GUNSMOKE or HAVE GUN? A Word On Westerns with actor William Wellman, Jr! James Arness, Richard Boone
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- William Wellman, Jr, grew up in a Beverly Hills neighborhood surrounded by celebrities. As a teenager in the 1950's it was natural for him to enter show business. Television was cranking out westerns, so Bill, outfitted in a black hat, black boots, black shirt, black jeans, a low slung black holster and six-gun, had a series of 8x10 glossies made for auditions. Did it help him land any parts? You bet it did! Hear what Richard Boone had to say when Bill wore the black outfit to a "Have Gun, Will Travel" casting call. Bill got that part, one of several he did on the show. He also appeared on a couple of "Gunsmoke" episodes. How did these two popular western series and their stars compare? Who were some of the Wellman's celebrity neighbors? How old was Bill when he began dating neighbor Jane Fonda and discovered that all she wanted to do was play kissing games? Answers to those questions and more are all in Bill Wellman's exclusive A WORD ON WESTERNS conversation. Recorded Nov 20, 2018.
#awordonwesterns #filmdirector #filmhistory #westernfilm #westerngenre #western #gunsmoke #havegunwilltravel #jamesarness #tvclassics #tvwestern #richardboone #interview #interviewer #williamwellman #classicmovies #classicwestern #classicwesterntv - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
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I ran into Richard Boone in Saint Augustine, Florida many years ago and it was no doubt who he was. I politely confirmed who he was and told him I greatly admired his work. He was VERY kind and appreciative. I told him I got the "Have Gun Will Travel" board game for Christmas when I was in the third grade and he laughed profusely with his head reared back. I told him my little sister NEVER beat me at it. We talked for about 10 minutes and is one of the highlights of my life. I told him I was an Air Force brat and had been in myself. He told me he was in the Navy and a tail gunner in a torpedo bomber in WW2. I left him with a firm handshake and I remember him fondly.
great story
William Welman Jr has really carried his age well. I liked his acting in the religious Rapture film of the early 1980s, "The Prodigal Planet".
I really like how Rob does these interviews, sits back and lets them all actually speak without stupid interruptions like others do these days.
Just think: an interviewer who actually lets the guests talk. Hard to find that these days. I'm subbing.
And doesn't give multiple choice answers along with the questions. Can't stand that.
So agree, Rob Word is an exceptional host and interviewer. He has the utmost respect for each and every guest.
He truly knows and loves the Western's genre; I believe his interview style shows his desire to learn from his guests.
I can’t choose, but I can tell you nothing compares today...I’ll watch either one of these shows for the 10th time or more over anything made today
Richard Boone was perfect as the unnamed Paladin. Every episode was excellent viewing. It was an adult western.
I just love your shows, these actors are my childhood hero’s. From your joy I can seen your face, they are yours too. Thank you😎
Thanks, Patrick. You're correct...lots of FUN for me, too.
Richard Boone was just an excellent actor, loved him in the Alamo as well...
Richard Boone was the coolest guy!!
Richard Boone is a very good actor I wash them when I was a kid and I still watch him during everyone and I enjoy everyone of them
He didn’t come out right I meant that I watched him when I was a kid and I still watch him doing the reruns on TV that I can watch as well as on Amazon they got it almost every every soul and I’ll probably watch every one of them again
Starting with the First Episode of "Have Gun Will Travel", Richard Boone and the Show and was such a Sensation, amongst My Classmates, in School. That's all We spoke about for Weeks ! Till Steve McQueen, came on along a year later. NO One, could even approach Bone's Level of Cool ! btw - I think It's fair to say, and No negative reflection on McQueen. But I'm sure, Even He would have agreed; that " Mare Leg Winchester", He wore on "Wanted Dead or Alive", helped Him garner a lot of Attention. ;-)
One of my favorite Richard Boone characters is Cicero Grimes, In the movie Hombre . He makes one of the best Tough Guy entrances ever when he comes busting thru the doors at the Stage Coach ticket office carrying his saddle and ends up taking the soldiers ticket .
