BILLY JACK! "Lafayette Escadrille" Biker gangs & WWI fighter pilots! A WORD ON WELLMAN

[@waynegilchrist1596]

Wow! This is more interesting than Paul Harvey, "The rest of the Story"! It also makes us realize not only how fortunate we are that some of the classic films were made at all but what did we miss that didn't make it or wasn't made due to the politics of the business. "Billy Jack" was really the first to make martial arts popular. I knew Tom McLaughlin wore a lot of different hats but I didn't realize how many.

[@jimbeasley4672]

I listen to many of these interviews several times over the period of a couple of months, and these with William Wellman Jr. are always worth listening to again and again. He is a great story teller and a real down to earth guy.

[@gregdavis19]

I was 9 years ago old when Billy Jack came out and all of us little boys wanted to be, Billy Jack, ha! Still love the Billy Jack movies today.

[@hankaustin7091]

LOL I was 9 years old too when that movie came out.. and yes we ALL wanted to him!

[@robertayoder2063]

Good man watched it cause my dad

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Man, wish you could make these longer. Another great one, Thanks, Lee

[@donc9751]

Billy Jack! Now that brings back memories, 16 when I watched that movie in a small theater in Killeen Texas just outside of Ft. Hood TX , and I still remember a line or 2 from it.

[@TheCaveman46]

Have you seen all four? 1. The Born Losers 2. Billy Jack 3. The Trial of Billy Jack 4. Billy Jack Goes To Washington I know. The last one sounds like a spoof and is not very action packed compared to the others, but definitely worth a watch for every Billy Jack fan.

[@gerardjohnson2106]

Sunday mornings just wouldn't be the same without a great interview and wonderful story from Rob Word. Beats the TV talking heads by a "mile".

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Gerard. I love the live audience and the energy and laughter that we get. Although, when a guest is out of state or unable to attend our regular tapings, sometimes it's necessary to do the "talking heads." I really resist them. Thanks for watching.

[@stephenannese8228]

Wow,...i remember "Billy Jack" at the drive-in in our town (actually neighborhood)...early 70-s,...wish we heard more Wellman Sr. stories too,..great vid.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Here's more of Bill for you, Polly.kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5-8mZaZopaNgrc. Plus, you can hear more from him this Sunday. I'm posting a special CELEBRITY FATHER'S DAY AWOW episode.

[@paulstan9828]

Always a fun way to spend a Sunday morning. Hearing behind the scenes stories about our Hollywood greats.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

About every 10 years I go through all the Billy Jack films. I get something new out of it each time. Tom and Delores were special people. I'd like to see maybe Barbara Carrerra or one of the Laughlin children come in and talk about The Master Gunfighter.

[@brianboisguilbert6985]

I recall Wellman was in Darby's Rangers, another film his father directed. With a cast of up and comings like James Garner, Stuart Whitman, Jack Warden, Murray Hamilton, Peter Brown, Eddie Byrnes and Corey Allen, would love to hear his memories of that film.

[@ralphnoe7368]

Could listen to William Wellman Jr. for hours -- he really knows how to tell a story and does it like two friends talking over the backyard fence. I realize how much alike in story telling anyway he and the late great Robert Forster had in common with their delivery while talking about the business. And Rob, you remind me of the great interviewers such as Mike Wallace and Larry King -- never dominating the conversation and doing great segues from one segment to another. Thanks a million for the great work you're doing getting some of the western film history onto video that will be watched for generations to come.

[@PaulKyriazi]

Bill Jr. can really tell good stories about the movie business.

[@AmericasChoice]

He could easily fill 2 hours.

[@johnreed4646]

Love this show... it was interesting to hear about Tom Laughlin and his backgound. It's so amazing how much we identify someone with a character they play and they are no way like they character they play.

[@jamesmarshall8836]

Great behind-the-scenes stories!

[@AmericanActionReport]

"Don't act; just be yourself," sounded like good advice. I believe it was Robert Mitchum who said, "Don't ever let anyone catch you acting."

[@Ronin4614]

What a great inside look at the politics behind the cameras. Teaching Paul Newman a lesson after the “Silver Chalice” was interesting to learn about. You depth a knowledge base is just tremendous and we are fortunate that you share some of that with us every week. Thank you, Rob. Keep them coming.

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

Great interview, Rob! I appreciate you letting them talk!!

