Stuntmen Of The Saddle- Neil Summers & others

[arthurarnell]

Hi

Keith's excellent Pals of the Saddle series takes a lot of beating. However I would like, as always with Keith's blessing - to introduce a set of people without whom no action movie could have been made and among whom Duke Wayne felt truly at home and among friends - the stuntmen.

Regards

Arthur

[arthurarnell]

Hi



NEIL SUMMERS
[B][


Date of Birth
28 April 1944, London, England, UK

Trivia
Has one of the largest collections of Western Movie memorabilia in the world.
Several pieces of his western collection are on display at the Gene Autry museum. Along with his collection of memorabilia, Neil has also written several books "Candid Cowboys" Candid Cowboys - vol 2" "Unsung Heroes" and "TV Western Round Up" about the westerns and the stars and stuntmen who made them.

From IMDB
2000s
1990s
1980s
1970s
1960s
Holes (2003) (utility stunts)
Bedazzled (2000) (stunts)
... aka Teuflisch (Germany)
The Way of the Gun (2000) (stunts)
Civility (2000) (stunts)
... aka Malicious Intent (USA: video title)

Go (1999) (stunts)
"V.I.P." (1998) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
... aka V.I.P. - Die Bodyguards (Germany)
Mercury Rising (1998) (stunts)
U.S. Marshals (1998) (stunts)
The Jackal (1997) (stunts)
... aka Chacal, Le (France: dubbed version)
... aka Schakal, Der (Germany)
Best Men (1997) (stunts)
"Soldier of Fortune, Inc." (1997) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
... aka S.O.F. Special Ops Force (USA: second season title)
... aka S.O.F., Inc.
... aka SOF, Inc.
Buddy (1997) (utility stunts)
Los Locos (1997) (stunts)
... aka Los Locos: Posse Rides Again
Mars Attacks! (1996) (stunts)
The Quick and the Dead (1995) (stunts) (uncredited)
Two Bits & Pepper (1995) (stunts)
Holy Matrimony (1994) (stunts)
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994) (stunts)
The Hidden II (1994) (stunts)
... aka The Hidden 2 (USA: video box title)
... aka The Hidden II: The Spawning (USA)
Posse (1993) (utility stunts)
"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" (1993) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
Chaplin (1992) (stunts)
... aka Charlot (Italy)
Out on a Limb (1992) (stunts)
Live Wire (1992) (stunts)
Mobsters (1991) (stunts)
... aka The Evil Empire
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) (stunts)
... aka The Naked Gun 2 1/2 (Canada: English title)
Eve of Destruction (1991) (stunts)
Wild at Heart (1990) (stunts)
... aka David Lynch's Wild at Heart (USA)
Peacemaker (1990/I) (stunts)
Nerds of a Feather (1990) (stunts)

Glory (1989) (stunts)
"Quantum Leap" (1989) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
Three Fugitives (1989) (stunts)
Young Guns (1988) (stunts)
Midnight Run (1988) (stunts)
License to Drive (1988) (stunts)
Jack's Back (1988) (stunts)
Sunset (1988) (stunts)
... aka Catalina (USA: cable TV title)
The Tracker (1988) (TV) (stunts)
... aka Dead or Alive
Dangerous Curves (1988) (stunts)
The Outing (1987) (stunt coordinator)
... aka The Lamp
The Monster Squad (1987) (stunts)
RoboCop (1987) (stunts) (uncredited)
Harry and the Hendersons (1987) (stunts)
... aka Bigfoot (Philippines: English title)
... aka Bigfoot and the Hendersons (UK)
Made in USA (1987) (stunts)
Blind Date (1987) (stunts)
... aka Blake Edwards' Blind Date (USA: complete title)
Eye of the Tiger (1986) (stunts)
A Fine Mess (1986) (stunts)
... aka Blake Edwards' A Fine Mess (USA: complete title)
Howard the Duck (1986) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka Howard: A New Breed of Hero
Stagecoach (1986) (TV) (stunts)
Better Off Dead... (1985) (stunts)
... aka Better Off Dead (USA)
Johnny Dangerously (1984) (stunts) (uncredited)
Lovelines (1984) (stunts)
... aka Sueños juveniles (USA: Spanish title: TV title)
Get Crazy (1983) (stunts)
... aka Flip Out
Heart Like a Wheel (1983) (stunts) (uncredited)
Zapped! (1982) (stunts)
Rascals and Robbers: The Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn (1982) (TV) (stunts)
"The Fall Guy" (1981) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
Under the Rainbow (1981) (stunts)
Going Ape! (1981) (stunts)

The Rebels (1979) (TV) (stunts)
Smokey and the Good Time Outlaws (1978) (stunt coordinator)
... aka J.D. and the Salt Flat Kid (USA)
... aka Smokey and the Outlaw Women (USA)
"Centennial" (1978) (mini) TV Series (stunts) (uncredited)
"How the West Was Won" (1978) (mini) TV Series (stunts)
"How the West Was Won" (1977) (mini) TV Series (stunts)
Joshua (1976) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka Black Rider
... aka Joshua the Black Rider
... aka Revenge (Australia: video title)
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) (stunts) (uncredited)
Hawmps! (1976) (stunts)
The Last Hard Men (1976) (stunts) (uncredited)
Adiós Amigo (1976) (stunts) (uncredited)
Boss Nigger (1975) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka Boss
... aka The Black Bounty Hunter
... aka The Black Bounty Killer (UK)
"Petrocelli" (1974) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
"Little House on the Prairie" (1974) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
... aka Little House: A New Beginning (USA: last season title)
The Gun and the Pulpit (1974) (TV) (stunts) (uncredited)
Mio nome è Nessuno, Il (1973) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka My Name Is Nobody (Philippines: English title) (USA)
... aka Lonesome Gun (USA)
... aka Mein Name ist Nobody (West Germany)
... aka Mon nom est personne (France)
One Little Indian (1973) (stunts) (uncredited)
Guns of a Stranger (1973) (stunts)
"The Young and the Restless" (1973) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
... aka Y&R (USA: promotional abbreviation)
Dirty Little Billy (1972) (stunts) (uncredited)
The Legend of Nigger Charley (1972) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka The Legend of Black Charley (USA: TV title)
"Gunsmoke" (1955) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes, 1971-1975)
... aka Gun Law (UK)
... aka Marshal Dillon (USA: rerun title)
Shoot Out (1971) (stunts) (uncredited)
"Bonanza" (1959) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes, 1970-1972)
... aka Ponderosa (USA: rerun title)
Rio Lobo (1970) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka San Timoteo

True Grit (1969) (stunts) (uncredited)
Heaven with a Gun (1969) (stunts) (uncredited)
Mackenna's Gold (1969) (stunts) (uncredited)
A Time for Dying (1969) (stunts)
The Last Challenge (1967) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka The Pistolero of Red River (UK)
The Violent Ones (1967) (stunts) (uncredited)
"The High Chaparral" (stunts) (1 episode, 1967)
- Destination Tucson (1967) TV Episode (stunts)
"Dundee and the Culhane" (1967) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
A Time for Killing (1967) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka The Long Ride Home (UK)
Rough Night in Jericho (1967) (stunts) (uncredited)
The Shooting (1967) (stunts) (uncredited)
"Death Valley Days" (1952) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes, 1966-1970)
... aka Call of the West (USA: syndication title)
... aka The Pioneers (USA: syndication title)
... aka Trails West (USA: syndication title)
... aka Western Star Theater (USA: syndication title)
El Dorado (1966) (stunts) (uncredited)
The Plainsman (1966) (stunts) (uncredited)
Duel at Diablo (1966) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka Ralph Nelson's Duel at Diablo
Arizona Raiders (1965) (stunts) (uncredited)
Shenandoah (1965) (stunts) (uncredited)
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka George Stevens Presents The Greatest Story Ever Told (USA: complete title)
The Rounders (1965) (stunts) (uncredited)
Ride in the Whirlwind (1965) (stunts) (uncredited)
Cheyenne Autumn (1964) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka John Ford's Cheyenne Autumn (USA: complete title)
McLintock! (1963) (stunts) (uncredited)
"General Hospital" (1963) TV Series (stunts) (unknown episodes)
Actor:
2000s
1990s
1980s
1970s
1960s
Detective (2005) (TV) .... Homeless Man
... aka Arthur Hailey's Detective (USA: complete title)
Life on Liberty Street (2004) (TV) .... Raggedy Man
Monster Makers (2003) (TV) .... Bank Security Guard

Flash (1997) (TV) (uncredited) .... Heavy
A Stranger to Love (1996) (TV) .... Thug #1
Murder in the First (1995) .... Alcatraz Guard Whitney
... aka Meurtre à Alcatraz (France)
Two Bits & Pepper (1995) .... Cowboy #1
Botte di Natale (1994) .... Dodge
... aka The Fight Before Christmas (USA: alternative title)
... aka The Night Before Christmas (USA)
... aka The Trouble Makers (USA: alternative title)
... aka Troublemaker, Die (Germany)
... aka Troublemakers (USA)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) .... Pete
Bad Girls (1994/I) .... Ned, Jarrett Gang
The Hidden II (1994) (uncredited) .... Garage Attendant
... aka The Hidden 2 (USA: video box title)
... aka The Hidden II: The Spawning (USA)
Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter (1994) .... Delbert
"Lucky Luke" .... Deputy Virgil (1 episode, 1993)
- Ghost Train (1993) TV Episode .... Deputy Virgil
Lucky Luke (1991) .... Deputy Virgil
Dick Tracy (1990) .... The Rodent
Wild at Heart (1990) (uncredited) .... Cop
... aka David Lynch's Wild at Heart (USA)
The Legend of Grizzly Adams (1990) .... Jake
... aka Grizzly Adams: The Legend Continues
Peacemaker (1990/I) .... Milkman

Dangerous Love (1988) .... Biker
Under the Gun (1988) .... Stone's Man
The Tracker (1988) (TV) (uncredited) .... Bad Guy
... aka Dead or Alive
RoboCop (1987) .... Dougy
Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987) (as Neil Sommers) .... Hardy
"The Fall Guy" .... Henderson (1 episode, 1983)
- The Molly Sue (1983) TV Episode .... Henderson
Rascals and Robbers: The Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn (1982) (TV) .... Halfbreed
Kenny Rogers as The Gambler (1980) (TV) .... Polo
... aka The Gambler

Smokey and the Good Time Outlaws (1978)
... aka J.D. and the Salt Flat Kid (USA)
... aka Smokey and the Outlaw Women (USA)
Mr. Billion (1977) .... Deputy Hank
... aka The Windfall
Joshua (1976) (uncredited) (as Neil Summer) .... Sheriff
... aka Black Rider
... aka Joshua the Black Rider
... aka Revenge (Australia: video title)
"Petrocelli" .... Lorne (2 episodes, 1975-1976)
- The Night Visitor (1976) TV Episode
- The Kidnapping (1975) TV Episode .... Lorne
White Line Fever (1975) .... Matchstick
"Gunsmoke" .... Joe Beel / ... (3 episodes, 1972-1974)
... aka Gun Law (UK)
... aka Marshal Dillon (USA: rerun title)
- A Town in Chains (1974) TV Episode .... Townsman
- Matt's Love Story (1973) TV Episode .... Man
- Tatum (1972) TV Episode .... Joe Beel
Mio nome è Nessuno, Il (1973) (uncredited) .... Squirrel
... aka My Name Is Nobody (Philippines: English title) (USA)
... aka Lonesome Gun (USA)
... aka Mein Name ist Nobody (West Germany)
... aka Mon nom est personne (France)
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972) .... Snake River Rufus Krile
The Animals (1970) .... Charlie Boggs
... aka Apache Vengeance
... aka Five Savage Men (UK)
... aka The Desperadoes (Canada: English title: video title)
... aka The Desperados (USA: video title)