My dad's cousin and Richard Boone, served together on the USS Gambier Bay in WWII. Gambier Bay was a Casablanca-class escort carrier. She was part of a Navy Task Force caught in the open near the philippines by a Japanese surface force. Gambier Bay became the only US Navy Aircraft Carrier to be sunk by Ship to ship gunfire.
Glad they both survived!
Great piece of interesting history!
Facinating inside information. Thank you very much for sharing it we with us.
We never knew that about our cousin Richard Boone and our Family sure Thanks You
Thanks for sharing this, Tom.
William Wellman Jr. is so down to earth and a very interesting interview. Thanks for another great guest and show Rob!
Another great interview, with a super subject. Bill Wellman has a fantastic personality and so many great stories. The Jim Arness story reminds me of what Tom Reece said. Arness would show up on site with his blonde hair and surfing clothes, go to hair, makeup and wardrobe, look at the script, walk over to Tom, pull his .45 and say "Hold it !" Director would say CUT, and Arness would head back to the beach.
Excellent! Happy I found this site. I still watch Paladin and Gunsmoke on MeTV,
Along with "Rifleman"!!⭐⭐⭐
He was a Texan, that explains the kindness, strength, intestinal fortitude and many of the great characteristics this man had. These actors from that place and time had life experiences that were like no other, many if not most, had a military background early in life and what they brought to pictures was immeasurable. I wish Hollywood would cast more actors from rural or more humble upbringings. It would really shine through.
TexasRebelOne I agree. To me what made Clint Walker so believable were his hard working humble beginnings. He was a Merchant Marine at the end of World War II, had done so many jobs from a very young age to help his mother support their family, he was exceptionally kind, thoughtful, fair minded, and loyal, with unlimited integrity. So few of our current stars have any of these traits.
Cheyenne with my favorite Western Clint Walker was one of the greats they'll never be another Clint Walker
My vote would have to go to Gunsmoke. James Arness as Matt Dillon was the greatest TV law man ever in my opinion. The show ran for twenty years. That speaks volumes.
And was mostly a one hour story line whereas, Paladin was only a half hour of fast paced story telling...Both were well written but Gunsmoke's 20 years stand up as paramount.
as actors i prefer boone as an actor over arness, prefer conrad on radio as dillon. but prefer the early gunsmokes, many with john meston scripts. they had a grim, gritty quality in such shows as hotspell or the cabin. but i like the paladin character. boone was great in the tall t with randolph scott.
@@grantkruse1812
I totally agree with you Grant. I'm a big fan of
most westerns, TV & movie. I remember watching Have Gun Will Travel as a kid in the 50s & 60s, along with the many other
westerns at the time.
At that point, The Rifleman was my favorite. But over the years and into the 1970s as I grew into an adult, Gunsmoke became not only my favorite western, but my all-time favorite show period.
Mr. Wellman was very gracious and tactful. I'm retired Air Force, so I'll leave it at that. His father was an amazing man, so I'm glad to see the son doing so well (that's often not the case)
@Colonal K
AIR FORCE! We're the smart ones....send the officers out to fight. :-)
Richard Boone was intensity personified. In every scene it was all eyes on him. Wellman sensed that even with limited contact.
I never get over what a historical treasure trove of detailed 1st person perspective, knowledge and personal experience you bring out of each actor Rob, including personal family photos of the various stars and their linked experiences in time!
Bill Wellmans neighborhood and neighbors, Jane Fonda etc! Just amazing documentary each feel truly like taking a trip on a time machine with Rob as the master guide and fellow actor as he takes us through the world as it was and is now! Best Hollywood museum guide and curator ever! He lived it, acted in many of the shows, knows the actors and actresses, it's amazing trip down memory lane to my youth and mind of then, with today's eyes and ears. I am never left unimpressed! Thanks again for another great time trip Rob!
I wish actor Lee Van Cleef would have come back to the States and brought " Have Gun Will Travel " back to the small screen. He would have been great.
I think Richard Boone would have given him a run for his money. Richard Boone was just as mean and dangerous if he wanted to be. He could never be replaced. He is one of a kind.
On "What's My Line", where normally everyone appears in evening wear, Richard Boone wore his Paladin costume, including the sixgun.
Wow. I'm gonna have to find that. Thanks.
