WILL PENNY "I quit a classic!" with actor Jon Gries on Charlton Heston, Joan Hackett, & his Father!

[@williamclifford9757]

Will Penny is a classic . Being 15 when the movie came out , lets just say that Ms. Hackett definitely had my attention . She just did it for me.

[@davidskaar3232]

One of my favorite westerns. Had it all.

[@greymann]

I like the way the interviewer (Word) lets the guest tell his story without any real interruptions. That's a rare skill rarely seen.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks for noticing, grey. I try harder!

[@ClayBlasdel44]

I saw Will Penny as the 2nd feature at a drive in. I was stunned. It was the best western I'd every seen, and I had seen many. I remember well the young boy "Button". And it taught me that Buffalo "chips" could be used as fuel. My fav line by Heston: "Yeah, old Claude was a good ol boy. That's always the way. But how was he REALLY, before he bucked off"?

[@AWordonWesterns]

I love that film. And, yes, it was a great line for Chuck and a wonderful script by Jon's Dad.

[@ClayBlasdel44]

@@AWordonWesterns And not to mention superb casting. How did they pack so many great actors into one western? That wild band of Commencheros was truly scary. When the Donald Pleasance character is more maniacal than Bruce Dern, that's saying something. Sonny Boy Johnson as the tough foreman, wow. I never knew that it was Heston's fav role. Thanks for that.

[@atreb56]

Loved the interview. I loved Ms. Hackett. She was a terrific actress. Thanks for posting.

[@tombankwel4822]

Will penny great movie Charlton heston just awsome in this movie i have seen it many times on dvd 📀 thanks Ward great video

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Tom. WILL PENNY is one of the Great Westerns!

[@tombankwel4822]

Thank you awsome for your feedback 😊 😊 😊 😊 it makes My Day

[@dave-d-grunt]

Great movie! As a young teen I had a major crush on Joan Hacket.

[@rodneywalden6118]

I'm 65 and grew up watching westerns. In many ways the westerns helped me to establish a value system. The good guys stood tall, told the truth and were ready to back it up. I ended up serving my country for 22 years wearing the uniform of a Special Forces soldier and in all that time I remember the westerns I watched, enjoyed and mentored me as a child.

[@patrickt6642]

I think that our country started going down when younger generation stopped watching westerns.im 55 grew wanting to be like john Wayne.nowdays they want to be like little wayne

[@libertyforever4270]

"Will Penny" is one of the great epic westerns of all time. What a pleasure to listen to Jon Gries' tales about getting his part in this movie and showing young boys not to be overly concerned about knocking out their eye tooth! Thanks, Rob, for another Sunday morning treat.

[@Dstrbrdgrnd]

Will Penny was really the greatest western ever! The story of a true cowboy🤠

[@AWordonWesterns]

IT'S ONE OF THE VERY BEST, Frank. Thanks.

[@mtnman4766]

One of my all time favorites! Grew up with old time real cowboys and this film was dead on for accuracy. Didn’t have or need profanity or sex. Just a good legitimate story line and great direction and acting. The way it Was!

[@ritapacitti9599]

You said it. Loved this movie. Didn't want it to end. Thought Joan was beautiful and underrated as an actress.

[@lindacarter9861]

Charlton Heston was an amazing actor and I loved all of his movies and it was wonderful to see Joan Jacket star with him in Will Penny!

[@lindacarter9861]

I loved Joan Hackett in the great western film Will Penny!

[@mikehagan4320]

I really admired Joan Hackett and Linda Carter. Both Beautiful Ladies! Best Wishes from Montana M.H

[@SKaR64]

One of the greatest and most realistic westerns ever.

[@philipnordin1661]

Just watched again, Great Western.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@thomasgagnon4492]

I enjoy remembering these shows and the whole genre. Joan Hackett was a beautiful women and a great actor. The whole cast for this movie was totally awsome in what they brought to the film.

