Today marks the 13th anniversary of Dub's death, which really, marks a celebration of his life. My father will have passed away six years ago in February, and I understand that kind of loss -- it's hard. But these kind of dates, while sad, give us a moment to reflect on the lives that they did have, the legacy they left behind.
That's really what this project is about, it's a celebration of life, a celebration of the small moments that are oft forgotten, but remembered by those who were there, who respected them, and were participants in that memory. The legacy lives on in the lives that they impact, their friends, families, and admirers. You can see Dub's final work, Maverick, on TNT this Saturday at 1:30 P.M.
Take today as a reminder of the kind of life you want to live, and look to Dub's example -- do everything as much as you can, when you can, while you can.
James
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Roger Ebert Calls Dub Taylor "Great"
In his review of "3:10 to Yuma," Roger Ebert briefly mentions Dub Taylor and the importance of character actors:
To see the full review, click here.
Westerns used to be the showcases of great character actors, of whom I was lucky enough to meet Dub Taylor, Jack Elam, Chill Wills, Ben Johnson and, when she wasn't doing a million other things, Shelley Winters. "3:10 to Yuma" has two roles that need a special character flavor and fills them perfectly. Peter Fonda plays McElroy, a professional bounty hunter who would rather claim the price on Ben Wade's head than let the government execute him for free. And Ben Foster plays Charlie Prince, the second-in-command of Wade's gang, who seems half in love with Wade, or maybe Charlie's half-aware that's he's all in love. Wade would know which, and wouldn't care, except as material for his study of human nature.
To see the full review, click here.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
3:10 to Yuma in Theaters Friday, The Mist Trailer Online
Be sure to check out James Mangold's Western, 3:10 to Yuma, in theaters this Friday. Matt Taylor, grandson of Dub Taylor, did stunts for the film. And, not to mention, we're thrilled to see a big old fashioned Western back in theaters.
Additionally, you can see the trailer for Buck Taylor's The Mist, directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile"), in theaters this November on Yahoo! Movies. Buck is the son of Dub Taylor and father of Matt Taylor.
Congratulations to them both!
- James
Additionally, you can see the trailer for Buck Taylor's The Mist, directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile"), in theaters this November on Yahoo! Movies. Buck is the son of Dub Taylor and father of Matt Taylor.
Congratulations to them both!
- James
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Long Time, No Talk
Hey guys -
I know it's been a while since I updated this, so here's a brief update:
1) The first screening in Augusta, GA was a huge success, we were overcapacity! They had to bring chairs into the lobby to accomadate the crowd. In fact, the folks at the Morris Museum told us that this was the largest showing for an event that they could remember. Thanks for your support!
2) We're still shooting. There are people who still want to do interviews and people we still want to join us. Why wouldn't we? The more the merrier, right? This week, we're off to Indiana to go interview rocker John "Cougar" Mellencamp...that's right...THE John Mellencamp. He directed and acted with Dub in the 1992 Columbia Pictures' film "Falling from Grace." In the upcoming weeks, we're hoping to line up a few more people that are in the works. Naturally, I'll post them here as they are confirmed, I wouldn't want to get anyone's hopes up. My emotions are toyed with enough, no need to get you guys involved...
3) We don't have a distributor yet, because frankly, we're not at the point where we're ready to present the project yet. The Taylor Family has seen the rough cut and we're encouraged by their response. When everything is worked out and everything is ready, trust me, the blog will be the first place you'll hear about it.
I certainly hope by this time next year, the world will be reminded of the fantastic career of Dub Taylor, a true story of inspiration for anyone from a small town who wanted to make it in the world.
I know it's been a while since I updated this, so here's a brief update:
1) The first screening in Augusta, GA was a huge success, we were overcapacity! They had to bring chairs into the lobby to accomadate the crowd. In fact, the folks at the Morris Museum told us that this was the largest showing for an event that they could remember. Thanks for your support!
2) We're still shooting. There are people who still want to do interviews and people we still want to join us. Why wouldn't we? The more the merrier, right? This week, we're off to Indiana to go interview rocker John "Cougar" Mellencamp...that's right...THE John Mellencamp. He directed and acted with Dub in the 1992 Columbia Pictures' film "Falling from Grace." In the upcoming weeks, we're hoping to line up a few more people that are in the works. Naturally, I'll post them here as they are confirmed, I wouldn't want to get anyone's hopes up. My emotions are toyed with enough, no need to get you guys involved...
