Randolph Scott's classic westerns w/Budd Boetticher & Burt Kennedy! Guest is Emmy Winner Kirk Ellis!

Randolph Scott's westerns turned dark in the 1950s when he was paired with director Budd Boetticher, writer Burt Kennedy and John Wayne for Batjac's production of 7 MEN FROM NOW in 1956. The feature was highlighted by a chillingly villainous Lee Marvin and a more intense Scott than the affable cowpoke he had been portraying. The success of that film, shot in what would become Boetticher's signature location, the Alabama Hills of Lone Pine, California, launched a series of classic westerns that have become known as The Ranown westerns. Ranown was Scott's production company, a combination of his name and producer Harry Joe Brown. Other films followed with aging star Scott becoming more and more like silent western icon, William S. Hart. While his characters became more austere loners, the villains became more likable, with subversive, witty dialogue exchanges between the good bad man and the bad good man. This series of revisionist westerns culminated in two bonafide classics, RIDE LONESOME (1959) and COMANCHE STATION (1960).
Joining Rob Word to dive deep into the Scott westerns is the Emmy winning writer/producer of JOHN ADAMS, INTO THE WEST and the author of a book on the Ranown productions of Boetticher, Kennedy, Scott and Brown. The insightful book is simply titled "Ride Lonesome." Kirk met director Boetticher while at USC and developed a deep friendship and appreciation for him. Together, they spent several years attempting to produce Boetticher’s dream project, A HORSE FOR MISTER BARNUM. During that time, Ellis also came under the guidance and tutelage of a master storyteller, Burt Kennedy.
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#western #actor #cowboys #movies #famouspeople #hero #interview #author #randolphscott #screenwriting #screenwriter #emmys #classics #classic #robword

[@williamclifford9757]

Mr. Word this show is by far the most informative show you have ever done. Randolph Scott is my favorite of all time. I have every movie , Mr. Scott had ever done and watched each one at least 50 times . As an old guy here they bring happiness to my brain . Stay safe Sir - look forward to your next show.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, William. I enjoyed it too! I’m gonna binge on A bunch of Scott movies…again.

[@glockensig]

I have a Budd Boetticher westerns DVD set. I enjoyed them all!!

[@OdeeOz]

Rob, you and Bob Terry are the TOP 2 Western historians, and archivists. 👍 Ride Lonesome, and anything Randy Scott are awesome in my life. 👍🤴 10⭐

[@jerryconnos6112]

randolph Scott is a legend for ever i love his westren movies and very cool interview Rob 👍

[@wesmcgee1648]

I've been on a Randolph Scott binge the last few days. Great coincidence.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Very cool!

[@cowboyrickpennyfeather]

I would appreciate a Randolph Scott Suggested Bindge List Of Titles! Thanks, in advance!

[@jerryknorr679]

Very good interview Rob, I liked Scott as much as Wayne. Thanks for sharing ROB

[@imanutnur7]

Another unveiling of the minds of those who made those movies that were the foundation of my love of Westerns.

[@derekmurray1462]

Yes beautiful few westerns I’ve watched them and the colour and scenery in them is spectacular.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes it is, derek. Thanks.

[@williambilyeu9801]

Interesting interview, Rob, as usual. Anthony Mann did similar things with James Stewart with the "western anti-hero" in the 1950s. John Wayne and Randolph Scott did several movies together in the 1940s where they alternated playing the hero and the villain. "The Spoilers" was the most famous and most popular among these movies. I have seen a few of them. Randolph Scott didn't mind playing an ambiguous or villainous role in movies, which is part of the reason that he and Joel McCrae switched roles in "Ride the High Country." I need to find and watch the movies mentioned in the interview. 😊👍👍

[@Paladin1873]

The Ranown westerns are brilliant films and each one is uniquely different. You never know how they will end, but in every case the characters - all the characters, are intriguing. These are technically B-movies, but they can stand with any A-listed western by Ford or Mann.

