Filmography compiled by ethanedwards
with special thanks to J.J. for the use of his post.

THE ALAMO

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY JOHN WAYNE
MUSIC BY DIMITRI TIOMKIN
A BATJAC PRODUCTION
UNITED ARTISTS

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/aB000164TY603LZZZZZZZ.jpg..http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/the_alamo.jpg

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
In 1836 General Santa Anna and the Mexican army is sweeping across Texas.
To be able to stop him, General Sam Huston needs time to get his main force into shape.
To buy that time he orders Colonel William Travis to defend a small mission on the Mexicans' route at all costs.
Travis' small troop is swelled by groups accompanying Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett,
but as the situation becomes ever more desperate Travis makes it clear there will be no shame if they leave while they can.
Summary written by Jeremy Perkins

Full Cast
John Wayne .... Col. Davy Crockett
Richard Widmark .... Jim Bowie
Laurence Harvey .... Col. William Travis
Frankie Avalon .... Smitty
Patrick Wayne .... Capt. James Butler Bonham
Linda Cristal .... Graciela Carmela Maria 'Flaca' de Lopez y Vejar
Joan O'Brien .... Mrs. Sue Dickinson
Chill Wills .... Beekeeper
Joseph Calleia .... Juan Seguin
Ken Curtis .... Capt. Almeron Dickinson
Carlos Arruza .... Lt. Reyes
Jester Hairston .... Jethro
Veda Ann Borg .... Blind Nell Robertson
John Dierkes .... Jocko Robertson
Denver Pyle .... Thimblerig (the Gambler)
Aissa Wayne .... Lisa Angelica Dickinson
Hank Worden .... Parson
William Henry .... Dr. Sutherland (as Bill Henry)
Bill Daniel .... Col. Neill
Wesley Lau .... Emil Sande
Chuck Roberson .... Tennesseean (segment "It do.")
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams .... Lt. 'Irish' Finn (as Guinn Williams)
Olive Carey .... Mrs. Dennison
Ruben Padilla .... Generalissimo Antonio Miguel Lopez de Santa Anna
Richard Boone .... Gen. Sam Houston
Ray Ackland .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Charles Akins .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Harold Allgood .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Lee Allison .... Tennessean (uncredited)
D.E. Barentine .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Carol Baxter .... Melinda, Texan Girl (uncredited)
Abe Blankenship .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
F. Bode .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Danny Borzage .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Buff Brady .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Paul Breen .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Jim Brewer .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Jim Burk .... Tennessean (uncredited)
H.J. Canutt .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Tap Canutt .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
A.R. Carpenter .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Ed Carter .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Georges Cartes .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Vincente Castro .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Raul De Luna .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
LeJean Eldridge .... Mrs. Guy (uncredited)
Rojelio Estrada .... Mexican boy (uncredited)
Estill Ezell .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Manuel Farias .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Mickey Finn .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Gerry Fisher .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Karl Flenn .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Miguel Garza .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Yndalecio Gonzales .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Mike Goulla .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Fred Graham .... Bearded volunteer (uncredited)
Joe Graham .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Big John Hamilton .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Robert H. Harris .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Tom Hennesy .... Bull (uncredited)
Frank Higgins .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Doug Hodges .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Junior Hudkins .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Joe Jackson .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Leroy Johnson .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Elmo Jones .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Eddie Juaregui .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Wayne Kendrick .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Jim Kennedy .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Charles Kone .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
David Kuykendall .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Ronald Lee .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... (uncredited)
Efrain Maldonada .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Cy Malis .... Pete (uncredited)
Bryan McAfee .... Travis' man (uncredited)
John McGuyer .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Doug McNealy .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Don Middlebrook .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Jack Miller .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
J.R. Miller .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Bob Morgan .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Bob Moss Sr. .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
C.A. Nicks .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Ray Ochoa .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Dale Parsons .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Jack Pennick .... Sgt. Lightfoot (uncredited)
Gil Perkins .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Jerry Phillips .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Homer Pierce .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Lee Roy Powell .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Lupe Reyes .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Warren Rhea .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Ed Riley .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Rudy Robbins .... Tennessean (segment "Do this mean what I think it do?") (uncredited)
Cruz Rodriquez .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Eleno Rodriquez .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Ricardo Rosales .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Bob Rose .... Tennessean (uncredited)
George Ross .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
LeRoy Ryland .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Charles Sanders .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Alberto Sandoval .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Guadalupe Santoya .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Pete Schneider .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Bill Shannon .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Ben Shirley .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Chester Smith .... (uncredited)
Dan Smith .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Dean Smith .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
George Sofge .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Greg Souquet .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Jack Spain .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Jerry Sterner .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Winner Stevens .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Ted Sumerall .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Alfred Taylor .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Martin Torres .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Julian Trevino .... Silvero Seguin (uncredited)
Jesse Valdez .... Bowie's charro (uncredited)
Charles Veltmann Jr. .... Travis' man (uncredited)
Jim Walker .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Pilar Wayne .... (uncredited)
Toni Wayne .... (uncredited)
Ted White .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Bill Williams .... Tennessean (uncredited)
Jack Williams .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Clay Wilson .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Thomas Worrell .... Bowie's man (uncredited)
Jim Wright .... Bowie's man (uncredited)

Writing Credits
James Edward Grant original screenplay

Produced
James Edward Grant .... associate producer
John Wayne .... producer
Michael Wayne .... associate producer

Cinematography
William H. Clothier

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Cliff Lyons .... second unit director
Robert E. Relyea .... assistant director
Robert Saunders .... assistant director
Michael Wayne .... first assistant director: second unit (uncredited)

Stunts
Bill Babcock .... stunts (uncredited)
Buff Brady .... stunts (uncredited)
Jim Burk .... stunts (uncredited)
Joe Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Tap Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Harry Froboess .... stunts (uncredited)
Fred Graham .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Harris .... stunts (uncredited)
Bill Hart .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward .... stunts (uncredited)
Tom Hennesy .... stunts (uncredited)
Tex Hill .... stunts (uncredited)
John Hudkins .... stunts (uncredited)
Leroy Johnson .... stunts (uncredited)
Eddie Juaregui .... stunts (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Gil Perkins .... stunts (uncredited)
Rudy Robbins .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Rose .... stunts (uncredited)
Bill Shannon .... stunts (uncredited)
Dean Smith .... stunts (uncredited)
Gibb Stepp .... stunts (uncredited)
Ted White .... stunts (uncredited)
Bill Williams .... stunts (uncredited)
Jack Williams .... stunts (uncredited)
Thomas Worrell .... stunts (uncredited)
Jack Young .... stunts (uncredited)

Other crew
Frank Beetson Jr. .... technical supervisor (as Frank Beetson)
Russell Birdwell .... unit publicist
Jim Henaghan .... unit publicist
Robert E. Morrison .... production associate
Jack Pennick .... technical supervisor
Michael Wayne .... assistant to producer
Paul Francis Webster .... lyricist: "Tennessee Babe", "Here's to the Ladies" and "Ballad of the Alamo" (song titles uncredited)
Paul Francis Webster .... lyricist: "The Green Leaves of Summer"
Burt Kennedy .... production associate (uncredited)
George Parrish .... orchestrator (uncredited)
Denver Pyle .... set photographer (uncredited)

Trivia
LeJean Eldridge was murdered during filming by her boyfriend.

Lieutenant Finn's fall from his horse was unscripted and unintentional.

The huge Alamo set took two years to construct.

John Wayne originally intended that Richard Widmark should play Davy Crockett, while Wayne himself would have taken the small role of Sam Houston so he could focus his energy on directing the picture. However, Wayne was only able to get financial backing if he played one of the main parts, so he decided to play Crockett and cast Widmark as Jim Bowie.

During the battle sequence, one of the cannons rolled over the foot of Laurence Harvey, breaking it at the instep. He continued with the scene, eventually treating the injury himself.

John Wayne was a fan of The Kingston Trio's recording of "Remember the Alamo", composed by Jane Bowers, and wanted to use the song in the film. When, for various reasons, the rights to the song couldn't be obtained, Dimitri Tiomkin, who scored the film, and Paul Francis Webster wrote their own song for the film, "The Green Leaves of Summer".

John Wayne partially financed this film himself. During shooting, the film was delayed due to various production problems. Wayne was under so much pressure, he smoked cigarettes almost non-stop when not acting.

Charlton Heston was among the actors who were sent the script and John Wayne wanted him to play Jim Bowie. Heston later said there seemed good reasons for him not to do the film and, when pressed further, stated having John Wayne as director to be one of them.

Sammy Davis Jr. managed to obtain a copy of the script and asked John Wayne if he could play the straight role of a Negro slave. Wayne considered him but eventually declined Davis' offer. Davis recalled, "There were a lot of influential Texans investing in the film and they didn't like the idea that I was seeing [his future wife] May Britt at the time. They disapproved of a man of color going out with a girl who was white, though Duke [Wayne] was upfront with me about it and I respected him for it".

John Wayne intended this film to be an allegory for America's Cold War with the Soviet Union.

Clark Gable was offered the role of Davy Crockett but turned it down. Though Gable was a Republican who shared Wayne's anti-communist views, he did not want to commit to an expensive project with a first-time director.

Banned in Mexico.

Despite being a top-ten money maker for 1960, John Wayne assumed huge personal debt to get the film finished after United Artists refused to pay for cost overruns during production. It wasn't until the television rights sale in 1971 that Wayne's personal debts were finally paid off. It premiered on the U.S. network NBC in September 1971.

John Wayne and Richard Widmark famously did not get along during filming. Since Widmark was a liberal Democrat who opposed blacklisting and supported the civil-rights movement and gun control - positions diametrically opposed to Wayne's - it was long rumored that politics had been the cause of the problem. However, Widmark later cited Wayne's lack of directing skills as the reason for the feud. This was something Ken Curtis agreed with, since he remarked that Wayne had no ability to motivate an actor for a scene.

Sonny Tufts was at one point considered for the role of Jim Bowie, and Clark Gable for the role of William Travis.

Director John Ford showed up on the set, and let John Wayne know that he wanted to direct some of the picture. Wayne sent him out with a small crew to do some second-unit work, mostly of Mexican cavalry riding through the countryside as they approached the Alamo, and Frankie Avalon estimated that the footage filmed by Ford made up approximately 10%-15% of the finished film. Other sources, however, have said that Wayne eventually deemed most of Ford's footage unusable, and little if any of it made it into the final cut of the film. According to these sources, the footage that Ford believed he shot of the Mexican cavalry patrolling the countryside was actually re-shot by a second-unit director, although Wayne didn't have the heart to tell Ford.

Charlton Heston, then a moderate Democrat, turned down the role of Jim Bowie because he feared the critical response to the movie. However, later in life Heston turned around and wholeheartedly embraced right-wing Republican politics, also changing his mind about not accepting the part and saying that it was "a huge mistake".

John Wayne, in good fellowship, would reportedly refer to Richard Widmark by the nickname "Dick" when filming began, to which Widmark icily replied "It's Richard." After this, Wayne constantly and sarcastically emphasized Widmark's formal first name on the set, as in "Oh, RICHARD, are you ready for the next take, RICHARD?"

John Wayne formed a close friendship with Laurence Harvey during filming. He later said Harvey should have received an Oscar nomination instead of Chill Wills.

The Ybarra set was later used in several films and each made additions. By 1985, however, the set was mostly in ruins, and much of it was pulled down. Using plans and period drawings, the set was rebuilt for Alamo: The Price of Freedom (1988) on its old foundations, this time to full scale under Production Designer/Art Director Roger Ragland. The new set is still in use. Both "Lonesome Dove" (1989) and Bad Girls (1994/I) have used the historically correct facade.

Richard Boone showed up on the first day of filming, sporting a full beard. It was then pointed out his character General Houston didn't actually have a beard.

Shot over a period of 83 days.

The original blueprints of the Alamo were used to recreate the replica building.

Originally to save on expenses, Wayne planned to shoot the film in Mexico. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (the custodians of the real Alamo) sent him a letter that if he pursued with that course of action that he had better not show the film in Texas. Consequently Wayne found an amenable landowner, Happy Shahan, who allowed the production to film on his 20,000 acre ranch in Bracketville, Texas. When Wayne asked to meet the builder, he was introduced to a Mexican immigrant. A rather dubious Wayne asked him "Do you think you can build the Alamo?" to which the Mexican replied "Do you think you can make a picture, Mr Wayne?"

The climactic battle scenes involved 7,000 extras, 1,500 horses and 400 Texan longhorn cattle.

At the start of production on location just a few miles from the historic battlesite, Wayne had a clergyman say a prayer for the movie in front of the assembled cast and crew of 342, asking God to bless their work and help them produce a fitting testament to the brave men who died for the cause.

In the mid 1990s, a private Canadian film collector discovered what was believed to be the last surviving print of the 70mm premiere version in pristine condition. MGM used the print to make a digital video transfer of the roadshow version for VHS and LaserDisc but unfortunately stored it improperly in an archive where it dramatically deteriorated.

Dimitri Tiomkin's soundtrack for the film has been in continuous print for nearly 50 years.

Chill Wills' aggressive campaign to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar was generally thought to bring about a backlash, most people regarding his Variety ad in which the film's cast were praying harder for Wills to win the Oscar than the defenders of the Alamo themselves prayed on the night before the battle as a display of poor judgment. Wayne himself was appalled by the tastelessness of the ad and was forced to take out an ad himself, countering it.

Although the film did well at the box office, its high budget meant that it wasn't much of a success, so Wayne lost a great deal of his personal investment.

The set - now called Alamo Village - has since been used in over 100 other Westerns.

Wayne lobbied hard for Republic studios to fund a big budget Western. Republic, who dealt with low-budget B-movies, turned him down so Wayne was forced to finance much of the film himself. He took out a second mortgage on his homes and secured loans on his cars and yacht.

Both Clark Gable and Charlton Heston, the two actors John Wayne wanted most to do the film, both expressed regret at not taking the parts they were offered. Heston declined the role of 'Bowie' out of political ideology (a political view he later later vehemently rejected), and Gable passed due to to the age difference between himself and William Travis. Gable's family later said that he wanted to do the film as a way to do "a macho film" to escape the typecasting of Gone with the Wind (1939) as a romantic lead.

The set in which the film was made, now called "Alamo Village" is opened to the public in Bracketville, Texas, where there are shows, shops, and most of the buildings (including the Alamo Fort) are opened to the public daily.

The Alamo Village set near Brackettville was built "180 degrees out" from the actual Alamo layout in San Antonio. In other words, the facade of the chapel faces West in San Antonio, but it faces East in Alamo Village. When an Alamo Village employee was asked why this was done, he replied that, since there were several scenes set at dawn, director Wayne did not want to set up and shoot those scenes at dawn, but rather at sundown, which would be easier on the crew, and the audience would not know. He also said that Wayne thought that a small hill, located to the West of the Alamo Village set, would look good as a backdrop to some of the shots of the chapel. No such hill exists East of San Antonio.

Goofs
* Revealing mistakes: Stuntmen can be seen falling onto mattresses.

* Continuity: In a scene where Travis rides a horse, the shadow changes direction several times.

* Continuity: In the critical scene where Bowie and Crockett are on horseback, ready to depart with their troops, Col. Travis makes his farewell speech. His shadow then changes directions several times.

* Crew or equipment visible: In the battle sequences mobile trailers are clearly visible.

* Continuity: When Capt. Dickinson announces to Col. Travis that Bowie is approaching, there is a soldier on the Travis' right-hand side pulling up a cannon by a rope. It cuts to the next shot and the same soldier appears only gesticulating to orient whom actually is pulling the rope. Then, from one shot to another, the cannon appears on the wall.

* Continuity: In the church, the shadows of Beekeeper and Bowie's torches appears on the wall behind. It is supposed to be the only light inside came from the torches.

* Continuity: Talking to Crockett, Flaca grabs the window wide open grates with her both hands. In the following shot, shown from inside, she is leaning the right part of her body on the window and maintaining only the left hand on the grate.

* Continuity: When the Mexicans begin the siege of Alamo, Col. Travis uses a lunette to watch them, while Capt. Dickinson takes notes on his left-hand side. Between shots, seen from behind, Dickinson is on the Travis' right hand side.

* Continuity: After Col. Travis reprimands Bowie, Crockett remains talking to him. At one point, Crocket leans his hands on his hips. Next long shot he appears with his arms crossed.

* Continuity: Gen. Houston's shadow changes direction when he reads the letter delivered by Smitty.

* Revealing mistakes: During the last Mexican army attack, a dead soldier folds his right arm, approaching his hand to his head.

* Anachronisms: The soldiers sing "Happy Birthday to You" to a little girl, 57 years before it was written.

* Anachronisms: The distinctive Alamo church sports upper windows that were not installed until about 15 years after the battle. There are other architectural inaccuracies, too.

