But it’s not ALL bad …
Fan made poster … excellent.
You said something?
Coffee at Wickaninnish …
Light of the Seven
Like a dream that happened long ago.
Just visiting. We can’t afford this.
Leave the bottle …
A joy to share.
Share this:
The Legend of Ben Hall / Part 2
The irony of Ben Hall is that he seems to have been a decent chap. Not a thug.
Through misfortune he became a Bushranger.
Jack Martin was perfectly cast for the role of Ben Hall.
Next:
The Legend of Ben Hall / Part 3
Share this:
The Legend of Ben Hall / Part 1
I’ve been trying to get hold of this movie for months.
Back in May I did a post called “6 New Westerns” and did a small preview of each. The Legend of Ben Hall was not new however – it had come out in 2016, but I hadn’t heard of it before.
My gut feeling was that this was a pretty good Western and Western fans would probably like it.
I found it to be a quality production all the way around.
Wikipedia says:
“Bushrangers were originally escaped convicts in the early years of the British settlement of Australia who had the survival skills necessary to use the Australian bush as a refuge to hide from the authorities. By the 1820s, the term “bushranger” had evolved to refer to those who abandoned social rights and privileges to take up “robbery under arms” as a way of life, using the bush as their base. Most were simply criminals and thieves.”
In the American Western we’d call these guys Outlaws.
BUT an Outlaw seems to be something different in the eyes of Australians.
Their distinction seems to be that you wouldn’t be referred to as an Outlaw until you had murdered someone.
Then, if caught, you would be hung. Prior to that it seems you could commit
almost any kind of skullduggery and would be jailed/imprisoned instead.
Though I’m sure the prisons of those days might have been worse than death.
The Legend of Ben Hall does not sugar coat Bushrangers. Ben Hall is not portrayed as a Hero.
And, at times, this is not a comfortable movie to watch.
A series of misfortunes forced him into the life of crime.
And according to this film it was a life of deep regret.
Despite being a Bushranger, Ben Hall definitely had certain lines he would never cross.
Killing a man of one of these.
And it’s believed that he never did.
A hell of story.
I couldn’t guess what the life expectancy of your average Bushranger might be.
But it was not likely very high.
Next:
The Legend of Ben Hall / Part 2
Share this:
Fire! Vernon Holiday
Timeless Love / Burton Cummings
Forest Fires
You might say that Vernon BC has recently become a ‘Vacation Hotspot’.
It’s literally burning up out there.
560 forest fires currently burning in BC. And Vernon right in the middle of them.
Over the years we’ve have been very lucky with the weather and such on our Holidays.
But this was going to be different.
We knew about the fire situation before we left. There was already a lot of smoke in Calgary.
We thought we’d give it a chance anyway.
Heading through the mountains
Below:
Castle Mountain as it usually looks: (Photo from Net)
Below:
Castle Mountain as it looks through the smoke:
Imagine coming all the way from Europe or some other country to see the Rockies.
And you can’t see them!
Then it started to rain!!
Pretty soon it was almost as dark as night. Everybody turned their headlights on.
On the other side of the Rockies (BC) we finally broke out.
Maybe things were going to be OK after all?
We’ll see …
Share this:
Tyrone Power Westerns continued …
The Prince of Foxes soundtrack by Alfred Newman
The Prince of Foxes (1949)
Nine years after The Mark of Zorro, Tyrone Power was still wielding a Sword.
But he hadn’t entirely chased the Fox.
Hard to believe the Fox reference isn’t intentional, but it isn’t.
Wikipedia says: “Prince of Foxes is a 1947 historical novel by (American) Samuel Shellabarger,”
Not Tryrone’s best work, but still worth a watch.
Welles doesn’t ‘chew the scenery’, he kind of steamrolls it.
Amazing.
Love this pic Wanda.
Share this:
Tyrone Power Westerns cont. Zorro Anomalies … and other stuff
When you’re 61 you can’t be sexy right?
Times have changed …
Celebrity Ads
Tyrone and Basil advertising.
