"Mountain Fortress" the pilot episode of the tv series CHEYENNE

is essentially a remake of Errol Flynn's ROCKY MOUNTAIN (one of my favorite Flynn movies, let alone a western)....with James Garner (tv) in the Scott Forbes (movie) role....right down to the boy with a dog.  

CHEYENNE EPISODE IS A LOOSE REMAKE OF A MOVIE

The episode of CHEYENNE called "The Travelers" that aired on Encore Westerns on 6-12 was a loose remake of the Kirk Douglas movie ALONG THE GREAT DIVIDE which was also known as "THE TRAVELERS."  Pretty darn good little tv western...great production values and location sites for the most part....but at time when they were in the "desert" I could see, on the right side of the screen, a seam on the background cyclorama.  Gregory Walcott was featured in a supporting role as was Robert Armstrong (Carl Denhan in the original KING KONG) as the Marshal.  Len Merrick was the Marshal's name (Kirk Doulgas) in the movie and in the Cheyenne episode.  Was great seeing the area around Vasquez Rocks while it was still pristine and not so cluttered and "civilized" as it is today.....and is always great seeing some of the old time movie greats pop up here and there in these tv shows.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS: THE GLORY DAYS AND PARTY NIGHTS OF THE DALLAS COWBOY DYNASTY

Just finished this highly enjoyable and informative book, by Jeff Pearlman, on the rise of the Dallas Cowboys during the Jerry Jones-Jimmy Johnson era and their fall during the Jerry Jones-Barry Switzer years.  Lottsa interesting tidbts.

3 new "American" spaghetti westerns on dvd

DOC  with Stacey Keach, Harris Yulin and Dan van Husen

CHINA 9  LIBERTY 37 with Warren Oates, Fabio Testi and Jenny Agutter

CATLOW with Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna and Dan van Husen (release date 6-23)

DEATH OF A GUNFIGHTER

This is a new book on the real legendary (and not celluloid) Jack Slade written by Dan Rottenberg.  He was known as "The Law West of Kearney," and was very instrumental in helping the North win the Civil War.  In 1859 when the US careened toward civil war, Washington's only northern link with America's richest state, California, was a stagecoach line operating between Missouri and the Pacific and Slade was hired to clean up and keep open this line.  He kept the stagecoaches and the US mail running and helped launch the Pony Express all of which kept California in the Union.....and without California's gold, the Union could not have financed its cause.  Slade's legend grew when he was shot multiple times and left for dead, only to survive and exact revenge on his would-be killer.  Later on his life descended into alcoholism transforming him into a real Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde....from a courageous leader, devoted husband and charming gentleman into a vicious quick-triggered ruffian and purported outlaw. No pictures exist of this man.  Not knowing anything about the real Jack Slade makes this a most welcome read.

gaffes in TEN WANTED MEN

Next time you watch this Randolph Scott-Richard Boone-Lee Van Cleef-Leo Gordon oater look for this.....When Randy shoots Boone (across a table) not only is his gun not cocked and the hammer never moves, but when you hear the sound of gunfire no muzzle flash or gun smoke is seen....when they cut to the next scene then you see the smoke from the gun shot puffin' up in front of ol' Randy.  And, earlier on when Randy shoots Lee notice the odd angle of the gun in his hand....from the looks of things, to me, the gun was not pointed at Lee when he fired.  

A FORTUNATE LIFE by Robert Vaughn

Just finished this enjoyable "bio" from ol' Napoleon Solo hisself.  Lottsa interesting anecdotes about different films he appeared in and lottsa stuff on THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.  He deals with his early years in Hollywood and his relationship with Natalie Wood.  Did Natalie date every male star in Hollywood or does it just seem that way?  (Well, if Natalie wouldn't Lana would. OUCH!!)  Vaughn spends too much time talking about his participation in the Civil Rights movement, his outrage re: the Vietnam war and his relationship with Robert Kennedy.  (He feels Sirhan Sirhan was a "manchurian candidate" in the assassination of RFK and did not act alone and presents interesting info that Aristotle Onassis paid to have RFK killed.)  That's his perrogative since it is his book...and I feel, at times, these stories grind the book to a screeching halt, but then I read these books for tales of Hollywood and movie making and not politics. Great stories about his life-long relationships with James Coburn (they met at LA City College) and Steve McQueen (from Mag 7 on) and he mentions a very bad experience involving his use of "pot" while with James Coburn and Ted Markland....a young stand-up comic.  Is this our buddy "Reno" from HIGH CHAPARRAL?  All in all,  well worth reading.