* Factual errors: There are numerous inaccuracies in the depiction of the events of the real battle.

* Continuity: The Tennessee volunteer who falls onto a bench while holding a woman on his shoulders disappears.

* Factual errors: Characters react to news of massacre at Goliad. That took place two weeks after the Alamo fell.

* Audio/visual unsynchronized: When a soldier is riding his horse, we can hear the horses hoofs clopping on the ground. When the horse jumps into the air to jump over a fallen log, we can still hear the clopping noise even when the horse is in mid-air.

* Continuity: At the end of the film, when Lisa Dickinson is being led away from the Alamo on a mule, a large smudge appears on her left cheek when she is being led past Santa Anna that was not present when she was placed on the mule.

* Factual errors: At the Alamo, Jim Bowie receives a letter informing him that his wife and children recently died of cholera. In reality, Ursula died Sept. 10, 1833, 2½ years earlier.

* Factual errors: Jim Bowie is shown in bed suffering from injuries received in an explosion during the siege. In reality, throughout the siege he was bedridden because of an illness believed to be pneumonia, typhoid or tuberculosis.

* Miscellaneous: At the very beginning, when General Houston and his men ride into town, Houston dismounts and enters a building for a meeting with Colonel Travis. One of Houston's men then asks if the General will allow his men to rest, as the last two forced marches have rather taken it out of them. Houston replies that the foot soldiers may and that the others are to be fed and their horses tended to before another forced march within the hour. But Houston and his men are all on horseback. There are no foot soldiers in his troop. After the meeting, Houston and his large force of men then all gallop off on horseback at quite a pace. So, if there ever were any foot soldiers, they would never have been able to catch up with Houston and his riders.

* Factual errors: In the movie, Flaca reads a letter that was ficticiously written by Mexican Dictator Santa Anna. She calls his first name as "Miguel" when in actuality his name was Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

* Factual errors: The opening scene of the movie shows Sam Houston giving orders to William Barrett Travis to hold off the Mexican army until he could build an army. In reality he sent Travis to the Alamo to help Jim Bowie burn it down and retreat to Gonzales, Texas. Bowie and Travis ignored the order.

* Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Sam Houston refers to the Alamo as being on the Rio Bravo (aka Rio Grande) when the Alamo is located on the San Antonio River.

* Continuity: As Davy is walking with Graciela through the woods after convincing his men to fight, his hat which he has under his arm flips 180 degrees between shots.

* Factual errors: In the battle Santa Ana wears a Shako helmet. That is the hat all of his foot soldiers wore, not him.

* Factual errors: By dawn, the battle at the Alamo was all but finished. It was essentially a night action.

* Continuity: When Crockett and his men arrive at the Alamo, he stops and is standing with his rifle across his body in both hands. When the camera angle changes, the rifle is upright and he is leaning on it.

* Continuity: When Crockett and his men arrive at the Alamo, and he is standing in front of his men, he is a few feet away from Bowie. When the camera angle changes, he is standing right next to Bowie.

* Continuity: When Crockett and his men arrive at the Alamo, and he is standing in front of his men, Beekeeper is several feet back dismounting his horse. When the camera angle changes, he is standing right behind Crockett.

* Revealing mistakes: Just prior to an explosion on the wall during the first battle, several Texans are seen from behind watching the Mexican attack. One of the "Texans" is an obvious wooden dummy, costumed and placed to absorb the greatest impact of the explosion.

* Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When Travis is killed he falls to the ground face down. As the Mexican soldiers overrun that position, one of them kicks Travis's hand. Some people think incorrectly that this is actor Harvey deliberately moving his hand to avoid being stepped on.

* Revealing mistakes: During the first attack by the Mexicans, you can see the Alamo's right side window (by the fence) is black after being burned from the huge explosion at the end of the film. This is clearly seen when they show a close up of Crockett at the fence area.

* Anachronisms: Susannah Dickinson's dresses have an obvious zipper. Zippers weren't invented until 1914 and weren't used on dresses until the 1930s.

* Factual errors: Col. Travis was shot in the forehead and died on the north wall early in the final battle.

* Factual errors: Col. Travis' last speech in the plaza asking for those who would to stay to the end did not show him draw a line in the sand with his sword. In reality two survivors, Moses Rose and Susannah Dickenson both reported he did.

* Errors in geography: The real Alamo in San Antonio faces west. In the movie you see a sunset behind the eastern facing Alamo.

* Continuity: At the beginning of the movie after the meeting at the Alamo Sam Houston is riding away. Behind him is the character Jocko riding a mule. Later, Jocko is one of the defenders saying a final goodbye to his family.

Memorable Quotes (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053580/quotes)

Filming Locations
Texas, USA
Austin, Texas, USA
Bastrop, Texas, USA (battle of San Jacinto)
Dripping Springs, Texas, USA
Driskell Hotel - 604 Brazos Street, Austin, Texas, USA
Jim Small's Big Thicket, Bastrop, Texas, USA (lake camp scenes)
Paramount Theatre - 713 Congress, Austin, Texas, USA
Pedernales Falls State Park - 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, Texas, USA
(Zacatecas and Mexican command scenes)
Reimer's Ranch - Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs, Texas, USA
(Alamo and Bexar scenes)
Steiner Ranch - 896 Sayers Road, Bastrop, Texas, USA
(Bexar & Alamo scenes

Watch the Trailer:-

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Previous discussion

The Alamo (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=80)

Filmography compiled by ethanedwards
with special thanks to J.J. for the use of his post.
__________________________________________________ _____________________________
Post by Jay J. Foraker
I thought I would share a little remembrance and nostalgia on the world premiere of the Duke's "The Alamo." This took place here in San Antonio in October, 1960 (I don't remember the exact date). My memory is a little fuzzy here since I had just graduated from high school the previous spring, but as I recall, this took place at what was then called Wonderland Mall with a lot of state, county and local dignitaries as well as a lot of media. This was given a lot of promotion and the celebration was telecast locally. I wasn't able to attend but did watch the telecast. Of course, the Duke was there and, as I remember, Chill Wills and some of the other cast were on hand (memory fails me here). Then everybody travelled down Fredericksburg Road to the Woodlawn Theater for the premiere.
Just thought I'd share this bit of nostalgia with everyone.

Have a great day!

:cowboy: Hi Jay, welcome to this great site. Also, my own Mother was at a breakfast that you had to pay a fee for to eat with John Wayne. From what I remember her telling me, she sat across the table from The Duke. My mother was also at the premier of The Alamo. I don't remember much more than this but I do recall she said that she ordered the same meal as John Wayne did at that breakfast, which was a Western Omlett.

I saw the original road show engagement of John Wayne's "The Alamo" a few weeks after its world premiere in 1960. When I was able to buy a VHS tape of the movie in the early '80s, I was extremely puzzled, because I was sure that the character Emil Sand met his demise at the hands of Crockett and Co. Sand just initiates that skirmish with Crockett, gets whipped with the help of Bowie, and then simply disappears off the map.
When some publicity about the release of the Director's Cut VHS was initiated in the early '90s, I salivated and made sure I got my copy the day it was released.
Sure 'nough, there were the missing scenes, among others - and - it was in letterbox - glory, glory day.
Like most of the rest of you folks have been saying - nothing can hold a candle to the uncut version of Duke's "The Alamo." Unfortunately, as I understand from the rest of the discussions on this site, the DVD is of the cut version, a vastly inferior presentation.


Jay

Regarding a folk legend about "The Alamo" - the rumor has been around for years that in one of the scenes during the battle, a Bracketville school bus can be seen in the background. I have looked at the uncut version several times without spotting this anomaly and would be interested if anyone else has seen this or has more info on this.

Thanks folks -
Jay

I have seen The Alamo many many times and thankfully on the big screen as well - and never seen that darn bus. I think people mess this up with a behind the scenes photo: When the final assault of the Mexicans was filmed, there was indeed a red bus in the background of the chapel -yet that's only on photographs.

(I've never seen the legendary wrist-watch in Ben-Hur either!)

Even with the director's cut and the scenes which have been missing for so long, there remain some scenes which have been shot yet never made it in the final Wayne-version. I'd love to see these:

When Frankie Avalon carries the fire-wood, he meets with his love-interest (the blonde girl, only to be seen in the final version when Frankie faints)

And the scene in which Crockett and his men enter San Antonio in their fancy clothes.

While the Alamo may not be my favourite movie by any strech of the imagination I do find the recovery of previously deleted scenes very interesting. From what I can understand scenes within the movie that previously seemed odd i.e. the henchman whom Duke fought with on the street just disappears out of the movie but the deleted scenes seem to show us more of what happened there now that can only improve the movie.

Itdo what do you think are the chances of actually finding scenes that Duke cut from the movie, I was watching a documentary about Humphrey Bogart a while ago and it was brilliant it not only showed many deleted scenes from his movies but alternative endings its a shame that nothing like this can be found for Dukes movies or is it a case of not looking in the right places.

Note I'm not writting in bold anymore as it has been brought to my attention that it can be translated as me shouting.

:agent:

:cowboy: I always was told by my parents to look for that bus and never could spot it though that said they always did. Guess I will have to watch The Alamo for my Thanksgiving movie. I never knew where to look but now I will look for it behind the Chapel.

I think that this movie shows the patriotic theme of America that makes it great. This is a classic Duke movie, and I cherish it as a Duke greatest.

Note I'm not writting in bold anymore as it has been brought to my attention that it can be translated as me shouting.


Robbie, you're a hoot!

Cheers B)

OK, Ringo Kid but don't spoil your fun watching the film by looking for that non-existing bus: I'm only saying I've seen photos of the bus parked behind the chapel (when filming the scene of the last wave of mexicans storming the chapel). I've never seen the bloody thing in the film (there are other bloopers to look for, unfortunately).

:cowboy: Hi Itdo, thanks for that ;-)

I do know of one blooper I can think of off hand.

This was a scene where after the Mexican Cannorfire blew a hole through one of the walls. There was a scene where the Mexican Soldiers were racing through the hole, ther was some sort of straw-covered roof? they were running under--which was on fire. Anyway, it must have been a powerful windy day when they filmed that scene because the "bricks" were being blown away by the winds. One person running through the "debris" accidently kicked or slightly bumped his foot against one, and it rolled away like a Tumbleweed.

Two bloopers I can think of are when Travis is killed the Mexicans run over him and he can be seen to move his hand.

The next one is quite funny when Duke is told to guard the north wall he accidentally walks on one of the defenders head.

At the same time though the final assault on the Alamo is very well done and Duke should get a little more credit for it than he has in the past.

:agent:

:cowboy: Hi Robbie, I remember that as well but had forgotten about "Travis" moving his hand out of the way after he was killed.

Resurrection time once more ... ^_^

I viewed my "director's cut" VHS of "The Alamo" over the holidays after an abstinence of some time. I noticed that one of the restored scenes not on the cut version had some emotional impact. That is the one with the death of the "Parson and Crockett's soliloquy and prayer. Very touching! This and other scenes in the restored version simply add to the quality of "The Alamo."

Cheers - Jay :)

I almost forgot -

In our daily newspaper's obituaries today, a reporter that interviewed Duke during the making of "The Alamo" passed away this week - he was 82, I believe. Anyway, he also covered the murder that involved two of the bit players in the movie. I believe Duke was to give testimony at the trial, but I have no specifics.
Just thought I'd pass along that little bit of trivia.

Regards - Jay :mellow:

Hi Jay



The murder you refer to was about a supporting actress name Jeanne Le Guye real name Le Jeanne Ethridge who was a member of a travelling group known as The Hollywood Starlight Players. After auditioning for a part in The Alamo she and her boyfriend were taken on as extras and lived in the extras quarters. Later her part was expanded and she moved out of the extras quarters into the next strp up. This led to an arguement with her boyfriend during which time he stabbed her to death.
If you want to read more I suggest Duke the Life and Times of John Wayne
or John Wayne's Alamo

It might also be possible if Ringo in his reasearch facility might be able to pick up a copy of the actual paper headline. I know I for one would be interested in reading about it.



Regards

Arthur

One of the experiences of seeing the restored Director's cut for the first time is seeing that scene of the murdered Ethridge for the first time - her only scene was cut for the theatrical release. It was of no consequence to the plot - just a single moment of a feisty pioneer women leaving San Antone.

I thought she was the one!

Jay :(

:cowboy: Pardon my ignorance but, who was Ethridge?

She was the actress who was murdered by her boyfriend in Bracketville (or maybe the Ft. Clark area) during the filming of "The Alamo." She is only in the scene where Crockett and Flacca are watching the exodus of the townspeople. She had all her belongings in a wagon and exchanges a few words with the principals. The scene is not in the cut version of the movie.

Best regards - Jay :)

:cowboy: Hi Jay and thanks. I had never heard about that, what a sad thing to happen though. I sure hope justice happened in her case.

I used to be a Correctional Officer for the State of Tx. I dealt with many thousands of inmates in the years I worked for the system. I heard countless stories of them telling at how they were framed and because of that, were sentenced to terms in prison. Some undoubtedly were in because of wrongful information but, that number is VERY low.

Anyway, I really do hope justice was served for that gal.

Best regards--TRK.

Hi Ringo -

Her boyfriend (his name escapes me) was sentenced to thirty years in prison (which means he has been a free man for over a decade - unless he got in more trouble).
Duke was supposed to have testified at the trial here in San Antonio, but I have no specifics.

Cheers - Jay ^_^

Is this girl whom was murdered the blind woman in the movie.

:agent:

Hi Robbie -

No, that was Veda Ann Borg that played the blind woman (married to the character Jocko). Unless you see the uncut version of "The Alamo," you won't see Ethridge.

Cheers - Jay :)

:cowboy: Hi Jay, thanks for the info.

Yep, he is out of prison unless like you say, he did get into more trouble while serving his time--which is easy to do. usually you actually serve 1/2 the time you get sentenced. I.e. 10 years is actually only 5 or less. And it is even less than that because one gets double time served for being in a County lock-up before, during and after the trial.

TRK.

Hi Ringo -

Thank you for that info. I think I was aware of prison time being cut in half, but not the double time allowed for being in a county lock-up.

Some more trivia regarding the "Jocko" scene - the old woman in the wagon, part of the family of the blind woman and Jocko - that was Olive Cary, widow of Harry Cary, Sr. - Duke did keep to a family atmosphere on the set.

Cheers - Jay ^_^

:cowboy: Hi jay, no problem. Only I can't say for sure if that is the policy all county jails have or if it is only used when they are full up.

Hi

I knew the information was somewhere. If you read DUKE The Life and Times of John Wayne pages 260-61

The filming was also clouded by a tragic occurence. Two of the many extras who were flown in from Hollywood to take part in the film were a thirty-two year old actor named Chester Harvey Smith and his twenty-seven year old girlfriend an actress known as Le Jeanne Ethridge, who was billed in the film as Le Jeanne Guye. Both were members of the same Hollywood repertory company, and, owing to the overcrowded conditions created by the influx of personel for the filming, both were billeted with several other extras in a bunkhouse in Spofford Texas, a rail junction town of about 250 residents twenty miles south of Brackettville. During the filming Le Jeanne evidently acquitted herself so well in her brief scenes as an extra that she came to the attention of someone in the Batjac organization and her role in the film was expanded, giving her a small part (as an unnamed woman) and a raise in salary from $75 to $350 a week. As a member of the cast, she was also assigned living quarters closer by, in Brackettville.
Le Jeanne went back to Spofford to get her clothes, and while she was packing to leave the bunkhouse, her boy friend stabbed her to death. The details of the case were never made public, for Smith's preliminary hearing and arraignment were closed. As president of Batjac and Le Jeanne's employer at the time, Duke was subpoenaed to testify briefly at the hearing, but there was no jury trial; Smith pleaded guilty and was sentenced to twenty years in prison.




Regards

Arthur

Darn - That guy got off lightly!!!!

Jay :angry:

20 years? Thats it!! :headbonk: He should have had life or been zapped!!!

:cowboy: Yep, I agree with you Jay/Viper. A person like that guy is will never be a useful Citizen.

Hi -

It occurred to me that two Texas governors have been represented in movies by their siblings.
The first would be Bill Daniel, brother of Gov. Price Daniel, who played Col. Neill, aide to Sam Houston, in "The Alamo."
The second would be Merrill Connally, brother of Gov. John Connally, who was most noteable in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" as the Team Leader (the tall white haired gent).
As far as I can tell, "The Alamo" was the only movie Bill Daniel appeared in. Merrill Connally, on the other hand, was in a few other movies than CEOTTK.

