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  • Duke's Movies- Blu-Ray/DVD Releases

    20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment has now released cover art and content information for the winners of the Home Theater Forum "Vote Your Choice" poll for films the fans want to see on Blu-ray. The two Duke titles are North to Alaska and The Undefeated. Release date is December 3.



    North to Alaska (Blu-Ray) (1960)
    Starring: John Wayne, Stewart Granger, Ernie Kovacs, Fabian, Capucine, Mickey Shaughnessy, Karl Swenson, Joe Sawyer, Kathleen Freeman, John Qualen, Stanley Adams, Richard Deacon, Frank Faylen


    Director:Henry Hathaway
    Genre:    Blu-Ray, Westerns
    Year:    1960
    Studio:    20th Century Fox
    Length: 117 minutes
    Release Date:     December 3, 2013
    Rating:     G
    Misc:     Color, Widescreen, NTSC
    Language: English (Original Language), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Subtitled)


    SYNOPSIS:
    John Wayne and Stewart Granger strike it rich in this rousing comedy-adventure set in the heyday of the Alaskan gold rush. When prospectors Sam McCord (Wayne) and George Pratt (Granger) hit the mother lode, George asks Sam to go to Seattle and fetch his sweetheart, Jennie, but she has already married someone else.


    Determined to bring George a new love, Sam invites a saloon dancer (Capucine) back to Nome as Jennie's replacement.




    The Undefeated (Blu-Ray) (1969)
    Starring: John Wayne, Rock Hudson, Antonio Aguilar, Roman Gabriel, Marian McCargo, Lee Meriwether, Merlin Olsen, Bruce Cabot, Melissa Newman, Harry Carey Jr., Ben Johnson, Jan-Michael Vincent, Edward Faulkner, Paul Fix, Royal Dano


    Director:Andrew V. McLaglen
    Genre:Westerns, Blu-Ray
    Year:    1969
    Studio:    20th Century Fox
    Length:     119 minutes
    Release Date: December 3, 2013
    Rating:     G
    Misc:     Color, Widescreen, NTSC
    Language:     English (Original Language), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Subtitled)


    SYNOPSIS:
    John Wayne and Rock Hudson co-star in this rollicking classic set in Mexico during the tumultuous post-Civil War days. As Union Cavalry officer John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) and former Confederate Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson) lead their men into new territories to begin a new life, their paths cross.


    Now, caught between Mexican rebels and the Emperor's forces, they find themselves fighting side by side and must forge an uneasy friendship in order to survive. Based on a story by Stanley L. Hough, this entertaining film about unlikely alliances is Western action at its best.

  • The Black Swan (1942)

    20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment has now released cover art and content information for the winners of the Home Theater Forum "Vote Your Choice" poll for films the fans want to see on Blu-ray.




    The Black Swan (Blu-Ray) (1942)
    Starring: Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara, Laird Cregar, Thomas Mitchell, George Sanders, Anthony Quinn, George Zucco, Edward Ashley, Bonnie Bannon, Fortunio Bonanova, Clarence Muse, Willie FungDirector:Henry King
    Genre:Blu-Ray, Drama, Action & Adventure
    Year:    1942
    Studio:    20th Century Fox
    Length:     85 minutes R
    elease Date:     December 3, 2013
    Rating:     G Misc: Color, NTSC, Full Screen
    Language:     English (Original Language), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Subtitled)


    SYNOPSIS:
    Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara cross romantic swords in this epic swashbuckler about a pirate determined to reform his thieving ways - after he steals one last heart!


    Recently reformed pirate Jamie Boy (Power) is supposed to be helping the new Governor of Jamaica, Captain Morgan, rid the Caribbean of black-hearted buccaneers. But when Jamie falls head over keel for the heavenly - but hotheaded - Lady Margaret (O'Hara), he gives caution the heave-ho, kidnaps Margaret and sets sail for the adventure of a lifetime! Packed with "action, excitement, thundering guns and a maiden in distress" (Variety), this "brawny, blood-curdling" (Look Magazine) high-seas saga that remains a rollicking, "timeless pleasure" (Los Angeles Times)!


    BONUS FEATURES:


    • Commentary by Rudy Behlmer and Maureen O'Hara!
    • Restoration Comparison
    • Trailer

  • She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949)

    All this week on the Ben Johnson fanpage I've been posting "reruns" -- new and improved versions of photos I'd posted earlier. The last three were from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and here they are.


    The first version was from the Seattle Times archive and had some light streaks on it and no publicity info at the bottom. Otherwise the picture quality is the same.


