MovieChat Forums > True Grit (1969) Discussion > Glen Campbell Is Awful

Glen Campbell Is Awful

posted 16 years ago by ProfessorFate
62 replies | jump to latest

"True Grit" is a good movie (solid 8) with a great performance by Wayne (I think he deserved the Oscar), but one thing that has always tainted the film for me is the terrible performance by Glen Campbell. If only they'd gotten a decent actor for that role it would have been a much better movie. For some reason I always thought Clint Walker would have made a good La Beouf. I always pictured La Beouf as a big, strong, more soft-spoken type as opposed to the thinner, whiny-voiced Campbell. Any other ideas for actors who would have been better in the role?

"Push the button, Max!"

[–] barretta20 8 years ago

This is a good topic! I'm a big fan of JW's western's and I think this is his best. I never liked Campbell in the role. But the funny thing is that I've come to accept him in the movie. He does in fact come across as a cowboy and had a cowboy image. He is a cocky jerk in the film and makes you not like him. He's really not a bad second banana to Wayne. There was no way that he was going to over-shadow Wayne.

No doubt, there could've been better choices. The casting of Elvis would've certainly been interesting. The same could be said for Nicholson. But Wayne was often cast with less talented, questionable co-stars. On more than a few occasions, they were singers!

So the Glen Campbell casting doesn't ruin the movie for me. If you get past thinking about others not in the film, you might find that he actually fits right in.

I remember when that "Rhinestone Cowboy" song was a big deal. Some time in the early 70s I think.

[–] hatr 8 years ago

Glen Campbell's performance might not deserve an Oscar but it's certainly not bad brought to detract from the movie. He does ok for a singer turning to acting. It would have been interesting to see Elvis in the part. It was mentioned earlier in the topic that Elvis was warned for the role, but he turned in down. Whether this is true is debatable, but if it was turned down it would have been his short-sighted, money -grabbing manager who would have demanded Elvis have top billing and a bigger salary than the Duke.
Great film.

[–] oscarunger 8 years ago

yeah glens not that bad, a little wooden but he doesn't detract for me, was hoping he's whip out a guitar at some point and croon little by the campfire

[–] DanTannaFan 8 years ago

Finally had an opportunity to see this film just recently. Not sure why I haven't seen it until now (?). At any rate, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Glen's performance. He convinced me that he was La Beouf ... and that's all an actor is supposed to do ... be convincing. Was anyone expecting an Oscar caliber performance here? Not even Wayne himself gave one of those. Of course anyone in the industry will tell you that he won the Oscar more as a tribute to his career than for his performance as Rooster. I liked Glen in this role and believe there is more personal jealousy on this board than anything else ......

In fact, I'll add that I only wish Glen had done more movie roles. He was also great in Norwood !!!

[–] cwatson6387 8 years ago

I'm in the "benefit of the doubt" camp over Campbell's performance in the film - a little bit stilted and no doubt he was well advised in concentrating on his "day job" but he didn't detract from the film for me.

[–] 8 years ago

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