Behind the Scenes of 'Paint Your Wagon': Gold, Grit, and a Touch of Musical Mayhem
"Paint Your Wagon" is a 1969 musical Western. The film aimed high but didn’t quite hit the mark financially. It cost $18 million. That was significant money back then. Sadly, it turned into a financial tumbleweed instead of a gold rush.
Lee Marvin: The Million-Dollar Miner with a Drinking Habit
Lee Marvin led the cast and earned $1 million as Ben Rumson. He was 44 during filming. Remarkably, he was only six years older than Clint Eastwood. They aged him for the role, a feat of Hollywood magic.
Marvin embraced a *method* approach to acting. He liked to portray characters who enjoyed drinking. Director Joshua Logan struggled with Marvin's on-set drinking. Marvin favored real whiskey over movie prop drinks. That's dedication.
Marvin served as a Marine in the 4th Marine Division. He fought fiercely in the Pacific during World War II. He was wounded badly at the Battle of Saipan in 1944. He earned a Purple Heart for his bravery. He formed a strong bond with fellow Marine John Miara.
This was not Marvin's first stint in Westerns. He won an Oscar for Best Actor in 1965 for "Cat Ballou." When he passed in 1987, his net worth was about $10 million. Not bad for a former Marine who loved a good drink.
Clint Eastwood: Singing Cowboy and Horse Allergy Sufferer
Clint Eastwood, the stoic icon, earned $750,000 playing Pardner. "Paint Your Wagon" let audiences hear him sing. He performed "I Still See Elisa" and "I Talk To Trees." Clint Eastwood can sing. He has shown this in various projects.
Ironically, despite being a Western star, he has a horse allergy. This explains why he lacks close-ups on horseback in his films. Clever camera work or Eastwood keeping distance from his equine co-stars?
Like Marvin, Eastwood served in the military. He received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1953. Unsurprisingly, he could shoot well. Eastwood enjoyed classic music and loved Nat King Cole. "Anything by Nat King Cole was wonderful," he once said.
"Paint Your Wagon" may not have been a blockbuster. Yet Eastwood's most profitable film was "American Sniper" in 2014. His career has journeyed from gold rush tales to modern dramas.
Harve Presnell, Jean Seberg, and the Supporting Players
Harve Presnell delivered the iconic "They Call the Wind Maria." He played Rotten Luck Willie, fitting for a gold rush character. Sadly, he passed on June 30, 2009, but left a legacy of musical talents.
Jean Seberg, as the female lead, had her voice dubbed by Anita Gordon. This practice was common in musicals. This choice disappointed fans wanting to hear her voice in the Wild West.
Alan Dexter completed the cast as Parson. His character added to "No Name City's" colorful ensemble. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band contributed with "Hand Me Down That Can o' Beans," a quirky title fitting the film.
Oregon and California: Painting the Cinematic Landscape
The stunning scenery in "Paint Your Wagon" came from various filming locations. Oregon's Wallowa-Whitman National Forest was one location. East Eagle Creek in the Wallowa Mountains brought "No Name City" to life. Forshey Meadows and Anthony Lakes also featured prominently.
California contributed too. They filmed in Big Bear Lake and the San Bernardino National Forest. For interior scenes, they used classic Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
Gold, Partners, and a Wagon's Tale
The plot is classic Western fare with a musical twist: Ben Rumson and Pardner find gold in California during the Gold Rush. A simple premise meant for adventure, with song and dance in a dusty boomtown.
"They Call the Wind Maria" and the Musical Heart
"Paint Your Wagon": More Than Just a Title
The title "Paint Your Wagon" has roots in the 1951 Broadway musical that inspired it. Interestingly, this phrase became business jargon suggesting getting things done. Ironically, while ambitious, the film didn't conquer the box office.
"Paint Your Wagon" is a movie of contrasts: a financial flop yet filled with memorable performances, iconic songs, and beautiful scenery. It reflects Hollywood's unpredictability where talent and gold dust do not guarantee box office success.
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