I feel so neat when I see him his suit as Paladin
@@AWordonWesterns Love your interviews Rob ! Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful memories of my youth ! Heres Richard Boone on whats my line , starts @ 17:45 mark th-cam.com/video/l-gvf0zeaOs/w-d-xo.html
Saturday night was a great time for western's back then
So much movie and TV classic's we all grew up with and to have all these behind the scene memories is fantastic...!! All of us so appreciate Word on Westerns shows Golden joy.
thanks a lot, David.
I grew up watching Gunsmoke and I love that show. Then five years ago I discovered Have Gun, Will Travel, and that’s my show. You never knew what you were going to get in each episode, and that appealed to me.
My family lived in San Francisco and our neighbor ran a boarding house for foreign exchange students, her name was Glennis Ellis. Her brother was Milburn Stone who played Doc on GUNSMOKE, which along with THE VIRGINIAN were my two favorite shows on TV. As a 12 year old kid I was in heaven with all the stories she told me about her brother’s career in Hollywood and on the stage.
What great insight, and Jack Lambert was one of the best villains of the era. I loved the insight into Richard Boone. Gunsmoke -V- Have Gun Will Travel is really two winners that were fundamentally different. You could feel the difference from the two shows, but still, they were both winners. Wellman has so much insight into that era and genre. Thanks, Rob, for another great interview. Never stop.
Jack Lambert and Bruce Dern were my very favorite Western bad guys !! 😊💙
Thanks Rob for these wonderful videos !! Keep them coming !! ❣❣❣
Quite a comparison between James Arness and Richard Boone. I had read James' book and he talked about his days on Gunsmoke and his way of doing the show was spot on. Each great. Bill Wellman really has some great memories of his childhood and young years as an actor. Very funny and so interesting. His stories just rolled out so easy. I really enjoyed this interview. Jack Lambert scared the heck out of me too. Great "bad guy". Thanks Rob.
Rob, I hope your preservation of these interviews is secure. Such high quality personal experiences. Thank you, and your wonderful guests.
Thanks, William. I hope so, too! I think (hope!) that once they are up on TH-cam, that they will be available for fans, students, scholars...forever. I try and post a new interview every Sunday. We have almost 300 episodes up for viewing now. It's never too early to binge! This September, we will begin our 7th year of holding our free, bi-monthly tapings of our A WORD ON WESTERNS interview series at The Autry Museum.
I loved this interview
@@AWordonWesterns As a child, my family of 6 children, and our parents, sat down regularly to watch Wyatt Earp, Have Gun Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Cheyenne, and many more. As an adult, and a ahem .... Senior citizen, I still enjoy the westerns. Thank you for the many enjoyable and educational episodes of A Word on Westerns. I feel as though I am turning into a TV westerns and movie "buff".
@@AWordonWesterns I just turned 70 and your TH-cam videos are making me feel young again. Your in the class of Johnny Carson!
Endlessly fascinated by your program that's always full of surprises and a wealth of behind the scenes history. Keep 'em coming.
Fantastic, I wish there were more old time stars to interview, hearing these stories from the shows I grew up with....priceless.!!
I love most all westerns, definitely including Have Gun Will Travel. But IMO, it's not even close.........
Gunsmoke is the greatest TV western of all-time.
Both westerns were awesome in their own right
This is another fantastic interview full of interesting info that I love hearing about. These actors have so much information about their interaction with others. I could listen to them for hours tell their stories. Thanks for sharing these interviews with us. Please keep them coming!
Terrific interview as always Rob -- William Weldman comes across as a down-to-earth guy even now after his success. It must be terribly difficult to follow in a business where your parents were such luminaries. Hopefully there's more of this yet to come. Thanks as always for the delightful trips back to Memory Lane!
He mentioned Red Skeleton! I would watch him as a kid and laugh soo hard that l couldn't breath! I'm showing my age!
"2 seagulls..."
Gertrude and Heathcliffe.
Skelton
joel simms he was one of the funniest humans ever!
Find Red's oral essay on the Pledge to the Flag. It will bring you to tears. He was a proud American.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My wife who recently passed away loved your presentations and we watched all of them.
