Trivia / Rio Bravo

• Career Resurrection: For both John Wayne and Howard Hawks. Wayne had moved away from westerns after The Searchers, but none of his subsequent films were successful. Meanwhile, Hawks had taken a break from directing lived in Europe following the flop that was Land Of The Pharaohs.
• The Cast Showoff: Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson singing the memorable song "My rifle, my pony and me", a rearrangement of Dimitri Tiomkin's own theme from Red River
• The Danza: John Wayne as John T. Chance. However, "John Wayne" is only Wayne's stage name (his real name was Marion Michael Morrison).
• Deleted Role: Although Harry Carey Jr. was listed in the credits on-screen, he does not appear in the picture. Carey had a drinking problem at the time. He called Howard Hawks "Howard" instead of "Mr. Hawks" on one of his first days on the set, infuriating Hawks. His contract, including his pay and his screen credit, was honored, but his part (a townsman) was cut.
• Deleted Scene: According to writer Leigh Brackett a scene where Ricky Nelson throws himself under horses similar to the one done by James Caan in El Dorado was shot but cut from the final print.
• I Am Not Spock: In an interview, Walter Brennan stated that for years after this film was released people who met him for the first time expected him to limp like Stumpy. He said he considered it a tribute to his acting since he had to constantly remember which leg to limp on.
• Recycled Set: The movie was filmed in Old Tucson, the same Arizona movie set where Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was filmed.
• Those Two Actors: This was the last time that John Wayne and Ward Bond co-starred in a film. They appeared in 23 films together.
• What Could Have Been:
  • Kirk Douglas, Sterling Hayden, Burt Lancaster and Gregory Peck were considered for Sheriff Chance.
  • Montgomery Clift was the original choice for Dude, but he turned it down, unwilling to work with John Wayne and Walter Brennan again after Red River. He did recommend Dean Martin for the role. Other candidates included James Cagney, John Cassavetes, Tony Curtis, Henry Fonda, Glenn Ford, Cary Grant, William Holden, John Ireland, Burt Lancaster, Ray Milland, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Rod Steiger, Spencer Tracy and Richard Widmark.
  • Elvis Presley was the original choice for Colorado Ryan. Unfortunately, Col. Parker wanted too much money and top billing. Other candidates included Lloyd Bridges, Chuck Connors, Tony Curtis, James Garner, Jack Lemmon, Lee Marvin, Robert Mitchum, Jack Palance and Rod Taylor.
  • Carolyn Jones, Piper Laurie and Donna Reed were among those considered for Feathers.
  • Buddy Ebsen and Burl Ives were considered for Stumpy.
• Working Title: A Bull by the Tail.

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