|
Post by California gal on Jan 6, 2013 15:49:10 GMT -8
I can't remember if we've ever had this topic on this board or not, but I guess it's a good one to bring up again, anyway. The Wild Wild West is of course action-motivated. Jim West's fights and stunts (performed mainly by Robert Conrad) are wonderful to behold. I've been a fan of great stunt work for many years, and it's one reason why I love old B movies and serials. They were often full of it. I'm going to start out with a few of my favorite fights. The extended one in TNOT Vipers, naturally. That's the longest fight in the entire series and well played out by Robert and Red. I don't even notice or care how Jim's shirt goes from being torn to not torn. I also like the one in the ambassador's anteroom in TNOT Surreal McCoy. Jim against several men and he makes a number of moves to overcome the number disparity--moves that make sense. There's one bit where he's being held by 3 men and he deftly wiggles out of it. I relate it to trying to hold a screaming, squirming child. Impossible! ;D In TNOT Arrow, towards the end when Jim is accosted by the colonel and several men. They try to ram his head into a tree trunk. He "runs up" the tree and does a flip. Amazing. And one more, in TNOT Undead, I think it's after Jim and Artie escape from being tied to a steam pipe (or something), they encounter a couple of thugs, and work in unison to defeat them, with Artie yelling, "Jim!" Jim pulls a door closed so that Artie can slam his man into it, head first! Artie could fight too! What's your favorite?
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 6, 2013 19:41:28 GMT -8
I can't remember if we've ever had this topic on this board or not, but I guess it's a good one to bring up again, anyway. The Wild Wild West is of course action-motivated. Jim West's fights and stunts (performed mainly by Robert Conrad) are wonderful to behold. I've been a fan of great stunt work for many years, and it's one reason why I love old B movies and serials. They were often full of it. I'm going to start out with a few of my favorite fights. The extended one in TNOT Vipers, naturally. That's the longest fight in the entire series and well played out by Robert and Red. I don't even notice or care how Jim's shirt goes from being torn to not torn. I also like the one in the ambassador's anteroom in TNOT Surreal McCoy. Jim against several men and he makes a number of moves to overcome the number disparity--moves that make sense. There's one bit where he's being held by 3 men and he deftly wiggles out of it. I relate it to trying to hold a screaming, squirming child. Impossible! ;D In TNOT Arrow, towards the end when Jim is accosted by the colonel and several men. They try to ram his head into a tree trunk. He "runs up" the tree and does a flip. Amazing. And one more, in TNOT Undead, I think it's after Jim and Artie escape from being tied to a steam pipe (or something), they encounter a couple of thugs, and work in unison to defeat them, with Artie yelling, "Jim!" Jim pulls a door closed so that Artie can slam his man into it, head first! Artie could fight too! yes good fight scenes you mention. Which is the one where he went through a wall attacking the bad guys? that's pretty well known scene but good. What's your favorite?
|
|
|
Post by California gal on Jan 7, 2013 7:58:50 GMT -8
That was in Bars of Hell, Miss Gordon. Terrific stunt. Definitely one of the best in the series.
|
|
|
Post by Artiespet on Jan 7, 2013 9:48:30 GMT -8
This is not a fair thread lady lol. I don't have one favorite stunt and I am not sure I can trim the list down to a manageable 10 lol. I did like the stunt with the piano (sorry to hear Robert talk about how Red West was hurt in that one) I just liked all the stunts the guys did their best to make it look like they were doing stunts in a major movie not just on tv where people don't expect the best work.
|
|
|
Post by California gal on Jan 7, 2013 10:23:37 GMT -8
There are so many great ones. You can watch almost any episode and say, oh, that's the best one!
Interestingly, I've always thought of well choreographed stunt fights as a "ballet." In the French interview to which I posted a link in another thread, Robert called them a "violent ballet."
|
|
|
Post by Artiespet on Jan 7, 2013 11:09:40 GMT -8
Violent ballet sounds about right.
|
|
|
Post by piper on Jan 7, 2013 13:07:04 GMT -8
The dive through the wall stunt is on youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN7EdsiF-Yw, along with the fall from the chandelier in "Fugitives". If you watch the slow motion scene through the wall, you'll see the two stunt men who were supposed to break his fall miss and he crashes into the table with his head and neck! It's a wonder any of them lived through the show. Piper
|
|
|
Post by California gal on Jan 7, 2013 13:17:36 GMT -8
|
|
Nydiva
Cadet
ross-martin-remembered.com
Posts: 812
|
Post by Nydiva on Jan 7, 2013 15:55:00 GMT -8
I'm not really that big on stunts or fights, but thought that all were done well (and some really well). So I couldn't possibly single one out...except...perhaps...