Share this:
Lucky / 2017
Lucky
Just noticed this movie. Came out in 2017. Is it a Western? Well … it’s got cactus and q cowboy hat.
And Harry Dean Stanton.
Harry made this just before he passed.
Good reviews.
“I really liked the Mariachi singing in Westerns.”
– Harry Dean Stanton
Harry Dean Stanton Westerns
A couple of Classics in there.
Nice work Harry.
Share this:
Off to BC for a Week …
Vernon BC
Going to BC for a week.
A few months back Rose set us up for a Week’s Holiday in Vernon, British Columbia.
Normally about a 6 1/2 hour drive from Calgary.
But nothing is ‘Normal’ these days. (You may have noticed).
In the past 2 months, forest fires have started raging in the ‘Interior’ (and all over the world)
We are allowed to go there though one Highway has been closed.
We figure we’ll get through. But not fast.
Not that we’re in a hurry.
This is the deal: our lodgings and everything were already paid for.
Non-fundable. We forfeit all that money if we don’t go.
We are going to go.
The Good News is …
I have a new camera.
Rose bought it for me.
Here it is.
Sony DSCHX80/B High Zoom Point & Shoot Camera
Cost: about 400 bucks
(Sorry Marilyn! I should have consulted you)
But it was a present so …
It’s much superior to my other Sony camera in at at least 3 big ways:
It has double the resolution – which was direly affecting my image quality.
It has a 30 times Zooooooom !!! Which will allow me to take pics I couldn’t before.
It has a View Finder which will allow me to take pics that aren’t crooked or blurry.
And better composed.
I won’t kid myself that I’m going to be a Pro Photographer.
But this will help a lot.
See you in a week.
With about a thousand pics.
YEE HAW!!!
Share this:
4 Days on the Rim / A Photo Essay / Wild Pacific Trail
everdream / soul factory
Tofino, British Columbia
Pacific Rim
South of Tofino on Vancouver Island is a town called Ucluelet which means “people of the safe harbour” in the indigenous Nootka language.
It might have been safe for the Natives, but many a Whiteman and ships perished on that coast over the centuries.
Near Ucluelet is the Wild Pacific Trail – where Rose decided to go for a hike. 
Suggested: A windbreaker, a walking stick, some water, and snacks.
And a camera.
This rugged Pacific escarpment has another name and reputation.
Many a sailor and ship were lost on this wind lashed coast.
Rugged and ragged.
There’s several rest points along the way.
Even in overcast the ocean is still beautiful.
Time for another rest.
Share this:
UPCOMING!: Essential Swashbuckling – The Clinch!
Heroes / Shatter Effect
See Yul Brynner sing his hit:
“O Clinch Me Not!”
See Yoda and Dooku in combat !
Witness other marvels and forgotten lore of the Screen !
COMING SOON!!
Share this:
Rose’s Garden …
Rose’s Garden
Every year Rose toils tirelessly, endlessly in her garden.
Weeding, planting, digging, watering …
Often working after dark, she labours. A Labour of Love.
I am the beneficiary.
Getting started
Spring Tulips.
Then comes poppies !
Followed by …
But I’m not the only beneficiary !
Thank You Rose !
Share this:
Tyrone Power Westerns continued … Candle Slashing 102
Long as I can see the Light / Arbouretum
“At night a candle’s brighter than the sun.”
– Sting
The Mark of Zorro (1940)
Candle Slashing 102
My detective work to discover origins of Candle Slashing in Zorro
and other depictions of the stunt will likely fail.
There are simply far too many movies that may have reprised the stunt between 1920 and today.
I can’t look through them all.
But it’s fun – and interesting to me.
Maybe The Mark of Zorro (1940)? was indeed the first instance of the stunt?
I can’t say.
I didn’t detect any Candle Slashing in Douglas Fairbanks Sr’s, The Mark of Zorro (1920).
Though he does momentarily grab a candlestick in the fight scene with Noah Beery Sr. (below)
But no candle slashing occurs.
