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Guns of the Timberland

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Wikipedia article




'Guns of the Timberland' is a 1960 American Technicolor lumberjack Western film directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Alan Ladd, Jeanne Crain, Gilbert Roland and Frankie Avalon.

Plot



Logger Jim Hadley and his lumberjack crew are looking for new forest to cut. They locate a prime prospect outside the town of Deep Wells. The town's residents, led by Laura Riley, are opposed to the felling of the trees, believing that losing them would cause mudslides during the heavy rains.

Cast



* Alan Ladd as Jim Hadley

* Jeanne Crain as Laura Riley

* Gilbert Roland as Monty Welker

* Frankie Avalon as Bert Harvey

* Lyle Bettger as Clay Bell

* Noah Beery Jr. as Blackie (as Noah Beery)

* Verna Felton as Aunt Sarah

* Alana Ladd as Jane Peterson

* Regis Toomey as Sheriff Taylor

* Johnny Seven as Vince

* George Selk as Amos Stearns

* Paul E. Burns as Bill Burroughs

* Henry Kulky as Logger

Production



Development

Louis L'Amour's novel 'Guns of the Timberlands' was published in 1955 and sold more than one million copies.

Alan Ladd's film production company Jaguar optioned the novel that same year."Don'ts for Horse Operas Stressed: Write for the Experts, Says Best-Selling Louis L'Amour" Scheuer, Philip K. 'Los Angeles Times' 01 July 1958: C9.Dorothy Kilgallen: "Friends Think Bing May Wed Kathy" 'The Washington Post and Times-Herald' [Washington, D.C] 25 Nov 1955: 37. The working title for the film was "Shasta."

In 1957, it was announced the film would be produced from a script by David Victor and Herbert Little, with Albert J Cohen as producer."Movieland Events: 'Guns of Timberland' on Active Schedule" 'Los Angeles Times' 3 Apr 1957: B8. Ladd had worked with Aaron Spelling on two TV pilots, and Spelling's work so impressed Ladd that he made Spelling a producer on the picture."Borgnine Takes a Script to Carolyn Jones' Home" Hopper, Hedda. 'Chicago Daily Tribune' 17 Mar 1959: b7. Robert Webb was signed to direct."Alan Ladd Film Names Director: Robert Webb Is Signed for 'Guns of Timberland' -- Columbia Adds Writers" Special to The New York Times.. 'New York Times' 24 Mar 1959: 45

Ladd offered a lead role to Van Heflin, hoping to reunite with his costar from 'Shane'."A.F.L. Unit Urges Boycott of Film: Council Says 'Daniel Boone' Was Made Outside U.S. to Flout Union Control Of Local Origin" by Thomas M Pryor Special to The New York Times.. 'New York Times' 13 Feb 1956: 24. He also wanted to cast Raymond Burr."Drama: Joanne Woodward's Pact Continued" 'Los Angeles Times' 25 Jan 1956: 20. Jeanne Crain and Gilbert Roland were signed to support Ladd, along with the Ladds' daughter Alana.

Frankie Avalon, following his recent hit single 'Venus', signed to make his dramatic debut in the film."Filmland Events: Fred MacMurray Offered New Lead" 'Los Angeles Times' 7 Apr 1959: A8. Avalon later said, "I'm sure the reason why Warner Bros. said, 'Let's get this kid' is that he has lots of fans out there and he's getting 12,000 to 15,000 fans letters a week. 'Let's put him in a picture with a guy like Alan Ladd'." Avalon's performance led to his casting in 'The Alamo'.

Shooting

Filming started in April 1959 on location in and around Blairsden, California, Graeagle, California and other locations throughout Plumas County. The scenes involving the steam engine and railroad cars were shot on the Western Pacific Railroad right-of-way. The scene in which the steam engine goes over the tall "bridge" pictured the Clio Trestle.

Filming finished in June 1959.'Los Angeles Times', June 8, 1959

Music

In the film, Avalon sings two songs, "The Faithful Kind" and "Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee." Both were released as a 45-rpm single in 1960.

References



Bibliography

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