As children we are torn between two phrases: “I do it myself,” and “Up!” On one hand we need independence, on the other we want someone to pick us up and take care of our problem. Finding the balance is our battle.
But when overwhelming circumstances wash over us – hurricanes, illnesses, divorce, depression – it can be difficult for strong, independent people to accept help. Even when it is needed.
The next time you think you should be John Wayne and handle everything all by yourself, perhaps you should consider how many people it took for John Wayne to be John Wayne.
Below are the credits for the cast and crew of his last movie, “The Shootist.” Nineteen companies and 83 people are included. In 1976 only the primary crew were credited which does not include the majority of the support staff, technicians, assistants, cooks, extras or a single musician. That doesn’t include friends, family, doctors, nurses (he had stomach cancer), managers, accountants, lawyers, investors or paying fans.
But that was way back in 1976. In 2008 it took some 288 people to make Clint Eastwood into Clint Eastwood for “Gran Torino“.
James Bond “Skyfall“, just released this year, took the combined talent of 1,043 people to make Daniel Craig into the famous Secret Agent 007.
But topping them all, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” required more than 1,491 people to turn Harrison Ford into Indiana Jones in 2008. A fifth movie has been announced. Who knows how many people it will take by then.
So the next time you feel like you have to take on everything all by yourself, just remember – John Wayne had an uncredited stunt double.
The Shootist
Production Companies
Paramount Pictures
Dino De Laurentiis Company (uncredited)
Distributors
Paramount Pictures (1976) (USA) (theatrical)
Cinema International Corporation (UK) (1976) (UK) (theatrical)
Tobis (1977) (West Germany) (theatrical)
Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1978) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
EuroVideo (2002) (Germany) (DVD)
Filmayer (Spain)
Koch Media (2010) (Germany) (DVD)
Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (2 film set)
Paramount Home Video (2012) (Canada) (DVD) (2 film set)
Paramount Home Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
Paramount Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
Roadshow Entertainment
Roadshow Home Video
Other Companies
Burbank Editorial Service Inc. sound effects
D.K. Harris Music Service music editing (as D. Harris Music Service)
Polifroni/Sabba casting
Universal Title and Optical titles and optical effects (as Universal Optical)
Writing credits
Glendon Swarthout (novel)
Miles Hood Swarthout (screenplay) and
Scott Hale (screenplay)
Cast
(in credits order) verified as complete
John Wayne … J.B. Books
Lauren Bacall … Bond Rogers
Ron Howard … Gillom Rogers
James Stewart … Dr. Hosteler
Richard Boone … Sweeney
Hugh O’Brian … Pulford
Bill McKinney … Cobb
Harry Morgan … Marshall Thibido
John Carradine … Beckum
Sheree North … Serepta
Rick Lenz … Dobkins (as Richard Lenz)
Scatman Crothers … Moses
Gregg Palmer … Burly Man
Alfred Dennis … Barber
Dick Winslow … Streetcar Driver
Melody Thomas Scott … Girl on Streetcar (as Melody Thomas)
Kathleen O’Malley … School Teacher
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Johnny Crawford … Books’ Victim in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)
Chuck Dawson … Extra (uncredited)
Christopher George … Books’ Victim in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)
Jonathan Goldsmith … Book’s Victim (uncredited)
Leo Gordon … Books’ Victim in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)
Charles G. Martin … Murray the Bartender (uncredited)
Ricky Nelson … Books’ Fellow Lawman in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)
James Nolan … Gambler (uncredited)
Henry Slate … Pulford Confidant (uncredited)
Bob Steele … Books’ Victim in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)
Ralph Volkie … White-Haired Bartender (uncredited)
Produced by
M.J. Frankovich …. producer
William Self …. producer
Original Music by
Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography by
Bruce Surtees (director of photography)
Film Editing by
Douglas Stewart
Production Design by
Robert F. Boyle (as Robert Boyle)
Set Decoration by
Arthur Jeph Parker (as Arthur Parker)
Makeup Department
Joe DiBella …. makeup artist (as Joe Di Bella)
Dave Grayson …. makeup artist
Vivienne Walker …. hair stylist
Production Management
Russell Saunders …. executive production manager
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Joseph C. Cavalier …. assistant director (as Joe Cavalier)
Joe Florence …. second assistant director
Art Department
Bill Dietz …. property master
Richard Lawrence …. assistant art director
Joseph M. LeBaron …. construction coordinator
William Cruse …. set designer (uncredited)
Sound Department
Les Fresholtz …. sound re-recordist
Michael Minkler …. sound re-recordist
Al Overton …. sound mixer (as Alfred J. Overton)
Arthur Piantadosi …. sound re-recordist
Jerry Whittington …. sound effects editor (uncredited)
Special Effects by
Augie Lohman …. special effects
David Domeyer …. special effects (uncredited)
Stunts
Denny Arnold …. stunts (uncredited)
Jim Burk …. stunt double (uncredited)
Jim Burk …. stunt double: John Wayne (uncredited)
Jim Burk …. stunts (uncredited)
Steven Burnett …. stunts (uncredited)
Roydon Clark …. stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson …. stunts (uncredited)
Henry Wills …. stunts wrangler (uncredited)
Camera and Electrical Department
Kenneth Adams …. key grip
Thomas Del Ruth …. camera operator (as Tom Del Ruth)
Charles Holmes …. gaffer (as Chuck Holmes)
Richard A. Mention III …. camera assistant (as Rick Mention)
Timothy E. Wade …. camera assistant
Dave Sutton …. still photographer (uncredited)
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Luster Bayless …. costumes: men
Moss Mabry …. costumes: Miss Bacall
Edna Taylor …. costumes: ladies
Editorial Department
Jerrold L. Ludwig …. assistant editor
Music Department
Dan Wallin …. score mixer (uncredited)
Transportation Department
Chris Haynes …. driver (uncredited)
Other crew
Jack Casey …. publicist
Eudie Charnes …. production coordinator
Dino De Laurentiis …. presenter
Al Horwits …. public relations
Betsy Norton …. script supervisor
Buzz Barton …. horse wrangler (uncredited)
Robert S. Birchard …. dailies projectionist (uncredited)