3) We don't have a distributor yet, because frankly, we're not at the point where we're ready to present the project yet. The Taylor Family has seen the rough cut and we're encouraged by their response. When everything is worked out and everything is ready, trust me, the blog will be the first place you'll hear about it.
I certainly hope by this time next year, the world will be reminded of the fantastic career of Dub Taylor, a true story of inspiration for anyone from a small town who wanted to make it in the world.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Project Update
Hey guys, thanks for your continued support! We do read your emails and try to respond to each of them. For the meantime, we've got a few things in the pipeline, but one of our biggest pieces of news?
Next Friday, the 15th, we're interviewing John Mellencamp, who worked with Dub on the film "Falling from Grace," one of his last works. We'll be going to his studio in Indiana for the interview, and we can't be more thrilled. Everyone over at Hoffman Entertainment has been more than gracious and helpful to get this integral interview.
Additionally, we're looking at our distribution options now that we've had a little time to step away from the grind and observe the picture we have made. We're sending out letters, emails, and doing everything we can to help the project out.
If you work for a magazine, media outlet, or are in a position where you can help us get this project distributed, please message us! We'll be glad to do interviews, talk to your people, etc. to make this thing happen. It's been a true labor of love for us, and we really want to make sure the public gets the chance to be reminded of the career of Dub Taylor.
Fortunately, there is interest in the project, it's just a matter of grabbing the buzz.
Next Friday, the 15th, we're interviewing John Mellencamp, who worked with Dub on the film "Falling from Grace," one of his last works. We'll be going to his studio in Indiana for the interview, and we can't be more thrilled. Everyone over at Hoffman Entertainment has been more than gracious and helpful to get this integral interview.
Additionally, we're looking at our distribution options now that we've had a little time to step away from the grind and observe the picture we have made. We're sending out letters, emails, and doing everything we can to help the project out.
If you work for a magazine, media outlet, or are in a position where you can help us get this project distributed, please message us! We'll be glad to do interviews, talk to your people, etc. to make this thing happen. It's been a true labor of love for us, and we really want to make sure the public gets the chance to be reminded of the career of Dub Taylor.
Fortunately, there is interest in the project, it's just a matter of grabbing the buzz.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Hotels for the Premiere
If you're planning on attending the premiere (and it is public and free admission), but you're coming in from out of town, here are a few hotels and numbers for your information. I would advise making reservations ASAP, as we can't confirm avaliability. All of the following are within a five mile radius of the Morris Museum of Art.
Marriott Augusta Hotel and Suites: (706) 722-8900
Ramada Hotel and Convention Center: (706) 722-5541
Comfort Inn Augusta: (706) 722-2224
Partridge Inn: (706) 737-8888
Fairfield Inn by Mariott: (706) 733-8200
Courtyard by Mariott: (706) 737-3737
Country Inn and Suites: (706) 736-8988
Sleep Inn Augusta: (706) 738-7473
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Marriott Augusta Hotel and Suites: (706) 722-8900
Ramada Hotel and Convention Center: (706) 722-5541
Comfort Inn Augusta: (706) 722-2224
Partridge Inn: (706) 737-8888
Fairfield Inn by Mariott: (706) 733-8200
Courtyard by Mariott: (706) 737-3737
Country Inn and Suites: (706) 736-8988
Sleep Inn Augusta: (706) 738-7473
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Friday, April 6, 2007
WORLD PREMIERE FOR GROUNDBREAKING DOCUMENTARY "THAT GUY: THE LEGACY OF DUB TAYLOR" AT THE MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA ON APRIL 14TH, 2007
(PRLEAP.COM) On April 14th, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art, JamesWorks Entertainment presents the Professor Pauper production of "That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor," a ground-breaking documentary about Walter Clarence "Dub Taylor," a character actor from Augusta, Georgia. Taylor is credited with acting in more than 200 films and television shows, and was most well known for his portrayal as Michael J. Pollard’s double-crossing father in "Bonnie & Clyde."
However, most people who’ve seen Taylor on film never remember his name after the credits roll. The well-respected character actor, with an active, six-decade career, never played a lead role in a major motion picture.
"He pops up in everything," Director Mark Ezra Stokes said.
