re: Tombstone or Wyatt Earp

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however, if val kilmer was doc on wyatt earp, it might be closer.

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Meh. Most people like Quaid's Doc - Doc wasn't the problem in Wyatt Earp. If you're going to fill that much screen time (like most of Costner's project films ) - you need a better plan. Overall, it tells a more comprehensive story of Wyatt Earp's life - no question. But, it loses something over the running time - no question. Too many characters, too much time passing - it would have made a better mini-series with such a broad scope, IMHO.

Tombstone works because it tells a fairly focused story. Wyatt Earp is probably a little closer to history, but neither is a slave to history, nor immune to poetic license.

But to reiterate - Quaid's Doc is one of the best things about Wyatt Earp.

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Isn't there a rumor that Russell himself basically took over the director's chair in the middle of filming?

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Russell himself claims that Cosmatos ghost-directed the film for Russell - at least since Cosmatos' death.

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I'll be your huckleberry.

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UUUUUH No

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val kilmer

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Another tidbit - because Costner was originally involved with Tombstone and left the production - he was able to use his clout to blackball Tombstone and this impacted their casting.

Simultaneously he elevated Wyatt Earp from a mini-series project (as I maintain it should have been) to a feature film.

Tombstone's first choice for Doc was Willem Dafoe. However, coupled with the problems caused by Costner from the competing film, Dafoe was kind of a controversial pick because of his portrayal as the lead in The Last Temptation of Christ. So, they went with their second choice - Val Kilmer.

And I said that the cast of Wyatt Earp, on paper, was better and that's probably true from a pure Hollywood "capital" standpoint.

But, another treat in Tombstone's cast are the little homages to the Western genre (and old Hollywood):

- Robert Mitchum as the narrator (and son Christopher in a small role)

- Although wildly age-inappropriate, having Harry Carey, Jr. as Marshal Fred White, gives this film a direct connection to The Duke and John Ford, plus indirectly, Harry Carey, Sr.

- Buck Taylor (Newly from Gunsmoke, plus, the IRL son of Dub Taylor)

-Charlton Heston (more of an homage to the Golden Age of Hollywood, as Heston did not have an association with the Western genre, but, rather the epic).

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I'll be your huckleberry.


UUUUUH No

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If you are claiming huckle bearer, you're wrong.

Tombstone is the Daisy

I think he is referring to the correct quote,
"I'm your huckleberry"

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I think he is referring to the correct quote, "I'm your huckleberry"

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This is correct.

Tombstone. Doc straight steals it. Classic quotes throughout. Probably one of the few popcorn westerns. Whoever wrote the tin cup scene was brilliant .