Weekend wrapup!

I had to work this past Saturday at the Library, but it wasn't a total loss. We had a program on "Urban & Traditional Georgian Music" which I was fortunate enough to monitor. The group was absolutely amazing and I found myself enjoying it a lot more than I would have thought.

Both the Red Sox and the Mets are doing very well so far this season. Also the Yankees are appearing a bit shaky, so I couldn't be happier.

Speaking of happy, I think that I and other Xena fans were delighted to see Lucy Lawless last evening in the CBS made-for-TV feature LOCUSTS. Personally, my favorite part was probably in the first fifteen minutes when we saw the ex-Warrior Princess drop her robe to reveal bra and panties. Yeah, I know it's wrong of me to say that, but I'm trying for honesty here! :-)

Seriously, LOCUSTS was a combination the "nature goes wild" and "man perverts nature" type of thing which fills the weekends over on SCI-FI. Personally, I love that type of thing and can happily sit through the absolute worst garbage. Poor Mike Farrel had barely fifteen minutes of screen time, playing Lawless' father, with Dylan Neal (of DAWSON'S CREEK fame) playing her romantic interest.

The bad guys in this one turn out to be a group in the Defense Dept. and Homeland Security actually saves the day. I was wondering what they were doing with the billions they've been budgeted.

I'm really curious what the budget for this thing was and why CBS decided to put it up. As I say the folks over at SCI-FI run hours of this type of thing, but generally don't have name actors. Then again are either Lawless or Farrell really 'names' any longer?

Sunday at Shea Stadium

Thanks to the Queens Library, my friend Pete & I were able to attend yesterday's Mets game. Last week was National Library Week and as part of "Library Workers Appreciation Day" the system supplied a pair of tickets to a weekend game to all employees. Since Donna didn't want to go I asked Pete and we headed out to Queens from Brooklyn.

Since it was opening day weekend at Shea the place was jumping. Hundreds of fans had gotten there early on a beautiful, sunny day and were all over the parking lot tailgaiting up a storm. The smell of grilling hamburgs & hotdogs was everywhere.

We had seats in the Mezzanine, between First & the foul pole, which were far better then the last few times I attended a game. Sadly, I think I must jinx the team, since they lost 5-2 to the Marlins, whom they had been ready to sweep. This stopped a nice six game winning streak. Tom Glavine just didn't have the right stuff on the mound with a 0-2 record this season) and only the Mets' Victor Diaz getting a homerun.

Over on the Bronx side of things Boss George is none too happy with the highest paid team in the majors. The Bombers are in last place and their owner was letting everyone know that things had better change and fast! To which we say, "hee hee!"

My Red Sox are 7-5 so far and only a game out behind Baltimore (who just happened to be the team that swept the Yanks in a three game series). The Yankees are back in town tonight to meet the Devil Rays, while the Sox are in Fenway hosting Toronto (who have a half game lead on Boston).

LONESOME DOVE: kind of a review

LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry

I remember watching the mini-series based on this novel a number of years ago, but except that it starred Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones I don’t recall much else. I really should try to rent it again one of these days, now that I’ve been reading McMurtry’s series of novels. The thing about having seen that series is that I can picture Duvall and Jones as the characters. It is their voices I hear as Call and Gus speak, argue and make their way over the deserts and mountains.

It’s easy to see why this book was so popular and why McMurtry received the Pulitzer Prize. He has created a fascinating cast of characters, both male and female, whom he brings to full life. Not only are the main heroes, former Texas Rangers Gus and Call, vividly portrayed but secondary characters who are only briefly introduced become ‘real’ enough that we care about their fates. Even if you had not read the earlier books (Dead Man’s Walk & Comanche Moon, which show us the early lives of the Rangers) McMurtry gives us enough back story here to make the reader sympathize with them.

We travel with the Hat Creek outfit from their livery stable in the Texas town of Lonesome Dove through their journey of several thousand miles to Montana, driving over a thousand head of cattle and horses. They encounter natural hazards and the human kind, both of which can be fatal. Along the way we meet new characters whose lives cross those of the main cast, the meetings do not always end pleasantly.

Since I started reading this series with DEAD MAN’S WALK, I was sometimes surprised to see that certain events mentioned in passing in LD did not exactly match the events in the earlier novels. We don’t find characters returning from the dead, but McMurtry seemed to feel it okay to make some changes in how and where certain characters met. Of course, the author went back years later to these characters, but it some cases it seems that he didn't bother checking his own book rather making small changes to events as he pleased. Guess you can do that when you created the characters to begin with. As a long time reader of comics, a continuity glitch or two can't be me too worked up.

It is good to see characters like Deets, Clara, Pea Eye and others who we got to know in the ‘earlier’ books. We learn their fates and see how they have grown from young adults to middle-age. I’m hoping to pick up the last book in the series, which is STREETS OF LAREDO, where we take up the story of an older Captain Call. So far none of McMurtry’s books have disappointed me.

I'm looking forward to reading some of his other western novels, once I take a break with several books of mystery short-stories. I've picked up a few old issues of Alfred Hitchcock anthologies recently and they are next on the agenda.

Oh well!

Last night wasn't meant to be I guess. Curt Schilling wasn't meant to get his first win on his first day back and Mariano Rivera was able to thumb his nose at the Red Sox fans.

As we Sox fans always say, "It's early in the season yet!"

To be honest, I felt I should post just to prove that I'm not only to be here when we win. Although, I hope that the wins will greatly outnumber the loses as the season progresses. :-)

It also looks like Jason Giambi may be able to hit a ball minus the juice after all!

Curt Schilling back on the mound

It will be interesting to see how Curt Schilling performs tonight at Fenway. This will be his first appearance on the mound before the home crowd since he helped the Sox win the World Series. He had a rough time the other day in a Triple-A start, but being a bit shaky first time out shouldn't really worry the fans. The guy is a trooper!

Papers report that tonight may be the last time that Roger (The Rocket) Clemens will pitch his last game in New York. He'll go up against the Mets tonight with the Astros sitting at the top of the NL Central Division.

A good night for baseball fans here in the city!

National Library Workers Day!

I generally don't duplicate posts here and over on PARTING SHOTS, but I wanted to make an exception today.

This is from an e-mail sent to all staff at the Queens Library:

Tuesday, April 12, is NATIONAL LIBRARY WORKERS DAY, as designated by the American Library Association, and timed to occur during National Library Week. It is intended to recognize nearly 400,000 special people whose efforts in libraries across the U.S. serve the public’s need for information and literacy.

Hats off the my fellow Librarians, the clerical staff, pages and volunteers who work to provide service to millions of Americans each day. We don't earn nearly enough money, but we continue to do our jobs to keep the Libraries open for the public.

This weekend in sports & the Sox get their rings!

Hard to believe that even this early in the season we find both the Sox and the Yankees a game and a half out of first place. The Blue Jays of all teams find themselves on top of the AL East. Be interesting to see how long that lasts!

Tiger Woods finally beat his own jinx and won his fourth Masters tournament. I believe this is his first major victory on at least two years. Folks have been blaming his fiance, but I think part of it is that the other players don't freeze up when Tiger is around as they formerly did. They've discovered he can be beat and are doing just that.

Arena football lost a player during a game this past weekend. Al Lucas, a former NFL player was injured and went into a coma from which he did not recover. Lucas was transported to the hospital but emergency procedures could not save him. I'm certain that there will be an investigation into the event and NBC may be wondering about their continued partnership with the sport.

The BoSox picked up their World Series rings today, prior to trouncing the Damned Yankees. Man, is that icing on the cake, or what?

Domino's Pizza

I've love pizza since I was first introduced to it as a kid. Now this was back in Taftville, CT in the early 1960s, so I don't know what you would expect. The local place was called M&M's and was operated by a Greek family. I guess I probably thought they were Italian, until my mother told me different.

Growing up I had the opportunity to have pizza in dozens of cities around the U.S. and even in other countries, including Italy and Israel. Hard to believe, but I think the best pizza I've had is from right here in Brooklyn. There's a place on 18th Ave. in Bensonhurst who continue to make the best pizza I've had since moving here. J & V PIZZERIA on 63rd Street is amazing!

Anyway, the library had a 'going away' party for me today, since I'm being transferred to another branch. The staff decided to order Domino's, which doesn't make any sense to me since there are two "real" pizza places with a few blocks from here.

Can anyone tell me why anyone within delivery distance of a pizza restaurant would EVER order the doughy thing which this franchise passes off as pizza? Bland and tasteless, even with toppings, doesn't go far enough to express my disappointment.

I guess some folks much love it since the stores seem to be making a fortune. Still give me a slice from any of the hundreds of neighborhood places here in New York!

best and have a good weekend if I don't get around to posting later!

Finally we win one!

The final score (which I heard while at dinner) Boston Red Sox 7, New York Yankees 3 at Yankee Stadium. The Sox now have one in the Win column, for which we are grateful

Winning pitcher Mike Timlin actually had support both from the bullpen and some hot bats. I do hope that Derek Jeter wasn't hurt badly by a bad pitch by Timlin which struck the Yankee captain in the shoulder, bouncing and hitting Jeter in the head. He was taken out in the eighth after the hit.

Even though he is a Damned Yankee, Jeter does seem like a nice guy and I'd hate to think he got injured.

The next time the two teams meet, in Fenway, the Sox will be getting their World Series rings at the home opener. I hope I'm home to catch that!

Not so good start!

I can't blame starting-pitcher Matt Clement of the Red Sox for yesterday's loss to the New York Yankees. He held the Yankees off fairly well, as did Pedro in the first game. Unfortunately, as in the season opener, the relief pitching didn't come through. It's also the old story of the Yankees coming up in the final inning with the winning run or two to end the game. This time it was Yankee captain Derek Jeter getting Keith Foulke's 3-2 pitch and sending it over the right field wall.

I'm hoping that this isn't going to be typical of what we'll be seeing from Boston this year. Naturally, it's only the first few games and guys have to get into the groove, but let's hope that it doesn't take too long for the bullpen to get it together.

When I go to dinner later the third game of the series may already be over. I'm working tonight so can only listen to the highlights on WFAN or ESPN-radio later. Finger's crossed that Alan Embree has a better time today than Matt & Pedro. It would be nice to duck a sweep this early on.

Off to another start

Well, I suppose it was in the cards, that the Sox would lose the first game against the Yankees. Randy Johnson had his usual great stuff and David Wells had nothing! It was probably some cosmic payback for the end of last season, but let's hope that Boston will come back and demonstrate that last year was not a fluke.

Despite the loss Sunday night, it was a kick seeing Johnny Damon on the TODAY SHOW yesterday morning. He was plugging his book and joking around with Jimmy Fallon, who is in the new movie FEVER PITCH. The film is about a Red Sox fan who tries to balance his new romance and his love of the game. Looks like a fun movie, with plenty of scenes shot at Fenway, including the final game of last year's WS. What a perfect end for the movie, huh?

Red Sox at Fenway Park

Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino announced late last week that the Sox will be remaining at their traditional homepark. There has been speculation for several years, especially when the new owners took over. Lucchino said that some renovations and improvements are planned. He said that the Red Sox will be able to celebrate their 100th anniversary at Fenway in style when 2012.

I feel bad admitting that I've never actually been to Fenway Park myself. I've seen the outside of the stadium a few times while in Boston, but have never had the opportunity to attend a Sox there. One of these days....

TV Party and other stuff

I've added a link to TV Party over on the right (the headline above should also bring you there) which I discovered while doing a 'net search for some kid's shows I used to watch. It's a nice site with plenty of links to pages dedicated to various old television programs and personalities. As with the cartoon sites you may find yourself going from place to place wasting valuable work hours.

My parents didn't own a set until around 1956 (according to my Mom), so I don't really have memories of anything prior to that. It's likely that I may have been allowed to watch something downstairs at my grandparents, but I can't be sure. Most likely I was probably six or seven years old before I really began sitting in front of the set letting the hypnotic b&w screen work its wonders.

Growing up in southeastern Connecticut my most vivid memories are of the four TV stations we got most clearly. This, of course, was back in the primitive days of TV antennas and the four networks (I believe that Dumont was still broadcasting at that point). I know we received two CBS stations, one NBC and an ABC affiliate. I have a memory of one of the stations switching affiliation at some point. We only picked up one station from Connecticut, that being WTIC (now WFSB) Channel 3 out of Hartford. The other stations were located in Boston & Providence, at least their IDs indicated that.

When I have a chance I'm going to talk about some of the kiddie shows I most vividly recall, but I want to point out the page at TV Party which talks about the Boston kid's shows. Most of those are the hosts I remember, especially Rex Trailer and "Big Brother" Bob Emory both on WBZ.

Review: Devil in the White City by Eric Larson

Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
By Erik Larson; published by Random House

There is something about the “Gilded Age” (the name coined by Mark Twain & Charles Dudley Warner for their novel of the period), that period ending the 19th century in America which totally fascinates me. It seems to do the same for many others, since there have been countless books, movies and television shows which take place in that period. The fact that it coincides with Britain’s Victorian Age is probably one reason for that interest, since the events of that era literally changed the political, social and cultural makeup of much the world.

The U.S. was rapidly changing in that period, with a great shift taking place as millions of native born Americans, as well as immigrants, began moving into the larger cities and making their livings by working for industries, rather than farming. It is also the era which saw a change in how the U.S. saw itself as a player in world affairs.

I think one of the most amazing things about the period, here in the U.S., was that life in the ‘civilized’ eastern portion of the nation was so vastly different from that of the still growing frontier west of the Mississippi. In fact, Larson makes note of that very thing in his section talking about “Buffalo” Bill Cody’s troop of ‘cowboys & Indians’ who were neighbors to the fair for all of its existence.

One way in which America could prove itself was to host the World’s Fair of 1893. The previous one held in Paris, including as it did the unveiling of Eiffel’s tower, was considered unsurpassable. Larson’s book takes a look at the social, political and economic pressures which were brought to bear on the men and women who set about to bring the Fair into being. He also introduces many of his readers, for most for the first time, to a most remarkable individual, who also had his own impact on hundreds of people. In his case, the effect was often deadly.

Larson’s book centers on the careers and fortunes of two very different men. One is Daniel Burnham, architect and overall planner of what was known as the Columbian Exposition. The second was named Dr. H.H. Holmes, although it became known only later, that this was only one name by which this gentleman went. It was in fact, not his name at all, but the one by which he became identified as the first American serial killer (although this term would not come into fashion until several generations after Holmes left us).

Unlike his better known British contemporary, Jack the Ripper, Holmes did not publicly flaunt his murders, but quietly went about his crimes while maintaining an air of respectability. Holmes was in fact, even after his conviction, the object of sympathy and respect. Called a ‘monster’ by the press of the day, many of those who had known Holmes personally still spoke of him highly.

It is not known exactly how many people, mostly women, Holmes killed in his ‘castle’ in Chicago. The newspapers of the period said as many as two hundred, although it was probably less then half that. Still dozens of men and women checked into Holmes’ hotel and never were seen or heard from again.

While Burnham and Holmes (born Herman Webster Mudgett) both were born hundreds of miles from Chicago; it was there they earned their fame. Burnham’s father operated a wholesale drug business, while Mudgett’s parents were farmers; from early in their lives they took very different courses. Burnham, rejected by both Harvard & Yale, yet became one of the most highly respected architects of the era. Holmes, a mediocre student at best, earned a degree in medicine and also took up the pharmaceutical trade, but on the retail level.

Larson, writer of the bestseller Isaac’s Storm, has done an incredible job of research, which brings both men and their contemporaries to life. His examination of the cultural and economic tides which effected the fair make it all the more remarkable that Burnham and his partners were able to pull it off. On the other hand, many of these same things helped Holmes do what he did so well also, by allowing him to go undetected until dozens of people had already met their fate at his hands. Four Stars.

Tracking the elusive toon!

Back when I was a kid, during the mid-1950s to late 1960s, I loved cartoons. In my mind, of course, this was the ‘Golden Age’ of television animation. Hanna-Barbara, Ruby-Spears & Warner Bros. seemed to rule the roost, with some Terrytoons and other studios taking up the rest of the time. Early on it was the older cartoons, originally made for theatrical release, getting a second chance in weekday afternoon slots and the taking over on Saturday mornings. If you liked animation you could certainly get your fill, although you had to wait for certain times of the day.

Back then I don’t think any of us could have imagined entire television channels featuring animation almost 24/7. You get not only shorts, but entire ‘feature length’ movies, some made in other countries. Wow!!!

For me, BOOMERANG is probably the channel I most watch, when I have the chance. The channel shows most of the old H-B shows I used to love, as well as some Jay Ward and other programs. The blocks dedicated the various super-hero/adventure shows (Herculoids, Galaxy Trio, Birdman, etc.) are really the ones which I still find entertaining. Part of me never quite grew up and still loves the things which thrilled me as a kid.

The link over on the right will take you to www.toontracker.com an absolutely amazing site filled with page after page of illustrations, theme songs, information and even some actual cartoons. I’ve spent hours going from one section to another and think that you’re likely to do the same.

Mr. Selig goes to Washington

The headline above will link to a NY Daily News article on yesterday's hearings. I was home yesterday but actually had other things to do besides watching Congress. I'm sorry to have missed Mike McGwire crying and saying he didn't "want to talk about the past." Of course, why else would he have been called up there? They guy may be doing some wonderful things for abused children (and more power to him for that), but that wasn't why he was asked to appear.

Sammy Solsa's ability to speak English appears to be a problem at times, since his lawyer (and don't you love it when folks appear with one beside them?) had to tell the committee that his client never broke the lawyers of the U.S. or the Dominican Republic. Who knew that D.R. had laws on the books about rich athletes taking drugs? Pretty progressive!

On the much more pleasant front, Donna and I got confirmation that we got the seats we wanted for the Brooklyn Cyclone season. We'll be over behind the visitor's dug out in Section 15, on the aisle. Make it a bit easier to hit the concession stands between innings, as well as the bathroom when the beer takes effect.

Jason gets a pass

Looks like Jason Giambi won't have to go up to Capital Hill after all. Apparently he's going to be called before the Grand Jury again, or to testify in the upcoming Blasco trial on steroids. With Bonds and Giambi both out of the picture it will be interesting to see just who will be showing up. Lawyers for the MLB are still trying to limit the questions being asked, so the whole thing seems even more of a waste of time than it has before.

Only another couple of weeks before the actual baseball season commences, and then all this will really fade away. Unless, of course, the Blasco trial comes out and names Barry Bonds which will put a major damper on any celebration of his record later this season. There are already indications that MLB and the networks will underplay the thing. Not ignore it, since they can't do that, but they'll not be the hoopla we saw whey first McGwire and then Solsa broke the homerun records.

Mike & Mike, on ESPN, were talking about the new MLB steroid policy this morning. One thing not widely know (at least by me) was that the League has the option of NOT naming players caught during the drug testing and suspending them. The draft of the 'policy' seems to allow the League to fine the player instead, in which case his name will not be made public. I agree with them that it dilutes the strength of the policy and will let some of the big name players possibly slide, while other players will get outed. It's going to be a long interesting season, both on and off the field.

Say it ain't so, Mark!

Headline above links to yesterday's New York Daily News exclusive on Mark McGwire's use of steroids.

Even when McGwire was playing there were rumors about him using steroids. A look back at pictures of him in his rookie year you'll see a much different guy from that one who broke the home run record. Ditto, of course, for Barry Bonds and a few other players currently under suspicion.

It is still unclear if any of the MLB players called before Congress this week will show up. I know that Curt Schilling has said he has no problems talking to the Senators, but then the stories really haven't been about pitchers, have they?