“I had never heard of him before Mark brought this project to me in May of last year,” explained Executive Producer and JamesWorks Entertainment Chairman James Kicklighter. “But you know, there are so many talented actors and actresses in movies past and present that seem to have small, insignificant parts upon first viewing. When we look at them in retrospect, we realize that their role was the part that made the movie work."
Taylor’s last role was a cameo in the 1994 blockbuster, "Maverick," starring Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson.
Taylor’s recurrence in popular films without gaining notoriety among the average American moviegoer is what fascinated Stokes in the first place. Former Georgia State Representative Roger Byrd, a producer on the film, first brought the man to his attention.
"Roger is the biggest film buff in the world," Stokes said. "Like most people, I had no idea who he was talking about, and then he showed me a picture of him and I was like, ‘Oh, that guy.’ In fact, that’s what everyone says about him when they see him: ‘Oh, that guy.’ And that’s going to be the name of the film: That Guy," Stokes said.
The much buzzed feature "That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor" will premiere in Taylor’s hometown of Augusta, Georgia on April 14, 2007 at the Morris Museum of Art. This film has taken Stokes and Assistant Director and Executive Producer James Kicklighter big places, interviewing Taylor’s friends and co-workers, including director David Zucker (“Airplane,” “The Naked Gun,” “Scary Movie 4”), Don Collier (“The High Chaparral,” “Little House on the Prairie”), Dixie Carter (“Desperate Housewives,” “Designing Women”), the Grammy-winning Riders in the Sky (“Monsters, Inc,” “Toy Story 2,” “Cars”), Cheryl Rogers-Barnett (daughter of Roy Rogers), novelist Bill Gulick (“The Hallelujah Trail,” “Snake River Country”), Emmy Award Winning Stunt Coordinator and Grandson of Dub Taylor, Matt Taylor (“24,” “Déjà Vu,” “Kill Bill: Vol. 2”), son of Dub Taylor, Buck Taylor (“Gunsmoke,” “The Alamo,” “Comanche Moon”), among many others. Additionally, the project has already received affirmation from several in the film industry, including Peter Fonda (“3:10 to Yuma,” “Wild Hogs,” “Ghost Rider”) and Bill Cosby (“The Cosby Show”), with assistance from Academy Award winner Dana Adam Shapiro (“Murderball”). Christa Maerker (“Die Schweizermacher"), an award-winning German documentary filmmaker, also serves as Supervising Producer for the project.
Another unique feature of this film is that the feature-length documentary is counted as the first in-depth look at a man who most in the industry knew and respected, but was content to stay out of the limelight.
"Dub didn’t want awards; that wasn’t his goal. He just wanted to make enough money to support his family and his hobbies; hunting and fishing," Stokes said. "His family has been very supportive of the film, and his son, Buck, and grandchildren, Matt and Cooper, have interviewed for the film.”
"If there is one thing that I hope viewers get out of the film, it’s that you don’t have to be Paul Newman or Nicole Kidman to be famous. Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood are the ones you can’t name." said Kicklighter.
For more information, visit the official websites at http://www.thatdub.com/, http://myspace.com/jamesworks, or http://www.youtube.com/jamesworks. Additionally, Facebook users can join group “That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor."
The World Premiere is on April 14, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia, with a reception at 6:00 p.m. For more information about the viewing at the Morris Museum of Art call 706-724-7501 or look online at www.themorris.org/calendar/events_performance.html. The museum is located on 1 Tenth St. in Augusta.
"That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor" is directed by Mark Ezra Stokes. The Executive Producers are Stokes, James Kicklighter ("The 1 Second Film"), and Kasey Ray-Stokes. The Producers are Angelo Castillo and Roger Byrd. The Supervising Producer is Christa Maerker ("Die Schweizermacher"). Kicklighter is the Assistant Director. The Directors of Photography are Angelo Castillo, Chris Clark, and J. Lawrence Williams.
=========
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kelley M. Arnold
JamesWorks Entertainment
karnold@bpc.edu
912-583-3263
http://www.thatdub.com/
However, most people who’ve seen Taylor on film never remember his name after the credits roll. The well-respected character actor, with an active, six-decade career, never played a lead role in a major motion picture.
"He pops up in everything," Director Mark Ezra Stokes said.
“I had never heard of him before Mark brought this project to me in May of last year,” explained Executive Producer and JamesWorks Entertainment Chairman James Kicklighter. “But you know, there are so many talented actors and actresses in movies past and present that seem to have small, insignificant parts upon first viewing. When we look at them in retrospect, we realize that their role was the part that made the movie work."
