Why Elvis Turned Down "True Grit"

Above, an original movie poster for True Grit at the True Grit Cafe in Ridgway, Colorado.

According to an article in the Daily Express (U.K.), Elvis Presley was originally approached to co-star with John Wayne in True Grit (1969) in a role that eventually went to Glen Campbell. But Presley declined.

They wrote:

The storyline saw Duke play Rooster Cogburn, a tough one-eyed old United States Marshal who helps a 14-year-old girl track down the drunk who killed her father.

They did this with the help of Texan Ranger LaBoeuf, a part that initially was set for Elvis.

However, in the late 1960s, Elvis was tired of making poor musical rom-coms and returned his focus to live performances with his 1968 Comeback Special and subsequent Las Vegas residencies.

The King’s cousin Billy Smith described on his son Danny’s Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel how John Wayne asked Elvis to co-star in a few of his movies. He said: “In fact, he asked him a couple of times.” 

In the end, his manager The Colonel pushed it too far by demanding that  Elvis should receive top billing above Wayne if he were to play the Texan in True Grit.

To read the full article, go here. 

True Grit Café Celebrates 25 Years Tomorrow

Above, the True Grit Cafe in Ridgway, Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the highlights of the Colorado trip last September was visiting the town of Ridgway, where much of True Grit (1969), starring John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell and Robert Duvall was filmed. Ridgway is only about nine miles north of Ouray, Colorado. The drive there was easy and scenic, well worth it!

While in Ridgway, we stopped in at the True Grit Café for some lunch. Mitch Geriminsky and I both had bowls of chili, which were quite good.

The True Grit Café is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. And, as the above image shows, they are putting on a celebration tomorrow.

Above, Mitch Geriminsky and yours truly at the True Grit Cafe last September.

Congratulations are in order and here's to another 25 years!

For more information on the True Grit Café, go here.

"True Grit" Sign and Paddy Wagon

Last week, when I posted about the locations in Ridgway, Colorado of True Grit (1969), I wanted to include a shot of the painted "Chambers Grocery" wall sign and the paddy wagon from the movie. I couldn't find one (I am fond of "then & now" photos).

So, I took a screenshot from the movie that includes both with John Wayne in it.

Here it is:

Here's the sign (now inside of the True Grit Cafe, which was built around it to preserve it) and the paddy wagon (in the yard of the museum a block away) today: