Chuck’s Ghost

Ghost Riders in the Sky by Cash Grass

See this guy!?

Charles Bronson right?
But Charles Bronson died in 2003. Didn’t he?
‘Fraid so.

This guy is Robert “Bronzi”.
Who just happens to look exactly like Charles Bronson! (below).

And they’ve been exploiting this likeness for a while now.
Most recently in this Western:

Here’s the Trailer/Preview:

Ratings weren’t favorable.“2.7” outta 10!
Bang! Yor ‘one shot’ dead.

Even Chuck’s ghost couldn’t save this thing.

But Bronzi isn’t just some ‘one trick cowpoke’
trying to ride Bronson’s pony.

Related image

Internet Movie Database Mini Bio

Hungarian born performer Robert Bronzi is world traveled actor and professional horseman with a love for the wild west and classic American film. Bronzi has worked as a Carpenter, Horsetrainer, Musician and former Military Service Member. Professionally Trained Actor at Maria Mezey Theatre School (Budapest) as well as stuntman, acrobat and Judo Player. Robert speaks multiple languages including English, Spanish and Hungarian. With a film resume building, Bronzi has honed his craft in Live Performances and Wild West Theme Shows, including ” Fort Bravo ” Almeria, Spain ” Port Aventura ” – Costa Dorada, Spain, ” Rancho Texas Park ” – Canary Islands. and Feature Films, The Seven Gallant, Death Kiss, Escape From Death Block 13 and most recent has signed to to play ” The Dago ” in Knighted Entertainments upcoming comedy feature Mat Rats.

– IMDb Mini Biography By: Katrina Gellet
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8459909/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

Obviously and interesting guy who has some chops and paid some dues.
Ride on Bronzi!

Let’s just hope this doesn’t start a trend of ‘look alike’ Actors mimicing other Cowboys.

The Wild Bunch cont. ……………… Casting Call Part 2

Sammy

A Wilder Bunch??

Casting Call Part 2 / Dutch Engstrom / Ernest Borgnine
The Wild Bunch 1973

Wikipedia says: “Among those considered to play Dutch Engstrom were Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, Alex Cord, Robert Culp, Sammy Davis, Jr., Richard Jaeckel, Steve McQueen, and George Peppard. Ernest Borgnine was cast based on his performance in The Dirty Dozen (1967).

Who would you have Cast?:

Charles Bronson Western Filmography
1954 Vera Cruz / 1954 Drum Beat
1954 Apache / 1954 Riding Shotgun
1956 Jubal / 1957 Run of the Arrow
1957 Showdown at Boot Hill / 1960 The Magnificent Seven
1961 A Thunder of Drums1968 Villa Rides
1968 Once Upon a Time in the West / 1968 Guns for San Sebastian

Jim Brown Western Filmography
1964 Rio Conchos
1969 100 Rifles
1970 El Condor
1975 Take a Hard Ride

Alex Cord Western Filmography
2009 Fire from Below
1977 Grayeagle
1972 Gunsmoke (TV Series)
1966 Stagecoach
1995 Walker, Texas Ranger (TV Series)
1995 Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (TV Series)
1965 Branded (TV Series)
1961 Laramie (TV Series)

Robert Culp Western Filmography
1963 The Raiders / 1971 Hannie Cauldur

Robert Culp TV Westerns
Trackdown (1957–1959)
Tate (1960) / Johnny Ringo (1960)
Outlaws (1960) / The Westerner (1960)
Zane Grey Theater (1957-1960)
Rawhide (1961) / Bonanza (1961)
Rifleman (1960-1962) / Wagon Train (1962)
The Virginian (1964) Gunsmoke (1964)
The Hanged Man (1964) Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993)
Lonesome Dove: The Series (1994)

Sammy Davis, Jr. Western Filmography
Zane Grey Theater (TV Series) / Lawman (TV Series)
Sergeants 3 (1962) / The Rifleman (TV Series)
The Wild Wild West (TV Series) / The Trackers (1971)
Gone with the West (1975)

