HOW THE WEST WAS WON

DIRECTED BY HENRY HATHAWAY, JOHN FORD and GEORGE MARSHALL
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER and CINERAMA

268269

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
The history of Western expansion in the United States as told by the story of one pioneer family's history. Zebulon Prescott takes his family from New York, heading West in the early 1800s. His children and grandchildren eventually reach the Western shore after years of hardship, war, and struggle.

Summary written by Jim Beaver

The fifty years of American westward expansion between the 1830s and 1880s are viewed through the experiences of the Prescott and Rawlings families, as they migrate by the Erie Canal, continue over the prairies from St. Louis during the California gold rush, suffer through the Civil War, and finally help build the railroads on the plains and bring law and justice to the frontier. Along the way they meet mountain men, journey by wagon train, deal with Native Americans, and face outlaws in the southwest.
Summary written by scgary66

Directed by
John Ford (segment "The Civil War")
Henry Hathaway (segments "The Rivers", "The Plains" and "The Outlaws")
George Marshall (segment "The Railroad")
Richard Thorpe (uncredited) (transitional historical sequences)

Full Cast

Carroll Baker .... Eve Prescott Rawlings
Lee J. Cobb .... Marshal Lou Ramsey
Henry Fonda .... Jethro Stuart
Carolyn Jones .... Julie Rawlings
Karl Malden .... Zebulon Prescott
Gregory Peck .... Cleve Van Valen
George Peppard .... Zeb Rawlings
Robert Preston .... Roger Morgan
Debbie Reynolds .... Lilith 'Lily' Prescott
James Stewart .... Linus Rawlings
Eli Wallach .... Charlie Gant
John Wayne .... Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
Richard Widmark .... Mike King
Brigid Bazlen .... Dora Hawkins
Walter Brennan .... Col. Jeb Hawkins
David Brian .... Lilith's attorney
Andy Devine .... Cpl. Peterson
Raymond Massey .... Abraham Lincoln
Agnes Moorehead .... Rebecca Prescott
Harry Morgan .... Gen. Ulysses S. Grant (as Henry 'Harry' Morgan)
Thelma Ritter .... Agatha Clegg
Mickey Shaughnessy .... Deputy Stover
Russ Tamblyn .... Confederate deserter
Spencer Tracy .... Narrator (voice)
Rodolfo Acosta .... Gant gang member (uncredited)
Mark Allen .... Colin Harvey (uncredited)
Beulah Archuletta .... Indian woman (uncredited)
Robert Banas .... Dance Hall Dancer (uncredited)
Willis Bouchey .... Surgeon (uncredited)
Charlie Briggs .... Flying Arrow Barker (uncredited)
Paul Bryar .... Auctioneer's assistant (uncredited)
Walter Burke .... Wagon poker player (uncredited)
Polly Burson .... Stock player (uncredited)
Kim Charney .... Sam Prescott (uncredited)
Ken Curtis .... Cpl. Ben (uncredited)
John Damler .... Lawyer (uncredited)
Christopher Dark .... Poker player with Cleve (uncredited)
Kem Dibbs .... Blacksmith (uncredited)
Craig Duncan .... James Marshall (uncredited)
Ben Black Elk Sr. .... Arapajo chief (uncredited)
Jay C. Flippen .... Huggins (uncredited)
Sol Gorss .... River pirate (uncredited)
Tom Greenway .... (uncredited)
James Griffith .... Poker player with Cleve (uncredited)
Barry Harvey .... Angus Harvey (uncredited)
William Henry .... Staff officer (uncredited)
Jerry Holmes .... Railroad clerk (uncredited)
Roy Jenson .... Henchman (uncredited)
Claude Johnson .... Jeremiah Rawlings (uncredited)
Jack Lambert .... Gant henchman (uncredited)
John Larch .... Grimes (uncredited)
Stanley Livingston .... Prescott Rawlings (uncredited)
J. Edward McKinley .... Auctioneer (uncredited)
Harry Monty .... (uncredited)
Bob Morgan .... Member of train robbery gang (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... (uncredited)
Robert Nash .... Lawyer (uncredited)
Cliff Osmond .... Bartender (uncredited)
Tudor Owen .... Parson Alec Harvey (uncredited)
Harvey Parry .... Henchman (uncredited)
Jack Pennick .... Cpl. Murphy (uncredited)
Gil Perkins .... Henchman (uncredited)
Red Perkins .... Union soldier (uncredited)
Buddy Red Bow .... Native Man (uncredited)
Walter Reed .... (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... Officer (uncredited)
Victor Romito .... Henchman (uncredited)
Jamie Ross .... Bruce Harvey (uncredited)
Gene Roth .... Riverboat poker player (uncredited)
Bryan Russell .... Zeke Prescott (uncredited)
Danny Sands .... Trapeze man (uncredited)
Joe Sawyer .... Riverboat officer (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre .... Auction spectator (uncredited)
Harry Dean Stanton .... Gant henchman (uncredited)
Clinton Sundberg .... Hylan Seabury (uncredited)
Karl Swenson .... Train conductor (uncredited)
Ken Terrell .... River pirate (uncredited)
Lee Van Cleef .... River pirate (uncredited)
William Wellman Jr. .... Officer #2 (uncredited)
Harry Wilson .... Cattleman at barricade (uncredited)
Carleton Young .... Poker player with Cleve (uncredited)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
John Gay uncredited
James R. Webb