Ride in the Whirlwind (1965) (as Neil Summer)

Regards

Arthur

[arthurarnell]

Hi



(From The Stuntmen's Association)

Neil was born in London but raised in Phoenix Arizona. Always wanting to be a cowboy in the movies, Neil had his chance to realize his dream while working on a film called 'Arizona Raiders' starring Audie Murphy. He was allowed the opportunity to do a stair fall, his first professional stunt, on the production.

Star Audie Murphy and drector William Witney wrote letters of application for membership into the Screen Actors guild for Neil. Shortly thereafter he moved to Hollywood to pursue his career as a professional stuntman and was asked to join the prestigious Stuntman's Association of Motion Pictures.

In his 39 year (so far) career Neil has travelled the world and most of the fifty states in his chosen profession and has had the opportunity to double for such actors as Roddy McDowell, John Astin, Bruce boxleiter, Keith Carradine, Peter Weller, Robert Crawford, William Smithers, Warren Oates, Raymond Massey, William Bryant, Sir John Mills, Michael Anderson jr, James hampton, Michael J Pollard, Sid Haig, Hector Elizondo, Emilio Estevez, Rick Schroeder, Warren Stevens, Craig Wasson, and actresses Carol Lynley, Stephanie Powers, and Barbara Hersey to name a few.

It has been his privellege to have worked with and also be directed by such stalwarts (in the acting part of his career) as John Wayne Clint Eastwood, John Huston, Sergio Leone, David Lynch, Howard Hawks, George C Scott, Warren Beatty, Frank Darabont, Paul Verhoeven, Jonathan Kaplan, Blake Edwards, Ralph Nelson, Monte Hellman, Jack Nicholson, Gary Sherman, Joe Camp, Ken Kennedy and the list goes on.

Neil Summers is still active and resides in the Sherman Oaks, California and in a new phase of his illustrious career, he is the published author of eight books on the history of the feature film and television westerns. He is a popular guest at western film festivals across America and has been honoured by the Southern California Motion Picture Society for his contributions to film.

[arthurarnell]

Hi


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[arthurarnell]

Hi

The previous thread (which I made a Muck up off) is a picture that was sent to me by Neil Summers when I wrote to him in 2001. When I opened the envelope and saw it just for a moment i thought that all my Christmases had come at once. Then I realised that Dukes signiture was a copy but was still happy to have Neil's signings and pictures.

This is the draft of the letter he sent me:-

Hi Arthur
Sorry it has taken me so long to answer your letter. Have been real busy doing a new television series called "Crossing Jordan". I'm doubling for Michael Ferrer in it. He's the male lead. It's a big hit here in the States. I did five films with Mr Wayne namely McLintock, The Greatest Story Ever Told, True grit, ElDorado and Rio Lobo. I was in the mud fight in McLintock and did stunts in the rest of them. I have one line of dialogue ---,What the hell??? in Rio Lobo as a guard at Victor French's Ranch. Wayne kicks the door in and I'm the guard asleep in the chair & jumps up and says the line when Wayne shoots me! It was the highlight of my 36 year (so far I'm still active) stunt career. He was my personal hero and what a thrill it was to be around him and to be accepted enough to get to work on his films. I miss thos days and the great westerns we used to work on.

As per your request I've enclosed 2 signed photos. The one with the rifle is from 'Bad Girls' with Drew Barrymore. I have amajor role in this one, if you haven't seen it yet. The photo of myself and Mr Wayne is from 'Rio Lobo' in Tucson Arizona where we filmed the film. The autograph of his is real (allbeit a copy of my original) and my signiture. Hope you like it.

Thanks again for writing, adios for now.

Regards

Neil Sommers


A real gentleman.

