Classic Western: 10 Things to Know About Gunfight at the OK Corral
While the real gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, only lasted 30 seconds, the 1957 film’s version of it spanned about five minutes. Enjoy these 10 additional fun facts about Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, one of the best Western movies ever made:
1) Producer Hal B. Wallis originally wanted to cast Burt Lancaster and Humphrey Bogart as the leads. He did land Burt Lancaster as Marshal Wyatt Earp, but the role of Dr. John “Doc” Holliday went to Kirk Douglas.
2) Dennis Hopper played Billy Clanton in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The actor was from Dodge City, Kansas, where Wyatt Earp once served as sheriff.
3) Virgil Earp was the marshal of Tombstone, not Wyatt. Western movies — actually, movies of all genres — will bend the truth to create a more powerful storyline.
4) The real gunfight took place around 3 p.m., but in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp and his brothers were told to be at the corral at sunup.
5) Certain Tombstone street scenes were shot on a Paramount Ranch set seen later in the popular TV show Bonanza. Western movies and TV shows often shared and/or reused sets.
6) Kirk Douglas planned his coughs down to the number and kind for his character's consumptive condition. He did so to ensure continuity throughout the film.
7) In a scene during the gunfight, a charge and wires used to create a gunshot effect can be seen dangling from a wall. Oops.
8) Wyatt Earp drinks whiskey throughout Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. In reality, the lawman rarely drank.
9) To date, the movie has grossed $11,750,000 at the U.S. box office and $4,700,000 in rentals. Dances With Wolves ranks at the top of the top-grossing Western movies of all times list at $184,000,000 to date, with the 2010 remake of True Grit just behind it at 171,000,000.
10) Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was nominated for two Oscars: best film editing and best sound recording. The Directors Guild of America also nominated director John Sturges for outstanding directorial achievement in motion pictures. The film didn’t win these awards, but it did take home a Golden Laurel for top action drama. Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas were also each nominated that year for a Golden Laurel award for top male action star. Lancaster took home the award, and Douglas came in fifth place.