Steroids, Congress and baseball

I tried to post earlier today, but either my network or Blogger was acting up.

I don't want to get political here, but aren't there more important issues both domestically and internationally that Congress should be concerned about? Apparently they've gotten tired worrying about what we see and hear, so now Senators need something else to get their names in the paper.

Like most folks, the absence of Barry Bonds in these hearings seems rather odd. The excuse that it has to do with the Grand Jury procedure may be true, but you have to wonder.

It may be of passing interest to see what sort of deal MLB can make. They find themselves in a no-win situation as I see it. If they fight this thing it will look like they have something to hide, than on the other hand they can't know exactly what the players called may say. Will they all take the Fifth or start "naming names?"

I'm going to follow this somewhat, but I really just want to enjoy the season.

Grand Comic Book Database

For several reasons I'm not reading comics as much as I once did. Formerly, I picked up about dozen books each week and followed several dozen titles on a regular basis. Now I hardly ever go into a comic shop and have no clue as to what is going on in the industry. I sort of feel bad about that, and hope to eventually start in again.

I've added a link to the Grand Comic Book Database over to the side. The folks there are going a remarkable job of trying to index all over the comics published in the United States. It has an amazing amount of information and like the Internet Movie Database, I find myself using the site quite often. Also, like the IMDB the GCD is just a fun place to waste some time and discovering titles you'd never known existed.

Jason Giambi

Well, it was probably smart for Joe Torre & his staff to send Jason Giambi out to face Red Sox Nation. In a split squad game in Florida the NY Yankees went up against the Red Sox and beat them. Jason hit a home run, despite some booing, shouts of "Steroids!" and a few signs mentioning the whole thing. Naturally, the New York media is making this out to be the end of the situation, but playing in an exhibition game in front of a mixed crowd of fans is not the same thing as being at Fenway Park. Nor is the situation going to go away at any of the MLB parks around the country, at least not for a few months. Each time Giambi and the Yankees go out on 'enemy' turf they are going to hear it.

I almost feel bad for Giambi, even though he brought this on himself. It will be far more interesting to see how Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and some other players mentioned in Canseco's book deal with similar situations. I think the first major event will be when one of the players (and it's only a matter of time even with the half-hearted drug policy) gets caught using.

The Red Sox win their pre-season opener

The Boston Red Sox won their first pre-season game yesterday, beating the Minnesota Twins by one run. The final score of the “Grapefruit League” game was 4-3, with new pitcher Matt Clement allowing one of the Twin’s runs during his two innings of work.
Today the team will have a couple of split squad games against some college teams.

I don’t expect to be doing this day-by-day, but will try to get in a few times a week with Sox news, good or bad. Like most Boston fans, I’m moderately confident that the Red Sox can prove themselves not to be one-time wonders.

The Yankees tied their opening game with the Pirates, with a final score of 2-2. Randy Johnson was originally slated to pitch, but given a minor problem with his left leg Joe Torre wisely replaced him. Why push it this early? I'm sure that the Big Unit will have more than enough chances to prove he's worth the money George S. shelled out.

The other New York team got rained out, so the Mets will have their first game today against the Cardinals with new acquisition Pedro Martinez on the mound. I understand Pedro played for some other team last season.

I haven't been this excited about the baseball season since I was a kid. Fingers crossed that my enthusiasm is rewarded!

Animation and other fun stuff

Since I was a kid I've been a fan of cartoons (or animation, since that is probably more accurate). I have fond memories of sitting in the living room of my parents house watching hours of POPEYE, FARMER ALFALFA and other b&w cartoons originally made for theatres. Eventually, these were pushed aside by material made for the emerging TV market. Stuff like RUFF & READY, CRUSADER RABBIT and the numerous creations of Hanna & Babara (like HUCKLEBERRY HOUND & YOGI BEAR).

Even as I grew older I never lost my love of the art form, but found that it actually expanded to include material found only in animation festivals or at conventions. I've added two links over on the right to sites which cover some of this stuff, both of them by folks known and respected for the knowledge. I actually had the opportunity to meet both of these gentleman, back in another life.

Leonard Maltin, long before he began popping up on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, was teaching courses on the history of animation at the New School in Manhattan. The very first time I ever met Elayne Riggs (then Wechsler) we attended one of these classes. The class was interesting, although I don't remember now which cartoons he showed. It was on St. Patrick's Day, I believe, and I think we went out for Chinese later, but that's another story.

I also know that it was Elayne who introduced me to Jerry Beck. This was at an animation festival held at the old Thalia uptown. I believe that Jerry and his partner Will Friedwald were both in attendance.

Jerry's site, CARTOON RESEARCH is of course dedicated to animation and the history of the art form. Leonard's is much more diverse, but still has links to animation history (including Jerry's site), as well as film history in general. I probably check out the Maltin site on a more regular basis, but both have aided me in looking up references I'd never have found on my own.

Jose Canseco's book

Jose Canseco' book, JUICED, came into the library yesterday and I skimmed it briefly. I don't know that I'm interested enough to read the whole thing, but will probably read some sections to see what he has to say about certain players, teams and league officials.

He appears to have some nice things to say about Joe Torre, although he wasn't too happy with his brief stint with the Yankees. The team picked him up basically to prevent him from playing with some other teams and hitting against the Yankee pitching staff. He ended up spending most of his time sitting on the bench and actually felt guilty about taking part in the World Series celebration that year.

Regarding Sammy Sosa, I didn't read what he had to say about any steroid use by Sammy, but Canseco did feel that Sosa was singled out during the 'corking' incidend. He felt that the umpire made a big deal out ot the situation, while many other times such things are swept under the rug when discovered with different players. Who knows if this is true or not? I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

Thrilling Detective

The headline above will link you to the Thrilling Detective website. Thrilling Detective isn't connected to the well known pulp magazine by that name. The title, apparently entering public domain, just seemed an apt one for the folks who set up this site and expresses perfectly what the site promotes. I'm also adding a link to the page over on the right, which should be up shortly.

I would have to guess that my love of detectives and the mystery genre probably occurred shortly after my love of cowboys. There was certainly never a shortage of those old b&w movies on television, featuring Dick Powell, Alan Ladd, or Lloyd Nolan among others. Hard-boiled guys, usually with a cigarette dangling from the lips as they wised off to some cop or gangster. Like the cowboy heroes I loved these guys were tough, but generally decent despite their rough edges. Maybe that's why both genres have such an overlapping readership and many writers find easy to move from style one to the other.

I've just discovered this site so will be checking it out in the next few days. I'll probably have more to say about both it and the types of films & books it honors.

Minor League Baseball

The headline above will link you to the MLB site which covers the various minor league teams around the country. It also has coverage of some the major prospects who just might make the move up this coming season.

I've had the opportunity to catch over a dozen games at major league stadiums over the years. There is nothing quite like going to a major league park and watching the biggest names in the game do what they do best for a couple of hours. I love watching games on television and even listening to them on radio, but seeing a game in person can be amazing (apologies to the New York Mets).

The very first MLB game I attended was back in the 1975, in San Diego. I was stationed there at the time and the team had special discounts for active duty military personnel. A few times I'd drive over with shipmates and we'd take in a game for only a few dollars (if you were in uniform that is). Anyway, this initial experience couldn't have been better. The Padres were hosting the New York Mets that week. The game featured Randy Jones on the mound for the Padres (he went on to win the Cy Young the next year) and Tom Seaver pitching for the Mets (the year he won that award). The usually dismal San Diego team was actually in first place in the National League west at that point (thanks in part to the brilliant work of Jones), and the game itself couldn't have been more exciting. Sadly, I don't remember who won, although I believe it was the Mets (sending the Padres back into 2nd place).

If you've attended any major league games the past few years, I'm sure you'll agree that prices for tickets and for snacks have become pretty expensive. On the other hand, in the minor league parks you can still get a nice seat for around ten bucks or less.

I've added a link to the Brooklyn Cyclones homepage over to the right. Donna and I took in several games last season and decided to spring for a package of weekend games. The Cyclones are part of the Mets organization and play a short season. Still the games are fun and the team always has trivia games and other stuff for adults and kids during breaks between innings. I'll probably have more to say about the Cyclones and baseball in general as the season commences.

It's Spring Training time

Articles (like the one from the AP, which you can link to via the headline above) say that Jason Giambi was warmly greeted by fans as he took the field in the Yankee training camp yesterday. I don't think the fans that head down to Florida for this stuff are the ones that Giambi and the Yankee front office have to worry about. These folks are there to get as close to big name players as they are likely to get and to bring their kids along to meet them. Hardly the guys who will be screaming steroid comments at Jason when they take the field in the Bronx in a month or so.

Mike & Mike on ESPN this morning were talking about Sammy Solsa pulling the super-star thing when he got to camp. Seems that Solsa refused to get into the vehicle sent to pick him up at the airport and demanded a limo for his personal use. Way to make fans in your new home, Sammy! Your ex Chicago teammates apparently smashed your boom box when you left and your new coach has already stated that your pre-game ritual of playing DJ for those in the locker room will not be permitted in Baltimore.

Rumor has it that at least one player may bring a law suit for libel against Jose Canseco. I don't think we've heard the last about the book either.

Some personal pleasures

Over on the right I've added some links to sites dealing with some of my favorite things.

The Internet Cigar Group and Beer Advocate are pretty self-explanatory. The sites include FAQs about each subject along with listenings of stores, bars, etc where you might enjoy or be able to purchase such items. You'll also find information on contacting like-minded folks who share your pleasures.

The Cocoa Pete is maintained by the Cocoa Pete company. Created by my high school classmate, Pete Slosberg, who was also the brains behind Pete's Best Ale. Pete is a great guy and the products he puts out are top of the line.

Enjoy the sites and have a great weekend!

Happy Trails!