Produced by
Bernard Smith .... producer

Original Music by
Ken Darby (associate)
Alfred Newman (also title song) (song title uncredited)

Non-Original Music by
Thomas Hastings (song "Rock of Ages") (uncredited)
Louis Lambert (song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home") (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
George Marshall Jr. .... assistant director
William McGarry .... assistant director
Robert Saunders .... assistant director
William Shanks .... assistant director
Wingate Smith .... assistant director
Richard Talmadge .... second unit director (uncredited)

Stunts

May Boss .... stunts (uncredited)
Polly Burson .... stunts (uncredited)
Everett Creach .... stunts (uncredited)
John Epper .... stunts (uncredited)
Richard Farnsworth .... stunts (uncredited)
Sol Gorss .... stunts (uncredited)
Fred Graham .... stunts (uncredited)
Johnny Hagner .... stunts (uncredited)
Donna Hall .... stunt double: Debbie Reynolds (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward .... stunts (uncredited)
Charles Horvath .... stunts (uncredited)
Loren Janes .... stunt double: Debbie Reynolds (uncredited)
Loren Janes .... stunts (uncredited)
Roy Jenson .... stunts (uncredited)
Leroy Johnson .... stunts (uncredited)
Eddie Juaregui .... stunts (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
Ted Mapes .... stunts (uncredited)
Troy Melton .... stunts (uncredited)
Louise Montana .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Hal Needham .... stunts (uncredited)
Harvey Parry .... stunts (uncredited)
Gil Perkins .... stunts (uncredited)
Carl Pitti .... stunts (uncredited)
Rusty Richards .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)
Victor Romito .... stunts (uncredited)
Ronnie Rondell Jr. .... stunts (uncredited)
Danny Sands .... stunts (uncredited)
Dean Smith .... stunts (uncredited)
Richard Talmadge .... stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Bob Terhune .... stunts (uncredited)
Ken Terrell .... stunts (uncredited)
Autry Ward .... stunts (uncredited)
Troy Ward .... stunts (uncredited)
Jack Williams .... stunts (uncredited)
Henry Wills .... stunts (uncredited)
Jack Young .... stunts (uncredited)
Joe Yrigoyen .... stunts (uncredited)

Other crew
Sammy Cahn .... lyricist: "Home in the Meadow" (song title uncredited)
Ken Darby .... lyricist: title song
Robert Emmett Dolan .... music adaptor: "Home in the Meadow"
Robert Emmett Dolan .... music coordinator: "Home in the Meadow"
Dave Guard .... singer: "The Erie Canal"

Trivia

* Some stock footage from other (non-Cinerama) epics were used. The Mexican army marching past the Alamo came from The Alamo (1960) and a civil war battle was taken from Raintree County (1957). The final scenes of the modern U.S. were from This Is Cinerama (1952).

* No ordinary "single-camera" version was filmed simultaneously with the Cinerama version, resulting in two noticeable dividing lines on the non-Cinerama theater prints, video, TV, and DVD versions (indicating the three synchronized film strips originally used). The same problem occurred with the other Cinerama film in release at the time,
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962), which had not been shot in a "single-camera" version either. Both were MGM films.

* Since the three lenses of the Cinerama camera sat at angles to each other on the camera itself, it was very problematic for actors to film a scene as they would in front of a single-lensed movie camera. When their images were projected onto the three panels of the Cinerama screen, it would appear as though the actors were looking either slightly up-screen or slightly down-screen, and not directly at their fellow actors. This is very evident in a few scenes in "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm." However, by the time "How The West Was Won" went into production, this problem was solved somewhat. In order to compensate for the lens angles, actors would have to look one-third of the way in and toward the camera, and pretend that they were looking at their fellow actors. Hence, when their images were projected onto the Cinerama screen, it would appear as though they were looking at each other. It was a very difficult process for actors, which is one of the reasons that 3-panel Cinerama was abandoned for narrative films after "How the West Was Won."

