Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: James Coburn 1928

This is topic James Coburn 1928 - 2002 in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 11-19-2002, 12:15 AM:

I just heard that James Coburn has passed away. Really sad news for film fans everywhere who are still dealing with the loss of Richard Harris. Coburn recently won an Academy Award for his role in "Affliction." When I was just a kid, the first Coburn films I watched were those campy Flint movies ("In Like Flint" and "Our Man Flint"), which I still think are guilty fun. I also remember Coburn in the very bloody Sam Peckinpah World War II bulletfest "Cross of Iron."

Coburn put in a lot of excellent supporting work just over the last decade. He was good in "Maverick" and perfect in "Monsters, Inc." I also liked Coburn's work in "Payback." The upcoming film "American Gun" looks like it might be really good, judging by the Quicktime trailer at Apple's site.

Check out his filmography at IMDB. 135 entries spanning from the 1950's to this year.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 11-19-2002, 01:59 AM:

I am sorry to hear that. I think he was an excellent actor. The loss of a good actor leaves an empty feeling. [Frown]

Posted by Gordon Hedges III (Member # 863) on 11-19-2002, 05:51 AM:

Sad. [Frown]

I remember him from "Hudson Hawk". Sure, it's a dumb film, but I love it. [thumbsup]

He was very good in "The Magnificent Seven" and I didn't know he was in "Monsters, Inc.". I'll have to check that out, along with finally watching those Flint films.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-19-2002, 06:56 AM:

What a career! I remember showing the popular "Flint" movies when I worked at the Grandview Drive-In 35 years ago!

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 11-19-2002, 09:05 AM:

How sad---another great one passes. [Frown]

His Flint movies are my favorites that he made.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 11-19-2002, 10:56 AM:

If I'm channel-surfing and I come across a James Coburn film, I have to stop and watch it. I can only say that about a handful of actors.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 11-19-2002, 12:28 PM:

I'll always remember him for The President's Analyst.

"Everyone hates The Phone Company." [Big Grin]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 11-19-2002, 01:01 PM:

Remember James Coburn's Waterhole No. 3? (1967) I remember running that movie several times. It was a very funny movie, I thought.

..Especially the quote in the music "Do unto others before the mothers do unto you." [Big Grin]

I edited this because "m" is moved from "others and was added to the end of "the" ...and when the two words were run together, you get the idea... [Smile]

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 11-19-2002, 07:37 PM:

Does anyone remember the Lark Cigarette cinema commercials from a few years ago (outside the USA) starring James Coburn? One had a Soviet train that is stopped in the barren snow while soldiers search the train for a spy. Of course they miss the fact that the little old lady in one compartment is Mr. Coburn in disguise. And he gets the girl in the end. "Speak Lark" is the tagline whatever that is supposed to mean.

Filmed in Canada; post production in Chicago.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 11-19-2002, 10:02 PM:

Actually, since I liked that movie Waterhole No. 3 so well, I thought I would dig up the lyrics for the "Ballad of Waterhole #3" that Roger Miller sang, but did not actually write the song for James Coburn. Here it is:

The code of the west ain't some words on a page
You just naturally know it when you come of age
You eat when you're hungry, you drink when you're dry
You look every man in the eye

It's the code of the west when the boys talk of women
The code of the west what you know you don't tell
The code of the west a man soaps his own saddle
Brands his own cattle and some of his neighbour's as well

If you're buildin' fences then I ain't for hire
You get me for nothin' and I'll bring the wire
You patch up my windows, I'll plumb up your doors
If you scratch my back I'll scratch yours

It's the code of the west you must honour your neighbour
The code of the west to your own self be true
The code of the west you must do unto others
Do unto others before them others do it unto you

Sounds like society of today, doesn't it? [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 11-23-2002, 07:53 PM:

James Coburn can't be dead! He is on our screen here at the Rialto right now. We are playing The Man From Elysian Fields, his final film. [Frown]

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 11-24-2002, 09:08 PM:

Sad news indeed. If you want to see Coburn in top form inn his later ages, rent "A Thousand Heroes." It's the story of the rescue of survivors after the crash landing of United flight 232. Corburn plays the fire cheif, and he wears the role well.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 11-25-2002, 01:18 AM:

Actually he has one more film coming out, American Gun.
Here's the LA Times article