Jim Rome Show

The headline above will link you to the Jim Rome Show website. I discovered Romie back when I was working in Connecticut and would listen to him at lunch time. Sadly the NY ESPN station doesn't put him on until 7:00pm, so I only catch a little of the show during my commute back home. Still the best radio sports/talk show, in my opinion.

Once again, I'm really sorry for those hocky fans who have been shafted out of their favorite sport. Also, as some other folks have pointed out it may be the those people who work in the stadiums (ticket takers, ushers, venders, etc.) who will be the hardest hit by all this. It is a shame that they are stuck in the middle of selfish owners and million dollar players.

Bad mouthing A-Rod

Click on the headline above and you'll find Trot Nixon getting the Red Sox/Yankee season off to a grand start (courtesy of the NY Daily News). Apparently in Trot's eyes, Rodriguez doesn't measure up to either former Yankee greats or even his current team mates.

Man, the pitchers & catchers are just showing up and already the slings & arrows are flying between the two camps. Add to that the crap that Jason Giambi will be getting from all the fans (pretty much where ever he goes early in the season) and things are shaping up for an interesting season. That's not even including what happens on the field. :-)

We can also look forward to hearing the "Who's your Daddy?" jibes that Pedro will hear when the Mets first show up to play their crosstown foes.

As for hockey and a possible cancellation of the season, I can't say that I really care. I don't think I've ever watched a professional hockey game all the way through on television. In fact, the only hockey game *period* that I recall sitting through was back in 1980. That was in a bar with some college friends and we were watching the U.S. Olympic team play the Russians. Now THAT was a game!!

I do feel for the true hockey fan though, like my wife's 11-yr old nephew, who genuinely enjoy the game. Fingers crossed for them that both parties can work something out by the scheduled news conference this afternoon.

Canseco on 60 Minutes

The saddest part about all this is that I really don't have much trouble believing Canseco. I'm not saying that everything in his book is 100% accurate, but I think that he is telling us what many sports fans have known for years. A lot of the biggest names in the game are not playing on the 'level field' we'd like them to be. As some of the sports radio show hosts point out the only new things that Canseco is giving us are the names.

Check out what folks like Mike Lupica, Jim Rome and others have to say. Canseco has his detractors, but they are not dismissing everything.

Even when McGwire & Sosa were playing "can you top this" with the homerun record, there were rumors that one or the other (possibly both) were doing steroids or using other things to boost their energy. It also doesn't take a genius to look at the Barry Bonds of his rookie years and see that the guy is doing something more than munching energy bars and hitting the Nautilis equipment. I doubt that MLB really wants to know the truth behind all of this. If they did they would take the suggestion of some folks and have a major investigation.

It will be interesting to watch the coming year and see if this is a flash in the pan, or if it will have any lasting effect. Canseco's book may not have a long shelf life, but this story is not going to go away when copies are sitting on the bargain table.

If you click on today's headline you'll link to the USAToday/Baseball Weekly site. I'll probably be adding that link over on the right any day now.

Book review: Comanche Moon by Larry McMurtry

Comanche Moon by Larry McMurtry – The second prequel to McMurtry’s LONESOME DOVE, this novel takes place a few years after the first book DEAD MAN’S WALK. This is supposed to be the fourth and last book in the LD series, which is unfortunate since McMurtry has created so many fascinating characters. There are several whose stories would certainly make for further novels.

We get to see Woodrow Call and August McCrae when they are a few years older, and still members of the Texas Rangers. The story starts at a time when rumors of a coming war between the North and South are still just that, continuing through the conflict and showing us Texas trying to recover as the era of Reconstruction begins. While Call and Gus themselves never take part in the conflict, some of those they know do and even in Texas the ramifications of the war are felt.

Even though our two rangers, soon to become captains, are central to the story, McMurtry takes time to introduce a number of other characters and the book jumps from chapter to chapter as a wide range of these characters have their own adventures. We get to see Gus’s old flame Clara once again, along with fellow ranger Long Bill, plus learn the fate of some of the others who we met in the first book. McMurtry once again has Buffalo Hump, the Comanche war chief going forth to raid and kill over thousands of miles, building a large war party of hundreds of warriors. We also get to meet Captain Scull, sent to lead the Rangers, but who goes off on an adventure of his own. This book also shows us the boy’s first trip to Lonesome Dove, the town featured in the best known novel.

Scull, leading the Rangers in a search for the Comanches led by Buffalo Hump, finds himself the target of the warriors he seeks. When his horse is stolen by Kicking Wolf, he travels with Famous Shoes, the Kickapoo scout into Mexico. His fate once he finds his horse is central to the rest of the novel. McMurtry, unlike in the first sequel actually brings some depth to the tribal members and we begin to understand why they do some of the things they have done. Buffalo Hump, who we originally see as a savage killer actually gains our sympathy as the story progresses.

I have to admit that initially I wasn’t as taken with this novel as I was with DEAD MAN’S WALK, but after the troop return to Austin the story begins to pick up pace and I was caught up from that point on. If you don’t mind a bit of a slow start and some confusion as to who all these characters are and how they relate, I think you’ll enjoy this as much as the previous book.

Talking sports

Apparently it wasn't poor clock management or bad planning on the part of the Eagles. Poor Donovan McNabb wasn't feeling well and almost threw up in the last huddle. Ahh!

Maybe it was too much of that Chunky Soup his mom was forcing down his throat during bus trips.

I also see that Pedro Martinez showed up early for Spring Training at the Mets camp. Pedro was famous for showing up late for the Red Sox camps, so it looks like he's either turned over a new leaf or thinks it might be a good idea to get off on the right foot with the team and the New York press. Probably a little of both, but it will be interesting to see how long the honeymoon will last. Of course, both Pedro and Randy Johnson are going to be the focus of a lot of attention, with Johnson already getting slammed for snubbing a reporter early on.

Those guys will the getting almost as much ink as Jason Giambi and his steroid problems.

Jose Canseco book

I'm shocked and appalled! Well, perhaps not so much shocked, but it is troublesome to believe that many of the baseball (and other sports to be sure) records we've seen broken over the past couple of decades were done so with artificial assistance. I'm not talking chalked bats here!

The naming of names by Canseco, in his forthcoming book probably won't surprise many folks. We have the usual suspects, of course, but some names wouldn't immediately come to mind. We all suspected McGwire and Giambi admitted to doing them, still if we take what Canseco says as gospel a good portion of the Texas Rangers and a number of others in the '90s were shooting up. It seems obvious, if this is true, that the managers and coaches could not have been oblivious to what was going on right under their noses.

With the newly drafted 'get tough' policy that MLB is pushing it will be interesting to see if other names come out and if this information will have any effect on the Hall of Fame voting. I'm sure not the only fan who will start seeing an invisible asterisk after a few records, even if they down appear in black & white on the pages.

Am I old fashioned in this? Should I just be happy to watch the game and hope my favorite hits on over the wall, even if his head is the size of a basketball?

Just my two cents, I guess.

Baseball Almanac website

The great thing about Baseball Almanac.com is that they view the game in a historic perspective. It doesn't matter if you're a fan of the Yankees, Red Sox, Braves or any other American or National League team, you'll discover an incredible amount of information. Even if you don't root for a 'favorite' team and are just a fan of the game you can find links to pages of facts that you have probably never known before.

Want to know about baseball movies, World Series or All-star games of the past? How about overviews of past seasons? BA has all that and more. Whether you are really into the stats or just want to know a little about a player you followed as a kid the BA writers & researchers will probably have what you are looking for.

This is the first baseball link I'm going to be adding and probably one of the most inclusive.

Happy Trails!

Super Bowl Sunday

I'm not a football fan by any means. For me there is baseball season and then 'other games with balls which I neither understand nor care for'. I played the usual pick up games as a kid, plus the ones you're forced to play in gym class (my "brilliant" soccer career cut short by getting kicked in the ankle by another player as we both went for the ball. At least once a week my ankle will still give out on me.), but I never could get into basketball or football.

I barely watch more than a handfull of NFL games a season and don't think I've ever sat down and seen a basketball game, since my father passed away. I'd sometimes keep him company watching the Celtics. Still there has always been something more than just a football game about the Super Bowl and I try to catch it every year.

This year was no different, except that there were no buffalo wings, since we most of the evening was spent at my sister-in-laws for her b-day party. The game was on, but since dinner didn't start until just after kickoff.... *sigh*

Caught some of the commercials and I'm sure I'll get to see them, plus the ones I missed ad nausea for the next few months. Unless of course, the Brad Pitt beer ad was a one time thing. Oh, and as much as I like Paul McCartney, I think that Fox and the NFL were trying to play it too safe after the Janet Jackson hoopla. Didn't you get the idea that many of the young 'fans' around the stage had probably never heard a McCartney song unless forced to sit in the car with their parents?

Being a New Englander born, I was naturally cheering for the Patriots to repeat and they didn't let me down. Although there were a few minutes there in the third & fourth quarters where I thought they had blown it. Thankfully, the Eagles didn't seem to be paying attention to the clock, nor the fact that that they might want to stay two TDs ahead just to be on the safe side. Neither team really should feel badly about how they played, since many sport show types were predicting NE to walk all over the Philadelphia players.

Anyway, I enjoyed myself and the game, but will be adding some baseball links over the next couple of weeks and will be talking baseball here on this blog all season. Be warned!

Happy Trails!

Gene Autry Square

Just read (link in the title above) that Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will dedicate the intersection of Hollywood and Highland as Gene Autry Square. As the article states, and fans of his know, Gene loved Hollywood and he would have been thrilled to have this honor. The singing cowboy already has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but this is a great tribute to a gentleman who still has millions of fans around the world. Congratulations to his family, some of whom were present at the dedication of the first street sign yesterday.

Happy Trails!

Movie review: HOMBRE

Hombre (1967) – It’s hard to believe that this film was made three years after Fistful of Dollars. While few of the main characters here are without a rough edge, there is still an obvious Hollywood sensibility throughout. I suppose we should be grateful that the film ends in the fashion in which it does and we don’t see the Newman & Celino riding off into the sunset together.

