The Shootist

The Shootist is a novel written by Glendon Swarthout, published in 1975.

Related Topics:
Novel - Glendon Swarthout - 1975

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was made into a 1976 Western film, with Scott Hale and Miles Hood Swarthout, son of the author, writing the screenplay.

Related Topics:
1976 - Western film

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is the story of John Bernard (J.B.) Books (John Wayne), an aging gunfighter, the most celebrated "shootist" , who is struggling with terminal stomach cancer. Arriving in El Paso, Texas (film: Carson City, Nevada) in 1901, Books first seeks the second opinion of an old friend, and doctor, Doc E. W. Hostetler (Jimmy Stewart). Once Hostetler confirms the presence of this disease, Books rents a room from the widow ('Bond'; "thats a crackerjack of a name") Rogers (Lauren Bacall), and her son Gillom Rogers (Ron Howard). Books' presence in town is soon known to most, and the news soon spreads by telegraph throughout the country. This results in the arrival of troublemakers to lure Books back to his past. Not only does he have to deal with his inevitable death, but he has to deal with the vultures who come to profit from both his life and that of his death.

Related Topics:
John Wayne - Gunfighter - Cancer - El Paso, Texas - Carson City, Nevada - 1901 - Jimmy Stewart - Lauren Bacall - Ron Howard

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Books has never had trouble facing death in other men, but now struggles with the fact that death is calling on him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The character of J.B. Books serves to parallel the dying days of John Wayne, who was also suffering from a terminal illness, lung cancer. The film was his last movie, and the knowledge of Wayne's health during the filming leads to a lot of interesting imagery as the film progresses. Lauren Bacall had watched Humphrey Bogart go through the same thing, and because of her scenes with Wayne, she was especially in touch with the parallels. Wayne also could not shoot everyday, so the shooting schedule had to be extended for him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the time the movie rights were purchased, John Wayne was one of the few leading men considered for the role. However, questions about his health cast doubt on his ability to complete its filming. Wayne himself made the completion of this filming a personal mission.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The horse in the final scene of True Grit would ride with Wayne through several westerns, including this, his final movie. Dollor, or "ole Dollor" would even get in the script, at Wayne's insistance, because of his love of the horse.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The film was directed by Don Siegel (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz)

Related Topics:
Don Siegel - Invasion of the Body Snatchers - Dirty Harry - Escape from Alcatraz

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The cast: John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, Jimmy Stewart, Richard Boone (Mike Sweeney), Hugh O'Brian (Jack Pulford), and Harry Morgan (Carson City Marshal Walter J. Thibido). Although Bacall received higher billing, Howard's character was just as prominent. Scatman Crothers as Moses Brown the liveryman does one of the best performances in the film. M.J. Frankovich and William Self, producers; Elmer Bernstein, music; Bruce Surtees, director of photography; and Douglas Stewart, editing.

Related Topics:
John Wayne - Lauren Bacall - Ron Howard - Jimmy Stewart - Richard Boone - Hugh O'Brian - Harry Morgan - Scatman Crothers - William Self - Elmer Bernstein

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Filmed on location in Carson City and at studios in Burbank, California.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Besides changing the location from El Paso to Carson City, and having Dollor written in, Wayne also changed the ending of the screenplay. Books was supposed to shoot Pulford in the back, and then Gillom shoot Books. Wayne said he never "shot anyone in the back", and didn't want the young Gillom killing him. They changed the film to have him shoot Pulford in the head, the bartender kill Books, and Gillom kill the bartender.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~