Richard Jaeckel Western Filmography
The Gunfighter (1950) / Apache Ambush (1955)
3:10 to Yuma (1957) / Cowboy (1958)
Cimarron City (TV) (1958) / The Texan (TV) 1959
Trackdown (TV) 1959 / Zane Grey Theater (TV) (1960)
Tales of Wells Fargo (TV) (1960) / The Rebel (TV) (1960)
Flaming Star (1960) / The Tall Man (TV) (1961)
Lawman (TV) (1961) / Frontier Circus (1961–1962)
Have Gun – Will Travel (TV) (1962) / Wagon Train (TV) (1961–1963)
The Dakotas (TV) (1963) / 4 for Texas (1963)
The Virginian (TV) (1964) / Town Tamer (1965)
The Wild Wild West (1966–1967) / Bonanza (1964–1967)
Chisum (1970) / Ulzana’s Raid (1972)
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) / Gunsmoke (TV) (1963–1975)
The Last Day (1975) / The Oregon Trail (1977)
Kit Carson and the Mountain Men (1977)
Go West, Young Girl (1978)

Steve McQueen Western Filmography
Trackdown (TV) 1958 / Tales of Wells Fargo (TV) 1958
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV) 1958-1961
Nevada Smith (1966) / Junior Bonner (1972)
Tom Horn (1980)

George Peppard Western Filmography
How the West Was Won 1962 / Rough Night in Jericho 1967
Cannon for Cordoba 1970 / The Bravos 1972

Another decent group of candidates.
From among this Bunch I think a popular vote would likely see Bronson and McQueen win out.
But I can’t guess who would win between them?
Bronson had appeared in a couple of movies before with Borgnine,
including Vera Cruz (1954) – if that means anything?

Next let’s have a look at Warren Oates’ role of Lyle Gorch …

The Magnificent 7 Update 2 … project revived ??

Britt (Coburn): “Nobody throws me my own guns and says run. Nobody.”

From:

The Playlist

‘Magnificent Seven’ Remake Continues With New Writer, But Loses Tom Cruise

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/magnificent-seven-remake-continues-with-new-writer-but-loses-tom-cruise-20131226?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

BY KEVIN JAGERNAUTH
DECEMBER 26, 2013 10:00 AM

MGM are leaving no stone unturned in their catalogue when it comes to remakes. With “Robocop” and “Poltergeist” on the way for 2014, and “Road House,” “Death Wish,” “WarGames,” “The Idolmaker,” “Ben-Hur” and more all in development, the name of game seems to reboots over original material. And that brings us to the classic western “The Magnificent Seven.” In the works for a couple years now, the project gained some serious steam when Tom Cruise put his name to it in 2012, with a writer added over this past summer. But heading into 2014, the redo will need to find another star as a screenplay gets more work.

The Wrap reports that John Lee Hancock (“The Blind Side,” “Saving Mr. Banks”) has been brought in to re-write the first draft of the script by Nic Pizzolatto (“True Detective”). For now, it’s just a writing gig for Hancock who has no plans to direct, but with credits to his name including “The Alamo,” “Snow White & The Huntsman” and next year’s “Maleficent,” he knows his way around spectacle. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise has exited the project mostly because his plate is currently full with about five zillion other movies on the go, so he could probably do with one less.

So the remake machine continues on this project, and we’ll ask you this: who do you think can direct or star in this movie and at least attempt to do justice to the original?

__________________________________________________

My Favorite Westerns:

I’ve already posted my own fantasy cast which I will boldly match up against anybody else’s projections.
Except for Tom Cruise, of course, who has now bailed out. This leaves a VERY large hole – as casting Yul Brynner’s former role was the biggest challenge of them all.

My Favorite Westerns casting for The Magnificent Seven / Remake:

Yul Brynner … TOM CRUISE

Steve McQueen … VIGGO MORTENSEN

James Coburn … GUY PEARCE

Charles Bronson … WILLEN DAFOE

Robert Vaughn … BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

Brad Dexter … BRENDAN FRASER

Horst Buchholz … AARON PAUL

Eli Wallach … ANTONIO BANDERAS

O’Reilly (Bronson): “I admire your notion of fair odds, mister.”

