The Co-Star Who Accused Burt Reynolds of Murder and the Movie He Didn't Want You to See

In-Depth Analysis

### David Whiting's Death On February 11th, 1973, David Whiting, the personal assistant of actress Sarah Miles, was found dead during the production of 'The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing,' which starred Burt Reynolds. The circumstances surrounding his death were immediately considered suspicious. Miles, who shared a hotel room with Whiting, had been out celebrating Reynolds’ birthday the night before. An argument broke out between Miles and Whiting when she returned, and she spent the rest of the night in Reynolds’ room. Whiting's body was discovered the following morning.

### Investigation and Conflicting Accounts The initial investigation cited an overdose as the cause of death, but a local coroner suggested suicide. Ultimately, the official cause of death was ruled an accidental overdose of methaqualone. However, injuries on Whiting’s body, including scratches, bruises, and a head wound, remained unexplained. Whiting’s mother, Louise Campbell, believed Reynolds was responsible for her son's death. Sarah Miles claimed her son, Tom Bolt, witnessed the incident and told her Reynolds committed the crime. Bolt, however, refuted this claim, stating he does not recall the event and doubts it happened. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the rumor persisted.

### Navajo Joe: Reynolds' Regretted Spaghetti Western Burt Reynolds attempted to emulate Clint Eastwood's success in spaghetti westerns with the 1966 film 'Navajo Joe.' Reynolds starred as a Navajo Indian seeking revenge against bandits who massacred his tribe. However, the production was plagued with issues, including communication difficulties due to the language barrier and Reynolds' dissatisfaction with the portrayal of Native Americans. Reynolds joked that the film was so bad, it was only shown in prisons and airplanes because nobody could leave. Despite its initial poor reception, 'Navajo Joe' has gained a cult following, with Quentin Tarantino using its Ennio Morricone score in 'Kill Bill: Volume 2.'

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Takeaways

• The rumors surrounding Burt Reynolds and the death of David Whiting highlight how easily speculation can arise, even without concrete evidence. Reynolds' experience with 'Navajo Joe' serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of cross-cultural filmmaking and the potential for missteps. The enduring popularity of 'Navajo Joe,' despite its flaws, demonstrates how even films deemed failures can find an audience and leave a lasting impact.

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