The Only Movie Clint Eastwood Wishes He Never Made is Free to Watch Now
'I was crazy enough to try anything.'
Summary
- Eastwood is an iconic name in Hollywood for his acting and directing.
- He is best known for playing tough western characters on screen.
- One movie in his career was out of character and a huge embarrassment to him.
Even one of Hollywood's most revered figures had to start somewhere. Clint Eastwood got his big break in the popular Western series Rawhide, which ran from 1959 to 1965. However, the actor put his reputation on the line by starring in a 1969 movie that his fans today would never have expected and that he will always regret.
Hollywood's notorious tough guy
At the age of 93, Clint Eastwood is a legend in the film industry and a world-renowned actor. He came to prominence in the early 1960s and became known for his roles in gritty Westerns, one of his biggest being Dirty Harry. In the '70s, Eastwood moved into the director's chair, splitting his time between acting and being behind the camera, eventually producing modern blockbuster hits like the Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby and American Sniper.
With that kind of success behind him, it was inevitable that Eastwood would face obstacles and disappointments throughout his career to get to where he is today. His biggest disappointment is the only movie he regrets being a part of. And there's no hiding from it, because he took an on-screen role.
It was not just a movie, it was a musical!
The 1969 Paint Your Wagon starred another legendary western actor, Lee Marvin, alongside the gorgeous Jean Seberg.
The plot involves buying a wife, kidnapping prostitutes, gold mining, gambling and, of course, lots of singing. Not only did Clint Eastwood take on a role in this rather ridiculous story, he also sang in it, and he wasn't very good. The movie was criticized, along with Eastwood's vocals, which he even admitted:
'What I was doing in that picture was not singing'.
The actor/director may be embarrassed by his role, but he has not been shy to talk about his experience. Eastwood explained that part of his motivation for accepting the role was his interest in music. With his father being a performer and his own knowledge of singing, Eastwood thought it would be worth a try.
In his defense, the final product was far from what he signed up for.
Paint Your Wagon Turned Out to Be Fool's Gold
When Eastwood signed on for the movie, he thought it was for a role in a gritty Western musical, and he was drawn to the fact that there would be an inter-ethnic romance involved. The project sounded daring and exciting, something that hadn't been done before. But after many rewrites, it became something very family-friendly, with all the elements Eastwood liked removed.
He tried to walk out, but the producers persuaded him to stay on for what would be a rather unpleasant and frustrating six months of filming.
As embarrassing as it was, his role in 1969's Paint Your Wagon was certainly not the end of Eastwood's acting career or his reputation in the industry, but it definitely discouraged him from ever pursuing a career in the music world.
Where to watch?
Much like buried loot, Paint Your Wagon is not an easy movie to find. Luckily for those who want to see Clint Eastwood burst into song, it is available to stream on Pluto TV in the US.