[arthurarnell]

Hi

Another one of the early pictures Neil sent:-




Regards

Arthur

[arthurarnell]

Hi



On Friday last when I got home from work I had a ticket from the Post Office telling me that a parcel was being held at the sorting office because the ost Office had been unable to deliver it because it wouldn't go through our letter box.

Not expecting any mal on Saturday I went down to the post office. Imagine my surprise when it was another letter from Neil Summers six years after his original one. Again with two photographs enclosed.

I truly believe that people like neil Summers and there are many like him do a lot to restore peoples faith in human nature.

Arthur,
I have recently moved and came across your most kind letter that you wrote to me years ago!!! My profound apologies for not answering you (I don't think i did anyway) The letter was buried under piles of correspondence and sadly has just resurfaced. Enclosed is some info and a couple of photos for your files. I am still active an episode of the TV series 'CSI Miami' which is a big hit here in the states. Once again my sincere apologies for being so neglectful. Hope all is well on your side of the world. Adios for now

Regards Always

Neil Summers


Like I said one of natures true gentlemen.


Regards

Arthur

[gt12pak]

Thanks for the pics and info Arthur. As I was reading and looking at the pics I kept saying to myself, who is he and what have I seen him in and when you said he was in bad girls I almost yelled out "That's It!!!"

[Stumpy]

Here's one that I've never yet heard of.

[arthurarnell]

Hi Jim

Dean Smith was another of the young stuntmen who would often reply to requests for photographs. I have two autographed 8x4's one of him from the Alamo standing next to John Wayne and one in a scene from Rio Lobo with Dean John Wayne and Chris Mitchum.


Regards

Arthur

[Stumpy]

Hi Jim

Dean Smith was another of the young stuntmen who would often reply to requests for photographs. I have two autographed 8x4's one of him from the Alamo standing next to John Wayne and one in a scene from Rio Lobo with Dean John Wayne and Chris Mitchum.


Regards

Arthur

Thanks for educating me, Art. I've undoubtedly ran across his name in the Duke's cast lists before but just didn't remember it.

The only Duke stuntmen whose names I readily remember are Yak and Chuck Roberson.
Jim

[Colorado Bob]

Don't know if anyone has heard or not, but a couple of days ago I received a card from Neil Summers (stuntman on many John Wayne films), and he mentioned that Jim Burke passed away a couple of months ago at his ranch in Montana. He is probably best remembered as "Trooper", a member of the Fain Gang in "Big Jake", and also as "Bobby Joe" in "The Undefeated" (He's the one who was leg wrestling with everyone and had to fight Merlin Olsen). He also doubled John Wayne in the log shots of the Meadow Scene in "True Grit". He was one of my favorite stuntmen, and I always looked forward to spotting him in John Wayne's films. A list of John Wayne films he appeared in are:

The Shootist (1976) (stunt double: / John Wayne)
The Train Robbers (1973) (stunts)
The Cowboys (1972) (as Pete, and also stunts)
Big Jake (1971) (as Trooper, a member of the Fain gang and also stunts)
Chisum (1970) (as Trace, and also stunts)
The Undefeated (1969) (as Bobby Joe, and also stunts)
True Grit (1969) (John Wayne stunt double / stunts)
Hellfighters (1968) (stunts)
The Green Berets (1968) (stunts)
The War Wagon (1967) (stunts)
McLintock! (1963) (stunts)
The Comancheros (1961) (as one of the Rangers and also stunts)
The Alamo (1960) (as one of the Tennesseans and also stunts)
The Horse Soldiers (1959) (stunts)

He will be missed. I don't know if its appropriate to put this in here, but I wrote a poem for a friend of mine (it's based on a true event), and it seems a good memorial for Mr. Burk, so here it is:

The Ranger and the Kid


His folks passed on when he was young,
And he had to leave his home;
And it was a wild and wooly world’
Where he was forced to roam.

But he was honest, tried and true,
And he would not rob or steal;
He’d have to work to pay his way,
But he knew no other deal.

