2012 Festival Guests

Additional guests will be added as they are confirmed
**All guests appear on the condition of their availability**


The 2012 Memphis Film Festival
will be paying tribute to the great TV westerns of the past.
To fit that theme, we have invited guests who have direct
connections to those wonderful programs!

 

Special Western TV show cast reunions!!

 

"Daniel Boone "

Daniel Boone ran from 9/24/64 to 9/10/70 on the NBC TV network
and was produced by 20th Century Fox Television
and Fespar Enterprises.


The cast included
Fess Parker as Daniel Boone
Ed Ames as Mingo
Patricia Blair as Rebecca Boone
Darby Hinton as Israel Boone
Dallas McKennon as Cincinnatus
Veronica Cartwright as Jemima Boone
Albert Salmi as Yadkin

Show Website / Episode List (165 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Daniel Boone TV show intro --

Representing "Daniel Boone" will be...

Darby Hinton

Darby Hinton grew up in the field of entertainment - his first acting job
was at the age of six months!

While he is most famous for his portrayal of Israel Boone, the young son
of Daniel Boone on the hit series of the same name,
 he has had many other TV and film credits to his name including
"Wagon Train", "The Big Valley", "Mister Ed", "Magnum PI" and "Hawaii 5-0".

Recently, Darby has been filming documentaries about American historical
landmarks and figures.  One of his projects has been a fascinating documentary
on the life of his TV father, Daniel Boone!

Biography / Film Credits

MySpace

 

Veronica Cartwright

Veronica Cartwright has had a very impressive career in both films and TV!

While we will be honoring her portrayal of Jemima Boone from the Daniel Boone
TV series, her name is associated with many other wonderful film projects

including "Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds", the original "Alien",
 "The Children's Hour", "The Witches of Eastwick", "Spencer's Mountain",
the 70s remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"
and many, many others.

Her TV career has been equally impressive - having won an Emmy for her
portrayal in the TV drama, "Tell Me Not in Mournful Numbers" and having
had recurring roles on "ER", "X-Files", "L.A. Law" and "Leave It to Beaver".

Her experience in Hollywood is so varied, she will have stories to share that
that covers every area and genre!
(In fact, if you question her about it, she may be willing to tell you
about giving Beaver Cleaver his first kiss!)

Biography / Film Credits

Website

 

 

"The Virginian"
(50th Anniversary)

The Virginian ran from 9/19/62 to 3/24/71 on the NBC TV network
and was produced by Revue Studios and by Universal Studios.

The cast included
James Drury as the title role of The Virginian
Doug McClure as Trampas
Lee J. Cobb as Judge Henry Garth

Show Reference / Episode List (249 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Virginian TV show intro --

Representing "The Virginian" will be...

James Drury

James Drury held the title role in the first 90-minute TV western series
throughout its entire run including the final season
when it was known as The Men from Shiloh.

James has also had an extensive film career which included roles in The Young Warriors,
Walt Disney's Pollyanna and playing Elvis Presley's brother in
the singer's debut film, Love Me Tender.

James is looking forward to meeting his fans
at this summer's show.

Biography / Film Credits

Website

 

L.Q. Jones

L.Q. Jones played ranch hand Andy Belden on this classic western series.  But Mr. Jones
has made himself a legend in the western genre - appearing in countless TV series and films
and having one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood.

Mr. Jones also had a recurring role on "Cheyenne", "Klondike" and "The Yellow Rose" besides making
multiple appearances on several series including "Gunsmoke", "Have Gun - Will Travel", "Laramie",
"Wagon Train", "The Big Valley" and many, many others

His feature film credits reveals a series of top notch films such as "Major Dundee", "The Wild Bunch",
"Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid", "Hang 'Em High", "Ride the Wild Country"
and "The Mask of Zorro".

Those TV shows and films represent just a small portion to his contributions to the western genre.

