Chuck Connors! Ben Johnson! Audie Murphy! Amanda Blake! Dale Robertson! Legends with Steve Stevens
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Working with western legends on screen and off! Actor turned agent Steve Stevens appeared on THE ROY ROGERS SHOW as a teenager. He also appeared in a movie with Chuck Connors. It was before Chuck became known as THE RIFLEMAN. Who would have guessed that the young actor would become Connors’ agent and work on getting him parts for 25 years?
Go behind the scenes with Stevens as he shares little known stories of Amanda Blake getting fired from GUNSMOKE, of Audie Murphy firing guns at church, of working as an agent for Dale Robertson and of his long friendship with Ben Johnson.
This interview took place August 2022 from Steve’s home nestled in the famous movie location in Chatsworth, near the “Lone Ranger Rock.”
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I never cease to be amazed and entertained by the back stories that you and your wonderful guests provide. Thank you so much, Rob, for this show and the work that you do to keep the Western alive for us all.
Thanks, Terry.
Meet Dale Robertson at a antique car auction in Auburn, Indiana.
Offed him a ride in my cart, and spent two hours riding around looking at cars.
He was everything I had ever thought he was, friendly, funny, and gracious.
I cherish that memory!!!
Auburn used to be a automobile manufacturing town, and has a great automobile museum.
Sounds Awesome!!
Another great back story Rob. I grew up in the sixties and these guys were some if my childhood heroes. Chuck Conners was another role model that displayed courage, honesty, determination and an understanding nature dealing with his son.I feel sorry for kids today they have very few good role models to emulate. Keep ‘em coming Rob.
Sensational , Steve Stevens is a treasure. Love the show .
Who knew there were so many intersections with Gunsmoke and so many other actors in westerns and early tv series Steve Filled in with so many stories and details I had never heard before. Fantastic interview thanks for this wonderful program Rob.
PLEASE, PLEASE continue to bring these informative, entertaining interviews.
Countless thanks to A Word On Westerns, for sharing with us all, these marvelous and greatly entertaining, Behind the Scenes videos, interviews, and movies. 👍👍 & 10🌟
😇🙌💖💞
What a sweet, wonderful story of Chuck Connors and that little boy. Agree. Chuck Connors should have been nominated for THE BIG COUNTRY.
He WAS the film. Riveting performance. ❤
Just when you think these interviews can’t get any better… what a super Sunday treat. Thanks Pard, we all needed that.
Another great conversation. I'm so glad these stories are being recorded. Thanks again!
Wow, Rob, what a fantastic interview this was! A Christian networking church in Hollywood, my how times have changed, and not for the better.
Thank you Rob, another outstanding interview! What a great career and life Steve has lived! Love the back stories! Especially the Audie Murphy story! Would love to hear more stories about Audie!
True about Chuck Connors. HE truly gave an AA performance in The Big Country. Peck played Peck too, it wasn’t just Heston who played Heston in that film! Lol
This was awesome Rob I love this commentary really awesome ❤
Rob
I do hope you realize you are bringing happy memories of peoples lives in a better time, back to life. I’m 80 and grew up with these westerns and these stars. Thank you from us all.
God Bless You & yours.
Keep it up!
Thanks, Jimmy. I'm gonna keep 'em movin.'
Always a joy to hear about all those great western stars. Audie Murphy in particular was always a favorite of mine since childhood.
Rob Word, excellent interview, great stories indeed. Thank you very much.
yes please... "Keep ‘em coming Rob"... .. just awesome ! Thank you..
Thank you ⚓
Just great stories.Steve Steven's tells some great ones.
Thanks.
What a wonderful interview! I could listen to Mr. Stevens all day long. Thank you, Mr. Word!
Glad you enjoyed it, Rene. Steve can sure spin a yarn.
@@AWordonWesterns thanks.
So right about Chuck, he should have been nominated and won for his role in the Big Country. Dale was right on with Tarkikoff, Dale was making him good money and a successful series and he should have called him back after the 2nd call at least. IT IS CALLED RESPECT!!! Tarkikoff was a pompous ass! Steve Stevens is a Hollywood sweetie which there are veery few left. Thanks Rob, for another great one.