[@sammychicken3457]

I recall Joan Hacket in, "Support Your Local Sheriff". Sadly passing of Ovarian cancer too early. Ghee, I'll have to watch this one. There are a few good names here. Thankyou

[@markabraham9233]

Yes,this is an honest down to earth,western. And ranks high in my honorable mentions of best westerns ever

[@wespenn7243]

I'm gonna have to watch this movie again because of this video! It gave a lot of information that makes the depth of the movie better.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, wes. Let us know how you like it.

[@paulstan9828]

KZbin channels don’t get any better than this. Always so fun and interesting to listen to.

[@minemoore697]

Paul Stan if you like the go to Arizona Ghostriders they are awesome

[@leospring6264]

sooooooo right!

[@jozatexan1964]

Absolutely love the behind the scenes type of interviews. Will Penny is a favorite of mine.

[@jbmbryant]

I can just sit and listen to Mr Gries all day. Neat guy, terrific actor. Thank you so much!

[@zing913945]

Rob knows the subject matter so well and again he did such a good interview ! It was a treat to hear Jon Gries tell his story! He was so young and his first role is such a big part of Western film history !! What a great movie !

[@jamesreagle245]

And Thank You for bringing them Rob.

[@slickmic6113]

Always one of my favorite westerns but it was a real treat to catch this little kid grown up and his stories are great

[@normamcmanus1139]

The ending made me sad when “Will Penny” rode away instead of staying with the boy and his Ma! Wonderful western!

[@fred5399]

me too

[@eumesm9770]

@mtman2 You sure feels the brokeback cowboys vibe in all the cowboys from the movie. Some are nastier and some are more softer, but they all have the brokeback vibe alright.

[@MsBenlane]

he had nothing to offer her but love, older, low skills, as i recall couldn't read. he didn't have much of a future. hard times then when your body gave out under physical work that was it

[@carolynrussell774]

Love it, was great thanks again Rob Word

[@OdeeOz]

What a tragic loss it was, when Joan passed away. I felt she still had years to go, as an actress. Charlton was another actor I had a lot of respect & admiration for. But the film truly is a classic, I watch yearly on DVD. Donald Pleasence was a phenomenal actor, with a wide range of character types. The favorite of which for me was his maniacal *_Oracle Jones,_*_ in The Hallelujah Trail._

[@Ronin4614]

Will Penny is such a wonderful film, and Joan Hacket has always been a favorite. Thanks for the interview, Rob.

[@shellydehart8217]

Such a great interview. It was great seeing that little boy (Jon Grier) all grown up. Had know idea he had never acted before. Love ur interviews with all these great western stars. So sad do’s many r gone. ♥️😊👍🤟🏻

[@dapash8847]

Will Penny was a truly wonderful movie. Great cast and story. A terrific job by all. Thanks for another great interview Rob.

[@cabinarrow]

What a great story about getting the kid part of the movie. This was one of my departed Mother's favorite movies. I love it too.

[@ritapacitti9599]

It is my favorite, too.

[@videox222ify]

Charlton Heston = one of the greatest actors that ever lived

[@brianboisguilbert6985]

In his autobiography, Heston stated that Will Penny was one of his all time favorite roles.

[@moncorp1]

I'm a little younger than Jon Gries, but I could totally relate to his story, "He's not an actor, he's an idiot!" Back when dads loved their sons, but didn't mince words.

[@walterpalmer2749]

AND Joan Hackett was a great little actress. What a great cast this movie had, amazing.

[@jameslowery7557]

This was a great movie. I was very interested in this interview. What a fantastic Job Jon did in the film and in the interview.

[@seamusoheachaidhin4307]

Great story Great interview Great movie Loved it! Thanks

[@thomasallen3818]

One of my favorite interviews, thanks.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Mine, too, Thomas. I love hearing those little known stories.

[@hankbarr8892]

Thanks Rob for the WORD on Westerns! I had worked with Jon's older brother Cary on George Schlatter programs "REAL PEOPLE" and as a result I met Jon Gries and spent time with both brothers. Will Penny is one of my favorites, plus BreakHeart Pass. It was great seeing Jon on your program, thanks again!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Hank. I, too, like BREAKHEART PASS. Good stuff!