Michael Dunn's leap onto the clock tower pendulum in TNT Wizard Shook the Earth. He truly could have done even more damage to his already-overtaxed and injured limbs. That's bravery!
|
|
zimmerman
Book Worm
A nice intelligent Young Gentleman who is always willing to help
Posts: 561
|
Post by zimmerman on Jan 8, 2013 14:26:43 GMT -8
These are just a few of the favorite fight scenes I can recall as of right now:
The opening brawl in TNOT Flying Pie Plate.
The fight in the bar and outside to save Colonel Sanchez from being driven away in a hearse in TNOT Montezuma's Hordes.
The crash-landing fight in TNOT Sudden Plague
The knock-down drag-out brawl in TNOT Egyptian Queen
James fighting off Count Balkavich's heavies after Artie's funny faux-icon scene in TNOT Cossacks.
James fighting Mr. Crane's associates in TNOT Whirring Death.
Fighting off Major Hazard's men after Artie rescues James from sudden death in TNOT Underground Terror (oh, those pants )
Both fight scenes in TNOT Headless Woman, James fighting off Abdul Hassan's men at the syndicate and rescuing Betsy Jeffers from Hassan's men at James Jeffers' house.
Two hallway fight scenes--the elevator fight in TNOT Red-Eyed Madmen and James fighting off Loveless' thugs in TNOT Surreal McCoy.
James fighting off Senator Buckley's sons in the cemetary in TNOT Simian Terror.
James' opening confrontation with Clint Cartwheel and the fight leading up to Victor Freemantle's demise in TNOT Bubbling Death.
Another favorite fight scene of mine is the smashing good fight in the pottery barn in TNOT Assasin. .
|
|
|
Post by LuckyLadybug on Jan 8, 2013 14:57:26 GMT -8
Despite how the sloppy editing makes me scratch my head in bewilderment, I could never not love the crash-landing fight in The Sudden Plague. LOL. Jim plopping on the table will always be priceless.
Weren't there three fights in Headless Woman? The two you mentioned, and then the third, where they returned to the Jeffers' house to get the crooks arrested (after Betsy was taken to the unnamed aunt)?
I also love Jim fighting with Posey's gang in the funeral parlor in The Poisonous Posey. The coffin filled with liquor, Pinto catching Cyril, Pinto lassoing Jim and getting pulled to the floor.... And Brutus missing Jim and knocking that ever-present statue over always gives me a giggle, for some reason.
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 11, 2013 20:24:49 GMT -8
Watch out Gabby Douglas!! Next olympics I'll kick your ***Bet you can't do this one!
|
|
|
Post by piper on Jan 12, 2013 7:58:54 GMT -8
In the clip from TNOT Surreal McCoy if you watch closely you can see RC hurt his right arm/shoulder. He starts out using both arms but about halfway through he has his right arm against his body and is using mostly his left arm. I think I remember Cangey saying that he had a shoulder problem and sometimes it kicked up.
Great clips BTW. Thanks.
Piper
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 12, 2013 8:44:13 GMT -8
Ouch!! That's violent ballet for you! --That's what RC calls his stunts on french interview in '99...
|
|
|
Post by California gal on Jan 12, 2013 12:02:34 GMT -8
I believe Cangey also said that for the fight on the staircase in Circus of Death, they had to choreograph it so that Robert used only one arm because his shoulder was so bad. And they did an excellent job!
|
|
|
Post by apollo on Jan 12, 2013 15:24:34 GMT -8
Yup I read that too CG, and you're right they did an excellent job! ;D
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 13, 2013 21:45:41 GMT -8
hey good one Ace!! nice pic!
|
|
rielle
Book Worm
yeah, THAT smile.
Posts: 497
|
Post by rielle on Jan 14, 2013 7:40:03 GMT -8
I'm with our Admin here, there are so many great stunts throughout the series and I'm thinking right now the ones that make me wince... [as in that must have hurt] are the best, because the viewer really gets pulled into the action.
About fight scenes per se, I don't remember which ep this comes up in, but Jim has a line something like... I'm gonna smooth this guy out... that I just love cause it really gives you an idea what 'this guy' is in for. I'm sure someone knows the ep...
|
|
|
Post by piper on Jan 14, 2013 7:56:34 GMT -8
I was just thinking about that scene from Cossack and here it is! Well done, Ace! You can sure see the pain on RC's face, followed by the rueful grin when he limps into the bar as if he's thinking "chalk up another one" and Ross has to cover his grin back. Also, recognize the stairs and balcony?? Wonder how much a pause that gave RC?
Piper
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 14, 2013 8:17:52 GMT -8
Yeah I thought the exact same thing!! Although he was jumping feet first--didn't see any chandelier--I sure wouldn't want to do another drop from there! Anyone venture to guesss how many feet that is he jumps?
