The Restored "The Searchers" Blu-ray

The Blu-ray of the newly-restored The Searchers (1956) with John Wayne, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, Jeffrey Hunter and Vera Miles arrived two days earlier than expected. John Ford directed.

I have an older DVD version of The Searchers, but the new restored Blu-ray tops it by leaps and bounds. It is absolutely gorgeous!

The Blu-ray source was the original camera negative. Monument Valley, unless you're there, has never looked so good. I was able to see details in scenes I was unable to see before. 

Included are featurettes of the making of The Searchers in and around Monument Valley and the premiere in Chicago. There's also more to enjoy.

It was well worth the wait since the restored movie was premiered in Hollywood early last year.

Interestingly, I've met three of the actors of The Searchers: Patrick Wayne, Hank Worden and Henry Brandon.

If you are a fan of John Wayne or westerns in general, do yourself a favor and get this Blu-ray!

My grade: A+.

In and Around Ridgway, Colorado

Above, the cow pasture next to Basecamp 550 with its giant American flag. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While I was in Ridgway, Colorado for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Half Marathon and 5K, I stayed at Basecamp 550 RV Park just south of town.

Ridgway is ten miles north on Highway 550 of Ouray. 

Above, driving through Ouray on Hwy. 550. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is next to a cattle pasture that is notable for a giant American flag.

It is an older campground that has a mix of RV spaces and glamping cabins. The management were friendly and helpful.

I got there Friday afternoon. After resting up after my six-hour drive from New Mexico, I headed into town to go to the True Grit Café where the marathon check-in was taking place. I got my gold volunteer shirt while there. I stayed for dinner and tried their Cajun salmon. It was excellent. So far, I tried the salmon and their chili (at different times) and was not disappointed in either.

While walking to the café, I took a photo of the store used in True Grit (1969) as the undertaker business (actor Hank Worden was the undertaker in the movie). I noticed that the old firehouse is being renovated and expanded to include dining and retail space. It looks to be a nice project.

Naturally, I took some photos.

Above, at Basecamp 550. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, "Madame Moo". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, relaxing after arriving at Basecamp 550.

Above, the undertaker's in True Grit (1969). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, construction work at the firehouse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the view from my table at True Grit Café. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, John Wayne movie stills and poster in the True Grit Café. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the glamping cabin tents at Basecamp 550. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Thumb In "The Searchers"

Above, The Thumb. In The Searchers, the posse rode between
 it and the rock wall on the right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This evening during dinner, I was watching one of my favorite John Wayne movies, The Searchers (1956).

While watching, I noticed one landmark in Monument Valley that I saw last October during an early morning tour. It was "The Thumb" rock formation. It is also called, "John Wayne's Boot". 

In The Searchers, the rescue posse chasing after the band of Comanches that raided the family home of Ethan Edwards's brother Aaron discovered a slain prized bull of neighbor Lars Jorgenson. Just before the posse approached the bull, they rode next to The Thumb. 

There were other recognizable rock formations in the movie, but during this viewing, The Thumb caught my attention.

It also dawned on me that I have met three actors of The Searchers. They are Henry Brandon (Chief Scar), Hank Worden (Mose Harper) and Patrick Wayne (Lt. Greenhill). I met Brandon and Worden when I was in the Sons of the Desert in the 1980s and Wayne last summer in Colorado.

"True Grit" Undertaker's Shop For Lease?

Above, the store used as the undertaker's shop is on the right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The store in Ridgway, Colorado used for the undertaker's shop in True Grit (1969) appeared to be vacant when I went into town for dinner at the True Grit Café. The undertaker was played by Hank Worden.

Two years ago, it appeared to be a gift or home decorating shop. The photos that accompany this post were taken then.

Above, another view of the store from two years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I didn't walk up to it for a closer look, but it did appear empty from where I was able to see of it.

If it is vacant and available for lease, it would be an interesting place to open up a business with some movie history attached to it.

John Wayne "Grit Series" Runs

Above, the starting point arch for the half marathon and 5K runs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It may have rained overnight in the Ouray-Ridgway area of Colorado, but it left a beautiful day for marathon runners and didn't dampen their spirits.

