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Post by maphillips3 on Dec 25, 2009 17:28:02 GMT -5
I would like to talk about this great tough guy actor. Every time I read up on this guy, I'm more impressed, and feel he is very unappreciated in movie circles. He had a very long career, that spanned 40 years, and got the golden boot award, at the end of his career. This guy was the real deal, when it came to playing a tough guy. He had a troubled youth, that eventually got him thrown in prison(Which he served in Sam Quentin), where he was known as one of the worst prisoners there, but he turned his life around, and made something of his self. I would like discuss his career, and life more with you guys. So I was wondering what you're feeling are about this wonderful actor?
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Post by chaney on Dec 25, 2009 20:20:19 GMT -5
I really like Leo Gordon. Just disappointed that he seemed so unappreciated for the last 20 years or so of his career, though I realize he got more into the screenwriting side of the business. Whenever I get hold of an old 50's or 60's TV show there ultimately comes an episode or two with Leo. He and Clint Walker did one of the greatest fights ever done for TV on an episode of CHEYENNE, all without stunt doubles. Just when you think it's done it goes on for another great minute. Then again.
He was indeed one of the toughest guys that ever stepped in front of a movie camera and it really came across on screen.
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Post by harmonica on Dec 27, 2009 9:03:44 GMT -5
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Post by maphillips3 on Dec 27, 2009 18:03:07 GMT -5
It's really something when guys like "William Smith", speak so highly of him when he talks about, the hardest men in Hollywood, and can't get over Leo making John Wayne look bad, when he made fun of his way of punching in movies, to his face.
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Post by maphillips3 on Jan 23, 2010 17:40:36 GMT -5
What other, of his tough guy exploits, like fights he has been in?
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Post by chaney on Jan 27, 2010 19:43:10 GMT -5
Haven't heard much in the way of Leo Gordon getting into fistfights (probably because everyone was rightfully afraid of him), except when he tossed around both Lee Marvin and Neville Brand for real during GUN FURY.
There's a funny anecdote from William Shatner about working with Leo. Seems they were making a racially explosive film in southern Missouri or Indiana in the early 60's (THE INTRUDER) and weren't too sure the locals were going to be tolerant of their subject matter. Leo opened up his car trunk in front of Shatner and had a full-blown arsenal inside, just in case. Definitely not one to mess with.
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Post by maphillips3 on Feb 6, 2010 16:58:46 GMT -5
Thats a funny story! Do you know of anyone else that has known Leo, that has spoken about him?
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Post by maphillips3 on Feb 14, 2010 15:52:31 GMT -5
People talk about how tough Leo was, but was wondering if anyone knew of his background in fighting, like boxing, judo, wrestling?
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Post by chaney on Feb 15, 2010 17:33:16 GMT -5
I read somewhere that Leo boxed in the Army and was heavyweight champion of his division, base, or regiment or something along those lines. He likely learned judo in the Army as well during World War II. I recall seeing him doing judo moves with Bruce Tegner (a noted judo instructor) on an episode of "Get Smart"from the mid 60's. I always picture Leo as a bare-knuckle bar or back alley brawler though.
I'd say he probably had a solid boxing background. Of course, back then all those guys put gloves on to take a workout at the gym. Could you imagine Leo Gordon doing yoga or Pilates?
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Post by chaney on Mar 26, 2010 11:30:46 GMT -5
Believe he was arrested or detained around 1959 for assault in a New York bar. He got into an argument of some sort with another guy who pulled a gun on him. Leo pummelled the guy and nearly choked him to death. The guy pressed charges but I believe they were dropped since he was the one who had pulled a gun. I wrote this down once in a notebook but now can't remember where the source was only the story itself.
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Post by maphillips3 on May 18, 2010 15:48:17 GMT -5
Man, you think when you pull a gun on someone, you have the upper hand, and they tremble in fear, but you never think that they will man up, and beat the hell out of you, and nearly choke you to death! Know wonder "William Smith" said he was the TOUGHEST of his era in Hollywood.
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Post by maphillips3 on Jun 8, 2010 16:13:28 GMT -5
I love these Leo Gorden stories! I'm pretty sure there are more, especially during his stint in "Sam Quentin". I wonder if anyone knows of these stories.
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Post by leo gordon fan on Jul 24, 2012 3:16:32 GMT -5
ca n't remember where I read it but it said that on Hondo John Wayne told Gordon how to fall back when gut shot and Gordon said no you just go down so possibly he got shot during a robbery, In the book the Bad Guys he is decribed as a loner in his trailer typing out stories. In Johnny Concho coward Sinatra is fleeing town to escape William Conrad when he runs into brothers Claude Akins and Leo Gordon who also are after him. now there's a nightmare. The new release Maverick 1st season had several episodes where he plays sort of good guy Maverick big mike mccomb with an Irish accent. The Gunsmoke also has a good episode with him called Hack Prine. A good actor I always enjoyed seeing. Wish he had had bigger parts. The 50s and 60s were a time of great bad guys. Nobody has replaced them, wonder why.
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Post by elvis fan on Jul 21, 2014 6:04:26 GMT -5
Did you know that Bronson and Leo Gordon knew each other. Leo Gordon wrote the script for the Bronson, Tony Curtis film "You can´t win `em all".
If you go to yahoo and write Charles Bronson and Leo Gordon, then you can see a photo where Bronson and Leo Gordon sit in a chair and enjoying the sun while shooting the movie.
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Post by harmonica on Jul 21, 2014 16:13:29 GMT -5
Did you know that Bronson and Leo Gordon knew each other. Leo Gordon wrote the script for the Bronson, Tony Curtis film "You can´t win `em all". If you go to yahoo and write Charles Bronson and Leo Gordon, then you can see a photo where Bronson and Leo Gordon sit in a chair and enjoying the sun while shooting the movie. Attachments:
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