Page "The Alamo (1960 film)" Paragraph 40

Wayne was to have portrayed Sam Houston, a bit part that would have let him focus on his ( first major ) directing effort, but the money-lenders insisted he play a leading character.

He took on the role of Davy Crockett, handing the part of Houston to Richard Boone.

Wayne cast Richard Widmark as James Bowie and Laurence Harvey as William Barrett Travis.

Harvey was chosen because Wayne admired British stage actors and he wanted " British class ".

When production became tense, Harvey spoke lines from Shakespeare in a Texan accent.

Other roles went to family and close friends of Wayne, including his son Patrick and daughter Aissa.

The future western songwriter and stuntman Rudy Robbins had a bit role in the film as one of the Tennessee Volunteers.