The Magnificent 7 Update … project in jeopardy

From:

express_logo

By: Mike Parker

Published: Sun, December 29, 201

http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/450888/Tom-Cruise-shoots-down-Magnificent-Seven-remake

Tom Cruise shoots down Magnificent Seven remake

TOM CRUISE’s departure from a planned remake of the star-studded western has put the project back to square one

CLASSIC The original 1960 cast

HOLLYWOOD studio MGM has “called in the cavalry” to rescue a planned remake of classic 1960 western The Magnificent Seven after Tom Cruise stunned producers by quitting.

Cruise, 51, blamed a personal “scheduling conflict” for his departure more than six months after agreeing to a lead role.

As he rode off into the sunset, studio bosses hired John Lee Hancock, who directed current box-office hit Saving Mr Banks, to re-write what was seen as a troubled script.

The turmoil comes at the end of a year in which the original Magnificent Seven was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of America’s Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant”. It starred Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter and Horst Buchholz.

Yesterday a senior MGM source said: “Tom’s departure has thrown a real wrench in the wagon wheel.

“He was the only one of the seven we had cast and would obviously have helped draw other A-list stars into the project.

“Now it’s a case of going right back to square one in terms of casting and having John Lee Hancock re-write the script from top to bottom. You might say he’s leading our cavalry on a rescue mission.

“We’re hoping that once John Lee has completed a first draft of a new script, we will be firmly back on track and in a position to attract some of Hollywood’s best-known actors.”

Hancock, a hugely respected Hollywood figure, is no stranger to the genre, having directed 2004’s Disney remake of another 1960 western classic, The Alamo.

Even before Cruise backed out, studio bosses had become concerned about committing a reported £100million-plus to the film. They saw rival Disney take a financial hit earlier this year as an equally costly remake of The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp as Tonto, flopped.

Los Angeles-based media analyst Mike Raia insisted yesterday: “I believe the western can survive and even thrive as a genre.

“However, the onus is on the filmmakers to make their modern versions resonate with today’s younger audiences as well as older fans.”

APACHE !!! The movie …

“You call that life? If an Apache cannot live in his home mountains like his fathers before him, he is already dead!”
Massai: (Lancaster)

When Rose and I got back from Arizona and the Apache Trail … I sat down in my living room and turned on the TV. Guess what’s playing? ??? Apache … of course – on Turner Classic Movies.

Interesting that foreign posters are often better than domestic.

But all they would have had to do was stick a pic of Jean Peters on the
poster and the theatres would have been full.

Jean … with a bullet

Well, I’ve known about this movie for some some, but never gotten around to seeing it. But since this was such a coincidence (I don’t believe in coincidences), I figured I better watch it. I’ve also known for a long time that my attraction to Sedona and Arizona country was due to past lives that I had spent here as a native in times that pre-dated the coming of the Whiteman. Much of Apache is filmed around Sedona and though I have no clear recollection of being Apache in particular, Apache is a very large and board label that covers many tribes in the American Southwest.

Apache is not high on the list of most Western Movie fans, and I don’t consider it to be a major Western classic myself. But it still has some interesting and noteworthy features. For starters, it stars Burt Lancaster – one of the greatest Western Film actors of all time.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_(film)) says:

“The film was the first in a series of movies Lancaster made for United Artists (under the Hecht-Lancaster studio)
It was originally budgeted at $742,000.
The film was a big hit, earning over $3 million in its first year of release and $6 million overall.”

A study of the film industry gives is a study of inflation: The recent The Lone Ranger (starring Johnny Depp) cost approximately $250 million to make.

Casting

Besides Lancaster as Massail, it also has other notable casting: Jean Peters as Nalinlel; John McIntire as Al Sieber; Charles Bronson (as Charles Buchinsky) as Hondo; John Dehner as Weddle; Paul Guilfoyle as Santos; Ian MacDonald as Clagg; Walter Sande as Lt. Col. Beck; Morris Ankrum as Dawson; Monte Blue as Geronimo.

APACHE - Charles Bronson billed as Charles Bruchinsky — **Charles Bronson billed as Charles Bruchinsky**

Jean Peters, John McIntire, Charles Bronson, John Dehner, Ian MacDonald would all be well recognized actors even today.