* The first non-documentary Cinerama film, it was also one of the last to use the old three-camera technique, resulting in two very visible, somewhat distracting, dividing lines in the non-Cinerama print and all TV and home video versions.

* Hope Lange was cast as a love interest for George Peppard's character, but her scenes were cut from the final print of the film.

* A comic book version of "How The West Was Won" was released in conjunction with the film's release, as was the practice back then with all family and children's films. In the comic book, when Sheriff Ramsay (the 'Lee J. Cobb (I)' character) tries to prevent Zeb Rawlings (the George Peppard character) from going after the outlaw Gant (the Eli Wallach character), Rawlings whacks Ramsay over the head with his rifle and knocks him unconscious, which explains the bandage on Ramsay's forehead in the next scene. No such explanation is offered in the film; it is as if somebody had edited something out.

* Stuntman Bob Morgan was seriously injured, and almost died, while performing a stunt in this picture. Toward the end of the film, there is a gunfight on a moving train between the sheriff and a gang of train robbers. Morgan was one of the stuntmen playing a robber and was crouched next to a pile of logs on a flatcar. The chains holding the logs together snapped, and Morgan was crushed by the falling logs. He was so badly hurt it took him five years to recover to the point where he was able to move by himself and walk unaided.

* Due to the detail that would have been shown via the Cinerama process, the costumes had to be sewn by hand rather than with a sewing machine as they would have been during the time periods depicted in the movie.

* Debbie Reynolds and George Peppard are the only cast members who appear in three of the five sequences in the film.

* One of the few American films to have its world premiere in London, England.

* Because the 2 dividing lines that separate the 3 separate projections could not be totally edited into a seamless match, the directors skillfully used camouflage techniques to disguise the lines. Some of the objects used for this were trees, lamp posts, window edges, porch rails, building corners, doorways and wooden crates which were positioned at these points.

* This was one of only two films made in true Cinerama which were shown in regular theatres after their first runs.
None of the previous Cinerama films were ever shown in regular theatres because they were travelogues and
documentaries made only to show off the process, as opposed to telling a story, and it would have been pointless to show these in a "regular" format.

Goofs

* Plot holes: No explanation of why Sheriff Ramsey is fine in one scene and wearing a bandage on his forehead in the next, immediately following.

* Plot holes: When the Prescotts first see Linus Rawings, he's heading "upstream" and they are heading "downstream" so how do both end up at the Jeb Hawkin's place on the river (the Pirate's trading post)?
This is never explained.

* Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): While she is refusing Morgan's proposal, Lilith's shoulder strap is on/off her shoulder between shots.

Filming Locations
Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota, USA
Battery Rock, Shawnee National Forest, Illinois, USA
Bent's Old Fort National Monument - 35110 Highway 194 East, La Junta,Colorado, USA
Black Hills, South Dakota, USA
Cave-In-Rock State Park - 1 New State Park Road, Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, USA
Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA
Custer State Park - U.S. Highway 16A, Custer, South Dakota, USA
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, Durango, Colorado, USA
Inyo National Forest, California, USA
Lone Pine, California, USA
Monument Valley, Utah, USA
Oatman, Arizona, USA
Paducah, Kentucky, USA
Superior, Arizona, USA
Tonto National Forest, Arizona, USA
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Uncompaghre National Forest, Colorado, USA
Verde River railroad bridge, Perkinsville, Arizona, USA

Previous discussion:-
How The West Was Won ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Memorable Quotes

Zebulon Prescott: O Lord, without consulting with Thee, we have sent thy way some souls whose evil ways passeth all understanding.
We ask Thee humbly to receive them...whether you want them or not! Amen.

Mike King: Why did you bring those bodies here?
Jethro Stuart: They're railroaders. I thought somebody in the railroad might be interested.

Mike King: I'm the railroad and I'm not interested!
Narrator: [speaking about the Civil War] After Shiloh, the South never smiled.

Narrator: [speaking about the Erie Canal] ...about 150 years ago,
an idea took shape in the mind of a man named DeWitt Clinton. And in the way Americans have of acting out their dreams,
it came to be.

Zebulon 'Zeb' Rawlings: Mike King don't own the railroad!
Jethro Stuart: Oh? I don't think he knows that.

Agatha Clegg: [Lily has asked to partner-up with Agatha in a wagon train] You know something ?
I got a hunch you're gonna draw men like fish to bait. Maybe I can catch one of them while they swim by.
You got yourself a partner.

INFORMATION IMDb

Hi,

HOW THE WEST WAS WON, was an expensive, sprawling epic,
using 3 different directors.
It was a hugely successful film, and when it was first released, it remained at cinemas,
not for just week, but for months and in some cases a couple of years.
The CINERAMA process, thrilling audiences of all ages.
I saw it on the big screen, several times!!

