January 24, 1968
STARS ARRIVE -- The world premiere of
Warner Brothers-Seven Arts new western, "Firecreek," scheduled for 8
p.m. Wednesday at the Plaza Theatre, began Tuesday night with the arrival of the stars. Shown at International Airport with James Stewart,
right, who portrays the sheriff, are Ed Begley, whose role is that of a
fire and brimstone precher, and the petitie Miss Barbara Luna, cast in
the film as the Indian girl, Meli (Times Staff Photo)
Firecreek Premiere Stars Arrive In EP
“Hollywood really hasn’t changed much. There is still magic, still the excitement as far as I am concerned,” said James Stewart, the idol of millions and whose career as one of movieland’s leading stars has spanned three decades.
Stewart led a contingent of movie stars into El Paso Tuesday night for the premiere at 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Plaza Theater of “Firecreek” a western which has, according to director Vincent McEveety, “something to say.”
Arriving at International Airport were Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, Miss Barbara Luna, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Begley, McEveety and Calvin Clements, screen writer.
They were met by executives of Warner Brothers-Seven Arts and Interstate Theatres along with three representatives of the University of Texas at El Paso Golddiggers who presented the women with bouquets of red roses.
There is a magic always for those caught up in these events for it is exciting to see and talk with persons who are very much a legend in their time, these being especially Stewart and Begley.
Part of this intangible legend is that they are the same in person as they are on the screen. For example, Stewart is soft spoken, unassuming, waiting for the question before giving the answer which he then does with an interesting mixture of confidence and friendliness.
It is also fun to talk with younger members of these troupes; Miss Luna, for example. This is her second premiere, her first being in connection with her role in “The Ship of Fools.” She has appeared in many television productions.
Looking very much straight from 5th Avenue in New York, which is her home, she was asked in this exclusive interview with The El Paso Times whether she rides a horse in the new film in which she portrays a half-breed maiden.
She turned very serious, thought for a moment, and replied, “No, I don’t think so – but I get raped!”
Stewart said he has been in El Paso many times and has been looking forward to a return visit for the premiere.
“Over the years I have been at premieres of pictures all over the country. I like this part of the business. It is the right way to start a film moving,” he said.
“Firecreek” will open its regular run in movie theaters throughout the Southwest on Thursday, according to W.E. Mitchell, head of Interstate Theatres from Dallas.
Stewart said that “Firecreek” is a different kind of Western, that it is serious with some sadness but definitely is not grim.
McEveety elaborated somewhat on the intention of the film.
“We think it is something distinctive but will, of course, wait for the opinion of the critics. I think we said something. We intended to say something, not so much about the guy but about you and me. We hope its different,” the director said.
Clements, the screen writer, said he hopes that the term. “Firecreek,” will become something significant to people because it could represent any town which is threatened with violence.
In the plot, the town of Firecreek is invaded by five tough adventurers, Henry Fonda, Gary Lockwood, James Best, Jack Elam and Morgan Woodward.
Their first encounter is with a flirtatious farm girl and then, upon arriving in the town, two of them get into a brawl over Miss Luna who is an unmarried Indian girl with a fair-haired child.
This violence is stopped by Stewart, a farmer who is inadvertently identified as a part-time sheriff, and here begins his attempt to restore law and order into which is woven various romantic interests. Begley plays the traveling fire and brimstone preacher.
The stars will meet with more than 50 press, television and radio representatives from throughout the United States and Canada Wednesday morning; attend a Mexican rodeo in the charro ring in Juarez at noon and then prepare for personal appearances at 8 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre. Headquarters for all visitors is the Camino Real in Juarez.
Festivities planned for the arrival of the stars at the Plaza include music by the University of Texas at El Paso band and the Golddiggers and dancing by Tigua and Matachin Indians.
The stars will then appear on the Plaza stage where they will be made honorary citizens by Mayor Judson Williams and honorary deputies by Sheriff Mike Sullivan prior to the first showing of “Firecreek.”
January 26, 1968 - WINNERS GREET STEWART -- El Pasoans Myra Causey and her daughter Sharan La Pine, winners of Piggly Wiggly's "Win a Luncheon Date with Jimmy Stewart," chat with the star of Warner Brothers--7 Arts "Firecreek" at pre-luncheon world premiere festivities. Left is E. W. "Dub" Curry, vice president and divisional manager of El Paso Piggly Wiggly division.
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