Wonderful stories in this episode of AWOW by Rob. It’s these little back stories that make me appreciate my many favorite actors even more. Thanks Rob for these interviews on such memorable western actors and actresses. Steve is a world of memories in short stories.
He sure is, Sue. Thanks
A fantastic video to recall and remember the great actors and the special stories that these people gave to us the real heroes of the years past.
A Word on Westerns - the only place you're going to find these priceless stories. Thanks, Rob!
Thanks, Gary
Yes another great interview Rob
I was surprised when I learned that Audie Murphy was in a movie titled "Gunsmoke". It wasn't the same story as the radio and television series.
It’s a good movie too!!
Another , " GREAT ONE " !!! Thanx Mr Word .
Now I learned something about Amanda Blake's exit from Gunsmoke. It was her wardrobe!
Wonderful interview again thanks Rob, and loved hearing more about Dale Robertson!
Terrific, what a great interview again about those legends, we grew up with! Thank you!
Wow. During these times of trials and tribulations Rob, thank you for a great Sunday morning. Oh by the way I identify as a male. It’s Miller time. 🇺🇸🖖
Me too. Although I'm pretty sure I could still be a star at women's softball if I decided to put on a skirt for seven innings. Long as I didn't hafta shave my legs or use the can .
Thanks for sharing another great interview. I love these so much.
I agree about chuck Connors in the Big Country, his performance as Buck Hennessy was excellent and deserved a nomination .☘️
It sure did, Derek! Thanks
Chuck Connors was one of my childhood heroes. I always considered him one of the good guys. This story about him only reinforces my belief. Considering what Audi Murphy had been through, shooting into the air instead of into the drunk tells me he was a heroically well adjusted veteran. Dale Robertson was another vet I admired. I would watch Tales of Wells Fargo while eating my supper on a TV tray. Being a Florida native, I also remember watching Everglades as a kid. That was quite a flashback. Great interview with Steve Stevens, Rob; even greater memories.
Thanks, Col
@@AWordonWesterns I meant Dale Robertson (though Dale Evans would have given the Axis hell, I'm sure). I fixed it.
Can't find the words to express how much I enjoyed this interview about some of my favorite actors. Audie Murphy, Ben Johnson and Dale Robertson in particular. They were regular, down to earth guys who didn't let the bright lights blind them. Still watch The Rifleman regularly. Have been binge watching How the West was Won. One of your best, Rob.
I cannot recommend highly enough, Don Graham's book on Audie Murphy, called "No Name on the Bullet." It shines a light on Audie's post-war life.
This is a splendid interview. I could listen to these stories all day. Thank you!
Another good read is "A Thinker's Damn" about Audie Murphy in Vietnam during the filming of "The Quiet American".
I read it and recommend it too. Along with Audie's ghost written autobiography "To Hell and Back". Guys I met (in Germany where I was stationed) who were members of the 3rd Infantry Division (Audie's unit) still took a lot of pride in Audie's heroics even decades after those events. My guess is they still do.
Right you are, Ace. That's the book to get!
I'm going to look into that one, Buxx. Thanks
Audie Murphy died in 1971 and PTSD wasn't recognized as a condition until 1980. But it's clear that he suffered from it. One symptom is that if someone accosts you or harangues you and refuses to back off, you're liable to explode. That's what happened in the story Steve told.
Another interesting interview. Many thanks, Rob, RJ and Team AWOW. Best of health to you all.
Thanks, Arline. Best to you, too.
@@AWordonWesterns 👍🐎👍
Great stuff Rob, good job. I agree completely about Jim's hair in that first movie
As always great guests with insights! Rob you never disappoint me. Thank You!
Thank you Rob
Ben Johnson was a great actor. Steve stevens. Your stories are wonderful. Westerns should still be around. It’s a shame that producers and directors don’t see things from an actors view
Hard to imagine a better interview than A Word on Westerns. Thanks Mr. Word
Thanks, Johny.
This was another great interview. I watched all of the shows that Dale Robertson, Chuck Conners, Doug McClure and others mentioned in the stories Steve Stevens told. I saw many of Audie Murphy’s movies. Knowing who these stars were made the interview more meaningful. Thanks Rob for bringing back my memories of those actors I loved to watch as a youngster.
