Posts by firstrebel

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  • John Wayne Artwork

    Only 350 of these were made so if you want one you will have to blow your savings.

    The original statue was donated to the American Cancer Society by John Wayne's Family. It was auctioned at the Cattle Baron's Ball held at South Fork Ranch, Dallas, Texas in 1981. The proceeds went to the ACS. All of the cast of "Dallas" attended except JR (Larry Hagman). Entertainment was provided by Johnny and June Cash. After John Wayne's death it was reported that when asked if there was anything he wanted in his hospital room - John said "I want my statue because it's what I am, an old man fighting his last battle".

    http://www.johnwayneplates.info/marshall.html

    Bob

  • True Grit (2010)

    Quote from nordy


    Glen Campbell's brief appearance, unfortunately, reminded me how much I loathed the original's theme music. Well, nothing's perfect.


    I recently listened to an interview with Don Black who wrote that music and he said it was the most difficult music script he has ever had to do. The words "True Grit" were very difficult to work around.

    Bob

  • Civil War places to visit

    Quote from Stumpy

    I guess the old memory is still working okay as the "Introduction" of this report confirms there were more American battle deaths (on both sides) in the U.S. Civil War than in all the others.


    The "others" are Americans who dies in WW1, WW2 and Vietnam put together. Although the figures of those who died in the ACW vary it is about 3/4 million.

    There are reports that around 50,000 Brits went over to fight, and a lot of those Americans who died were 1st and 2nd British settlers. There were other nationalities as well including French settlers and I think they wore the 165th New York Zouave Uniform.

    Bob

  • Stagecoach (1939)

    I have just watched the 1966 Bing Crosby remake of this, for the first time. Not too bad, but Alex Cord as Ringo was pitiful. He was trying to talk like Duke and ruined it. Made me cringe every time he spoke.

    Bob

  • I'm a Newbie from Japan.

    I will think of something suitable to say, eventually. It is the end of a hard day and the gray matter is sluggish right now!!!

    There must be a "Duke one-liner" that will fit the bill.

    Bob

  • I'm a Newbie from Japan.

    Hello Windrider. I saw that photo on eBay, I presume it is the same one. Even if the figures are from Madame Tussaud's it is a very nice photograph to have, and the autographs make it really special.

    How big is Duke in Japan?

    Bob

  • Rio Bravo (1959)

    About 70 minutes into the film, just after the Mexican band in the saloon starts playing their haunting tune, the scene cuts to the sheriff's office where Duke is sitting and his left foot is keeping time with the tempo of the tune. And then Stumpy starts playing along with his mouth
    organ.

    I noticed from the bit with his left foot keeping time that what looks like a large paper clip is in the turn-up of his trousers. It looks as if it is keeping the turn-up tidy.

    Anyone else noticed this?

    Bob

  • John Wayne Costumes

    Authentication of items such as these is very difficult when there are gaps in the history trail AND the lack of documentary evidence. This creates doubt and uncertainty.

    In a court of law when one side of the case introduces an element of doubt or uncertainty then the case gets thrown out as any finding of guilt would be unsafe.

    This is an issue of trust in the story handed down aided by any account by persons involved in Duke's clothing way back then.

    I have seen various reproductions of Duke's clothing over the years and I am sure many of you will also have seen these, and some are very good. The vest is a good example, and is currently on eBay.

    The issue of authentication exists in most areas of collectibles. My brother has continued something I started a long time ago in collecting records from the 1950's. He regularly comes across 'bootlegs' that are sold as original. This is because current sellers have no knowledge of what the real original looked like, if it ever existed at all. It is amplified by 'cartels' that flooded the market in the 1970s with very authentic looking bootlegs.

    Last year I bought a few items of Duke's clothing, based on their source, history trail and documentary evidence, but there is still a very small part of me deep down that holds some uncertainty.

    I wish the seller and buyer luck.

    Bob