Posts from William T Brooks in thread „On This Day“

  • On This Day

    Vera and Arthur;


    The film "The Aviator" was Pretty Much the way it was in those days but there was much more about Howard Hughes that is not shown in the film. Not only was He a Great Pilot, Movie Producer, but one of the Best Inventors of the last 100 years. Many of His Inventions in Aviation are still used Today by Countries all over the World. :o


    He even came up with the "First Electric Hospital Bed" that was unknown at that time, that would let Him Sit up by pushing a Button, when He was in the Hospital after He had Crashed one of His Test Aircraft in Beverly Hills, California! :fear2: This was when "He Got Hooked On Pain Killers" and from then on it was All Down Hill!!! :( At this time He was One of the Richest Men in The World. :)


    Bill :cowboy:

  • On This Day

    Arthur;


    You said that it was ok to put up a Post Here, so here is a story that I know a little about on the Legendary Howard Hughes. :)


    When I was Flying for the Hearst in California, Bill Hearst jr. at that time, had me Produce a T.V. Special on "The Hearst Castle" and "The Aircraft of Howard Hughes." It it still shown on Cable and sometimes on the History Channel. :rolleyes:


    The Hearst Corporation at this time had a 1/2 interest in A.B.C and was called "Hearst- A.B.C." Bill Hearst jr. had been a very good friend of Howard Hughes and Flown the World in one of Howard's Aircraft. :o


    Bill Hearst and I flew to Houston, Texas and got to go into Howard's Private Vault to look at Pictures of His Aircraft and other things that could be used in the T.V. Special. We had some Great time looking at all the things of this "Legend of Air Power" :agent:


    Later in the 1980s when I was Flying Jane Russell and Her Husband to and from Santa Barbara, California we had long talks about Howard Hughes and his Films and His Aircraft that She had Flown in Many Time. I did not think much about the Story Lines of His Films , but you could not Beat His Filming of Aircraft in His Films, they were the Best and most of the people that knew him the Best said that He was a True Aviation Genius!!! :rolleyes:


    Bill :cowboy:

  • On This Day

    Chester and Mrs. C, I agree with Smokey. :D 27 years you do not see that much any more!!! :fear2: But you have a way to go to catch up with me. ;) Martha, Mrs. Chillbill and I were Sweethearts for 55 years and were Married for 50 years. :jump:


    Bill :cowboy:

  • On This Day

    Arthur;


    I did not get a chance to thank you for that Great Post on The Duke and His Passing, good job my friend!


    Mildred Natwick could really play a tough old Gal!!! :angry:


    Bill :cowboy:

  • On This Day

    Arthur;


    Has it really been 9 years ago that Ben past on? He was a real Gentle Man and turned into a Great Actor, and He was a real Cowboy before He got into Films, and the Best on Horse Back that I ever seen. Chilibill :cowboy:

  • On This Day

    Arthur;


    My records show that on this day March 13, 1979 John Wayne gave his last Interview on the Barbara Walters Special and then just a few months later Duke Passed On! I remember this date because it was on my Birthday!!! If you want to see part of the Interview you can go to DUKES LAST INTERVIEW Chilibill :cowboy:

  • On This Day

    Arthur;


    George Gobel was a Bomber Pilot in WW2 and was a very Funny Man. One joke that he liked to tell other Pilots, was when his Flight Engineer in his Aircraft would say, "We must Feather Number Four Engine Sir!" :fear2: George liked to say "Number Four Engine, On Which Side"!!! :fear: + :fear:


    In those Days when you said "Feather a Engine," that meant you had to Shut The Engine Down, and of course this meant that he George, wanted as many engines as He could when he was on the Bomb Run. :rolleyes:


    Bill :cowboy:

  • On This Day

    Arthur;
    Andy Devine was a Very Good Man and a "Very Close Friend of the Duke" and pretty much Type Casted because of his High Voice that he had injured when he was a Boy in Kingman, Arizona. They have Named the main road in Kingman after him. You pass under it on your way to California from Arizona. I still love to watch him in "Stagecoach" and "The man that Shot Liberty Valance." Bill

  • On This Day

    Arthur; I do remember her and she did have a very large voice, but I did not remember her name after all these years. Most of the Cast and Crew were at least 10 years older than most of the Extras.


    In those days when they were doing a John Ford film like "Rio Grande" there was a Class System on location. The Director like Ford and Stars like Duke , Maureen and Victor were in one Group, the supporting actors were in the next Group, and then us lowly extras and the rest of the crew were at the bottom of the Bucket. :uhuh:


    We did mix with just about everyone when filming, but just the main Actors mixed with Ford, and the rest of us tried to stay as far away from Ford as we could. He was a Great Director but not a very nice man to be around!!! :angry: Chilibill :cowboy: