August 29, 2007
One of the things I learned from Nora Henn, of Lincoln, New Mexico, is to let the reader in on the gag. When I came out with my first Billy the Kid book in 1992, she was quite blunt in her accessment: "You can't run photos and drawings and try to pass them off as real. It's not fair to the reader, especially if they're interested in history." I took that criticism to heart and have since given plenty of clues and evidence of when I'm "monkeying with the deadwood," as Wyatt Earp would put it.

Case in point: in our forthcoming graphic novel on Mickey Free, the narrator is none other than Frederic Sackrider Remington and I have executed quite a few scenes in his style to give the illusion that he is narrating (and illustrating) our story. So when it came time to put in his familiar signature, Nora Henn's words were ringing in my big ears. So I came up with this:



Probably some will still not get it and think I'm trying to pass off my illustrations as his, but I think Freddy would get a kick out of it. Ha.

Buck Bucks Ford Trend
“Not that anyone asked me, but Paul Hutton is right & the recollectionists are wrong, unless you are running a nostaglia magazine, and I'd rather you not answer that question.

“Glen Ford was a fine actor, though not well remembered today. In his invaluable, how-can-anyone-live-without-it NEW BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF FILM, David Thompson says: ‘Ford is generally likable on-screen and has managed to make genial, relaxed sincerity interesting. Such ease has often directed him toward Westerns, to comedies, and to romantic dramas. To all these genres he has brought care, authenticity, and intelligence.’

“Thomson singled out three movies -- none a Western -- as Ford's best, BLACKBOARD JUNGLE (1955) and a pair by Fritz Lang, HUMAN DESIRE (1954) and THE BIG HEAT (1953). The last-mentioned lit up TCM a few weeks ago. Joining Ford in the noir merriment were the turbulent Gloria Grahame and the granite-faced, coffee-pot throwing Lee Marvin.

“Russell Crowe on the other hand is a fine actor, widely known, and the star of the about-to-be-released remake of 3:10 TO YUMA, which should be cause for whooping and hollering, not to mention a TW cover. “
—Dan Buck

Bowery Boze?
I just have to weigh in on those great hat photos. (1) Not a good match. Makes you look like a character from Peruvian version of "The Bowery Boys." (2) Annoying cross between Wyatt Earp and Little Red Riding Hood. (3) Water-soaked Indiana Jones (4) Now thats closer to YOU. Add about 3 inches of brim and a little droop and-- whoomp, there it is!
—Steve Sanders

The Top Ten Reasons I Procrastinate
1.

Hugh O'Brian Update
While I was in Nicaragua, my new friend, and legendary Wyatt Earp actor, Hugh O'Brian called and asked Carole Glenn if she could remember why he called. She said she couldn't so he said "Goodbye." Hugh is 82.

Classic Onion Headline de Jour
I Must Regretfully Decline Your Invitation To Appear In Court On July 28

"Shoot straight, stab upwards."
—Saying on back of niteclub bouncer T-shirt