The film was adapted by screen writer, Irving Ravtech, from the novel of the same name, written by Elmore Leonard. Four years previously, Newman, Ravtech and director Martin Ritt had all worked together on Hud, a more contemporary western. That one based on Larry McMurtry’s Horseman Pass By.

John Russell (played by Paul Newman) is the son of a white family, kidnapped and raised by the Apache Indians for years until he was adopted, by the Russell family. Finding life among the white settlers unsuitable he returned to the reservation to work as an Indian policeman. When his adopted father passes away he comes to town to sell his father’s rooming house, run by Jessie (Diane Celino). Deciding to leave the area after the sale he finds himself sharing a stagecoach, driven by an old acquaintance Henry Mendez (Martin Balsam), with a number of questionable characters, including Grimes (a great villain role for Richard Boone), Dr. Favor (Frederick March) and his wife Audra (Barbara Rush), along with Jessie, and several other folks. When bandits stop the coach the travelers must fend for themselves and fight off the bandits to protect the money that Dr. Favor had swindled. Mendez and Russell are the only two of the passengers who really have a chance of getting out of the situation alive, but stay with the others for reasons of their own.

Not a great film, but certainly an enjoyable movie for western fans. Boone especially seems to be having a good time in his role, with most of the other members of the cast doing professional if unspectacular jobs. Frank Silvera, as the Mexican bandit, seems to have been studying Alfonso Beldoya in Treasure of the Sierra Madre, in preparing for the role. Two and a half stars.

American Western Magazine

I've added a link to the American Western Magazine feed over on the right. You'll be able to check out articles appearing at that website on the Old West, plus link to the homepage as well. AMW is an incredible resource for those folks interested not only in western fiction, but in the history and legacy of the American frontier. You'll find fiction, poetry, articles and interviews by and about contemporary writers and entertainers.

For those of you interested in Western style fashion, recipes or information on rodeos it is all available at this one site. Like most places of interest on the web, I discovered AMW while doing a search on Larry McMurtry. If you have any interest in some of the things that I post on here, I'm sure you'll find yourself spending a good hour just looking around.

Happy trails!

Review: Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry

DEAD MAN’S WALK by Larry McMurtry – For those folk already familiar with the characters of Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, from McMurtry’s LONESOME DOVE, all you need to know is that this book is a prequel. Here we meet Gus & Call as young men, just having met but already forming the bond which will last them all their lives. We also meet the Comanche war chief, Buffalo Hump, the horse thief Killing Wolf and the love of Gus’ life Clara.

McMurtry shows us just how it was that Gus & Call first became Texas Rangers. We see them on their very first adventure where Buffalo Hump almost kills both of them. Here Call earns the hatred of the Comanche chief, barely escaping with his life and discovering just how much he himself can hate. McMurtry introduces us to a large cast of characters in this novel, some of whom we will meet again in the series, and others who will quickly meet their individual fates.

I first became familiar with McMurtry via his novel THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, which was adapted into film by Peter Bogdanovich. Other folks might know him better for the novel TERMS OF ENDEARMENT which was also adapted for the screen. Besides these contemporary novels, McMurtry is considered by many as one the great writers of American westerns. The four novels in the LONESOME DOVE series, his “Berrybender Narratives” (that tells the story of the Berrybender family in the Old West) and a number of stand-alone novels are all prime examples of western adventure.

Young Gus & Call, bored with life in town, hear about an upcoming expedition into Mexico to ‘liberate’ Santa Fe. Under the leadership of Caleb Cobb, a former pirate already well-known to the Spanish/Mexican military, close to two hundred former Rangers and others begin a doomed journey across the desert and into the homeland of Buffalo Hump. It soon becomes apparent that Cobb is incapable of carrying out this adventure as the elements and the Comanches begin taking their toll. Ill-equipped and ill-trained the members of the expedition fall prey to all manner of misfortune. Along with Gus & Call are their comrades Shadrach, Bigfoot and Long Bill, men who have seen their share of folly and lived to tell the tale. McMurtry also gives us the wonderful Matilda Jane Roberts, the whore known as Great Western, who goes along with the expedition in hopes of finally making enough money to buy her own whorehouse in California.

Once I started the book it was difficult to put it down and twice I actually missed my subway stop, so engrossed was I in the story. If that isn’t praise, I don’t know what is?

To be honest, I’ve never read LONESOME DOVE, being familiar with the story only from the television mini-series. I decided it was time to finally read it, but felt that since two novels act as prequels, I would start with those. Having finished DEAD MAN’S WALK, I’m going to start on COMANCHE MOON as soon as I can.

As you can tell, I can’t recommend this book enough. Four stars.

MostlyFiction.com

I've added a link to the MostlyFiction.com website over to the right. The link actually goes directly to their "Wild Western" page, since that ties in with my main interest in this blog. However, the site also links to pages related to thrillers, mysteries, current fiction and humorous fiction, among other genres. They also have a 'bookshelf' for current non-fiction books which may be of interest.

The great thing about the site is that not only do they review a wide range of books, but they also have bibliographies and brief bios for some authors. In addition, you can find excerpts of some novels which will give you a taste of a particular author's work. You won't find just bestsellers and you won't have the range of a Barnes & Noble, but you can easily spend a few hours checking out the work of writers you might not normally choose to read.

Happy trails & Happy Reading!

Roger Ebert

While I don't always agree with Roger Ebert's reviews I do appreciate the thought and wit he puts into each one. Even some films which you'd think he could simply ignore, he will spend time telling you just what it is that went wrong or those small things which actually went right in an otherwise forgettable film. That's one thing that I've always liked about Ebert, and equally his late former collegue, Gene Siskle.

Their movie review show was necessary viewing for years at Chez Chaput, especially in those times when I was trying to put together semi-literate commentary in the movie apa, CAPRA. They would quite often make me re-evaluate my own opinions on a particular film, or decide to take a chance on a director or project which I normally would have ignored.

I've put a link to Ebert's website over on the left and recommend you give it a try. Not only will you find Roger's comments on new releases, but also an archive of material on older films. Add to those his "Little Movie Glossary" and "The Answer Man" columns, plus essays & interviews, you'll discover yourself easily spending an hour or more clicking here or there.

In my opinion, Roger is harsher on some genre films than he should be, but he's rarely seen a foreign film that he didn't absolutely love. Still he's probably one of the best reviewers you find on line or in print.

Owlhoots of the Old West

While surfing the net to find information on the 'owlhoot' term I discovered this fun page (link over on the right). There are some stories of several notorious figures from the west, along with a couple of games to waste your time.

Happy Trails!

Desperadoes: a book review

DESPERADOES (Berkley paperback) – Just finished another anthology of western stories. Like the previous one (TIN STAR) this book has a theme with the editors utilizing new stories and reprints to focus on those on the opposite side of the law.

The first item is a reprint of a Louis L’Amour tale, which gets things off to a nice start. Also included are works by Loren Estleman, Bill Prozini, Frank Gruber and Ed Gorman, among others. I’m more familiar with the mystery/detective fiction of Prozini and Estlemen, but both prove themselves more than adept at the western tale. Estleman, of course has garnered a few awards for his stories of the old west. I’m really becoming a fan of both Frank Gruber and Ed Gorman, so I’ll be trying to pick up a few of their western novels when I get the chance.

The individual writers each put their own spin on the idea of the men and women who find them selves riding the ‘owlhoot trail’, as they say in these books. I remember first encountering that term back when I was reading western comics as a kid, but didn’t really understand the concept until I began reading actual western fiction. I’ve tried to discover the origin of the term, but can’t seem to find it listed in any of the dictionaries or encyclopedias I check. I’m going to make it a project to actually try and hunt down the origin. If I do, I’ll let you know.

Like most anthologies of this type there are some weaker stories, but for the most part the editors have chosen some fine examples that cover several decades of western fiction. Maybe I’m just easy to please, but I recommend the book for those who enjoy short story writing, no matter the genre.

Happy New Year!

If I don’t have a chance to post later today, I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Donna and I are currently planning on staying home tomorrow night, possibly having dinner with her mother and one of her cousins. Not sure what we’ll be watching come midnight, although it may just be the insides of our eyelids. :-)

Hey, it will be strange not to see Dick Clark this year, won’t it? I like Regis, but it will still seem odd.

On New Year’s Day we are having about a half dozen folks over for a late lunch/early dinner (or “dunch”, as Donna and I have dubbed this particular meal time). We expect our guests to come along pretty early so we can watch the Rose Parade together, than have enjoy a pork roast that Donna picked up the other day.

If you’re going to be out driving, either get one of those designated drivers or take a taxi/car-service home. You also might want to just spend the night at friends or stay at a nearby motel/hotel. Sadly, there are going to be way too many folks who won’t be taking this advice and will be behind the wheel after drinking way too much. If you must be out on the road be especially cautious, since I’d like to see you all back again next week.

Happy Trails!

What I got for Christmas!

Well, I certainly hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday and am preparing themselves for the New Year celebrations. I had a very nice time in California, celebrating Christmas with Donna's daughter Kristina.

We flew out of JFK last Thursday (12/23) and were picked at LAX by Donna's ex-husband (and Kristina's father) Michael. Michael acted as our host and chauffeur for the next few days, taking us around to some of the places where Donna used to live and to several restaurants. We were joined for most of the weekend by Kristina's friend, Devin.

