Yes, they did originally want John Wayne. I believe William Conrad was interested in taking the role from radio to TV, but was considered too hefty. Raymond Burr was also considered. I don’t really see him as the western type, though.
I’ve seen Ken Curtis’ Sons of the Pioneers work and I remember seeing him in the early ‘60’s series called “Ripcord.” He so completely transformed himself into Festus that it’s almost hard to believe it was the same person. I remember reading an interview his wife gave and she said, “Oh, Ken is really nothing like Festus. For example, he’s very clean.” :)
The next time Rio Grande is shown on TV, tune in. The “Regimental Singers” serenade Wayne, his wife Maureen O’Hara and General Sheridan (J. Carrol Naish) after dinner. The Regimental Singers are the Sons of the Pioneers, and the lead singer in “I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen” is Ken Curtis.
He also played Charley McCorry in The Searchers. He strums guitar and sings to Vera Miles who he’s courting, although she’s in love with Jeffrey Hunter. His character in this movie, along with his accent, seems to be gravitating to his Festus character...
I remember a story I hear about when Gunsmoke was on radio with William Conrad as Marshall Dillon. Apparently, the on-stage profession of Miss Kitty was a bit more...obvious. They got into trouble in a saloon scene where someone went upstairs with someone, and some pretty obvious sound effects didn’t leave much to the imagination. Only heard the story, so looking for any confirmation...?
Me neither, but I bet he could have pulled it off.
Sad day :>(
By the way, one of Ken Curtis’s best ever: singing lead (with The Sons Of The Pioneers) on “I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen” to John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in ‘Rio Grande.’
Yes, K.C. cleaned-up real good! I’ve always thought his character of Festus was a work of genius. It was a total transformation, right down to his singing voice.
There’s an image of him... I wish I could find it. He’s dressed and made-up as Festus, and he’s leaning against a tree. But he’s smiling directly at the camera as Ken Curtis. Quite a handsome photo.