More D-Day movie trivia.
TRIVIA---in THE DIRTY DOZEN, then-unknown Donald Sutherland's role was originally a minor one in which he played, "the bottom half of the dozen" and had only one line, "Number two, sir."
Clint Walker's character, Samson Posey, was an American Indian, who was supposed to impersonate an obnoxious Army general. During rehearsal with director Robert Aldrich, Walker objected because it would be demeaning to American Indians. Aldrich agreed and chose Sutherland to impersonate the general. The general scene was a highlight of the movie and led to Sutherland starring in the career-making M*A*S*H.
Sutherland said, "He [Walker] put up his hand and said that he didn't think [the scene] was proper or correct in keeping with his role as a North American Aboriginal. Aldrich turned around, pointed to me and said, 'You with the big ears, you do it.' "
Sutherland added about THE DIRTY DOZEN, "Everyone told me it would be a dreadful film and it would ruin my career. But I didn't have a career. I was one of the most fortunate people in the world, thanks to Clint Walker."
Clint Walker objected to his American Indian character, Samson Posey, impersonating an obnoxious Army general.
Director Robert Aldrich picked then-unknown Donald Sutherland for the general scene by saying, "You with the big ears, you do it."
The general scene led to Sutherland starring in the career-making M*A*S*H.
TRIVIA---in THE DIRTY DOZEN, then-unknown Donald Sutherland's role was originally a minor one in which he played, "the bottom half of the dozen" and had only one line, "Number two, sir."
Clint Walker's character, Samson Posey, was an American Indian, who was supposed to impersonate an obnoxious Army general. During rehearsal with director Robert Aldrich, Walker objected because it would be demeaning to American Indians. Aldrich agreed and chose Sutherland to impersonate the general. The general scene was a highlight of the movie and led to Sutherland starring in the career-making M*A*S*H.
Sutherland said, "He [Walker] put up his hand and said that he didn't think [the scene] was proper or correct in keeping with his role as a North American Aboriginal. Aldrich turned around, pointed to me and said, 'You with the big ears, you do it.' "
Sutherland added about THE DIRTY DOZEN, "Everyone told me it would be a dreadful film and it would ruin my career. But I didn't have a career. I was one of the most fortunate people in the world, thanks to Clint Walker."
Clint Walker objected to his American Indian character, Samson Posey, impersonating an obnoxious Army general.
Director Robert Aldrich picked then-unknown Donald Sutherland for the general scene by saying, "You with the big ears, you do it."
The general scene led to Sutherland starring in the career-making M*A*S*H.
