Posts by The Ringo Kid

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    :cowboy: I can't help with an opinion on High and the Mighty or Island In the Sky but, Hondo--I absolutely loved this movie.


    John Wayne never looked better to me than in this movie. Having Ward Bond, Paul Fix and James Arness in the movie certainly did not hurt it.


    Paul Fix was the Cavalry commanding officer, Ward Bond (Buffalo) and James Arness were Army scouts. Ward Bond really looked the part as well as James Arness.


    The movie starts off showing a woman and her child on their ranch, when the mother notices a stanger (Hondo Lane) and his dog (Dog) approaching. After introducing himself, he proceeds to help do several needed chores there and he is invited to stay the night.


    Mrs Lowe finds out that the man in her house is a famous gunfighter (Hondo) but after awhile all misunderstandings were corrected and she warms up a bit to Hondo.


    Hondo borrows a horse and some supplies from her so he can report back to post. When he reached the post, he makes his report and has his first run-in with Ed Lowe (Husband of the lady he just left) Lowe was being chased from the CO's tent and was going to try to get Hondos dog (Dog) to move out of the way. The dog growled and Lowe reaches for his pistol and you see Hondo cock his Winchester and says: "I wouldn't do that" and Lowe says move your cur, and Hondo then says: "Walk around him" Well, Lowe eventually "gets the point" and walks around the dog. The cur is still in the way and Hondo tells it to: "Quit blocking the door" as he makes a motion to almost kick the dog with his boot.


    (((One of my favorite scenes in the movie is where at the Saloon, Hondo, Ed Lowe and a few others are engaged in a poker game. Buffalo comes up and starts conversing with Hondo and another player. Hondo tries to get out of the game but Ed Lowe would have nothing to do with it and grabs Hondos red shirt.


    Hondo then says: "These shirts are hard to come by" and precedes to punch Lowe and then turns and punches Buffalo. Buffalo said: "What'd you do that for?" and Hondo said: "Because I know you" and while this distraction goes on, Lowe attempts at making a grab for his pistol when Buffalo draws his pistol and says: "Leather it."


    Hondo and Buffalo went outside where he gets ready to leave when the Cavalry Sergeant and Ed Lowe approach. Lowe was telling the Sergeant that Hondo had stolen his horse to which Hondo admits he was loaned the horse and was on his way back to give it back. Hondo walks away and leaves and Lowe tells the Sergeant to stop him and that Hondo is a liar. The Sergeant says: "I'm not about to call Hondo a liar, to his face or to his back."


    The Apaches visit the Lane ranch where Vittorio (their Chief) says that the mother needs a husband and the boy a father. He also mentions that he will be back in time for the planting rains and that if her husband is not back by then, that she will have to take an Apache for a husband.


    Unknownst to Hondo, he is being followed by Lowe and a hired gun. Hondo is sitting at a creek when the dog growls. Lowes gunman is killed by an Indian and Hondo shoots another Indian. Lowe was attacked and knocked to the ground by another Indian and is about to die when Hondo shoots the Indian. Lowe feigns being appreciative and then is trying to reach for his pistol when the dog growls warning Hondo who then whirls about and shoots Lowe with his Winchester before Lowe can get a shot off.


    In the dirt Hondo finds a tin type that shows someone he recognizes as the boy and mother, who were at the ranch he had previously left. He also figures out that Ed Lowe was her husband and the boys father.


    After this, Hondo gets captured by Apache Indians and is tied to an ant hill. Next he is tortured with hot coals placed in his bare hands. Vittorio then sees the tin type showing the little boy (who needed a father) from that ranch. He kicks the burning coals from Hondos hands and cuts him free. Hondo then has to fight another Apache Indian who had a "Blood right" meaning that he was to fight Hondo to the death because he claims that Hondo killed his brother.


    Chief Vittorio then gets a scarf and wraps Hondos burnt hand so he can use it for the coming knife fight. The Indian and Hondo are placed amongst the Indians and each makes a grab for a knife to fight with. Hondo and the Indian start fighting and soon Hondo gets stabbed in his chest after the Indian threw dirt into his eyes. Hondo manages to overcome the Indian and holds his knife at the Indians throat saying that he will either die or can end this blood feud. He then passes out from loss of blood.