He also appeared in three films with Elvis Presley - "Stay Away, Joe", "Flaming Star"
and "Love Me Tender" (also with Virginian co-star James Drury).

You won't want to miss this wonderful opportunity to meet
this remarkable gentleman!

Biography / Film Credits

 

Roberta Shore

Roberta Shore brought a pleasant presence to the cast of The Virginian as she
portrayed Betsy Garth, daughter to Lee J. Cobb's Judge Henry Garth during
the first three seasons of the long-running TV series.

Although she was never officially a Mouseketeer, she did so much work
for Disney Studios that she became associated with the group.  While at Disney,
she often played a rival for Annette Funicello in many of her short features
and in the popular Disney film, "The Shaggy Dog".

She also did a lot of other TV work including recurring roles on "The Bob Cummings Show"
and "The Ozzie and Harriet Show".

Biography / Film Credits

 

Sara Lane

Sara Lane will be making a rare appearance with us next year
as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Virginian with

the largest cast reunion ever essembled!

Sara Lane joined the cast of The Virginian as she portrayed
Elizabeth Grainger, grand daughter to Charles Bickford 's John Grainger during
several seasons of the long-running TV series.

She also did other film work including two entries in the Billy Jack film series,
"The Trial of Billy Jack" and "Billy Jack Goes to Washington" as well as
the popular thriller, "I Saw What You Did".

Biography / Film Credits

 

Gary Clarke

Gary Clarke is familiar to all Virginian fans for his potrayal
of Steve Hill during the first three seasons of the popular series.

While his Virginian role is the one for which he is best remembered,
Gary also was a regular on two other TV series -
"Hondo" and "Michael Shayne".

However, Gary was also seen on a wide variety of TV shows incuding
"Laramie", "Wagon Train", "Gunsmoke", "Tales of Wells Fargo"
and "The Young Riders".  He also had a role in the recent classic western film,
"Tombstone" with Kurt Russell.

Film Credits

 

Randy Boone

Randy Boone brought a completely different element to the Virginian series
when he joined on as Randy Benton in the second season.  For the next three seasons,
he was a love interest and singing partner to Betsy Garth, Roberta Shore's
character on the series.

But Randy has an unique place in TV history - he has connections to all three
of TV's 90-minute TV western series.  Besides his connection to The Virginian,
he was a regular throughout the entire run of "Cimarron Strip" with Stuart Whitman and made
multiple appearances on "Wagon Train" when it had a 90-minute format on ABC.

Randy also had a recurring role on the series, "It's a Man's World" and appeared on other
shows such as "Bonanza", "Gunsmoke", "Hondo" and "The Twilight Zone".

Biography / Film Credits

 

Diane Roter

The Memphis Film Festival will be hosting the largest cast reunion for
The Virginian TV series as we celebrate the series' 50th anniversary!

Joining us next summer making a very rare appearance will be Diane Roter
who portrayed Jennifer Sommers, the niece of Lee J. Cobb's Judge Henry Garth
during the fourth season of the classic TV series.

She then appeared in an episode of Laredo
which was a spin off from The Virginian series in 1966.

Biography / Film Credits

 

Don Quine

The final guest representing our Virginian cast reunion is Don Quine who played
Stacey Grainger, the grandson of Clay Grainger (played by John McIntire),
the owner of the Shiloh Ranch.  He played that role during the 5th and 6th seasons of the series' run.

Don has an impressive resume in other film and TV series including multiple episodes
of "The Fugitive" and "Peyton Place" as well as appearances on "Rawhide" and "Lancer".

In the mid-seventies, Don ounded and ran
the Professional Karate Association (PKA), a marital arts organization.

With addition of Don Quine, the Memphis Film Festival believes we have arranged
for the largest Virginian cast reunion ever gathered!
You don't want to miss this historic assembling of leading Virginian stars!

Film Credits

 

 

Additional Western TV show stars!!

