Jack Elam had two days work on HIGH NOON as Charlie, the town drunk. I doubt he realised it would become a classic.
What I didn’t know was that Jack’s role was intended to be slightly bigger. As he tells it,
“I got two days work, and there was about half a day with Cooper and me. What a gentleman he was…..there was a full minute of me in the bar doing the drunken clown act – they were going to cut back and forth between me and the gunfight.”
Jack Elam, Gary Cooper
Jack’s only scene in the film, as Kane releases him from jail.
Jack Elam in the cut scene. all alone in the saloon,helping himself.
Apparently, shooting had finished, but after editing and the first print, it was decided to resume filming with new cast member Elam.
Lee Van Cleef
This was Lee Van Cleef’s first film, and although he didn’t have any dialogue, his presence was powerful. The whole gang made you understand the town’s fear – Robert Wilke, Sheb Wooley and Ian MacDonald (as Frank Miller). Some fans thought the part of Miller should have gone to a more well known actor, but Macdonald was fine.
Sheb Wooley, Ian MacDonald,Lee Van Cleef, Robert Wilke.
The quality of High Noon proves that a big budget isnt always necessary to produce a first class film. Gary Cooper must have liked the script and been aware of director Fred Zinnemann’s talent. Cooper didn’t take his usual big salary, instead opting for a share of the profits. No way could he have thought the part would win him a second Oscar.
The film was shot in 4 weeks, helped no doubt by Zinnemann’s extensive use of storyboarding.
Tex Ritter, in my opinion, owns that song, ‘Do Not Forsake Me,Oh My Darlin’ ‘. Written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington, Tex sang it the night of the Oscars when it won Best Song. The tune, the lyrics, the orchestration – and that Southern drawl of Ritter’s makes it well nigh perfect. As is Tiomkin’s entire score.
Tex Ritter
By the way, Jack Elam , before he got into acting, was an auditor in Hollywood, but had an eye problem that caused him to look for other work. I saw an interview he did in 1987 with David Letterman. If only it had been someone like Leonard Maltin asking the questions because Jack was ready to talk. Letterman didn’t have a clue.
That fantastic shot near the start of the film.
Kudos to cinematographer Floyd Crosby who lensed High Noon. This seems to have been the most well known film Crosby worked on. He also filmed Shack Out on 101 and The Old Man and the Sea.
Vienna's Classic Hollywood 
Very interesting. I enjoyed the read. Xx
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Thanks,Deirdre.
Interesting info. Find the casting of the four villians acceptable and believe Ian Macdonald did not appear in any other significant movies thereafter. Found Robert Wilke impressive in The Magnificent Seven. Best regards.
Robert Wilke always good .
High Noon works on so many levels; story, theme, performances, editing, cast. I shared it with my daughter recently and she was taken with Helen Ramirez as an interesting feminist character.
I’ve always loved the sight of Jack Elam in his bit in the movie. Now I am tantalized at the thought of his larger role. Wouldn’t it be grand if a cut of that showed up somewhere?
I’ve always thought Helen Ramirez was much more suited to Will Kane. I wish Katy Jurado’s part had been bigger.
Yes, let’s hope Jack’s extra scenes turn up .
Jack had better luck,and a much bigger role
in Hathaway’s masterful RAWHIDE.
Susan Hayward had Everette Sloane bounced from the
film and Jack stepped in-his leering baddie set the tone for
many of his future films.
Didn’t know about Sloane. Wonder what the problem was. Yes, Jack perfected his bad guy role in Rawhide.
Susan did not like the way Sloane was too rough with her
in one of their confrontational scenes.
She also gave Cameron Mitchell a very hard time on
GARDEN OF EVIL.
Both films contain great performances from the ever
underrated Hugh Marlowe.
Sorry to hear that about Susan.
I totally agree about Hugh Marlowe.
Well, his only scene in the film if you don’t count the three seconds of Charlie passed out in his cell earlier.
Good point.