Who would dare remake a legendary western like Howard Hawks’ 1948 classic RED RIVER? Who could replace John Wayne? Well, pilgrims, it was Jim Arness who stepped into Duke’s boots for the 1988 TV movie version. Before he was cast as Matt Dillon on GUNSMOKE, Arness had been under contract to Wayne. Everything about the project was risky but, using the original script by Borden Chase and Charles Schnee, it added scenes that had not been used in the original and the new version of RED RIVER turned into a very successful western.

With a cast that toplined James Arness as Tom Dunson, actor and Executive Producer Gregory Harrison as Cherry Valance, Bruce Boxleitner as Mathew Garth, Ray Walston replacing Walter Brennan and an array of familiar western film veterans including L.Q. Jones, Jerry Potter, Burton Gilliam, Stan Shaw, and cameos from former TV western stars Guy Madison (WILD BILL HICKOK), Ty Hardin (BRONCO), Robert Horton (WAGON TRAIN) and John Lupton (BROKEN ARROW), the film had enough stars and dynamic scenes to create a memorable film and superb tribute to the original.

Gregory Harrison’s rise to stardom is unique. Growing up on Catalina Island surfing and loving movies, Harrison, as he says, “headed East to Hollywood.” He studied acting, working odd jobs in LA before landing his first film, one of the leads in the little know rarity, JIM, THE WORLD’S GREATEST in 1975. Starring roles in LOGAN’S RUN, CENTENNIAL and TRAPPER JOHN followed and Harrison has never stopped working. His love of acting, and surfing, are as strong today as they were when he was a teenager working in Catalina and outfitting summer clothes to regular customer John Wayne.

Gregory joined producer host Rob Word, May 9, 2023, at The Autry to regale his fans and film buffs with stories of Duke, of Jim Arness, of surfing and his incredible journey as a performer. Among those in the audience to enjoy the conversation was Greg’s cowboy shooting costar, Bruce Boxleitner.

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