Duke accepted a cameo in this film as a courtesy to John Ford,
and his involvement, was impersonating Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.
He worked for 6 days, and his screen time is about three and a half minutes.
His role is little more than support, in a scene centered around actor George Peppard.

A brilliant film, with sadly too little of Duke,
Rating 8/10

Concerning stuntman Bob Morgans injuries, if anyone wants to see what the results are, just watch the documentary about the making of The Alamo on the The Alamo DVD or the VHS Directors Cut. He appears on screen talking about the movie and his face is horribly disfigured. Those stunt guys are brave fellows indeed.

One part of the movie I wished they'd have done differently is during the Civil War part. When in that cabin they bring in the body of Linus Rawlings to be treated and the doctor says he's dead, then right outside is his son Jeb, who knows nothing about it. I wish they had done it so Jeb found out right then, just by hearing that one soldier say to the doctor, "but, this is Linus Rawlings". Just would have liked to see him in a final moment with his father. I also read the book and it tied up a few loose ends. Like the fact that one of Jeb Rawlings uncles had become an outlaw. I don't remember if they touched on that in the movie but, in the book, Fondas character meets up with Jebs uncle and gang and they end up in a confrontation but, not after they both found their mutual connection.

John Ford aside I wish Duke had been given the role of the Sheriff at the end of the movie who has to confront Eli Wallachs gang durring the train shootout (which was quite poorly directed).

This movie could have been made without Duke and he adds nothing to it which is unfortunate from that perspective.

However overall this is an excellent movie very innovative and well done.

:agent:

Duke's Movie Locations

Filming Locations

Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota, USA

Battery Rock, Shawnee National Forest, Illinois, USA

Bent's Old Fort National Monument - 35110 Highway 194 East, La Junta, Colorado, USA

Black Hills, South Dakota, USA

Cave-In-Rock State Park - 1 New State Park Road, Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, USA

Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA

Custer State Park - U.S. Highway 16A, Custer, South Dakota, USA

Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, Durango, Colorado, USA

Inyo National Forest, California, USA

Lone Pine, California, USA

Monument Valley, Utah, USA

Oatman, Arizona, USA

Paducah, Kentucky, USA

Superior, Arizona, USA

Tonto National Forest, Arizona, USA

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Uncompaghre National Forest, Colorado, USA

Verde River railroad bridge, Perkinsville, Arizona, USA

Keith, which Wayne movies were filmed at Bents Old Fort, Custer State Park and, the Black Hills? I've been to all three places and I'm just curious. Actually, Custer State Park is part of the overall Black Hills.

Hi WaynamoJim,

Besides this film
I am sure other Duke movies,
were shot around, this area,
Custer State Park, ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
particularly,The Badlands,
and The Black Hills, and as soon
as I come across them, I will post them.
Many scenes from this movie were shot here,
though it's very un-likely, they featured Duke.
His very short segment, looked like studio takes anyway!
As far as
Bent's Old Fort ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
and it looks a great place,
so far, I have not come across
any Duke movie filmed there.

However, my research is an ongoing project,
so I will let you know, if and when
I come across anything

Trivia

* No ordinary "single-camera" version was filmed simultaneously with the Cinerama version, resulting in two noticeable dividing lines on the non-Cinerama theater prints, video, TV, and DVD versions (indicating the three synchronized film strips originally used).

* The first non-documentary Cinerama film, it was also one of the last to use the old three-camera technique, resulting in two very visible, somewhat distracting, dividing lines in the non-Cinerama print and all TV and home video versions.

* Stuntman Bob Morgan was seriously injured, and almost died, while performing a stunt in this picture. Toward the end of the film, there is a gunfight on a moving train between the sheriff and a gang of train robbers. Morgan was one of the stuntmen playing a robber and was crouched next to a pile of logs on a flatcar. The chains holding the logs together snapped, and Morgan was crushed by the falling logs. He was so badly hurt it took him five years to recover to the point where he was able to move by himself and walk unaided.

Goofs

* Plot holes: When the Prescotts first see Linus Rawings, he's heading "upstream" and they are heading "downstream" so how do both end up at the Jeb Hawkin's place on the river (the Pirate's trading post)? This is never explained.

We watched this film tonight, a first for both the Mrs. and our number three son. It is a VHS copy, and we noticed the lines, but just assumed it was due to the age of the tape. Then we came on here and read that the lines are due to the Cinerama process.

That train ride and gunfight near the end, where the chains snap on the logs, is a real nail-biter, and now we read that one of the stuntmen was seriously injured in that scene.