 

"The Big Valley"

The Big Valley ran from 9/15/65 to 5/19/69 on the ABC TV network
and was produced by Levee-Gardner-Laven Productions
and Four Star Television.


The cast included
Barbara Stanwyck as Victoria Barkley
Richard Long as Jarrod Barkley
Peter Breck as Nick Barkley
Linda Evans as Audra Barkley
Lee Majors as Heath Barkley
Charles Briles as Eugene Barkley

Show Reference / Episode List (112 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Big Valley TV show intro --


Representing "The Big Valley" will be..

Charles Briles

Charles Briles will be joining us representing his work on "The Big Valley",
one of the last TV westerns that premiered during the time when westerns were "king".

The series centered around the Barkley family and their adventures.
During the first season, Charles portrayed Eugene Barkley, the youngest Barkley son.
Unfortunately, his role on the series was cut short because Charles
was drafted and he was forced to leave the series.

But his career continued in films and TV shows such as "Bonanza", "Mr. Novak",
"Petticoat Junction", "Gunfight in Abilene" and costarred in
"The Trouble with Girls" with Elvis Presley.

Film Credits

 

 

"Bronco"

Bronco ran from 9/23/58 to 8/20/62 on the ABC TV network
and was produced by Warner Bros. Studios.

The cast included
Ty Hardin as the title character, Bronco Layne

Show Reference / Episode List (68 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Bronco TV show intro --


Representing "Bronco" will be...

Ty Hardin

Returning to Memphis this year will be one of the Memphis Film Festival's most popular guests - Ty Hardin!

Ty starred as the rugged Bronco Layne on that popular TV series
and made appearances on many of the other popular Warner Bros. western series.
In fact, he was the featured star of the Cheyenne show during the time when
Clint Walker was involved in a strike.  When Walker returned to the show,
the Bronco character had become so popular, he got his own show.

He was also featured in such films as
PT 109, The Chapman Report, and Merrill's Marauders.

Biography / Film Credits

Website

 

 

"Casey Jones "

Casey Jones ran as a syndicated series from 10/8/57 to 5/5/58
and was produced by Briskin Productions, KTTV Los Angeles
and Screen Gems Television.

The cast included
Alan Hale, Jr. as Casey Jones, the Engineer
Bobby Clark as Casey, Jr., a young engineer
Dub Taylot as Wallie Sims, the train's fireman
Eddy Waller as Red Rock Smith, the train conductor
Mary Lawrence as Alice, Casey's wife
Cinders, the dog, as Himself

Show Reference / Episode List (32 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Casey Jones TV show intro --


Representing "Casey Jones" will be..

Bobby Clark

We welcome Bobby Clark to Memphis next summer as we fondly remember his role
as Casey, Jr. on the "Casey Jones" TV series.

While Bobby may not have had a long acting career, it was certainly a notable one.
He worked on some top-quality films such as "The Ten Commandments",
"Gun Duel in Durango" and the original screen versions of two iconic films -
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "Ransom!"

His TV career is very lengthy and gave him the privilege of working with stars such as
Ronald Reagan, Danny Thomas, Jimmy Durante, Buddy Ebsen, Mickey Rooney,
Fred MacMurray, Dale Robertson and Steve McQueen!

This will be Bobby Clark's first film festival appearance so plan to be there
for this special ocassion!

Film Credits
(Pleasd note there are errors in this list of credits -
you can dismiss all credits from the mid-sixties on.)

 

 

"Cheyenne"

Cheyenne ran from 9/20/55 to 9/13/63 on the ABC TV network
and was produced by Warner Bros. Studios.

The cast included
Clint Walker as the title character, Cheyenne Bodie
L. Q. Jones as Smitty

Show Reference / Episode List (107 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Cheyenne TV show intro --


Representing "Cheyenne" will be...

Clint Walker

Making a return appearance at the Memphis festival this year will be
the big man who started the entire Warner Brothers TV western kingdom -
Clint Walker, better known as Cheyenne Bodie !!

