Peter Fonda visits Dallas for a preview screening of 3:10 to Yuma

... and answers a few questions from the audience following the show.

by John P. Meyer

Peter Fonda - yes, that Peter Fonda - made an appearance at the Angelika Dallas Thursday night (Aug. 23) following the USA Film Festival's preview screening of 3:10 to Yuma, which starts its regular run on Friday, Sept. 7. Look for a review of the movie on that date.

Peter, who plays the part of a Pinkerton-employed bounty hunter in the film, hung around afterwards to converse with attendees about the movie they'd just seen, in addition to other Fonda trivia. After the grueling Q/A, Peter (who refused to let anyone call him "Mr. Fonda") was presented with the traditional black Stetson by the USA Film Fest folks. Unsurprisingly, it looked damn good on him.

Below are the 10 most interesting Fonda-communicated information packets, listed in reverse order of interest:

10. Russell Crowe (co-star on 3:10) did not throw any cell phones on the set.

9. Alterations are always necessary when translating literature to the screen.

8. Peter decided to take the role in 3:10 because he wanted to work with director James Mangold (he specifically cited Cop Land as a movie that impressed him).

7. The film crew had to bring in 40 tons of dirt to hide the snow on the street of the western town set after a record October snowstorm hit their Santa Fe area location during filming.

6. "You can discuss current events in past tense using the Western." For instance, torture.

5. Peter has traveled through the actual vicinity of Yuma, AZ on two occasions: once while driving his Ferrari (which received a down-to-the-aluminum sandblasting on the side of the car facing the wind) and once on a motorcycle.

4. The most fun he ever had making a movie was during the filming of Ulee's Gold.

3. "I hate horses." (He prefers motorcycles.)

2. For his uncredited cameo appearance in the movie Wild Hogs, Peter received "500 large - one day, in and out, by private jet."

And the number one most interesting tidbit of information shared by Peter Fonda following the USA Film Festival's preview screening of 3:10 to Yuma:

1. He recalls his dad (Henry Fonda) hosting card games at the house with guests such as The Duke, director John Ford, Randolph Scott and (gulp!) Gary Cooper (The Coop).

Man, oh, man - what I wouldn't have given to sit in on a hand of stud poker with that crew. Or to have watched them from the utility room on the nannycam, even. (I wonder if Jane served them popcorn?)

BONUS TIDBIT: Peter agrees that his vocal inflection in the role of Byron McElroy in 3:10 is heavily reminiscent of John Wayne.

(Oh, and then there was that whole LSD episode with George and John...)