Harry Morgan, in his role as the town marshall, is downright embarrassing in this film. His so-so acting and ridiculous lines remind me of his light-hearted role as officer Gannon on the 1960s TV show Dragnet.
He did NOT belong on the big screen.
Horse hockey! Harry Morgan is a great character actor and was a hoot in the film. To each their own, though.
Fortunately, Ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency!
He was definetly the comic relief but I agree, it was noticeably borderline over the top. 😨
shareI kind of always felt it was to show how in over his head he was as the Marshall.
shareHarry Morgan is an experienced actor who's performed in a number of roles. He generally plays a cantankerous type with a comedic-edge in many of his roles, and was a bit over-the-top as the town Marshall. However, I believe it was done purposely to provide some balance to the grave tone of this movie concerning a man facing his own mortality.
shareMorgan was "on the big screen" long before there was a "small" one.
My people skills are fine. It's my tolerance of morons that needs work.
His ridiculously over-the-top buffoonery could almost fool one into thinking it's a John Ford movie... Most annoying.
"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan
He did NOT belong on the big screen.
Firstly, it's "marshal," not "marshall," no matter how it's listed in the script or cast list.
Secondly, I agree with the OP. Morgan is the weak link among the cast in The Shootist, hands down. It's almost like he's playacting rather than film-acting. This is one of my otherwise most favorite films and I try to give him a pass, but every time I see this film I am amazed at how bad Morgan is in it. And no, it's not just to to show that the character is a buffoon or out of his element or whatever. It's bad acting, plain and simple.
I remember the criticisms of his performance when the movie first came out; and maybe, influenced by that, I felt the same way when I saw it in the theaters. However, I watched the movie on GritTV yesterday, and I enjoyed his performance. It was nice comic relief. I could have done without the gigantic Stetson, however, although it fit his character.
shareI was hoping that Wayne would shoot him!
shareHe was the Hormel Canned Ham of the movie.
..Joe