After his sucessful TV career, Clint moved on to motion picture stardom
in a string of succesful movies such as "Yellowstone Kelly,"
"The Dirty Dozen," "The Night of the Grizzly, " "Sam Whisky,"
"The Great Bank Robbery" and many more.

His appearance this summer is especially exciting since
he will be reunited with his Warner Brothers compadre, Will "Sugarfoot" Hutchins
and the show's repeating character Smitty who was portrayed by L.Q. Jones.

Biography / Film Credits

Website

 

 

"Have Gun - Will Travel"

Have Gun - Will Travel ran from 9/14/57 to 4/20/63 on the CBS TV network
and was produced by Filmaster Productions and CBS Television.


The cast included
Richard Boone as Paladin
Kam Tong as Hey Boy
Lisa Lu as Hey Girl

Theme Song composed and performed by Johnny Western

Show Reference / Episode List (225 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Have Gun - Will Travel TV show intro --


Representing "Have Gun - Will Travel" will be..

Lisa Lu

Lisa Lu is one of the most respected and admired Asian actresses
in Hollywood today with film and TV credits that span over 50 years!

Her career started in the early days of television where she quicky found herself
with a recurring role on "Yancy Derringer" and appearances on westerns such as
"Tales of the Texas Rangers", "Cimarron City", "The Rebel" and "Bat Masterson".
She also appeared on "Bonanza", "Cheyenne" and "The Big Valley".

She then took on a recurring role on "Have Gun - Will Travel" playing
Hey Girl (Hey Boy's sister, Kim Li) - the role for which we are honoring her next year.

She again reunited with Richard Boone on his later series, "The Richard Boone Show".

After her exposure on television, her career then shifted to a robust list of feature films.
Three times she was awarded the Best Actress Golden Horse Award and was seen
in such notable films as "The Last Emperor", "Demon Seed", "Noble House",
"The Joy Luck Club" and the recent disaster flick, "2012".

Biography / Film Credits

 

 

"Johnny Ringo "

Johnny Ringo was a syndicated program which ran from 10/1/59 to 6/30/60
and was produced by Four Star International and Zane Grey Productions.

The cast included
Don Durant as Johnny Ringo
Mark Goddard as Deputy William "Cully" Charles, Jr.
Karen Sharpe as Laura Thomas

Show Reference / Episode List (38 episodes)

*****

How It's Done....

Mark Goddard, Culley on “Johnny Ringo”, blazes away while the cameraman, the director
and a sound effects man cower behind sand bags and bullet proof glass.
Extra bullet holes are provided by crack shot Jim Rug.

(Photo courtesy of Boyd Magers)

*****

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Johnny Ringo TV show intro --

Representing "Johnny Ringo" will be..

Mark Goddard

Mark Goddard is coming to Memphis next summer as we remember his role
as Deputy Cully on the "Johnny Ringo" TV series.  But this talented
actor has a list of credits that is as varied as it is long!

Mark had a film history of rounding out strong ensemble casts.
Besides working with Don Durant and Karen Sharpe on the exciting "Johnny Ringo"
western series, he joined Robert Taylor and Adam West on "The Detectives".
Then he followed those roles with what became his most famous part as Major Don West
on the cult favorite TV series, "Lost in Space".  While on that series,
he worked with Guy "Zorro" Williams and Angela Cartwright, the sister
of fellow MFF guest, Veronica Cartwright.

But Mark has also found roles in Walt Disney's "The Monkey's Uncle" and several
TV westerns like "Gunsmoke", "The Virginian", "The Rebel",

"Zane Grey Theatre" and "The Rifleman".

Biography / Film Credits

Website

 

 

"Lancer"

Lancer ran from 9/24/68 to 5/19/70 on the CBS TV network
and was produced by 20th Century Fox Productions.


The cast included
James Stacy as Johnny Madrid Lancer
Wayne Maunder as Scott Lancer
Andrew Duggan as Murdoch Lancer

Show Reference / Episode List (51 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Lancer TV show intro --

Representing "Lancer" will be..

