Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
John Wayne | ... | ||
Dean Martin | ... | ||
Martha Hyer | ... | ||
Michael Anderson Jr. | ... | ||
Earl Holliman | ... | ||
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Jeremy Slate | ... | |
James Gregory | ... | ||
Paul Fix | ... | ||
George Kennedy | ... | ||
Dennis Hopper | ... | ||
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Sheldon Allman | ... |
Harry Evers
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John Litel | ... |
Minister
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John Doucette | ... |
Hyselman
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James Westerfield | ... |
Mr. Vennar
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Rhys Williams | ... |
Charlie Striker
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The Elder boys return to Clearwater, Texas for their Mother's funeral. John the eldest is a well known gunfighter and trouble follows him wherever he goes. The boys try to get back their ranch from the towns gunsmith who won it from their father in a card game with which he was shortly murdered there after but not before getting through the troubles that come with the Elders name. Written by Christopher D. Ryan <cryan@direct.ca>
Well this film is perhaps not in Waynes top 20 it remains very watchable and can be veiwed on many occassions.Katie Elder had 4 sons it is asking a lot to accept the age range but it works well.Dean Martin gives a good performance as Tom and Duke is John the other brothers play their parts well but are dwarfed by the two stars.Hathways direction is tight and tho a bit on the slow side you can't switch off once watching.Filmed justt after Waynes lung had been removed you can see its importance in his career,the action scenes took a lot out of him but being the man he was he got them done with help from an oxygen mask,and many of the crew were impressed by his professionalism and bravery.A box office succes,it kept Wayne in the publics mind.So not quite a classic but worth watching for the two stars and the bravery of John Wayne no one else has ever filled the screen like the Duke.7/10