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 14, 2013 22:57:52 GMT -8
Ace you have outdone yourself this time!!! I guess I need to read that book again!! You know when I saw that pic I wondered if it was cangey--but from the back of his head his hair was cut so short for the part i didn't recognize him. And the rest of the guys you really nailed. Whitey I can usually figure out. Sometimes I get Mike McMasters confused with Red West even though I'm sure they look completely different. And you get an A+ on your geometry!!
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 15, 2013 7:18:17 GMT -8
is that whitey that james is slugging n tnot underground terror? is that also whitey on the horse above in headless shot?
|
|
|
Post by arabella on Jan 15, 2013 7:35:17 GMT -8
is that whitey that james is slugging n tnot underground terror? is that also whitey on the horse above in headless shot? Yep, Whitey is getting slugged, Whitey is falling off the horse. Poor Whitey. ;D It was all in a day's work. I love Whitey Hughes--I met him briefly at the '96 AG. He and his wife were just lovely people. He was fearless, honest, straightforward, and made no bones about being a little guy.
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 15, 2013 7:36:18 GMT -8
yeah Ace school is a nightmare but you have to admit the geometry came in handy for these kinds of WWW critical questions.
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 15, 2013 7:42:34 GMT -8
what was whitey like? Just love that guy!! I have to say he always looks different to me so I wasn't sure on those pics. I just look for a smaller guy. thanks for confirming. I loved him when he was on valentine dressed up in red hair and looked soooo crazy!! It seemed like he had no particular purpose in the scene--not particularly effective in getting west--he was just there to look as crazy as possible--and it worked so well!!
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 15, 2013 8:55:07 GMT -8
Thanks Miss Gordon ;D (flashback nightmare of the school years Nooo!!) and in reference to the stunt men, I knew I read it somewhere about that Underground fight scene so it had to be Cangey's book. TNOT Underground Terror Fight Scene Clipthis may be too much reality. but just read a quote from whitey hughes from tom weaver book. Terry Leonard was a sad case. I just got through seein’ him at [stuntman] Jackie Williams’ funeral [April 2007]; he’s been busted up so bad over the years, he’s got two false hips. On one Wild West [The Night of the Underground Terror], we were about to do a fight, and we didn’t have no breakaway chairs that day. All of a sudden I saw this guy Terry Leonard, and I didn’t know who he was, but I thought, “Well, I guess Bob brung him in.” As I was routining the fight, I told Terry, “You pick this chair up over your head like you’re gonna bust Bob, and he’ll give you a punch in the belly. You react to the punch, and drop the chair behind you.” Well, “Action!,” the fight started, the first part of the fight went according to plan, and then Terry picked the chair up over his head and Bob hit him, and Terry came down with that chair and hit Bob right on top of the head [laughs]! A big ol’, oak captain’s chair, and just knocked the pile of excrement out of him! I could tell Bob was about half knocked-out, but he was able to shake the cobwebs out and continue. After the scene was over with, ol’ Bob said, “Who was that son of a bitch who hit me? How’d he get on the show?” I said, “I didn’t bring him on the show, I thought YOU did!” [Laughs] I still don’t know how Terry got on the show, but it was probably through one of our assistant directors, either Charlie Scott or Mike Moder—Mike was guilty once in a while of tryin’ to sneak a stuntman in. Well, little Terry Leonard went on and made himself a top name in the business, and even stunt-coordinated the Wild Wild West movie [1999]. But he got busted every time he DONE somethin’! ;D click link www.youtube.com/watch?v=timgzOFWVQc
|
|
|
Post by California gal on Jan 17, 2013 7:30:08 GMT -8
I think the one rielle refers to is not a fight, but a moment. It's in Eccentrics, when Jim rides up to the gate of the Mexican president's home and the guard won't let him in. He starts to dismount and several other guards show up.
|
|
|
Post by LuckyLadybug on Jan 17, 2013 15:02:37 GMT -8
Awesome fight scenes! Yay! Thank you, Ace!
LOL, Snakes falling in the coffin. Wow, that must be cold, with all that ice.
The only Buckley brother present in the Simian Terror fight scene is Benjamin; who knows who the other people are. Guards, maybe.
And that's a very interesting blurb on the Underground Terror fight.
|
|
|
Post by missgordon on Jan 19, 2013 9:53:27 GMT -8
Poor Nofun he sure got pounded. TNOT Gruesome Games Fight Scene Clip what a great name No Fun!! Gosh how weirf there is William schallert as an old man and now he is 90 yo. wonder if he looks anything like that now!!
|
|
|
Post by LuckyLadybug on Jan 19, 2013 13:21:36 GMT -8
I saw some fairly recent pictures of William Schallert, and he doesn't look anything like that character, even at his current age. He's still clean-shaven and looks very much like he did years ago, just with a few more wrinkles. That man is amazing.
|
|