[@scottjackson1420]

Poor Joan Hackett. She left us far, far too soon.

[@brianboisguilbert6985]

Yes, she was outstanding here and in SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF where she showed off her comedic skills and was hysterical.

[@libertyforever4270]

Fortunately for us she gave humanity such wonderful gifts before she left.

[@deniimacdougall]

Great supporting actress!

[@dave-d-grunt]

A great actress with so many more great parts in her that we’ll never see.

[@LizzyTexBorden]

What a fantastic interview.

[@MisterMitchMM]

Excellent story. I have seen that movie countless times over the years and never knew little Horace was Jon Gries. Thank you for sharing this uplifting story. All the best. Mitch

[@kellycoleman715]

One of my favorite movies. I went to see this at the theater when I was a kid. I never made the connection between the kid in this movie though and the hilarious Uncle Rico character in Napoleon Dynamite. After watching this interview I strongly suspect that Jon got his cantankerous nature from his dad.

[@gusflorianschnaider1910]

Will: ".... 50 years old! It's too late, Cath, It's too late for me..." Love doesn't conquer all but will Penny's common sense does.... What a tremendous actor was, you CHARLTON HESTON....

[@ritapacitti9599]

You said it.

[@cornshucker77]

A great Western with a hall of fame cast. A favorite of mine.

[@Scripts360]

Great stuff. Thank you Rob for preserving these wonderful stories. Thank you Jim for sharing your story. Just wonderful.

[@kamuelalee]

What a great interview. Loved Will Penny and all of the actors in it, John Gries, Joan Hackett and of course Charlton Heston. Tom Gries also a great director and creator of one of my fav TV shows as a kid, The Rat Patrol.

[@trentm7964]

Too cool.

[@javimu111]

I LOVED this. Loved this Interview and all his anecdotes. I think I saw this as a child. But I have to see this again. Because I am now a fan of so many of these actors in this movie.

[@stilleto1956]

Loved John in Napoleon Dynamite and the Taken series.

[@easy56wedge]

One of my favorite movies of all time - thanks for the memories and insight.

[@worrywart1311]

John Gries here seems to be as easy-going and charming as he appeared in the movie.

[@mhazel4777]

thank you so so much loved it never knew who the boy grew up to be and who wouldn't love Joan Hackett, my all-time favorite moves with Heston where Moses, one he did in Hawaii The Hawaiians, will penny and the mountain men just pure greatness in them all

[@ritapacitti9599]

I Agree. Beautiful, just beautiful.

[@raynonabohrer5624]

Great video and love the history.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Raoynona.

[@bethelle9099]

Joan Hacket had a very unique way about her. I completely loved her style. I wish that she had lived to give is so many more roles to enjoy. She is missed!

[@ritapacitti9599]

She was beautiful. Her eyes said it all.. Great actress.

[@brianboisguilbert6985]

What an interview! Jon Gries is just hilarious, so self deprecating, would love to meet him. Something some of you may find interesting. Go here on KZbin, search for THE WESTERNER, Sam Peckinpah's iconic, short lived, head of it's time TV Western starring Brian Keith. The episode LINE CAMP, was written by Tom Gries and he used several scenes from it when he developed WILL PENNY. It's also as gritty and realistic in the portrayal of the cowboy life. Gries and Peckinpah were good friends, often working together to develop scripts. All The Westerner episodes are good but two others that stand out are "Hand On The Gun" and "Jeff". Thanks Rob, you always make my Sundays.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Brian. "Line Camp" is one of the best episodes of the too short-lived "The Westerner." It's fun to see the early evolution of "Will Penny" in the episode. Gries also directed a few terrific episodes of "Combat!"

[@wildbillharding]

Hiram - From Hell To Texas is one of the greatest unknown westerns. It's simply superb and widely ignored. I don't know why!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Just saw the entire series. Fantastic but definitely weird, in a good way. All that was missing was a dancing midget in a red room. Brian Keith, tour de force.

[@sprtstr96]

I love westerns & I love Napoleon Dynamite! Great interview!!