Taylor’s last role was a cameo in the 1994 blockbuster, "Maverick," starring Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson.
Taylor’s recurrence in popular films without gaining notoriety among the average American moviegoer is what fascinated Stokes in the first place. Former Georgia State Representative Roger Byrd, a producer on the film, first brought the man to his attention.
"Roger is the biggest film buff in the world," Stokes said. "Like most people, I had no idea who he was talking about, and then he showed me a picture of him and I was like, ‘Oh, that guy.’ In fact, that’s what everyone says about him when they see him: ‘Oh, that guy.’ And that’s going to be the name of the film: That Guy," Stokes said.
The much buzzed feature "That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor" will premiere in Taylor’s hometown of Augusta, Georgia on April 14, 2007 at the Morris Museum of Art. This film has taken Stokes and Assistant Director and Executive Producer James Kicklighter big places, interviewing Taylor’s friends and co-workers, including director David Zucker (“Airplane,” “The Naked Gun,” “Scary Movie 4”), Don Collier (“The High Chaparral,” “Little House on the Prairie”), Dixie Carter (“Desperate Housewives,” “Designing Women”), the Grammy-winning Riders in the Sky (“Monsters, Inc,” “Toy Story 2,” “Cars”), Cheryl Rogers-Barnett (daughter of Roy Rogers), novelist Bill Gulick (“The Hallelujah Trail,” “Snake River Country”), Emmy Award Winning Stunt Coordinator and Grandson of Dub Taylor, Matt Taylor (“24,” “Déjà Vu,” “Kill Bill: Vol. 2”), son of Dub Taylor, Buck Taylor (“Gunsmoke,” “The Alamo,” “Comanche Moon”), among many others. Additionally, the project has already received affirmation from several in the film industry, including Peter Fonda (“3:10 to Yuma,” “Wild Hogs,” “Ghost Rider”) and Bill Cosby (“The Cosby Show”), with assistance from Academy Award winner Dana Adam Shapiro (“Murderball”). Christa Maerker (“Die Schweizermacher"), an award-winning German documentary filmmaker, also serves as Supervising Producer for the project.
Another unique feature of this film is that the feature-length documentary is counted as the first in-depth look at a man who most in the industry knew and respected, but was content to stay out of the limelight.
"Dub didn’t want awards; that wasn’t his goal. He just wanted to make enough money to support his family and his hobbies; hunting and fishing," Stokes said. "His family has been very supportive of the film, and his son, Buck, and grandchildren, Matt and Cooper, have interviewed for the film.”
"If there is one thing that I hope viewers get out of the film, it’s that you don’t have to be Paul Newman or Nicole Kidman to be famous. Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood are the ones you can’t name." said Kicklighter.
For more information, visit the official websites at http://www.thatdub.com/, http://myspace.com/jamesworks, or http://www.youtube.com/jamesworks. Additionally, Facebook users can join group “That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor."
The World Premiere is on April 14, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia, with a reception at 6:00 p.m. For more information about the viewing at the Morris Museum of Art call 706-724-7501 or look online at www.themorris.org/calendar/events_performance.html. The museum is located on 1 Tenth St. in Augusta.
"That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor" is directed by Mark Ezra Stokes. The Executive Producers are Stokes, James Kicklighter ("The 1 Second Film"), and Kasey Ray-Stokes. The Producers are Angelo Castillo and Roger Byrd. The Supervising Producer is Christa Maerker ("Die Schweizermacher"). Kicklighter is the Assistant Director. The Directors of Photography are Angelo Castillo, Chris Clark, and J. Lawrence Williams.
=========
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kelley M. Arnold
JamesWorks Entertainment
karnold@bpc.edu
912-583-3263
http://www.thatdub.com/
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Test Screening #1
The public is invited to a Test Screening of the Working Cut of "That Guy: the Legacy of Dub Taylor" at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia's Russell Union Auditorium on Sunday at 4:00 pm with Executive Producers Mark Ezra-Stokes, James Kicklighter, and Kasey Ray-Stokes on hand, as well as Editor Phillip Elder. The screening is free will require the audience to fill out feedback forms afterwards to prepare for the premiere on April 14th, 2007. Additionally, there will be a Question/Answer session afterwards with the filmmakers. This is NOT a press event.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Happy Birthday, Dub!