[@Rangersly]

Amazing to realize that most almost all the best westerns in movie history can be attributed to a match between a movie star and a great director and their multiple collaborations. Aside from the classics westerns of Budd Boetticher & Randolph Scott, the masterpieces of John Ford and John Wayne comes first to mind. But they are also all those great ones by Anthony Mann and James Stewart, and of course the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood.

[@Paladin1873]

Ha, I just posted my own comments and now I see they pretty much mirror yours. Great minds and all that. 😁

[@user-cr7ke6wn2x]

The best discussion of the Randolph Scott/Budd Boetticher movies! Mr. Ellis has some great insight into this collaboration! Nice work Mr. Word!!!

[@markbeavers5747]

All the Randolph Scott movies are my very favorite, thanks for the awesome show!!!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Mine too, mark. Thanks.

[@hollywoodmediaprofessional3282]

Thank you for another wonderful show. Nothing on KZbin even comes close to the insight into movies that we get in A Word on Westerns.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Wow, thank you!

[@ericcrawford3453]

Thanks again Rob always enjoy your Sunday shows, now I have my whole family watching them & they enjoy has much has I do.

[@gregdavis19]

Excellent interview, Rob. Thanks.

[@TheVid54]

An excellent discussion gentlemen.

[@pjoe1950]

Fascinating hearing Mr. Ellis talk about these films that I grew up on and how they still resonate today with Breaking Bad and other films. Lone Pine is still on my bucket list before I leave this world so that I can see where my hero's once roamed.

[@mjemigh3304]

OK, Rob, time for me to revisit those films! I suspect that there may be a couple that I've NEVER seen. Plus, I guess I've got another book to order. Great show; great guest. Thank you! -MJ

[@prycerobertson4695]

Both Randolph Scott and Budd Boetticher earned Ranown (pardon the pun) for their vividly performed westerns.

[@JSB1882]

Oh, thank you so much for that! Sure "The Searchers" is the greatest western, but Randolph Scott was the greatest western star ever - at least for me.

[@atreb56]

Thanks for this very informative video. You always have the most interesting guests. Thanks.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you like them! Thanks

[@terryhurlburt9113]

I look forward to attending your Western movie class every week. If I could, I would polish an apple and sit in the front of the class, with sharpened pencils and neatly stacked note paper, ready to write. Thank you for another great lesson. To badly misquote Charles Dickens, "Please sir, can I have some more?"

[@AWordonWesterns]

Help yourself, terry. Go back for seconds!

[@susansvetanoff8079]

Exceptionally good show Rob...now I have to go buy the book. Looking forward to the script reading in March.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, susan. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

Budd and Randolph teamed up to make 7 westerns together I think. I was lucky enough to see all 7 at a retrospective here in NYC at MOMA many years ago. THEY ARE ALL EXCELLENT. I remember not being able to pick a favorite. Boetticher is a very underrated director and of course, Scott is always wonderful.

[@BladeStar-uq6xe]

I have several Randolph Scott Westerns, most in multi-packs. He was definitely one of the best Western actors we ever had. Still looking for some of his movies.

[@reddeserted13]

Those five movies are masterpieces, time capsules.

[@robertwildes7550]

Karen Steele was stunningly beautiful in that movie.

[@piedmontish]

Agreed but, I think she was pretty much gorgeous, and everything she was in! I think she was overlooked a lot, because she had a great sarcastic attitude in a lot of stuff, and a good sense of humor!

[@johnvoorhees7881]

Good to know the history. Thanks 😊

[@AWordonWesterns]

Our pleasure, john. Thanks.

[@thenneedd]

Boetticher and Scott are A+

[@hiramnoone]

Scott had an extraordinarily long career going all the way back to the earliest talkies, yet ironically his best films came in the late 50s very shortly before he retired. The Boetticher directed Ride Lonesome, The Tall T, Comanche Station, Buchanan Rides Alone, and his final film and arguably his best Ride the High Country, directed by Sam Peckinpah all came within the span of his last five years as an actor. Every one a classic of the Western genre, a list whose only rival being that of the great John Wayne.