Finally, we were all actually commenting on that little "goof" where the family was apparently headed in the opposite direction from Linus Rawlings, yet they both end up in the same place, so it's nice to know we were right up there "noticing" things.

It was an enjoyable epic film, with an all star cast, and while John Wayne's presence didn't add that much, it was a pleasant bonus to hear his voice in the midst of the whole story.

Debbie Reynolds did a great job (as usual) with her ability to inspire people with song, from the beginning to the very end of the movie.

On the whole, I do think the movie could have been done better. It seemed like there might have been too many cooks in the kitchen.

Chester :newyear:

Hi

I went up to London to see the film as a part of a day trip. I must admit the three screen process was off putting but the film remains to this day one of my favourites and thanks to Colorado Bob supplying me with a two disc sound track of the music which I play continually , the film will remain on of my favourites.

Incidentally How the West Was Won was not the first film to be shot in a three screen process. One of the first was in the 1920 when Abel Gance made Napoleon a four hour epic silent. This film was lost until painstakinglytracked down and put together and shown in the 1970 to a new audience of film goers who up to that time were proably unaware that the film ever existed.

Regards

Arthur

Hi

With regard to Bob Morgan I just had this delivered after buying it on ebay

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

Taken on August 7th 1958 the title says

YVONNE DE CARLO ARRIVES IN LONDON.

It goes on to say:-
'Among the arrivals at London Airport this morning from New York was screen star Yvonne de Carlo and her husband Robert Morgan. Yvonne is making a short stay in London before leaving for Rome for filming in Mary Magdalen'.

It shows the perils of being a jobbing actor married to a super star.

Regards

Arthur

Hi


With regard to Bob Morgan and his accident this is direct 'from the horses mouth' so to speak.

During 1992 editor Tim Lilley contacted Robert Morgan and in a telephone conversation which at time was very animated conducted an interview which he put in his book 'Campfire Conversations'.

After talking about his early life and start in the movie industry the topic got round to Morgans' accident in 'How The West Was Won'

You see I didn't get knocked off the train into the wall of the canyon or whatever. I got knocked under the train. It happened after the stunt was done. You'e seen the scene. I was sitting on the leading edge of three runaway cars. I'd been working on those logs with (Chuck) Hayward. All of a sudden, the assistant director made a mistake and said "logs, centre!" and 15,000 pounds of logs hit me in the right shoulder and knocked me off right toward the left rail of the train. I was going to be decapitated. And I said "God damn, what a way to go!" ......but then something told me not to get up and I twisted real fast,......and tried to get my legs under me to get out of there. Then the train hit me. I was in about a twenty degree attitude between the rails. The first thing it did was break my back. All three cars, they were going about twenty five miles an hour, ran over me. When (Chuck) Hayward got to me, the first aid man just threw up his hands and couldn't handle it, Hayward knew enough to pull me through. I can't give him enough credit. Hayward was a hell of a guy!

Later when asked about the bumps and bruises he had collected over his career over his career Morgan said:
Well the biggest was, of course, 'How The West Was Won'. I still suffer from that. I've had ten eye operations the last three years on the right eye. Old Hayward he was very funny about that. he said, "Bob, you only complained about one thing. That was the sand in your eye. That wasn't sand. I had to tie the eyeball in with gauze." He took me into hospital.....You should talk to him sometimes.
(From CAMPFIRE CONVERSATIONS pp 55-64).

Two years later Tim Lilley eventually tracked Chuck Hayward down but nothing was ever printed about his part in saving Morgans life.

During 1995 when researching for 'Campfires Glow' Tim Lilley interviewed Walter Reed during the interview Reed mentioned going to see Morgan after the accident:-
I was visiting my father in Prescott when he (Morgan) got in that terrible accident. I went down to Phoenix to see him. I wasn't a real good friend of Bob's but I liked him. Boy I'll tell you he had his leg off and the eye sewn shut. I went into the room where the guy was working on him and he had a hole in his back that must have been three inches wide and three inches deep and it was just horrible. And they were working on the other leg. I didn't think he would walk on the other leg. When I got out of the room, the doctor said, "You know Bob Morgan wouldn't be alive if he wern't such a great athlete. He was in absolutely perfect shape". And I think that's true. As an athlete he was the finest stuntman I ever saw.....
From CAMPFIRES GLOW pg 101

Regards

Arthur

Hi

Just acquired a picture of the villain of the piece Eli Wallach in How The West Was Won

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

Regards

Arthur

Hi

Some of the cast highlighted

John Wayne
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Karl Malden

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Debbie Reynolds

Hi

Heres some more:-

David Brian

[Only registered and activated users can see links]


Lee J. Cobb:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Richard Widmark:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Hi

I don't understand why I'm doubling up all of the time but I will get it sorted.

