Wild Mitch Ryan Interview about Lee Marvin! Oliver Reed! Slim Pickens! Getting Fired! AWOW

New York actor Mitch Ryan went West and spent high times with Lee Marvin in the western classic, "Monte Walsh" (1970). Mitch had even more fun in Spain with Oliver Reed in the brutal western, "The Hunting Party" (1971). In fact, Mitch and Reed were having so much fun, Mitch got fired and sent home by legendary producer Arthur Gardner! How did it happen? Why was Mitch hired back? And, what advice did Slim Pickens give Mitch while he was appearing as a champion bronc rider in "The Honkers" (1972)? You'll find out the answer to those questions...and much more in this rollicking conversation with the terrific actor and storyteller, Mitch Ryan (January 11, 1934 - March 4, 2022) in this episode of A WORD ON WESTERNS. Filmed March 16, 2016.
#interview #western #filmhistory #famouspeople #leemarvin #mitchryan #characteractor #slimpickens #montewalsh #movieclassics #awordonwesterns #robword #talkshow

[@philigan2339]

Month Walsh (original) is my all time favorite Western. Thank you Rob & crew for making this available to all us fans. 🖖

[@randolphlearning5255]

Yes we are going to keep western history alive. Thanks Rob.

[@LizzyTexBorden]

Mitch Ryan.... What a resume! Halloween 6, Lethal Weapon, Magnum Force and HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER! Really a legend. And candid about his drinking issues.... That is an inspiration.

[@paulstan9828]

If you love western movies this is the best channel on the internet. Always interesting, honest and informative interviews. Thanks again for a fun Sunday morning.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Paul.

[@logicalnetwork1611]

Yes totally agree. I love this channel.

[@patrickfennell6372]

Mitch was in a few Eastwood movies and was a great character actor.

[@jozatexan1964]

Finally able to see all of another great WOW program. For the record, westerns have never died for me.

[@hankaustin7091]

Rob, by GOD you did it AGAIN!! Mitch Ryan is one of my all-time favorite actors and the fact that you got to interview him makes me very envious! LOL!! GREAT JOB!!!

[@dougreed2257]

Thanks rob, great interviews. Its sad to notice a lot of these great guys you interviewed "fairly" recently have passed away, so so sad. Who's going to replace them?? Certainly not the orlando blooms of the acting world thats for sure!!!! 😔

[@d.b.4201]

Just LOVE these stories!! Priceless! I really admire you for doing this too. Thank you & God Bless!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you like them!

[@reserrvoirman]

Another great video Rob the original Monty Walsh movie doesn’t get enough play. It is such a good film and Lee Marvin and Jack Palance are just believable parts. Keep em coming looking forward to it.

[@speedracer1945]

Im lucky enough to own a copy of Monte Walsh . To watch that film of a cowhand living of his time is like anyone who over 60 knows thst their time is behind them but still can enjoy them .

[@paulkitt5599]

Mitch Ryan has had a wonderful acting career and great to hear he survived while going through a battle with the bottle you could see he and Oliver reed enjoyed each others company when watching the hunting party

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

Chiwawa!!! I stopped my new DVD collection of HOUSE MD, because I got my “A Word on Westerns!” Notification. I love Sunday mornings. Thanks so much, Rob!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Aye! Good mornin' to ya!

[@jbmbryant]

I'm glad Mr Ryan is still with us (I imagine he is too!) Great interview! Thank you, Mr Word.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yep. Will try and get him for a followup interview.

[@hankaustin7091]

@@AWordonWesterns EXCELLENT!!! please let him know that THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of us wish him many more happy years!

[@waynej2608]

I assume that unlike Marvin and Reed, Mitch gave up the booze, if he's still with us. Good to know.

[@MrVideovibes]

The first movie I remember with Mitch was "Thunder Road", the legendary drive-in classic with Robert Mitchum although I don't think he was credited. He played one of the younger moonshine drivers.

[@Skyles46]

Correct he got blown up in one scene ment for Mitchum.

[@logicalnetwork1611]

I was saddened to hear the passing of Mitch Ryan. He was a superb. Undeerated actor.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, LN. He was special.

[@stephenm6100]

Hello rob? Just letting you know that mark goddard passed away on the 10/10/23 He played cully in the tv western johnny ringo 🔫🐎

[@bearnan57]

Love Lee Marvin movies!! Paint your wagon and Monty Walsh 2 of his best!!!