Cheers - Jay :)

Pulling this up from the recent archives -
I've seen mention here and there that there was some antagonism between JW and Richard Widmark during the making of "The Alamo." Does anyone have any details on what this entailed? Was there some specific incident that caused them to be at odds or was it just a conflict of personalities? If this contention existed, it doesn't seem to have affected the outcome of the movie itself. Just curious.
Cheers - Jay :rolleyes:

Hi Jay

When Richard Widmark was signed for the part of Jim Bowie in The Alamo Wayne had a large sign printed and displayed saying 'Welcome Aboard Dick'. When Widmark saw it he turned to Wayne and said next time remember the name is Richard. Wayne replied I will Richard if there is a next time.

I believe that during the making of the picture Widmark often questioned Wayne's directing ability and on at least one occasion Wayne pinned him to a wall. But say what you like about Widmark he was a professional and gave a professional performance.

Regards

Arthur

Hi Arthur -
Thank you so much for that info. Now that you mention it, I vaguely remember the part about the sign, but not the part about Widmark disparaging JW's directing abilities. Professionalism was a hallmark of the whole production, with none of the discord apparent between the two actors who didn't let their feelings spill out on the screen.
Cheers - Jay :D

Jay,

I might add that Richard Widmark kept to himself throughout the production. When he was not needed for a scene he would be in his dressing room and didn't come out until needed. He wasn't very social and seemed snobby.

I think I read that he and Duke had a confrontation on the set about a scene, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was about. Duke at the end of production never again talked to Widmark.

Cheers B)

In addition to Hondos, and the other comments, it would appear that Richard Widmark, didn't like Duke, from that"Welcome aboard Dick" start, and certainly didn't rate him as a director.
You only have to read "Company of Heroes" by Harry Carey jnr, and I refer to the chapter, Two Rode Together, which was being filmed at the same time as The Alamo premiere, and I quote:-
"Uncle Jack(Ford) asked me to deliver a message,Off I (Dobe) went to Widmarks cabin.
Same routine-very gruff,"Who is it?" When I told him it was me(Dobe), and the Old Man(Ford) wanted him, he opened the door.He went into a minor rage. Not his mad rage, just his upset rage.
"I know what he wants.I know exactly what the old b****** wants!
Wayne has called him, and he wants me to go to that god***** premiere of The Alamo in San Antonio! Well, s**** it! I'm not going to that god***** terrible movie. It was enough grief working on it!..... D*** I'm not going.
He ended up going, because Uncle Jack said so,"Dick here has been kind enough to do this for Duke.... as long as he can take you boys (Dobe, Ken Curtiss) with him.....And Dick thank you very much" He(Ford) patted Duke on the shoulder.
It's ironic, that they all called him DICK!! And it didn't seem a problem!!

Hi All -
Here's a bit of trivia I had never heard before - The "Ripley's Believe It or Not" piece in the newspaper this morning had this noteworthy information - Davy Crockett had only one book with him as he defended the Alamo - Ben Franklin's Autobiography.
Not earthshaking information, to be sure. But I toss it out for anyone that is interested.
Cheers - Jay ;)

Hi,
I just think this film is wonderful, and is in my Top 5, all time favourites.
I know it has come in for a lot of stick, but who cares,
I think it's great entertainment, and I can watch it over, and over, again.
I am lucky because I have the full version, with all the missing bits,
Intro, Intermission and Exit music, and in 5.1 sounds, it's great.
I know that Duke and Richard were not bosom friends, after certain comments,
but they appeared to act well together.
Laurence Harvey, was a suprise casting, but he also came across well.
With all the other Ford/Wayne gang, adding their bit,
I thought the whole thing was brilliant.
I am only pleased that after all this time, the film has returned a very handsome profit,
and as vindicated Duke's faith and dream.
Rating 9/10

the alamo

this movie is a pleasure to watch no matter the mistakes, while it may have cost wayne his shirt and then some it has the appeal of a classic. the music is great and fits in with the movie, the uniforms of the mexican army is as correct as they could make them with the knowledge of the time that they had.

this movie makes it into my top list because i just love to watch it, it tells a story of something that all americans should know it tells this story with a lot of latertude but basically it tells some of the truth.

to see a shakesperian actor play the part of travis and pull it of well is a treat.

what else can you say but this movie is great

hooroo smokey

"The Alamo" was Duke's Film Love of His Life, :wub: and He put up all of His Money to try to get it done, and almost went Broke because of the Film ! :fear2:

Because my Great, Great Grandfather was one of The Tennessee Volunteers and was only a few miles from "The Alamo" when it fell, as told to me by my Grandmother many, many times when I was a Small Boy in the 1930s, :) I really enjoyed the Film and it was not too far from the truth. :rolleyes:

Chilibill :cowboy:

Fun film, highly recommended. Even if there was allot of problems getting things together before, during and after the filming.

I have a special place in my heart for "The Alamo," partly because it was made only 125 miles from here and, of course, depicts the historical events surrounding the shrine here in 1836. We were able to follow news reports of the making of the film and the big party for the world premiere here was televised. I think the uncut version of this is one of Duke's great achievements, however beset by problems and financial difficulties.
The recent remake of "The Alamo" is only a pale attempt at depicting the story. In its determination to be politically correct, it lost a lot of entertainment value and was just downright dull.
Duke's version is by far the best!
Cheers - Jay :D :D

Even though The Searchers is probably considered Waynes best film ever, this one is my absolute favorite. Accuracy, smackuracy, I never cared what mistakes there were in the telling of the story, I just love this movie. Hell, it was nominated for Best Picture, that has to tell you something. It didn't get that for nothing.
You're right Keith, the set looks alot different than it did when the movie was made. In fact, a good chunk of the set was destroyed during the filming. Parts of the north wall, where the Mexican army came through were knocked down. About 1/3 of the south wall, from the corner where a good chunk scenes were done was bulldozed by Wayne for the closing scenes. And, the upstairs where Travis HQ's was was blown up for battle scenes that were never in the final cut. Those scenes were of the Mexicans turning the cannon around at the southwest corner and shooting at the HQ where some Texians retreated to. There were also scenes filmed of fighting on the stairway that were never used. A very large part of the rear of the church was also destroyed which you can see in the movie near the end of the battle. I've got some photos that were given to me by a friend who worked down there during the 70's. This guy also has a few pieces of the set that he brought home, plus, he has about a dozen Mexican uniforms from the movie that he acquired a couple of years ago. His biggest prize is the model he built himself of the Alamo set that looks identical to the way it looked in the movie. He spared no detail. it takes up about 1/4 of his basement and is about 12 feet long and 6 feet wide.
The set nowadays looks a bit the same but, there are notable differences. The south wall has been restored but, there is a large gate in the center to move film equipment in and out. The upstairs has been replaced but, looks nothing the same and has a large pink hump on top. There's also a portico in front of it and the stairway is long gone. The north wall has been replaced but, looks nothing like from the movie. And the in the church, a large ramp goes up to the back, which is historically right but, was not in the movie, plus, the inside of the church is quite different form the movie. You can go up the gun ramps on the set but, you're not allowed to up on the walls. Supposed to be unsafe. And the rooms or barracks you see in the movie are boarded up. You can see inside through the door cracks but, there's nothing them but, junk wood. Also, in the scene where Bowie chases Crockett into the hospital after getting soaked? That part of the set is still original, including the stairway and right around the corner is a set of rest rooms that were built for the cast and crew and now tourists. Camera angles prevent them from being seen during the movie. Also, in the town, all the building from the movie that represented San Antonio are still there but, others have been added over the years for other movies that were made there.
Remember the scenes where Crockett and Flaca go up and down the stairs to and from her room? The stairs go nowhere. Just up and stop. the rest of those scenes were done on a set at Fort Clark, a few miles away in Bracketville. Still, if you haven't been there, it's worth the trip. I've been twice in the last 5 yrs and love every minute of being there. And, you'll be surprised just how small the set really is compared to the real Alamo compund.

On the Cutting Room Floor

There are 12 scenes totalling 31 minutes cut from the original release,
which ran 192+ minutes.

1.A drunken Bowie, finds Travis in charge.
2.Travis and Dickinson, discuss, Jefferson.
3.Emil, is killed by Crockett, who tells Flaca, the news.
4.Flaca and Mrs. Guy, talking, as settlers leave.
5.Bowie defends Smitty.
6.Crockett and Bowie, discuss pyrotechnics.
7.Crockett tells Flaca, about a ridgepole.
8.Travis and Bowie argue as Bonham arrives.
9.A patrol suffers casualties,re-inforcements arrive, and Lisa Dickinsons Birthday party.
10.The parson dies, as Crockett prays.
11.Religious beliefs are discussed, before the battle.
12.A line of dialogue by Bowie, is missing as the North wall falls/

Other cuts include, the Overture,Intermission, and End music.

I have the full version, and it certainly enhances and makes the story line
much more flowing, with these pieces restored.

You're right Keith, it does. Wouldn't it be great if they found some more lost footage, especially the battle scenes I mentioned. There's even one, and you can see it on the documentary on the DVD and VHS Directors Cut that shows Wayne grabbing the head off a lance of one Mexican lancer and throwing into the chest of another right after he comes down from the flag pole hill. I also have a tape which I've since recorded to DVD of some home movies taken by one of the extras on the movie that shows Crockett on the flag pole hill and you can see the Mexicans flooding into the plaza from the north wall area. As it pans to the left, you can see Mexicans on the southwest corner begin to turn the cannon around to fire at the long barracks. All that film is probably long gone now and that's a shame. It would've certainly added to the scope of the battle.

Memorable Quotes

Jim Bowie: I've never had anything to say about that long-winded jackanapes, but he sure does know a way how to start a war.

Davy Crockett: Republic. I like the sound of the word. It means people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose. Some words give you a feeling. Republic is one of those words that makes me tight in the throat - the same tightness a man gets when his baby takes his first step or his first baby shaves and makes his first sound as a man. Some words can give you a feeling that makes your heart warm. Republic is one of those words.

[repeated phrase]
Tennessean: It do!

Davy Crockett: It was like I was empty. Well, I'm not empty anymore. That's what's important, to feel useful in this old world, to hit a lick against what's wrong for what's right even though you get walloped for saying that word. Now I may sound like a Bible beater yelling up a revival at a river crossing camp meeting, but that don't change the truth none. There's right and there's wrong. You got to do one or the other. You do the one and you're living. You do the other and you may be walking around, but you're dead as a beaver hat.

Gen. Sam Houston: Where's Jim Bowie?
Captain James Butler Bonham: He's indisposed, sir.
Gen. Sam Houston: Indisposed? By God if you mean drunk, you say drunk, sir!
Captain James Butler Bonham: He's drunk, sir!

Smitty: So many times every day you stop and give thanks, but mostly I don't catch on what you're thanking the Lord for. I mean, there's nothing special.
Parson: I give thanks for the time and for the place.
Smitty: The time and the place, Parson?
Parson: The time to live and the place to die. That's all any man gets. No more, no less.

Col. Davy Crockett: Step down off your high horse, Mister. You don't get lard unless you boil the hog!

Gen. Sam Houston: Travis, I've never been able to like you. But you are one of the very few men I would trust with the life of Texas.

Col. Davy Crockett: Travis says Fannin's coming.
Jim Bowie: Travis says! I wouldn't take Travis' word that night's dark and day's light!

Tennesseean: We sure killed many brave men today.
Thimblerig: Funny, I was proud of 'em. Even while I was killing 'em, I was proud of 'em. It speaks well for men that so many ain't afraid to die when they think right is on their side. It speaks well.

[the Alamo garrison is informed that no reinforcements are coming]
Jim Bowie: Well, that's it. I'm taking my men out of here now. Cutting through to the north. You coming?
Davy Crockett: Seems like the better part of valor.

Travis' man: Hey, Davy! Is it true that you and Mike Fink fought a three day fight on the Mississippi?
Davy Crockett: That's just an example of the tall tales folks tell about me! Me and Mike fought all right, but we quit at dark. It wouldn't of been the third day until the next morning!
[Laughs and rides off]

INFORMATION IMDb

Originally posted by smokey@Jan 23 2006, 08:58 AM
to see a shakesperian actor play the part of travis and pull it of well is a treat.
25726

Laurence Harvey kept cast and crew entertained with Shakespearean dialogue done in a Southern accent.
Cheers - Jay :D

I have a video of the ABC special from 1960, Spirit of the Alamo, which was meant to give some publicity to the movie by showing scenes of the movie and tell about building the movie site. It has Harvey standing on the balcony of what's supposed to be the San Antonio Hotel and quoting Shakespeare but, in a cultured southern accent.

This film was truly a labor of love on the part of John Wayne, and there is so much to like about it, as has been pointed out by so many others ahead of me. We especially enjoy the sweeping score by Dmitri Tiomkin. It was one of the first movies we watched on our HDTV last year - it was incredible!

Deep Discount DVD (http://search.deepdiscountdvd.com/search?p=Q&ts=custom&w=alamo+john+wayne&search.x=0&search.y=0) has the movie for under $10.

Available from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6303599052/sr=1-2/qid=1139206265/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-2966141-4147854?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance)is "The Alamo: Original Uncut Version (1960)" in VHS. They also have The Alamo available on DVD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZBVE/qid=1139206440/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/103-2966141-4147854?n=130).

Chester :newyear:

Chill Wills and The Alamo fiasco

This is a piece I will be posting in Pals Of The Saddle

Hi,
Chill Wills, character actor, and liked by Duke, although it's a wonder,
he ever spoke to him again, after almost totally losing Duke an Alamo
oscar, by his own personal comments!!

When Chill Wills was nominated for an Oscar, for his supporting role in The Alamo,
he campaigned so aggressively for the award, many felt he lost,
because voters grew tired of seeing his trade paper ads.
His electioneering was tasteless, at best.
A full page ad in the Hollywood Reporter,
showed the cast and crew, standing in front of The Alamo, replica,
with the caption,

We of The Alamo cast are praying harder,
than the real Texans prayed for their lives in the real Alamo,for Chill Wills,
to win the Oscar.

The copy read,
Cousin Chill's acting was great,
The noticed was signed,
Your Alamo cousins

Academy voters, and the general public, resented this ploy.
Russell Birdwell, the movies, publicist, added his misguided views,
and the movie, fell into a form of Hollywood disrepute.
In hindsight Duke, should have kept his eye on the ball.

Hi Keith - I always wondered why Duke selected Chill Wills to be in "McLintock" when he and Birdwell pretty well sunk chances for "The Alamo" to get any major Oscar award with their antics. Duke fired Birdwell after this fiasco, but evidently retained some kind of relationship with Wills.
Cheers - Jay <_<

I heard this story years ago, regarding Wills campaign for BSA. It was said that Groucho Marx, upon seeing the ad that Wills took out sent him a note saying, "Dear Chill, I'm very glad to see that we're cousins but, I'm voting for Sal Mineo". True? I don't know but, I've heard it repeated many times over the years.

Hi WaynamoJim,

Dear Mr. Chill Wills;
I am delighted, to be your cousin, but I voted for Sal Mineo
This was indeed was true, and it was published,
in The New York Times, Atlanta Constitution,
Los Angeles Times. Hollywood Reporter, and San Antonio Light,
all between March and April 1961.

Hope this helps to clear the un-certainty?

Can someone tell me if there is a DVD version of the Alamo that has the same scenes as the VHS tape. In the DVD version I have some scenes have been edited out and they are very important scenes. If anyone can help me I would appreciate an email at ilcpastor@msn.com. Thanks so much

Hi Mike and welcome.

Your question has been brought up numerous times on the board and unfortunately we don't have the answer you are looking for. The extended version at this time is only on the tape and we have yet to find it on a DVD. Perform a search on the board and you will see numerous topics talking about this.

Again, welcome to the board and we hope you stick around and join in on the conversations.

mikec1010,

To answer your question in a nutshell, there was only one copy of the Director's Cut of The Alamo in existence, and the fools at MGM destroyed it due to poor storage.

You can read the whole sickening story in these old threads:

http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=662&hl=

http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=1648&hl=

http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=2172


and in these news articles:

http://www.jwayne.com/news/archives/00000028.shtml

http://www.in70mm.com/news/2002/alamo/alamo.htm

mikec1010,

Welcome to the John Wayne Message Board!

As SXViper and ejgreen have so capably pointed out, there is one version on VHS that is complete, with all scenes. It's late and I don't have the energy to dig it out of the drawer and give you more particulars, but I am pretty sure I own that version. I'll get back to you and let you know.

Again, welcome to a knowledgeable, friendly community of fans of John Wayne!

Chester :newyear: (and the Mrs. :angel1: says "Howdy" too!)

Hi mikec1010


Welcome to the most informative board
around I can't add any more to what the
guys have told you, but if you stick around
you'll get all the answers you are looking
for and more. This is the place to be when
it comes to all things John Wayne.


Best wishes

Emmanuel.