Wow that was great ! I like hearing these stories.
Glad to hear Chuck Connors was such a nice man , I had heard the opposite about him before.
My mom dad and grandpa were HUGE Audie Murphy fans and that made me into one. Any stories about him really peak my interest.
Ben Johnson is another favorite of mine , one of the best actors of all time to me.
Bring him back again I would love to hear some Slim Pickens stories :)
I have never heard a bad story about Chuck Connors.
@@williambilyeu9801 It was prolly a bunch of BS I heard and it was a long time ago.
Another great show
Fantastic reminisces. My wife and I ran into Chuck Conners at a Great Western Gun Show. He was by himself and in his "Thrillseekers" jacket just taking in the gun displays. He was so nice and personable, my wife was enamored with him and would not let him go until he got a hug and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He loved that I was a firefighter and a civil war reenactor. You mentioned Roy, got to shoot trap with him at the Apple Valley Gun Club and he almost cursed when grabbing a hot shotgun barrel..."too many movie moves grabbing a gun" we laughed. Paid my respects at Audie Murphy's grave several times. Only grave in Arlington with the flag on it 365 days a year.
I vividly remember meeting Chuck Connors as a little kid and it was the same scene from Old Yeller, scanning slowly up and up to his face looking down at me.
I just love these videos. Steve Stevens is another person (as are you, Rob) who should write a book about his life and stories about the people he worked and was associated with. Thanks Rob, great video, as always.
Thanks, Eric. Maybe if I stop working on this series (30 hours a week minimum) I'd have time to compile some of the interviews into a book. Of course, more people are watching our shows than would read a book. While a book might sell 5,000 copies, we're averaging 100,000 views a day due to our backlog of "timeless" interviews on westerns. Sounds relaxing, though.
I love listening to Steve's stories, what a great guy!!! 🌼❤️🌼
Thanks.
Thanks Rob, childhood memories 😊
Whoa, was that Pernell Roberts on Amanda's arm in that photo?
Too good for Bonanza but not to do a later guest shot on Gunsmoke when that exalted (better than Newman or Brando) film career didn't pan out?
Very cool. it is nice to take a step back and forget for a second that the world is coming apart. thanks
I don't remember Steve Stevens as an actor ,but I remember reading his name in the credits. Like many in your audience I enjoy the hows and whys of the making of many movies and TV shows. Your guest involvements with many of the performers in what are now known as classics, givens an intimate and personal behind the scenes look at the people and the how and why of the way things happened in the business. A very enjoyable conversation.
Just the best! Thanks for another great show ❤
Glad you enjoy them, Christine. Thanks
Looks like an awesome episode. As always, thanks, Rob.
I wasn’t let down. Great!
It seems that in every room in the house of showbiz, everybody knows everybody. It certainly is in my small room of magic, but no one is all that interested. Being of the generation that was hooked on westerns both in film and TV, we love hearing stories of that relatively small community, and Steve has a lifetime of great stories. Because the products of the era of westerns were so widespread and popular, people often lose sight of the fact that these were people doing a job like in any business and, like in any business, many excelled at that job. Steve apparently worked with a lot of those who did excel, making this a GREAT interview! Thank you VERY much for this job well done! On another matter, I finally got a chance to watch "Top Hand," which was discussed last week. I really enjoyed it. The story wasn't all that original, but it was visually fantastic (especially considering that it's a "Bonanza" episode), and the acting was top-notch. The opening titles credited William Claxton as the director, rather than Bill Witney. Is there more to that story, or was it just a matter of misremembering something (happens to me all the time these days)? I don't know much about Claxton. I know he did a lot of TV, and I'm pretty sure he was involved in the "SNAFU" cartoons by Chuck Jones and Ted Geisel during WWll. Thanks again, Rob!
TOP HAND had so much good riding and action that I thought it was Witney. I just checked too. You’re right, it was Claxton. Thanks.
Great interview Rob, thanks for sharing!
Great show.Happy Trails
Grerat! love the inside baseball (hollywood) stuff!
