MovieChat Forums > The Shootist (1976) Discussion > something that I have never understood

something that I have never understood

posted 20 years ago by Yojimbo28
12 replies | jump to latest

I absolutely love this movie but there's one thing that's always bugged me. I don't have the DVD or VHS copy of this film, I just taped it off of TV about 10 years ago. When they get to the final shootout, there's Sweeney, Pulford, and Cobb. I can understand Sweeney and Pulford's motivation for being there. Sweeney, to avenge his brother and Pulford, to test his skills against the best. But why is Cobb there? The only time Cobb is mentioned is when it's said that Gillom works for him. But there's no scenes with him in it, until the shootout. Is my version missing a scene? I always wondered why he'd want Books dead.

[–] anne-billlanders 20 years ago

I's been several years since I've seen The Shootist, but didn't they have a bit of a run in up toward the start of the movie? I remember Cobb coming into town in a buggy Books was in the street and he told Books..Get out of the way old man!..or was that Sweeney? And then some conversation between Gillom and Cobb about Books later on. Next time I see it I'll check it out.

[–] jim-1266 20 years ago

Correct- when Books rides into town, he stops to buy a paper. As he is reading it, Cobb drives up, and yells to Books to get out the way. Even in this brief encounter, it is obvious that Cobb is accustomed to using violence or threats to get his own way.

[–] knight_hawk2002 19 years ago

Cobb did threaten Duke at the start and Gillon also pointed out that he had performed some mean acts in the past such as busting a sales mans jaw.

Cobb also was greedy and vain and wanted the fame and fortune for being the man who shot JB Books.

[–] ScarletPimpernel64 15 years ago

Cobb thinks he's hot stuff and is there for the reputation. In killing Books he'd be getting the name he's been wanting.

"So what else is on your mind besides 100 proof women, 90 proof whiskey, and 14 karat gold?"

[–] rwsmith29456 15 years ago

Didn't they have an feud that went way back??

[–] bradford-1 15 years ago

No, the feud was with Sweeney (Boone) because Books had killed Sweeney's brother.

[–] joker2-1 15 years ago

I never understood Pulford being there. How did Books catch wind of what he even said that night in the bar?

[–] jconn426 13 years ago

This answer is more than a bit late in coming, but the marshal told Books about it the morning after the two losers tried to shoot Books in his sleep. He figured (correctly) that Pulford would probably want to take a crack at him, too. (For the record, Pulford was "old school", like Books, and would never think to try to bushwhack him in his own bed.)

===
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

[–] BKinzeys 14 years ago

Cobb had insulted Books but also he was a bad influence on Gillom. Gillom sees Cobb's true character when he gives Cobb Books message. He was also there to stack the deck against Books.

[–] alphaboo 12 years ago

Cob is shown as a bully and although without screen time is referred to in a bad light through the movie and figured he'd bolster his existing reputation as a bully and someone to be afraid of and to be allowed to have there way

[–] vetoroley 11 years ago

Cobb didn't have a choice. He was in jail and Marshall Thibido let him out for the meeting. If you remember, Thibido brings Cobb to the saloon and takes off the handcuffs before sending him in to face Books. Thibido wanted to get rid of either Books or Cobb or, preferably, both...

[–] hackraytex 11 years ago

Remember the Marshall telling Cobb "Don't wet your pants"? The marshall had contempt for the local punk and was probably tired of this bully behavior.