[@maryvought9244]

Loved him on Dark Shadows. Thank you!❤

[@jowalnut8822]

Great mitch ryan interview ! Jeanne Moreau was one the big french stars (catherine Deneuve level) up to his death almost 4 years ago. She did another western (french-italian) Viva Maria ! in 1965 directed by Louis Malle with Brigitte Bardot and George Hamilton.

[@swimasfastasyoucan]

Great interview thanks to you😀

[@davepalmerton2429]

Love the insight and back stories, in the making of these great westerns.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, dave. Thanks.

[@douglashall2141]

Another great interview thanks again Rob.

[@wintonhudelson2252]

Great job Rob. Mitch doesn't appear to be an easy person to interview. But you drew out some great anecdotes about his work in western film.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Winton. He might have been a little tough, but he sure made us all laugh! I'd like him to return for more!

[@svclay1]

Another GREAT one Rob!

[@yadayada9581]

So glad to see Mitch Ryan is still alive and well, he’s one of my favorite character actors. Wish he had stayed on Dark Shadows, loved him as Burke Devlin. Thanks for a great interview!

[@hankaustin7091]

same here, he was great in Dark Shadows!

[@wiseguymaybe]

Mitch talks about his heavy drinking in this interview, that was also a problem when he was on Dark Shadows. Because of his drinking and showing up late for a live TV show they had to let him go. I hate to tell you this, but this is an old interview. We lost Michael or Mitch Ryan in May 24, 2015

[@yadayada9581]

larry potter I think any big fan of Dark Shadows knows he was let go for his drinking problem. It makes sense, given the nature of the show and how bad his alcoholism apparently was at the time. I just always thought it was a shame they couldn’t have worked it out. Or at least had him come back after Anthony George left. Burke Devlin isn’t quite my favorite DS character but I do sort of think the show suffered a little without him, despite its best storylines being after he left. Also, to the best of my knowledge he’s still alive. I listed to a fairly recent audio interview of him just a year or so ago. This is an older interview but the date given for the recording is after the date you give for his death. I think you may be a little mixed up.

[@wiseguymaybe]

@@yadayada9581 You are right. I looked up Michael Ryan not Mitchell Ryan on google and got serial killer. I'm so sorry, he's still alive at 92 years old.

[@yadayada9581]

larry potter No worries, friend. Let’s just be happy he is indeed still alive.

[@philipnordin1661]

Great interview and lots of fun

[@mandymine4963]

Have loved this guy since Dark Shadows and ever since. I've been reading his writings too, Thank you for this interview!

[@glendawoodward8750]

Month Walsh is my all time favorite. It really captured the feeling of a change in times. The last cowboy. A good number of them did stay drunk. Why not? But getting down to business was important. Being true to your word and counted on. It was the first film I saw on the big screen at a very young age. It caught my imagination. Then Cat Ballou. ...it was my favorite until I got some years on me. Lee Marvin is THE MAN.

[@BrettVaughnB100]

I really enjoy these interviews .. peek behind the scenes of some of my favorite movies

[@cctn2012]

I love this channel great stuff!

[@brentlittle8075]

Just the best as usual.

[@davidskaar3232]

Thank you for great speakers and insight into the Western Movie Industry. Always fun.

[@AWordonWesterns]

New interview with Mitch this Sunday on A WORD ON WESTERNS!

[@Ronin4614]

Hello, Rob. Another great interview, this one highlights ETOH (alcohol) the lubricant and lifeblood of Hollywood. I simply love your interviews. I look forward to each Sunday morning’s new video; never stop, Rob. Take care, amigo.

[@hawkeyes7866]

i watch a free tv chanel called grit, its old western tv series like WELLS FARGO, DEATH VALLEY DAYS, ECT. and old western movies. i grew up in the 1960s watching these tv shows and movies as a boy, i believe that watching these movies seeing the good guys win and the bad guy get punsihed was a big influnce in my charcter throughout my life..what a great additon that would be to the grit tv channel to include a couple of segments of A WORD ON WESTERNS between or after a movie that featured these stars and chacters. on another note my mother grew up in 1930,40s watching john wayne movies my middle name is wayne . i was named after her favorite western star JOHN WAYNE !

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Charles. Let the networks know. It's the kind of stuff I'd like to see on GRIT, TCM or INSP, too!