[@philipnordin1661]

That was a great interview Rob. I have those films on dvd and love them. Great Westerns. The Tall T my favorite.

[@scottjackson1420]

Well, I hope it's possible to enjoy both John Wayne and Randolph Scott movies. For the record, and as a fan of both actors, i didn't come away from the Spoilers thinking that Scott had stolen the picture. That would be Dietrich who did that.

[@kyrilascully7828]

I have to see this film now because I've been a huge fan of Pernell Roberts. These are great stories! Looking forward to March myself. But I still can't think of Randolph Scott without the reference to BLAZING SADDLES.

[@user-gf3op7kr1p]

Rob Word, you have to chalk this one up as one of the Greatest of your Great interviews of all time. Super informative and certainly enjoyable! I am convinced that no Western Hero gets to enter the Hallowed Hall of Cowboy Fame without your permission and nod of approval! The scope and depth of your knowledge of all the actors, writters, producers, stuntmen and directors knows no equal. Thanks for your tireless and timeless "Words on Westerns" that bring us so much pleasure.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, user. I've been studying and preparing for this my whole life. Glad it shows! I'm smiling now.

[@eileenallen1986]

Love a word on westerns. John Wayne my favorite all others 2nd in line to him but love all country western movies and actors.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, eileen

[@wmunny6799]

Excellent Mr. Rob! 👋👋👋

[@suev3339]

A WOW! Probably the best of interviews you’ve done. Randolph Scott - who can ever tell all about that iconic actor. Wonderful interaction told between actor, writer and director. Great Rob! Thank you!!

[@tonyjones9715]

Thank you Rob 👏👏

[@georgejetson3702]

Good stuff, definitely need his book.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes you do, George. It’s terrific.

[@georgejetson3702]

Ordered it right after I posted the comment. Thanks!@@AWordonWesterns

[@Richmart1955]

Another amazing set of tales and talents ❤

[@jeffreyoldham55]

"The Ladies From Lonesome" sounds like a great script, but I like "Soiled Doves" better! It's sure to make for a fantastic reading, and maybe someday, who knows...a feature film?

[@terryhurlburt9113]

If you guys are serious about doing "Soiled Doves," wouldn't it be great if some of the actors and actresses read some of the parts on your Show, Rob? Sort of like the old Radio Westerns of yesteryear?

[@leoregan3996]

fantastic just ordered the book

[@robyntattersall236]

I haven’t watched this yet Rob but it feels like an exciting gift to savour. How engrossing all these windows into western productions and the characters involved are. Thank you so much

[@AWordonWesterns]

You bet, robyn. Thank you.

[@cowboyrickpennyfeather]

My copy of Kirk's book, "Ride Lonesome," just was delivered by the mailman! I can't wait until tonight, when I can begin reading it!

[@AWordonWesterns]

It will make you want to see the Ranown films all over again! Enjoy.

[@prycerobertson4695]

James Coburn went on to appear in three episodes of Bonanza, including two that centered around Pernell Roberts' Adam Cartwright, one of them being "The Dark Gate", where Adam discovers his best friend of 15 years (Coburn) has become a wife-beating, cattle-rustling killer.

[@terryhurlburt9113]

James Coburn went on to be one of Western's top villains. I think that only Michael Pate made me hate him more. Wonderful actors.

[@prycerobertson4695]

@@terryhurlburt9113 Like most of his peers, Coburn would turn face from time to time. For example, he played James Bond wannabe Derek Flint on the big screen...twice!

[@philipdavis5050]

My opinion about the ending to Ride Lonesome has always been that Scott's character is finally able to put the past behind him. This part of his life is over.

[@johnpeddicord4932]

Enjoyed again Rob

[@karenleemallonee684]

Oh wow, I'm watching this one again, I don't want to miss anything! Is this a recent show, so you two are talking about March 2024? Looking forward to seeing that one, for sure! Thank you! 👍👍

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes we are, karen. Tuesday March 12th. Hope you can be there!

