Monte Walsh (1970)

Director:

William A. Fraker

Writers:

David Zelag Goodman
Lukas Heller
(more)

Release Date:

7 October 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

An aging cowboy realizes that the West he knew and loved will soon be no more--and that there will be no room for him, either.

Plot Keywords:

Cowboy | Aging | Wild West | Friend | Revolver

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Lee Marvin	...	Monte Walsh
Jeanne Moreau	...	Martine Bernard
Jack Palance	...	Chet Rollins
Mitch Ryan	...	Shorty Austin (as Mitchell Ryan)
Jim Davis	...	Cal Brennan
G.D. Spradlin	...	Hal Henderson
John Hudkins	...	Sonny Jacobs (as John 'Bear' Hudkins)
Raymond Guth	...	Sunfish Perkins (as Ray Guth)
John McKee	...	Petey Williams
Michael Conrad	...	Dally Johnson
Tom Heaton	...	Sugar Wyman
Ted Gehring	...	Skimpy Eagans
Bo Hopkins	...	Jumpin' Joe Joslin
John McLiam	...	Fightin' Joe Hooker
Allyn Ann McLerie	...	Mary Eagle
Matt Clark	...	Rufus Brady
Billy Green Bush	...	Powder Kent (as Billy Bush)
Eric Christmas	...	Col. Wilson
Charles Tyner	...	Doctor
Jack Colvin	...	Card cheat
Richard Farnsworth	...	Cowboy (as Dick Farnsworth)
Fred Waugh	...	Cowboy
Henry A. Escalante	...	Cowboy (as Blackie Escalante)
Leroy Johnson	...	Marshal
William Graeff Jr.	...	Bartender
John Carter	...	Farmer
William A. Fraker Jr.	...	Farm boy (as Billy Fraker)
Kurtis Roberts	...	Farm boy
Guy Wilkerson	...	Old man
Roy Barcroft	...	Proprietor
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Frank Green	...	Bit part (uncredited)
Mark Headley	...	Kid Edward (uncredited)
Rusty Lee	...	Covered Wagon Driver (uncredited)

Directed by
William A. Fraker

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
David Zelag Goodman
Lukas Heller
Jack Schaefer		novel

Produced by
Hal Landers	....	producer
Bobby Roberts	....	producer

Original Music by
John Barry

Cinematography by
David M. Walsh

Film Editing by
Richard K. Brockway		(as Dick Brockway)
Ray Daniels
Gene Fowler Jr.
Robert L. Wolfe

Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster

Production Design by
Albert Brenner		(as Al Brenner)

Art Direction by
Ward Preston

Set Decoration by
Phil Abramson

Costume Design by
Albert Brenner		(as Al Brenner)

Makeup Department
Emile LaVigne	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Bill Finnegan	....	production manager (as William R. Finnegan)
Christopher N. Seiter	....	production manager (as Chris Seiter)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Al Murphy	....	assistant director
Jack Roe	....	assistant director

Special Effects by
Roy Bolton	....	special effects
George Peckham	....	special effects
Daniel Hays	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Floyd Baze	....	stunt double
Henry A. Escalante	....	stunts (uncredited)
John Hudkins	....	stunts (uncredited)
Terry Leonard	....	stunts (uncredited)
Gerry Searle	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Bobby Byrne	....	camera operator
Michael A. Jones	....	gaffer: second unit

Casting Department
Frank Kennedy	....	extras casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alan Levine	....	costumes: men

Music Department
John Barry	....	conductor

Production Companies

• Cinema Center Films

Distributors

• National General Pictures (1970) (USA) (theatrical)
• Explosive-Media (2013) (Germany) (DVD)
• Centfox (1970) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1977) (USA) (TV)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• Akün Film (????) (Turkey) (theatrical)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | USA:GP (original release) | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:16 (f)

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Cinema Center Films

Trivia:

Final film of veteran villain Roy Barcroft, who died before its release.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Fightin Joe Hooker, the cowboy riding fence says he rode with Joseph Hooker when he led the Army of the Cumberland at the battle of Lookout Mountain during the Civil War. General Joseph Hooker did not lead the Army of the Cumberland. He was in command of the XI and XII Corps of the Army of the Potomac and was sent west to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland, which was under the command of general George H. Thomas at the battle of Chattanooga, of which the battle of Lookout Mountain was part.

Quotes:

Monte Walsh:I'm going after Shorty.
Sugar Wyman:You doing the laws work?
Monte Walsh:Shorty blew off Chet's head with a double barrel shotgun.
Sugar Wyman:Oh my God! Why?
Monte Walsh:Chet didn't say.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Go West, Young Man! (2003)

Soundtrack:

The Good Times Are Comin'

Bittersweet Celebration of the American Cowboy

When "Monte Walsh" appeared in 1970, I avoided it like the plague. "Who wants to see a movie about the end of an era?" I asked myself, conveniently forgetting how much I loved "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." So, nearly 30 years later, Turner Classic Movies gave me the opportunity to correct what might have been a mistake. Had I erred in 1970? Well, yes and no. Yes, because "Monte Walsh" now joins my list of one of the five best westerns ever made; and, no, because at the tender age of 21, I would not have appreciated this masterpiece; which, in these especially troubled times, seems more relevant than ever.

According to TCM host, Robert Osborne, William Fraker directed only 4 films during his distinguished career, preferring his role as director of photography. If "Monte Walsh" is any example, then director Fraker missed his calling; as, "Monte Walsh" boasts outstanding ensemble acting, unusual unless the director is especially gifted. Many in this cast give the best performances of his or her career, particularly Jim Davis and Mitchell Ryan. "Monte Walsh" should be the role for which Marvin is remembered, as "Chet" should be the role to remember Jack Palance. It's a joy and a privilege to watch Marvin and Palance interact, even more enjoyable than Marvin and John Wayne in their frequent pairings. The first two thirds of "Monte Walsh" is largely upbeat, even in the hard times portrayed, while the final third left me both numb and aching.

"I won't p**s on 30 years of my life," is one of the many profound quotations in "Monte Walsh." It defines Monte's code of honor; a decent, loving and honorable man unwilling to compromise who he is. I give "Monte Walsh" a "10".