    SWAYR-23M_zps78161255[1].jpg


    The first version is identical to this except there was a tiny piece of white gunk stuck to it obscuring one of John Wayne's eyes. I couldn't pull the gunk off without ripping the photo. But here now is another copy without the gunk. :)


    SWAYR-16M_zpsb292927f[1].jpg


    The first version was one I found somewhere on the internet (can't remember where). Someone started selling actual copies (a modern reproduction) on ebay so I bought one and it has much better detail as well as a bit more picture information on the bottom.


    SWAYR-11S-1_zpsa1e3a0e5[1].jpg

  • Roy Rogers

    http://www.thewrap.com/roy-rog…sical-coming-to-broadway/


    Roy Rogers Musical Coming to Broadway



    Culture | By Tim Molloy on September 19, 2013 @ 6:28 am



    “Annie Hall” and “Jersey Boys” vet Marshall Brickman leading creative team


    It’s time to blaze happy trails to Broadway: a new musical announced Thursday from “Jersey Boys” co-creator Marshall Brickman will celebrate the life of Roy Rogers. The Roy Rogers Family Entertainment Corporation, Happy Trails, LLC and the Spangler Group will produce a new Broadway musical inspired by Rogers’ life and music. (No word on his hamburgers.)The musical is expected in late 2014 or early 2015.

    Brickman, who wrote the book for “Jersey Boys” and collaborated with Woody Allen on “Annie Hall,” is leading the creative team.


    “I’m excited to be able to introduce Rogers to a new generation – and to re-introduce him to his older fans,” said Brickman. “At the height of his popularity, Roy had millions of fans worldwide and reigned for decades as the embodiment of simple, honest American values. It will be interesting to contrast that ideal with the current environment of ambivalence and moral uncertainty.”

    Happy Trails, LLC is a new joint venture developed by Larry Spangler (the Spangler Group) with the Roy Rogers Family Entertainment Corporation and The Roy and Dale Evans Rogers Children’s Trust to reintroduce the iconic Roy Rogers brand.


    Between 1945 and 1975, the Roy Rogers brand generated an estimated $1 billion in revenue derived from 88 films, the musical’s producers said. His TV show aired 100 episodes, and his name sold 150 million comic books. His image covered 2.5 billion boxes of Post Cereal.


    Boys who didn’t want to order Shirley Temples ordered plenty of his namesake drink.

    Larry Spangler, head of the Spangler Group, and Happy Trails LLC CEO Wally Hoelzel have led the charge in developing this business deal. Spangler stated, “We believe Roy Rogers represents a billion dollar brand. His name and image will have broad appeal to people of all ages around the world.”

    Bill Wolfe, CEO of International Marketing Partners, the company responsible for executing the licensing strategy, added, “That belief is supported by the excitement of many of our manufacturing partners and key strategic retailers, already on board. We’re introducing a broad range of products under the private ‘Roy Rogers’ label. We have over 100 new products in development and a number of products already in production.”


    Larry Spangler has brought together an experienced team including: Roy “Dusty” Rogers Jr. and Jeff Kramer, co-founders of the Roy Rogers Family Entertainment Corporation, The Ziffren Brittenham law firm and partners Sam Fischer and Gary Stiffelman, former International Creative Management, Inc agent and head of casting for Paramount Pictures Andrea Eastman; Jason Baruch of Baruch and Sendroff, LLP as Broadway council, advertising and branding legend George Lois, along with Stuart Sher, Happy Trails, LLC equity partner, with 40 plus years of experience in apparel, fragrance and branding.


    Rounding out the executive team are music and entertainment business veterans Bruce Glatman (Encore/Mama Concerts), Tad Dowd (Scotti Bros and Joe Namath’s Namanco Corp) and producer, Bob Ezrin.

  • Books on Duke

    Another biography of John Wayne is on the way. The author is Scott Eyman, who wrote Print the Legend: The Life and Times of John Ford and many other movie-related books. Publication date is April 1, 2014.



    Drawing on interviews that author Scott Eyman conducted with John Wayne before his death and more than 100 interviews with the actor’s family, co-stars, and close associates, this revelatory biography shows how both the facts and fictions about Wayne illuminate his singular life.


    John Wayne died more than thirty years ago, but he remains one of the five favorite movie stars of contemporary audiences. Yet, there has never been a comprehensive biography worthy of the man as well as the star. Until now.


    The beloved Hollywood icon comes fully to life in this complex portrait by a master biographer whose skillful prose has been hailed as “outstanding” and “compulsive reading” by reviewers from The New York Times to The Hollywood Reporter.


    The Washington Post Book World called Scott Eyman “one of the most distinguished and reliable of popular film historians.” In Eyman’s hands, this enduring symbol of American grit gets the biography he deserves.
    Exploring Wayne’s early life with a difficult mother and a feckless father, Eyman makes startling connections to his later days as an anti-Communist conservative, his stormy marriages to Latina women, and his notorious—and surprisingly long-lived—extra-marital affair with Marlene Dietrich.