Reviews:

From AllMovie : http://www.allmovie.com/movie/apache-v2657/review

Another 1950s pro-Indian Western featuring Caucasian actors in brown body paint speaking pidgin “Native,” Apache nevertheless manages to dispense more than the standard revisionist bromides. Showcasing his energetic style, director Robert Aldrich doesn’t stint on the violence perpetrated by either the whites or by star Burt Lancaster‘s athletic blue-eyed brave Massai, while Massai’s rough handling of Jean Peters‘ Nalinle makes him tough to admire. Nevertheless, Massai’s trip from Florida to his ancestral lands early in the film concisely and potently sums up the ruinous spread of white “civilization” across indigenous tribal territory, turning him into a Machiavellian hero saved by the agrarian ideal and Nalinle’s familiar instincts. As Aldrich figured, that salvation rings jarringly false, but the powers that be overruled the relatively inexperienced movie director’s artistically sound yet commercially difficult instincts. Aldrich’s first collaboration with producer/star Lancaster, Apache was also the director’s first hit and the beginning of Lancaster’s fruitful run as a Western action hero. According to historical accounts, the actual Massai’s eyes really were a Lancasterian azure.

Director Robert Aldrich

The film is directed my none other than Robert Aldrich – who also directed The Big Knife (1955), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), The Flight of the Phoenix (1965), The Dirty Dozen (1967), and The Longest Yard (1974).

Aldrich further directed the Western Classic Vera Cruz (1954) that featured Lancaster, Gary Cooper, Cesar Romero, Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine … among others.

Other Westerns directed by Robert Aldrich:

– 4 for Texas (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Anita Ekberg, Ursula Andress, Charles Bronson, Richard Jaeckel, Jack Elam, and The Three Stooges. (Yep, you’re reading correctly – obviously a comedy.)

– Ulzana’s Raid (1972) starring Burt Lancaster, Richard Jaeckel, Bruce Davison and Joaquin Martinez. The film, which was filmed on location in Arizona – portrays a brutal raid by Chiricahua Apaches against European settlers.

– The Frisco Kid (1979) – another Western comedy with Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford …

APACHE SEDONA — **Apache – Cathedral Rock in background, Sedona Arizona**

Harry Dean Stanton … and the Recycled Cowboys

Celebrating Harry Dean Stanton’s Western Filmwork

Harry Dean Stanton didn’t appear in a lot of Westerns – yet he did appear in at least two of note: Pekinpah’s Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and John Ford’s How the West was Won.

Harry Dean Stanton is among a large but distinguished fraternity of Actors / Actresses whom I affectionately – and respectfully – refer to as the Recycled Cowboys.

Other members of this fraternity include Slim Pickens, Matt Clark, Jack Elam, Katy Jurado, L.Q. Jones *… and on and on. As I say, a rather large fraternity, yet not diminished in it’s worthiness as being a fraternity of notable support actors.

(*(MFW: Every one of the actors named above – including Stanton – plus others – appeared in Sam Pedinpah’s great Western masterpiece Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid – which should be cause to recognize two things: Pekinpah’s great love for Western Film – and what a great and important Western Classic Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is.))

Most are recognized only by their frequent faces – but remain mainly anonymous in name. Others – like Pickins and Elam are well recognized. Stanton is surely among these – and may even be considered to have an almost cult-like following.

Sometimes Recycled Cowboys rise from the dust – the background – as movie Extras – to stardom. As did Ernest Borgnine and Charles Bronson – who laboured in the background for many movies before achieving outright Stardom. Others start out as Stars then fall back – but not out. Stranger still, many a Recycled Cowboy may enjoy more work than many Stars – appearing in dozens of films and TV shows. They may not get the same Billing or paycheque, but they probably aren’t hurting much either.

I hope to pay homage to many of these important and popular actors in the future.

Happy Trails.

Harry Dean Stanton Western Filmography:

HARRY DEAN STANTON 1 — **Sorry – No pics of Harry Dean for Tomahawk Trail. Lisa Montell and Susan Cummings.**

HARRY DEAN STANTON 2 — **No Stanton photo. Alan Ladd and son, David Ladd**

______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent 7 … plus One

Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent 7 … plus One.

Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent 7 … plus One

Cast Introduction:
The New Magnificent Seven

As they say: The atmosphere is electric.

But I hate these tuxedo affairs.

DAMN! I just spilt some wine on my boots.

