The Alamo (1960 film) of the former Alamo Mission. The set was an extensive three quarter-scale replica of the mission, and has since been used in 100 other westerns, including other depictions of the battle. It took more than two years to construct. Wayne was to have portrayed Sam Houston, a bit part that would have let him focus on his first major directing effort, but investors insisted he play a leading character. He took on the role of Davy Crockett, handing the part of Houston to Richard Boone. Wayne cast Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie and Laurence Harvey as William Barrett Travis. Harvey
The First Texan His forces are told to "remember the Alamo" and they proceed to overwhelm Santa Anna and his men. Texas is declared a free republic and Sam Houston its first president, a movement that eventually will lead to statehood. The First Texan The First Texan is a 1956 film in CinemaScope and Technicolor directed by Byron Haskin. It stars Joel McCrea and Felicia Farr. Sam Houston, a lawyer and former Governor of Tennessee, travels to San Antonio, Texas to begin a new life. He encounters Jim Bowie, who is determined to free the territory from Mexico's rule. Bowie is tried for