    The Apaches in the rain, then visit the Lowe ranch and drop of the wounded Hondo at Mrs Lowes feet. She is asked by Vittorio if he (Hondo) is her man, and she lies and says yes he is. Vittorio then says as long as he lives, they will not be bothered by other Apaches. Mrs Lowe and Johnny (the boy) help Hondo into the house and they hear a yelp and go to the door. They see one of Vittorios warriors sitting on his horse just after killing Hondos dog with his lance and then he turns and leaves.


    Mrs Lowe then helps Hondo get better. At some point in time, a column of Cavalry make it to the Lowe ranch where they have a few wagons with civilians with them. Their mission was to get all the settlers out of the valley and get them to the fort. Well, they are commanded by a very young Lieutenant who is seriously wounded. Hondo learns that Vittorio was killed during the Indians last charge.


    When Hondo and Buffalo go to the workshed, they talk and Hondo tells of having been forced into killing Lowe when he is overheard by the James Arness character. He asks Hondo who does he not like talking with him and Hondo says: Because I don't Like You."


    Well, Hondo later send the Arness character with some men to gather any other settlers up and bring them to the ranch. After patching up the wounded and gathering all about them, they set off for the fort. They are soon joined by the other group of settlers.


    While passing in a valley, the Apaches spring an attack in which the wagon train gets encircled and they fight off a wave of Indians. When the Indians least expect it, the wagon train makes a run for it for a ways, and then stops to circle the wagons and they again are fighting the Apaches.


    They then make another dash and are chased by the Indians when Hondo stops to attempt to help out a wagon that lost its wheel. He is soon attacked by a few Indians. While busy fighting them an unseen Indian is about to get Hondo when he is felled by a bullet from his own Winchester rifle, by the man he dislikes.


    In the meantime, the newest Chief is killed and the Apaches break off the fight. Hondo and everybody make ready to leave. Buffalo tells Hondo that (the James Arness character) saved his (Hondo's) life by shooting that Indian about to get Hondo. Hondo then says that the rifle is his to keep.


    :cowboy: TRK.


    I might have skipped some details of the movie but, this is the gist of it.

    :cowboy: Hello Itdo.


    I too also think its fascinating that we had at least one relative at The Alamo. Years and years ago I remember when my Mother was doing all the Geneology and research on our family tree. I remember the many trips we made to San Antonio and to Austin where she would be doing hours and hours of research.


    I also found it amazing at some of the historical figures that we are related to. Figures like: U.S.Grant, Cordell Hull, King Haakon the VII of Norway, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Barbara Eden. ((I'm sure there are others but, I just cannot recall names at this time)))


    I don't mind you talking about the subject ;) that's how we learn.


    On seeing the movie, I just don't know if I could ever break down and do it. For me it is because they changed some very important parts of the proven history ((such as Crocketts death))) that I do not think I can bear to spend any money on this film.


    As for how the buildings looking more historically accurate in the movie, that is good and I applaud them for that. However, in all my years of reading books on Davy Crockett, I have never seen it mentioned that he preferred to be called David--except when he was at a formal gathering when he was a Congressman.


    I know John Waynes version of The Alamo took many liberties. I never liked the Crockett death scene in his version. I do like the movie very much overall as something enjoyable to watch and for as many times as I have seen it, I never tire of the movie.


    When I was about 5 yrs old, I did get a chance to visit John Waynes "Alamo" which is in Bracketville, Texas. However, I do not remember anything of that visit except that I ran up a ramp I think where in the movie, they had placed a Cannon on. Other than that, I remember nothing of the visit except that was where we bought a John Wayne bumper siticker that I still have. It reads: GOD BLESS John Wayne.


    I do not know what facts are changed in this new movie but, from the scenes played in ads and on Entertainment shows, I just do not think I would enjoy watching this movie.


    Take care and Cheers, TRK.


    By the way, the guy who said "it do" in the movie, I think was a local person living in or near Bracketville that they hired for the movie. Anyway, from what I understand, he still lives in or near there.

    Greetings Stumpy, I don't know the the answer but, I figure since he is GSP the 4th, I figure he is Blood -n- Guts's Grandson. My roommate alse served with him but I don't yet know details. I will ask him tonight for info though.