[@waynegilchrist1596]

Rob this is a great interview with Mitch Ryan and so full of some of the best and most beloved "cowboys" of Filmdom. Lee Marvin, Oliver Reed, Gene Hackman and Slim Pickens.... etc. One movie, "Hunting Party" with Candice Bergen, O. Reed, and Gene Hackman brought out some kind of shocking brutality for a western, at least for me, but it has remained one of my favorites especially Hackman's character.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Wayne. Mitch worked with some of the best and sure knows how to spin a yarn.

[@waynegilchrist1596]

@@AWordonWesterns I agree.

[@jan6293]

Thanks Rob for another wonderful interview!💕

[@a.m.hatfield9734]

Great show Rob. Very funny stuff. I am embarrassed to say that I have seen Mitch Ryan's face in movies for literally decades, always in supporting roles and I never took the trouble to find out who he was and what he was called. My loss. He is however, clearly a man with a great sense of humor and humanity and consequently I got many a laugh out of his talk.

[@moe92870]

Though it's not a western I loved Mitch Ryan in "Winter People".

[@robatsea2009]

Wonderful memories from Mr. Ryan. Unless I'm mistaken "Monte Walsh" was the first western that John Barry composed a score for, and it's a beautiful piece of work. He's not necessarily one of the composers that immediately springs to mind when thinking of great western music scores as ultimately he only did a small handful of them - but he really brought something special to the table.

[@gerrydooley951]

a great film and Mama Cass sang the theme.

[@AmericasChoice]

With all of his High Jinx it is easy to forget that Oliver Reed was an exceptional actor. I highly recommend "The Trap" - 1966. He and Rita Tushingham give great performances in this film about the great white north and French Canadian fur trappers. Rita gave, in my humble opinion, a tour de force performance as a mute. She expresses every emotion and nuance with her wonderful eyes. The cinematographer, Robert Krasker, does a great job capturing the beautiful scenery and at the same time the intimate spaces of life in a log cabin. He was known for shooting epics like Alexander The Great, El Cid and The Fall of The Roman Empire.

[@gerrydooley951]

Reed was a great actor but a terrible alcoholic.

[@AmericasChoice]

@@gerrydooley951 Dipsomaniac.

[@BeachsideHank]

Rita Tushingham- terrific actress too, she was on top of her game back then when a lot of 'kitchen sink" dramas were coming out of the U.K., she was especially memorable in "A Taste Of Honey", the film that put her on the "A" list of actors. Reed did a promo spot for the Trap and just went on and on about her role and how unique it was.

[@AmericasChoice]

@@BeachsideHank Yes, A Taste of Honey. I really enjoy the Kitchen Sink films. Some of the B & W cinematography was exceptional.

[@postscript67]

Krasker of course is most famous for The Third Man, which was directed by Oliver Reed's uncle, Carol Reed.

[@curlybrownk9]

Back when Movies and Hollywood, didn't always have a PC agena, but they were starting.

[@seamusha1]

Another great one Thanks Rob

[@watchman401]

I was looking to buy the Lee Marvin Monte Walsh DVD, it's great, so was the price. Every time I buy a sought after DVD the movie plays on cable so I didn't buy it, I have seen it on cable last month. If you haven't seen this movie, don't miss it.

[@docsmithdc]

I have had the DVD for many years.Great western as was HUNTING PARTY.

[@jerryknorr679]

Thanks another great interview

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

It's Burke Devilin from Dark Shadows. (He was fired from that show but not rehired, which is a shame.)

[@JMVideos7676]

Another great one and I gave it upvote #492 - thanks so much for these wonderful interviews that tell such wonderful stories while bringing back so many memories.

[@kaycox5555]

FUN!! MISS WESTERNS

[@BillB23]

You've picked up 2k+ subs since I last checked. Kudos! I keep bragging on you to my friends, for whatever that's worth.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Bill. It's worth a lot to me and all of us western film fans.

[@curtisclary9911]

Slim Pickens grew up with my grandfather in Kingsburg Ca. When he died in 2017, he was the last person to be present when Pickens mother gave him his rodeo clown name.

[@lylegorch5956]

I've never forgotten how I felt when he shot Palance in Monte Walsh. But the best thing Mitch ever did was trying on the gowns in D&G.