On February 26, 1907, Dub Taylor came into the world. Who knew that he would go on to star in over 500 film and television series? What do you remember from his astounding career?
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Mason-Dixon Wild West
At the end of Deb Goodrich's February 19th blog, she wrote:
"There is a documentary in the works on screen legend, Dub Taylor. Called, That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor, the film is so named because people remembered Dub's face and not his name. Well, they've been talking to the wrong crowd, because I'll guarantee that everybody in our house knows his name. One of Tom's favorite movies, other than Tombstone, of course, is Bonnie and Clyde, and who can forget Dub as "Melvin," the father of C. W. Moss? But I'll always remember the Dub who was hiding under a table during a fracas in the movie The Undefeated. Trying to avoid the fight, he decided to reach up and grab vittles instead. What he came back with was a handful of "Grits!" Dub's first name was Walter, and as Southerners are wont to do, friends called him "Dubya." Now you know. Another reason for me to love Dub is the fact that he was born in Virginia (add another lustrous name to my list!) Visit the filmakers website at http://thatdub.com"
Deb Goodrich is a public speaker and historian. She has a broad range of topics from Women's Experiences in the West to the story of Mary Lincoln and Varina Davis. You can visit her blog here.
"There is a documentary in the works on screen legend, Dub Taylor. Called, That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor, the film is so named because people remembered Dub's face and not his name. Well, they've been talking to the wrong crowd, because I'll guarantee that everybody in our house knows his name. One of Tom's favorite movies, other than Tombstone, of course, is Bonnie and Clyde, and who can forget Dub as "Melvin," the father of C. W. Moss? But I'll always remember the Dub who was hiding under a table during a fracas in the movie The Undefeated. Trying to avoid the fight, he decided to reach up and grab vittles instead. What he came back with was a handful of "Grits!" Dub's first name was Walter, and as Southerners are wont to do, friends called him "Dubya." Now you know. Another reason for me to love Dub is the fact that he was born in Virginia (add another lustrous name to my list!) Visit the filmakers website at http://thatdub.com"
Deb Goodrich is a public speaker and historian. She has a broad range of topics from Women's Experiences in the West to the story of Mary Lincoln and Varina Davis. You can visit her blog here.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Journey
The journey of this documentary is very special to me, even though I came in towards the middle of the process. I have known Mark since I was in the sixth grade. His mother was my sixth grade teacher and Mark and I were involved in a few school activities together. Ever since then, I knew that Mark was a very special person. When Mark and I reconnected in April last year, he told me about his passion for filmmaking and how excited he was to be working on his first project. I had been working on some short films in college, so I told him if he needed any help with any aspect of the process, I would be available.
It was only a few weeks after we started dating that I was on my way to meet Dixie Carter for an interview about her experience working with Dub Taylor. The journey started making unexpected turns when we got a phone call that we could interview Buck Taylor as well on this trip. It was really exciting, and we got a ton of footage that was essential to the project's success.
The next trip was to some B-Western experts in Augusta. Mark and I went alone, and by this time, Mark and I were planning a wedding, so I snuck off and did some wedding dress shopping while he got more interviews. Next, we interviewed Bobby Copeland in Tennessee. Even though we got some good footage, I remember that being a horrible trip because I was sick as a dog and I drove most of the way.
Our most recent trip was to Oklahoma City, where we interviewed some representatives of Dub's old high school, Classen High School. We also were able to meet with the curator of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and to get a great interview and some wonderful b-roll footage.
What I have taken away from this experience so far is that the team that is working on this project is really dedicated to great filmmaking. Mark has such a unique vision and passion, and the people that allow us to interview them are visibly calm and relaxed around him, which I contribute to his extraordinary amount of compassion. Mark's love of good story-telling, along with his team who understand and execute his vision, make me proud to say that I am an executive producer of a great project, and a proud wife of a wonderful man. This might sound strange, but I think that this is the essence of Dub Taylor's legacy: that people remember not who he was or what he looked like, but that he contributed to some of the best memories of people's lives. Whether it be little boys going to see B-Westerns, or a father and daughter watching a rerun of Bonanza together, or a couple of kids who fell in love working on his documentary, Dub's legacy, to me, is that he could provide an outlet for joy in people's lives. I truly believe that, and in turn, truly believe in this project.
