Visual History with Andrew V. McLaglen
Interviewed by:Mary McLaglen
Andrew McLaglen was born in London, the son of Academy Award-winning actor Victor McLaglen. At an early age he moved to Los Angeles, and grew up on the sets of his father’s films, forming relationships with director John Ford and John Wayne. His first work on a set came in 1945 for the John Wayne-starring film Dakota. He then worked his way up to assistant director on small films such as Killer Shark (1950), Bullfighter and the Lady (1951) and Wild Stallion (1952), before being hired on to John Ford’s The Quiet Man in 1952. After several more stints as assistant director, McLaglen directed his first feature film, Man in the Vault (1956), which was followed by the John Wayne-produced Gun the Man Down (1956). After these first few films, McLaglen went on to work extensively as a television director, directing the most episodes in the history of the runs of the Western serials Have Gun – Will Travel (116) and Gunsmoke (95). His other television credits include Perry Mason, Gunslinger, The Virginian, The Lieutenant, and the Clint Eastwood-starring Rawhide.
In the 1960s he returned to feature films, directing large budget Westerns and action films starring James Stewart and John Wayne. His film credits include McLintock! (1963), Shenandoah (1965), The Rare Breed (1966), The Devil’s Brigade (1968), Hellfighters (1968), The Undefeated (1969), Chisum (1970), Cahill U.S. Marshall (1973), Mitchell (1975), The Last Hard Men (1976), The Wild Geese (1978), North Sea Hijack (1979), The Sea Wolves (1980), and his final film, Return from the River Kwai (1989). McLaglen also directed the mini-series The Blue and the Gray (1982), and On Wings of Eagles (1986).
McLaglen passed away in August 2014.
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Highlights
After 10 years as an Assistant Director, Andrew V. McLaglen convinced John Wayne to financially back his first directorial effort, Man In The Vault, and when it time came to shoot, McLaglen's training served him well.
Andrew V. McLaglen / Highlight 1
After 10 years as an Assistant Director, Andrew V. McLaglen convinced John Wayne to financially back his first directorial effort, Man In The Vault, and when it time came to shoot, McLaglen's training served him well.
McLaglen recalls how directing James Arness in the feature Gun The Man Down led to him directing 96 episodes of Gunsmoke over six years, in addition to other long runs on episodic television through the early 1960's.
Andrew V. McLaglen / Highlight 2
McLaglen recalls how directing James Arness in the feature Gun The Man Down led to him directing 96 episodes of Gunsmoke over six years, in addition to other long runs on episodic television through the early 1960's.
McLaglen describes how he joined the DGA as a young 2nd Assistant Director after working in an aircraft factory during World War II, and many older members were still serving in the military overseas.
Andrew V. McLaglen / Highlight 3
McLaglen describes how he joined the DGA as a young 2nd Assistant Director after working in an aircraft factory during World War II, and many older members were still serving in the military overseas.