Stay Away, Joe (MGM) (1968)

The name of Joan Blondell conjures up a montage of images—Joan Blondell opposite James Cagney, opposite Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, John Garfield, Edward G. Robinson, Dick Powell, Steve McQueen—in fact, opposite every important male screen star since the early 1930's. And now, she co-stars with one of filmdom’s all-time top personalities, Elvis Presley, in MGM’s “Stay Away, Joan Blondell, as the hilarious mother who doesn’t hesitate to use firearms to keep an overardent Elvis Presley away from her teen-age daughter in MGM’s “Stay Away, Joe,” rowdy come dy set in today’s West. Quentin Dean plays the man-chasing daughter, with the all-laugh cast also starring Burgess Meredith, Katy Jurado and Thomas Gomez. In Panavision-color. Still 1864-53 Stay Away, Joe Mat 1-B And it’s a role right up Joan Blondell’s alley. In the rugged, contemporary western comedy she is seen as Glenda, a tavern owner and Elvis’ former flame, determined to protect her blossoming daughter from the pitfalls she herself knows so well. And in doing so, she chases cowhand Presley all over the country with a shotgun ! [LLVOVOVO VOY OV OVO VO LOLOL NO MORE WEEPING FOR KATY JURADO MADADADADATATARATARAMAMARG| “Movie audiences should sometimes be allowed to sit on pink clouds,” declares Katy Jurado. “In this time of so many personal tears I don’t want to be entertained by more tears.” That is why the two-time Oscarnominated Mexican actress likes her latest picture more than any of the previous hundred films in which she has starred. MGM’s “Stay Away, Joe” is her first comedy. “I have had the privilege of being in some of the finest motion pictures ever made,” she says, “including ‘High Noon’ ‘Broken Lance’ and ‘One-Eyed Jacks.’ But from the beginning of my acting career I have wanted to do comedy. No one offered me one before this.” When producer Douglas Laurence and director Peter Tewksbury began preparing “Stay Away, Joe” as a vehicle for Elvis Presley, they resolved to assemble an ace cast to fill the off-beat roles in the contemporary western comedy. But the pivotal role of Annie Lightcloud, Presley’s Mexican-Indian, invective-spewing but loveable stepmother, was a challenge for the filmmakers. Miss Jurado, 33 times honored for her performances in movies, television and on stage, provided the answer. “T read the script,” she relates, ‘and it made me laugh out loud. So I accepted it immediately !” JOAN BLONDELL PLAYS PRESLEY'S GUNTOTING NEMESIS IN “STAY AWAY, JOE” The blonde, saucer-eyed actress has gracefully stepped from ingenue to leading lady to character portrayer without relinquishing her star status. Just as when a generation of movie fans fell hopelessly in love with her, Joan can still be a wisecracking tart in one film, musically appealing in another and dramatically compelling in the next. Her career is carved from the stuff that makes a good movie script. Her father was the original Katzenjammer Kid, and his wife, Kathryn, and children, Joan, Gloria and Edward, comprised the supporting cast of their vaudeville act. They were together continuously, playing every theatre circuit and touring Australia and the Orient until the demise of vaudeville in 1928. To such a degree did the Blondells get around that Joan’s fifth birthday was the first she celebrated in the United States. The Blondells were in Texas when the final curtain fell on their act. Joan headed for Broadway and a try at the chorus of “The Ziegfeld Follies.” No luck. Then, after several minor stage roles, she scored in a resounding hit, “Penny Arcade.” Hollywood sat up and took notice. Warner Brothers bought the play for a movie under the condition that Joan Blondell and another member of the cast, a young Irishman named James