The set of the musical film Paint Your Wagon was marked by significant personal and professional conflicts, including directorial disputes, issues with cast behavior, and a notable cast affair that escalated to a challenge.
Key Events and Incidents
The production of Paint Your Wagon saw various challenges behind the scenes that influenced the atmosphere and workflow:
- Director-Producer Tensions: Alan Jay Lerner, the film's producer and lyricist, was a constant presence on set. He frequently attempted to overrule the directorial decisions made by Joshua Logan, leading to friction and creative clashes.
- Actor Conduct: Lee Marvin, one of the film's lead actors, reportedly struggled with personal issues during filming. He was often drunk and abusive, contributing to a difficult working environment for others on set.
- On-Set Affair and Aftermath: Clint Eastwood and Jean Seberg, who played romantic leads in the film, engaged in an affair during production. This relationship concluded dramatically when Seberg's husband, French writer Romain Gary, arrived on the set and challenged Eastwood to a duel.
These incidents contributed to a memorable and often turbulent production period for the big-budget musical.