Regarding John Ford's role, see my posts here:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/board/t...353045#50353045 (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/board/thread/43280135?d=50353045#50353045)

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/board/t...353446#50353446 (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/board/thread/43280135?d=50353446#50353446)

The idea that Ford just shot some scarcely used second-unit battle scenes may well be a case of "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

Just thought I'd let folks know that on Oct 25th, Turner Classic Movies will be showing the long version of The Alamo at, I believe 8 pm. So, mark it on your calenders.

Thanks, maybe somebody can let us know when the date is allot closer.

Our local newspaper had an item the other day that the Woodlawn Theatre, where "The Alamo" had its World Premiere, has been renovated. It will reopen with a showing of "The Alamo" on the big screen on Oct. 24 :D . Presumably this showing will feature the cut version, since by all reports, the uncut version cannot be restored for theatrical viewing :( .
Cheers - Jay :D

Hi Jay,

Thanks for that interesting information.
What a tragedy, that there can be no original film to show.
I'm just happy, that I am fortunate, to have a copy of the un-cut version,
before even that copy was destroyed!!

Thanks for the birthday wishes.

Best Wishes

Keith - I have a copy of that VHS uncut version as well. It makes the storyline smoother and it is in a letterbox format (though not the full letterbox that it should be). Too bad that this version cannot be shown on the big screen.
Cheers - Jay :D

Hi Keith -
It has been awhile since this topic has been close to the front. I bring it back in case you want to incorporate it somehow under "The Alamo" topic. There was a lot of information brought out about "The Alamo" in this section.
Cheers - Jay :D

Hi Jay, and thanks for bumping this one up!

As an ongoing project, for continuity,
I have been merging all fragmented threads,
as eventually it makes all information
more accessible

I will take up your idea and merge your topic
under
The Alamo, sub-Forum.
At least now, your discussion will be pinned,
and not now, slip out of sight.

Best Wishes

Originally posted by Jay J. Foraker@Sep 25 2006, 01:09 PM
Our local newspaper had an item the other day that the Woodlawn Theatre, where "The Alamo" had its World Premiere, has been renovated.* It will reopen with a showing of "The Alamo" on the big screen on Oct. 24 :D .* Presumably this showing will feature the cut version, since by all reports, the uncut version cannot be restored for theatrical viewing :( .
34879

I didn't mean to sound a little negative about this theatrical showing <_< . This is really a big event, since I don't think (I could be wrong) a showing on the big screen of "The Alamo" has happened since the fabled Toronto showing of the uncut version. I am going to try to attend this event and, if I do, I will report.
Cheers - Jay :D

I also have a VHS copy of the Directors Cut and I also have a DVD copy of it. I bought this on E-Bay from somewhere in Asia, Singapore, I believe. It was only $6.95 and the picture quality is quite good and is in Dolby Surround. The only thing is, it doesn't have the Entrance, Intermission or, Exit music. I'm also thinkign of buy the laserdisc version and also buying a laserdisc player. I've always heard that the picture quality is outstanding and that if you get the 3 disc version, the Making Of documentary is longer than on the VHS version.

WaynamoJim

Are you saying that you have a full length copy of the directors cut of the Alamo on DVD, if so how is this possible as I was under the impression that this could not be done.

Robbie
:agent:

Yeah Robbie, I do. Like I said it has all the extra scenes in it. Travis telling Bowie about his promotion to Colonel, Emil Sands death, the Dickinson led patrol in which Crocketts man Scotty and a man named Lasoya are killed, the little girls birthday party, the arrival of the men of Gonzales, Parsons death scene. I think that's all of them. I don't know how they got it unless, it was done off the laserdisc or even off a VHS copy but, the picture quality is quite good, better than I expected and it is in Dolby Digital not Surround like I originally said. I could make a DVD copy off my VHS copy. I've got a DVD recorder and I've already tried it and it worked. The only thing is, to get the best picture quality, I'd have to record it in 2 hour mode and put it on 2 discs, maybe three with the Entrance, Intermission and, Exit music and Making of doc to fit in.
One thing I don't get is, I keep seeing everyone mention that it's 192 minutes long. On the back of my VHS copy it says, 3 hrs 22 min, which is 202 minutes. Also, on my DVD copy it says 202 minutes. So what is the correct running time.

Hi WaynamoJim,

192 Minutes.

John Wayne's- The Alamo
The Making of the Epic Film
by Donald Clark and Christopher Andersen

Don't forget on the VHS the run time of 203 mins,
also includes the Trailer!

Could someone please clairify the director's cut of The Alamo that was released on VHS some years ago. Is it 192, 202 or 211 minutes? I know for sure there's a 192-minute version (the print found in Toronto), which was certified in England at 192m:29s in 1960. But there seems to be ambiguous information about the length of the film when it was released to video. Perhaps 192 minutes didn't include the overture, intermission, and exit music? Or are people including the VHS 'extras' in the running time?

Also there was a 172-minute version released on VHS: did this include all the music or was it pure film like the 162-minute DVD version?

I would also like to know about the UK VHS version of The Big Trail released by Fox. It's listed on Amazon UK at 116 minutes (PAL) which is 121 minutes NTSC. The DVD runs runs 108 minutes (NTSC). Is the UK VHS the same widescreen print that runs on the Fox Movie Channel? Even if it isn't, is the UK video version really 121 minutes or does it include extras?

Anyone who could provide definitive answers would be much appreciated.

RoughRider

Hi RoughRider

For the purpose of continuity,

I have placed your post in this the dedicated
thread, regarding the film.
At one time today, we had two seperate threads,
asking for confirmation of running time!
It's obviously, clearer, if the threads are
all under the same roof!

The Big Trail is discussed here.

The Big Trail (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=2702)

I have the UK VHS, and on the box, it shows a running time of 116 mins.

How long is the fully restored movie minus trailers and documentaries etc?

Robbie
:agent:

192 Minutes.

John Wayne's- The Alamo
The Making of the Epic Film
by Donald Clark and Christopher Andersen

Don't forget on the VHS the run time of 203 mins,
also includes the Trailer!

Hi Keith

Ok that cleared up my question, the final version of the Alamo lasts 192 minutes, thanks.

I watched the Alamo recently on TV, with many scenes cut from it, what I am interested in is Crocketts/Dukes contribution to the final battle.

Here is what I could assertain from the TV version

1. Directs his men to fire at the start of the battle
2. Tells two of his men to take Bowie to the chapel
3. Informs some of his men to reinforce the north wall
4. Knocks a mexican of his horse
5. Throws a gun at a mexican
6. Is lanced by a Mexican and then ignites the gunpowder.

Have I missed anything?

Robbie
:agent:

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Jan 24 2006, 02:50 AM
On the Cutting Room Floor *

There are 12 scenes totalling 31 minutes* cut from the original release,
which ran 192+ minutes.

1.A drunken Bowie, finds Travis in charge.
2.Travis and Dickinson, discuss, Jefferson.
3.Emil, is killed by Crockett, who tells Flaca, the news.
4.Flaca and Mrs. Guy, talking, as settlers leave.
5.Bowie defends Smitty.
6.Crockett and Bowie, discuss pyrotechnics.
7.Crockett tells Flaca, about a ridgepole.
8.Travis and Bowie argue as Bonham arrives.
9.A patrol suffers casualties,re-inforcements arrive, and Lisa Dickinsons Birthday party.
10.The parson dies, as Crockett prays.
11.Religious beliefs are discussed, before the battle.
12.A line of dialogue by Bowie, is missing as the North wall falls/

Other cuts include, the Overture,Intermission, and End music.

I have the full version, and it certainly enhances and makes the story line
much more flowing, with these pieces restored.
25792


Hi Robbie,

This was posted earlier in the thread,
thought I'd bring it back here,
hope it helps?

Hi Keith

Thanks for that but it doesnt really tell me what Duke does during the final battle apart from what I mentioned earlier.

Robbie
:agent:

Hi Robbie,

I tell you what, I'll have to take another sneak,
and see, if I can give you the answers, you want

Leave it with me!

Hi Keith

Thanks very much, I hope I'm not putting you out.

Robbie
:agent:

About the running time of The Alamo.

TCM Canada had the director's cut on Wednesday, and I recorded to my hard drive. From start to finish, excluding the brief United Artists intro, the film runs 202m:14s. This time, of course, includes the Overture, Entr'Acte and Exit music. Without such music, the film runs 191m:40s. The aspect ratio is 2.08:1.

I imagine this would be the same print on the special VHS/LD, which is commonly listed at 202 minutes. So that time doesn't include any 'extras'.

As mentioned earlier, The Alamo was certified by the BBFC in 1960 at 192m:29s. The book John Wayne: American states the film premiered in San Antonio, Texas, at 206 minutes.

RoughRider
John Wayne on DVD: A Filmography (http://www.vanc.igs.net/~roughley/john_wayne_dvd_filmography.html)

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Oct 3 2006, 01:38 AM

Hi WaynamoJim,

192 Minutes.

John Wayne's- The Alamo
The Making of the Epic Film
by Donald Clark and Christopher Andersen

Don't forget on the VHS the run time of 203 mins,
also includes the Trailer!
35270

Hi Rough Rider,

This is what I posted earlier, and this is what it says in the book,
I too have the Directors cut
on VHS and on the box it states
203 mins, and it includes everything
including the film trailer,
I'll check the actual movie length later,
and edit this post.


It says aspect ratio 2.35 : 1

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Oct 26 2006, 03:49 AM
Hi Rough Rider,

This is what I posted earlier, and this is what it says in the book,
I too have the Directors cut
on VHS and on the box it states
203 mins, and it includes everything
including the film trailer,
I'll check the actual movie length later,
and edit this post.


It says aspect ratio 2.35 : 1
36373


The book probably based the 192-minute running time on the actual film (i.e. excluding the music), which I believe is how it premiered in Los Angeles.

The BBFC (Board of British Film Censors) certified the 1993 UK video release at 202m:37s, but I thought this included 'extras' because the film is generally listed at 192-193 minutes. The BBFC's running time closely matches the TCM print, and might include the United Artists intro. TCM prints generally match those that have been released on home video.

It's hard to pin a film down to the second because of the variables involved, but the times are close enough for me to believe the VHS, LaserDisc and TCM prints are the same. Another factor is that my hardware captures at 30.00fps, so on DVD-R the times are slightly shorter because things get encoded at 29.97fps. In the case of The Alamo, it reduced the film's length by about 12 seconds.

There was also a 172-minute version of The Alamo released on home video. I don't have any details about it, but just guessing it must be the same film as the 162-minute DVD except with 10 minutes of additional music (like in the director's cut).

Video boxes typically list 2.35:1 for letterboxed films -- it's probably a mistake but one never knows. The DVD is 2.20:1 but the VHS/LaserDisc may have been matted (I doubt it though). On a standard TV it's hard to judge the aspect ratio because of overscanning, which cuts off all sides by about 10% -- it depends on the TV. I saw a 1.78:1 DVD on an old TV where the overscan was so bad the film displayed full-screen (and yes, the DVD player was configured correctly).

RoughRider
John Wayne on DVD: A Filmography (http://www.vanc.igs.net/~roughley/john_wayne_dvd_filmography.html)

Hi Rough Rider,

Timed the film,
and it is acually 202mins 30 odd seconds,

Including the intro, intermission and exit music,

The trailer, is some 3 and a half minutes,
which is extra.

Originally posted by Jay J. Foraker@Sep 25 2006, 01:09 PM
Our local newspaper had an item the other day that the Woodlawn Theatre, where "The Alamo" had its World Premiere, has been renovated.* It will reopen with a showing of "The Alamo" on the big screen on Oct. 24 :D
Cheers - Jay :D
34879

Well, since that report, everything just stopped as far as I know. No more mentioning on this event in the paper or any other publicity - no phone number to call. It sounds like everything went bust. Sorry I can't relay any better news :( :angry: .
Cheers - Jay <_<

I have the latest. I got this from www.thealamofilm.com of which I am a member. It seems that the showing of The Alamo has been postponed until March of 07. According to Jonathan Pennington, who I believe is renovating the theater said that MGM would not have a print availabe for 35 MM projectors. I believe this info came from the San Antonio Express-News.

All I can say is that I really enjoyed this movie, even with all of its mistakes.

At least John Wayne tried to create an entertaining and patriotic movie. Not too many "stars" were doing that in those days.

I always appreciate John Wayne and his courage.

Originally posted by WaynamoJim@Nov 4 2006, 07:09 PM
I have the latest. I got this from www.thealamofilm.com of which I am a member. It seems that the showing of The Alamo has been postponed until March of 07. According to Jonathan Pennington, who I believe is renovating the theater said that MGM would not have a print availabe for 35 MM projectors. I believe this info came from the San Antonio Express-News.
36652

Thank you for that information, WaynamoJim :D . I evidently missed that when it came out. My wife has been in the hospital twice in the last month and things just seem to get out of sorts at times.
Cheers - Jay <_<

Duke's Movie Locations

ALAMO VILLAGE

Bracketville, Texas


924925

Information from
Alamo Village, Brackettville,Texas

Texas' most active and versatile movie set
is also one of the largest and most complete
(no false fronts here) backlots in the world.
Built for John Wayne's The Alamo, Alamo
Village has played host to more than 200 major feature films,
TV movies, mini-series,documentaries, commercials, and music videos.
Barbarosa with Willie Nelson, Lonesome Dove
with Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones,
The Good Old Boys, starring Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones,
and Matt Damon, Bad Girls with Andie MacDowell
and Drew Barrymore and the modern day millennial comedy thriller,
The Bullfighter with Willem Defoe have all been
filmed here.

Why here? Because Kinney County
rancher and businessman James T.
"Happy" Shahan convinced John Wayne's
Batjac Productions to film The Alamo here.
Since, hundreds of other production companies
have used our one-of-a-kind set located in the middle
of a 30 square mile working ranch.

Alamo Village is open to the public (except 5 days during Christmas).
Folks may stroll through the Alamo compound plus there are
over 18 walk-in buildings to see including
the John Wayne Museum, wagon room, jail, bank,
church, Indian store, Trading post, and Cantina (full service restaurant)
where there is cold "root" beer on draught!
In the summer, there are four shows daily,
kicking off with a music show inside the Cantina
followed by a "fun for the whole family" gunfight depicting the Old West.
There's something for the movie lover and movie maker.

Filming Locations

Texas, USA

Austin, Texas, USA

Bastrop, Texas, USA
(battle of San Jacinto)

Dripping Springs, Texas, USA

Driskell Hotel - 604 Brazos Street, Austin, Texas, USA

Jim Small's Big Thicket, Bastrop, Texas, USA
(lake camp scenes)

Paramount Theatre - 713 Congress, Austin, Texas, USA

Pedernales Falls State Park - 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, Texas, USA
(Zacatecas and Mexican command scenes)

Reimer's Ranch - Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs, Texas, USA
(Alamo and Bexar scenes)

Steiner Ranch - 896 Sayers Road, Bastrop, Texas, USA
(Bexar & Alamo scenes)

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Oct 8 2006, 10:08 PM
Hi Robbie,

I tell you what, I'll have to take another sneak,
and see, if I can give you the answers, you want

Leave it with me!
35575


Hi Keith did you ever find out the answer to the above topic?

Robbie
:agent:

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Nov 10 2006, 11:39 AM
Duke's Movie Locations

ALAMO VILLAGE

Bracketville, Texas
[ATTACH]1034]******[ATTACH]1035]

Information from
Alamo Village, Brackettville,Texas

Texas' most active and versatile movie set
is also one of the largest and most complete
(no false fronts here) backlots in the world.
Built for John Wayne's The Alamo, Alamo
Village has played host to more than 200 major feature films,
TV movies, mini-series,documentaries, commercials, and music videos.
Barbarosa with Willie Nelson, Lonesome Dove
with Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones,
The Good Old Boys, starring Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones,
and Matt Damon, Bad Girls with Andie MacDowell
and Drew Barrymore and the modern day millennial comedy thriller,
The Bullfighter with Willem Defoe have all been
filmed here.

Why here? Because Kinney County
rancher and businessman James T.
"Happy" Shahan convinced John Wayne's
Batjac Productions to film The Alamo here.
Since, hundreds of other production companies
have used our one-of-a-kind set located in the middle
of a 30 square mile working ranch.