    I wonder if the Patton you served with resembled his famed relative in the way of looks? I have never seen a picture of any Patton other that GSP Jr, and his father and grandfather.


    Best regards TRK.



    :cowboy: Hello Sir, I fully agree with you. Hollywood is destroying fact and trying to pass it off as fiction. I am wondering why they are trying to destroy our national heroes such as Davy Crockett, Georgs S. Patton Jr etc? I am perplexed.....


    I did take a look at the story you provided and found it was a very interesting one to read and was very enjoyable. I think our families have some close similiarities. The people who took in my Father and Uncle into their house in the early 1930's (not relatives by blood bur we definately did call them family)


    Well, my "Grandfather" Harry A. Folts, was one who also fought against Pancho Villa before ww1. My Grandfather recaptured a Winchester 1894 that had once been the property to someone who had lived and was killed by Villas outlaws at Columbus, New Mexico. Well he also "liberated" a rare type pistol as well. He got these weapons from the bandits he killed.


    I do not know much about his involvement in fighting Villa but I do know that he was with an outfit that was from South Texas. I do not know how many fights he was in with the exception of the one where he acquired the Winchester and the pistol.


    I wish I had photos and more facts for you. Your presantation was very well done. I wish I had more to go on about a relative of mine who was at The Alamo too. The only other thing I know for fact on that was that a Cousin of mine shares his name.

    :cowboy: The latest attempt at an Alamo movie was a definate bust. Remember when Ron Howard decided not to be the director of this movie? It was because he did not want to have his good name associated with a project that he knew would be a stinker.


    Do you guys know why this movie bombed? It was because hollywood tried to rewrite history again. They based this entire film off of the now proven faked De La Pena documents. If you do not know who he was then please continue reading.


    De La Pena was a Colonel in Santa Annas Army. He was supposed to have written a multi page document on what he witnessed at the Alamo. His version says that Davy Crockett surrendered and was executed. His documents were also not written by De La Pena himself. They were written by at least four people who were gathering notes when sitting with him when he was sick with Malaria. When one has a bout with Malaria, one is also not fully in one own mind either.


    These documents were written by the four ++ people mentioned above. Well, im not sure what year they were supposedly "found" by a well known and VERY fradulent Mexican Antiquities dealer. These documents can be compared to The Hitler Diaries; which too were fakes.


    Anyway, Captain Dickensons wife and a Mexican Army Sergeant both wrote books saying they saw Crocketts body surrounded by at least 15 dead Mexican soldiers. The Mexican Sergeant also had stated that he saw Crockett die in combat. Crockett was not executed.


    If you ask my opinion on the latest version of The Alamo, I would skip watching it (as I did) and just enjoy watching the older versions instead--even if they are not totally accurate and even if hollywood then took some things out of context.


    One of the prettiest songs I ever heard was "The Green Leaves Of Summer" which was the one used in John Wayne's The Alamo.


    Just my two cents worth TRK.


    PS, I am a Texan and live about 2 1/2 hrs drive from The Alamo. I also had a relative who fought and died there which was Robert Evans.

    :cowboy: Ya know its funny. I have never seen him as Chester Goode in Gunsmoke. The only GS episodes we get around here are the later colorized ones. These are the ones that Matt Dillon is rarely seen or not seen in and Festus Hagen is the main character. Though I like Ken Curtis, I can take only so much of Festus. TRK.

    :cowboy: Greetings Dukefan1, Stumpy, Itdo and Viper.


    Dukefan1, I certainly do love their architecture styles. I remember being on the outer edges of Hamburg when Susanne (my German friend) and I stopped at a cafe for a snack. We parked about a block from the cafe and got out to walk. Well, several of the nearby houses had straw roofs......just like the type you see in the Hager the Horrible comic strips. I thought that was cool to see and even took a few photos. Apparently that was one of the styles you see in the Hamburg area.


    We went into that cafe and sat next to a river that had very large Goldfish in it. I had my first taste of Schwartzwald cake (Black Forest cake) which was teh best cake I ever ate.


