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Who WAS the fastest draw in American westerns?

posted 7 years ago by cranvillesquare
17 replies | jump to latest

According to a trivia tidbit in the Big Valley thread:

"According to 'Wildest Westerns Magazine', Peter Breck was able to draw his gun in 16/100 of a second, making the character of Nick Barkley the fastest draw in television history."

There is no qualification as to whether this actually is Breck, himself, drawing a revolver from a holster; or whether this is Nick Barkley being a fast draw. If Breck, himself, is that fast a draw that's one thing. If, however, the magazine merely refers to Breck in character as Nick Barkley then I would argue the point. Ben Murphy, as Kid Curry/Thaddeus Jones from Alias Smith and Jones (1971-73), gets my vote hands-down in this department. It probably was TV camera stop-action trickery but Jones could draw and fire faster than any opponent could even put his hand on his revolver.

Looking for remarks/opinions from my fellow westerns aficionados!

[–] spasek 7 years ago

While it's Breck playing Nick, then I'm assuming that that is what the article was alluding to. Breck was considered the fastest draw, according to the article. I read, however, that Glenn Ford was the fastest in Hollywood movie westerns.

Now, since movies and television are fiction, we're going by the presumption that they could draw and HIT what they were aiming at, thus giving the impression of a fast AND accurate gunman. So, while Breck and Ford were incredibly fast draws, it would be their respective characters who would be given the accolades for truly being "the fastest draws."

[–] mlbroberts 7 years ago

It would really be tough to beat Robert Fuller - but then I doubt there was a contest conducted at the time. Then of course, there was Gene Wilder in Blazing Saddles.........

[–] spasek 7 years ago

Gene Wilder definitely gets my vote!

[–] elvisforever-633-689384 7 years ago

According to what I read he won a contest making him the fastest draw but that contest did not include everybody and everyone in westerns has not been timed.To be the fastest in anything everyone has to be timed but he does have one of the fastest out there

[–] nkm56 7 years ago

If you're talking about western characters, I think that honor would go to Kid Curry, played by Ben Murphy in Alias Smith and Jones. Blink of an eye fast. But if talking about actors, I think Peter Breck has the honor, as mentioned above.

[–] rex-sheldon 7 years ago

I read somewhere that there was a quick-draw contest sometime in the early to mid '60's, and Peter Brown won pretty handily. I may have read it on Browns IMDb page, I'm going to check it now.

[–] rex-sheldon 7 years ago

There is a mention of Peter Browns prowess with the fast draw on his message board, if you're interested.

[–] mlbroberts 7 years ago

Sammy Davis Jr. was incredible on the draw. He did an episode or two of some westerns - I think I remember The Rifleman.

[–] herewegoegan-342-618515 7 years ago

Sammy Davis Jr. was, in fact, one of the fastest Hollywood draws - according to Bob Munden (arguably the fastest/accurate draw in history) Davis Jr, was the second fastest behind the noted western tough guy...Jerry Lewis. Seriously Jerry Lewis.

[–] mlbroberts 7 years ago

THAT Jerry Lewis??????

[–] PaladinNJ (20308) 3 years ago

I saw Bob Munden, the former record holder, in person. He caught all of us by surprise when he told us about Jerry Lewis. Said he beat Jerry easily when thy competed but was still impressed by his talent.

[–] spasek 7 years ago

Bugs Bunny could actually draw a gun faster than anyone alive! The drawing was really good!

[–] burcher8125 7 years ago

The Encore Western Channel regularly shows "Quick Draw" comparisons of Classic TV Western characters. Such as Matt Dillon vs Bret Maverick, etc. They show a split screen of the two and time it from draw to blast. They use it as a time filler in between shows so it's kind of hit and miss when you can see them.

[–] mlbroberts 7 years ago

They haven't been doing that since Starz took over.