40 Films in Robotech: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

      

The Robotech reference to this film is what inspired me to create the 40 Films in Robotech list.

 ROBOTECH MENTION:  

In Robotech episode 63, called Lonely Soldier Boy, our newly formed group of rebels is squaring off with a local gang. Movie-loving Rand can’t quite recall the exact title of the film – “Shootout at the someplace or other” – but clearly references this film. Here is a posted copy of the Robotech episode 63, cued up right before Rand’s film reference. Two things: 1) the YouTube user sped up the episode, so this clip may sound funny and 2) if the clip doesn’t start around 31 minutes 9 seconds, scrub the video timeline to that mark to hear Rand’s line:

 SYNOPSIS:  

I got this charming old book at my local library ‘Bag O’ Books’ sale called Feature Films on 8mm, 16mm and Videotape – Sixth Edition: A Directory of Feature Films Available for Rental, Sale, and Lease in the United States and Canada (1979). This was pre-streaming and even pre-video house rental stores. It lists simple facts about a film and codes on which companies sell, rent or lease various types of media copies (film or videotape). Here’s the short write-up on The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: “GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL, THE (Paramount-1957-122min*16mm sound-color) Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas (d) John Sturges.” (p. 124)


See “Other Cool Facts” below for more about the story of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. 

 AWARDS & KUDOS:  

In 1957, The Boxoffice Magazine Awards awarded Gunfight’s director John Sturges the Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award for Best Picture of the Month for the Whole Family (in June). At the 1958 Laurel Award, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral won the Golden Laurel for Top Action Drama and Top Male Action Star (Burt Lancaster). 

 OTHER COOL FACTS:  

In the #classicfilm reading book Memorable Supporting Actors and Actresses from the 1930s to 1950s: Book 1 – A Through I (2020), author Gary Koka writes about one of his favorite actors John Ireland and how he played the enemy of Doc Holliday in two films: My Darling Clementine (1946)  and Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, “…In Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, this time it is Burt Lancaster as Wyatt Earp and Kirk Douglas as Doc Holliday. Here, [John] Ireland is Johnny Ringo, not related to Ike Clanton, but still the arch enemy of Doc Holliday; Ringo attempts to steal Doc’s girl friend, Kate Fisher (Jo Van Fleet), after one of Doc’s drinking binges. Doc ends up dispatching Johnny Ringo during the famous gunfight.” (pg. 246)

 ROBOTECH REASON:  

Wyatt Earp is the law-abiding, law-enforcing cowboy. Doc Holliday messes with the rules to gain any advantage but believes in Earp and his cause. This is the same relationship in Robotech with Lt. Scott Bernard and Earthling “nature boy” Rand. Scott is military regulations; Rand can do what it takes to survive. By Rand referencing Gunfight early on in their relationship, it sets the stage for the partnership and conflict that lies ahead for both of them on the way to Reflex Point (the final “gunfight” in Robotech).

To read my ⭐⭐ ⭐ (out of a possible 5 star) rating for Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on Letterboxd, click here. 

And that's it! Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is the 40th movie in the 40 FILMS IN ROBOTECH! We still have some more fun planned in this 40th Anniversary year of Robotech, so keep coming back. In the meantime, here is the complete list of the 40 Films we covered this year in our Robotech Anniversary celebration...

You can also view this list on LETTERBOXD and see reviews of these films.

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