James Stacy

Making a return to the Memphis Film Festival after a popular visit last year
will be the popular actor, James Stacy!

James is most familiar to TV viewers for his portrayal of the gunslinger son of
Andrew Duggan on the adult western series, Lancer.
But before that gritty role, James had appearances in dozens of TV shows and films
including multiple appearances on "Gunsmoke", "The Monroes",
"Cimarron Strip" and "Cagney and Lacey" (in an Emmy-nominated role).

He even had recurring roles on the TV series, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet"
and "Wiseguy"!  Another notable aspect of Mr. Stacy's career was that
he was the final murder victim on the original TV run of "Perry Mason"!

Having lost an arm and a leg in a motorcyle accident in the early 70s, many lesser actors
would have seen that as an excuse to give up, but James saw it as an opportunity
to further the awareness of handicapped persons in Hollywood.

He started seeking out roles that played well for handicapped actors
and started leading training classes for other handicapped performers.

You will certainly want to meet this fascinating and inspirational
performer while in Memphis!

Biography / Film Credits

Website

 

 

"Laramie"

Laramie ran from 9/15/59 to 9/17/63 on the NBC TV network
and was produced by Revue Studios.


The cast included
John Smith as Slim Sherman
Robert Fuller as Jess Harper
Hoagy Carmichael as Jonesy
Robert Crawford, Jr. as Andy Sherman
Dennis Holmes as Mike Williams

Show Website / Episode List (124 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Laramie TV show intro --

Representing "Laramie" will be...

Robert "Bobby" Crawford, Jr.

We are happy to have Robert Crawford, Jr making a return appearance with us
again after his appearance last year was cut short.  This will give all the attendess a second
opportunity to be able to meet and visit with him.

Besides his regular appearances on "Laramie", Bobby also has recurring roles on other TV classics
such as "Walt Disney's Zorro" and "The Rifleman"
where he appeared alongside his younger brother, Johnny "Mark McCain" Crawford.

Other acting credits for Robert were on "Playhouse 90" (for which he was nominated for an Emmy award),
"Cheyenne", "Rawhide", "Zane Grey Theatre" and many more.
But Robert has also had another very successful career "behind the cameras"
where he has producer credits from many Hollywood film hits,
such as "Funny Farm", "The Great Waldo Pepper", "The Sting"
and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".

You won't want to miss out on meeting Robert this summer;
his stories and insight into film and TV making will be endless and entertaining!

Website / Film Credits

 

 

 

"The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp"

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp ran from 9/6/55 to 6/27/61
on the ABC TV network and was produced by Wyatt Earp Enterprises.


The cast included
Hugh O'Brian as the title character, Wyatt Earp
Dirk London as Morgan Earp

Show Reference / Episode List (229 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Wyatt Earp TV show intro --

Representing "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" will be..

Hugh O'Brian

Hugh O'Brian has one of the most recognizable faces in the world of TV westerns after his
memorable portrayal of the real-life western lawman, Wyatt Earp!
The strong sense of right and wrong and high moral values he brought to that role
became an example for many other western characters to follow.

Another very notable role that Hugh O'Brian is proud to remember is that he was the last
man killed by John Wayne on screen - in the Duke's final film,

"The Shootist"!

But perhaps where Hugh O'Brian has made his greatest contribution to the world
has been in his efforts to help our youth through his charitable organization,
The Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation.  This organization has a long history in developing
skiils in sophomore high school students across the world!

Biography / Film Credits

Youth Leadership Foundation Website

 

 

"Man Without A Gun"

Man Without A Gun was a syndicated program which ran from 11/6/57 to 9/10/59
and was produced by 20th Century Fox Television
and National Telefilm Associates (NTA).


The cast included
Rex Reason as Adam MacLean
Mort Mills as Marshall Frank Tillman

Show Reference / Episode List (52 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Man Without a Gun TV show intro --


Representing "Man Without A Gun" will be..

