Huh. In two more years, it'll be the 70th anniversary!
I ran across an interesting youtube video of a promotional announcement that Maureen O'Hara did near the time of the release of
McLintock! She was talking about her friend, John Wayne, and his sons, Michael and Patrick.
There were clips from the movie, including excerpts from the mudfight, the chase leading up to the spanking, and the spanking itself. Rough footage was used, edited just a little bit differently than in the finished film. There was some music that was different from what DeVol wrote for the soundtrack. Some of the dialog was slightly different too, with Katherine threatening Birnbaum while she was getting spanked. (Why? Because he suggested that G.W. "raise his hand"? She wasn't there to hear him.) There was no "CLANG CLANG!" from the foley man, but a more realistic sound of the shovel slapping against Ms. O'Hara's lovely bottom. AND nine swats were shown.
At the time, John Wayne had just finished with one of his less-successful films,
The Alamo, and he needed a big hit to put him back at the top. Good old Maureen O'Hara! She was at a point in her career that she didn't have to get spanked like that. She could've refused to take the role, or made them do the spanking "off-screen", or asked for a stunt double to be turned over the Duke's knee. She knew what the fans wanted!
I don't know how long this one will be around... but here's the link for now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ7alinE1HQ