MovieChat Forums > Rio Lobo (1970) Discussion > Wayne looked younger than 61 in this

Wayne looked younger than 61 in this


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It's reviving an old post, but Wayne's age didn't start catching up to him in earnest for another couple of years, though the loss of a lung in 1964 slowed him down.

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Actually Wayne was 62 or 63 when this was filmed, several years after his first battle with cancer.

In my opinion, he definitely looked his age here and was at least ten years too old for the part. Having said that he did acquit himself reasonably well, under the circumstances. He was at least fairly convincing in the action sequences, although I suspect they utilized a stunt double whenever possible.

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Chuck Roberson, the Corporal who gets on the train at the beginning was The Duke's double. A long-time stuntman, he played so many parts in each of the movies he was in, that there are gunfights where he shoots at someone in one scene, and he is the person getting shot (by himself) when the camera angle changes.

He's also been an Indian who shot himself as a Cavalryman in the next shot.

..Joe

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Very interesting information. Do you know about how many years Roberson served as Wayne's double? Did he ever have any actual roles in films where he might have had a few lines?

Just curious. I know most stuntmen toil in relative obscurity, yet their value cannot be underestimated.

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He had a few lines in most movies. I think his largest speaking part was as the Sheriff in McLintock!

He was Wayne's double for almost 30 years. Unfortunately that means he was Wayne's double in The Conqueror, and as a result he died from cancer as did most of the actors and crew from that movie because of the radioactive soil.

..Joe

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Now I've placed him, after you mentioned his role in "McLintock". As I recall his character ends up married or engaged to the character portrayed by Yvonne DeCarlo. He certainly was an imposing physical specimen.

I am somewhat familiar with the issues surrounding the filming of "The Conqueror". I wonder if the story that Wayne walked around the set carrying a Geiger counter is true.

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