“And when, on the still cold nights, he pointed his nose at a star and howled long and wolflike, it was his ancestors, dead and dust, pointing nose at star and howling down through the centuries and through him. And his cadences were their cadences, the cadences which voiced their woe and what to them was the meaning of the stiffness, and the cold, and dark. “ ― Jack London, The Call of the Wild
The 1935 version starring Clark Gable and Loretta Young
expanded John Thornton’s role and was the first “talkie” to feature the story.
The film is directed by William A. Wellman, and stars Clark Gable, Loretta Young and Jack Oakie.
The screenplay by Gene Fowler and Leonard Praskins omits all but one of the book’s storylines.
Originally released at 95 minutes; later cut to 81 minutes for a re-issue. For many years only the cut re-issue version was available for television showings, and it is also the version released on DVD in 2006 as part of the Clark Gable Collection. The original length version remained unseen until it was released on blu-ray in 2013.
Locations: Washington State; California; Nevada.
“54”!?? It ranks above that on Star Power alone.
Worth a watch.
It gets cold up here…“I’ll just sit under the table … “
“But especially he loved to run in the dim twilight of the summer midnights, listening to the subdued and sleepy murmurs of the forest, reading signs and sounds as a man may read a book, and seeking for the mysterious something that called — called, waking or sleeping, at all times, for him to come.” ― Jack London, The Call of the Wild
There are 5 film adaptations of Jack London’s book.
“The Call of the Wilderness” is a Western starring Sandow the Dog, Lewis Sargent, Edna Marion, Al Smith, Max Asher, Sydney D. Grey and others. A man tries to defend his lucrative piece of land from another claimant.”
Silent Film Video on YouTube – courtesy of Silent Gems Collection / Silent Hall of Fame
I had a very difficult time with this post. Worked on it for nearly 2 weeks. I had too many good photos – nearly 80 – or more. Which ones to pick? Post? I finally selected these. Hope you enjoy them.
La Golondrina / Soundtrack The Wild Bunch / Jerry Fielding
“Hmmmm …”
The big talk in Western Film these days is the News about the ‘Remake of The Wild Bunch’. (I’m a bit slow on the draw so I just herd about this recently)
It’s a shocker to be sure.
Here’s one Newsbit:
‘The Wild Bunch’ Remake Hoping to Recruit Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx, Peter Dinklage for Director Mel Gibson
Posted on Monday, May 20th, 2019 by Chris Evangelista
Proving that there are indeed second, third, and even forth acts in Hollywood, Mel Gibson is being given the keys to a major motion picture yet again. The controversial actor and filmmaker is set to helm a remake of The Wild Bunch, and some heavy-hitting talent is already lining-up to work with him. Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx, and Peter Dinklage are all in talks to join the Wild Bunchremake cast, indicating that Warner Bros. wants to put together an impressive cast for this contemporary remake of the violent Sam Peckinpah Western.
Mel Gibson can often be an excellent actor and a strong filmmaker. But he’s also a highly controversial figure known for misogynist, racist remarks and actions that many feel should disqualify him from being attached to major projects. Gibson was a bit of a pariah for a short period of time, but it’s clear that time has ended. Warner Bros. has booked him to direct their Wild Bunch remake, which features a script by Gibson and Bryan Bagby.
And now, Deadline says Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx, and Peter Dinklage are all in talks to join the cast of the film. Nothing is officially in place yet, but word has it the movie will begin production this fall. This Wild Bunch is a contemporary remake of Sam Peckinpah’s classic 1969 Western, which was set in 1913. Here’s the original synopsis:
In this gritty Western classic, aging outlaw Pike Bishop prepares to retire after one final robbery. Joined by his gang, which includes Dutch Engstrom and brothers Lyle and Tector Gorch, Bishop discovers the heist is a setup orchestrated in part by his old partner, Deke Thornton. As the remaining gang takes refuge in Mexican territory, Thornton trails them, resulting in fierce gunfights with plenty of casualties.
Hollywood has been hoping to mount a Wild Bunch remake for a few years now. Tony Scott was originally set to helm a version, but his 2012 suicide ended up putting the project on hold. Since then, a remake with Will Smith possibly set to produce and star popped up, along with one directed by Hands of Stone filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz. Neither incarnation came to pass.
While Gibson, a filmmaker who doesn’t shy away from movie violence, seems like a good fit to remake this violent Western, I can’t help but feel this is a film we really don’t need, no matter who ends up being cast in the project.
Mel sure knows how to kick up some dust. I can’t see this project as a mere Western yarn – and it’s pretty obvious by the casting that this is not going to be a carbon copy of the original.The inclusion of Dinklage and Fox certainly tells us it’s to be pretty different right away – and Gibson has said it will be a different angle from a Social/Political viewpoint. There’s plenty of scepticism, of course, and it does seem like a daunting task. We’ll just have to wait and see.