Over the years most of the re-enactments of the stunt have become spoofs.
But I still recognize them as paying tribute and homage to Zorro and his origins.
Below: 15 years after The Mark of Zorro (1940), Basil Rathbone reprises the famous stunt
in the wonderful The Court Jester (1955) Starring the amazing Danny Kaye!
Awesome stuff!
(You can watch the whole fight on YouTube)
Later (1974) I found this instance of Candle Slashing in the TV movie The Mark Of Zorro, Starring Frank Langella fighting villain Ricardo Montalban,
(Pardon my Spanish)
In (1975)Alain Delon Starred in Zorro and slashed several candles against Villain Stanley Baker.
Nicely done – anyway you slice it.
But …
… there’s more than one way to snuff a Candle!
If a sword is not at hand, simply grab your bullwhip.
Candle Lashing 101
Candle Lashing appears to have started with Douglas Fairbanks Sr. in Don Q Son of Zorro (1925)
I found this scene:
So says Don Q (Fairbanks):
*CRACK* he whips the candle flame out!
Fairbanks seemed to be talented in many ways.
Handling a bullwhip would have been one.
Fairbanks didn’t invent Zorro, but he sure put him in gear.
Duncan Regehr of Zorro TV Series (1990) tries his hand at Candle Whipping:
Candle Lashing/Whipping carried over to modern The Mask of Zorro (1998).
Anthony Hopkins handles the chores.
Upcoming:
Tyrone Power Westerns continued …
Zorro
Share this:
Tyrone Power Westerns continued … Candle Slashing 101
Hotel California / Beatbakers Remix
“Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.”
– Confucius
The Mark of Zorro (1940)
Candle Slashing 101
Ingredients:
One Sword
One Candle
One Hero
– Taunting Villain is optional
Instructions:
1. Light the Candle
(Unlit Candles may be used to prevent a fire)
2. Measure the Candle with your sword.
(Hero Tyrone Power demonstrates:)
Next: (Not recommended!) if you are a Ruthless Villain just slash away!
Ruthless Villain Basil Rathbone demonstrates:
Though demonstrating excellent form, note that the lit Candle just flies off!
To who knows where!!!??
This is irresponsible Candle Slashing.
Hero Tyrone Power demonstrates the proper technique:
Note the short backswing.
A simple swish …
… follow through …
… impeccable form!
Optional taunt from the foolish Villain …
… but the true Master is revealed!:
VOILA!
Next: Candle Slashing 102
We explore the origins of Candle Slashing …
Share this:
Tyrone Power Westerns continued … The Mark of Zorro (1940) The Fight / Part 1 …
Una Noche Mas / Yasmin Levy
“Never regret anything you have done with a sincere affection;
nothing is lost that is born of the heart.”
– Basil Rathbone
The Mark of Zorro (1940)
The Fight!
We finally come to the wonderful climatic sword fight scene between Zorro (Tyrone Power)
and Capt. Esteban Pasquale (Basil Rathbone).
After 78 years this is still regarded among the great sword fight/Swashbuckling scenes in filmdom.
It is.
Basil Rathbone
Rathbone is often said to be the greatest of all the swashbuckling fencers/swordsmen Actors in Film.
He displayed his skills in several movies: Captain Blood (1935); Romeo and Juliet (1936; The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938); and The Court Jester (1955)
And as is evident in the video below, he how proud he was of his prowess.
Rathbone studied stage fencing as part of his training at the famous Old Vic Theatre. The study of Fencing and Swordsmanship is part of a Shakespearean Actors training.
He was also tutored under Swordmaster and famed Fight Choreographer Fred Cavens.
Rathbone did his most of his own stunts and required no stand-in or double for his swordwork.
What is NOT well known, however, is that Tyrone Power was also very good.
Said Rathbone of Power’s swordsmanship skills:
“Power was the most agile man with a sword I’ve ever faced before a camera.
Tyrone could have fenced Errol Flynn into a cocked hat.”
Fred Caven’s son Albert Cavens did double-in for Power some shots. He was likely better for sure,
but I figure Tyrone coulda handled it himself.
It’s interesting that that Errol Flynn is so highly regarded as a fencer/sword fighter in Swashbuckling films because Rathbone
who dueled with in Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood says otherwise:
From CROSSED SWORDS – The Hollywood Swashbuckler
https://crossedswords2013.wordpress.com/page/3/
“I enjoyed swordsmanship more than anything because it was beautiful. I thought it was a wonderful exercise, a great sport. But I would not put it under the category of sport; I would put it under the category of the arts. I think it’s tremendously skillful and very beautiful… The only actor I actually fought with on the screen was Flynn, and that’s the only time I was really scared. I wasn’t scared because he was careless,
but because he didn’t know how to protect himself.”
“I could have killed Errol Flynn any time I wanted to.”
Upcoming:
Tyrone Power Westerns continued …
The Mark of Zorro (1940) The Fight / Part 2 …
Share this:
Tyrone Power Westerns continued … The Mark of Zorro (1940) Part 4
ZORRO / Evivva
The Mark of Zorro (1940)
On most any Saturday, in 1954, myself and my 3 older brothers, would each be given a Quarter (25 cents!) and off we’d go to the Saturday Matinee at the local Movie Theatre (in Mission, British Columbia). A Quarter would get us in plus buy a bag of popcorn and a pop! Amazing!
In those days kids could walk around freely, with no fear. We never locked our doors. Never had to. Churches were open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
That was a different time. Not so long ago.
I was 6 years old
Then we’d breathlessly watch our Heroes of the day!
14 years earlier, in 1940 – Tyrone Power had Starred in The Mark of Zorro.
I don’t recall seeing this movie until TCM showed it recently.
I loved it.
Obviously there is a Colorized version of The Mark of Zorro (1940).
Haven’t seen that one yet.
Reviews
Ratings were pretty high – for both Critics and the Public.
Upcoming:
Basil Rathbone ! Prince of FIends !
Share this:
Calgary Stampede – Western Showcase 2018 / Paul Van Ginkel / Artist
https://paulvanginkel.com/
I had a very nice chat with Paul. I took a pic, but it came out lousy. The lighting, my camera and photo skills were not up the job.
So I’m taken the liberty of borrowing images from the net of some of Paul’s work that he exhibited there.
Thank You Paul.
Paul, Van Ginkel, Aquatic Equine, 36″ x 80″, Oil at McLarry Fine Art
I really liked this painting.
(Below) Crossing the Line 40 x 60 • Oil
Paul has several superb paintings with a Stagecoach theme.
Reflection of Love 50 x 40 • Oil
To be a Warrior 50 X 37 (plus frame) oil & gold leaf on canvas
Calgary artist’s painting replicated on champion Gary Gorst’s chuckwagon
Great work Paul. I’ve gotta get down to your gallery in Calgary.
Thank You again!
Share this:
A NOSTALGIC SPOOF: THE LAST OF THE SILVER SCREEN COWBOYS – Garry & Marilyn Armstrong
Reposting from my Blog pals, Marilyn and Garry.
YEE HAW !
Share this:
Calgary Stampede Champions 2018 – Texans Riding High !!!
2018 Stampede Tie-Down Roping
Champion Tuf Cooper
Weatherford, Texas
2018 Saddle Bronc
Champion Ryder Wright
Milford, Utah
2018 Stampede Bareback
Champion Richie Champion
Dublin, Texas
2018 Stampede Steer Wrestling
Champion Matt Reeves
Cross Plains, Texas
2018 STAMPEDE BARREL RACING
CHAMPION HAILEY KINSEL
Cotulla, Texas
2018 Stampede Bull Riding
Champion Marco Gloria
Brazil/Edmonton, Alberta
Share this:
Calgary Stampede – Western Showcase 2018 / Part 2
Élise Genest
elisegenest.com@live.ca
“Elise Genest is a Canadian painter and photographer from the Québec City area whose work is entirely devoted to horses …”
What can you say about this Art?? It’s magnificent.
