Interesting how life imitated art. Van Heflin became one of Alan Ladd's two closest friends, the other being William Bendix.
Van Heflin's wife said that she only knew of him crying two times in his life that she knew him, one being when he heard that Ladd had died.
Thanks for sharing that, dust. I enjoy hearing details that give me a sense of the real people behind the images on the screen.
Alan Ladd and Van Heflin certainly played off each other well in this film, so it doesn't surprise me to hear they were friends in real life as well. Myself, I've often wished Van Heflin had had a stronger career; I thought he was an impressive actor.
You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.
I could watch Van Heflin in anything - 3:10 to Yuma is one of my faves, and you are so right - Ladd and Heflin had great friendship chemistry in Shane.
shareYes!! 3:10 to Yuma is brilliant -- Van Heflin carries the role of the quiet man pushed to the edge of his morality so well, and it was great to see Glenn Ford in such a different role for him. I was really happy when they restored the film and released it on Blu-ray. It restarted my forgotten love for thoughtful Westerns.
You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.
Western channel is showing it alot and I just love this movie. Thanks, Puirt-A-Beul. This is the kind of conversation that I'm going to really miss on these boards.
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