All the Major players in the original production have passed.
Including Sam himself.
Charles Bronson right?
But Charles Bronson died in 2003. Didn’t he?
‘Fraid so.
This guy is Robert “Bronzi”.
Who just happens to look exactly like Charles Bronson! (below).
And they’ve been exploiting this likeness for a while now.
Most recently in this Western:
Here’s the Trailer/Preview:
Ratings weren’t favorable.“2.7” outta 10! Bang! Yor ‘one shot’ dead.
Even Chuck’s ghost couldn’t save this thing.
But Bronzi isn’t just some ‘one trick cowpoke’
trying to ride Bronson’s pony.
Internet Movie Database Mini Bio
Hungarian born performer Robert Bronzi is world traveled actor and professional horseman with a love for the wild west and classic American film. Bronzi has worked as a Carpenter, Horsetrainer, Musician and former Military Service Member. Professionally Trained Actor at Maria Mezey Theatre School (Budapest) as well as stuntman, acrobat and Judo Player. Robert speaks multiple languages including English, Spanish and Hungarian. With a film resume building, Bronzi has honed his craft in Live Performances and Wild West Theme Shows, including ” Fort Bravo ” Almeria, Spain ” Port Aventura ” – Costa Dorada, Spain, ” Rancho Texas Park ” – Canary Islands. and Feature Films, The Seven Gallant, Death Kiss, Escape From Death Block 13 and most recent has signed to to play ” The Dago ” in Knighted Entertainments upcoming comedy feature Mat Rats.
“A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog,
when you are just as hungry as the dog.”
– Jack London
Wikipedia: John Griffith London (born John Griffith Chaney; born in San Francisco on January 12, 1876 – November 22, 1916 was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist. A pioneer in the world of commercial magazine fiction, he was one of the first writers to become a worldwide celebrity and earn a large fortune from writing. He was also an innovator in the genre that would later become known as science fiction.
His most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as the short stories “To Build a Fire”, “An Odyssey of the North”, and “Love of Life”. He also wrote about the South Pacific in stories such as “The Pearls of Parlay”, and “The Heathen”.
London was part of the radical literary group “The Crowd” in San Francisco and a passionate advocate of unionization, workers’ rights, socialism, and eugenics. He wrote several works dealing with these topics, such as his dystopian novel The Iron Heel, his non-fiction exposé The People of the Abyss, The War of the Classes, and Before Adam.
Buck was a St. Bernard/Scotch shepherd mix breed.
Klondike Gold Rush / The Legendary Chilkoot Pass between British Columbia and Alaska
Canadians love Socialism. We can’t wait to hand over all our personal responsibilities (Freedoms) to the Government and be taxed to the eyebrows. 3 of the 5 political parties that ran in our last Federal Election were outright Socialist in philosophy: The incompetent and forever stupid Liberals; the insane and laughable NDP; and the complete lunatic Lefties: the Green Party. Absolutely terrifying that this bunch overwhelms any sane Political ideals here. The damage of Socialism is long, pervasive and impossible to get rid of. Example: Bilingualism – as Law in Canada. Most signage, packaging, anything! has to be done in both English and French. This has cost us – and continues to do so – untold Millions (zillions?) of Dollars. This single titanic feat of political stupidity alone has cost Canadians an unfathomable fortune in wasted money. Yet almost NOBODY outside of Ontario and Quebec speak French – or need to do so. In my job as a Greeter at Home Depot I believe I’ve only encountered about 2 people in the last 6 years that needed assistance because they only spoke French. (We couldn’t find any interpreters). But this Law persists – to appease the unappeasable Province of Quebec. This was inflicted upon us by that great French Canadian Socialist Pierre Trudeau – who like his son Justin (who now rules Canada) has professed an admiration for Communism. Yeah.
In a country where democracy is corrupted by the reality that 2 Provinces – Ontario and Quebec (out of 10) – can swing any Federal Election vote, we find the need to speak French by any Politician who isn’t bilingual (like from Western Canada) immediately handcuffs him.
Thinking about coming here?
WHY am this bringing this up? Because the signs at Mount Edith Cavell reflects this mentality. Apart from the fact that all signage has to be bilingual – in English and French – there’s a question of whether these signs are need to exist at all?
But apparently, in 2012, there was an “icefall” from the Angel Glacier into the Tarn (glacier pond) which resulted in some flooding here. No one was hurt and it was pretty well a freak event, but now we have signs everywhere.
Marilyn, over at Serendipity (https://teepee12.com/) frequently posts wonderful photos
of the birds and squirrels that visit her bird feeder at her place on the US East Coast.
So, out of blue, my partner Rose suggested we take a walk down to The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary here in Calgary.