“Oh Hi Mickey”

Rourke. … Everybody is here.

OOP – The lights are going down … better get to my seat.
_________________________________________________________

“Ladeeeez and Gentlemen!!!”
… announces a disembodied voice:

“Introducing your “NEW MAGNIFICENT SEVEN !!!“

Generous Applause …
Hopeful enthusiasm … tinged with fear.

Mine.

“Reprising the main role of Chris made famous by Yul Brynner …”

“TOM CRUISE !!!”

Whoa !!! Tom gets some large appreciation.
No problem.
But his selection was already out of the bag.

Tom take a bow … waves … flashes his famous grin.

“Tom’s role by default”, I’m thinking.
He’s good though. Sometimes great.
But the inevitable comparisons with (Yul Brynner)
It’s tough.

“No matter” I mumble, “I think he’s up to it.”
__________________________________________________________

Moving along …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“Reprising the role of Vin Tanner played formerly by Steve McQueen … “

“VIGGO MORTENSEN !!!”

I notice people sitting forward in their seats.
Nodding … yeah … YEAH !
Lots of applause … LOTS.
Viggo is popular.

Viggo looks dapper, casual … salutes.

“VIggo as Vin” I say.
(I think I aced that one)

… 5 to go.
__________________________________________________________

Next …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“Reprising the role of Britt that was played by James Coburn … “

“GUY PEARCE!!!”

“OH !” ”I love Guy.” I hear Spielberg’s wife exclaim.
Steven nods. ”Yes … yes. That should work very well.”

Guy is welcomed … tanned and grinning.

I feel a swell of growing enthusiasm.

Things seem to be working.

But I’m still sweating.
__________________________________________________________

Next …

“Ladies and Gentlemen !!!!”

“Reprising the role of Bernardo O’Reilly which was played by the very popular Charles Bronson … “

“WILLEN DAFOE!!!”

“Holy Crap !!!” I hear Matt Damon shout … rising from his seat …
“This is gonna be one a hell of a movie!
Wish I was in it”

Willem shakes hands with Tom, Viggo, Guy … waves …

“Yaaa !!! Yeahhh !!!” I yell.
I can’t help it.

A lot of people are standing now …
__________________________________________________________

Next intro …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!

“Hot, from his role as the Villain in Star Trek ,,, and playing the role of Lee made famous by Robert Vaughn … “

“BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH !!!”

*silence* … a gasp or two !!
“Well I’ll be damned !!” says Harrison Ford.
“How the hell did they get him !?”
“Inspired.”

Excited applause arises … Ringing !

Cumberbatch is dapper, unscarved.

… I wasn’t too sure …

“Way to go Ben” !!!
__________________________________________________________

The next intro …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!

“Reprising the part of Harry Luck that was played by Brad Dexter … “

“BRENDAN FRASER !!!”

“Wooo hooo” … I hear Sly yelp. “Nice call!”
“Make it sing Brendan!”

Fraser throws his cowboy hat into the crowd.

“YEAH !! YEAH !!”

I can’t believe it …

It rocks !
__________________________________________________________

Next intro …

“And now Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“The last of the Seven … “

“Reprising the role of Chico that was performed by Horst Buchholz … “

“AARON PAUL !!!”

Aaron runs onto the stage …

The joy is high.

The SEVEN are complete !!

Everybody’s standing now …
OVATION … !!!

The New SEVEN take a bow …
__________________________________________________________

“And Lastly” … intones the MC, above the din …

… Ladies and Gentlemen …. “

“Reprising the part of the Mexican Bandito Calvera – formerly played by the late great Eli Wallach … “

“ANTONIO BANDERAS !!!”

“O My …. Goodness !”
shouts Gene Hackman.
“Way to go Tony !!!”

Antonio has his hair slicked back. Looks a bit shy.
… takes a mock poke from Fraser.

Thunderous applause !!!

___________________________________________________

All is well.
____________________________________________________

“Whew!”

I slump into my chair

“Monsieur JC …?”

I turn.
A waiter hands me a bottle of Canadian Club.
“Complements of Monsieur Cruise.”

The tag reads:

“Mission accomplished”
_____________________________________

I just hope my cheque is in the mail.
_____________________________________

Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent 7 … plus One

Cast Introduction:
The New Magnificent Seven

As they say: The atmosphere is electric.