I have to recommend both Mimis Café in Laguna Niguel for breakfast. The fresh baked muffins and raisin carrot-cake log are to die for. Also, the price is very reasonable. This used to be one of Donna's favorite places and I can understand why. Be prepared to wait a while depending on when you arrive. If you're curious: http://www.mimiscafe.com/

I have been hearing about In-n-out Burger for a while now. Kristina raves about it and when Donna's sister came back after a visit, her husband was also a fan. We had a chance on Sunday, before heading to the movies (where we saw MEET THE FOCKERS, which is a must for anybody who liked MEET THE PARENTS). The great thing about the place is the very limited menu. You'd think that would be a down side, but the choice of a burger or cheeseburger makes life very simple. The place was packed when we got there, which goes to show you that in spite of the hundreds of other restaurants and fast-food places around they must be doing something right! If you like hamburgers you have to give the place a try. I thought the fries were a bit salty, but not too bad and definitely a step above most fast-food fries. Oh, you might want to check out the "secret menu", which you can find over at their website: http://www.in-n-out.com/

By the way, there are other stories told about the place, but check out the bottom of the soda cups to understand where they may be coming from. :-)

Anyway, we had a nice day on Christmas, with Donna and the girls putting together a delicious meal, which included honey-glazed ham, sweet potatoes and Donna's homemade cheesecake. Yummy!

Every year my Christmas gifts run along a theme. We've gone through SOUTH PARK & THE SIMPSONS so that I'll end up with books, t-shirts or other related items. I have Simpson editions of both LIFE & CLUE, which we enjoy playing. This year I made mistake of sitting around with my wife's nieces & nephews watching SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS. I actually enjoy the show and now find myself with a SPONGEBOB t-shirt, 2005 15-month calendar, six-inch inflatable doll and a mini-lunch pail filled with SPONGEBOB sour candies. If you haven't really sat down and watched the program, you might be surprised to find yourself enjoying it. The recurring MERMAID MAN & BARNACLE BOY characters are wonderful examples of super-hero spoofs which are clever enough to appeal to comic fans of all ages.

About the only 'western' related things I saw were seeing the Saddle Back Mountains, where some low-budget westerns were filmed. Also, passed the exit to Gene Autry Way which made me smile as I passed the sign.

Happy Trails!

Happy Holidays!

Just wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a very Happy Holiday. I hope that you'll find the days filled with joy and fulfillment.

I'll be back sometime next week, after a few days visiting my step-daughter in California. I'll let you know what transpires when I get back.

My hope is that I can start adding more links and perhaps some photos to this site in the coming New Year.

Happy Trails!

Western reprints from AC Comics

Publisher Bill Black is a fan of westerns and is one of the good folks who have put his money behind his hobby. His AC Comics, which began reprinting Golden Age super-hero stories, added a few western titles to their publication schedule over a decade ago. To many comic fans Black & Co. may be better known for their ‘good girl’ super-hero comic FEM FORCE. Unfortunately, for this reason Black has a bad rep in some circles, which I think is unfortunate, due to the remarkable effort he has demonstrated in allowing modern fans to discover the comics and heroes of the past.

For a short time, probably no more than a year or so, Black had the rights to use the Charlton 'action heroes'. AC under the AmeriComics imprint published several books featuring new adventures of the Blue Beetle, Captain Atom & others. There was even a team title called 'Sentinels of Justice' which had to be quickly revamped once DC comics officially acquired the rights to the Charlton stable.

In the comic book field, where the western was once a mainstay, there are few examples of this genre still to be found. Sadly, many of the so-called ‘westerns’ which some companies put out are generally re-imagined takes on classic western heroes or supernatural tales told with a frontier backdrop. There have been some very good titles, such as Marvel’s SUNSET RIDERS & DC’s THE KENTS (which mixed real life events with the fictional story of Jonathan Kent’s family during the American Civil War era), and some alternative/independent publishers have put out miscellaneous issues here and there.

The books from AC tend to be reprints of western comics previously published by Magazine Enterprises (ME) a now defunct publisher, which put out an amazing group of licensed titles. Black has also acquired the licensed rights to such western heroes as Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Tom Mix, among others. ME published licensed and original material for several decades which allows AC to put together some fantastic reprints. If you check on eBay or go to conventions it would cost you hundreds of dollars to acquire some of the comics, and in some cases it would be almost impossible to find them in more than fair condition. Black allows fans of this type of material to read or re-read stories which have been unseen since they were originally published a generation ago.

If you click on the link over to the right you’ll find the official AC website which will give you more information on the books and some of the heroes whose stories you can read. While you’re there you can even click to buy some of the AC books which you may not be able to otherwise locate. It has been my experience that many comic shops won’t carry or order these titles unless you pre-order them.

For those interested in non-western comics, you might want to check out the AC home page to see what other comics they publish. They continue to publish FEM FORCE, along with several spin-offs and specials, plus reprints of Golden Age heroes from a half dozen long-gone publishers.

Happy Trails & Happy Holidays!

Gene & Roy: a few more reviews

(These were originally posted on 10/10/03. I haven't changed these as much as some previous reviews.)

Riders of the Whistling Pines (1949) Gene Autry plays a forest ranger who has recently retired. While on his way to take over a campground he has purchased he shoots at a mountain lion, only to apparently shoot a fellow ranger (Ranger Carter played by Jason Robards, Sr., father of the better known Oscar winner). Even though the death is ruled a 'hunting accident' many of the town's residents, including the man's daughter Helen (played by Patricia White, who continued working in television & film into the early 1990s).

Naturally, we all know that the ranger was actually killed by Bill (Damian O'Flynn), a henchman for the local logging company. It seems that Ranger Carter had discovered that many of the trees were infested with a destructive moth and logging had to be stopped. Once cleared of the crime Gene is put in charge of spraying the forest, which puts him at odds with the loggers. Of course in the end, Gene wins the day and the girl.

Plenty of singing by Gene and others along the way, plus Clayton Moore (known for his long-time role as The Lone Ranger) does a nice turn as another logging company henchman. Moore actually displays a comedic side in a scene involving a ringing phone, Moore does a 'slow burn' rivaling Edgar Kennedy at his best. This is typical Autry fare, but fun and actually touching in some scenes with a Jimmy Lloyd as a fellow pilot who mourns his late wife.

King of the Cowboys (1943) This wartime flick exists in two versions. The DVD has the version shown in general release, followed by the additional scenes filmed for the Armed Forces. In the general release film the head saboteur (Lloyd Corrigan) is the governor's secretary, while in the 'government' version he is an unnamed industrialist. Why they change the occupation of his character doesn't make any sense to me, since he meets the same fate in both films. My guess is that the DOD didn't think our fighting forces should see a film in which a government employee (even a male secretary) is working against the best interests of the U.S.

Anyway, Roy and sidekick Smiley Burnette are asked by the governor to bring in a group of saboteurs, who have been blowing up warehouses and otherwise disrupting the war effort. The gang is never said to be working for the Nazis, nor is there more than a few mentions of the ongoing war (mostly shown in newspaper headlines or in posters on walls talking about buying bonds, etc.). Roy finds himself in enough life threatening circumstances to fill your typical Republic serial, but he's able to take down the gang, plus sing a number of songs all in a single feature. No wonder the guy was so popular!

My Pal Trigger (1946) Roy & Dale Evans had already appeared in close to a dozen films together at this point. Here they are joined by George "Gabby" Hayes, this time playing rancher Gabby Kendrick, the father of Susan (with Dale in this role) and owner of Golden Sovereign. Roy seeks to mate the Sovereign with his own mare in hopes of raising the offspring, but Gabby refuses the request and insults Rogers while doing so. When Sovereign is killed later by the rancher who first rustles the horse from the Kendrick ranch, Roy is found at the scene and arrested. We then follow Roy as he first escapes and later turns himself in, along with Trigger who had been born during his travels.

It is a convoluted tale, but entertaining and it gives Roy a chance to sing, ride and get into several fights (all of them with multiple antagonists) which he doesn't always win. A fictionalized tale of how Roy got Trigger and I doubt that anyone, even the kids in the audience, took it for the truth. A solid Rogers/Evans effort and you can never have too much of that.

"Song of Texas"

(Originally posted 10/16/03, I’ve only made a few changes.)


Song of Texas (1943) Dale Evans is nowhere in sight, so Roy finds himself attracted to Sue Bennett (played by Sheila Ryan), the daughter of Roy’s one time idol Sam Bennett (Harry Shannon). Roy and the Sons of the Pioneers are working for crooked rodeo owner Jim Calvert (Barton MacLane, who would go on to play Gen. Peterson in I DREAM OF JEANNIE), until they discover he has fixed a race that leads to Sam being injured. When Roy and the boys quit, trying to start their own rodeo, Calvert does all he can to sabotage their efforts. As usual Roy and the Sons drop everything to sing a few songs, including “Mexicali Rose” and “Rainbow Over the Range”.

This is a typical Rogers film with the only surprise the appearance of Arlene Judge, in the role of Sue’s friend. Ms. Judge, was a delightful comedian, who starred in the ‘classic’ exploitation film “Girls in Chains”, the granddaddy (or grandmother) of all women-in-prison flicks.
***********************

Old Time Radio

When I was a kid my family used to go to my maternal grandmother’s house for Sunday dinner almost every week. One of the highlights of those days came in the early evening when my father would let me have the car keys and I would sit in the front seat listening to the radio. While there may have been other shows on the only one which sticks in my mind is one called “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.” I was probably between ten and twelve years old during this period, since the program aired its final episodes in 1962.

I bring this up not only to reveal what an old coot I am, but to show that my love of Old Time Radio (OTR) wasn’t one of those things I came upon only in later life. When I was young there were still a few live radio programs around, though many were even then on their last legs. Most stations were switching over to all-music formats, with some news and community affairs programs thrown into the mix. Radio could no longer compete economically with television, with both sponsors and creative talent switching over to the newer medium.

When I was in my early twenties some FM stations and a few AM ones began re-broadcasting the old shows. Generally they were things like THE SHADOW and THE GREEN HORNET, but they would also occasionally toss in individual episodes of other shows. If you were in the New York metropolitan area, or had decent reception in the evenings you might be able to hear Joe Franklin broadcasting some of the old radio variety and comedy shows during his late-night program. In the 1980s I began collecting OTR programs on cassette, either taping them myself or buying from several dealers in the field.

