MovieChat Forums > The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) Discussion > How many characters can one man play?

How many characters can one man play?

posted 19 years ago by hondo551
8 replies | jump to latest

Stunt man Jerry Gatlin spent a lot of time in the movies of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, doing stunts and playing bit parts and walk-ons in a lot of John Wayne movies. His biggest acting job may been as one of the Duke's partners in The Train Robbers. But in this movie he shows up at least four times playing four different characters! Each time he's in different clothes and different mustaches. Next time watch for the train conductor, one of the men in the saloon joining in the raffle, one of the deputy's at the ambush (even does his own stunt), and then the second man to almost bump into Dino when he's going after some answers near the end of the movie.

I guess in a movie with too many multiple gunshots we should expect at least one person doing multiple characters!

[–] bullit2513 19 years ago

If I remember right, doesn't Karl Swenson play two parts as well? He plays the doctor, and at least one other character. Budgeting problems maybe?

"I don't mean to be a sore loser, but if when it's over, I'm dead, kill him." Butch Cassidy

[–] goofy-3 19 years ago

I always figured, when he wasn't doctoring (probably not a full-time job), he was tending bar.

[–] duke07 17 years ago

I noticed Jerry Gatlin as well.Must have got one hell of a paycheck for this film. I think he is even riding thru Town when Dean is crossing the street near the end. I love seeing the stunt guy's prop up especially in multiple parts. Eg: Chuck Roberson in "War Wagon" after he is killed he oders the Guards that they can cross down river.

But I suppose they never expected to have these films studied so much.

It was a good observation.

[–] stagebandman 17 years ago

He has a small, but decent part in Big Jake, as well.

"I thought you was dead" - "Not hardly"

[–] jlinendoll 17 years ago

actually he has at least two parts in Big Jake-a ranch hand who gets shot during the kidnapping, and the oil driller who points out Tom Hennesee to Duke as the "ornriest" guy at the bar near the climax.

[–] artistathome 13 years ago

If they tried having one guy play multiple parts now, there be such an outcry.
Everyone can stop the film and check things.

Directors could get by with stuff back then. I bet when it was in wide release in 1965 no one noticed this.

[–] goofy-3 11 years ago

Dean Smith, who did a plethora of stunts in John Wayne's movies, also would simultaneously appear in some of the films as as cast member.

[–] joegerardi-1 10 years ago

Chuck Roberson was The Duke's main stunt double, but almost always had other bit parts in the same films. So many, in fact, there are scenes where he's playing multiple parts and ends up shooting himself on the other side of the gunfight!

..Joe