[@karenleemallonee684]

@@AWordonWesterns I'll definitely give it my best shot!

[@georgesenda1952]

I used to go see movies at the very missed Embassy Theater in San Francisco on Market Street & they played triple bills of nothing but Westerns and people were lined up the block and they ran every Randolph Scott western. I knew John Wayne and he was my favorite western actor but a close second was Scott. I had never heard of him before I saw those films in the late 1960s.

[@RabbiSteve]

Thank you so much for this. Those Westerns starring Scott are among my favorite ever (and that’s saying something, because I have watched and own hundreds of Westerns). And some of them are tremendously underrated. And I’d also include the Alex de Toth helmed ones also in that latter category.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Rabbi. I like Andre's films, too.

[@richardrosenthal9552]

This was a great interview and look at some Westerns that were among that I saw early in my life. The background information presented has in a way given me a different perspective on the 50’s Westerns and the actors, director and the writer of them. Rob I hope you follow up with more like this.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, richard. I do my best.

[@sammychicken4290]

Thank you, Rob. This set of films are great. What a cast in "Ride Lonesome". As we were watching these movies we couldn't help but think, "Gosh, we are seeing shome of the leading Western actors of our area up there on the big screen. Then you see Randolph Scott, the legend of everyone, both within the industry & not (us Western buffs). "Comanche Station" & the others. We watch this series of films at least each week. Thank you again & kind regards from Adelaide, South Australia 🇦🇺

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, sammy. Always nice to hear from you.

[@cowboyrickpennyfeather]

I only wish, really, that I either could watch your past interviews 24/7, to play catch-up, else get into a time machine and go back to your beginning, so I could have been a big fan from the start! As usual: great interview - great guest!

[@AWordonWesterns]

I understand, cowboyrick. Your comment is very much appreciated. I think you'll enjoy hearing the movie lore from the past guests. I know I did!

[@richardangelini7296]

I work at night. We have a T.V. in the break room. Someone in the main office forgot to pay the cable bill. The only channel we could get was western movies and T.V. shows. Wouldn't you know it just happened to be Randolph Scott week. An episode of "Laramie" aired, where Randolph Scott was a guest actor. When I pointed him out as a character one of "the youngsters" asked me how old I was. 😂

[@hiramnoone]

Scott never did a Laramie. Or *any* TV far as I know. You might be confusing him with Rod Cameron, who did a bunch.

[@richardangelini7296]

@@hiramnoone thanks.... I'll look that up.

[@richardangelini7296]

@@hiramnoone you are 100% correct. I got the name wrong.

[@richardangelini7296]

Update: Turns out I mixed up Rod Cameron for Randolph Scott in the "Laramie" episode.

[@hiramnoone]

@@richardangelini7296 Yeah, they have a similar look.

[@AceMoonshot]

Budd directed a film called A Time For Dying. It just happened to be Audie Murphy's last film. Burt cast Audie because Audie had gotten in very big trouble with a certain Vegas criminal organization due to his horrible gambling addiction. Budd really liked Audie and was helping him out. But that isn't the story I am gonna tell. Audie had a cameo as Jesse James in the film. The lead was a guy named Richard Lapp. Lapp was not popular on the set. At all. On the last day of shooting, Lapp refused to do what the Budd wanted. Now, I'm paraphrasing here. So while I am using quotations, it is not a direct quote. Budd said, "Richard, let me tell you something. I've put up with you for 18 days. You're gonna do it this way if we have to stay here all night. And one more word out of you, the minute we wrap, I'm gonna beat your F'ing brains out." Everyone applauded.

[@hombre1965]

The first of these I saw was a vhs of The Tall T. The degrees of bad in the villains was fascinating. I would have never, ever guessed Mr. Ellis was from West Texas. I’m curious as to which towns and time period as I’m also from there and moved around a lot.