Cagney, sign up with the studio as contract players. When she went out to Hollywood, it marked Joan’s 260th cross-country trip. Movie stardom was almost instantaneous. She was a new type, wildly talented and wildly applauded wherever her films were shown. _ Joan Blondell’s name has appeared in lights ever since—and in a staggering total of 86 motion pictures ! Not Even Broken Bones Could Keep Her Away! So eager was two-time Oscarnominated Mexican actress Katy Jurado to appear with Elvis Presley in MGM’s western comedy, “Stay Away, Joe,” that she neglected to inform either producer Douglas Laurence or director Peter Tewksbury that she had broken some bones ‘n her foot in an accident a few days before filming was to begin. Instead, she prematurely removed the cast surrounding the foot and explained the limp as being part of her characterization as Presley’s spitfire Navajo Indian stepmother. ; os Miss Jurado got away with it! WHEN GIRL-CHASER MEETS MAN-CHASER Still 1864-19 Where’s there’s Elvis Presley, there’s love-making and Quentin Dean is the object of his affections in “Stay Away, Joe,”” MGM’s rugged, rowdy comedy set in today’s West. Burgees Meredith, Joan Blondell, Katy Jurado and Thomas Gomez also star in the all-laugh cast of the new Panavision and Metrocolor attraction. Stay Away, Joe Mat 2-B BURGESS MEREDITH RUNS A GAMUT FROM “PENGUIN” TO PRESLEY'S INDIAN “PA” Burgess Meredith is celebrated as a sensitive interpreter of Maxwell Anderson, James Thurber and Samuel Beckett. But it is one of his more lightweight endeavors which makes him the target of young autograph collectors. For Meredith, one of the most respected actor-directors of the American stage, is also that kooky, campy TV character known as “The Penguin,” batman’s hottest foe. And he now adds another zany characterization to his list with MGM’s “Stay Away, Joe,” in which he co-stars with Elvis Presley. Meredith plays Presley’s Indian father in the contemporary western comedy. The picture boasts a topnotch cast. In addition to Meredith, Joan Blondell, Katy Jurado and Thomas Gomez, all award-winning performers, surround Elvis, who is cast as a half-Indian cowboy whose good deeds invariably reek havoc. Distinguished stars notwithstanding, “Stay Away, Joe” is out-and-out comedy. How does Meredith reconcile his work in serious theatre with such an assignment ? Elvis Presley, hell-bent for love and laughs, meets man-chasing Quentin Dean in “Stay Away, Joe,”” MGM’s rugged, rowdy comedy set in today’s West. Burgess Mere dith, Joan Blondell, Katy Jurado and Thomas Gomez are others in the stellar cast of the new Panavision and Metrocolor attraction, Peter Tewksbury directed. Still 1864-34 Stay Away, Joe Mat 2-C “T can’t,” he admits. “They’re irreconcilable. If, like many of my friends, I did only art films or Shakespeare I might have a more dignified reputation. But I don’t worry about that. I like to try my hand at everything. “Besides,” he adds slyly, “I find amusement in defying the caste system and jumping boundaries.” He doesn’t jump. He leaps. Since the day, some 25 years ago, when a leading critic wrote, “Burgess Meredith is the most thrilling young actor of his day,” he has created an enviable record. He was voted “Best Performer” for his Broadway performance in “She Loves Me Not.” He has starred in three plays which Maxwell Anderson wrote with Meredith in mind—‘Winterset,; oh. Vor. anda ne. Star Wagon.” He scored as the school principal in the “Mr. Novak” television series. On Broadway he directed “The Thurber Carnival” and in Los Angeles, Leroi Jones’ controversial plays, “The Dutchman” and “The Toilet.” And he has toured the country with his highlypraised “An Evening with Burgess Meredith.” This, in addition to roles in more than 25 motion