Crosby Fan World / Stagecoach now on Blu-ray

**Posted by Malcolm Macfarlane** 29/5/2019 7:30 am

See https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/73830/stagecoach-1966/

**Posted by Graham Pascoe** 03/6/2019 8:00 am

It's a long time since I've seen the movie but I recall that I thought it was't particularly entertaining but Bing acted well.

**Posted by STEPO** 18/1/2025 11:06 pm

I watched it again recently on you tube and i found it not as good as the 1939 version Alex Cord was wooden in John Wayne's old role Ann-Margaret was ok but for me s well as Bing there were good performances from Robert Cummings, Van Heflin and Keenan Wynn.

Last edited by STEPO (07/9/2026 9:16 pm)

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 03/9/2026 2:44 am

Belated thanks, Malcolm. A very nice copy.
I purchased this edition quite recently and agree with Graham and Stepo. Bing's character performance was pitch-perfect but Alex Cord was indeed rather wooden in the lead. I suppose who else could have held a candle to John Wayne in one of his signature roles and the one which made him a star?
I heard Mr Cord talking on the radio a few years ago and he told of his mother being a huge fan of Bing's, so he asked Bing at the time of the filming if he would mind taking her out to dinner, which he so graciously did.
I very much enjoyed (and subsequently bought on CD) Jerry Goldsmith's score (would it have unbalanced things if a theme song could have been written for Bing to have sung over the titles?) but when all said and done, could John Ford's original have ever been bettered? .

**Posted by STEPO** 06/9/2026 9:08 pm

I don't think Gordon Douglas although a good director in his own right could have bettered John Ford's version of "Stagecoach" , however he (Gordon Douglas that is) directed three other westerns that were better than this remake of "Stagecoach" "Only The Valiant" (1951)"Rio Conchos"(1964) &"Chuka"(1967).

Last edited by STEPO (Yesterday 12:39 am)

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 06/9/2026 9:26 pm

I must seek both of those Douglas westerns out. Both appear to also have solid casts. I agree, trying to remake Ford's classic "Stagecoach" was a rather pointless affair but as I'm obviously biased, I'm just pleased it was a film that gave Bing a worthy, later supporting role. I do wish, though that he'd agreed to star as Ben Rumson (Lee Marvin's eventual part) in "Paint Your Wagon". Now that would have been a terrific musical swansong for him.

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (06/9/2026 9:57 pm)

**Posted by STEPO** 07/9/2026 10:52 am

Obviously Bing would have been better singing "Wandering Star" than Lee Marvin even though it was a surprise UK number one here in the UK in 1970 i have to admit i remember when it was number one Lee Marvin was huge at the time although "Paint Your Wagon" film flopped in the United States it was a big success in Europe due to the popularity of both stars Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood who were both very popular in Europe.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 07/9/2026 9:54 pm

Yes, I think it could have been a wonderfully late musical career bloom for Bing. I imagine his older, mellow voice backed by the film's wonderful orchestrations and robust chorus arrangements being worth the price of admission, alone. Lovely that he was offered the part, though. I believe the film was released the year I was born, so I have no memory of the chart success of Marvin's "Wanderin' Star" rendition but he and the music makers made it sound so interesting that it remains a fond favourite of mine as a non-singer having an effective hit record or score. A little like Robert Preston in The Music Man/Mack & Mabel, Richard Harris or Rex Harrison in "My Fair Lady".

**Posted by STEPO** 08/9/2026 12:43 am

Lee Marvin's number one kept Canned Heats "Let's Work Together" and The Beatles "Let It Be" off the top spot , it was knocked off the top by Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water".

Last edited by STEPO (08/9/2026 11:05 am)

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 08/9/2026 1:46 am

Good grief! That was some heavy chart blocking from Mr Marvin and company. Those were the days when so called novelty/comedy records or unexpected contrasting singles could occupy the pop charts.I can think of examples from that decade of The Simon Park Orchestra's "Eye Level" (light music theme tune to the UK detective series "Van der Valk"), The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band's "The Floral Dance", Laurel & Hardy - and course Bing himself.
I've always had a weak spot for Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water". I think Tony Bennett called it the last great American song (or some such).

**Posted by Aaron Tickner** 08/9/2026 5:55 am

I've always had a fondness for the 1966 Stagecoach over the 1939 version. Bing does a superb job as Boone. But there are so many other qualities about the film. To begin with the opening credits always draw me in. Clothier's opening cinematography accompanied by the brilliant Jerry Goldsmith score! Then the closing credits with Norman Rockwell's paintings. A copy of the Bing's portrait hangs in my study. (I'm not allowed to have it above the fireplace in the lounge room)
I agree with the other cast members that STEPO mentioned - but don't forget Slim Pickins and Red Buttons. They have great chemistry with Heflin and Crosby respectively.

**Posted by David Lobosco** 08/9/2026 11:55 pm

I'm not a big western fan but the 1966 Stagecoach has two things that I do like - Bing Crosby and Ann-Margret! LOL

**Posted by Aaron Tickner** 09/9/2026 1:41 am

Yes, David. My father prefers the 1939 version but would always tolerate watching the 1966 version for the same as your second reason!

**Posted by STEPO** 10/9/2026 2:15 pm

I should have mentioned Red Buttons and Slim Pickens.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 12/9/2026 2:55 pm

Ann Margret as Dallas was certainly easy on the eye but I think Claire Trevor's interpretation of the same part in the original was far more convincing and grounded. Bing, I thought was easily the equal of Thomas Mitchell as Doc Boone. However, yes - I'd overlooked how good Red Buttons and Slim Pickens were. I can't think of a better replacement than Pickens for the original's Andy Devine.

Am I overly complicating matters by mentioning the subsequent (television) remake in 1986?
It starred Willie Nelson in Bing's part and unlike Bing in his version, Willie sang a song entitled "Stagecoach". As well as another singer in the same role as Doc Boone, another nice bit of association with the 1966 remake, was the casting of a certain Mary (Frances) Crosby.
Well did you evah!

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (12/9/2026 2:56 pm)