The link to Old-time.com which I’ve added over on the side will bring you to a great site which includes a lot of information on the shows, links to other OTR sites and dealers. The folks over there call themselves the “Original Old Time Radio WWW Pages”, and I’m not going to argue the point. It will take an OTR fan hours to just begin skimming some of the wonderful material over there, but I highly recommend that you at least take a peek.

"Boots and Saddles" with Gene Autry

(This was previously posted on 10/3/03. I have made a few changes.)

Boots and Saddles (1937) – Gene Autry plays the manager of a ranch owned by a British nobleman. When his Lordship passes away the land is bequeathed to his only son, Edward (played by Ronald Sinclair, later to give up acting to become a film editor), who is only about 12 or 13 yrs old. Arriving in America the young lord is ready to sell his father’s ranch, until Gene convinces him that it would be better to preserve his father’s estate by selling horses to the Army, thereby paying off any debts.

Not one of Autry’s best films, but he certainly did lesser fare in his long career in the saddle. As a kid I usually preferred non-singing cowboys, but Autry (like Roy Rogers) always seemed to be on the air, so I grew fond of him. Personally, Autry always struck me as a singer who learned how to ride a horse, but never seemed a ‘real’ cowboy and he never really convinced me that he was even comfortable out on the range. Still I find that I enjoy his films when I get a chance to view them. With their action and humor it’s easy to see how kids, and even adults, would warm to the star and his films.

Of course things never go smoothly in these things and Autry finds himself in competition with an unscrupulous horse trader who wants the Army contract for himself. As usual, Gene finds time to sing a few songs and even to get involved with some tricks involving his horse Champion. Of note here is Bill Elliot (listed as “Gordon Elliot” in the credits) in a small role. Elliot went on to play first “Wild Bill Saunders”, then “Wild Bill Hickok” and eventually “Wild Bill Elliot” in several western series during the 1940s into the mid-1950s. Elliot is perhaps best known for his role of “Red Ryder” (in which he co-starred with a young Robert/Bobby Blake as Little Beaver, his Indian companion) a series of movies based on the comic-strip character (created by Fred Harman). Elliot’s career began in silent movies (often as an uncredited extra) and ended in the late-1950s when he played a Los Angeles sheriff’s department detective in a series of films.

Gene’s sidekick in this film (as in dozens of others) is Lester “Smiley” Burnette, who teamed up first with Gene and later Charles Starrett in the ‘Durango Kid’ series. Burnette also wrote and performed country western/cowboy songs, meeting Autry while the entertainer was touring and becoming part of his backup group.

The Autry films are pretty predictable and you know that they will end with Gene getting the girl or just riding Champion and singing. They are harmless fun for a quiet afternoon, which is of course, what they were meant to be.

Elbow Creek Magazine

ELBOW CREEK MAGAZINE was an attempt to produce an online magazine which made available (free of charge) articles, poems and fiction about the American west. Sadly, it only was able to complete five issues before the realities of Internet publishing (we assume, since the last issue was obviously not scheduled to be the final one, so no explanation is given) brought the venture to a close.

I have to give Thomas A. Rice (who signed the editorial page) and his cohorts credit for a very nice try. The material they produced is very good and it would have been interesting to see where they would have gone if allowed to continue.

One of the things they were attempting was the creation of a 'shared universe' centered around the fictional Elbow Creek, CO. It was their hope that a number of writers would populate this town with characters and give it a history upon which others could build. There are only three stories which take place there at the magazines closing, two of which were written by Rice himself.

Even though there are only a few samples over on the website, I thought it was important enough to add a link to it so other fans of this literature might take a look.

Happy Trails!

Lone Ranger on the Web

Courtesy of the fine folks at Endeavor Comics, I've added a link to their Lone Ranger website. It has some nice stuff (including a bit of the William Tell Overture & photos), plus further links to other LR sites.

It would be impossible to have grown up, as I did, in the mid-1950s and not been aware of the television show featuring Clayton Moore as the Ranger. He along with Roy, Gene and Hoppalong Cassidy helped form my earliest TV viewing habits. When I began reading the comics strips in the various newspapers to which my parents subscribed, it was also natural to immediately begin following the adventures of the Ranger and his Indian companion. Once I started buying comicbooks the LR titles from Dell were among the first non-funny animal comics I read. It was only later that I began to take an interest in the super-hero books.

There is something noble about the Ranger, his selfless struggle to bring justice to a lawless era. Like Batman, when he was closer to his roots, the Ranger began as someone seeking to bring to justice those who had destroyed his earlier life. Witnessing the murder of his brother and fellow Texas Rangers, the youngest Reed sibling vows to defend law abiding citizens against those who oppress them. Check out the "Lone Ranger's Creed" to see where the Ranger is coming from.

Via the Largent's page you'll find links to other sites (including the Old Corral) dedicated not only to the Lone Ranger, but to other fictional western heroes. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

TIN STAR: a book review

Tin Star: a book review

This anthology of western short stories has nothing to do with the movie of the same name, starring Henry Fonda & Anthony Perkins. Then again since the stories and the film have to do with those who carry a badge in the Old West, I guess in that way they do have similarities.

Edited by Robert J. Randisi, himself a writer of mystery and western fiction, the book contains twelve short stories by some well known (and lesser known) writers. Perhaps the most familiar to western fans would be Elmer Kelton and Loren Estleman, both multi-award winners in western fiction. Along with their work are ones by Ed Gorman, Wendi Lee, Tim Champlin, Douglas Hirt, Deborah Morgan, Marthayn Pelegrimas, James Reasoner, Frank Roderus and L.J. Washburn. Between them these writers have won numerous awards both in the western and mystery genres. In fact, I have been surprised as I begin reading westerns and checking on the writers the number of them who seem to cross over between the two. I suppose in someway there is a common theme of the ‘good guy’, often a loner, out to right some wrong or bring the ‘bad guy’ to justice. I can see why both would attract certain writers.

The theme of the collection involves the men, and in one case a woman, who put their lives on the line to bring law and order to a region of the country just beginning to make the change from frontier to nation. The stories range from shortly after the Civil War (or War Between the States, if you will) until the very beginning of the Twentieth Century. While most of the characters are on horseback, you will find a few automobiles and even a telephone or two making an appearance. They remind me of many of the Roy Rogers & Gene Autry films in which it was sometimes impossible to figure out exactly when a particular story took place, generally unless the characters entered a large town they could have taken place at almost any time period.

Like any anthology the contributions range from ones which deserve award consideration to simply decently told tales. Estleman, Gorman and Washburn create new stories featuring series characters that have appeared previously, while Deborah Morgan introduces the fascinating former Buffalo Soldier Archie Law in a terrific story which begs to be continued. The writers all focus on the individual behind the badge; in a couple of cases the badge itself plays an important part in the story.

I’m hoping that sales and popular reaction to the book urges Randisi (and the good folks at Berkley Publishing to turn TIN STAR into an on-going series.

"To The Last Man"

(This was previously posted on 8/7/03.)

Not that anyone is keeping count but, since I do this blog to amuse myself anyway, I'm going to review another Randolph Scott western.

TO THE LAST MAN (1933) adapts a Zane Grey novel by the same name. The story was filmed previously in 1923, that silent starred Richard Dix in the role of the returning son, played later by Scott. The basic plot concerns a long-time feud between southern families who take their hatred out west and end up poisoning another generation. Of course, you can't have this type of thing without the Romeo and Juliet scenario cropping up, can you?

The Scott film takes liberties with Grey's novel, chiefly the names of the characters and the opening of the film which sets up the history of the main characters, whereas in the novel two of the books main characters meet and everything is explained in their conversation. Where the feuding families in the original story are the Isbel and Colter clans (as they are in the '23 film), Scott is a member of the Hayden family while his romantic interest Ellen (played by Esther Ralston)is the daughter of his father's sworn enemy, the head of the Colby clan(Ned, played by Noah Berry).

Just as an aside: I notice that in several of Scott’s films the names of characters are changed (for no reason I can understand) from those in the novels and stories from which they are adapted. I wonder it this was something the studio heads demanded, once they had the rights to particular properties.

The movie is predictable, but it sort of funny seeing Buster Crabbe and Fuzzy Knight together, as they both appeared in the TV show "Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion" more than twenty years later. The film is also notable as being the first feature film in which a young Shirley Temple appears, as one of the Hayden children. She doesn't sing or dance, but does slap & punch a pony (rather viciously, I thought) in one scene, before having her doll's head shot off by one of the bad guys.

Coincidentally, when I noted the film’s title I went to my comics and discovered that I had a reprint of the Dell Four Color adaptation of the same Zane Grey story. The comic (published in b&w by ACG several years ago) takes some liberties with the story as well, which is understandable, since it had to pass the Comics Code and the novel ends with the near rape of Colby's daughter by the villainous Jim Coulter. In the Scott film Berry's chief henchman (who leers at the very, lovely Miss Ralston through the entire film) is called Jim Daggs (played by Jack La Rue, who made his career playing villains and shady characters). Now I don't know a lot about the Hayes Code, but Daggs sleazy advances towards Ellen (including one as Ralston goes skinny-dipping, and she certainly seems nude or nearly so in the film) are pretty obvious and even young kids in the theatre would not have been unsure of his desires. The camera also seems to love focusing in on Ralston's posterior, as often as possible. It has almost as many close-ups as some of the major characters.

Not one of your classic films, but certainly enjoyable and with enough action during its 70 min. running time as director Henry Hathaway (who went on to direct the John Wayne films, THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER & TRUE GRIT, as well as Marilyn Monroe's NIAGRA) could cram in.

Howard Hughes' THE OUTLAW

Before getting to the reprinted review I wanted to take a moment to explain the term 'apa' found in the first paragraph.

