MovieChat Forums > The Shootist (1976) Discussion > Big Stars In Cameo Rolls

Big Stars In Cameo Rolls

posted 10 years ago by he88
7 replies | jump to latest

I just saw a Johnny Carson interview with Jimmy Stewart where he talked about being proud to be in another movie with the Duke. So I was really surprised at how small his part was. Then again there was several big name stars with cameo parts in this movie. I think that probably speaks volumes to the power of John Wayne. Big name stars were more than happy to have even small parts in a movie he stared in.

Other than Ron Howard I think they're all gone now. It is kind of a nice last tribute. I think that narration in the beginning where it showed him in different gun fights were from all these movies in the past. Here like his long career he was coming to the end of the road and going out on top......Pretty cool.

[–] samwise_fan1965 10 years ago

I know it's been a while since your post but I agree completely.
I've always felt this was the finest cast ever assembled for any movie I've seen.
Everybody turned in top notch work.

[–] johnny_burnaway 9 years ago

Jimmy Stewart may have had a small part, but his scenes are my favorite of the film. He's the one who tells Books that he is dying, and he is also the one who prompts Books to find a less terrible death than from cancer. Both pivotal, poignant moments.

[–] ecarle 9 years ago

I believe what occurred here was that John Wayne PERSONALLY asked a lot of these stars ...many his personal friends...to play these small parts.

James Stewart played his role for that reason.

And so did Richard Boone, who was living in Hawaii at the time and had turned down some big roles(like Robert Shaw's in The Sting.)

Said Boone of coming from Hawaii to Hollywood for The Shootist: "I wouldn't come within 3,000 miles of this town if Duke hadn't asked me."

I think the invitations extended to Lauren Bacall(Duke's co-star in Blood Alley) and John Carradine, too. Maybe Hugh O'Brien.

[–] PhineasAppleby 9 years ago

Quick correction for the op. Hugh O'Brian is still alive.He'll be 91 on April 19th.

[–] kentor404 8 years ago

Honolulu is about 2500 miles from Los Angeles, so he was already within 3,000 miles of Hollywood without even leaving Hawaii.

[–] ecarle (14979) 7 years ago

Well, he had a connecting flight in NYC....

[–] joegerardi (384) 7 years ago

Hugh O'Brien offered to do the role for free, just to be in a movie with John Wayne.

Lauren Bacall and The Duke were diametrical opposites politically, but after Bogey's cancer became public, and even though he didn't really know him, John Wayne was the first person to send flowers and a letter of encouragement. Lauren Bacall never forgot that, and also the fact that he fought to get her cast in Blood Alley.

..Joe