History of The Alamo (1960 film) in Timeline

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By Popular Timelines Editorial Team  · Updated:
The Alamo (1960 film)

The Alamo is a 1960 American epic historical war film depicting the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Directed and produced by John Wayne, who also stars as Davy Crockett, the film features a notable cast including Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie, Laurence Harvey as William B. Travis, and Richard Boone as Sam Houston. Supporting roles are played by Frankie Avalon, Patrick Wayne, Linda Cristal, Joan O'Brien, and others. The film was shot in 70 mm Todd-AO by cinematographer William H. Clothier and was released by United Artists.

1945: John Wayne starts developing a movie about the Alamo.

In 1945 John Wayne decided to make a movie about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo and began working on it with James Edward Grant.

1948: Patrick Ford writes screenplay for the Alamo.

John Ford's son, Patrick, wrote a screenplay about the Battle of the Alamo in 1948.

1956: Wayne secures funding and distribution for The Alamo.

In 1956 John Wayne signed with United Artists, securing funding and distribution in exchange for starring in the film.

September 9, 1959: Filming for The Alamo begins.

On September 9, 1959, filming for The Alamo began.

1959: John Wayne casts Frankie Avalon in The Alamo.

After the success of Rio Bravo (1959), John Wayne cast Frankie Avalon in The Alamo to attract teen audiences.

October 24, 1960: World premiere of The Alamo held in San Antonio.

The world premiere of The Alamo was held at the Woodlawn Theatre in San Antonio, Texas on October 24, 1960.

1960: The Alamo film released

The Alamo, an American epic historical war film about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, was released in 1960.

2007: Original print of The Alamo deteriorates.

By 2007, the original print of The Alamo deteriorated and was no longer usable.

2010: Complete score of The Alamo released.

A complete score containing recorded versions of Tiomkin's music from The Alamo was issued by Tadlow Music/Prometheus Records in 2010.

2014: Internet campaign launched to restore The Alamo

In 2014, an internet campaign was formed in hopes of restoring the deteriorated 70mm version of The Alamo.