Lee Marvin's relationship with Bronson

[maphillips3]

I haven't heard much about this topic, but still wondering if anyone can elaborate more, on this subject, because I know both guys worked on a number of pictures, and wondering if their are any quotes from either of the actors, about each other. Thanks!

[chaney]

Lee Marvin's last wife Pamela wrote a book about the man and their relationship, a quite interesting read. In it she mentions Charlie and Jill a few times as acquaintances. At one point the Golan's offered Lee a "Death Wish" sequel but Lee turned them down and told his wife, "That's Charlie's role." He suspected they were trying to bring Charlie's price down.

She also refers to a conversation she once had with Charlie where they talked about how to walk successfully in shoes with a flapping sole. She goes on to mention that later in Lee's life doctors told him he had to quit smoking or else, something Jill told her Charlie was also told. Charlie successfully quit the smokes and increased his running. Lee wasn't able to. When Lee became ill and died she mentions Charlie was one of the people who called and asked if he and Jill could help her in any way.

The two actors certainly crossed paths a number of times, from their mutual first film "You're in the Navy Now", through a Bronson shot on "M-Squad", the long location shoot on "The Dirty Dozen", and then "Death Hunt" in the early 80's. There's a story of a drunk Lee being extremely late for a night shoot on "The Dirty Dozen" with an upset Charlie threatening to punch him out and the producer begging Charlie not to hit Lee in the face, but for the most part they seem to have had a solid friendship.

I recall reading somewhere an interview with Marvin in which he kidded Charlie who was talking up a female during the making of "Dirty Dozen". Charlie was telling the girl about how tough the coal mines were and Lee said something along the lines of, "Christ, Charlie, the coal mines were over 25 years ago!" and pointed out the fact that he was now a nicely dressed movie star sipping a mixed drink in an expensive London bar. Charlie smiled at Lee calling him out.

As Hollywood friendships go, Lee Marvin and Charlie seemed to be on good terms over a long period of time.

[harmonica]

Maybe he wanted to punch him just to sober him up.