is awesome! thanks Keith!

Originally posted by The Ringo Kid@Sep 23 2006, 01:50 PM
This is when he and Colorado (James Caan) 34820


Not to be picky but James Caan played Mississippi...

Ricky Nelson played Colorado in Rio Bravo...

Hi

Here a little known still from the film showing Pat Wayne Stuart Whitman and John Wayne.


Regards

Arthur

Hi

There are many posters advertising The Comancheros but this is among the best




Regards

Arthur

Arthur, I would have to agree with you, I like your poster much better than this one!

2037

Pretty soon, you're gonna catch on that I'm not your friend!

One of the great lines from an enjoyable western, it makes it into my JW ton ten movies, good turns by Whitman & marvin, decent story-telling and a star turn by Duke

Chester I think your poster is better, with regards to Arthur's picture I don't feel the image looks anything like John Wayne.

John C regarding that line within "The Comancheros," the exact statement was "And pretty soon you're gonna catch on I aint your friend!".

Sorry I'm a real nitpicker.

:agent:

No, problem Robbie, its been a while since I have seen it :teeth_smile:

Chester I think your poster is better, with regards to Arthur's picture I don't feel the image looks anything like John Wayne.
I agree that in Arthur's poster, the image doesn't look as much like John Wayne as in the one I shared, but I like the action portrayed in Arthur's much better.

Chester :newyear:

I agree that in Arthur's poster, the image doesn't look as much like John Wayne as in the one I shared, but I like the action portrayed in Arthur's much better.

Chester :newyear:

Arthur's poster does give a truer essence of the movie via the images of action, however the picture of John Wayne is too distracting. It bares little resemblance to the man himself and it also seems to depict John Wayne from the incorrect angle as he throws no left punches in this movie.

:agent:

Here 's a Japanese press kit for The Comancheros.
i feel uneasy if my photo is taken good.
big letter in Japanese is starring John Wayne ,The Comancheros.
This press kit is a big size folded in four.

H.sanada

Thanks for sharing that, H.sanada. Great looking press shot.

Here are examples of the book and comic from the movie. Enjoy!

Mark

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]