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Arness-for a horrified moment-en- John Rich were arguing bitterly.
visioned an astronomical repair bill Macdonnell clapped his hand to his
for a new transmission. head, visualizing the whole show fall-
On this summer day, the regulars ing apart. Just as Stone and Rich were
had little to do but.walk through their reaching the swinging point, they
par~s. The acting chores fell to "Big turned to the perspiring Macdonnell
Daddy" Peter Whitney and Richard and sang "Happy Birthday "
Rust, playing his son. Stone-recalling the occasion-chor-
Whitney was to beat Rust with a tled and walked downstairs.
thick leather belt-actually a piece of
soft felt. McLaglen carefully mapped Down on the set, Amanda had par-
out each swing of Whitney's arm and tially unzipped her long, tight West-
each resulting twist -of Rust's body ern gown to let the studio air play
They walked through the action, across her back. Dennis Weaver sat in
slowly, several times. After two false a canvas chair beside McLaglen and
starts before the camera, they got quietly went over the next scene.
into t4,e swing of it. McLaglen nodded McLaglen, normally a mild-man-
approval, then said, "Cut and print it." nered man with the gait of a large
sleepwalker, was getting a little edgy
In his upstairs dressing room, Mil- He had been through a 20-minute
burn Stone-Doc-stretched out on a discussion with Arness on how one
bed. "I'd be just as happy to see this short scene should be played and had
show go on for the next 10 years," he to bow finally, to the stubborn in-
said. "I love this character of Doc. sistence of the •Company president.
There are any number of character "Big Jim sort of loused that one up,"
actors who could play the part just an observer noted, "but I'll bet you 2-
as well as I do and even better, but I to-1 that Andy gets it right back the
don't think anybody understands Doc way he wanted it, once it's in the
as well as I do. · cutting room. Jim's really a very de-
"Actually, he's pretty much based cent guy," he added, almost defen-
on my own grandfather, who came sively "He's just feeling his oats."
from Kansas and lived right around Production No. 164 was wrapped up
the time .this show is played, around by 6: 30. The last scene involved
the 1870's. The stooped walk is his, Weaver and Stone; and the two pros
and so is the brevity of his speech. waltzed through it effortlessly
"We're a pretty comfortable group "That's it," McLaglen said, pleas-
on this set. After all, we've been antly, if a little wearily Another top-
working together almost five years rater, they hoped, was in the can;
now. We all know one another pretty
well, but we don't see much of each
other away from work." Best for
Knowing each other pretty well can your lighter!
provide opportunities for memorable
pranks. Once Gunsrnoke producer BEST FUEL . lights
Norman Macdonnell was summoned· fastest, lasts longer
to the set by an assistant director. BEST SPOUT . flips
"We've ,got trouble-,--it's Milburn open to fill!
Stone," Macdonnell was told, as he Closed. can't spill!
hurried down from his office. He
found the crew standing by, ashen-
faced, while at the far end of the •k•r ti tllt wari.·s craatast llptars HII alactrlc slla,ers
Dodge City street Stone and director RONSON CORP,, WOODBRIDGE. N . J, TORONTO, ONT . LONDON ENG•.
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