[@jozatexan1964]

Of course, I enjoyed the program as I always do. It occurred to me that Rob's interviews are a lot like being there ~ except I can't join in on the conversations or ask questions.

[@AmericasChoice]

I would LOVE for Rob to do a live stream interview where we could submit questions in real time!

[@EldenSmith]

I love these interviews Rob. Another great one👍

[@Madmanmarque]

Always look forward to Sunday mornings!

[@deerhoda7574]

What a nice man Bill jr. WOW is always a joy.

[@randolphlearning5255]

Once again a fascinating show. There will come a time when these shows will have great historical impact. The Elwe Yost of Hollywood. Great job Rob.

[@seamusha1]

Another great interview Thanks Rob

[@jan6293]

Thanks Rob, you always deliver a wonderful interview!💕

[@hankaustin7091]

what a spell-binding story teller Mr Wellman is! Rob, another home run, to be sure!

[@AmericasChoice]

Thanks, Rob. Wellman was such good director - The Ox-Bow Incident, Battleground, The Story of G.I.Joe, Island in the Sky. Another favorite of mine is Track of the Cat with Mitchum and Tab Hunter. Tab Hunter was not a great actor, but he was a believable one. Battle Cry was an other great movie where Tab is able to fulfill his role as the All-American kid with aplomb. Of course having Dorothy Malone in it does not hurt...

[@jackgrattan1447]

Don't forget PUBLIC ENEMY, the film that made James Cagney a star.

[@AmericasChoice]

@@jackgrattan1447 It certainly did. Orson Welles called Cagney the greatest actor of his generation.

[@jackgrattan1447]

@@AmericasChoice Orson is God.

[@bigfootaintreal5454]

I love these series of videos , keep them coming, please.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Bigfoot. Will do. I always thought you were real!

[@shellydehart8217]

Such great interview. All of ur interviews a surberb

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks for the kind words, Shelly.

[@swimasfastasyoucan]

I love all these videos. Thanks rob and guests

[@kengamble8595]

Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍

[@Dave49erman]

GREAT interview as always! I was a fan of Billy Jack too.

[@garymckee8857]

I need to order some Billy Jack action jeans. Mr Wellman is a interesting individual.

[@garymckee8857]

@@freshcoat9311 outstanding that's the first time I saw that advertisement that I recall,it made me laugh.

[@patrickfennell6372]

The best charcater on Born Losers was Child. Stole every scene. Thank you Bill.

[@Labor_Jones]

I was touring for several years and had to keep my trailer lite, but I did have all the BILLY JACK Movies for a while. In 1963/64 (i was 10) THE HELLS ANGELS came through Brownsville Texas after Touring Mexico beginning in California. LIKE MANY who had DRIVEN through Mexico they came back with their Pants on and not much else. The Mexican's really beat the CHIPS out of the Hells Angels, so a few years later I saw that our DRIVE INN had a movie about them.... I didn't go (i couldn't drive) but most of the KIDS I knew we all thought that movie (since we were too young to go and see the movie) was about how the HELLS Angles were Beaten up in Mexico. Finally I started to drive (i was 14 without a license) and saw some of the BIKERS Movies and I saw there the Billy Jack Film.... I was fan for life.

[@garybyrne2605]

Great video.

[@jerryknorr679]

Never saw billy jack movie good interview thanks

[@AmericasChoice]

One viewing is enough.

[@Paladin1873]

I saw the second one, "Billy Jack". It was the early 1970s and exploitation films seemed to be the only kind of movies that independent outfits could make money from. About that same time I saw "Walking Tall" and "Vanishing Point". Today we might call these movies cheesy, but in some ways they were groundbreaking in their day. Understand that they were operating on shoestring budgets, so a B movie was all they could make, however I recall some truly excellent B movies from producers and directors such as Budd Boetticher, Samuel Fuller, and Roger Corman. If you've never seen them, I can highly recommend the following films by these artists: Seven Men From Now, The Tall T, Buchanan Rides Alone, Ride Lonesome, Comanche Station, I Shot Jesse James, The Baron of Arizona (Vincent Price at his very best), Hell and High Water (1954, Richard Widmark, great adventure story and really an A movie), The Intruder (1962, proving William Shatner can act!).