Here's three more (or should that be 3x2 :ohmy: )

Thelma Ritter
[Only registered and activated users can see links]


Walter Brennen

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Mickey Shaugnessy

[Only registered and activated users can see links]




Regards

Arthur

Hi

Havan't got the hang of this darned thing yet but I will get it right

Here's three more or the same three twice


They are

Brigid Bazlan, Carolyn Jones and James Stewart

Regards

Arthur

Hey it works :stunned:

Thanks Jim and Sue I followed your instructions to the letter and it happened. Brilliant

Best Regards

Arthur

Hi

Now I'm on a roll here's three more


The Narrator Spencer Tracey, George Peppard and Andy Devine



Regards

Arthur

Hi

And three more:-

Russ Tamblyn as the confederate deserter

Agness Moorehead

and Gregory Peck


Regards

Arthur

Hi

Three More of the stars of How The West Was Won

Harry (Henry) Morgan as General Grant

Eli Wallach as the outlaw Charlie Gant

and

Raymond Massey as Abraham Lincoln

Regards Arthur

Hi

And to complete the all star cast the final two:-


Robert Preston

and Henry Fonda


Regards

Arthur

Hi

I thought I'd finished with this bit but here's another poster.


Regards

Arthur

One of my family's all time favorite westerns! We saw this at the Honolulu Cinerama theatre in December 1963, and were just blown away by the beauty of the film, it's immense screen that curved around the theatre, and the sound system that thundered in your ear. When the shell burst in the Civil War episode right after Zeb killed the reb deserter, my little brother, who was sitting on my father's lap, almost jumped into orbit! He went around singing "Home in the Meadow" for weeks afterward. The great soundtrack was the second one I got, the first being (of course) Duke's "The Alamo".

The well done book, written after by Louis L' Amour, does ties up some Prescott family loose ends. For example, Sam Prescott, who is the older son who leg is broken in the battle with the river pirates, becomes a surveyor who is killed by Cheyenne in the railroad sequence (not the same ones that Jethro Stuart (Hank Fonda) brings in.) Zeb, as Lt. of US Cavalry, finds the bodies and has them buried, but is haunted by one of them, who looks like his mother Eve. The other Prescott son, Zeke, becomes the outlaw Zeke Ralls, whose gang rides into Jethro Start's camp. Ralls mortally wounds Jethro Stuart before dying in an attack from a grizzley bear that Jethro lures on him & his gang.

My family remembers the shock of seeing Walter Brennan playing a cruel river pirate who jams a pistol into the belly of one of the Harvey's and blows his guts across the room! All in all, it was a film to remember!

We watched this movie recently, the first time for the Mrs. It was quite enjoyable, and to echo Mark's thoughts, it was quite a shock to see Walter Brennan as a bad guy!

I found some more posters, different from Keith's in the first post in this thread (though similar) and Arthur's. The first two highlight the all-star cast, and the third one is a 1970 reissue.

This movie disappointed me greatly when I first saw it, I of course bought for John Wayne's part and when I realized I had waited for over an hour to see Duke and his part was only very brief I almost cried.

However after a second viewing the only thing that was annoying were those lines running down the screen. Other than that it's an enjoyable movie.

While on holiday in Yorkshire some years ago I managed to rent this movie out on video. I didn't know most of the stars then, apart from Duke and Henry Fonda. Sadly it's not available on DVD in this country.

I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable this film was. I especially liked James Stewart and Gregory Peck in unusual roles for them. Pity of course that Duke's part is so small, he looked real good.
Good to know that those lines on the screen were not the problem of my copy only. I won't complain to the seller then

Warner's has plans to release an Ultimate Collectors Edition of this film, in the same vein as Rio Bravo and The Searchers. I believe this fall is the target release.

Arthur, I don't remember if I have read previously all you shared here, regarding Robert Morgan's accident, and also the pictures, but it made for fascinating reading this morning, and I wanted to thank you for enhancing an already great thread with your pictures and text.

Chester :newyear:

If only everyone could see this fine film in cinerama, what a wonderful time you would have.I loved movies in this format.

I watched this movie at "Theatre Tokyo" in Jan.1963.
It was fortunate ennough to seeing this by original cinerama format.
Theatre Tokyo that was one in only two cinerama thatre in Japan
disappears now,and the hotel has been built.

The power of the scene of buffalo stampede and train derailed scene
was a hell on wheels. Indeed that was tremendous.(in cinerama only,not video)

After 28 years,in 1991,again i saw the graet buffalo stampede scene ,
that was in "Dance with Wolves".

Both scene was filmed at the same location,South Dakota.
Wow!,same buffalo herd appeared?

