The Shootist
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| The Shootist | |
|---|---|
| Image:Shootist movie poster.jpg Original theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Don Siegel |
| Produced by | M.J. Frankovich William Self |
| Written by | Glendon Swarthout (novel) Scott Hale Miles Hood Swarthout |
| Starring | John Wayne Lauren Bacall Ron Howard James Stewart |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | August 11 1976 (USA) |
| Running time | 100 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Shootist is a novel written by Glendon Swarthout, published in 1975.
It was made into a 1976 Western film, with Scott Hale and Miles Hood Swarthout, son of the author, writing the screenplay.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The Shootist tells the story of John Bernard (J.B.) Books (John Wayne), an aging gunfighter, the most celebrated "shootist" extant, who is struggling with terminal prostate cancer. Arriving in El Paso, Texas (film: Carson City, Nevada) in 1901, Books first seeks the second opinion of an old friend, and doctor, Doc E. W. Hostetler (Jimmy Stewart). Once Hostetler confirms the presence of this disease, Books rents a room from the widow 'Bond' ("thats a crackerjack of a name") Rogers (Lauren Bacall), and her son Gillom Rogers (Ron Howard). Books' presence in town is soon known to most, and the news soon spreads by telegraph throughout the country. This results in the arrival of troublemakers to lure Books back to his past. Not only does he have to deal with his inevitable death, but he has to deal with the vultures who come to profit from both his life and his death.
Books has never had trouble facing death in other men, but now struggles with the fact that death is calling on him.
[edit] Background
The character of J.B. Books serves to parallel the dying days of John Wayne, who died from stomach cancer three years after filming ended. The film was his last movie, and the knowledge of Wayne's health during the filming leads to a lot of interesting imagery as the film progresses. Lauren Bacall had watched Humphrey Bogart go through the same thing, and because of her scenes with Wayne, she was especially in touch with the parallels.
At the time the movie rights were purchased, John Wayne was not seriously considered for the role, due to questions about his health and his ability to complete the filming. The producers wanted George C. Scott instead, but Wayne actively campaigned for the role and made the completion of filming a personal mission.
The film was filmed on location in Malibu, California and at studios in Burbank, California. Besides changing the location from El Paso to Carson City, and having Dollor written in, Wayne also changed the ending of the screenplay. Books was supposed to shoot Pulford in the back, and then Gillom shoot Books. Wayne said he never "shot anyone in the back", and didn't want the young Gillom killing him. They changed the film to have him shoot Pulford in the head, the bartender kill Books, and Gillom kill the bartender.
The horse in the final scene of True Grit would ride with Wayne through several westerns, including this, his final movie. Dollor, or "ole Dollor" would even get in the script, at Wayne's insistence, because of his love of the horse.
Upon its release in June 1976, The Shootist was not a success and received poor reviews, mainly because of the film's slow pace. Over the years however, it has increased in popularity.
[edit] Cast
- John Wayne - John Bernard Books
- Lauren Bacall - Bond Rogers
- Ron Howard - Gillom Rogers
- Jimmy Stewart - Dr. E.W. Hostetler
- Richard Boone - Mike Sweeney
- Hugh O'Brian - Jack Pulford
- Harry Morgan - Carson City Marshal Walter J. Thibido
- Scatman Crothers - Moses Brown
Although Bacall received higher billing, Howard's character was just as prominent.
[edit] Crew
- Don Siegel (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz) - director.
- M.J. Frankovich and William Self - producers
- Elmer Bernstein - music
- Bruce Surtees - director of photography
- Douglas Stewart - editing.
[edit] Awards
- Novel
- Western Writers of America, Spur Award Winner - "Best Western Novel" - 1975 (as: "one of the best western novels ever written." and as: "one of the 10 Greatest Western novels written in the 20th century.")
- Film
- Writers Guild, nomination: "Best Adaptation of a Screenplay" - Scott Hale and Miles Hood Swarthout
- Academy Awards, nomination: "Best Art Direction-Set Decoration" - Robert F. Boyle and Arthur Jeph Parker)
- Golden Globes, nomination: "Best Motion Picture Actor in a Supporting Role" - Ron Howard
- BAFTA Film Award, nomination: "Best Actress" - Lauren Bacall
[edit] References
- Swarthout, Glendon. The Shootist, New York: Doubleday, 1975 ISBN 0-385-06099-8