Rex Reason

Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Mr. Reason has had to cancel
his appearance at this summer's festival.

Rex Reason didn't have a desire for acting as a career until his mother
influenced his younger brother, Rhodes Reason, and him to get into the business.
From that start, both brothers went on to become successful actors with
wide ranges of credits.

Rex quickly found particular success in feature films - after an initial screen test,
his first role was the lead in the film, "Storm Over Tibet".  He went on to appear
in "Salome" with Rita Hayworth, "Band of Angels" with Clark Gable and Sidney Poitier
and "Badlands of Montana".

Rex had also made quite a name for himself in television - having portrayed
a newspaperman in two series - "Man Without a Gun" (for which we honor him here)
and "The Roaring Twenties".  He also made guest appearances on classic series such as
"Wagon Train", "Perry Mason", "Sugarfoot" and "77 Sunset Strip".

He is probably best remembered for his roles in classic sc-fi/horror films such as
his lead in "This Island Earth" (pictured above) and "The Creature Walks Among Us",
the last film in Universal's Creature From the Black Lagoon series.

Be sure to visit with Rex next year - he will have many great stories
and memories to share with all.

Biography / Film Credits

Website

 

 

"Sugarfoot"

Sugarfoot ran from 9/17/57 to 4/17/61 on the ABC TV network
and was produced by Warner Bros. Studios.

The cast included
Will Hutchins as the title character, Tom "Sugarfoot" Brewster

Show Reference / Episode List (68 episodes)

Click the Play Button below to see a promo for theSugarfoot TV show --

Representing "Sugarfoot" will be..

Will Hutchins

Will Hutchins will always be fondly remembered as the likeable Sugarfoot character
that he portrayed on that classic series and on other Warner Bros westerns.

But Will has a wide spectrum of other roles that he can proudly
claim - such as playing Dagwood Bumstead in a TV version of Blondie,
appearing in 2 films with Elvis Presley and even performing
as a circus clown.

Help us make Will Hutchins feel welcome as he returns with his to the festival this year!

Biography / Film Credits

Website

 

 

"Walt Disney Presents
The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca"




In this scene, Elfego Baca (played by Robert Loggia) meets
the local deputy played by fellow MFF guest, James Drury.

Elfego Baca was a 10-episode miniseries that ran on Walt Disney Presents
over a period of time that ranged from 10/3/58 to 3/25/60.
It was produced by Walt Disney Productions.

Other recurring western miniseries that ran about that same time
were Texas John Slaughter and The Swamp Fox.

The cast included
Robert Loggia as the gun-slinging lawyer, Elfego Baca

Show Reference / Episode List (10 episodes)

(Left) Rico Alaniz points out the notches
on the grip of his gun to Robert Loggia
who plays the lead in Disney’s
Nine Lives of Elfego Baca”. Photo taken on location in Cerrillos, New Mexico, in June 1958.
(Right) Robert Loggia, star of Disney’s
Nine Lives of Elfego Baca”, chats with
Ed Pennybacker who had a small role in one episode. At the time Pennybacker was news director of KQUE radio in Albuquerque,
New Mexico. This photo was taken near Santa Fe where much of the series was filmed.
(Photos courtesy of Boyd Magers)

Click the Play Button below to revisit the Elfego Baca TV show theme --


Representing "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca" will be..

Robert Loggia

Mr. Loggia has had an incredible career in Hollywood TV and films starting in the early days of TV
where he appeared in episodes of such classic series as "Rawhide", "Wagon Train",
"The Untouchables", "Big Valley", "Route 66" and "The Wild Wild West".  He even appeared
in both the original and revival versions of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Hawaii 5-O".

We will honoring Mr. Loggia for his memorable title role on "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca",
one of the recurring western mini-series that appeared on "Walt Disney Presents".
 This was the breakout role that launched Mr. Loggia on his incredible career.

