Audie Leon Murphy
June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971
This incredible promo still for Ride Clear Of Diablo (1954) appears today to mark the birth of Audie Murphy. Dan Duryea doesn’t seem to be enjoying Audie’s birthday all that much.
A great way to celebrate would be to run something from The Audie Murphy Westerns Collection. Ride Clear Of Diablo is one of the pictures in that set.
Fun still–I think it is a posed production still and not an image from the actual climax, in which Duryea’s death is more balletic, following a great last line.
Murphy and Duryea are in three movies together, all of which I enjoy (the others are NIGHT PASSAGE and SIX BLACK HORSES)–they had very good chemistry. RIDE CLEAR OF DIABLO is perhaps less than a major Western, its plot pretty familiar and director Jesse Hibbs working at a capable but not that inspired level. But Dan Duryea lifts it a notch–his Whitey Kincaid is one of his best roles ever, a kind of equivocal bad guy who befriends Murphy; he is just so tremendously colorful, funny and flamboyant and makes this a great character.
Not to steal from Murphy’s birthday to praise the wonderful Duryea–I love Audie Murphy.
Yep, that’s a posed still — or that’s the cheapest saloon set ever!
Not to take anything away from Audie, but Ride Clear Of Diablo belongs to Dan Duryea.
Universal was wise to put Audie with more experienced actors — he seemed to rise to the challenge. He’s very good with Walter Matthau, for instance. But from time to time, he could get overshadowed by someone like Duryea.
Or else it was a real saloon….
Audie Murphy became one of my favourite movie cowboys long before I learned of his medal winning courage in WW2. I think maybe I’ll watch “No Name on the Bullet” today.
Love that picture!
That’s my favorite Audie movie — and if I remember right, the first film brought up on this blog.
Dan Duryea makes ANY film he’s in a little bit, no, a lot better! I’ll seek Ride Clear of Diablo out.
I love this still! Dan Duryea is so great — just asked my dad to ship me his videotape of this movie next time he sends me a batch of “loaners.” 🙂
Best wishes,
Laura
That is a great still!
Man, I want that TCM Audie Murphy set, but it’s pretty dang expensive for some reason…70 bucks for 4 movies is a bit steep in this day and age.
Murphy was always a really solid presence in westerns; I’ve yet to see one of his I didn’t like. I have to respectfully disagree with some of the fine folks here re: Dan Duryea’s performance in NIGHT PASSAGE, however. While I usually love Duryea, I think he’s awful in that film (which is otherwise a fine western).
I don’t have an all-out favorite Audie Murphy movie, except for one or two of his very first movies they’re all great.
Thanks to Laura for the heads up to your fine blog.
I grew up having heroes as role models.audie murphy was my hero.his movies meant so much to me as a child growing up.
Living in england.his movies was quite rare.when i realised how many he made.i tracked them all down via collectors.ect
i named my son audie.to acknowledge he was a real life hero.was just as amazing.
I also liased with sue gosset author of two books.
He will always have a special place in my heart as a true legend.
Dace.coventry.england