Another *great* interview, Rob! Your guests always share the *best* stories.
Question: In the picture of you with Dale Roberston, is that Henry Calvin standing next to Bo Hopkins?
That’s Dale Berry. Actor, friend from Texas.
wonderful program.
Connors was indeed terrific in "The Big Country" as the (ultimately as it turned out) cowardly villain, Buck Hennessy. I thought that mustache he wore in it was so cool, that years later when I could conjure up the necessary facial hair, I grew one just like it. And one of the best compliments I ever had was when a gal (who musta seen the film too cuz Connors was clean shaven in almost everything else he did), told me I looked just like Chuck Connors!
My word what a group of fine actors you worked with.
Funny how punks in the front office could destroy a real western star! Such a shame. Loved the Audie story. ‘Shell shock’ not understood very well back then
Actually "shell shock" was a World War One term to describe what we now refer to as PTSD, so they understood it very well back then a hundred years ago. It was later called "battle fatigue" during the Second World War when Audie served.
Looking forward to more episodes with Steve.
That was a Great Segment!
Thank you!!
I remember meeting Ben Johnson in San Antonio one time. And his brother. Big men with bigger hearts ❤️ 👍
I am in awe at the greatest series both The Rifleman and Gunsmoke. I loved The Rifleman. Audie was an American hero….speechless. Thank you so much buddy. You always deliver the best!
I love this. I'd like to hug Chuck Connors too! Great guy
Excellent content keep these conversations coming
Dale Robertson's show was up against Jake and the Fatman, so maybe not being such a slam dunk after all possibly because the Fatman was played by Bill Conrad. Another Western icon who did Gunsmoke on radio, a highly successful series that started before and for years ran concurrently with the TV version. One that stayed strong in ratings long after radio drama had been usurped by The Tube, and so a testament to how good the show was with that great cast it had, headed by Bill as Matt Dillon, Parley Baer as Chester (Proudfoot not Goode), Howard McNeer as Doc, Georgia Ellis as Kitty, plus the hugely talented regulars playing various different parts every show that included John Dehner, Larry Dobkin and Harry Bartell.
Great stories !!!
Glad you like them!
Brilliant interview and such a wonderful insight into Westerns and the Stars at each side of the Camera 🙂
Very informative episode, Rob. I loved hearing everything Steve Stevens had to say about these actors from the past. I have a greater appreciation for Chuck Connors now, for sure.
Thanks
THANK YOU MR. STEVENS!
Thank you.
Thanks.
He mentioned, Strother Martin. He's famous for that quote from "Cool Hand Luke." He said, " What we have here is failure to communicate. " People would say that line so many times for many years.
Another great video and interview , keep em coming Rob.
Another great episode Rob!
Thanks, Chris
Outstanding interview thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, Roger. Thanks
Great interview again Rob. Only you could get these guys with your knowledge of the industry and the trust these people that know you place in you!
Thanks, Joe. I tell 'em all that it's just going to be a conversation and am able to let them share such wonderful memories.
Thanks again Rob for these behind the scenes stories of our favourite Western stars it makes them so relatable. Ben Johnson seemed like a wonderful guy. People like Timothy bottoms who worked with Ben would say they just loved working with him.
This is the truly unusual and great element of your channel. You find these hidden gems like Steve Stevens. I never thought I'd wanna watch an interview with an agent. But this guy kept the careers of the stars behind the stars alive, and had so much affection for them. The hidden ingredients, the special sauce of westerns were these character actors. And the guy who kept their carrers alive. Also,you were in pretty tall cotten being on a rodeo team with Ben Johnson my friend.
🔨nailed it 👍
That’s amazing how Chuck could spot someone else and say that one day that this person was going to be a star and nobody should ever have bothered Audie he had lost too many buddies in WW2 and at Anzio Daddy and Audie did a job total business and that’s it my Dad said you don’t ever bother him he went through too much during the War but he went through a lot before the war bigger problem!
Another great interview, Rob! I am a fan of all these people. 👍👍
The first movie I saw in an indoor theater was "The Big Country" and I tried to pattern my behavior in life after Jim McKay (Gregory Peck's character). I love that movie.