But I hate these tuxedo affairs.

DAMN! I just spilt some wine on my boots.

“Oh Hi Mickey”

Rourke. … Everybody is here.

OOP – The lights are going down … better get to my seat.
_________________________________________________________

“Ladeeeez and Gentlemen!!!”
… announces a disembodied voice:

“Introducing your “NEW MAGNIFICENT SEVEN !!!“

Generous Applause …
Hopeful enthusiasm … tinged with fear.

Mine.

“Reprising the main role of Chris made famous by Yul Brynner …”

“TOM CRUISE !!!”

Whoa !!! Tom gets some large appreciation.
No problem.
But his selection was already out of the bag.

Tom take a bow … waves … flashes his famous grin.

“Tom’s role by default”, I’m thinking.
He’s good though. Sometimes great.
But the inevitable comparisons with (Yul Brynner)
It’s tough.

“No matter” I mumble, “I think he’s up to it.”
__________________________________________________________

Moving along …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“Reprising the role of Vin Tanner played formerly by Steve McQueen … “

“VIGGO MORTENSEN !!!”

I notice people sitting forward in their seats.
Nodding … yeah … YEAH !
Lots of applause … LOTS.
Viggo is popular.

Viggo looks dapper, casual … salutes.

“VIggo as Vin” I say.
(I think I aced that one)

… 5 to go.
__________________________________________________________

Next …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“Reprising the role of Britt that was played by James Coburn … “

“GUY PEARCE!!!”

“OH !” “I love Guy.” I hear Spielberg’s wife exclaim.
Steven nods. “Yes … yes. That should work very well.”

Guy is welcomed … tanned and grinning.

I feel a swell of growing enthusiasm.

Things seem to be working.

But I’m still sweating.
__________________________________________________________

Next …

“Ladies and Gentlemen !!!!”

“Reprising the role of Bernardo O’Reilly which was played by the very popular Charles Bronson … “

“WILLEN DAFOE!!!”

“Holy Crap !!!” I hear Matt Damon shout … rising from his seat …
“This is gonna be one a hell of a movie!
Wish I was in it”

Willem shakes hands with Tom, Viggo, Guy … waves …

“Yaaa !!! Yeahhh !!!” I yell.
I can’t help it.

A lot of people are standing now …
__________________________________________________________

Next intro …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!

“Hot, from his role as the Villain in Star Trek ,,, and playing the role of Lee made famous by Robert Vaughn … “

“BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH !!!”

*silence* … a gasp or two !!
“Well I’ll be damned !!” says Harrison Ford.
“How the hell did they get him !?”
“Inspired.”

Excited applause arises … Ringing !

Cumberbatch is dapper, unscarved.

… I wasn’t too sure …

“Way to go Ben” !!!
__________________________________________________________

The next intro …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!

“Reprising the part of Harry Luck that was played by Brad Dexter … “

“BRENDAN FRASER !!!”

“Wooo hooo” … I hear Sly yelp. “Nice call!”
“Make it sing Brendan!”

Fraser throws his cowboy hat into the crowd.

“YEAH !! YEAH !!”

I can’t believe it …

It rocks !
__________________________________________________________

Next intro …

“And now Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“The last of the Seven … “

“Reprising the role of Chico that was performed by Horst Buchholz … “

“AARON PAUL !!!”

Aaron runs onto the stage …

The joy is high.

The SEVEN are complete !!

Everybody’s standing now …
OVATION … !!!

The New SEVEN take a bow …
__________________________________________________________

“And Lastly” … intones the MC, above the din …

… Ladies and Gentlemen …. “

“Reprising the part of the Mexican Bandito Calvera – formerly played by the great Eli Wallach … “

“ANTONIO BANDERAS !!!”

“O My …. Goodness !”
shouts Gene Hackman.
“Way to go Tony !!!”

Antonio has his hair slicked back. Looks a bit shy.
… takes a mock poke from Fraser.

Thunderous applause !!!

___________________________________________________

All is well.
____________________________________________________

“Whew!”

I slump into my chair

“Monsieur JC …?”

