A Better than Average Actor who was Unappreciated
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blondcowboy — 14 years ago(April 24, 2011 08:59 PM)
Hello,
Nice thoughtful comments. I absolutely agree. I think Doug's acting in the Virginian demonstrated a wide range of ability such as being funny, sad, sensitive, and he was totally relaxed with the character of Trampas. His physical skills were also very obvious. -
sevenof9fl — 14 years ago(May 11, 2011 11:44 AM)
Beautiful, beautiful writeup.
I think Doug McClure was my first crush. And the things you've said about his riding skills, my dad said before you - which made The Virginian Required Watching in our house.
My friends tell me, and have told me over the years, that I am an overly harsh critic of actors.
I don't think I'm harsh; I think the talent is lacking, and I'm glad to see more and more statements like yours about old and new school actors.
I'm glad the DVD's and YouTube will be around for these actors for a long, long time.
"As the Philosopher Jagger said, you can't always get what you want." -
Chaarles — 14 years ago(May 11, 2011 02:43 PM)
Well said. I always liked Doug from my childhood watching The Virginian and the 'That Time Forgot' style movies, and then recently when I realised he was in 'The Unforgiven' I watched his performance closely in that and thought he gave a really strong, beautifully nuanced performance. And let's face it he was playing in the frame with no lesser talents than Lancaster and Hepburn, and in my opinion he came out with top marks and never seemed for a moment out of his depth, delivering a pitch perfect and absorbing performance. As you say, quiet professionalism and genuine skill, and all that on top of bucketfuls of natural talent. I don't believe an actor can turn in a performance like that in that kind of company without being a dedicated artist and a great actor.
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Clatskanie — 14 years ago(July 23, 2011 09:06 PM)
McClure was a big favorite in our house. Think the drink got to him, though. Pretty sure that is the case. He should've gone much, much farther. Your remarks are great.
And, I was excited when he reemerged later, but soon realized that he had been damaged by the drink. In at least one interview I read or saw at that time he struck me as sad, frustrated, and resentful (I used to be bigger than Burt Reynolds). The interview may have been in TV Guide. I was also struck by the fact that the writer seemed to be mocking McClure, his subject.
If someone has better info that I, I'd be glad to eat my words, but think my take is true.
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LookUpForJoy — 12 years ago(December 18, 2013 11:43 AM)
Doug McClure looked more like a cowboy, I imagine, because he worked as a cowboy on summer vacation in high school years, in Nevada, so said fellow actor James Drury in an interview. He told an amusing story Doug had told him about this: the cowboys in camp at the time saw an approaching dust trail indicating a car driving down the long dirt road as it got closer, they could see it was a police car one by one they left the camp, leaving Doug by himself when the cop car got there, the cop gets out & says, "Are you Doug McClure?" "Yes", he says "Well, your mother says to call her!"
This is a link to a great FaceBook video post:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=633127870041108
A comment on the same FB post by Nic Fewer: "In interviews both Jim and Doug mentioned Ben Johnson as being the BEST rider in Westerns. But as Doug said, what about Trampas? I hope Doug gets into the Cowboy Hall of Fame where he belongs" -
js5905 — 11 years ago(May 31, 2014 11:49 AM)
he was appreciated; but we never knew time was so short. he had great success with the ABC telemovie, 'Shirts/Skins' he was moving onto a new phase in hid television career. just as fast; it was over. even Jim Drury never got over it. it's life; I guess. we still have his many appearences to remember him by.