Came across something I wanna share. During World War II, some directors were standing around at Republic, talking. The only one of them of draft age was William Witney (above) — who eventually joined the Marines and served in their combat photography unit.
During this conversation, George Sherman said, “Anyone who quits Republic and joins the Army is a coward.”
If Sherman’s quip isn’t terrific enough, the very idea of these guys standing around jawbonin’ really knocks me out. I shook Mr. Witney’s hand at a Western film festival many years ago, and was too young, stupid and intimidated to really say anything. What a missed opportunity that was. Of course, he was as nice as he could be.
Great choice for Quote Of The Day, Toby. Those guys were awesome filmmakers.
BTW, anyone yet spotted the newest release from Hollywood Scrapheap? – “THE BADGE OF MARSHAL BRENNAN”. Republic, Jim Davis…..what’s not to like, for western fans? It is Full Screen 4:3 and fine quality apparently.
Top quote there from Sherman.
And regardless of what you said or didn’t say, I’m quite envious of the fact you not only got to meet Witney but shook hands with him too.
That gave me a chuckle when I needed it.
Maybe I’m missing something here, but why is it a great quote that Sherman said if you join the army you’re a coward? Seems Sherman should be condemned for this quote not celebrated. If it weren’t for the truly great guys like Witney we’d all be speaking German, those still left alive that is.
The joke is that Republic was a pretty rough place to work. Dangerous even. Nothing about politics, nothing slamming the military. Just a joke about making Westerns and serials at Republic Pictures.
I thought it was funny. And I would never put anything up here that dogged our military. Never ever.
GOOD NEWS, by the way, a TV series that has been talked about here several times is NOW available in a complete series set. THE WESTERNER, the Brian Keith/Sam Peckinpah rarely seen great TV western is now available from Walmart exclusively:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/55192701?u1=&oid=223073.1&wmlspartner=fziHLe0yqFU&sourceid=01686853922926629528&affillinktype=10&veh=aff
This 2 disc set contains all 13 episodes plus the Zane Grey Theater pilot episode with Brian Keith. I just drove 40 miles to a distant Walmart to buy this myself (our local lousy Walmart didn’t carry it), now I am as happy as six clams!
That IS good news. What a terrific show. Go get em, folks!
Pleased to read the pilot episode is on there. It would have a been a mistake if that was missing.
Though not sure how long we will have to wait to be able to buy from U.K.
Great memorable quote, those guys at the top of those Studios – Herbert Yates at Republic & Harry Cohn at Columbia etc were real tyrants.
Yep, there’s that, too.
OK, I figured I was just not getting something.