Tom Antrim Thanks. I’m so sorry for your loss but I’m happy you two enjoyed the shows together. Nice memories.
May God bless her memory. I empathize with your loss.
I’m so sorry for your great loss.
Even this is a year late, I am So sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss brother.
Have Gun Will Travel is my favorite western. I found it to be the thinking man’s ( and woman’s) western. Loved Richard Boone
Boone sure watched over every aspect, linda, and made sure they would stand the test of time. Thanks.
These interviews bring back so many childhood memories of my Western genre heroes and their sidekicks.
Richard Boone had to basically carry the show alone because he had no backup cast members except Kam Tong. He had to deal with different guest stars every week.Some he could work with, even in some of the episodes he directed, and some he had a hard time with because they may have been jealous of his success and some of them tried to hurt him in some fight scenes.
Those great old TV westerns were good short films. They age well, often better than theatrical releases of the same era. Love these interviews because you let the guest have the spotlight.
Thank you Mr.Word for another great interview.
The stories Mr Wellman shared with us are true gems. I very much enjoyed your interview. Thank you, Linda in Texas
_Have Gun Will Travel_ is the greatest of the TV westerns. Richard Boone was absolutely awesome.
I wear a _HGWT_ baseball cap and t-shirt and people will stop me all the time to discuss Paladin.
I have a decent collection of _HGWT_ memorabilia. I ever bought a Bond Arms' Derringer because it reminds me of Paladin.
Thanks for the video.
Dear Wakky, I agree with you. Richard Boone is the best. I think he broke through with his appearance as the leader of small gang (one of his gang members was played by Henry Silva) in a SUPER Western with Randolph Scott called "The Tall T." You will love it.
Scott and experienced producer Harry Joe Brown formed Ranown Corp. in order to make six westerns (including "The Tall T") in the latter years of the 1950 decade that are real gems.
Likewise, thank you for posting this part of the interview.
Wakky Wabbit
You win! But you've given me an idea: I think I gotta get one of those Derringers! Any tips? Have they been reproduced?
I was just a touch too young to fully appreciate Paladin (though I think that even today I might be able to sing most of the song). When Hec Ramsey came along, I was ecstatic, in that I knew Boone's talent - if only in the visceral way a precocious kid can.
Be careful, Wakky! The Rifleman is right up there with HGWT!!!
@@WillBravoNotEvil I researched several Derringers and felt the Bond Arms are the best. They have a variety and they're made in the US. They have multiple interchangeable barrels so you can select length and ammunition. I got the .45 and .410. I am going to get another barrel or two
I just found your post today.
Wakky Wabbit Excellent! Thanks for the info.
That was fun for sure. Great to hear the young life being around some awesome people. I couldn't imagine so if the stories we didn't hear from William. I'll bet we could talk for hours about his upbringing and his acting. Thanks as always for the interview Rob‼️
I have that episode of Gunsmoke on DVD. Jack Lambert was "horror movie" scary. He actually out drew Matt in that episode. His character wound up being shot in the back by a young tin horn looking for a reputation.
The original Gunsmoke radio series (created by the writer John Meston) with William Conrad, Howard McNear, Parley Baer and Georgia Ellis set the standard for practically every western that came afterwards.
True. Every other western either copied the Gunsmoke formula or consciously tried to be different from them. But Gunsmoke was always a part of their calculation, one way or another.
@@wk3820 ANd remember the work of John Meston was done prior to "High Noon" and "Shane". John Meston in many ways set the standard for the tremendous success of later Western shows that were termed "Adult Western's" as opposed to the prior primarily children's shows such as Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidy. They had their place but it was John Meston and his creation of the radio show "Gunsmoke" that truly set the standard for the "Adult Western" shows to follow. William Conrad was the original Marshall Matt Dillon and named Chester and also Doc Adams played by Parley Baer and Howard McNear.
William Conrad in additional to playing not only the radio show actually directed the first 26 or so episodes of the Television show and both the radio show and television show played conjunctively for quite a few years. The television show started the latter part of 1955. The radio show ran from April 26, 1952 until June of 1961. The days of vintage radio were over and the "Gunsmoke" radio show was the last dramatic show aired from Hollywood. After that radio programs were for the most part aired from New York as the Actors and expense of the shows costs were less for radio.