    That evening (Saturday) we stayed at a nice place on the outskirts of Hamburg. I forgot its name. This place was along the river and was very beautiful. Swans were even swimming in the water. The next day we were going to try to see the famous Cathedral in Hamburg but did not get the chance to unfortunately. I love the Gothic style buildings as well.


    But speaking of Cathedrals, if ever in Bavaria (Garmish-Partenkirchen) you HAVE to go visit the Weiss Kirche (The White Church) From the outside, it looked like just any of many buildings I saw in Germany. The inside decor was so fantastically done and was absolutely beautiful and amazing. The art and woodwork IMO just cannot be bested. I had not known that it was forbidden to take photographs of the inside but, I took several and found out too late about that rule. Nobody got mad or anything but, it was just frowned upon.


    Stumpy, thank you for showing Schloss Neuschwanstein. It is beautiful and is also my favorite castle in Germany. Thank goodness for the "Mad King" King Ludwig II. He built I think three magnificent castles which nearly bankrupted his Kingdom. Heidelberg Schloss is my second favorite German castle. I have some photos of it I took on the famous lighted bridge of the castle at nighttime. Unfortunately my camera could not capture much detail. BTW, if you have ever seen the movie: The Odessa File" w/ Jon Voight and Maximilian Schell. You get a great view of the lighted bridge (in the daytime) when his character makes it to Heidelberg. You will see the twin towers that are at the front of the bridge. Well, unseen in the movie is a beautiful and huge Cathedral about 2 blocks away from the bridge. And about a block or so to the left and rear of the cathedral is where Zum Rothen Ochsen is located.

    :cowboy: Hi Arthur/Robbie, I made a slight mistake in Booths character name in Zulu. It was Hook and not Hitch. SO much for me being a war movies expert :wacko:


    Arthur, thank you for the continuing list of names. I recognized many on these and I was not aware of some of the others who were related to other famous actors or stuntmen like the Canutts. Also, thanks for the correction of the actors. It's been years since I have seen Brannigan and I have little memory of that movie.


    TRK.

    :cowboy: Hi Robbie, I can answer that 2nd question for you now ;)


    He and his crew were one of at least 10 Uboats that were stationed in Singapore (Panang) They were under the command of Kapitan zur See Wilhelm Dommes. The commander of U 181 at that time was Kapitan zur See Kurt Freiwald. Yopu might recognize the mans name that he took it over from who was Korvettenkapitan Wolfgang Luth.


    ANyway, as of sometime in 1944, U 181 was transferred to operate in the areas near Singapore. When the war ended (with the Germans surrender of May the 8th) that meant that these men too had to lay down their arms.


    The Japanese had always been cordial to the Germans but, when Germany surrendered, the Japanese though still treated them fairly respectively but, had to take them into custody supposedly for their own protection.


    They were held in Japanese detention till I think November 1945 some weeks after Japan too had surrendered. When the war ended for the Germans, they had to give their Uboats over to the Japanese. The Japanese renamed the U 181 to I-501 I think?


    If memory serves me well, these men were handed over to the British Authorities. Several of the U 181 crew stayed on and lived in England, Scotland and Wales. About 2 or so months ago, I was contacted by the daughter and grandchildren of one of the former U 181 crew who happened to still be living in Wales. I was able to reunite him with about 7 other U 181 vets.


    The only living officer of U 181 Dietrich Hille, worked and lived in England many many years. He worked with the British Govt on Navy projects and Engineering projects.


    I will be more than glad to ask Karl what John Wayne films he remembered seeing if he does not post them here first.


    Take care and best regards--TRK.

    :cowboy: Dukefan1, itdo, Robbie,


    Dukefan1, if you ever get the chance to go there please take it. The scenery is fantastic, as well as the views of all the Castles and ancient architecture etc. I went on vacation there for 1 month from Sept 16 to Oct 15 2000. The place is simply a beautiful country like ours. I was really amazed at what I saw there because where I live--we have nothing much but Mesquite and Palm Trees, bushes and weeds. A bit of over exaggeration but you get the general idea.


    Did you know that in what was West Germany that there are over 10,000 castles and castle ruins there. When I was there I only walked through the Hohentwiel castle ruins in Singen, Meersburg castle in Meersburg (both near or on Lake Konstanz) and Heidelberg castle.


