As children we are torn between two phrases: “I do it myself,” and “Up!” On one hand we need independence, on the other we want someone to pick us up and take care of our problem. Finding the balance is our battle.

But when overwhelming circumstances wash over us – hurricanes, illnesses, divorce, depression – it can be difficult for strong, independent people to accept help. Even when it is needed.

The next time you think you should be John Wayne and handle everything all by yourself, perhaps you should consider how many people it took for John Wayne to be John Wayne.

Below are the credits for the cast and crew of his last movie, “The Shootist.” Nineteen companies and 83 people are included. In 1976 only the primary crew were credited which does not include the majority of the support staff, technicians, assistants, cooks, extras or a single musician. That doesn’t include friends, family, doctors, nurses (he had stomach cancer), managers, accountants, lawyers, investors or paying fans.

But that was way back in 1976. In 2008 it took some 288 people to make Clint Eastwood into Clint Eastwood for “Gran Torino“.

James BondSkyfall“, just released this year, took the combined talent of 1,043 people to make Daniel Craig into the famous Secret Agent 007.

But topping them all, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” required more than 1,491 people to turn Harrison Ford into Indiana Jones in 2008. A fifth movie has been announced. Who knows how many people it will take by then.

So the next time you feel like you have to take on everything all by yourself, just remember – John Wayne had an uncredited stunt double.

 

The Shootist

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures

Dino De Laurentiis Company (uncredited)

Distributors

Paramount Pictures (1976) (USA) (theatrical)

Cinema International Corporation (UK) (1976) (UK) (theatrical)

Tobis (1977) (West Germany) (theatrical)

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1978) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

EuroVideo (2002) (Germany) (DVD)

Filmayer (Spain)

Koch Media (2010) (Germany) (DVD)

Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (2 film set)

Paramount Home Video (2012) (Canada) (DVD) (2 film set)

Paramount Home Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)

Paramount Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)

Roadshow Entertainment

Roadshow Home Video

Other Companies

Burbank Editorial Service Inc. sound effects

D.K. Harris Music Service music editing (as D. Harris Music Service)

Polifroni/Sabba casting

Universal Title and Optical titles and optical effects (as Universal Optical)

Writing credits

Glendon Swarthout (novel)

Miles Hood Swarthout (screenplay) and

Scott Hale (screenplay)

Cast
(in credits order) verified as complete

John Wayne … J.B. Books

Lauren Bacall … Bond Rogers

Ron Howard … Gillom Rogers

James Stewart … Dr. Hosteler

Richard Boone … Sweeney

Hugh O’Brian … Pulford

Bill McKinney … Cobb

Harry Morgan … Marshall Thibido

John Carradine … Beckum

Sheree North … Serepta

Rick Lenz … Dobkins (as Richard Lenz)

Scatman Crothers … Moses

Gregg Palmer … Burly Man

Alfred Dennis … Barber

Dick Winslow … Streetcar Driver

Melody Thomas Scott … Girl on Streetcar (as Melody Thomas)

Kathleen O’Malley … School Teacher

rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Johnny Crawford … Books’ Victim in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)

Chuck Dawson … Extra (uncredited)

Christopher George … Books’ Victim in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)

Jonathan Goldsmith … Book’s Victim (uncredited)

Leo Gordon … Books’ Victim in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)

Charles G. Martin … Murray the Bartender (uncredited)

Ricky Nelson … Books’ Fellow Lawman in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)

James Nolan … Gambler (uncredited)

Henry Slate … Pulford Confidant (uncredited)

Bob Steele … Books’ Victim in Flashback (archive footage) (uncredited)

Ralph Volkie … White-Haired Bartender (uncredited)

Produced by

M.J. Frankovich …. producer

William Self …. producer

Original Music by

Elmer Bernstein

Cinematography by

Bruce Surtees (director of photography)

Film Editing by

Douglas Stewart

Production Design by

Robert F. Boyle (as Robert Boyle)

Set Decoration by

Arthur Jeph Parker (as Arthur Parker)

Makeup Department

Joe DiBella …. makeup artist (as Joe Di Bella)

Dave Grayson …. makeup artist

Vivienne Walker …. hair stylist

Production Management

Russell Saunders …. executive production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

Joseph C. Cavalier …. assistant director (as Joe Cavalier)

Joe Florence …. second assistant director

Art Department

Bill Dietz …. property master

Richard Lawrence …. assistant art director

Joseph M. LeBaron …. construction coordinator

William Cruse …. set designer (uncredited)

Sound Department

Les Fresholtz …. sound re-recordist

Michael Minkler …. sound re-recordist

Al Overton …. sound mixer (as Alfred J. Overton)

Arthur Piantadosi …. sound re-recordist

Jerry Whittington …. sound effects editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by

Augie Lohman …. special effects

David Domeyer …. special effects (uncredited)

Stunts

Denny Arnold …. stunts (uncredited)

Jim Burk …. stunt double (uncredited)

Jim Burk …. stunt double: John Wayne (uncredited)

Jim Burk …. stunts (uncredited)

Steven Burnett …. stunts (uncredited)

Roydon Clark …. stunts (uncredited)

Chuck Roberson …. stunts (uncredited)

Henry Wills …. stunts wrangler (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department

Kenneth Adams …. key grip

Thomas Del Ruth …. camera operator (as Tom Del Ruth)

Charles Holmes …. gaffer (as Chuck Holmes)

Richard A. Mention III …. camera assistant (as Rick Mention)

Timothy E. Wade …. camera assistant

Dave Sutton …. still photographer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department

Luster Bayless …. costumes: men

Moss Mabry …. costumes: Miss Bacall

Edna Taylor …. costumes: ladies

Editorial Department

Jerrold L. Ludwig …. assistant editor

Music Department

Dan Wallin …. score mixer (uncredited)

Transportation Department

Chris Haynes …. driver (uncredited)

Other crew

Jack Casey …. publicist

Eudie Charnes …. production coordinator

Dino De Laurentiis …. presenter

Al Horwits …. public relations

Betsy Norton …. script supervisor

Buzz Barton …. horse wrangler (uncredited)

Robert S. Birchard …. dailies projectionist (uncredited)