Depending on whom you ask it stands for either Amateur Press Association or Alliance. These are groups of fans dedicated to a particular hobby or interest who ban together and publish individual newsletters (generally referred to as 'zines'), running any where from two to a dozen or more pages. A Central Mailer/Overall Editor will then collect the zines and mail them out to all members of the apa.

These groups are believed to have been started by science fiction/fantasy fans in the era of the pulps, but now hundreds of apas covering just about any type of interest are active. The "golden age" of the apa was probably from around the early 1970 until the mid-1980s when the Internet with its various electronic bulletin boards and message boards led many apa members to jump ship for the immediate gratification of the online community.

(This was previously posted back on 8/21/03, but some changes have been made.)

After thinking about this review (which I'm also running in an apa I belong to) I wonder if I should have talked more about really being bothered by the 'rape' scene and the fact that the woman seems pretty forgiving. There is a scene a while later where the viewer is not sure if Rio is going to kill Billy, but after that it's apparent that she is more than happy to put such things as sexual assault behind her and fall in love with her rapist. A nyway, I just didn't want folks to think that the whole thing didn't bother me, since it did.

************************
THE OUTLAW (1943) I'm sure that I must have seen this film at some point on television, but you would think that I would have had some memory of it. It certainly has a few scenes that should have stuck in my mind, but I honestly cannott recall anything other than seeing various clips. Most of those, naturally, were of Jane Russell's ample and heaving bosoms be honest the shot often showed of Russell with her torn dress falling from her shoulder doesn't actually appear in the movie. At least not in the version I have on the DVD collection.

Also, just to point this out to anyone interested in buying said collection this film contains the only major glitch that I have discovered in either disk. About three-quarters of the way through there is a flutter and for the next twenty minutes or so the audio track is several seconds ahead of the video. Annoying, but it does make for some funny scenes when Russell begins lip-synching Walter Houston. It goes back to normal in the final reel, so I can't say that it totally ruined the film for me.

There are, according to Leonard Malton's book, a couple of versions of this film around including a 117 min. "uncensored" version. I can certainly see why the censors at the time may have had some problems with the film, especially a rape scene that takes place in shadow. Or rather, it's implied as Billy the Kid (played by first timer Jack Buetel) pulls Rio (Jane Russell, also in her first screen role) down into the hay, after she has tried to kill Billy for the murder of her brother. Their conversation and revelation of this plot point is shown clearly, but then when Russell attempts to shove a pitchfork into Buetel the two of them roll into darkness. You hear Rio tell Billy to get off her, but he responds with something along the lines of, "Stop struggling lady or I'll rip all your dress off." Music swells and camera fades to the next morning with Billy talking to Doc Holliday (nicely acted by Walter Houston). Whoa!!

There is a later scene where the now more than willing Rio is about to fall once again into Billy's arms, only to be interrupted by her aunt. This scene is shot from such an angle that Russell seems about to perform oral sex on the camera lens, so maybe it was good that they cut away at that point! This would certainly have the ladies in the audience getting up and heading for the exits in some theatres, I'm sure. I also have to wonder what the kids in the audience might have made of all this on some Saturday matinee. (On further reflection I doubt this movie would have been shown to audience of kids. I think the Catholic League and other such groups would have frowned on that.)

Actually, the film isn't as bad as some folks seem to find it, in my humble opinion. It would have been interesting to see what Howard Hawks (who is reported to actually have directed this, with Howard Hughes taking credit) would have done without Hughes butting in. No doubt Hughes wanted to ensure that Russell, his then current lady friend, came off well. There are certainly stories of Hughes using his well-known engineering ability to construct a bra suitable for Russell's full figure all the double-crosses and back stabbing going on in this film it is amazing that it actually has a happy ending (at least for two of the characters), although I'm sure that historians would be tossing their popcorn long before the final credits rolled.

I rather doubt that any surviving estates that Billy, Doc Holliday or Pat Garrett (played here by Thomas Mitchell) may have had would have been overly happy with the portrayal of any of their ancestors. Although Holliday certainly comes across as the best of the lot, not counting several cold-blooded murders along the way. A fun and entertaining film, and certainly one that has its own notoriety in cinematic circles. Would have been interesting to see what Joel or Mike and the bots would have thought of the whole thing.
**********************
As I said, I did have some problems with the assault scene, but in general I didn't find the film isn't as bad as some other reviewers. An odd film, more notable for the behind the scenes activity and the association with Hughes than a movie to be sort out as a classic.

The Old Corral

The Old Corral website, used along with CowboyPal, will probably let you track down information on just about every screen western hero or villain. Unlike CowboyPal, Old Corral focuses on those actors who spent their lives working for the lesser known studios, generally not cracking into the "A" picture market for any length of time. Also, OC only has a few items related to television westerns, mostly actors who made their names in "B" movies and later moved on to the small screen range.

The folks at OC have done an outstanding job digging up information and photographs of the lesser known heroes. You will also find links to pages dedicated to folks like John Wayne (who began in second-tier theatricals), but that isn't the goal of the OC contributors.

Sunset Carson, Tim Tyler, Buck Jones and the sidekicks might not be known to folks unfamiliar with the hundreds of western features turned out by smaller studies during the 1930s through '50s. Series like the Three Mesquiteers, Rough Riders and the Range Busters are long forgotten, not even appearing on Turners Classic Movies or AMC, as far as I know. Still there are older fans, and younger ones just learning of this output, who'll be glad to see sites like OC and CowboyPal available.

It's easy to get lost for an hour or so on these sites, but in my opinion it's time well spent.

Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan saddle up!

This was originally posted on my other blog. 8/18/03 (some changes have been made).

SANTA FE TRAIL (1940) was directed by Michael Curtiz who was a respected director prior to his coming to the U.S. from his native Hungary in the mid-1920s. Curtiz had already worked with Errol Flynn several times prior to this film (including THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD), so it's likely that they felt comfortable with each other. Than again, I'm not a Flynn scholar, so it could have been just as likely that both actor and director where forced to work together again and again by the studio heads. This film is not a high point in either's career and was probably thrown together to fill a double bill with a higher profile release. Still the movie is entertaining enough, if not exactly easy to follow.

Back in 'the old days' I had an acquaintance, whom we'll call The Dude. Now The Dude (TD, from here on) wasn't just a fan of Errol Flynn, she was infatuated with the man. Although, she'd have probably denied it, there was something obsessive about her interest in Flynn. It's probably just as well that the man died years before she was born, since I wouldn't have been surprised learn that she had been picked up for stalking, had he still been around. Not only did she collect everything she could get her hands on in the form of books, old articles, videos, photographs, TD (who was admittedly a fair artist) had sketchbooks filled with renditions of Flynn in and out of costume (the later making use of stills of the actor in bathing trunks, and a bit of imagination on her part).TD had not only all this Flynn material on her book shelves and in filing cabinets, but also a number of photos on her bedroom wall AND a large poster on the ceiling above her bed.

It really is probably best NOT to dwell on that last bit of info, but I tell it for a reason. (Besides letting you know that I do know some interesting folks. :-)It has become impossible for me, in the years since becoming involved with TD to watch any Flynn film objectively. I don't dislike Flynn, and in fact, enjoyed the man's films for years before TD and I ever crossed paths. Still the woman did have an effect, so bear that in mind while I try to review this sucker, okay?

Flynn stars as J.E.B. Stuart, opposite a very, young looking Ronald Reagan as his fellow West Pointer, George Armstrong Custer. Reagan looks fresh off the back lot and it's hard to believe that he would one day become more famous for his political skills than for his acting ability. I'd have to dig out my history books, but I have my doubts as to rather or not Custer and Stuart ever competed for a women, let alone a Kit Carson Halliday, played with wry, humor by Olivia de Havilland (whom also co-starred with Flynn in ROBIN HOOD, among others). Of course, I could be wrong!This love triangle acts as backdrop for the more dramatic tale of Custer and Stuart's hunt for the abolitionist John Brown (with Raymond Massey scaring the crap out of everybody and chewing up entire barn loads of scenery in the part).

As Leonard Maltin (or one of his reviewers) states in his indispensable guide, the movie makers seem unsure of what exactly they are trying to do here. The film throws in comedy, melodrama, action and even a song or two, apparently hoping that if one thing doesn't grab the audience, something else a few minutes later might.The script also seems unsure where it stands on the Civil War, since it does it's best to make the abolitionist side come out as the heavies and slavery seems an after thought to other economic and political motives. In fact, while he is the heavy Massey's Brown appears to be the only one who genuinely wants to help free the slaves from their bondage.

Not a great film by any means, and probably one that nobody listed first on their later acting resumes (aside from the brilliant Massey). I've got a fondness for this film since I was a kid and it certainly is a lot more fun and enjoyable than a number of major films that have become better known.

Reading Westerns

Considering my love of the western genre you’d think that I would also have read a number of western novels. Sadly, for whatever reason, I never got around to reading more than a few and even those were books which were assigned to me while in high school. I’ll not count various short stories by Jack London or Mark Twain which took place in the west or frontier Alaska. I don’t really consider those ‘westerns’ in the usual fashion, if you follow my logic.

Two of those I did read, SHANE by Jack Schaefer and THE OX BOW INCIDENT by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, were read after my English class had been shown the film adaptations of the works. We then had to write essays discussing the differences between movie and novel. Personally, I consider both of these films among the best American westerns you’re likely to see.

The only other western novel (more a novella, I suppose) I recall reading is Bret Harte’s THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLATS. This was also something that was assigned in a class on American literature which I took in my senior year.

Given that this blog is dedicated to my love of Westerns, it seems that I should try my hand at reading (and probably reviewing) a few ‘classic’ and contemporary books of that genre. I may actually go back and take a fresh look at the three books I’ve already read, just to see how I view them as an adult without a teacher’s deadline. There are also a few well-known authors and books which I’d like to sample. To be fair to myself, I’m not going to set any type of deadline and will get around to these books as I have the time.