Kirk Douglas in The War Wagon

sigp220.45 · Sep 27, 2016

The War Wagon has always struck me as a strange movie - a caper film set in the old west. John Wayne plays John Wayne, assembling a heist crew including Howard Keel as Levi Walking Bear and Robert Walker, Jr as an alcoholic explosives expert.

But the one who steals the whole movie is Kirk Douglas as Lomax, an oversexed gunman who had previously shot and framed the Duke. Its a running gag that Lomax always mounts his horse with style - vaulting on from the back, doing a running side hurdle into the saddle, but my personal favorite is when he effortlessly flies over the horse parked next to his and lands perfectly astride his own. It is clearly KD doing the work, not a stuntman.

He did this at the age of 51, and he is a physical specimen to behold. He's still hanging in now at the age of 99, a WWII vet mustered out for injuries. I'm working my way through his many films, but the joy he brings to The War Wagon always makes my day.

Kanewpadle · Sep 27, 2016

sigp220.45 said:
The War Wagon has always struck me as a strange movie - a caper film set in the old west. John Wayne plays John Wayne, assembling a heist crew including Howard Keel as Levi Walking Bear and Robert Walker, Jr as an alcoholic explosives expert.

But the one who steals the whole movie is Kirk Douglas as Lomax, an oversexed gunman who had previously shot and framed the Duke. Its a running gag that Lomax always mounts his horse with style - vaulting on from the back, doing a running side hurdle into the saddle, but my personal favorite is when he effortlessly flies over the horse parked next to his and lands perfectly astride his own. It is clearly KD doing the work, not a stuntman.

He did this at the age of 51, and he is a physical specimen to behold. He's still hanging in now at the age of 99, a WWII vet mustered out for injuries. I'm working my way through his many films, but the joy he brings to The War Wagon always makes my day.

What I always thought was odd was wearing a ring over the glove.

sigp220.45 · Sep 27, 2016

Kanewpadle said:
What I always thought was odd was wearing a ring over the glove.

Ha! I loved how he explained to the Mexican girl that his famous chin dimple came from sleeping on that ring!

Faulkner · Sep 27, 2016

That's the thing about many of actors of both past and present, they don't have anything to do with their time but stay in shape. It's not like they have a job to go to.

Texas Star · Sep 27, 2016

I liked him mainly as Spartacus. He doesn't overact/emote as badly as his son Michael, but he's a little too dramatic for my tastes.

Both of them are ardent anti-gunners, even by Hollywood standards.

Someone mentioned his WWII service. From what I read of his background, didn't think he was American then. Who knows what here? Douglas is not his real family name.

sigp220.45 · Sep 27, 2016

Texas Star said:
Someone mentioned his WWII service. From what I read of his background, didn't think he was American then. Who knows what here? Douglas is not his real family name.

He was born in New York as Issur Danielovitch, later he used Izzy Demsky, but was Kirk Douglas when he joined the Navy in 1941. He was blown up on a sub chaser by his own ship's depth charge and discharged for injuries in 1943.

GKC · Sep 27, 2016

Faulkner said:
That's the thing about many of actors of both past and present, they don't have anything to do with their time but stay in shape. It's not like they have a job to go to.

Well, in a way that IS their job...actors are generally more appealing on screen if they are fit, so they work out to keep themselves in peak shape.

Targets Guy · Sep 28, 2016

Seven Days in May is one of my favorites of his movies.

rwsmith · Sep 28, 2016

I couldn't watch it....

I couldn't get the idea to just shoot the dang horses out of my mind.

Bullet Bob · Sep 28, 2016

Kirk Douglas did much more than just stay in shape, such as helping to end the Hollywood blacklist. For younger forum members, the Wikipedia article on him is well worth reading, if you like history of all types.

Remember the 80's film Tough Guys with Burt Lancaster? Not a great film, but entertaining for us old guys who are rarely depicted as anything but feeble in mind and body.

tops · Sep 28, 2016

rwsmith said:
I couldn't get the idea to just shoot the dang horses out of my mind.

That's how it would work in the real world and only one would need to be shot. I agree that the movie version was more entertaining. Larry

Ron M. · Sep 28, 2016

Just saw his portrayal of Doc Holiday in "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral", and I thought he did a great job with the role. Seeing him acting alongside DeForest Kelly (Dr. McCoy) was pretty cool, not everyone knows that Mr. Kelly constantly played heavies in old westerns.

BAM-BAM · Sep 28, 2016

Been awhile...... but wasn't the idea to separate the War Wagon from the 40(?) outriders?????????????

10 to 1 odds......................plus the Gatling gun......

rwsmith · Sep 28, 2016

I about had Spartacus memorized.....

Texas Star said:
I liked him mainly as Spartacus. He doesn't overact/emote as badly as his son Michael, but he's a little too dramatic for my tastes.

Both of them are ardent anti-gunners, even by Hollywood standards.

Someone mentioned his WWII service. From what I read of his background, didn't think he was American then. Who knows what here? Douglas is not his real family name.

When I was a kid way before VCR I audio recorded my favorite bits of Spartacus and listened to them just for fun.

"We keep you alive to serve this ship."

rwsmith · Sep 28, 2016

He was born here....

Texas Star said:
I liked him mainly as Spartacus. He doesn't overact/emote as badly as his son Michael, but he's a little too dramatic for my tastes.

Both of them are ardent anti-gunners, even by Hollywood standards.

Someone mentioned his WWII service. From what I read of his background, didn't think he was American then. Who knows what here? Douglas is not his real family name.

Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch in Amsterdam, New York.
His parents were Jewish Russian immigrants who adopted the name Demsky. I had no idea. He changed his name to Kirk Douglas when he joined the Navy during WWII.

He was almost railroaded into being a rabbi by his family and community and had to fight hard to become an actor.

DWalt · Sep 28, 2016

He wasn't an action star in it, as it wasn't an action movie, but my favorite KD film was "The Bad and The Beautiful." It shows up on TCM occasionally. It's really a movie about the movies. The musical theme always gets me. Well worth a watch.

keith44spl · Sep 28, 2016

Douglas in the "Villain" as "Cactus" Jack Slade.

What a character,

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAZK58xmcpE[/ame]

.

Cardboard_killer · Sep 28, 2016

Perhaps his best is the Kubrick film Paths of Glory. Short and sweet anti-war movie about the French in WW1. Run out to see it if you haven't yet.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPtVNDvwGMo[/ame]

steamloco76 · Sep 28, 2016

Lonely are the Brave.
A must watch film for any Kirk Douglas or Western fan.
Walter Matthau and Carol O'Connor too.

the ringo kid · Sep 28, 2016

sigp220.45 said:
The War Wagon has always struck me as a strange movie - a caper film set in the old west. John Wayne plays John Wayne, assembling a heist crew including Howard Keel as Levi Walking Bear and Robert Walker, Jr as an alcoholic explosives expert.

But the one who steals the whole movie is Kirk Douglas as Lomax, an oversexed gunman who had previously shot and framed the Duke. Its a running gag that Lomax always mounts his horse with style - vaulting on from the back, doing a running side hurdle into the saddle, but my personal favorite is when he effortlessly flies over the horse parked next to his and lands perfectly astride his own. It is clearly KD doing the work, not a stuntman.

He did this at the age of 51, and he is a physical specimen to behold. He's still hanging in now at the age of 99, a WWII vet mustered out for injuries. I'm working my way through his many films, but the joy he brings to The War Wagon always makes my day.

A favorite quote of mine from the movie:

(Lomax) "Mine hit the ground first."
(Duke) Mine's taller."

Kirk Douglas in The War Wagon

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