[@AmericasChoice]

@@Paladin1873 I was being deliberately harsh about Billy Jack. All those movies you mention have historic and cultural value. Shatner was a very good actor, early stage work, early television, a few movie roles. A viewing of the The Andersonville Trials 1970 tells anyone with an open mind about Shatner's prowess.

[@Paladin1873]

@@AmericasChoice I never saw your post, so I wasn't criticizing you. In fact, I agree with you and Wes McGee. From what I've read over the years, Tom Laughlin was not an easy man to get along with. I've had friends like that. Sometimes you can overlook such characteristics; sometime you can't. I'm just interested watching in a good movie, one that has good acting, setting, dialogue, pathos, humor, and adventure. I don't want a political lecture on what I should believe, even if I agree with the story. The directors I mentioned delivered the goods in all these categories, not 100% of the time, but enough that I would consider watching their films. Even John Ford (praised be his name) made some stinkers.

[@AmericasChoice]

@@Paladin1873 Wellman was right about Laughlin. He had great director moments in a film and then you are suddenly saying, "Why would you do that?!" He reminds me of Andrew McLaglen in that respect. Some great moments then suddenly a face palming scene. The great Directors like Ford, Wellman, Huston, Welles, Wyler, Wise, Ritt, Hathaway, Siegel, Frankenheimer et al can carry the movie from beginning to end. Alas, we won't see the likes of them ever again.

[@robertayoder2063]

Glad I found your channel like home

[@AWordonWesterns]

Howdy, Roberta. You still finding "home" on our channel?

[@hughtollett8757]

I was 15 and running the projectors at the walk in. Got in trouble for turning the volume up. I wanted to make sure everyone heard what Tom was saying.

[@joelmoore8280]

I loved Billy Jack and the Trial of Billy Jack! Did they ever release Billy Jack goes to Washington?

[@TheCaveman46]

How many have seen all four Billy Jack movies? 1. The Born Losers 2. Billy Jack 3. The Trial of Billy Jack 4. Billy Jack Goes To Washington I know. The last one sounds like a spoof and is not very action packed compared to the others, but definitely worth a watch for every Billy Jack fan.

[@catherinecharles8763]

Lone rider

[@catherinecharles8763]

H

[@ModernNeandertal]

Great interview but I wanted to know if WW Jr. caved and signed for the $400 deal.?????

[@Paladin1873]

I remember how disappointed I was when I finally got to see "Lafayette Escadrille" in TV when I was in college. Watching the actors run around in toy airplanes during the training scene was laughable, which I suppose was the intent, but I kept wondering when are they going to show the real flying and the dogfights? Instead all I got was an insufferable love story in French, followed by 30 seconds of flying at the end of the movie. I'm surprised Bill Wellman didn't shoot Jack Warner for butchering his dream film. If I'd been on the jury I would have voted to acquit on the grounds of justifiable homicide.

[@Paladin1873]

@hiram hacklesworth I saw the scenes on TV and rolled my eyes. That was enough for me. As it turned out, I experienced my own Pearl Harbor a few months after its release, so I had no time for fantasy films for the next five years. The new Midway movie is getting good reviews. Even my brother liked it, and he made a multipart documentary on the battle several years ago. His major complaint was the abuse and misuse of CGI. Hollywood can't help itself, and most of the current generation of filmmakers are beyond naive.

[@Paladin1873]

@hiram hacklesworth I quite agree with you. I just wish they'd do it realistically.

[@bloodybones63]

@hiram hacklesworth ha ha A big movie reviewer said " The imperial nation of Japan attacks a love triangle." Makes me laugh.

[@sunzeneise]

Some actors can act. Others “act-out.” Hit or miss.

[@wobbitt]

Other than wearing the Lee jacket and his drugstore cowboy sombrero, there ain't nutttin Western about Billy Jack, just sayin...However, I did like your interview...Thanks

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Robert. That's why this episode was called "A Word on Wellman" instead of our usual title. Bill's stories were so interesting that I didn't want to leave them on "the editing room floor" and made this special episode of AWOW. Glad you enjoyed the interview.

[@grammyhall53]

the wild angles? the worst part of that film was it had peter fonda in it

[@fenwaypark1725]

Paul Newman had nothing over Russell Williams.

[@watchman401]

I love Rob's show every Sunday, but...... the Billy Jack movies were pitiful, weak plot, poor acting. Tom deserved to go broke on these movies. The best parts were the promos.