Kasey Ray-Stokes
It was only a few weeks after we started dating that I was on my way to meet Dixie Carter for an interview about her experience working with Dub Taylor. The journey started making unexpected turns when we got a phone call that we could interview Buck Taylor as well on this trip. It was really exciting, and we got a ton of footage that was essential to the project's success.
The next trip was to some B-Western experts in Augusta. Mark and I went alone, and by this time, Mark and I were planning a wedding, so I snuck off and did some wedding dress shopping while he got more interviews. Next, we interviewed Bobby Copeland in Tennessee. Even though we got some good footage, I remember that being a horrible trip because I was sick as a dog and I drove most of the way.
Our most recent trip was to Oklahoma City, where we interviewed some representatives of Dub's old high school, Classen High School. We also were able to meet with the curator of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and to get a great interview and some wonderful b-roll footage.
What I have taken away from this experience so far is that the team that is working on this project is really dedicated to great filmmaking. Mark has such a unique vision and passion, and the people that allow us to interview them are visibly calm and relaxed around him, which I contribute to his extraordinary amount of compassion. Mark's love of good story-telling, along with his team who understand and execute his vision, make me proud to say that I am an executive producer of a great project, and a proud wife of a wonderful man. This might sound strange, but I think that this is the essence of Dub Taylor's legacy: that people remember not who he was or what he looked like, but that he contributed to some of the best memories of people's lives. Whether it be little boys going to see B-Westerns, or a father and daughter watching a rerun of Bonanza together, or a couple of kids who fell in love working on his documentary, Dub's legacy, to me, is that he could provide an outlet for joy in people's lives. I truly believe that, and in turn, truly believe in this project.
Kasey Ray-Stokes
Monday, February 12, 2007
Oklahoma City
We had an hour of sleep on Thursday Night, and left for Jacksonville at 4:00 am. We were planning on getting about 4-5, but this became impossible as Mark just moved, and a lot of the equipment is lost in boxes somewhere. Anyway, this caused our trip to be delayed, causing us to not get to sleep until about 1:30-2:00. Upon arriving at the airport at 5:50, we didn't have enough time to get on the 6:15 flight because of security lines. So, they switched us from American to Continental at 6:45, only putting us off about an hour -- not bad at all.
Upon arriving in Oklahoma City, we had to get a new microphone, because we couldn't find our mic system to go with our Digital Recorder. Donna Dykes, who picked us up and took us around everywhere, helped us out with this by finding a Radio Shack to visit. Afterwards, we headed to Classen High School, where we interviewed the Curator of the Alumni Musuem, who provided us with old newspapers and a very useful interview. Two Seniors then gave us a tour of the school, where we ran across two younger brothers of current "American Idol" contestants, Michael Preston and Andrew Foster.
After Classen, we headed to the National Cowboy and Western Museum, where we met with Chuck Rand, who provided us with a good bit of Lobby Cards and Posters that Dub was on. We had a tasty dinner with the Dykes family and headed to bed, as we had been going on an hour of sleep from 3:00 am to 7:30 pm that night, not to mention the full day before then on Thursday.
Saturday brought the interview with Don Reeves, the Curator of the Western Performers Gallery and head of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. We discussed the history of the west, the contributions of western actors, and the selection process as to how one may enter the museum. After the interview and touring the museum, we took a tour of Oklahoma City, which included a tour of the Oklahoma City Bombing Site, which was quite powerful. We ended the day at a Mexican restaurant in Bricktown, OKC's entertainment district, that ranks among the best Mexican I have ever had.
It was a very successful trip, as we made some good contacts and potentially may have another interview with one of Dub's last remaining classmates from High School, an era that is virtually to get first hand accounts on. Our next interviews will be (hopefully) in Washington State and Los Angeles, and if we can touch base with John Mellencamp, with him as well.
Upon arriving in Oklahoma City, we had to get a new microphone, because we couldn't find our mic system to go with our Digital Recorder. Donna Dykes, who picked us up and took us around everywhere, helped us out with this by finding a Radio Shack to visit. Afterwards, we headed to Classen High School, where we interviewed the Curator of the Alumni Musuem, who provided us with old newspapers and a very useful interview. Two Seniors then gave us a tour of the school, where we ran across two younger brothers of current "American Idol" contestants, Michael Preston and Andrew Foster.
