Anyone Know Why?

Why did Eli Wallach play so many Mexican bandits in 60's era westerns?

I don't get it.

I wish I could help you out 13, but since we here traffic in generally useless information, the one thing I do know about Eli Wallach is that he was my dad's commanding officer in WW II in a medical unit in Casablanca (the place, not the movie).

Because he was the master.

"If you gotta shoot, shoot. Don't talk."

because back in the day, jews looked like the perception of what mexicans looked like.

then came erik estrada and edward james olmos, and BAM, we were out of work again.

Good point clothier. It's a true shame that Jews can't find any work in Hollywood.

pastrami-on-wry wrote:

Good point clothier. It's a true shame that Jews can't find any work in Hollywood.

We were thinking of having a fundraiser for this cause.

Just to add, he was really good as a Mexican dude, so I have no issue with his acting skills. It just seems like an odd choice. I can see the casting meeting.

Okay, next role is a dastardly, dirty, mexican bandit....quick get me a jew from NY...he'll be perfect!

And you know what? he was!

My Eli Wallach knowledge falls somewhere on the relevant scale akin to POW. When I was a kid, my buddy's dad's pool company had Eli Wallach as a client. So, during the summers, we would help clean pools for extra money, so I helped clean Eli Wallach's pool one day out in Southampton.

He wasn't there.

Come to think of it, there was some guy whol looked like a Mexican doing some gardening...maybe that WAS him???

Independent George wrote:

I helped clean Eli Wallach's pool one day out in Southampton.

Was there any "shrinkage"?

Isn't it time for the next poll?

WOT posters whose father had some connection with untypecastable mega-star Elli Wallach?

Or maybe we should just morph into a fan site. Is there an official such site already? We could be www.roguetuco.com.

pastrami-on-wry wrote:

Good point clothier. It's a true shame that Jews can't find any work in Hollywood.

stop the freakin' bus

there are JEWS in Hollywood??

laststandchili wrote:

Isn't it time for the next poll?

WOT posters whose father had some connection with untypecastable mega-star Elli Wallach?

I believe that there is still only one. My friend's father had the connection to Eli Wallach. It's been about ten years since we've spoken, but I could see if I get him to post here.

Yeah, that's real friggin deep. Who the frig is Eli Wallach? One of 13's relatives?

I feel like I am in a ...........................