    In addition to his interviews with those who knew Wayne best—many of whom had never spoken on the record before—Eyman draws on the actor’s own business records to weave a rich tapestry of American cultural history: the story of a man who went from college football to romantic lead on the silver screen, and who ultimately became the dominant—and often domineering—symbol of his country at mid-century, the quintessential American male against which all other screen heroes are compared.


    Through it all, the author provides a nuanced and sympathetic portrait that is as charming, compelling, and complicated as the Duke himself.

    Product Details

    • ISBN-13: 9781439199589
    • Publisher: Simon & Schuster
    • Publication date: 4/1/2014
    • Pages: 512

  • Shane (1953)

    Quote

    Take a good look and Alan Ladd is standing on a raised platform while everyone else has their boots on the real floor.

    That's so 5'6" (according to the IMDB) Alan Ladd can look almost as tall as 6'2" Ben Johnson. ;)


  • Shane (1953)

    Gorch is sure right about that! The Shane Blu-ray is spectacular -- I would even say reference quality for showing off how great Technicolor can look on your TV.


    Also, here's another Shane still I added to my Ben page recently.


  • Books on Duke

    There is some information in Jensen's Ben Johnson bio not readily available on the web, mostly about his parents and Ben's early years in Oklahoma and stunt years prior to meeting John Ford. The errors I've found in it mostly have to do with incorrect movie plot descriptions or some other minor details. But Jensen didn't have an axe to grind with Ben, as far as I can tell.


    The John Wayne bio sounds like another kettle of fish entirely, however. (I haven't read it.)

  • Olive Films

    Ward Bond alert!


    Olive Films is releasing Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye on Blu-ray and DVD on August 27. Ward plays Inspector Weber.


    It's been quite a few years since I've seen this movie but as I recall Cagney plays a real nasty piece of work in this one. He was such a sweetie pie in real life -- loved the rural life, played music and painted.


  • She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949)

    There's probably a thread around here for action figures but I can't find it. ;)


    I recently discovered the Open Range forum (http://openrange.freeforums.org), an internet board for people who make 1:6 scale action figures. Most of the board is devoted to figures from the Old West, though there are a lot with military characters. The action figures depict historical people, movie characters and original characters invented by the hobbyists. They will also create buildings and landscape and accessorize with animals, weapons and any kind of prop you can imagine -- all in miniature! The work and attention to detail is absolutely amazing.


    One of the people there, Mark, loves She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and made 1:6 action figures of some of the characters, including Sgt. Tyree, Captain Brittles and others. I've written up a story about Mark and his Yellow Ribbon action figures at my Ben Johnson page so please come on over there and read all about it. http://benjohnsonfanpage.shutterfly.com.


    Here are the figures Mark made of Brittles and Tyree. ;)



  • Rio Grande (1950)

    Can't remember where I found this online but it was the only time I've seen this photo. (Was it in this thread? I'm too lazy to go through it all to check!) :)


  • Olive Films

    Olive Films has announced the release of The Fighting Kentuckian on Blu-ray and standard DVD on September 24.




    The Fighting Kentuckian (1949) Actor: John Wayne, Vera Ralston, Philip Dorn, Oliver Hardy, Marie Windsor, John Howard, Hugo Haas, Grant Withers, Odette Myrtil, Paul Fix, Mae Marsh, (more)
    Director: George Waggner
    Genre: Westerns
    Year: 1949
    Studio: Olive Films
    Length: 100 minutes
    Released: September 24, 2013
    Rating: NR
    Format: Blu-ray/DVD
    Misc: NTSC, Full Screen, Black & White
    Language: English (Original Language)

    SYNOPSIS:


    John Wayne (The Quiet Man) sets the wild frontier ablaze in this thrilling romantic adventure!


    Set shortly after the Battle of New Orleans, the film casts Wayne as John Breen, a Kentucky trooper leading a regiment of Kentucky riflemen back home. The regiment passes through a settlement of French army refugees who were granted land by an act of Congress.


    Breen falls head over heels for the beautiful French general’s daughter (Vera Ralston), but a rich and powerful rival, Blake Randolph (John Howard) also has his heart set on her. As the two suitors lock horns, Wayne discovers that his rival has a malicious scheme up his sleeve, and soon the courtship battle escalates into a full-scale war.


    George Waggner (The Wolf Man) wrote and directed this action-packed comedy adventure. The stellar cast includes comic legend Oliver Hardy, Hollywood bad-girl Marie Windsor with Philip Dorn and Paul Fix. It’s “The Duke” at his best as The Fighting Kentuckian battles for his love and the land of the free!