Off we went – cameras in hand.
Hmmmm …
When I was a kid I figured that the day I understood Bird Watching
would be the day that proved I was old …
AHA !
I’m getting pretty old.
Some kind of Woodpecker … Maybe a Flicker? (I carve a notch on my camera)
Rose got a better pic/peck though.
See him?
Ducks.
In the olden days they used to migrate.
Rose figures she can get a Chickadee to land on her hand.
Most people in this world don’t have what I have.
Some are lucky to get even one meal a day. Yet I live in opulence. A Wonderful home. A Wonderful companion. Many Blessings. Too many to count.
But I try.
So I truly do give thanks. And like to express Good Will to All.
And I Thank you all for coming around this year. I hope that I’ve offered something
that adds something to You and your day.
My pleasure. My honor. And may we all pass our good fortune on to others.
I was saying to Cindy that I consider Burt Lancaster to be among the Top Western Movie Stars of all time – appearing in so many Classics that I’d place right up there with John Wayne.
Permit me to prove that.
The film received three nominations at the 1967 Academy Awards. Writer and director Richard Brooks, for Best Director and Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and cinematographer Conrad Hall, for Best Cinematography.
The film won two Motion Picture MagazineLaurel Awards in 1967, for Best Action Drama and Best Action Performance for Lee Marvin. In Germany, it was one of only four movies to receive a Golden Screen Award (the others were Doctor Zhivago, Marvelous Angelique
and You Only Live Twice) in 1967.
Burt Lancaster Western Filmography
1951 Vengeance Valley 1954 Apache / 1954Vera Cruz 1955 The Kentuckian / 1956The Rainmaker 1957Gunfight at the O.K. Corral / 1960The Unforgiven 1965 The Hallelujah Trail / 1966 The Professionals 1968 The Scalphunters / 1971 Lawman 1971 Valdez Is Coming / 1972 Ulzana’s Raid 1976 Buffalo Bill and the Indians / 1981 Cattle Annie and Little Britches
Not all gems – but the red ones are definite Classics.
Others are notable.
A very impressive Western Film legacy.
You want good Writing?
How about great Writing.
And great Actors to deliver it.
And if you’ve never seenThe Rainmaker … Shame on you.
I used to leap tall mountains in a single bound. Now there’s a little too much snow on my peak. The truth is that the pain in my legs is sometimes unbearable
when I try to go hiking. Diabetes 2. So my hiking days may soon come to an end. But I ain’t quite done yet.
Beautiful up here!
A pure mountain stream!
But …
A flood? On a mountain?
Seems there’s a mountain pond up ahead – formed by a glacier. A tarn. And falling rocks and ice could create a flash flood
and drown you.
And I was worried about bears.
We fearlessly head up the trail.
I’ll be right along.
If I rest periodically I can make it.
It’s just a matter of time.
There does seem to be something blue up ahead … ?
Well … I’ll be tarned! There is indeed a large pond.
“I have never planned anything. I have been doing this job for over 50 years. I have been paid to work with some wonderful people and it has been a huge gift, to me.” – Donald Sutherland
“We’re all embers from the same fire. Our ember winks out, we’re ashes, we go back to the fire. I like that image. There has to be a unifying theory. I think there is a continuity of some kind, that my love for my wife will go on past the death of my body. Nature is perfect.” – William Shatner
It’s a been a hell of ride guys. Thank You.
Thank you very much.
We head out for some hiking at Mount Edith Cavell. There she is.
Majestic!
A lot of people have the same idea.
Who was Edith Cavell?
“But this I would say, standing as I do in view of God and eternity, I realize that patriotism is not enough.
I must have no hatred or bitterness towards any one.”
– Edith Cavell
Edith Louisa Cavell (/ˈkævəl/; 4 December 1865 – 12 October 1915) was a British nurse. She is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination and in helping some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the First World War, for which she was arrested. She was accused of treason, found guilty by a court-martial and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad. Her execution received worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage. The night before her execution, she said, “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” These words were later inscribed on a memorial to her near Trafalgar Square. Her strong Anglican beliefs propelled her to help all those who needed it, both German and Allied soldiers. She was quoted as saying, “I can’t stop while there are lives to be saved.” The Church of England commemorates her in its Calendar of Saints on 12 October.
Cavell, who was 49 at the time of her execution, was already notable as a pioneer of modern nursing in Belgium.
My Mother was also an British nurse – during World War II – and also a devout Anglican – who later became the President of the Red Cross in New Brunswick for several years. Interesting parallels.
Next: Jasper Journey – Mount Edith Cavell … Part 2
The Spell of the Yukon / Robert Service / Hank Snow
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
– Jack London
THE CANADIAN PRESS/DARRYL DYCK
DAWSON CITY, Yukon — The founder of the legendary Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson City, Yukon, has poured his final glass of the well-known whisky and pickled human toe drink. Dick Stevenson, the former bartender known by his nickname Captain Dick, has died. He was 89.
Stephen Lancaster, manager of the Dawson Hotel, where the Sourtoe Cocktail tradition continues, said Saturday patrons at the Sourdough Saloon and members of the community are deeply saddened by Stevenson’s passing Thursday in Whitehorse.
“When I walked into the bar last night, it was quite a sad feeling knowing that we lost somebody who was really important to the history of the place,” he said. “We are quite sad about it and want to honour him somehow, and we’re trying to figure out some way of doing that.”
Lancaster said the saloon has records of more than 93,000 brave customers who are members of the Sourtoe Cocktail Club started by Stevenson. “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips must touch the toe,” says the club membership motto, which involves drinking a shot of whisky from a glass that also contains a pickled human big toe. Lancaster said he expects the club to reach 100,000 members this summer.
Stevenson fit the image of a Yukon gold prospector, with his beard, cap and friendly and spirited demeanour, said Lancaster. “He’s exactly like he looks,” he said. “He’s a fun, friendly guy you just want to talk to and hear his stories. We almost want to have a moment of silence to honour what he’s done here.”
Stevenson came up with the drink idea in 1973 after finding a frost-bitten human toe preserved in a jar in a cabin he purchased. Lancaster said the Sourtoe Cocktail tradition will continue with Stevenson in the mix — his will asks his two big toes be preserved for future drinks.
Saw one of these on the way back. Don’t know what they’re called, but it’s a hole in the glacier where water goes down.
Google Maps image
A few people have gone missing up here over the years. They just found a body of a guy that had missing for 20 years.
But if you ever fell in one of these holes
I doubt they would ever find you.
Inuksuk
The word inuksuk means “that which acts in the capacity of a human.
A manmade stone landmark or cairn built for use by the Inuit, Iñupiat, Kalaallit, Yupik, and other peoples of the Arctic region of North America. These structures are found in northern Canada, Greenland, and Alaska (United States).
The inuksuk may historically have been used for navigation, as a point of reference, a marker for travel routes, fishing places, camps, hunting grounds, places of veneration,
drift fences used in hunting, or to mark a food cache.
I slept for 18 hours yesterday.
Not sure that’s my record, but that’s quite a nap. When I woke up my bedding was soaked from sweat. That used to mean my Flu was breaking. But I’m not so sure this time. It’s been 4 days. Rose caught it first. Coughing and vomiting. I’ve coughed so much my ribs and back are aching. Fever, headaches – it’s got it all. At least it didn’t reach pneumonia.
That’s when you know you’re really in trouble.
I hope to go back to work tomorrow.
“It is always darkest just before the Day dawneth.” Thomas Fuller / 1650
pink Floyd / dark side of the moon
The eternal question
The Dark Night of Soul
“A period of spiritual desolation suffered by a mystic in which all sense of consolation is removed. The dark night of the soul is a spiritual depression, a kind of existential crisis, that requires a deep and painful dip that must be experienced before enlightenment … “
Ever experience A Dark Night of Soul?
I know some of you have.
I have too.
You don’t have to be a “mystic.”
I was thinking about this because of the new
trailers for Kenobi: A Star Wars Story
which seems to depict this Spiritual event.
The Dark Night of Soul is not a fun event. But it seems to be almost a Spiritual necessity?
A Spiritual certainty on our journey.
They can be long. Very long. Lifetimes. or short.
Whatever it takes.
Yet … eventually … We break into the light.
A Dark Night can sneak up on you.
You can be right in the middle of one
and not even realize it.
Because it can come at you from an angle
that you never knew existed.
?
Portrayed in many movies.
“Even when you had two eyes,
you’d see only half the picture.”
Always a film favorite of mine. I’ve watched it several times.
And will again. That places it as a Film Classic for me.
The Climactic Fight (BIG spoiler!)
“How he hastens to his death.”
We all know that Kirk could handle himself, but we might not know that
Tony Curtis was also very athletic and one of the
|best sword Action fighters in filmdom.
This fight scene with Viking broadsword doesn’t really showcase his skills,
|but it’s still a brilliantly choreographed piece of Action Filming from 1958.
Enjoy.
“Why did he hesitate?”
If you’ve never seen The Vikings, don’t hesitate. Great Stars, great Action, great writing, dialogue, cinematography … everything.
It was said that they were disappointed with the returns from
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”. So they shelved other intended movies they had planned
for other Star Wars characters.
Not so.
No matter what happens, there’s some undeniable magic
in this stuff that connects with a lot of people.
It gets cold up here…
“I’ll just sit under the table … “
Star Trek, pat
