The Films of Clint Eastwood

1955: Revenge of the Creature

Clint Eastwood’s long and distinguished film career began in 1955, when he was 25, in the B Movie REVENGE OF THE CREATURE. Eastwood had decided to try acting after serving as a boot camp swimming instructor in the US Army in northern California. Eastwood landed a contract with Universal Studios, earning $75 a week, and his first role was a brief scene in which he played a lab technician called Jennings. It was the only 3D film of 1955 and a sequel to Creature from the Black Lagoon. Eastwood’s character tells Professor Ferguson that a cat has eaten a lab rat, only to later find the rat in his lab coat pocket. Eastwood’s first movie role almost didn’t happen. In Kevin Avery’s book Conversations With Clint: Paul Nelson’s Lost Interviews with Clint Eastwood 1979-1983, the actor recalled that he was hired to do the scene by producer William Alland. But when Alland took Eastwood to meet director Jack Arnold, Arnold said, “What the hell is this? I told you I don’t want to do that goddamn scene! Who’s this guy?” Eventually, Alland convinced the director and the scene was shot and included in the film. Eastwood said: “It was a hell of a way to start your acting career: walk on a set and you know that the director hates the scene. Therefore you know he hates you.” The film had its premiere in Denver on March 23, 1955.

1958: Ambush at Cimarron Pass