Regards,
H.sanada

Here is an example of the book by Louis L'amour. Enjoy!

Mark

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Hi

I had the paperback copy nowhere near as impressive as yours.

Regards

Arthur

I have been trumpeting this release since the beginning of the year, and now I have early technical details for the 2 disc special edition, and the Ultimate Collectors Edition.

Further Details: Release Date August 26th. 2008
Warner Home Video has announced a 2-disc special edition of How the West Was Won which stars John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and James Stewart. The set will be available to own from the 26th August, and should retail at around $20.97. As well as a remastered and restored widescreen presentation, the 2-disc release will include a Film Historian Commentary, Dave Strohmaier’s critically-acclaimed, feature-length documentary Cinerama® Adventure, Making of How the West Was Won (Archival featurette), and the original theatrical trailer. An Ultimate Collector’s Edition will also be available for $59.92. This will include the 2-disc special edition, as well as a 20-page theatrical press book reproduction, 10 behind-the-scenes photo cards and 10 postcards, and an exclusive movie poster offer.

Streeting simultaneously will also be a Blu-ray™ Hi-Def ($34.99 SRP) version. Again, all the 2-disc features will be included, along with special Digi-book packaging featuring 32-pages of rare press materials and behind-the-scenes photos. Also, exclusive to Blu-ray is the “SmileBox” version of the film which presents the image with a unique curvature that virtually recreates the true Cinerama® experience in a home theater. The artwork hasn't been revealed for these releases yet, but we'll bring you that shortly.

Further Details: August 26th 2008
Warner Home Video has announced a 2-disc special edition of How the West Was Won which stars John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and James Stewart. The set will be available to own from the 26th August, and should retail at around $20.97. As well as a remastered and restored widescreen presentation, the 2-disc release will include a Film Historian Commentary, Dave Strohmaier’s critically-acclaimed, feature-length documentary Cinerama® Adventure, Making of How the West Was Won (Archival featurette), and the original theatrical trailer. An Ultimate Collector’s Edition will also be available for $59.92. This will include the 2-disc special edition, as well as a 20-page theatrical press book reproduction, 10 behind-the-scenes photo cards and 10 postcards, and an exclusive movie poster offer.

Streeting simultaneously will also be a Blu-ray™ Hi-Def ($34.99 SRP) version. Again, all the 2-disc features will be included, along with special Digi-book packaging featuring 32-pages of rare press materials and behind-the-scenes photos. Also, exclusive to Blu-ray is the “SmileBox” version of the film which presents the image with a unique curvature that virtually recreates the true Cinerama® experience in a home theater.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Further Details: August 26th 2008
Warner Home Video has announced a 2-disc special edition of How the West Was Won which stars John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and James Stewart. The set will be available to own from the 26th August, and should retail at around $20.97. As well as a remastered and restored widescreen presentation, the 2-disc release will include a Film Historian Commentary, Dave Strohmaier’s critically-acclaimed, feature-length documentary Cinerama® Adventure, Making of How the West Was Won (Archival featurette), and the original theatrical trailer. An Ultimate Collector’s Edition will also be available for $59.92. This will include the 2-disc special edition, as well as a 20-page theatrical press book reproduction, 10 behind-the-scenes photo cards and 10 postcards, and an exclusive movie poster offer.

Streeting simultaneously will also be a Blu-ray™ Hi-Def ($34.99 SRP) version. Again, all the 2-disc features will be included, along with special Digi-book packaging featuring 32-pages of rare press materials and behind-the-scenes photos. Also, exclusive to Blu-ray is the “SmileBox” version of the film which presents the image with a unique curvature that virtually recreates the true Cinerama® experience in a home theater. The artwork hasn't been revealed for these releases yet, but we'll bring you that shortly.

I wonder if these new super-duper editions have managed to eliminate the two vertical lines that delineated where the other screens (or other projectors-can't remember which) always showed in the older version. I love that movie but those durned lines bother the heck out of me.

They have indeed erased those two vertical lines. At least as best as they could do.

Hi Lt. Brannigan,
Thanks for your very interesting post.
I note from your post on the other thread,
that they have managed to eliminate the vertical lines.
That is good news.
It is gratifying that at least modern technology,
is bringing us Duke's image even clearer that ever before.
Even in the case of HT[Only registered and activated users can see links] if for just a few seconds!

Hi

And the $64,000 question when will it be released in Britain?

Regards

Arthur

Hi

And the $64,000 question when will it be released in Britain?

Regards

Arthur

The 29th of September.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

There will be a Blu-ray release on the same day.

Where do I collect the money?

Regards
Popol Vuh

The 29th of September.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

There will be a Blu-ray release on the same day.