[@karalguidubaldi1517]

I saw the Selleck version first. But it followed the Lee Marvin storyline pretty well! Loved them both ❤️

[@AWordonWesterns]

Both movies are based on the works of acclaimed western author Jack Schaefer, a former cowboy who compiled a series of short stories to create the "novel," "Monte Walsh." Of course, Schaefer's first novel was "Shane." Both are well worth searching out and reading. I first read "Shane" in the 7th grade and still feel that it is one of the finest western books I've ever read. Thanks for commenting and enjoying our show.

[@karalguidubaldi1517]

A Word on Westerns Oh! I didn’t know that! I’ll be sure to check out Jack Schaefer. The movies do have the feeling of how things really were! Thanks 🙂❣️

[@michaelmakes4883]

@@AWordonWesterns I have read all Schaeffer's collected stuff,more than once...Walsh was a novel based on previous short stories,but most of it was original ,500+ pages... Liked movies based on his books,but as good as they have been,the books can't be beat,the writing is that good...every once in a while,I grab Shane off the shelf and drink in a paragraph or two,. especially that last one...,"and he was Shane!"..

[@michaelmakes4883]

@@AWordonWesterns thought I would check in with a correction,.. surprisingly,Jack Schaefer was himself never a cowboy,or anything close..Born Cleveland, Oberlin College and Columbia University,United Press reporter,worked for Norfolk VA Pilot and Baltimore Sun editorial depts..editor New HavenJournal-Courier...moved to New Mexico and became one of if not the best Western writers ever...durn tenderfoot..

[@AWordonWesterns]

@@michaelmakes4883 Thanks, Michael. Schaeffer was so good he fooled me. More with Mitch Ryan on tomorrow’s AWOW!

[@martyobrien9528]

Among rodeo movies that came out in 1972 was an often overlooked gem called "Squares" which starred Andrew Prine. It should be remembered for the great film it is.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Never seen it, Marty. Thanks for letting us know about "Squares."

[@CaptRich-bi3gp]

Wow, I thought I knew all the old rodeo movies; I'll have to find that one.

[@TubenIt83]

I wish someone would have an in-depth show that interviews film and TV folks of the past about their careers, across genres.

[@BeachsideHank]

I never knew Steve Ihnat directed a film, shame the guy died so young at age 37 too.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes, a real shame. Everyone who worked with him had good things to say. In one of our interviews with actress Jan Shepard, she told me that her favorite "Gunsmoke" episode was with Ihnat as her outlaw husband.

[@garymckee8857]

I never knew about the original Monte Walsh movie.

[@robertsmith6068]

great movie. Lee Marvin and Jeanne Moreau were just terrific as was the story and so was Jack Palance.

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

It's on KZbin if you want to watch it.

[@garymckee8857]

@@LowPlainsDrifter60 Thanks

[@k.a.davison9897]

How about Gene Hackman: "Bite the Bullet," w/young, beautiful Miss Bergen. The last two minutes fall into an abyss but what came before was first rate cowboy glory with a scene that Mr. Hackman called his favorite in film. Just an idea.

[@douglashall2141]

There was a rodeo man named Tom, although his last name is keeps my mind at this time. He was a rodeo rider back in the early 70s and possibly before that. I would love to see you get an interview with this man. He has a lot to share. He also has appeared on the History Channel, the mountain men. Hopefully he's still with us, he lives with his wife in Northwestern United States. I'm not sure if it's Montana or Idaho. And his wife live off the grid, the sustaining themselves with the Furr's and food from off of land. I think it was a 1973 Rodeo where he got busted up real bad oh, and people thought he had passed on. But his determination allowed him to live along with the blessing of the Lord. I remember as a kid while watching PBR, and saw that incident that nearly ended his life. I will attempt to search for his last name. But he is a celebrity these days whether he wants to be or not. He's in his eighties now. And still trapping, and supplying a living for him and his wife, along with you wife who does a lot of work as well. They also sell their Furs at certain trade festivals.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@pjk9056]

Sorry not to hear anything on “High Plains Drifter”, great Clint Eastwood western that Mitch Ryan co-stared in. Love that film!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Check it out, PJK. So glad I was able to zoom Mitch before he passed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHOsmIiipctlnqc

[@TheSpaghetti64]

RIP Mitch Ryan (1934 - 2022)

[@kurtkensson2059]

I seem to remember a show (Mike Douglas?) that had both Lee Marvin and Ted Nugent as guests. Marvin looked as if he had no use for the long-haired Nugent. (Marvin looked annoyed, actually.) Then Ted started talking about guns, and Marvin's whole attitude changed.

