Man and Boy (1971 film)
1971 film by E.W. Swackhamer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Man and Boy is a 1971 American Western film directed by E. W. Swackhamer[1] and starring Bill Cosby.[2][3][4][5][6]
| Man and Boy | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | E.W. Swackhamer |
| Written by | Harry Essex Oscar Saul |
| Produced by | Marvin Miller |
| Starring | Bill Cosby Gloria Foster Leif Erickson George Spell Douglas Turner Ward John Anderson Yaphet Kotto Shelley Morrison Henry Silva |
| Cinematography | Arnold Rich |
| Edited by | John A. Martinelli |
| Music by | J. J. Johnson |
Production companies | J. Cornelius Crean Films Inc. Jemmin Inc. |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
In the wake of the American Civil War, an ex-soldier and his family move west to settle in lawless Arizona.[7]
Cast
- Bill Cosby as Caleb Revers
- Gloria Foster as Ivy
- Leif Erickson as Mossman
- George Spell as Billy
- Douglas Turner Ward as "Christmas"[8]
- John Anderson as "Stretch"
- Henry Silva as Caine
- Dub Taylor as Atkins
- Yaphet Kotto[9] as Nate
- Shelley Morrison as Rosita
- Richard Bull as Thornhill
- Robert Lawson as Lawson
- Jason Clark as "Red"
- Fred Graham as Himself
- Jack Owens as Himself
Production
In 1970, Cosby made plans to have Man and Boy produced in six weeks.[10] Marvin Miller, producer, said "We integrated our towns because that is the way it was."[10] Filming began on January 11, 1971, in Scottsdale, Arizona[11] After three weeks of production and $3500,000 spent and money running out, Miller contacted John Crean, a mobile home builder in Long Beach, California, to see about more financing. Crean liked that the film was going to be G-rated.[11] Filming ended one week earlier than planned with a total cost of $800,000.[11] At this time all of the major studios were looking to distribute the film.[12] Del Shields, assistant producer, said there were six blacks on the production crew. More than normal on a movie set.[13] Through Cosby's production company, Jemmin, Inc., Cosby noted that those who don't have money, will.[14]
Music
Man and Boy's music was composed by J. J. Johnson.[15][16] Quincy Jones arranged the soundtrack for the film.[17][18]
Release
Columbia Pictures released the film in June 1971.[19]
Critical response
Roger Ebert wrote that Cosby reminded him of Will Rogers on film. The film does not have structure.[20]