Where do I collect the money?

Regards
Popol Vuh

Hi Popol

Its great to see you back on the forum again, I wasn't sure if you would ever make any more posts.

:agent:

Thank you Popul
It's good to hear from the 'cheeky monkey'
again lol!!

Thanks guys. I still lurk here even though I have not been posting.

That would be great. I kinda agree with Stumpy on those lines, but I've seen them so long that I just figured it will always be there, and if this version does not eliminate it, then I won't bother to purchase it, mainly because Duke is in only a few minutes with Harry Morgan playing General Grant and General Sherman.

Cheers :cool:

Sure the duke's only in it for a few minutes, but I thought it was a pretty good film. But whether or not I buy the new version will depend entirely on the packaging. I am a sucker for a good lookin package. I love the ultimate version (or what ever it's called ) of the Searchers and Rio Bravo that I bought. If it looks like that, then I won't be able to help myself!

i have never seen this picture but i have been wanting to for a while. i have read here that Duke is only in for a few minutes or so :glare: but is good, bad, too long, stupid what?

Duke accepted a cameo in this film as a courtesy to John Ford,
and his involvement, was impersonating Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.
He worked for 6 days, and his screen time is about three and a half minutes.
His role is little more than support, in a scene centered around actor George Peppard.


That's correct, and if you follow the thread from, the
top, there has been lots of discussion.

. . . but is it good, bad, too long, stupid what?
It is a pretty good movie, it is definitely a long movie. If you watch it to see John Wayne, you will be disappointed, because as you can see, his part is just a very few minutes in a long movie. However, as Westerns go, and an interesting story of family through generations and different aspects of history, it is worth watching. Getting to see Duke in it is like an added treat. If you like many of the older stars (see Keith's original post ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) for a listing of the full cast), this is a cornucopia of them in one film.

Chester :newyear:

I have the "original" release DVD. The story is actually a very good one as Chester has said. The only problem with the version that I have is that, due to the Cinerama filming and the use of 3 camera's there are distinct "lines" where the films have been "mated" together. Supposedly the new version coming out will have all that corrected. I would wait for that version.

I know that I am going to be looking at the Blu Ray version as I just received a early birthday present this weekend, a Playstation 3 !!!!! Now I can watch Blu Ray high def movie's and play my favorite game, Guitar Hero, all on the big screen and in full surrond sound!!

They have an ad for this in the newest issue of True West magazine. The movie will be released on Sept. 9th and it's been restored and remastered from the original Cinerama 3 panel release. There will be 2 disc Special Edition, a 3 disc Collectors Edition and, the Blue Ray two disc Collectors Edition. The collector edtions will have both the Cinerama versions and widescreen letterbox versions, along with collector books, photos, lobby cards and on one of the discs, the acclaimed Cinerama Adventure documentary.

How The West Was Won- Ultimate Collectors Edition

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Released Stateside September.
This edition is loaded with memorabilia,
including:-

20 page theatrical press book reproduction,
10 behind the scenes photo cards
10 postcards and an
Exclusive Movie poster offer.

The discs also feature:-

Film historian commentary
Dave Strohmaiers crtitcally acclaimed, feature length documentary,
Cinerama-Adventure.
The Making Of How The West Was Won
Original Theatrical Trailer

also available as a three disc special edition
and a two disc edition.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

With modern technology the lines seperating the three cameras,
have been removed, almost!

I just looked at the Blu-Ray version at Best Buy. Its $30, so I will save a few more pennies before I go get it. Looks much better then my old version of the film.

How The West Was Won- Ultimate Collectors Edition

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Released Stateside September.

With modern technology the lines seperating the three cameras,
have been removed, almost!

I got my copy 5 or 6 days ago (though I haven't watched it yet.) It was always one of my favorite Westerns but those two vertical lines in the first release just bugged the heck out of me.

Hi

Can't wait for it to be released over here, apparently about the end of September. It looks good.

Regards

Arthur

Hi

Finally got my copy on Thursday it looks good but I haven't watched it. I'll pick a time when I can devote alot of time and watch it then.

Regards

Arthur

They did a really nice job on cleaning up the movie with this lastest release. I have the Blu-Ray version and the audio is superb. There is really cool thing they did with the Blu-Ray version. They have a 2nd version of the film in the style of the cinerama process. It is pretty cool as it gives you that "wrap around" feeling.

I like this movie very much and was so happy about the good quality of the DVD release. Unfortunately Duke has only a cameo role. Most of the segments were directed by Henry Hathaway (next to John Ford and George Marshall). He is a good director but I wished some other Directors (maybe Anthony Mann, John Sturges ...) were involved in that project too.