I turn.
A waiter hands me a bottle of Canadian Club.
“Complements of Monsieur Cruise.”

The tag reads:

“Mission accomplished”
_____________________________________

I just hope my cheque is in the mail.
_____________________________________

The Magnificent Seven … ??? Casting Charles Bronson …

There’s only a couple of the cast members of The Magnificent Seven that are easy to cast …
and Charles Bronson ISN”T one of them.

Bronson poses a casting problem in that he always seemed (to me) to be a man that had paid his dues (he had) and this seemed to shine through his on-screen persona.

But he had that soft side too – as we see with the kids in The Magnificent Seven. Maybe that comes from his upbringing in a real life family of 14 brothers and sisters.

When we are introduced to Bronson in The Magnificent Seven we encounter him chopping wood. You better believe that no acting was necessary. And he could just as easily have been swinging a pick.

It’s a smart casting trick: choosing people who don’t need to act.

Bronson’s unique looks, however, allowed him to play roles of different cultures and races. Mexicans, Indians … his name in The Magnificent Seven is Bernardo O’Rielly … Italian Irish ?

So let’s say we’re looking for a laid back, hard working, down-to-earth, character who’s paid some dues and knows a thing or two …

Hmmmm … ??
___________________________________________________________

CHARLES BRONSON /
Charles Dennis Buchinsky

WIKIPEDIA: Bronson was born Charles Dennis Buchinsky in Ehrenfeld in Cambria County in the coal region of the Allegheny Mountains north of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. During the McCarthy hearings, he changed his last name to Bronson, fearing that Buchinsky sounded “too Russian”; the name was taken from Bronson Avenue in Hollywood, where the famous gated entrance to Paramount Pictures is located.

He was one of fifteen children born to a Lithuanian (Lipka Tatar) immigrant father and a Lithuanian-American mother. His father, Walter Bunchinski, who later adjusted his surname to Buchinsky to sound more “American”, hailed from the town of Druskininkai. Bronson’s mother, Mary (née Valinsky), whose parents were from Lithuania, was born in the coal mining town of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He learned to speak English when he was a teen, before that he spoke Russian and Lithuanian.

Bronson was the first member of his family to graduate from high school. As a young child, Bronson did not initially know how to speak English and only learned the language while in his teens. When Bronson was 10 years old, his father died. Young Charles went to work in the coal mines, first in the mining office and then in the mine itself. He earned $1 for each ton of coal that he mined. He worked in the mine until he entered military service during World War II. His family was so poor that, at one time, he reportedly had to wear his sister’s dress to school because of his lack of clothing.

In 1943, Bronson enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces and served as an aerial gunner in the 760th Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron, and in 1945 as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress crewman with the 39th Bombardment Group based on Guam. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received during his service.”

Lets face it, I’m not going to find any actor around who
can swing an axe – or a pick – with the likes of Bronson.
Gonna have to compromise a bit …

Maybe.

Maybe not.
_____________________________________________________

“I admire your notion of fair odds, mister.”
~ Charles Bronson / The Magnificent Seven.

OK …

… mumble … mumble …

Time for a decision.

I’m going with Willem Dafoe !!!

Yes.

I think Willem Dafoe will do one hell of job.

Often brilliant … he’s done a hell of job on everything else he’s done.
Has the grizzled, chiselled, rugged looks of a Bronson.
And he’s done quite a bit of Action filming.

_______________________________________________________________

Next …

The Magnificent Seven … Casting Robert Vaughn – Lee

Glenn Ford Westerns ———– Jubal / 1956 / Part 2

Jubal / 1956

My review? It’s a good Western – have a look.

Jubal / 1956:
Glenn Ford is now 40 years old and a full blown Western Movie Star in the Golden Era of Western Film – the 50’s. The notable cast of Jubal includes 4 other fellers: Ernest Borgnine, Rod Steiger, Charles Bronson, and Jack Elam. Borgnine, Bronson and Elam have all been moving steadily up the ladder from being movie Extras – to Badguys – to supporting actor roles and now enjoy Star billing. Rod Steiger (the main badguy in Jubal) is already a well established actor for his roles in On the Waterfront (1954) (with Marlon Brando), and as that “low down dirty pig stealer” Jud Fry from Oklahoma (1955) (“where the wind keeps sweepin’ down the plain, and the waving wheat” …. well … you know what I’m talking about).
Meanwhile two gals, Valerie French and Felicia Farr have principal roles.

