From the archives: First big break: Clint Eastwood thrives on never Ending Cattle Drive
Eastwood’s not really looking for Missouri
11 years ago Howard Hawks brought to the screen an outdoor epic called “Red River” which told the story of a cattle drive from Texas to Kansas in the late 1800s and the hardships, the men on the drive, endured. Television, not to be out done, has come up with its own version of “Red River.” It’s an outdoor action series called “Rawhide.”
One primary reason for the success of the series is a tall, easygoing, ex-lumberjack by the name of Clint Eastwood.
Clint plays the part of rowdy Yates, one of the cowpunchers on “Rawhide’s” never ending cattle drive from Texas to Missouri.
In between takes at the studio the other day Clint manage to say some things about the series which has been compared to “Wagon Train,” another traveling series that goes on and on and on — but never arrives anywhere.
Drive may never end
“I don’t know if we’ll ever finish our cattle drive but if we do, we can always pick up another heard and head back to Texas, “says Clint.
That’s about all he could say before he had to takeoff and shoot another scene.
A few minutes later, he was back, spurs, chaps and all. He pulled up a suitcase full of film and sat down.
“They may call this an adult western but the kids enjoy it as much as the adults. I was convinced of this when we took part in the Beverly Hills Easter parade and got such a rousing welcome from the junior set.”
Clint went on to point out that this is his first real break in show business. He played in a motion picture, but describes it with one word: “turkey. “
Love interest
“This is different from anything I’ve done. I get a chance for lead roles. For instance, in the next few weeks, they’ve got me falling in love — which is a real switch for me.”
The fact that rawhide is an hour show creates extra problems, Clint says.
“It takes us nearly a week shoot one episode. Six days a week and eight to ten hours a day is the usual schedule. You can see at this rate we just barely stay ahead of ourselves. “
Once more of the finger of the Director beckoned. Ten minutes later Clint was back with a smile on his face talking about the creator-producer of the series, Charles Marquis Warren.
Knights in Dusty Boots
“He’s a real bug on authenticity. If our wardrobe isn’t grubby enough, he’ll tell us to rub dirt on it. Little things like that make this a good show.“
Clint looked down at his dusty boots and tried to answer the question as to why westerns have become so popular on television.
“Western characters represent the knights of England to viewers. They’re heroes and most of all they offer a means of escape. The craze has always been here, and it will probably remain.“
Just then a loud voice echoed out from the set, “Eastwood,” and Clint was off again.