After Classen, we headed to the National Cowboy and Western Museum, where we met with Chuck Rand, who provided us with a good bit of Lobby Cards and Posters that Dub was on. We had a tasty dinner with the Dykes family and headed to bed, as we had been going on an hour of sleep from 3:00 am to 7:30 pm that night, not to mention the full day before then on Thursday.
Saturday brought the interview with Don Reeves, the Curator of the Western Performers Gallery and head of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. We discussed the history of the west, the contributions of western actors, and the selection process as to how one may enter the museum. After the interview and touring the museum, we took a tour of Oklahoma City, which included a tour of the Oklahoma City Bombing Site, which was quite powerful. We ended the day at a Mexican restaurant in Bricktown, OKC's entertainment district, that ranks among the best Mexican I have ever had.
It was a very successful trip, as we made some good contacts and potentially may have another interview with one of Dub's last remaining classmates from High School, an era that is virtually to get first hand accounts on. Our next interviews will be (hopefully) in Washington State and Los Angeles, and if we can touch base with John Mellencamp, with him as well.
411mania talks Taylor
Q: Leonard -
I saw you mentioned Dub Taylor in your recent article on 411mania.com. I thought it might interest you that there is a feature length production about his life and contributions as a character actor that will be released in April. The article was interesting to us, we're doing lots of research on the B-western, obviously, because of his contributions. Anyway, just wanted to drop you a line for the interesting read.
Best,
James Kicklighter
Assistant Director/Executive Producer
That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor
http://www.thatdub.com/
A: That sounds like an awesome project and I wish you a lot of luck with it. I almost previewed Taylor last week, but didn't. That works out, because I can go over him this week. Be sure to let me know if I get anything wrong.
Dub Taylor was born Watler Clarence Taylor III on February 26th 1907. Friends called him by his first initial "W" and that eventually turned into "Dub." He started out in vaudeville and made his film debut in Frank Capra's 1938 film You Can't Take it With You. From there Taylor became the sidekick to actor Bill Elliot in a series of films as Cannonball. He left the series when Tex Ritter came in as Elliot's partner. He then played Cannonball in films starring Russell Hayden, Jimmy Wakely and, as mentioned last week, Charles Starrett. In the fifties, Taylor broke away from the Cannonball character and became a popular character actor in movies and television. In the sixties, Taylor became part of director Sam Peckinpah's stable of actors appearing in his films Major Dundee, The Wild Bunch, Junior Bonner and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Taylor continued to work steady in the seventies and eighties even with the Western fading out. He often lampooned his image, such as in a series of bubblegum commercials and joining the cast of the country music and comedy variety series "Hee-Haw." Taylor had become a Western icon by the nineties and a small revival in the genre saw him landing bit parts in major films late in his career including Back to the Future III, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys and Maverick. He died in 1994 of congestive heart failure. Among his other films are Bonnie and Clyde, Them!, A Star is Born, No Time for Sergeants, Spencer's Mountain, The Cincinnati Kid, Bandolero!, The Undefeated, A Man Called Horse, Support Your Local Gunfighter, Gator, 1941 and Used Cars.
http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/50686
I saw you mentioned Dub Taylor in your recent article on 411mania.com. I thought it might interest you that there is a feature length production about his life and contributions as a character actor that will be released in April. The article was interesting to us, we're doing lots of research on the B-western, obviously, because of his contributions. Anyway, just wanted to drop you a line for the interesting read.
Best,
James Kicklighter
Assistant Director/Executive Producer
That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor
http://www.thatdub.com/
A: That sounds like an awesome project and I wish you a lot of luck with it. I almost previewed Taylor last week, but didn't. That works out, because I can go over him this week. Be sure to let me know if I get anything wrong.
Dub Taylor was born Watler Clarence Taylor III on February 26th 1907. Friends called him by his first initial "W" and that eventually turned into "Dub." He started out in vaudeville and made his film debut in Frank Capra's 1938 film You Can't Take it With You. From there Taylor became the sidekick to actor Bill Elliot in a series of films as Cannonball. He left the series when Tex Ritter came in as Elliot's partner. He then played Cannonball in films starring Russell Hayden, Jimmy Wakely and, as mentioned last week, Charles Starrett. In the fifties, Taylor broke away from the Cannonball character and became a popular character actor in movies and television. In the sixties, Taylor became part of director Sam Peckinpah's stable of actors appearing in his films Major Dundee, The Wild Bunch, Junior Bonner and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Taylor continued to work steady in the seventies and eighties even with the Western fading out. He often lampooned his image, such as in a series of bubblegum commercials and joining the cast of the country music and comedy variety series "Hee-Haw." Taylor had become a Western icon by the nineties and a small revival in the genre saw him landing bit parts in major films late in his career including Back to the Future III, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys and Maverick. He died in 1994 of congestive heart failure. Among his other films are Bonnie and Clyde, Them!, A Star is Born, No Time for Sergeants, Spencer's Mountain, The Cincinnati Kid, Bandolero!, The Undefeated, A Man Called Horse, Support Your Local Gunfighter, Gator, 1941 and Used Cars.
