The Alamo (1960 film) had seen some of the rushes from "Timberland" and thought I would be right." After making the film, Wayne told the press "We're not cutting one bit of any scene in which Frankie appears. I believe he is the finest young talent I've seen in a long time." "Mr Wayne said I was natural as far as acting goes," said Avalon. Several days after filming began, Widmark complained he had been miscast and tried to leave. Among other things, it seemed ridiculous that the relatively diminutive (5'9") Widmark would be playing the "larger than life" Bowie, who was a reported
The Alamo (1960 film) a success and Wayne lost his personal investment. He sold his rights to United Artists, which had released it, and it made back its money. Critical response was mixed, from the "New York Herald Tribune"'s four-star "A magnificent job...Visually and dramatically, "The Alamo" is top-flight," to "Time" magazine's "flat as Texas." The film has a score of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is thought to have been denied awards because Academy voters were alienated by an overblown publicity campaign, particularly one "Variety" ad claiming that the film's cast was praying harder for Chill Wills to win his award than