Audie Murphy was a true hero. He admitted in "To Hell and Back" that he lost himself in World War II. He shot dozens of Germans, not giving them a chance to surrender. It was just after a false surrender where a German killed a friend after pretending to surrender. (A similar experience happened to Sargent Alvin York in World War I.)
Love your videos and interviews. I was born in 1959 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and grew up watching all those wonderful TV shows: "Bronco", "Cheyenne", "Maverick", "Lawman", "The High Chaparral", "Wanted: Dead or Alive", etc. Thanks for this episode that brought back wonderful memories of two of my favourite shows: "The Rifleman" and "Branded" with the great Chuck Connors! I am very glad I was born around that time.
Glad you were, too. I'm also glad you enjoy the work we do and the tributes to western filmmakers. Thanks!!
@@AWordonWesterns You are welcome!
You are welcome!@@AWordonWesterns
Another incredible video!
Great stuff.
Most interesting interview I've seen in a while. Nice job!!
Thanks, xx. Steve has some wonderful memories and I'm sure glad he shared them with all of us.
Thanks
Another Good one Rob!
Ya its probably not a good idea to Continue to pester the War Hero for an autograph.
You might get more to remember him by than you wanted.
Best Wishes to You and your Son from Montana! M.H.
These interview are all amazing, especially for me since I grew up watching most of these films and tv shows in the 60s. Fascinating.
Thanks, Tom. Glad you enjoy them.
It must of been sometime in the 1980's that Mr. Conners was here in Nashville and it must of been some kind of meet and greet. My father in law went and waited and was able to meet him and he sign somethings for him. He said he was such a nice and polite man.
Thanks, Roberta. Nice to hear that.
👍👍
Great show Rob!!!!
I can't believe I just commented on a different video how great Chuck Connors was in The Big Country.
Need more of these
Great thanks
Chuck Connors playing bad guy, "Slow Boy," in Police Story was a very underrated performance; maybe because it was "just" TV.
Only the fans *did* care. That black hair and sideburns on Jim Arness were as ridiculously phony as Tim Conway's Boss Tudball, with that errant hairpiece that was always flying off when he sneezed. Only Conway did it for laughs.
I agree, I hated the look they gave Arness for the 1987 movie
Rob,
I have messaged you before on quite a few other occasions,
but none have been this kind of important !
A number of years ago, long before my accident which left me paralyzed from my neck down,
I owned a charter aircraft, and limousine service in Naples, Florida,
I had the pleasure of working with "Chuck" Connors, and subsequently, he had requested me as his regular driver.
After the first time I picked him up in one of our stretch limousines, Chuck asked if I had anything a little less over the top, more like a standard sedan.
We of course did !
Before I could manage to get out, and get to open the back door of the car for him at the airport, Chuck had already had the front door opened, and was getting in the car, we ended up having some of the best conversations on our trips from Fort Myers RSW Airport, on the way back to Naples !
He was my childhood hero, and ended up being someone far easier to talk to, than I could have ever imagined !
I never knew Steve was his agent until right at this very moment Rob !
Sadly, Chuck became very sick shortly after those years, and we lost Chuck soon after !
What wonderful inside detailed stories Rob !
Without the work that you do Rob, every bit of this world be lost forever !
Thank you SO MUCH for every single feature that you do Rob !
Was this interview done recently ?
Hi, quads. Thank you for sharing your memories of Chuck. I met him but never had the pleasure of spending much time with him. Yes, the interview with Steve is recent, only done last Fall. He was just moving away from his home to live with his son and family in Texas. He's a long time friend who had an amazing career. Glad you enjoy our shows.
@@AWordonWesterns
I can only thank you again Rob !
Would you have a way to contact Steve since his recent move ?
And would there be an appropriate way for me to be able to write him myself with his permission ?
I would never want to intrude on his personal life in any way whatsoever !
Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Ray Parsons
( quadsman )
@@quadsman11 I talked with Steve just the other day, Ray. He alerted me that his episode of ZORRO "Man with a Whip" will be airing on GRIT the morning of Sept 23. Steve reads these comments. I'll make sure he sees this to connect you two. Best to you. Rob