Rawhide Flashback: The Lost Tribe Season 4 Episode 5 1961

Rawhide Flashback: The Lost Tribe Season 4 Episode 5 1961

I have to admit, I constructed this post based purely around a couple of great photos sent to me by our longtime friend, Jayne Smart. The 2 shots feature this striking beauty from the past, Sonya Wilde. Wilde appeared in the episode, The Lost Tribe, back in 1961. 

Sonya Wilde (born November 2, 1937) is an American former actress, best known for her starring role in the 1960 film I Passed for White. She started her career as Maria on Broadway with the original cast of West Side Story. On Broadway, Wilde was an understudy and replacement in the role of Maria in West Side Story (1957).

The Lost Tribe:

Indians stampede the herd and make off with 30 steers, so Rowdy, Pete, Quince and Hey Soos follow in pursuit. The Indians had been dissatisfied with their hot, dry, dusty reservation up North, so they are trying to cross the Rio Grande into Mexico to find more hospitable land, land it so happens Pete had told them about when he had been married to the Chief's daughter and was living with the Indians. Lawmen are also trying to force the Indians to return to the reservation. Pete has to convince Rowdy, Quince and Hey Soos (who have been captured by the Indians) that the Indians have been wronged and are peaceful, they must also defeat an upstart bellicose Indian brave intent on taking over and killing the drovers, and convince the Chief to return most of the steers and safely cross the Rio Grande.

Whilst Wilde was certainly pretty on the eye, her career was relatively short. She made her mark alongside a young James Franciscus in the film I Passed for White (1960). But from there on it was mainly TV westerns such as Bonanza (1960), Cheyenne (1960), The Americans (1961), Gunslinger (1961), Perry Mason (1961) and another show in which Clint made an early appearance, Death Valley Days (1960). 

Our kind thanks to Jayne Smart

Rare Dirty Harry Triple Bill Quad

Rare Dirty Harry Triple Bill Quad

Well, here is something you don’t see every day. This incredibly rare UK quad was recently picked up by a buddy of mine, and second in command here on the Archive, Davy Triumph. This lovely poster was probably printed up by the cinema management for a short run (possibly even One night on a weekend). I remember we use to get Eastwood all night shows on a Saturday Night / Sunday Morning at our local ABC, but very rarely would there ever be an elaborately produced poster such as this – it was just a case of checking the local press to see if there was an all-night Bruce Lee show or perhaps a Russ Meyer marathon on any particular weekend… 

The quad, featuring Dirty Harry, Magnum Force and The Enforcer is believed to date from 1983, which makes perfect sense as it was probably put together to cash in on the recent fourth film in the series, Sudden Impact. 

I’ve carried out some very minor restoration to this image of the poster – just in order to show it close to its former glory and how it would have appeared over 40 years ago. Our kind thanks to Davy Triumph for sharing this great image. 

Photo Opportunity #65 Rare Eastwood AFI photos from 1973

Photo Opportunity #65 Rare Eastwood AFI photos from 1973

Now I have to come clean, I really don’t know too much about these great Photos - photos which I simply must post for this month’s Photo Opportunity.

As far as I can tell - these super photos were taken for The American Film Institute (AFI) in 1973. The American Film Institute is an American nonprofit film organization that educates filmmakers and honours the heritage of the motion picture arts in the United States. AFI is supported by private funding and public membership fees. 

The ‘AFI Life Achievement Award’ was established by the board of directors of the American Film Institute on February 26, 1973, to honour a single individual for their lifetime contribution to enriching American culture through motion pictures and television. The recipient is selected and honoured at an annual ceremony, with the award presented by a master of ceremonies and, recently, the prior year's recipient.

These photos tie-in nicely actually as 1973 was the year that Clint became a member – that year’s first Life Achievement Award was also presented to western legend, John Ford. Director John Ford was a unanimous choice of the board of trustees for the first award as he "clearly stands preeminent in the history of motion pictures." President Richard Nixon attended the gala dinner at which Ford was presented the award on March 31, 1973.

Clint would receive the AFI Life Achievement himself on February 29th, 1996 and was presented by  his friend, Steven Spielberg. 

Anyway, 3 great photos for the month of September...

Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine at the 31st Annual Thalians Ball Hollywood, October 11th, 1986

Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine at the 31st Annual Thalians Ball in Hollywood, California on October 11, 1986:

I recently discovered these photos in a folder, so thought they were worthy of a post. The Thalians is a Hollywood-based charitable organization founded in 1955 by actors and entertainers to address mental health issues, initially focusing on children and now dedicating its efforts to supporting the mental health of U.S. military personnel and their families through the UCLA Operation Mend program. Named after Thalia, the Greek Muse of comedy and poetry, the organization has raised over $50 million for mental health causes over its history and honours "Mr. or Ms. Wonderful" at its annual galas.

Above: Clint with MacLaine and Lana Turner

Shirley MacLaine took time off from her other lives to join The Thalians as Ms. wonderful for our 31st Anniversary Gala Ball. The theme for this fabulous evening was "You Should See Her Now!" Clint Eastwood, John Forsythe, Ruta Lee (in a wild "Irma La Douce" number), Fred MacMurray, Dean Martin and surprise guest, John Travolta along with a line of gorgeous Can-Can dancers entertained the dazzled audience. Presidents Club members were feted by Parisian Designer Pierre Le Prince who introduced his 1986 countre and prêt-a-porter collections. The Presidents Club ventured forth to salute talented Barbara Rush at a performance of her one woman smash hit show, "A Woman of Independent Means." This was followed by a sumptuous dinner at the Hamlet Gardens.

Clint was chosen himself by The Thalians at their 53rd Anniversary Gala/Ball on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The event was to honour his lifetime achievements and benefit the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai.

Below: A rare newspaper cutting featuring Clint, Shirley, Lana and James Coburn

Below: The program for the 1986 event