Alamo Village is open to the public (except 5 days during Christmas).
Folks may stroll through the Alamo compound plus there are
over 18 walk-in buildings to see including
the John Wayne Museum, wagon room, jail, bank,
church, Indian store, Trading post, and Cantina (full service restaurant)
where there is cold "root" beer on draught!
In the summer, there are four shows daily,
kicking off with a music show inside the Cantina
followed by a "fun for the whole family" gunfight depicting the Old West.
There's something for the movie lover and movie maker.
36817


Been to Alamo Village twice and believe me it's worth the trip. If you've never been before, you'll be quite suprised by how small the Alamo compound really is compared to how it looks in the movie but, that doesn't mean you're not in awe with the detail of it. Only trouble is, there are few things that are noticably different than the way it originally looked. Among them, where Travis HQ was, now sports a pink colored hump facade that was added for some other film. Plus, the wall to the right of the southwest corner is not original. Wayne bulldozed the original for shooting battle scenes and when it was rebuilt, it was brought in by a few feet and has a rather large gate in the middle of the whole west wall to allow film equipment to be brought in. Also, the north wall had to be rebuilt and looks vastly different than from the movie. And the rear of the church was also blown up during battle scenes and when it was rebuilt it shortened the church by some feet and there's now a ramp that goes up the back that was built for The Alamo:The Price Of Freedom Imax film to make more realistic from history.
Plus, some of the buildings in the town have been ones added over the years for other films, like the hotel/saloon from Two Rode Together. But everything else is there and it's alot of fun to go through and imagine what scenes were shot where. Even though it's only film history, it still seems like real American history because of the type of film that The Alamo was. AS far as I know, Virginia Shahan still has the Village up for sale and evne when I was last there in 04, there were rumors that someone was buying it and that he or she might have plans to restore it all to the way Wayne built it back in the late 50's. I, fro one, would not mind seeing that. As a teenage kid, I always dreamed of going there seeing it as it was and didn't make till is was 53 yrs old. Better late than never. Anybody wants to go see it, be sure to look up Rich Curilla. He's a film maker who has lived and worked at Alamo Village since the late 60's and he is a treat to talk to. Tell you all you want to know about this movie and all Alamo movies. The man is an expert. Even had a walk on role in the Dean Martin-Jimmy Stewart movie Bandolero which filmed at Alamo Village in 69.

Hi WaynamoJim

Thanks for your post and your personal memories,

here is another link I found
with more photos

Alamo Village (http://employees.oxy.edu/jerry/alamo.htm)

959960

961962

Nice pictures, Keith. By the way, any idea when they were taken? The two of the Alamo compund look like they may have been taken around the time it was being built or shortly after filming was complete. There's no second floor that was Travis HQ on that part of the long barracks and everything looks fairly new. If it was after the film was comp-leted, I would think there would be burn marks on the right side windows of the church where the poweder room exploded plus, the upper area of Travis HQ was blown apart for the battle scenes and post filming photos show burn marks on what was left of the upstairs.

Another little tidbit of info. Remember the scenes of Crockett going up and down the stairway near the Cantina? That stairway goes absolutley nowhere. There's nothing up there. When the upper rooms were shown, it was a set built at Fort Clark in Bracketville. I didn't know if you knew that or not but, thought I'd mention it. In one of the photos you posted, you can see the stairway in the background.

I'd also like to tell you and others about a guy my sons work with at Northwest Airlines. His name is Ken Pruitt and back in the early 70's, he worked at Alamo Village for a couple of years. Some years after he moved back up to Michigan, he built a diorama of the Alamo based on the Wayne film. I've seen it a few times now and it takes up nearly 1/4 of his basement,it's so large. It is also so detailed from the film you wouldn't believe it. He re- created absolutely everything from the original set right down to the smallest item. Even in Travis HQ, he painstakingly built exact mini replicas of Travis furniture. I wish I had some pictures I could post so all could see. If you go www.thealamofilm.com and do some looking, you'll find some photos that were posted of it. He also has artifacts from the film such as about a 15-20 Mexican uniforms that were worn and other things, like one of the scaling ladders which he just got a few months back. He's a big time Alamo movie collector.

Hi WaynamoJim,

Click on the link

Alamo Village (http://employees.oxy.edu/jerry/alamo.htm)

Can you get your sons friend, to take some photos,
and post them here?

I have the latest. I got this from www.thealamofilm.com (http://www.thealamofilm.com) of which I am a member. It seems that the showing of The Alamo has been postponed until March of 07. According to Jonathan Pennington, who I believe is renovating the theater said that MGM would not have a print availabe for 35 MM projectors. I believe this info came from the San Antonio Express-News.
Well - here it is almost the end of March '07 and I have not been able to find any reference (in the San Antonio Express) of any planned theatrical showing of "The Alamo" locally. I guess this is turning out to be wishful thinking:ohwell: .
Cheers - Jay:beer:

Well - here it is almost the end of March '07 and I have not been able to find any reference (in the San Antonio Express) of any planned theatrical showing of "The Alamo" locally. I guess this is turning out to be wishful thinking:ohwell: .
Cheers - Jay:beer:

Au contrere mon frere. It's happening on Friday, Oct. 5th 2007 and another showing the following night, Oct 6th. It'll be at the Woodlawn Theater, which I believe was the theater that had the original premier of The Alamo way back then. I'll try and have more info or a link later.

Au contrere mon frere. It's happening on Friday, Oct. 5th 2007 and another showing the following night, Oct 6th. It'll be at the Woodlawn Theater, which I believe was the theater that had the original premier of The Alamo way back then. I'll try and have more info or a link later.
Thank you, WaynamoJim:hyper: - Yes, the Woodlawn was the location of the premiere showing of "The Alamo." As I recall, it was Oct., 1960, so this would be an "anniversary" showing.
Let me show my curiosity - How does one residing in Detroit get this info while this San Antonio resident doesn't hear a peep:yeaahh: ? Such are the vagaries of life in this old world, I guess.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

That's easy. I've got people!

Seriously, if you go to www.thealamofilm.com (http://www.thealamofilm.com), click on Forums, click on Alamo Movies, scroll down a little till you see the thread title(can't miss it) and check it out yourself. Right now, they have cast members Rudy Robbins( It Do), Dean Smith( stuntman) and Jim Brewer( cannon guy on Alamo church roof, "primed and ready, sir"). Also Tulisha Wardlaw who is Happy Shahans daughter, historian John Farkis and, I think they're trying to get Joan O'Brien to attend. You can read it all on the site when you go there.

Thank you, WaynamoJim, for that great link. I'll keep an eye out on it to see how things develop.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

This movie has one of my all time favorite battle sequences, Duke did a superb job with his dream and I feel it's one of the better epics put there.

Howdy folks, well here is the first film fact that I have put on this group and I would like to start off with - The Alamo.


Producers: John Wayne, Michael Wayne, James Edward Grant, Screenplay: James Edward Grant, Cinematographer: William H. Clothier, Art Director: Alfred Ybarra, Editor: Stuart Gilmore, Distribution: United Artists, Location: Brackettville, Texas, Cost of production: $12 million, US Box office takings: $7.9 million, Date of production: 1960.

During filming, a bit part player, LeJean Eldridge, was stabbed to death by her boyfriend Chester Harvey Smith, an extra on the film. Smith was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Twelve million adobe bricks were used in the construction of The Alamo’s sets, along with one million sq ft of timber, 200,000ft of steel, 125,000sq ft of concrete flooring and 30,000sq ft of Spanish tiles. The set still stands and is now a tourist attraction.
At least 100 head of Longhorn cattle, 400 mules and 1,500 horses were bought or borrowed for the film.
Argentinian-born actress Linda Cristal, who plays Mexican lady Flaca, went on to television fame in “The High Chaparral”. Denver Pyle, who plays Thimblerig, found belated success as Uncle Jessie in “The Dukes of Hazzard”.

I hope you liked it and I will post some more film facts in the near future. Chester has copied four film facts from my website johnwaynefans, and in time I will go through the film facts I have posted on that site and put them on to this site as well. So keep your eyes open for more film fact. Chisum2

What a movie! Our eleven year old pulled this one out the other day to watch on his own. I think he's having fun watching the movies now that he's a little older and better able to understand what's going on.

Anyway, I was looking at the different posters for the different films (on a CD), and thought I'd share these two -

2021

The second one, a 1967 reissue is a little different in that it showcases the star line-up more than on the original poster.

2022

great movie....too bad it wasn't recognized as such at the time

WELCOME, CaliforniaTiger, to the best darn forum on the internet. Hope you stick around and have fun with the rest of us!
BTW - "The Alamo" is one of my favorite JW movies, not the least because it was made 150 miles from where I live and premiered here!
Cheers - Jay:beer:

It seems that i saw uncut version of this movie at last and was completly captured by it. I don't know why, but it was different impression an Entrance music added so much for the athmosphere of the movie in the whole. Must see it another time in nearest days.
Regards,
Senta

Au contrere mon frere. It's happening on Friday, Oct. 5th 2007 and another showing the following night, Oct 6th. It'll be at the Woodlawn Theater, which I believe was the theater that had the original premier of The Alamo way back then. I'll try and have more info or a link later.
Well, October is almost gone and I never saw any announcement that "The Alamo" was going to be shown on the big screen at the Woodlawn Theater. This has been the most frustrating non-event for me in recent times!!!!:headbonk: :vomit: :dead:
Cheers - Jay:glare:

Well, October is almost gone and I never saw any announcement that "The Alamo" was going to be shown on the big screen at the Woodlawn Theater. This has been the most frustrating non-event for me in recent times!!!!:headbonk: :vomit: :dead:
Cheers - Jay:glare:
Jay,

Sorry to hear it didn't work out. Did they just not have it, or is there a possibility you missed it? Have you called the theater to find out anything?

Who knows? Maybe we would have flown down to watch it with you! :wink_smile:

Chester :newyear:

There is always the possiblity that I missed an announcement - I miss a lot of things.
They're not listed in the phone book.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

Jay, the reason it was canceled was because the Woodlawn Theater was not in good enough shape to show it. I guess it needed alot of work. It was set up for stage plays, not movies. They didn't have enough room for a wide screen. The folks putting it on were to say the least, peeved. They were under the impression that the theater would be all fixed up and ready to go and it wasn't. They had a number of people connected with the movie coming. Dean Smith, Jim Brewer and Rudy Robbins were all slated to be there as was Churro and Theresa Champion. She was the flamenco dancer on the table in the cantina and her husband Churro was the guitar player for her. Invites were also sent out to Aissa Wayne, Joan O'Brien and, Linda Cristal. There were alot of disappointed people connected with this but, they are still hoping that maybe next year things will work out and it'll be a go.

Hey, Jim, thanks for the update. How is that you, in Michigan, are so in the know about the film? Were you one of the disappointed folks, or in the group trying to arrange it?

Not trying to pry, just curious.

Chester :newyear:

Neither. I'm a member of thealamofilm.com site and I had followed the info they had posted over there. A couple of those people were in on the planning of the event and a number of others were planning to attend. If you haven't checked the site out, do so. It's pretty good and we're all big Alamo nutcases. Quite a few of them meet up in San Antonio every March in time for the anniversary of the battle or as some of them refer to it, The High Holy Days. Unfortunately, I've never been able to make it down there at that time. I was there just last month, my son and I. We even rented a car and drove out to Alamo Village. Took me my whole life to finally get to see the real Alamo in 2000 and to see Alamo Village also. Since then, I've been there twice more, 2004 and in October. Never tire of seeing them places.

WaynamoJim,

Thanks for that - very interesting. We'll have to check it out.

I hope that if there are any John Wayne fans over there, you send them in our direction.

I'm glad you were able to realize your dream of going to the Alamo. Not everyone gets that life opportunity. How special that you were able to share it with your son!

Chester :newyear:

The first time I went, in 2000, my wife also went along with me and our youngest son. All these years she said she had no desire to go see the Alamo and thought it really belonged to Mexico anyway. That is was taken out from under them. But, since that trip, she says it was the nicest trip we've ever had and she really liked seeing the Alamo and San Antonio. She hasn't changed her opinion on it but, she like going down there. Except for Alamo Village, she thought it was to hot and desolate out there for anyone to live. I'd also like my two older boys to see it and they want to also but, they have families and work and money issues keep them from taking a trip like that.

Dumb Question for anybody with with film knowledge. - Can't they make a restored version from the directors cut on VHS? I watched a special on how they restored Daniel Boone tv shows by copying it to a computer , and editing the sound and pictures on a computer. Like a previous poster said you can copy the vhs to dvd, or to a dvr harddrive. It seems like they could use computer software to clean it up once they got it copied to the computer harddrive. If they can make computer animated life like dinosaurs, and color black and white movies seems like they could do that. I can't think of another movie that deserves a special edition more then the Alamo. Thanks for reading!

Billy

Hoosierfan,

You pose some good points. We've talked about this before, and the biggest concern is the time difference between the VHS and the DVD version. The DVD is shorter and that has been the question. I think that over 40 minutes are missing, and I'm not sure what it is that's missing. The discussion is that the original negative has been damaged and some of the time was destroyed. Copying from a VHS copy would result in a grainy copy to DVD. And the studio and John Wayne Estate has not made this a priority to correct this issue.

We're not sure why, but this seems to be the only answer we can provide. Some of us made contact to the John Wayne estate, but to my knowledge there has been no response. I know you wanted more than I've been able to provide to you, but that is all I have to response to your question.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

There something regarding this movie that has puzzled me, at the end when the three non combatants leave the Alamo after the battle, one of them is a young black boy, where did he come from? I don't remember him being in the movie prior to this, but I have could have missed something.

:agent:

ROBBIE! the young black boy was in a few scenes that were edited out. the birthday party for travis's daughter and right before the battle. i think he was a son of a slave owned by travis. odd thing they were fighting for freedom yet some were slave owners.the mexican govt.had outlawed slavery at that time.

I made a 2-Disc set for my private collection. Picture quality is very good, and less overscan too (you see more on the left and on the right side).
Doesn't look, like it's gonna be restored soon officially.

Mine is PAL though, not NTSC.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1612/7186524/16445514/303961237.jpg

Mike,

Is your 2-disc set copied from VHS? If so, did you use a computer to do it?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who may not know - what is the difference between PAL and NTSC? I know I've been told before, but I confess I don't remember.

Also, since you were so extensively involved in the new book about the Alamo movie, perhaps you might be able to answer some of the questions above, regarding the difference in time between the original VHS version and the DVD version.

Thanks!

Mrs. C :angel1:

Mike,

Is your 2-disc set copied from VHS? If so, did you use a computer to do it?
------- Yes, because the PAL-VHS I found better than the NTSC-LaserDisc (see below). Also I worked on the quality. For ex. I zoomed out of the picture 8% so the so-called 'over-scan' is gone. Means that you see the whole width of the picture now. (the overscan zooms in on the actual film to make sure that all those different TV-sets don't show the frame of the film, soundtrack as worst scenario :))-----------

I'm sure I'm not the only one who may not know - what is the difference between PAL and NTSC? I know I've been told before, but I confess I don't remember.
NTSC we call in Europe Never The Same Color. Actually it became much better over the years. That's your TV-system (& Japan). Uses 525 lines on the TV-monitor. PAL is europe and uses 625 lines. Better therefore. ------------------------

Also, since you were so extensively involved in the new book about the Alamo movie, perhaps you might be able to answer some of the questions above, regarding the difference in time between the original VHS version and the DVD version.
---Which questions for instance? I thought everything has been said?
The version I digitalized runs 203 PAL-minutes (oh yes, PAL runs with 25 frames per Second. NTSC is better there - runs with 24, like the actual 35mm theatrical projections).
203 PAL-minutes therefore equal some 211 / 212 NTSC-minutes. Overture, Intr'act, Exit music included.-------------

Thanks! MIKE
Mrs. C :angel1:

---------------------

This ran in the San Antonio Express this past Sunday. The author was staff reporter Paula Allen who runs regular articles on San Antonio history.