That career grew to include his highly respected list of feature films from his Oscar-nominated role
in "Jagged Edge" to his audience-pleasing appearance in "Big"
(remember the uplifting scene of Robert dancing on a giant keyboard with Tom Hanks?)

 

Mr. Loggia's career has been been non-stop for over 50 years and also includes many recent hits
including "An Officer and a Gentleman", "Prizzi's Honor", "Independence Day", "Scarface",
"Psycho II" and the acclaimed TV series, "The Sopranos".

Next summer's festival will be a very rare public appearance for this versatile charactor actor
and you won't want to miss it!

 

 

Bonus Featured Guests !!

 

Ed Faulkner,
Our Guest Star

The Memphis Film Festival has made another excellent selection to represent western TV guest stars.
Ed Faulkner has a very recognizable face due to his many, many guest appearances
on TV and his supporting roles in feature films.

Many will be familiar with Ed from his many costarring roles in John Wayne films including
"McLintock", "Hellfighters", "The Green Berets", "Rio Lobo", "Chisum" and
"The Undefeated".  He also appeared in two films with Elvis Presley -
"Tickle Me" and "G.I. Blues".

One of the more interesting aspects of his career was how rapidly it "took off".
After arriving in California to get into acting, Ed met Andrew V. McLaglen,
son of famed actor, Victor McLaglen.  Working as a staff director at CBS,
he introduced Ed to Richard Boone.  The Paladin actor had an interest in seeking out \
new acting talent and cast Ed in an episode of "Have Gun - Will Travel"
within a month of arriving in Hollywood.  That was the start of a career
that involved 250 TV appearances and over 30 films!

In recent years, Ed has made appearances at film festivals all across the country.
but he is looking forward to his first appearance at the Memphis festival!
Come make him feel welcome during his visit!

 

 

Rex Allen, Jr
Banquet Musical Guest

Rex Allen, Jr is the son of western film star, Rex Allen, and has taken the western music heritage
in which he has grown up to a new level.

His golden voice has regularly graced several TV series such as
"The Statler Brothers' Show" and its spinoff series, "Yesteryear".
Singing in the "countrypolitan" style, he had hits with "Goodbye" (1974),
"I'm Gettin Good At Missing You (Solitaire)" (1977), "Lonely Street" (1977), "Two Less Lonely People" (1977),
"With Love" (1978), "If I Fell in Love With You" (1979), "It's Over" (1980),
"Drink it Down, Lady" (1980), "Cup of Tea" (1980, a duet with Margo Smith) and others.
He is also the composer and performer of the alternate state anthem of Arizona, entitled "Arizona".

WebsiteBiography

 

 

Johnny Western,
Banquet Musical Guest

Johnny Western has become a legend the the entertainment world of cowboy music and has appeared at music and film festivals worldwide.  He was everyone's first choice to play the role of "Gene Autry" in the 2010 MFF radio re-creation of Gene's "Melody Ranch" program.

For the few of you who may be unfamiliar with his face, you'll certainly recognize his voice.  It was heard every week singing "The Ballad of Paladin" on TV's classic "Have Gun, Will Travel".

Film Credits 

 

 

John Buttram,
Our Banquet Emcee

John Buttram is the nephew of Pat Buttram, the comic sidekick of Gene Autry,
veteran of many, many westerns and famous for playing Mr. Haney,
the peddler on the classic Green Acres TV show.

He has served as emcee at the Saturday night banquet
for the Memphis Film Festival in the past and has become a favorite for many
using his home spun humor and dead-on impersonation of his famous uncle.

So, by popular demand, John will once again be serving in that role this summer
guaranteeing the banquet to be an evening of fun and great entertainment.

Throughout the busy three day festival of film watching, panel discussions and
dealer room browsing, John brings a light hearted atmosphere that
really adds a welcome comfort to the show!

 

 


**All guests appear on the condition of their availability**