Trivia / The Sons of Katie Elder

• Acting for Two: Karl Swenson played "Doc Isdell" and the bartender in the scene where Tom auctioned his eye.
• Cast the Runner-Up: When the film rights were picked up by Hal B. Wallis, who had a deal with Paramount, in 1959 it was announced that Dean Martin would star as John Elder. Ultimately, Martin played Tom Elder.
• Completely Different Title:
  • Denmark: Four Brave Sons
  • Finland: The Invincible Brothers
  • Greece: All Four Were Brave
  • Hungary: The Four Snipers
  • Japan: Elder Brothers
  • Taiwan: Four Tigers in One Door
  • Turkey: Bad Son
• The Danza: John Wayne as John Elder.
• Dawson Casting:
  • John Wayne was 57 when he played John Elder, a man who is supposed to be in his late thirties or early forties.
  • Bud Elder is said to be 18, but Michael Anderson Jr. was 22.
  • Dennis Hopper was 28 years old at the time of filming, while Dave Hastings is said to be 18.
• No Stunt Double: Despite having surgery to remove a lung and two ribs due to cancer, John Wayne insisted on doing his own stunts and nearly contracted pneumonia after being dragged into a river.
• Prop Recycling: The same wanted poster of a man in a top hat smoking a cigar was used in El Dorado - also starring John Wayne.
• Role-Ending Misdemeanor: Tommy Kirk was fired from the film after being arrested for possession of marijuana at a party on Christmas Eve 1964. Photographs of him wearing police handcuffs made the front pages of newspapers, and consequently he found it increasingly difficult to get film roles.
• Saved from Development Hell: Screenwriter William H. Wright came across the story in 1953 and Paramount bought the rights in 1955. Frank Burt was to write the script, John Sturges was going to direct and Alan Ladd was to star, making a return to Paramount after several years' absence – he still owed Paramount one film left. Noel Langley signed to write a version of the script and filming was to start in April 1956, but in July, Ladd had bought himself out of his Paramount commitment by paying $135,000, and he would no longer make the film. Hal B. Wallis picked up the rights in 1959, filming was due to start in 1964, but was delayed for a year due to John Wayne's cancer diagnosis.
• Stunt Double: John Wayne's own stunt double Chuck Roberson stood in for George Kennedy in the scene where John Elder character hit Curley with an axe handle.
• Throw It In!: When John Wayne "punches" Dean Martin in the breakfast ruckus he clearly strikes his hand on the open door and lets out an authentic "ouch" and grabs the hand. They evidently chose to leave this in the film.
• What Could Have Been:
  • When it seemed unlikely that John Wayne would do the film because of his cancer, he suggested that Kirk Douglas replace him, while the producer suggested Robert Mitchum or William Holden. Burt Lancaster was offered the role, but he felt the story was routine. Charlton Heston was also considered.
  • Had Mitchum starred, Stephen Boyd would have played Tom.

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