As we remember the Alamo in re-enactment and other observances of the siege and climactic battle of March 6, 1836, there are also San Antonians who remember "The Alamo" - the John Wayne movie version that premiered here in 1960 and occasioned a historic discombobulation of the city's schedule.
A major Fiesta event and Alamo battle observances took place in October that year, and at least two members of Wayne's entourage emerged somewhat worse for wear, if not actually wounded.
Though the movie - produced and directed by Wayne, who also starred as Col. David Crockett - was filmed on location. The set was in Brackettville, 125 miles west of San Antonio, at the Alamo Village recreation built by James T. "Happy" Shahan on his Black Angus ranch.
"The Alamo" was filmed at the more-or-less replica Alamo compoubnd from September through December 1959, but the movie opened in the hometown of the real thing, Oct. 24, 1960. "For citizens of San Antonio, the week of the premiere seemed like a nonstop carnival," says Frank Thompson in Texas Hollywood: Filmmaking in San Antonio Since 1910" (2002, Maverick Publishing).
Organized by a committee of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the official events of the Alamo World Premiere Celebration stretched over four days, from Wayne's boots on the ground at a red-carpet airport reception through the actual opening of the movie.
The star, his wife, Pilar, and son Jack [this should be Patrick] - who played James Butler Bonham - were joined by "Alamo" co-stars Richard Boone (Sam Houston), Frankie Avalon, Linda Cristal and Chill Wills for the latterday siege of San Antonio. Hollywood visitors ran an event gauntlet from square dance to River Walk boat ride to a San Antonio Symphony performance to a tribute to the Alamo defenders, all calculated to show off the city's tourist attractions.
Whenever the stars came out, they were followed by a national press corps. Regular people also were able to catch a glimpse of Wayne and others at some events, but the biggest opportunity was a one-night, Oct. 23, reprise of A Night in Old San Antonio, the Fiesta festival sponsored by the San Antonio Conservation Society.
Tickets were sold to 4,000 members of the public, along with the celebrities, 250 "honor dignitaries," reporters and society members, a crowd of about 5,000 packed La Villita. NIOSA was chosen by chamber officials to "show visiting writers how San Antonio successfully blends the old with the new," says the San Antonio Light, Oct. 21, 1960.
NIOSA kept its culltures-that-built-San Antonio theme with ethnic and traditional entertainment - mariachis, a German oompah band, an African-American choir, cowboy musicians and folk performers. Food at he off-season repeat also was familiar Tex-Mex and frontier fare: anticuchos, corn on the cob, tacos, tamales and empanadas. The old San Antonio experience "brought tears to the eyes of ("Alamo" score composer) Dimitri Tiomkin," says the San Antonio Express, Oct. 28, 1960. "Taking in all the sights in La Villita, Tiomkin confessed, 'I've never seen anything like this.' "
The event might have been too successful. Wayne and other celebrities were supposed to be able to mingle with the crowd, but "the very well-known stars," according to the Express, "were virtually unable to move through the little city." A photo in the San Antonio News, Oct. 23, 1960, shows Wayne "surrounded by policemen and San Antonians (as he) makes a fast run through La Villita (toward) a hasty exit."
Co-star Boone "got hit between the eyes once by a flashbulb tossed by a fan." A "mob at the press club gate" would not permit the stars' exit, writes chamber President Walter N. Corrigan in an otherwise complimentary letter to the Conservation Society, kept in the organization's library. "Pieces of Mrs. Wayne's $800 gown" also were torn off in the melee, say Corrigan, who hastens to add that the contretemps "in no way reflects on the Conservation Society but on a small mob of kids and star worshiping women."
The premiere was held the next day not downtown but a the suburban Woodlawn Theater, says Thompson, because it was "the only place in town equipped to show the huge 70 mm Todd-AO picture."
While the $12 million movie initially lost money, the premiere celebration was a hit. "They really liked us!" excllaims a headline in the Oct. 28 Express, quoting a chamber statement noting that "The amount of advertising San Antonio is achieving from this project is beyond calculation," thanks to "the generous, unstinted contributions of their time and money by thousands of San Antonians."

Just though you folks would like to read this bit of nostalgia.

Cheers - Jay:beer:

Jay,

I can't tell you how much the Mrs. and I enjoy nostalgia - thanks for sharing that article!

Chester :newyear:

I have to relate something else that came to mind concerning the premiere hoopla - the guy who was the master of ceremonies (or whatever he was called), during a televised celebration at what was then Wonderland Mall just prior to the movie's premiere. was a local weatherman for one of the TV stations. He later got run out of town on a rail because he got caught running around with the TV station's owner's wife.:gossip:

Cheers - Jay:beer:

Hi Jay
Thanks for that its little snippets like that that make it all the more interesting.

Regards

Arthur

great read. thanks for the post.

Source: Wikipedia
-----------------------------


Prelude to battle

After Sam Houston (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Houston) received word that Santa Anna was leading a large force to San Antonio, James Bowie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bowie) offered to lead volunteers to defend the Alamo from the expected attack. He arrived with 30 men on January 19 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_19),[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell112) where they found a force of 104 men with a few weapons and a few cannons but little supplies and gunpowder.[14] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-1) Houston knew that there were not enough men to hold the fort in an attack and had given Bowie orders to remove the artillery and blow up the fortification. Bowie and the Alamo captain, James C. Neill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_C._Neill), decided they did not have enough oxen to move the artillery someplace safer, and they did not want to destroy the fortress. On January 26 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_26), one of Bowie's men, James Bonham (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bonham), organized a rally which passed a resolution in favor of holding the Alamo. Bonham signed the resolution first, with Bowie's signature second.[15] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell114)
Through Bowie's connections due to his marriage and his fluency in Spanish, the predominantly Mexican population of San Antonio often furnished him with information about the movements of the Mexican army. After learning that Santa Anna had 4,500 troops and was heading for the city.[15] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell114) Bowie wrote several letters to the provisional government asking for help in defending the Alamo, especially "men, money, rifles, and cannon powder".[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell115) In another letter, to Governor Smith, he reiterated his view that "the salvation of Texas depends in great measure on keeping Bexar out of the hands of the enemy. It serves as the frontier picquet guard, and if it were in the possession of Santa Anna, there is no stronghold from which to repel him in his march toward the Sabine."[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell115) The letter to Smith ended, "Colonel Neill and myself have come to the solemn resolution that we will rather die in these ditches than give it up to the enemy."[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell115)
On February 3 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_3), William Travis arrived with an additional 30 troops, and several days later Davy Crockett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Crockett) appeared with twelve Tennesseans. Neill went on furlough on February 17 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_17) to visit his sick family, leaving Travis, a member of the regular army, in command.[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell115) Bowie was older than Travis with a better reputation and considered himself a colonel, thus outranking Travis, a major.[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell116)[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-2) He refused to answer to Travis, who called an election for the men to choose their own commander. They chose Bowie, infuriating Travis.[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell116) Bowie celebrated his appointment by getting very drunk and causing havoc in San Antonio, releasing all prisoners in the local jails and harassing citizens. Travis was disgusted, but two days later the men agreed to a joint command; Bowie would command the volunteers, and Travis would command the regular army and the volunteer cavalry.[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-hopewell116)[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-handbook)

Alamo defenders

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Alamo_TX.jpg/275px-Alamo_TX.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Alamo_TX.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Alamo_TX.jpg)
The Alamo


Various people had also assembled to help in the defensive effort, including several unofficial volunteers under the command of Jim Bowie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Bowie). The youngest, Galba Fuqua, was 16, and one of the oldest, Gordon C. Jennings, was 57.
In the United States, the siege of the Alamo was seen as a battle of American settlers against Mexicans, but many of the Tejanos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejano) sided with the rebellion. Many viewed this struggle in similar terms with the American Revolution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution) of 1776. The Tejanos wanted Mexico to have a loose central government which supported states rights (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_rights) as expressed in the 1824 Constitution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Constitution_of_1824). One Tejano combatant at the Alamo was Captain (later Colonel) Juan Nepomuceno Seguín (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Seguin), who was sent out as a dispatch rider before the final assault. Other Tejanos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejanos) include Toribio Losoya (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toribio_Losoya&action=edit&redlink=1) and Gregorio Esparza (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gregorio_Esparza&action=edit&redlink=1), whose entire family waited out the siege inside the Alamo.
The defenders of the Alamo came from many places besides Texas. William Barret Travis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Barret_Travis) and James Butler Bonham (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Butler_Bonham) were both from Saluda County, South Carolina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saluda_County%2C_South_Carolina), and Travis had spent some time in Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama). Jim Bowie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Bowie) was born in Kentucky (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky) but spent most of his life in Louisiana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana). From Tennessee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee) came another small group of volunteers led by famous hunter, politician and Indian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States)-fighter David "Davy" Crockett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Crockett) who was accompanied by Micajah Autry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micajah_Autry), a neighbor and lawyer. The 12-man "Tennessee Mounted Volunteers" arrived at the Alamo on February 8 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_8). The previous month David Crockett had resigned from politics having told his peers that "You may go to hell, I will go to Texas."[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)]
Another group, the "New Orleans Greys (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Greys)", came from that city to fight as infantry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantry) in the revolution. The two companies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_%28military_unit%29) comprising the Greys had participated in the Siege of Béxar in December. Most of the Greys then left San Antonio de Béxar for an expedition to Matamoros, Tamaulipas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matamoros%2C_Tamaulipas), with the promise of taking the war to Mexico, but about two dozen remained at the Alamo.
The question of the Alamo defenders' politics has been controversial. The abrogation of the Constitution of 1824 was a key trigger for the revolt in general, yet many Americans in Texas had strong sympathies for independence or union with the United States. And for many of them, the right to own slaves was a key issue. While the political climate would have been more favorable earlier during 1835 for a reliance on such a Constitution, things changed towards the fall of that year. When the Texians defeated the Mexican garrison at the Alamo in December 1835, their flag did have the word INDEPENDENCE on it. Letters written from the Alamo expressed that "all here are for independence",[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)] and the famous letter from Travis referred to their "flag of Independence". Some 25 years after the battle, historian Reuben Potter made the assertion that reinstatement of the Constitution of 1824 was a primary objective, and Potter's comments have also been the source of a myth that the battle flag of the Alamo garrison was some sort of Mexican tricolor with "1824" on it.[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)]

Siege

Lieutenant Colonel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_Colonel) William Travis was able to dispatch riders before the battle and as late as March 3 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_3) informing the Texas provisional government of his situation and requesting assistance. However, Sam Houston's Texas Army was not strong enough to fight through the Mexican Army and relieve the post. The provisional Texas government was also in disarray because of in-fighting among its members. Travis also sent several riders, including James Bonham (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bonham), to Colonel James Fannin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fannin) for assistance. Fannin, commander of over 450 Texas forces at Goliad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliad%2C_Texas) 100 miles (160 km) southeast of the Alamo, attempted an unorganized relief march with 320 men and cannon on February 28 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_28) to the Alamo, but he aborted the relief column, citing poor transportation. On March 27 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_27), Fannin and most of his men were slaughtered by a Mexican force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliad_Campaign) after surrendering.
On March 1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1) at about 1 a.m., 32 Texians led by Captain George Kimbell and John W. Smith from the town of Gonzales (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzales) slipped through the Mexican lines and joined the defenders inside the Alamo. They would be the only response to Travis' plea for help. The group became known as the "Immortal 32."[20] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-3)

Final assault

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/de/FalloftheAlamo.jpg/250px-FalloftheAlamo.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FalloftheAlamo.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FalloftheAlamo.jpg)
"The Fall of the Alamo" by Robert Jenkins Onderdonk depicts Davy Crockett in a charge at the Mexican troops who have breached the walls of the mission.






At the end of 12 days the number of Mexican forces attacking the post was reported as high as 4,000 to 5,000, but only about 1,400 to 1,600 soldiers were used in the investment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investment_%28military%29) and the final assault (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forlorn_hope). 6,500 soldiers had originally set out from San Luis Potosí, but illness (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illness) and desertion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertion) had since reduced the force. The siege (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege) was calculated and professionally conducted in the Napoleonic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_I_of_France) style. After a 13-day period in which the defenders were tormented with bands blaring at night (including buglers sounding the no-mercy call El Degüello (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Deg%C3%BCello), which literally translates into "slit throat"), occasional artillery fire, and an ever closing ring of Mexicans cutting off potential escape routes, Santa Anna planned the final assault for March 6 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_6). Santa Anna raised a blood red flag which made his message perfectly clear. No quarter would be given for the defenders.
Lieutenant Colonel Travis wrote in his final dispatches: "The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered their demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat."[21] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-4)
The Mexican army attacked the Alamo in four columns plus a reserve and a pursuit and security force, starting at around 5:00 a.m. The first column of 300 to 400 men led by Martín Perfecto de Cos moved towards the northwest corner of the Alamo. The second was of 380 men commanded by Colonel Francisco Duque. The third column comprised 400 soldiers led by Colonel José María Romero. The fourth comprised 100 cazadores (light infantry) commanded by Colonel Juan Morales. The attacking columns had to cover 200 to 300 yards (180 to 275 m) of open ground before they could reach the Alamo walls. To prevent any attempted escape by the fleeing Texians or reinforcements from coming in, Santa Anna placed 350 cavalry under Brigadier General Ramírez y Sesma to patrol the surrounding countryside.
The Texians initially pushed back one of the attacking columns, although Cos' column was able to breach the Alamo's weak north wall, which was just a plain wooden palisade, fairly quickly where the first defenders fell — among them William Barret Travis, who was allegedly killed by a shot to the head. Meanwhile, the rest of Santa Anna's columns continued the assault while Cos's men flooded into the fortress. The Alamo defenders were spread too thin to adequately defend both the walls and the invading Mexicans. By 8:00 that morning, nearly all of the Alamo defenders had been slain in brutal hand-to-hand combat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand-to-hand_combat). Jim Bowie is reported by some survivors to have been bayoneted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayonet) and shot to death in his cot. The battle, from the initial assault to the capture of the Alamo, lasted only an hour. According to several reports, a group of male survivors were executed after the battle. [22] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-EW-1849) [23] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-CNN-1998) According to one report Davy Crockett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Crockett) was among them, but the provenance of the document making this claim has been questioned by a number of experts (see below (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#Davy_Crockett.27s_death) for more details).[23] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo#_note-CNN-1998)

Casualties


Mexican: There are wide variations among reports regarding the number of Mexican casualties at the Alamo. However, some historians and military analysts accept those reports which place the number of Mexican casualties at approximately 200 deaths and 400 wounded. (See below "Mexican Casualties")
Texan: 183 to 250 Texian and Tejano bodies were found at the Alamo after the battle, though Santa Anna's official report back to Mexico City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_City), dictated to his personal secretary Ramón Martínez Caro, stated 600 rebel bodies were found. Historians believe this to be a false claim. All but one of the bodies were burned by the Mexicans; the sole exception being Gregorio Esparza, who was buried rather than burned because his brother Francisco had served as an activo and had fought under General Cos in the Siege of Béxar.[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)]
Alamo survivors


Susanna Dickinson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanna_Dickinson)
Angelina Dickinson
Joe, the slave of William B. Travis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_B._Travis)
Sam the slave of Jim Bowie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Bowie)
Juana Navarro Alsbury (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juana_Navarro_Alsbury)
Alijo Perez Jr. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alijo_Perez_Jr.) (he was the last living survivor of the Alamo battle, he died in 1918)
Gertrudis Navarro (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gertrudis_Navarro&action=edit&redlink=1)
Ana Esparza
Enrique Esparza
Francisco Esparza
Manuel Esparza
María de Jesús Castro
Trinidad Saucedo
Petra Gonzales
Brígido Guerrero
Henry Wornell

Regarding this movie how did Ken Curtis' character die? He lets out a scream but nothing actually seemed to happen to him.

:agent:

I had assumed that they had either shot or stabbed him.

Watch that scene closely and you'll hear a gunshot that's a little louder than the rest. A second after that happens, Curtis cries out and falls back over the stockade wall.

Watch that scene closely and you'll hear a gunshot that's a little louder than the rest. A second after that happens, Curtis cries out and falls back over the stockade wall.

I just watched the scene again here (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_jbAZSd3f24), and the only gunshot is that from Curtis' own gun.

:agent:

Because I had read the thread "Deleted Scene,Two Superb Gems."started by Robbie,
I was awakened to the importance of the full version of "The Alamo"which accidentally i bought in 1996 and keeping in the lumber room.
I enjoyed The Alamo full version for the first time in a long time.
and let me report result of measuring the time.
as
Prelude - 3min.05sec.
Title - 2min.10sec.
The first half of the original story-89min.45sec.
Intermission guidance -15sec.
Interlude-3min.40sec.
Blackout-5sec.
The latter half of the original story -99min.20sec.
Exit music-3min.20sec.
and overall time is about 201min.40sec.

Thanks
H.sanada

I think with the passing of Richard Widmark I'll watch JW version of the battle. I own eight different movies of this battle, three are silent films.

I think with the passing of Richard Widmark I'll watch JW version of the battle. I own eight different movies of this battle, three are silent films.

Which in your opinion is the best version and which is the most historically accurate?

I have only ever seen the mutilated version of John Wayne's "Alamo".

:agent:

Which in your opinion is the best version and which is the most historically accurate?

I have only ever seen the mutilated version of John Wayne's "Alamo".

:agent:
Well the most entertaing for me is Duke's long version,but by far the most accorate is the last version.I only wish Ron Howard had not pulled out of the project that would have been interesting.

Well the most entertaing for me is Duke's long version,but by far the most accorate is the last version.I only wish Ron Howard had not pulled out of the project that would have been interesting.
I agree! I think the remake would have been a lot better if Ron Howard had helmed the pic.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

I also have several movie versions,
but for some reason, I think Duke's is the best.
I am also fortunate to have the longer print.

Our Movie Review, of course is here:-

The Alamo (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=1842)

I may be headed to Austin this year sometime for work. How far away is the Alamo from Austin? That's a question to all the Texan's on the board.

Hey, Todd - San Antonio is about 76 miles down IH-35 from Austin. That route is getting heavily traveled, though, so expect some busy traffic if you're driving.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

Awesome, should still be worth the trip to see a historic site like that. Thanks Jay.

Here's an example of the book. Enjoy!