pictures, including “Of Mice and Men,” “The Story of G.I. Joe,” “The Cardinal,” “Madame X” and “Hurry Sundown.” His future plans include directing the world premiere of Paddy Chayeysky’s new play, “The Latent Heterosexual,” at Dallas’ Frank Lloyd Wright Theatre. He is also working with Christopher Isherwood on a musical version of “Dog Beneath the Skin” and hopes to co-produce an “Evening of Samuel Beckett” in America. But just as people begin to conclude that Meredith is a “highbrow” he will pop up in another picture like “Stay Away, Joe.” His explanation : “I am a man moved by the rhythms of his time.” WELL, WE ALL CAN'T LOOK LIKE ZSA ZSA' For her role as Elvis Presley’s Navajo Indian stepmother in MGM’s modern western comedy, “Stay Away, Joe,” Katy Jurado did what few leading ladies would dream of doing. She ate constantly in an effort to add a pound a day to her frame. Twentytwo days and twenty-two pounds later she arrived in Sedona, Arizona, to begin her role as an Indian woman who craves such status symbols as indoor plumbing. Why the added poundage? Miss Jurado gave her explanation: “Reservation Indians are warm, wonderful people but they do not look like Zsa Zsa Gabor !” CAST Boe Lightcloud) <ic4.ctecccscceeesces Elvis Presley Charlie Lightcloud -........... Burgess Meredith Glenda Callahan ............-....... Joan Blondell Annie» Lightcloud,..-=.-<....--..--Katy Jurado SHON ODO teeta teenre to ete Thomas Gomez RIVE OIIOQeN toceees cee eee Henry Jones Bronte: Hoverty ...--0.0-00 scence ee L. Q. Jones Mamie Callahan ..................-Quentin Dean WYATS EICWIKINES ao s2c-csgestdcaetees tee Anne Seymour Congressman Morrissey..Douglas Henderson Lorne. Hawkins: 2--2..-.1.....2.Angus Duncan Rranki Hawkee ees Michael Lane Mary Lightcloud -................. Susan Trustman Hiker BOWErS. 3.322022 -cet ee Warren Vanders Bull’ Shongun: 2-222. Buck Kartalian Gonnie-Shorigun’ =... See Maurishka Marlene Standing Rattle-........Caitlin Wyles Bilie=JO “HUMP: c:s.c2e03 cece ss Marya Christen Jackson He-Crow ..........-. Del “Sonny”? West Pitle Deer 2 cn-1-500..-ce ee secrarecs Jennifer Peak Deputy Sheriff Hank Matson...... Brett Parker ROVING: WHIT shizscente a-drecceseoneres Michael Keller Produced by Douglas Laurence. Directed by Peter Tewksbury. Screen Play by Michael A. Hoey. Based on the Novel by Dan Cushman. Music Score by Jack Marshall. Director of Photography: Fred Koenekamp, A.S.C. Filmed in Panavision. Metrocolor. Art Directors: George W. Davis and Carl Anderson. Set Decoration: Henry Grace, Don Greenwood, Jr. Unit Production Manager: William R. Finnegan. Film Editor: George W. Brooks. Assistant Director: Dale Hutchinson. Vocal Backgrounds by The Jordanaires. Recording Supervisor: Franklin Milton. Assistant fo Producer: Michael A. Hoey. Make-Up by William Tuttle. Hair Styles by Sydney Guilaroff. Presented by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. STARS WITH ELVIS Elvis Presley with glamorous Susan Trustman in “Stay Away, Joe,” MGM’s rugged, rowdy comedy of today’s West. Miss Trustman, star of TV’s “ Another World” series, makes her motion picture debut in the new Panavison and Metrocolor attraction, also starring Burgess Meredith, Joan Blondell, Katy Jurado and Thomas Gomez. Still 1864-72 Stay Away, Joe Mat 1-D While Joan Blondell’s 18 pieces of jewelry in MGM’s “Stay Away, Joe” are valued at only $23,000, Katy Jurado finds it impossible to calculate the value of the baubles she wears in the contemporary western comedy, starring Elvis Presley. One necklace was a gift from Spencer Tracy, and the other from John Wayne. Gary Cooper gave Miss Jurado the earrings she dons in “Stay Away, Joe.” And, for a final touch of elegance, she wears a treasured ring given her by Broadway stage star Helen Hayes. 3