[@scottywayne3601]

Awesome, I watched commanche station saturday.

[@AWordonWesterns]

That's cool

[@US_Joe]

As always, great episode Rob. Thank your sir 👍👍👍

[@jerryblackerby7017]

Loved this interview and stories 👍

[@AWordonWesterns]

Me, too, Jerry. Thanks. Hope you saw some of Burt Kennedy's script reading THE LADIES FROM LONESOME that we performed live and premiered it LIVE at The Autry. We aired it as 3 episodes with a superb cast. What a thrill!

[@DarrylWhiteguitar]

Wonderful!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Darryl.

[@DarrylWhiteguitar]

@AWordonWesterns Such wonderful guests you have, Rob. You're a professional with a professional's eye; my guide to western filmography. Gracias, amigo!

[@georgesenda1952]

Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez was great and he said that he was eternally grateful for John Wayne giving him his first acting job. By the way, its a bit off topic but I never forgot it. The very FIRST winner of the California Super Lotto was an illegal alien from Guatemala. He won 7 million dollars and when he turned in his winning ticket he was shortly thereafter arrested by the INS but was allowed a special pass to once a month get his winnings from a San Diego bank and his name was Gonzalez Gonzalez Gonzalez. I always wondered if he was related to Pedro.

[@philwebb3]

Lots of interesting info - great interview

[@AWordonWesterns]

Much appreciated, phil. Thanks.

[@prycerobertson4695]

Another Ranown western, Buchanan Rides Alone, used Capitol Records' Hi-Q Library for the background score.

[@kenhurley4441]

Rob, you cup runnith over with every video that you put out! If you ever need an old short guy in a movie, I'm available! I still have some of my teeth, all of my hair, but very few functional brain cells. Do I qualify? Thank you for your wonderful entertainment!

[@Mike-zw7fq]

Wow! Where did you stumble onto this fellow? What an interesting story teller! I could listen to him for hours. Best Wishes from Montana! M.H

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Mike. Thanks. We're producing an all star reading of the Burt Kennedy script Kirk discovered this coming March 12 at the Autry. Saddle up!

[@Pb-ij4ip]

“You’d do it for Randolph Scott.” Somebody had to say it.

[@michaelchristian7824]

So, Wayne helped get Scott these 7 movies? Great interview, RW

[@cybrarian9]

Good interview, but that backhanded slight of a comment in mentioning his sandals that referred to about Randolph Scott and Cary Grant really tainted the whole of it for me. The insinuation wasn't necessary.

[@michaelmakes1225]

Sometimes the villain can outshine the hero..if Randolph Scott did it in "The Spoilers", then i think it was done to him ,by Zachary Scott, in "Colt 45"..a delicious and slimy performance.

[@AWordonWesterns]

That's a good one, Michael.

[@jdc4483]

Re JOHN ADAMS, INTO THE WEST. I cannot find the book on Amazon.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Kirk's book is called "Ride Lonesome" about the making of the Ranown westerns.

[@jdc4483]

@@AWordonWesterns thanks!!

[@almeggs3247]

Sorry I totally disagree I believe that J Fords movies were the best!

[@Paladin1873]

I like them all.

[@robertdurocher4764]

Nice,easy one there. Ask him how are you and he will give you 30 minutes.

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

Wayne didn’t like Scott for one reason…

[@dog1701]

I don't know why you say he didn't like him. If he hadn't liked him, do you think he would have recommended him for the staring role in the movie?

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

@@dog1701: It was a movie he wanted not to be a part of.

[@dog1701]

The way I understand it, the reason Wayne didn't do the movie was because he was filming another movie at the time. Also, Wayne filmed another Burt Kennedy movie with Rod Taylor, under the Batjac name (The Train Robbers). All I am saying is that if he didn't "like" Scott, he had a slew of other people he could have chosen from to play the part.

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

@@dog1701: His reason is in the video, however, his “Carey Grant” time of his life is why Wayne didn’t like him.