[@gerrydooley951]

I would've loved it if Marvin punched Nugent out.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

#Kurt Kensson Off topic (not that I ever let a little thing like that stop me :-)) Mike Douglas had the Strangest guests on show Tom Waits!

[@kamuelavance9332]

When the Legends Die

[@larrymonahan1106]

Great

[@stevemccoy8138]

Shorty in Monte Walsh.

[@wakkywabbit5446]

Thanks 😊 For some reason I thought Mitch Ryan wasn't Mitch Ryan. Still feel a bit confused. Sometimes I do stuff like that.

[@AWordonWesterns]

You must be kinda wacky, Wakky.

[@Agislife1960]

No disrespect to Tom Selleck, but Monte Walsh with Lee Marvin was the original and the best.

[@31446963048]

If you re over 50, Mitch was in most everything. A aolid journeyman actor who made everything he was in better.

[@romaschild3]

Rob - You are way too young to have watched Spin And Marty when it first aired! Either that or you have a Dorian Gray type picture of you. I love your enthusiasm for westerns and the great, talented people involved in making them.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, romas. I'm just an old guy enjoying westerns and (trying to) age gracefully.

[@rogertemple7193]

"Mitch also did several soaps as well Dark Shadows,All My Children,Santa Barbara, and General Hospital."-🤔🖥☕🍺🌐..

[@Madmanmarque]

Don't forget High Plains Drifter!

[@AWordonWesterns]

I'll get Mitch back whenever we're able to begin taping new shows again. Thanks!

[@margaretkearsey734]

It would certainly give people who love westerns as many do, to be able to look at western movies if they would be played at the Autry museum. The movies are not now in regular distribution and it would provide a lot more revenue and interest in westerns and the museum.

[@lonepoet21]

WHERE CAN DVD'S VIDEOS OF THESE BE BOUGHT U Tube I can't save them for ME

[@michaelcollins237]

Rob.....In 1070 I I was fascinated by the music....character actors...I hung on every bit of this Western. Years later I had my son take it all in Rob At age 10 he felt the same way Yesterday I saw it again at age 78 and I cried a bit Along the way Tom Selleck slopped his way thru a messy remake I shut it off after 20 minutes I 2006 I was in Kanab to see Clint Walker I spent time with Peter Brown and we discussed the value or need for remakes of Westerns that shoulld be left alone,,,,,PERIOD. Later that day I sat for along time with Glenn Ford s son and we agreed for different reasons.....that Glenn Ford s version of 3 10 Yuma must stand alone and look what came about....a hideous remake with Colin Farrell. One fellow overheard the debate and stated that as long as they are still turning out Westerns we should be happy What do you think Rob old fiend Dan I am typing in the dark so it is sloppy

[@AWordonWesterns]

I don't mind remakes, michael, if they have heart and are done well. Classic stories like Robin Hood, Hamlet and Wyatt Earp. Sure glad they made TOMBSTONE.

[@toinimoore3463]

I still don’t know what the title means either! I’m 67 but think I know and if it is not saying

[@OdeeOz]

Epic film! Selleck's remake wasn't too bad either!

[@cathystewart4676]

Didn't he play in dark shadows

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes, he did, cathy. Thanks. He talks about it in an episode we posted about Mitch working with Robert Mitchum in THUNDER ROAD.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

I always thought "Honkers" was a euphemism for a lady's breasticles.

[@AWordonWesterns]

That would be "Hooters."

[@tonycrocisi9242]

👍

[@looptheloopish]

He looks like Dr. Oz.

[@APRIL2862]

Lee Marvin was in a movie like maybe he helped the Commachees and he had a fight in a bar with I think Richard Boone which was the best bar fight ever, but to help me I can't remember the name of the movie, ugh.

[@AWordonWesterns]

The fight was with John Wayne. The film was "The Comancheros" and that opening sequence was the best thing in the film, IMO.

[@blandgren9620]

Lee Marvin's 5 or 10 minutes in The Comancheros was the best scene in the movie.

[@gregsmht40]

🇺🇸👍🏼

[@davidarcudi230]

Burke Devlin aged very well.

[@roylerma1096]

Yep it was a better movie

[@chitlika]

Monte Walsh was about the saddest film I ever saw that wasn't animal based