Solid, solid interviews with great celebs from great days of Hollywood. Thanks so much!
I love westerns , watch a lot of them and read them as well. Both shows were great , but if I had to favor one over the other it would be Gunsmoke.
Yes Gunsmoke
I liked both of those show, a lot. I think Gunsmoke had a bigger effect on me. In a way, Have Gun Will Travel spoke to my dark side.
Scenic Driveways I was just a little girl when Have Gun Will Travel was first on but I never watched it because Richard Boone really scared me. Enjoy reruns now.
@@janethartwig774 Richard Boone and Have Gun-Will Travel will always be my favorite. Yes, Richard Boone can be scary if he wanted to be, but only to the bad guys, if they tried to hurt or kill him.
Another great one Rob. Wellman is a fun story teller. Quite the neighborhood.
Rob It Is Just Great Interviews For Alot Of The Older Western Hollywood Actors And Actress's, I Look Forward To Watching Everyone Of Them With My Family.
What better way on a Sunday, watching original Star Trek marathon on IFC and watching interview during commercials. Haha. 🖖
Fenway Park Ha! Watching AWOW during commercial breaks. Does this mean I need to go back to 4 min AWOW segments?
Now that's what we want to hear👍🏼🇺🇸. Does he even know how many boys would love to take his place only for a day. Great stuff Rob
Great interview! Loved Have Gun Will Travel! It was always so well done. Now I know why! And what a neighborhood to live in, but then his father was William Wellman!
Commies in the woodwork, too. Red trim estates.
I have to admit that I was a fan of Richard Boone, love him as Pallidine and as Hec Ramsey. Loved him any number of things he played in, I think I would have loved to have sat and listen to him tell a few stories over a beer or two.
I just love this interview. Mr. Wellman was quite captivating. Great stories. I really like the comparison of the 2 shows.
Have Gun Will Travel
Great song
Richard Boone great actor
I grew up on westerns. I still love them. They were morality plays. They taught us about good and evil. And justice. They were a mythological tale of right over corruption. They were once clear examples of rugged people surviving in a time of lawlessness. Only later did good and evil become muddied. Even the anti- hero had a soft spot hidden, sometimes deep, but it was there. Yes, many were sugarcoated but underneath they had grit. Plus a truth under all that shiny veneer. I miss them. .
Richard Boone was so awesome!
I loved that interview with William Wellmen jr
We watch Gunsmoke almost daily, since it's on two or three different networks throughout the week. Love it still.
Great interview. Love the history of Hollywood TV shows. Have Wellman back on for more stories. Captivating. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it, 16. We've done several episodes featuring Bill and I hope to have him back...whenever we're able to begin production again.
Excellent. Thoroughly engrossing interview.
Go for it, Rob Word! This stuff is fascinating and fun! Thank you!
My Sympathy to Mr.Asners Entire Family and to All of his Friends!We Know what you are going through at this time!!😢
My brother and I have been lucky to meet up with William Wellman Jr yearly at the Lone Pine Film Festival. He's been kind enough to entertain us with great stories. Next time you see him, ask about Fred MacMurray and 'The Happiest Millionaire'. You'll never look at "My Three Sons' the same again.
Great interview! Love these stories!
Jack Lambert was the only guy who out drew Marshall Dillion in that episode I believe? Then the drunk shot him in the back in the bar.
Richard boone as paladin just one of the most gifted actors it Was so intense the man in black and gunsmoke great too have both series on dvd 📀 and see Them often thanks Ward for this video just great thank you
Thank you Mr. Word. Wounderful history. Break a leg.
... another great interview of Western Entertainment Days, Thanks for this ROB !
Great interview Rob i love both Westerns . I love early Gunsmoke more than later years. I loved Have Gun Will Travel .
Allen Woodall Thank. I like the early Gunsmoke episodes and the William Conrad radio shows, too.
AWESOME GREAT INTERVIEW & GOOD HONEST STORIES A WESTERN FAN POP POP
Love that bolo Rob.
Excellent 👍🏻
I really like this this guy.