Mark

http://www.dukewayne.com/imagehosting/2147fa2351788ba.jpg

As I posted in another thread called carnivore Duke fed the cast well. During filming of the Alamo he bought over 60 tons = 120,000 lbs of steak, roast beef, veal, hamburger and sausage

Here's an example of the book. Enjoy!

Mark

http://www.dukewayne.com/imagehosting/2147fa2351788ba.jpg

I have that book and the only connection it has with The Alamo movie is the cover. When I first sat down to read it, I thought it would be a novelization of the film but, all it is a telling of the history of the battle. I had been hoping that it would go along with the movies storyline and would include parts that were written for the movie but were cut out. Just like the 2004 Alamo movie, where Frank Thompson wrote the novelization of it and there were parts that were in the script and filmed but, were cut out of the finished film, like Bonhams ride or at the end, when Juan Seguin goes back to the Alamo to keep his promise to his friends.

Well, October is almost gone and I never saw any announcement that "The Alamo" was going to be shown on the big screen at the Woodlawn Theater. This has been the most frustrating non-event for me in recent times!!!!:headbonk: :vomit: :dead:
Cheers - Jay:glare:

Jay, the reason it was canceled was because the Woodlawn Theater was not in good enough shape to show it. I guess it needed alot of work. It was set up for stage plays, not movies. They didn't have enough room for a wide screen. The folks putting it on were to say the least, peeved. They were under the impression that the theater would be all fixed up and ready to go and it wasn't. They had a number of people connected with the movie coming. Dean Smith, Jim Brewer and Rudy Robbins were all slated to be there as was Churro and Theresa Champion. She was the flamenco dancer on the table in the cantina and her husband Churro was the guitar player for her. Invites were also sent out to Aissa Wayne, Joan O'Brien and, Linda Cristal. There were alot of disappointed people connected with this but, they are still hoping that maybe next year things will work out and it'll be a go.
Well, just out of curiousity, has anyone heard any more rumblings of a theatrical showing of "The Alamo?" This has been the most ON-OFF event that I've encountered in recent history!:closedeyes:

I've read that Sammy Davis was keen to play the role of Jethro. Any truth in this?

I've read that Sammy Davis was keen to play the role of Jethro. Any truth in this?

Mike, there could well be,

here is a piece from the initial post on this thread

* Sammy Davis Jr. managed to obtain a copy of the script and asked John Wayne if he could play the straight role of a Negro slave. Wayne considered him but eventually declined Davis' offer. Davis recalled, "There were a lot of influential Texans investing in the film and they didn't like the idea that I was seeing [his future wife] May Britt at the time. They disapproved of a man of color going out with a girl who was white, though Duke [Wayne] was upfront with me about it and I respected him for it".

I havent seen this one before so I hope it is new for the rest of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zfC-MQqD5I

Mike

It'a also new to me Mike, thanks for posting it

Thanks, Mike, for sharing!

After the first couple of lines, we realized we had seen it before, but it was good watching it again.

We see it has been shared previously (back on page 3 of the YT forum). I have made the same mistake myself, posting something that was already here. If you think of it, it's good to check the older threads. Even then, you can't always find it (yup, that's happened to me, too :headbonk:).

Chester :newyear:

This interview was new to me. I enjoyed how he related that San Antonians feted him from dawn to dusk for several days during the world premiere of "The Alamo."

Thanks, Mike, for sharing!

After the first couple of lines, we realized we had seen it before, but it was good watching it again.

We see it has been shared previously (back on page 3 of the YT forum). I have made the same mistake myself, posting something that was already here. If you think of it, it's good to check the older threads. Even then, you can't always find it (yup, that's happened to me, too :headbonk:).

Chester :newyear:


Hi Chester

I see what you mean. I didnt find it the first time round. Lots of good material has surfaced via You Tube.

Mike

Lots of good material has surfaced via You Tube.
I know this will veer a little (ot), but I couldn't agree with you more. It is amazing to me how much stuff one can find on YouTube. I know there is some really gross garbage to be found there, but the amount of nostalgic, wholesome neat stuff far outweighs it (at least in my experience).

Chester :newyear:

Just a reminder the Original Soundtrack for this movie can be found here:-

The Alamo Soundtrack (http://www.amazon.com/Alamo-Dmitri-Tiomkin/dp/B000002AN4)

What's with the extreme prices? I'm extremely happy with my original LP, thank you!

It is interesting Amazon can be so good with prices on new and with locating used, but many times Abes beat them with sellers and prices.

I have seen the Alamo OST CD on ebay for less than £5.00 so it may be worth looking there.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Alamo-Original-Score-CD-1995_W0QQitemZ370088458106QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 370088458106&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Alamo-Original-Score-CD-1995_W0QQitemZ370088458106QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 370088458106&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

Mike

i liked listening to him talking about the alamo and the fact that he said the money didn t matter, they would spend whatever they needed to make a great film
nice one

I know this will veer a little (ot), but I couldn't agree with you more. It is amazing to me how much stuff one can find on YouTube. I know there is some really gross garbage to be found there, but the amount of nostalgic, wholesome neat stuff far outweighs it (at least in my experience).

Chester :newyear:
by going on to this, i also found a clip of him in the Here s Lucy show
loved it http://www.dukewayne.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Hi All

Many of you have probably seen the clips below that were deleted from "The Alamo," but for those that haven't enjoy.

Flaca helps Mrs. Guy.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7_RYXPUH7CE&feature=channel_page

Lisa's birthday.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NdTGSdiMcIY&feature=channel

Crocketts death (minor alteration).

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gm8gvXClrP4&feature=channel

Death of Emil Sands.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lKs0flUi2h8&feature=channel

Death of Parson.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xleDst0R0v0&feature=channel

Travis gives an order.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HaTj4C0xvFY&feature=channel

Jethro and Jim Bowie

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Cmr7ZvrvY&feature=channel

Mexican Lancers.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3czKYC5zPw8&feature=channel

:agent:

Great post Robbie Thanks for sharing

Mike

Thanks Robbie! I had never seen those before. Any idea about how we can get these on a DVD?

They are great scenes, and I am lucky to have the uncut VHS version.
On one of the YouTube comments, it says it was 'butchery'
to cut these scenes, and they're right!

Robbie,
Great job ferreting these out. This YouTube gets better and better. Thanks too, to Mr. hauptmannbrittles (http://uk.youtube.com/user/hauptmannbrittles) for his efforts also.

Chester :newyear:

These are on the old two-tape uncut VHS version? I don't remember them. I'm gonna have to get it out and watch it tonight to see if I can see them. Thanks Ethan!

Thanks for sharing this Robbie. I know that you are not a fan of this movie, but finding these cut in the movie is great. I have the VHS uncut copy, but I don't recall seeing any of these clips.

Cheers :cool:

They are on my VHS two-tape copy!

They are on my VHS two-tape copy!

Yep, same here

I'm glad everyone enjoyed these clips, does anyone know if anymore exist from this movie?

In addition to this does anyone know where I can view a clip John Wayne himself cut from this movie involving him killing two Mexicans with the same lance?

:agent:

This may be slightly off-topic, but here goes -
We have an organization in San Antonio that does reinactments of the siege of the Alamo every year around this time (from the end of February to early March). There was an item the local paper the other day about an Englishman who was a fan of "The Alamo" from his youth and came here to participate in the reinactment. Guess who he got to portray - Davey Crockett!

Rumour has it that The Alamo will be shown at Brackettville either this October or else next year for the 50th anniversary.

For all you fans of JW's The Alamo - I got the following communication from member itdo -

Hi Chester,

There are definite plans to finally save The Alamo - before it's too late. I thought it might be appropriate that the John Wayne Forum knew about this and would perform something to add to the gigantic task. The well-known Robert Harris, who restored Lawrence and Spartacus, is trying to find the funds. I'm a member of the 35mmforum.com, and it was posted there:

http://thedigitalbits.com/articles/robertharris/harris032009.html

Maybe you can post this. This is the ultimate LAST chance to save the ONLY surviving 70mm print - the Original Director's Cut. If it's gone, it's gone. I hope you won't get a discussion about "can't they just put on DVD?" No, they can't. As we have seen with the DVD release, they had to use the other print - the short one. Because the only print running the original length is now deteriorating.

All the Best,
RolandThe article at the link is quite interesting. The first part is a very technical discussion of what physically happens to film. Even if you don't want to read the tech stuff, fast forward to the end of the article where they tell about Harris' desire to restore this print. A worthwhile cause, if ever there was one!

For all you fans of JW's The Alamo - I got the following communication from member itdo -

Hi Chester,

There are definite plans to finally save The Alamo - before it's too late. I thought it might be appropriate that the John Wayne Forum knew about this and would perform something to add to the gigantic task. The well-known Robert Harris, who restored Lawrence and Spartacus, is trying to find the funds. I'm a member of the 35mmforum.com, and it was posted there:

http://thedigitalbits.com/articles/robertharris/harris032009.html

Maybe you can post this. This is the ultimate LAST chance to save the ONLY surviving 70mm print - the Original Director's Cut. If it's gone, it's gone. I hope you won't get a discussion about "can't they just put on DVD?" No, they can't. As we have seen with the DVD release, they had to use the other print - the short one. Because the only print running the original length is now deteriorating.

All the Best,
RolandThe article at the link is quite interesting. The first part is a very technical discussion of what physically happens to film. Even if you don't want to read the tech stuff, fast forward to the end of the article where they tell about Harris' desire to restore this print. A worthwhile cause, if ever there was one!

I wonder how many other films us young'uns havent seen in origional format. Sad to see something that could have been preserved so easily at one time fall into such a desperate state of condition. I suppose we all do it everyday of our lives in one form or another, whether it be the 69' Roadrunner someone sold in 1976 for a few hundred bucks (my dad) or a film that should have seen better care and probably duplicated years ago to a better format before it got this bad. Guess the moral of the story is what is worth nothing now will probably be priceless tommorrow, a good thing to remember.

I have contacted Bill Hunt, the person who wrote the article on The Digital Bit's. I wanted him to know that we had a great community over here and I am sure we could drum up some support for the restoration project. And since not everyone was a home theater enthusiast, having a link to the film restoration contribution site on our forum would drum up even more support from the John Wayne fan base here. I will post his response to me, if any, once I hear back from him.

I will say this, this is a very exciting undertaking and one that all of us fan's of the Duke would do well to contribute something, even as little as a couple dollars, to bring this movie back to it's full uncut glory.

I received a email back from Bill Hunt and Robert Harris. Robert Harris is the person who is heading up the project and who wrote the article over on www.thedigitaldits.com (http://www.thedigitaldits.com) . Here is a link if you haven't had a chance to look at it yet: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/robertharris/harris032009.html .

Robert is now a registered user here and will be posting a link here or hopefully any other info concerning the restoration project for "The Alamo" as soon as that informatoin becomes available.

Maybe we can create a seperate forum for this project os it's easier to get to???? Just a thought. So if you see Robert Harris around here, that is who he is.

I know I have kind of taken over this thread but if anyone else has any ideas. Feel free to post them. My biggest reason for seeming so passionate is that I have always heard about the full length version and have wanted to see it forever. I really hope they can pull this off.

Never knew about this version until now, I'd love to see it

Todd,

Thank you for following up so thoroughly!! Mr. Harris' registration has been approved this evening, so I look forward to hearing from him soon.

I was hoping that making this a 'sticky' thread in General Discussions (specifically JW related) would keep it relatively easy to find. If something else is needed, I'm sure Kevin can help out and make it happen.

Thanks again, Todd, for being so proactive!

Chester :newyear:

Just a quick note to acknowledge the thread. Our non-profit links will be announced next week, and the support of dukewayne.com is appreciated. Through the support of Batjac, we now have proper color reference for reel 9B, which contains the missing birthday party sequence. We will attempt to keep you in the loop as to progress.

RAH

Mr. Harris,

WELCOME to the Original John Wayne Message Board, and thank you so much for taking the time to join us and keep us informed on this upcoming project. As you might imagine, the members here take a special interest in The Alamo, as it was one of John Wayne's pet projects.

We look forward to hearing more about your efforts, and we thank you for them!

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

Robert,

Thanks again for coming on board and giving us a chance to help. See you around.

Welcome, Robert. I wish you much success in your endeavor with "The Alamo." It is one of my favorite John Wayne pictures. I consider myself most fortunate to have seen the original road show engagement here in San Antonio within a week after its premiere.
Please keep us posted.

As of today, the fundraising has officially begun.

While it will be a few days before we have links for credit cards and Paypal,
our charitable sponsor can now accept checks toward the restoration of the film. Their website, where prime links for cc and pp will reside is: http://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/

Contributions via check should be made out payable to:

Jacob Burns Film Center, Inc.

with the information: "f/b/o Alamo Restoration" in the memo field, normally lower left. It is very important that Alamo be noted on the checks.

The mailing address is:

Jacob Burns Film Center
405 Manville Road
Pleasantville, NY 10570
Att: Dominick Balletta

All contributions are tax deductible.

It goes without saying that any aid is appreciated.

RAH

Howdy Robert, and welcome to the JWMB. I know that you will find a lot of supporters here at the board, myself among them. The restoration of The Alamo has long been a dream for many of us, and I'm sure we will all be looking forward to the day that this project is completed.

I hope you don't mind what is probably a stupid question, but can you tell me the difference between the different versions of The Alamo that are out there now? I bought the DVD several years ago, and it is shorter than the VHS tape that I have. The VHS set is two tapes and has the Overture, the Entr'acte, Intermission, and Exit music in it, plus the birthday scene with Lisa Dickinson (Aissa Wayne). But I always thought that there was more to it. That even the VHS tapes had something missing. Maybe I'm wrong. I had always thought that the original film had been cut down to make a roadshow version and that the roadshow version was made into the VHS double tape set, and then cut down again for the DVD version. I thought that the original was completely lost. I read the article that you wrote, but sometimes I'm a little dense and need things explained a little more before I understand them.

Thanks again for undertaking this not only monumental, but historically important task. I know that all of us here at the JWMB truely appreciate it.
-Colorado Bob

This is a film that must be saved. there is a forum that I belong to which is solely dedicated to this great movie, it is a very small forum which has only been going for about 6 months and only has about 60 or so members but the info and knowledge and love pertaining to the film here is second to none.

I feel sure that should you inform them of this ongoing fundraising campaign the response would be a positive one.

I am not keen on the practice of coming onto forums and preaching the virtues of others, but in this instance perhaps the mods here will forgive me for doing so as hopefully the ends will justify the means.

johnwayne-thealamo.com • Index page (http://johnwayne-thealamo.com/forum/index.php)

This is a film that must be saved. there is a forum that I belong to which is solely dedicated to this great movie, it is a very small forum which has only been going for about 6 months and only has about 60 or so members but the info and knowledge and love pertaining to the film here is second to none.

I feel sure that should you inform them of this ongoing fundraising campaign the response would be a positive one.

I am not keen on the practice of coming onto forums and preaching the virtues of others, but in this instance perhaps the mods here will forgive me for doing so as hopefully the ends will justify the means.

johnwayne-thealamo.com • Index page (http://johnwayne-thealamo.com/forum/index.php)

I don't think the mods would have any problems with posting that link.

I do think to save Robert Harris from having to post on multiple site's that if you could just post a link to our thread here or post the link that Robert posted on this thread to the Jacob Burns Film Center http://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/ (http://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/) at your web forum. That way your member's will have way to contribute.

Thanks.

I hope you don't mind what is probably a stupid question, but can you tell me the difference between the different versions of The Alamo that are out there now? I bought the DVD several years ago, and it is shorter than the VHS tape that I have. The VHS set is two tapes and has the Overture, the Entr'acte, Intermission, and Exit music in it, plus the birthday scene with Lisa Dickinson (Aissa Wayne). But I always thought that there was more to it. That even the VHS tapes had something missing. Maybe I'm wrong. I had always thought that the original film had been cut down to make a roadshow version and that the roadshow version was made into the VHS double tape set, and then cut down again for the DVD version. I thought that the original was completely lost. I read the article that you wrote, but sometimes I'm a little dense and need things explained a little more before I understand them.

Thanks again for undertaking this not only monumental, but historically important task. I know that all of us here at the JWMB truely appreciate it.
-Colorado Bob

Not a "stupid question" at all, with a bit of a complex answer, but here goes.

The Alamo ran for a limited period in a version running approximately 192 minutes PLUS Overture, Entr'acte, Intermission tag and Exit music, which added about an extra 10, bringing the total to about 202 minutes.

Shortly after the release the film was cut reducing the length to about 162 minutes. 70mm screenings still had the music intact, while most 35mm prints were without.

When the 70mm Roadshow print was discovered in the exchange in Toronto around 1992 it was used toward the creation of the laser disc boxed set, which was released as the Roadshow. However, because of print damage during transfer, the laser and all other variants packaged as Roadshow were not. There were no major changes, but a bit of re-cutting with loss of footage did occur. Our new version will be the actual Roadshow, with frame losses, still within a second of the original.