steiger and elam - jubal — **Steiger and Jack Elam**

The Gals

valerie french - jubal — **Valerie French**

valerie french and ford - jubal — **Valerie French and Ford**

The End

__________________________________

Footnote

Jubal Sackett is a novel by great Western writer Louis L’Amour
which developed into a worthy TV mini-series: The Sacketts (1979)
starring Glenn Ford – among an All Star Western cast of:
Sam Elliot, Tom Selleck, Jack Elam, Ben Johnson, Slim Pickens,
L.Q. Jones, John Vernon, and Louis L’Amour himself.

Amazing stuff.

Glenn Ford Westerns ———– Jubal / 1956 / Part 1

Jubal / 1956

Garry mentioned Jubal … so I thought we’d take a look at it.
Most of Ford‘s 15 (or so) Westerns were pretty good and Jubal is right up there.

A great cast.

Jubal Trailer

jubal poster

Jubal – an unusual name for a movie –
is from the 1939 novel Jubal Troop by Paul Wellman.
Glenn Ford Jubal (Troop).

Just for curiosity Borgnine, Bronson and Elam had also all appeared together in Vera Cruz (1954).

_________________________________________________

Jubal / Part 2 … coming up …

Western Badguys … Lee Marvin … that’s a wrap

The Spikes Gang

I’m gonna say that The Spikes Gang (1974) was the last true Western that Lee Marvin made.

A pretty good little film that never got it’s due. Certainly worth a see.

Director Richard Fleistcher‘s message is loud and clear: a badguy is not a hero (even if he is a Movie Star) and there is no glory – or freedom – in being a crook. And who better to deliver that message than Lee Marvin?

A great little cast – Gary Grimes, Charles Martin Smith, Marvin, Ron Howard – including two sweet cameo supporting roles by (Western Great) Arthur Hunnicutt and Noah Beery Jr.

**The Spikes Gang; Gary Grimes, Charles Martin Smith, Marvin, Ron Howard**

Arthur Hunnicutt - Noah Beery Jr. — **Arthur Hunnicutt – Noah Beery Jr.**

___________________________________

Paint Your Wagon / 1969

Paint Your Wagon (1969) may qualify as having Western flavour … and Clint Eastwood. But it’s a musical. (Yet … so was Cat Ballou … in part) I think it’s a pretty good movie in it’s own right – and many folks like it, but … I don’t categorize it as a Western.

Survey says … ?? Your opinion ?

___________________________________

Death Hunt / 1981

Death Hunt (1981). It has action, guns and horses … and Charles Bronson. But a Western? I don’t feel it.

Others may challenge these judgements. My opinion is not final on anything.

Once Upon a Time …

“When you hear a strange sound, drop to the ground”.

Internet Movie Database Mini Bio

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A Wilder Bunch??

Casting Call Part 2 / Dutch Engstrom / Ernest Borgnine The Wild Bunch 1973

Who would you have Cast?:

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The Playlist

‘Magnificent Seven’ Remake Continues With New Writer, But Loses Tom Cruise

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Tom Cruise shoots down Magnificent Seven remake

TOM CRUISE’s departure from a planned remake of the star-studded western has put the project back to square one

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Casting

Reviews:

Director Robert Aldrich

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Celebrating Harry Dean Stanton’s Western Filmwork

Harry Dean Stanton Western Filmography:

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Cast Introduction:The New Magnificent Seven

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Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent Seven

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CHARLES BRONSON / Charles Dennis Buchinsky

The Magnificent Seven … Casting Robert Vaughn – Lee

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Jubal / 1956

The Gals

The End

Footnote

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Jubal / 1956

A great cast.

Jubal Trailer

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The Spikes Gang

Paint Your Wagon / 1969

Death Hunt / 1981

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Casting Call Part 2 / Dutch Engstrom / Ernest Borgnine
The Wild Bunch 1973

Cast Introduction:
The New Magnificent Seven

Cast Introduction:
The New Magnificent Seven

CHARLES BRONSON /
Charles Dennis Buchinsky