Thank you for sharing.
GUNSMOKE or HAVE GUN? THE RIFLEMAN for the win! Great guy! Great interview. Love your channel.
Paladin and Have Gun- Will Travel for my win every time.
I watched this one again and laughed the same as the first time. 👍😀
Another great guest that makes your show so interesting. You do great job bringing this out of them.
one of your absolute best!#
I just love this! I Wish it lasted longer.
As a young boy I watched both of them. 'Have Gun' came on earlier so I would be awake. Usually I would see the first 15 minutes of 'Gunsmoke' and then I would be dead asleep.
Such wonderful interviews.
Thanks, Susan.
The 10+ minute format for AWoW is excellent. It keeps the flow of the interview smoother, and you do not have to look around YT for the missing parts.
As a big fan of Westerns, since I was a kid I really enjoy these videos a lot.
A big applause from Argentina!
Thanks, Tordogor. You've got cowboys down there, too! I'm sure you know about Argentinian director Hugo Fregonese and his beautifully shot on location film, "Savage Pampas" with Robert Taylor, Marc Lawrence and Ty Hardin.
@@AWordonWesterns
Yes! Fregonese was one of the very few Argentinean directors who had a more dynamic American style of cinema, instead of copying the boring and pretentious French films.
I love the 'Savage Pampas' music from Waldo de los Rìos; very uplifting!
Keep going with such wonderful work of Word!
@@AWordonWesterns
Savage Pampas music by Waldo de los Rìos
th-cam.com/video/pxldTODqAVY/w-d-xo.html
I never knew that Doctor Oz was such a big fan of Westerns.
man he is so funny! i love this show,glad i found it,,great job!
I LOVE ALL WESTERN I WATCH THEM ALL THE TIME THANKS FOR SHOWING THEM💙
That was great fun.
Great show. Thank you.
These programs are the absolute best. Thanks for sharing!
What a great channel! Keep up the awesome work you're doing and we'll keep watching! This one was amazing good!
I loved this! He was truly personable l hope you have more available! Best hollywood interview i have seen in a long time! Truly enjoyable. I hope tmc is watching and they hire you to their interview shows. You're good!
Very interesting stories!! Great to hear! Thanks Rob!
I love this channel. Great interview as always. Thanks Rob!
Thanks, Carol. More to come!
Wow, another great interview that brings back so many memories of the great westerns that I grew up watching. Thanks!
Funny guy. Really enjoyed this interview. I enjoy all your interviews!
Thanks, Ms. Bill has had quite the life and loves to share it.
Excellent.Wanted it never to stop. So interesting .
Awesome interview! Thanks!!!
Love the westerns ,Gunsmoke, High Chaparral, Lancers, The Rifleman, Raw Hide , The Guns Of Will Sonnett .
Gunsmoke has been said to be the best tv show series of all time. And only one man led their over twenty year run: James Arness. The show was pure class.
H&I and ME-TV show both. Like them both. Reminds me of my Childhood.
Very nice interview. I would like to hear Jr. discuss his work with Tom Laughlin. Terrific details on history and great American personalities. Thanks again, Ron!
Thanks. There's another AWOW episode with Bill about his work with Laughlin. Check it out.
Thank you for bringing back so many heartfelt memories. Would love to meet and visit with you.
He also had guest spots on the FBI TV series apart from his modern appearances in the 1980s with the Mark IV Productions Christian films.
Another fantastic interview Rob👍👍👍👍👍🤠
Bill Wellman,s best role was in the biker flick: The Born Losers: he played a biker creep named Child
There was a big difference in my opinion between Pallidin and Marshall . The gunplay of Richard Boone seemed very authentic but it was a well-known story about James Arness in that famous opening credits shot with him facing off in the street that he actually lost that gun fight. The other guy was a quick draw master and beat him. That other guy appeared on a famous television quiz show which I think was To Tell the Truth and he related the story of how he actually fired before Arness so it was a true story. I was a much bigger fan of Have Gun Will Travel.
He was Arvo Ojala who was the gun coach on many shows. His company also designed the special holster used on Gunsmoke and HGWT and many other shows. Boone and HGWT were my favorites.