MovieChat Forums > True Grit (1969) Discussion > Am I the only one

Am I the only one

posted 13 years ago by lizawinthrop
12 replies | jump to latest

who thinks Kim Darby was the perfect choice for Maddie, even that it was of casting genius and almost even like she was born to play that part? Notably when she first encounters Tom and says "and I know you Tom Cheney." the way she said it just seemed beyond perfect fitting the character. I just find it so ironic that John Wayne openly expressed his belief that she was a lousy actor. And sure the remake might be better than the original but the original was as perfect as it could have hoped to be for the time it was made, mainly thanks to Kim Darby as Maddie.

[–] davidwile 13 years ago

Hey Liz,

I thought Kim Darby did real well playing the character of Mattie. While I also liked John Wayne's performance as Rooster Cogburn, I don't place much value to many of Wayne's personal opinions about many things - including his statements that Darby was a lousy actor.

I did not like Glen Campbell's performance, but I recognize that other folks may not agree with my opinion. As far as comparing the original to the remake, I liked them both, but my biggest delight of both was Robert Duvall as Ned Pepper. Supposedly Wayne did not like Duvall either.

There is no accounting for individual tastes. If Wayne did not like Darby and Duvall, so be it. I did like Darby and Duvall, and I also like Wayne's performance - in spite of his opinions. If you and I are the only ones who liked Darby, that will still sit well with me.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] Clintessence 13 years ago

Hey Ned Pepper,

This is the one-eyed fat man again, and as much as I loved the original version, I have to say Hailee Steinfeld was absolutely fabulous.

Best Wishes,
Rooster

[–] cagordon22 13 years ago

I read this book when I was the same age as Maddie - 14 - and I was worried that they would destroy this movie with the casting. But I have to agree - Kim Darby was born for this role. She IS Maddie.

[–] misspaddylee 12 years ago

You aren't the only one. When I think great performances by actresses in the 60s, Kim Darby as Mattie Ross is at the top of the list. It's a performance that (if it's possible) seems to get better each time I see the film.

"Tell me about the squares, Buzzie."

[–] ribby45 12 years ago

lizawinthrop -

Nope.
You're not alone.

I think I was 12 when I first saw True Grit and I thought it was wonderful then - I'm 51 now and I still think it's wonderful.

Kim Darby's performance is as near to perfect as a performance is likely to get.

[–] Phydeaux50 12 years ago

She stole the show from the Duke.

[–] ribby45 12 years ago

True.

[–] porfle 11 years ago

I think Kim Darby as Mattie Ross was some of the best casting in the history of movies and that she was perfect for the role. It's a brilliant performance, one to savor every time I watch the movie. And it's a shame that so many people don't seem to recognize this and give her the credit she deserves for it.

hkfilmnews.blogspot.com
porfle.blogspot.com

[–] ribby45 11 years ago

porfle -

[–] wvsarafan 10 years ago

Kim Darby WAS perfect for the role. You should have stopped there. To SUGGEST that the piece of trash that was made a couple of years ago belongs in the same discussion as the original is just plain stupid.

STOP POSTING.

[–] Bobby Briggs Briganza 10 years ago

AM I THE ONLY ONE
AM I THE ONLY ONE
AM I THE ONLY ONE

Your film gods: Lee Van Cleef and Laura Gemser
http://tinyurl.com/pa4ud44

[–] Stateoftheart 9 years ago

Nope, and it probably typed cast her.