[@ronileigh9336]

Oh yes I love westerns I miss all the actors of yesteryear. I love hearing all the stories your channel is awesome.

[@stephencorleymississippili4007]

I really like this one.

[@raysmusic49]

Love these stories!

[@Tree_Dee]

Have not seen this movie (and MANY others) for a ton of years. Gonna' make it a point to look it up!

[@maryvalentine2473]

I love spaghetti westerns a lot of the spaghetti western actors Bud Spencer Terence Hill Anthony stelton for example

[@Madmanmarque]

Don't forget Lee Majors who successfully played quite a different character from Heath Barkley.

[@brianboisguilbert6985]

Would be interesting to hear his experiences on WILL PENNY as well.

[@jozatexan1964]

Lee Majors? Great idea plus some behind scene Big Valley tales.

[@speedracer1945]

His first big role since he name on the credits are listed : Introducing Lee Majors

[@devanmoran]

Uncle rico i knew i recognized him wow never knew he acted this long

[@michaelstorm8578]

It's a great movie. I liked the musical score very much and I think the words rang true for the story.

[@ModernNeandertal]

Very enjoyable. Thanks.

[@myimorata7678]

I love AWOW. I've haven't watched a dull one yet. Keep up the good work!

[@lylegorch5956]

Love this guy. He was so great in that action comedy, All about The Money. And, he's Uncle Rico, of course.

[@brianboisguilbert6985]

and he "could've made State." 😉

[@duaneredman]

And Real Genius with Val Kilmer!

[@leongossett4060]

Love all your enterviews. Please never stop.

[@allenwoodall5590]

Thanks Rob Will Penny was one of my favorite westerns. Now that took a look of guts at that age to quit a movie with great actors like that

[@tomjones2348]

Wonderful interview.

[@jonny9884]

This was incredible. Thanks so much for recording it and sharing !

[@kendawa2918]

THANK YOU!

[@decadantdog4444]

What a cast!

[@speedracer1945]

Very good character script th add ts unknown nowadays. . Nice having a Dsd who works at the studio to play on the sets and then get you a job on a good film .

[@randygerman2176]

Dang!!! Like so many, this wasn’t long enough

[@tombankwel4822]

Joan hacket wonderfull woman

[@Lee-qp6gf]

That truly was a great western. Enjoyed the interview a lot. I often wonder what your guests are doing today and would like to see you ask, when appropriate, "what are you doing today?" Whish they could be made longer. Cheers, Lee

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Lee. Check out part 2 of Jon's interview, link attached in our closing credits. He's busy!

[@nazirite11]

Thank you so much , always appreciate your wonderful work !!!

[@devanmoran]

Good interview

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Devan.

[@KowboyUSA]

Will Penny was a great movie.

[@nealro1471]

That was a Great Interview Rob. Loved It!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Loved Jon on The Pretender

[@quadsman11]

Ohhh my God Rob ! You have had so many incredible, wonderful, best kept secrets kind of interviews, but honestly, this one might be near the top of, if not at the top of your amazing group of extremely special "best kept secrets" you have ever done ! I can't begin to express to you Rob, just how very much your interviews are appreciated by so many ! Thank you Rob !

[@trotterhorsewatsonjr.6668]

This was great! I liked this actor from real genius and thr Pretender. Never cared for Will Penny especially the ending. But i liked the kid the movie reminded me of Shane!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you

[@marcomalo02]

Great stuff about a great movie.

[@griffinreitz7041]

I have some great KC Tibbs stories...LOL I lived right down the road from his old rodeo partner Gerald Roberts. They were the first to travel to rodeos in a plane. Gerald told me once, " we flew in that thing for about a year, then decided if one of us didn't learn to really fly it, we were going to kill ourselves"

[@AWordonWesterns]

Ha! Where's Sky King when you really need him? Thanks, Griffin.