So he worked at farm and ranch and store,
Until one day he saw;
A gang of bandits kill a man,
And he knew he’d join the law.

It was tough demanding work they said,
Full of hardship and of danger;
But if he’d be loyal through and through,
They’d allow him to be a Ranger.

So he took the oath and wore the badge,
With confidence, courage and pride;
Then reported for work with his outfit,
’Twas with Comp’ny “C” he would ride.

He fought Injuns, and thieves and bandits,
And killers on the prowl;
And even drunken cowboys,
Who’d cut loose their wolf and howl.

But in all his years fightin’ badmen,
He never found time for a life,
That included a home and some children,
And he never did take him a wife.

Fifty years he spent in the saddle,
Enforcing the law where he rode;
But now they’d put him to pasture,
He felt tired, and worthless, and old.

They gave him a pension an’ letter of thanks,
And a shiny new watch for his vest;
They all shook his hand, an’ clapped on his back,
And said that they wished him the best.

Now he spends all his days on a park bench,
Out in front of the old general store;
Drinking soda pop out of a bottle,
Tellin’ stories of the old days and more.

But no one paid much attention,
They’d just smile and go on their way;
Till one day a curious kid happened by,
Who wanted to hear what the old man would say.

There was something about that wrinkled old man,
Something that curious kid felt inside;
He knew that old man was living history;
And he wanted to go for the ride.

So the Ranger told the kid all his stories,
And in doing so, he lived them again;
And the kid listened and learned as he told him,
Of his adventures, what he’d done, where he’d been.

After a couple of months tellin’ tales,
And generally having his way;
He saw the boy walking toward school,
He called, and the kid came his way.

For he had sensed that his time had drawn near,
That his time here on earth would soon end;
Though his life may be through, he had one thing to do,
With this kid, his legacy he’d send.

The kid walked to him and sat down,
Near the man he had come to respect;
Thinkin’ he’d hear a new story,
But what he got he did not quite expect.

The old Ranger handed him a package,
Wrapped in cloth that had seen better days;
The kid took, and held it, and looked at the man,
And then he put it away.

Then he opened his mouth to say somethin’,
But the Ranger just told him, “Be still;
There’s sometimes for talkin’, but this ain’t the one,
For I’m fixin’ to head over the hill.”

The kid just nodded, and stood silently still,
And the walked down the road to his school;
He wasn’t quite sure what the old Ranger meant,
And he felt just a bit like a fool.

So he came back the next day to see his old friend,
But he was gone and couldn’t be found;
And that kid looked and looked, but all just in vain,
It appeared the old Ranger left town.

Now and again through the years he’d look at that badge,
That had been wrapped in that cloth on that day;
And truly he knows way down deep in his heart,
That the Ranger hadn’t left him that way.

He knows that old Ranger’s out riding again,
Ridin’ herd on loose clouds cross the sky;
And he’s up there still ridin’ tall in the saddle,
Ridin’ loose, ridin’ straight, riding high.

[chester7777]

No . . . you're not crazy . . .

If you were thinking you had seen Colorado Bob's post somewhere else, you were not imagining things. He originally posted in our General RIP's of Interest thread, but I copied it here as well, as it seemed particularly appropriate.

Thanks again, Bob, for bringing this to our attention!

Chester

[alamo221]

Jim Burke was a great addition to any Duke film and will be missed. A couple of his more notable stuntworks were doubling Duke in most of True Grit, doubling Duke in the climactic gunfight in The Shootist, and doubling Forrest Tucker in the balcony fall (Chuck Roberson doubled Duke) in Chisum.

[alamo221]

Stuntman!: My Car-Crashing, Plane-Jumping, Bone-Breaking, Death-Defying Hollywood Life. A new Book by stuntman Hal Needham. Probably more famous for his collaborations with Burt Reynolds in the 70s and 80s, he also worked often with Duke.

Looks like a great read, but one of the "blurbs" I read had a comment from Hal stating he taught Duke how to throw a movie punch(?!).