    I am also one who really loves to study architectur and I greatly enjoyed the many variations of what I saw there. The oldest room I stayed the night in was in the famed city of Hamlin (Hameln) and my room was over 700 years old. Just around the corner to this place is of all things, an Internet Cafe. :wacko: I simply have to agree with you that the Germans do and did make products to last and last.


    Itdo, your quite welcome. Thanks for your story as well. I see that he visited Berlin which is more than a few hours away (by car) from Heidelberg. I can't say for a fact how many times he visited Germany but according to the lady that I talked with in Zum Rothen Ochsen (The Red Ox) I think she said he was in Heidelberg on at least a few occasions. I do not know what years or why. I was told that Heidelberg was his favorite place in Germany. A good friend of mine who was born and raised in Heidelberg im sure might know more of John Wayne being there. I will ask him and see if he remembers anything about his visit(s) and will let you know.


    Hi Robbie, your quite welcome.


    TRK.

    :cowboy: Has anyone here ever been to Germany? If or if not, and if you ever go there; please go to this place.


    Go to Heidelberg and go to the Zum Rothen Ochsen which is not far from a hugh Cathedral. It is a place that openly boasts of The Duke staying there whenever he visited Heidelberg.


    I was there in mid October 2000, and the owner had on display two huge guest registry books for people to see.


    Anyway, I was having a dinner there when the owner came up to me with a big grin on her face. She saw I was wearing a John Wayne t-shirt and had asked if I was a big fan of him. I said yes and she then told me that this was The Dukes favorite place to hang out at when he was in Germany.


    The two huge guest registries were used since around the turn of the century. There are many many famous signatures in them including John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy etc. Of course, these registries were only for famous people to sign. In them you also had people like Fieldmarschall Paul von Hindenburg, Erwin Rommel, past leaders of Europe including many members of the Royalty.


    If ever thay way, stop by there and have dinner. The food is great, service is great as well as the atmosphere.


    TRK.

    Hi Robbie, thanks for the friendly greetings and I will be here as long as you will have me.


    Also, it just dawned on me about that actor Anthony Booth. I remember him best from the great movie: "Zulu" as a Private Hitch in the 24th Regiment of Foot and the one who was in the hospital and was known as a malingerer. The soldier Hitch, who in real life won the Victoria Cross for valor at the battle of Roarkes Drift, Islandulwana in the Natal Province 1879. I did not know he was Tony Blairs father in law?


    TRK

    :cowboy: Thanks Stumpy.


    60 years is a longtime but, I sometimes still see or hear of a relative few people who think all Germans just because they are Germans, were evil people. I know that we all here know differant.


    I have to let you nice people know that one time, whejn I was at a Barnes & Nobles bookstore. I was actually accused of being a nazi by one of the ladies working there just because I had asked here to look up two books that in their titles has either the word German or Waffen SS in it.


    I don't know if she was trying to embarass me in front of others on purpose or not. There were about 10 or so people in earshot of her when she asked: Your not a nazi are you? However, I am unaccustomed to things like that but turned it around on her and I said: Your not a democrat are you? Everyone laughed about it. Now when I walk into that store, the nice people working there will let me know if new books are in that might be of interest.


    Also, I have been given credit for helping with the sales on their history titles. When i am there, I always get asked by people what books I would recommend for them to buy. I guess I am an unofficial and unpaid book critic ;)


    You are also somewhat correct about the Waffen SS guys. Many were fanatics but, many were not. When I lived in Kingsville years ago. Just two blocks down the street from my house, there was an elderly gent living there. This mans name I no longer recall but, he had been a sergeant in the Waffen SS. He was in a signals unit. He immigrated here in 1950 and got his American citizenship by joining the US Army and fighting in the Korean War. That is all I remember about him though.


    Sorry to hear that sad news about your Father-in-law. He is one of perhaps 3 million Germans who never made it back from Russia.


    Best regards, TRK.

    :cowboy: Hi Hondo/Stumpy.


    No problems there, I just wanted to make sure that nobody thought I had any inklings of agreeing wiht what the nazis did. Karl Kaiser was a member of the Kriegsmarine and really is a nice Gentleman.


    Sorry forr my short reply. The place I use computers at is closing, I will be here tomorrow to finish.


    Take care--TRK