[@MONGOOSE1ful]

I learn something new, every day! didn't know that Jon Gries was the son of producer-director Tom Gries- this was the man who created ABC-TV's "THE RAT PATROL" in Fall 1966 for Mirisch-Rich Television and United Artists, but if I have a fondness for Jon Gries, that's because he played "Broots" on "THE PRETENDER"- a terrific TV series that NBC (who co-produced the series with MTM Enterprises, which later became 20th Century Fox Television) totally ruined and screwed it over, big time! to this day, I refuse to watch NBC (Nothing But Crap!) but "WILL PENNY" was a great Western classic and Charlton Heston's finest work to date! among the collection of actors who worked in this Paramount Pictures release was Anthony Zerbe, who crossed paths with Heston in Warner Bros.' "THE OMEGA MAN" in 1971, and the appearance of actress Quentin Dean, who made her acting debut in Mirisch/United Artists' "IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT" (1967)

[@richardeast3328]

Omega Man was great, I still remember watching it when I was 16 years old in '71 at the theater.

[@joemadden4160]

A great film. My top 2 westerns; Red River and Will Penny. The ending is superlative. *SPOILERS* Will, although illiterate, is very wise and recognizes that he could never give her anything but love and that isn't enough. Very sad. Very honest.

[@MrDavegale]

Joe Madden ... my favorite film ... the ending makes this film, and i have never understood the many complaints about it ... that ending puts a sledge hammer effect on the whole film, as real.

[@FreeRadical7118]

I wonder how much these magnificent Westerns aided in the success of the Dirty Harry films. He had sort of a cowboy, wild west mentality, so does he stand on the shoulders of these Western genre giants? How did the destruction of Old Tucson affect so many movies that were at least partially filmed in that constructed home to Western movies? OK, you win! I'll finally sub so I can leisurely thumb through your uploads. Maybe I'll get some answers in one of them.

[@chrisnutley5747]

I stumbled onto this movie 30 years ago, and it is definitely a Top5 for me. The ending always saddened me. But , that made it "real", and not "hollywood". I always thought Joan Hackett was beautiful in this. Not "sexy"....but beautiful, in a way that made her incredibly appealing.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Chris. WILL PENNY surely stands the test of time.

[@ritapacitti9599]

You said It! It's her eyes.

[@Paladin1873]

I have yet to see more than bits and pieces of it, but it certainly has a very realistic period look to it. Ditto for the characters.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Hope you see it on the BIG screen it deserves.

[@gmatwotimes]

Such a great movie and Mr. Cries was just perfect for that part!

[@craigmiller8833]

Ok my very first comment on the internet about Anything . I Truly enjoy your shows the interviews are so genuine. But I know they are more words somewhere .... WHERE??????

[@AWordonWesterns]

Depending on the length of the interviews, many of the guests have additional AWOW episodes covering some of their other films. They would be located in our list of Videos or Playlist.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

Will Penny may not be the greatest Western ever made (Honorable people can disagree) BUT it is certainly near the top of the list! Of that there can be no doubt.

[@olive6405]

You need to get Bruce Dern one of these days.

[@michaelcooper3425]

Cool story bro.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

Uncle Rico!

[@heavyhaul8621]

What young guy didn’t fall in love with Joan Hackett back then ??

[@mikekemp9877]

magnificent.up to your normal standard!odd to think just as the tv westerns were dying out in the mid 60s and we saw the normal doom and gloom critics predicting the end of the western movie a sudden new golden age of the west sprang up in movies.not only big budget blockbusters like the professionals but great films right across the board.hawks and ford made their last westerns in a way that laments the ending of the west in liberty vallance and el dorado [though hawkes did the lesser rio lobo]and just as it seemed to be about to fade away life was given to te cowboy picture by eastwoods dollar trilogy.then though less westerns were made they were all first class and given to a much more realistic look at the west.will penny wild bunch cabel hogue monte walsh bad company culpepper cattle oc ulzanas raid lawman valdez is coming chisum big jake the cowboys true grit all are classics and many more i havnt mentioned. te ten years between 65 and 75 was a great one for western lovers ,thanks as always,

[@ritapacitti9599]

Valdez is coming one of my favorites, maybe watched 20 times. Loved Burt.