Hollywood Fun

Last night Movies!, channel 5–2 on OTA in NYC, ran Ambush (1950), a western starring Robert Taylor, John Hodiak and Arlene Dahl, shot in black and white, set in Arizona. Since I’d never heard of it, I expected it to be mediocre. It is solid. While the main storyline of cavalry and indians is familiar, there are two love triangles, at least two ambushes, one from each faction, intelligent dialogue, and a theme of underrating one’s rivals. And how often do you see the hero get his butt kicked in a fair fight? Jean Hagen, Don Taylor, Leon Ames, John McIntire and Ray Teal are the most notable names among the supporting cast. The story is credited to Luke Short, who has 14 other titles under his name at IMDb, most of them horse operas. The screenplay is credited to Marguerite Roberts, who has 35 other credits including True Grit (1971). It was the last of director Sam Wood’s 82 works, released posthumously. He was taken by a heart attack at 66 in ‘49. His best known titles are the Marx Brothers’ A Night at the Opera (1935) and A Day at the Races (1937), and The Pride of the Yankees (1942). Here are Hodiak and Taylor in character:

The bios of two other cast members raised chuckles. Charles ( born Carlos) Stevens, who played the indian chief, was publicized as the grandson of Geronimo, pure invention, his dad white, his mom Mexican. In 1954 he played his purported real life grandfather in two episodes of The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. He had a fantastic career, spanning 1915-’61. There are 240 titles under his name at IMDb. Add in the multiple appearances he made on shows like Death Valley Days, and the total would approach 300. He passed away at 71 in 1964… Chief Thundercloud, born Victor Daniels, plays a traitorous indian scout. He identified as Cherokee although his background is described as “vague” in his profile. He played Tonto in the serial The Lone Ranger (1938) and its sequel The Lone Ranger Rides Again (1939). He has 82 credits, no multiple appearances in TV. He passed at 56 in 1955. Here is Stevens, followed by a shot Chief TC:

Will the mainstream media cover the claims made in this new book? Maybe it will delve only into those mentioned on the side of the aisle at which it sniffs.

Although it was ten degrees warmer than yesterday, I spent most of today’s session of the floating book shop in the car, as there was no warmth-providing sunshine until quittin’ time. My thanks to the woman who bought two books in Russian, and to the gentleman who purchased Possession — A Romance by A.S. Byatt.

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