Post by chaney on May 1, 2010 15:18:05 GMT -5
Richard Harrison (not to be confused with Richard Harris) was a former physique model and trainer at a Vic Tanny gym who did some bit parts in the late 50's then went to Europe to star in gladiator, spy films, and spaghetti westerns. He was offered A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS but turned it down because he had just done a western. When the producers gave him a list of American actors he suggested Clint Eastwood.
Harrison had a small role in MASTER OF THE WORLD, playing the often shirtless henchman who steers the ship. In a recent interview he talked about how he was under contract to AIP and was supposed to have a bigger role but Vincent Price wanted a friend cast in that role. When asked about Charlie, Harrison talked about Bronson for a full paragraph. He did note Charlie was a "strange man".
To paraphrase the rest of the discussion on Charlie, Harrison said Charlie really came on tough to people but Harrison wouldn't let him get away with it with him. The more he didn't put up with Charlie's attitude, the more Charlie softened and wanted to be his friend. They eventually became pals on the set with Charlie even playing a practical joke on Harrison by throwing dirt onto the floor of his dressing room. When Harrison let it be known on the set whoever was responsible needed to clean it up, Charlie got down on his hands and knees and cleaned it up. When he was doing that he pointed out a great looking girl on the set to Harrison. Ironically, it was AIP head Jim Nicholson's daughter, and Harrison eventually met her and married her!
Harrison also remembered Charlie talking about his tough childhood and how messed up his life currently was while one of his "pals" Steve McQueen's career was taking off. The timeline might be a little off as MASTER OF THE WORLD was probably made in 1960 and their conversation seems more suited to when Charlie was doing THE GREAT ESCAPE and Harrison was making movies in Europe as Charlie talked about how he was in love with his best friend David McCallum's wife but was married himself.
Another interesting take on Charlie's personality from someone who worked with him and got to know him better behind the scenes.
Harrison had a small role in MASTER OF THE WORLD, playing the often shirtless henchman who steers the ship. In a recent interview he talked about how he was under contract to AIP and was supposed to have a bigger role but Vincent Price wanted a friend cast in that role. When asked about Charlie, Harrison talked about Bronson for a full paragraph. He did note Charlie was a "strange man".
To paraphrase the rest of the discussion on Charlie, Harrison said Charlie really came on tough to people but Harrison wouldn't let him get away with it with him. The more he didn't put up with Charlie's attitude, the more Charlie softened and wanted to be his friend. They eventually became pals on the set with Charlie even playing a practical joke on Harrison by throwing dirt onto the floor of his dressing room. When Harrison let it be known on the set whoever was responsible needed to clean it up, Charlie got down on his hands and knees and cleaned it up. When he was doing that he pointed out a great looking girl on the set to Harrison. Ironically, it was AIP head Jim Nicholson's daughter, and Harrison eventually met her and married her!
Harrison also remembered Charlie talking about his tough childhood and how messed up his life currently was while one of his "pals" Steve McQueen's career was taking off. The timeline might be a little off as MASTER OF THE WORLD was probably made in 1960 and their conversation seems more suited to when Charlie was doing THE GREAT ESCAPE and Harrison was making movies in Europe as Charlie talked about how he was in love with his best friend David McCallum's wife but was married himself.
Another interesting take on Charlie's personality from someone who worked with him and got to know him better behind the scenes.