I'm unfamiliar with the cut on VHS. You mention the birthday party, which was reel 9B, and this is where it gets confusing. As reels were re-cut the original 65mm negative elements as well as 65mm protective masters were destroyed. Since reel 9B was removed in its entirety, it was simply set aside, and still survives today. So when you mention VHS and birthday party, it is possible that just that reel was somehow added back, which would have created other problems, as bits and pieces of connective tissue in 9A would have been missing.

If your VHS tape runs over 200 minutes, then it is simply another release on VHS of the laserdisc boxed set. If not, then it is something entirely different and somehow between the two.

In reality, there have been three versions: The Roadshow, The General Release and the home video version called "The Roadshow."

The DVD is the General Release version, as the Roadshow footage was not of high enough quality to work on DVD without complaints.

Our final versions would be available in both General Release as well as the ACTUAL Roadshow in both Blu-ray as well as standard definition DVD.

I hope this is helpful!

RAH

Previous discussion of this also took place from Page 9
of our dedicated thread on this film.


The Alamo (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=3755&page=9)

I know someone who has a German 70mm print. I don't know whether it has a longer running time than the 'general' German 35mm version that was released at the same time.
Are you still looking for better picture elements or is this just all about restoring the print you already have?

I know someone who has a German 70mm print. I don't know whether it has a longer running time than the 'general' German 35mm version that was released at the same time.
Are you still looking for better picture elements or is this just all about restoring the print you already have?

The film was released in Germany after the negative was re-cut, which means that the chances of a print being the longer version are very slim. The print that we have serves our purposes.

We've been reviewing our fundraising plans, and have made a decision to accept only Corporate sponsorships toward the restoration of The Alamo, and will keep you in the loop as things progress.

Thank you all for your support.

RAH

We've been reviewing our fundraising plans, and have made a decision to accept only Corporate sponsorships toward the restoration of The Alamo, and will keep you in the loop as things progress.

Thank you all for your support.

RAH


Is it possible that any donations sent to the address you gave previously will still be accepted towards your work? We are certainly interested in anything we can do to assist in the support of this project.

Chester :newyear:

They are great scenes, and I am lucky to have the uncut VHS version.
On one of the YouTube comments, it says it was 'butchery'
to cut these scenes, and they're right!

Hi Keith

Thats interesting, are there many deleted scenes missing from my original post that are within your VCR version?

:agent:

This is fun to Hear,
"The Ballad Of The Alamo"
by Marty Robbins

eL62m5umP4g

Good song bill, marty robbins had some wonderful songs, i loved The Masters Call, and Big Iron and about all his gunfighter ballads really. The saddest thing about the real Alamo is the way San Antonio has overgrown it so badly like weeds the buildings have swarmed almost over it. Shame that people think that they have to live 2 feet from another human. I dont even want to buried in a cemetery let alone live 3 inches from someone else.

There is also a laserdisc (anyone remember those?) which has the complete director's cut as well as the long version of Brian Huberman's great documentary. The doc shows the Mexicans turning the Alamo's cannon inside the fort, probably toward the long barracks.
I've also seen stills of the defenders fighting and dying on the steps up to Travis' office.
The scene with the cannon being blown over backward was preceded by the defenders running out of shot and loading their spurs and other objects into the muzzle, causing the flip.
I think Duke filmed a lot of battle action that never made it into the final cut. That's what I'd like to find.
Can anyone shed any light on Jack Pennick's fate? Old Sergeant Lightfoot was there the night before the attack, but unless he pulled a Moses Rose, his death must have been filmed.


We deal in lead, friend

It was 50 years ago this very day that the battle scenes for The Alamo were being filmed.

I was wondering if anyone had some interesting images from the Alamo that they might be willing to post. I know that quite a few die hard fans have some collectibles that they wish to keep private. I guess they think it might diminish the estate value to their heirs or they intend to line their coffins with the stills. At any rate, once my scanner is replaced, if anyone has any interest in this, I'll be glad to reciprocate.


We deal in lead, friend.

I do know my good friend Joe Zuke has a shirt of Dukes from the Alamo and a mexican army uniform, whether he can post them I do not know. They will be on display this year at Winterset for the 50th. year anniversaty showing of this work of love by the Duke.

I have a Mexican Uniform that is an officers uniform from the picture.

Best dressed army I ever did see!
Outstanding. I'm glad much of Wayne's dream still lives on. I would have loved to have tried that on for size before my sedentary lifestyle and age interfered. Now I need Sergeant Garcia's uniform from Zorro.




We deal in lead, friend.

eGreat picture stagecoach. thats a keepsake.:cool:

Robert Reylea's autobiography "Not So Quiet on the Set" tells about the first day of actual shooting on "The Alamo".
He reports that the strain on Duke was unbearable.
Sets had been constructed, casting and costuming had dressed and auditioned hundreds of Mexican extras for Santa Anna's army, many of whom had claimed that they could ride for the extra stipend but really couldn't. At the first shakedown for the camera, Relyea saw 1,000 Mexicans and 1,000 horses, none of whom were attached. Bob noticed "One guy was stuck in the earth like a dart".
So, the first scene to be shot was the Mexican army crossing a stream in full force. The huge and expensive Todd-AO camera was eye level with the stream and was on remote with no operator in direct contact with it.
Duke called action and the cavalry and caissons with cannons came thundering toward the camera. As the first caisson hit the stream, the wooden harness beams snapped, sending the first two horses head over hooves into the water and pinning their riders. The next caisson slammed into the wreckage, sending riders and horses flying.
The camera was flipped from it's perch and settled upside down at the stream bottom. One of the grips rushed into the water to save it, not realizing that it was still plugged into the generator. His hair stood straight up, as a wrangler, to quote Relea, "was having his teeth rabbit-punched by the rear hoof of a struggling horse.
Well, that takes care of the first shot, Duke said to me with that hard-ass grin of his".

I don't mean to crimp from Relyea, but this is a must read for hardcore fans. I got my copy on Amazon.
Bob also worked on Magnificent Seven, Great Escape, 633 Squadron and many nore iconic sixties films.

We deal in lead, friend.

Absolutely love Duke's version of the battle. Sure it's all Hollywood with a capital "H", but it's still an incredible film. You can see his heart in every scene. He made it HIS way, and even if he didn't make money off of it, he was always proud of it. I truly hope one of the deals goes thru for Alamo Village where the buyer is intending to restore the Alamo to how it was in the film. The facade and the Village have had so many changes over the years, it barely matches the film now.

I must admit I'm surprised Chill Wills was nominated, I mean his performance here was no different than most of his other westerns.

If you compare the theatrical release final battle with the director's cut, the differences are subtle but better in the original Duke version. The Mexican cavalry charge is now more fluid, Chuck and Rudy's death scene is repositioned and so is Chill's death, and there's an extra snippet of music when Dickinson falls over the stockade.
Also, Duke gives an extra body spin after being lanced.
Not much, but just a tad more cohesive.



We deal in lead, friend.

If I've done this correctly (50/50 at best), attached is a deleted scene from the final assault on Travis' headquarters.
Can anyone here prvovide additional information?
Thanks.



We deal in lead, friend.

If I've done this correctly (50/50 at best), attached is a deleted scene from the final assault on Travis' headquarters.
Can anyone here prvovide additional information?
Thanks.



We deal in lead, friend.

Gorch,
There has been lots of discussion about the missing scenes,
in the shortened version.

If you read from here
http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=3755&page=8

in this thread, you will see what's gone on previously.

That scene of tthe fight on Travis' HQ steps was shot, but was not in any of the released versions-not even the director's cut. As far as can be told, only the couple stills exist. It would be incredible if all the filmed, but unused footage, could be found and inserted into a "special edition" release.

It would be incredible if all the filmed, but unused footage, could be found and inserted into a "special edition" release.

Hope springs Eternal. :wink_smile:

From what i know all extra masters film is either lost or it has deteriorated.

There as certainly been much discussion on this thread
about the missing footage, certainly by roughrider
and others.
I stll feel blessed that I have the 212minute VHS
complete with the missing scenes, Intermission etc.

That scene of tthe fight on Travis' HQ steps was shot, but was not in any of the released versions-not even the director's cut. As far as can be told, only the couple stills exist. It would be incredible if all the filmed, but unused footage, could be found and inserted into a "special edition" release.

There was also a scene filmed but, never used, of the Mexicans turning a cannon around at the SW corner of the Alamo and firing on and destroying Travis HQ.

This may be slightly off-topic, but here goes -
We have an organization in San Antonio that does reinactments of the siege of the Alamo every year around this time (from the end of February to early March). There was an item the local paper the other day about an Englishman who was a fan of "The Alamo" from his youth and came here to participate in the reinactment. Guess who he got to portray - Davey Crockett!

Jay, would this Englishman you mentioned be the singer Phil Collins? I know for a fact that Collins is a huge Alamo buff and in the last few years has become heavily involved in the festivities in March. I guess he's been an Alamo fan since he was a kid.

There as certainly been much discussion on this thread
about the missing footage, certainly by roughrider
and others.
I stll feel blessed that I have the 212minute VHS
complete with the missing scenes, Intermission etc.

Now Keith, would you think that if you have the 212 minutes on VHS which I also have a copy myself on this side of the pond, they (meaning the studio/family) would have one themselves? I just can't believe that you and I are the only ones who have it and no one else does.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

hi all
i have the 212mins as well on vhs.i was thinking of transfering it on to a dvd.i bought the alamo when it came out on dvd only then realising that it was the shorter version but the documentary is good.glad i have the vhs one.

This picture seems to capture Duke's reaction if he knew people were still enjoying his labor of love fifty years into the future.



We deal in lead, friend.

I also have the 212 minute version, Hondo. A friend had put it on a DVD for me.

Now Keith, would you think that if you have the 212 minutes on VHS which I also have a copy myself on this side of the pond, they (meaning the studio/family) would have one themselves? I just can't believe that you and I are the only ones who have it and no one else does.

Cheers :cool: Hondo
Mike it seems so odd.
Surely if there are that many 212m VHS out there,
they would just digitally re-master the tape, to disc.
Or are we missing something, somehow??

I too have the VHS copy, 2 tapes in the blue box with the gold MGM at the top on the front. But mine doesn't say 212 minutes. It says 3 hrs and 22 min. which is 202 minutes. What's the other 10 minutes? I also have a copy, on DVD, of the laser disc version with the complete documentary by Brian Huberman on it.

Surely if there are that many 212m VHS out there,
they would just digitally re-master the tape, to disc.
Or are we missing something, somehow??

Good question. I've wondered that too. I know TCM, when they show it, it's always the Director's cut, so we know there's a good clean copy of it.


mine doesn't say 212 minutes. It says 3 hrs and 22 min. which is 202 minutes. What's the other 10 minutes?


That's the one I have. I'm guessing when they say 3 hours and 22 min. they're not counting the Overture and the Intermission. Just a guess!

I made a 2-Disc DVD 8 years ago based on that tape. I used the UK VHS-PAL tape which had better colors than the LD/VHS from the US.
It looks quite good, I put some work into it.

But the (tape) master from 1992 is not good enough for a DVD-release.
I mean they could do it anyway and give their best shot. Would be better than nothing!
But THE ALAMO should be restored and shine again in all its glory.

Joking aside (meaning that Keith & I having the only VHS copy of the run time of 212 minute movie), I just saying that a master is out there for the complete director's cut of The Alamo..... For some reason the production company, studio, or family is holding this movie for a reason.

Maybe waiting for the proper release of The Alamo on Blu-Ray with the total time. Interesting to see that someone made a copy of this movie and used 2 DVDs to make their copy. Of course there are two VHS tapes of the movie.

I don't have the answer either, but I know there is a proper copy out there. I thing the John Wayne estate is holding it, IMO.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

Jay, would this Englishman you mentioned be the singer Phil Collins? I know for a fact that Collins is a huge Alamo buff and in the last few years has become heavily involved in the festivities in March. I guess he's been an Alamo fan since he was a kid.

That was the name as I recall - I remember saying to myself, "Isn't that the singer?"

Now Keith, would you think that if you have the 212 minutes on VHS which I also have a copy myself on this side of the pond, they (meaning the studio/family) would have one themselves? I just can't believe that you and I are the only ones who have it and no one else does.
Cheers :cool: Hondo

Count me as one of the lucky souls!

There IS a complete director's cut master copy, but it is not in good condition and is in the process of being restored. Unfortunately, the last I heard, the funds needed are not there.

March 6 is looming once again. I always try to watch Duke's "The Alamo" on that date. I've missed it only twice since the first VHS edition came out.
If there's any time left, the Fess Parker version goes on right after.


We deal in lead, friend.

[QUOTE=Gorch;92184]March 6 is looming once again. I always try to watch Duke's "The Alamo" on that date. I've missed it only twice since the first VHS edition came out.

I will also watch on saturday. I also have the long version. I first saw this fine film uncut in 1960 at the ripe old age of thirteen. This fiim has had a very lasting affect on me to become a true history buff.
I heard that they fly the city flags at half mast on the sixth. Is that true?

Mission (I use that word with tongue firmly in cheek) accomplished. I watched the entire uncut "The Alamo" this morning.
I was eleven when I first saw it in 1960, but not the director's cut. Hell, I didn't even know there was a director's cut then but I noticed a couple of stills in the souvenir book weren't in the movie.
I had the good fortune to be stationed at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio in the early '70s and the flags were half mast then, but I can't speak for anything more recent.



We deal in lead, friend.

Does anyone have the full version of this on VCR and if so would it be possible to purchase a copy?

In celebration of my milestone of 200 posts, I want to share an image from "The Alamo" that I've always liked.


We deal in lead, friend.

Hopefully, I've managed to do so.


We deal in lead, friend.

Hopefully, I've managed to do so.


We deal in lead, friend.

Gorch, can't see anything!!!

You're not wearing two of Roosters' eye patches. I'm having computer problems, so I have to either get smashed or grab a 12 year old neighbor kid to fix the problem. Probably not a great idea to do both.

We deal in lead, friend.

Here we go again.


We deal in lead, friend. (maybe)

Here we go again.


We deal in lead, friend. (maybe)

We got it that time Gorch, thanks,
great still, thanks for posting it.

Does anyone have the full version of this on VCR and if so would it be possible to purchase a copy?

I thought I would repeat my request from a previous post as I would like to watch the entire version.

The latest on the Alamo restoration from Home Theater Forum. A forum member asked Robert A. Harris the status of the restoration now that MGM has emerged from bankruptcy, and here is Mr. Harris' answer:

"Wish there was something to report. The tracks have been saved. The image languishes."

ARRRRGHHH.

I have seen the Alamo Movie with John Wayne on the Encore/Western Channel...

Teresa:wink_smile:

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duk128.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7409&u=11975903)

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duke74.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7307&u=11975903)

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duke43.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7273&u=11975903)

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duke38.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7268&u=11975903)

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duke35.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7265&u=11975903)

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duke26.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7256&u=11975903)

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duke33.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7263&u=11975903)

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duke19.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7249&u=11975903)

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/a_duke14.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7244&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duk207.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7238&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duk204.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7235&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duk178.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7209&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duk166.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7197&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duk164.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7195&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duk157.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7188&u=11975903)


http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duk150.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7178&u=11975903)

great pictures lasbugas,

The bearded fellow was character actor John Dierkes who played Jocko. He was also in "The Thing" with Kenneth Toby, but didn't even get screen credit for that movie!

The 175th anniversary of the beginning of the seige of the Alamo is being commemorated now. The fall of the Alamo was on March 2, which is marked as Texas Independence which is celebrated as a Texas holiday.

The 175th anniversary of the beginning of the seige of the Alamo is being commemorated now. The fall of the Alamo was on March 2, which is marked as Texas Independence which is celebrated as a Texas holiday.

Jay. The fall of the Alamo was on March 6th. Shame on the man from Texas. March 2 is TEXAS Independence Day.

:embaressed_smile:Pardon my faux-pas:headbonk:. My mind was not quite engaged when I posted!

:embaressed_smile:Pardon my faux-pas:headbonk:. My mind was not quite engaged when I posted!
Thats all right Jay. Just don't ask me the date the Liberty Bell cracked.

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/wayn1276.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=6395&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/wayn1278.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=6801&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/duke_359.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=6490&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/duke_544.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=6758&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/a_duk134.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7005&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/a_duk135.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7006&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke12.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7014&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke13.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7015&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke20.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7026&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke21.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7027&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke23.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7029&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke24.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7030&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke33.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7039&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke34.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7040&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke48.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7054&u=11975903)

http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/97/59/03/a_duke49.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7055&u=11975903)

Thats all right Jay. Just don't ask me the date the Liberty Bell cracked.

LOL:lol. Makes me feel better!

Great pics-thanks!