True Grit (1969)

[Hondo Duke Lane]

Joseph, I just read this topic to get up to date and found this very interesting. First, let me say that I'd like to welcome you on a belated basis to this message board. It is so good to have you. And what stories you have here! I watched J. Egar a few weeks ago and do remember the scene that you were in.

I guess what I found particularly interesting is the comment Duke made in regards to like having Liza Minnelli play the part of Mattie Ross in True Grit. Most of us are aware of Duke's opinion of Kim Darby, but didn't know he was interesed in Liza. If he could have chosen her, it might have saved Liza's mother's life. The movie was released (True Grit) on June 11, 1969 and Judy Garland died June 22, 1969.

And Liza is a little older than Kim, but it might have worked.

But thanks for sharing that and so many other stories, they were a treat. And again welcome.

Cheers Mike aka Hondo Duke Lane

[josephculliton]

Mike:

I don't really know too much about the conflicts on the set of 'True Grit'. I can't really remember how the subject came up, but Duke did express displeasure with Kim Darby's work and conduct. I remember he said she was 'disrespectful'. I asked if she was disrespectful of Henry Hathaway, and Duke fixed me with his eyes and said: 'She was disrespectful of everybody'.

I actually think Kim Darby gives quite an effective performance in 'True Grit'. She seems natural and convincing, and provides a good foil for Duke's 'Rooster'. I've never thought of Liza Minnelli in rustic or rural roles. But of course, 'True Grit' was probably being cast right around the time she was making a big impression in 'The Sterile Cuckoo'.

Joe

[ethanedwards]

This is from our opening post, relating to the casting of Mattie Ross.
However it doesn't seem to mention Liza Minnelli!

John Wayne had met singer Karen Carpenter fter judging The Carpenters
on a college talent show ,he hosted prior to the shooting of this movie.
Wayne was so impressed that he wanted Carpenter cast in the role of Mattie Ross.
The producers went with Kim Darby, who had acting experience; however,
Wayne did not like working with her, because he felt she was unprofessional on the set.

John Wayne was disappointed by the casting of Kim Darby as Mattie Ross,
and the two hardly spoke at all off camera. He later said,
"Christ, talk about having no chemistry with your leading lady!
She was the goddamn lousiest actress I ever worked with."
John Wayne had initially promised the role of Mattie Ross
to his daughter Aissa Wayne, but director Henry Hathaway
refused to cast her.

Mia Farrow, among other well-known actresses,
was approached to play Mattie, but she turned it down. Robert Mitchum
had told her that Henry Hathaway was impossible to work with.
She later said it was one of the biggest professional mistakes of her career.

Kim Darby's character was supposed to be 14.

Tuesday Weld turned down the role of Mattie

Sally Field was also up for the part of Mattie Ross.

Sondra Locke was considered for the role of Mattie Ross.
She read the script but wanted to do avoid type-casting.

[Paula]

This might be fun if you're in Oklahoma in July...

The Constantine Theater -- a beautiful old restored theater -- in Pawhuska, Ben Johnson's home town, will be screening True Grit at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 19.

[The Irish Duke]

This was the first Duke film I ever saw, I was hooked!

[Gorch]

[Gorch]

[The Ringo Kid]

Nice shots all. Also, did you all know that the character that Kim Darby played in one of those stupid halloween movies--got axed by the freak in the movie. She was next to some white (figures too) sheets hung out to dry and she lost her glasses and was looking for them when the freak gave her 50 whacks. I saw it posted on youtube.

[alamo221]

Nice shots all. Also, did you all know that the character that Kim Darby played in one of those stupid halloween movies--got axed by the freak in the movie. She was next to some white (figures too) sheets hung out to dry and she lost her glasses and was looking for them when the freak gave her 50 whacks. I saw it posted on youtube.

That may have been Halloween 5 (or 4, 6, etc)-I think she was trying for a come back at the time.

[The Ringo Kid]

That may have been Halloween 5 (or 4, 6, etc)-I think she was trying for a come back at the time.

Ive never seen any of them fully through cept I think the first one with Jamie Lee Curtis in it. I hated the rest and didnt care much for the one Curtis was in but watched it only because she was in it.

Im not trying to be mean but--as Kim Darby looked in that movie--she was scarier looking than the killer was.

[lasbugas]

[may2]

I watched the DVD released in 2007 that had commentary from 3 people I'd never heard of. They may not have known much about film history but they did seem to know alot about True Grit.

[lasbugas]