http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/50686
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Release and Oklahoma
Just to clarify, at the moment, we're scheduled to premiere at the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, GA on April 14, 2007 at 7:00pm. Beyond that, we don't know what's happening. There are plenty of options, we have a couple of networks that are interested, so we'll see what happens there. Additionally, we would love to ride the Film Festival circuit, so if you represent one of those interests, please get in touch with us ASAP.
We're heading to Oklahoma City, OK to Classen High School and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum this weekend for more interviews. Dub went to high school at Classen, which is now one of Newsweek's Top 100 High Schools in the Country, and a peforming arts school for gifted kids to boot. At NCWHM, we'll be looking into some artwork with Dub on it (Lobby Cards and the like) and conducting interviews with some of the curators. It's going to be an exciting trip, hopefully we'll get the chance to live blog for you while we're there.
Keep your messages coming, we enjoy reading them!
We're heading to Oklahoma City, OK to Classen High School and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum this weekend for more interviews. Dub went to high school at Classen, which is now one of Newsweek's Top 100 High Schools in the Country, and a peforming arts school for gifted kids to boot. At NCWHM, we'll be looking into some artwork with Dub on it (Lobby Cards and the like) and conducting interviews with some of the curators. It's going to be an exciting trip, hopefully we'll get the chance to live blog for you while we're there.
Keep your messages coming, we enjoy reading them!
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Hollywood Elsewhere Talks "Taylor"
Well, if only for a brief synopsis. Ross Williams, who writes a documentary column for the site, has taken notice of the project. Check it out!
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/truth/archives/2007/02/electric_car.php
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/truth/archives/2007/02/electric_car.php
Monday, January 8, 2007
Welcome!
Welcome to the Official Website for "That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor." You might be wondering who the heck Dub Taylor is and why the heck anyone might want to make a feature length documentary about him.
Well, for starters, he's been in over 500 film and television shows over the course of his career, which spanned from Frank Capra's classic, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" all the way up until "Maverick." That's from the late 1930's to the early 1990's. Impressive, eh? But somehow, people overlook the contributions that these small character actors make to films and television series. These people are the faces and small performances that you remember, though. Dub is that guy that everyone knows by face, but not by name.
When Mark Stokes (the director, you'll be hearing from him soon) approached me with producing and serving as Assistant Director on the project, I didn't know his name, and I didn't have a clue what Dub Taylor had done to contribute to American Cinema. Hopefully over the next few months as we head towards the premiere on April 14, 2007, you'll get to have a little bit of a clue at what he's done and what we've been doing all over the country.
With that said, welcome to the filmmaker's blog for "That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor." Everyone who has been involved will be posting their thoughts over the next few months, and we look forward to reading (and responding) to your comments in these blogs.
Best,
James Kicklighter
Assistant Director/Executive Producer
Well, for starters, he's been in over 500 film and television shows over the course of his career, which spanned from Frank Capra's classic, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" all the way up until "Maverick." That's from the late 1930's to the early 1990's. Impressive, eh? But somehow, people overlook the contributions that these small character actors make to films and television series. These people are the faces and small performances that you remember, though. Dub is that guy that everyone knows by face, but not by name.
When Mark Stokes (the director, you'll be hearing from him soon) approached me with producing and serving as Assistant Director on the project, I didn't know his name, and I didn't have a clue what Dub Taylor had done to contribute to American Cinema. Hopefully over the next few months as we head towards the premiere on April 14, 2007, you'll get to have a little bit of a clue at what he's done and what we've been doing all over the country.
With that said, welcome to the filmmaker's blog for "That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor." Everyone who has been involved will be posting their thoughts over the next few months, and we look forward to reading (and responding) to your comments in these blogs.
Best,
James Kicklighter
Assistant Director/Executive Producer
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