I arrived early this morning at the starting point for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's half marathon and 5K run. It was located eleven miles west of Ridgway off Colorado Hwy.62 and near the Lost Dollar Ranch.

The area is more famously known as the location of the Ross Ranch at the beginning and end of True Grit (1969). Several of the buildings used in those scenes still stand and are now undergoing restoration by the current ranch owner.

To get there, one must drive on a dirt road among pines and aspen trees. The place looks just as beautiful as it did in 1969. I can easily see why this area was picked for the movie.

The event was well organized by the Foundation and they had several booths, one of which sold items including hoodies, t-shirts, hats and other items. 

As I got there about an hour before the first event (the half marathon) I was able to mingle with the participants, Foundation staff, volunteers and other spectators. I also was able to meet and talk to Ethan Wayne. He told me that this is the second year for the Grit Series marathon events. The first were held in 2019, but the pandemic forced them to put them on hiatus for two years.

Ethan Wayne (for you trivia buffs) was so named after his father's character, Ethan Edwards, in The Searchers (1956). He looks very fit for a man aged 60.

A little later, Patrick Wayne arrived and for a man in his eighties, he looks good and healthy. I was also able to chat with him about The Searchers, particularly the scene where he asks Ward Bond if he is able to join in a "joint punitive" action against Chief Scar. His delivery was rapid fire. He told me that his dad, Bond and others had fun at his expense by pranking him during the filming of that scene. He was 14 at the time, he said. He lamented that "everyone's gone" when I mentioned McLintock (1963), with the exception of Stephanie Powers and himself. He mentioned how fine a horseman actor Hank Worden was.

During my time with both of the Wayne sons, I had them pose under the Grit Series arch. 

It is safe to say that John Wayne would be very proud of his two sons. Both were very likable and easy to talk to.

Patrick and Ethan made some ceremonial remarks and they thanked everyone there for participating before the starts of each event.

Naturally, I had my trusty Canon camera with me and took some photos.

Above and below, Ethan Wayne and his dog Fin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above and below, Patrick Wayne. Photos by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Ethan Wayne addressing the half marathon participants. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Patrick Wayne addresses the half marathon participants. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the half marathon begins. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Grit Series van. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, and below, Ethan and Patrick Wayne addresses the 5K participants. Photos by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the 5K run begins. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly with Patrick Wayne.

Above, the Lost Dollar Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, "Mattie Ross's House" in True Grit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Ross family cemetery and where John Wayne jumped
the fence took place at the top of the hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To learn more about the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, go here.

For more photos, go here.

John Wayne In "Chisum"

Above, John Wayne in Chisum (1970).

The Blu-ray of Chisum (1970) arrived in the mailbox today. So after having my eye exam and dinner in Gallup, I headed home and popped it into the machine and watched it.

The last time I saw the movie was during its first theatrical run. The only thing I remembered about it was the end battle between the bad guy Lawrence Murphy (Forrest Tucker) and John Chisum (John Wayne). The only reason that part was remembered was that my mom started laughing during that scene, saying it sure "looks funny seeing two old duffers fighting."

Above, the statue of John Chisum in Roswell, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The movie was based on actual people and events in New Mexico, but fictionalized. Along with John Chisum, Pat Garrett and William Bonney were also featured.

Last summer, Jessica and I came across a big statue of John Chisum in Roswell, New Mexico. I said to her at the statue, "He doesn't look a thing like John Wayne!"

There was one surprise in the movie. Patric Knowles, who played Dr. Frank Mannering in Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man, played one of Chisum's friends and business partners. Other actors who were Wayne's "sometime-stock company" players also had roles, including John Agar, Hank Worden, Ben Johnson, Bruce Cabot, John Mitchum, Christopher Mitchum, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, Edward Faulkner and Glenn Langan (The Amazing Colossal Man himself!).

Chisum was a good, entertaining shoot 'em up.

1983 Sons of the Desert Banquet

Above, the banquet program with autographs from Hank Worden and Hal Roach Sr.

Thirty-five years ago this month, I attended the 13th Annual Banquet of the "Way Out West" Tent of the Sons of The Desert at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City with Glenn Thornhill and Mark Rosenthal. The banquet was held on October 15, 1983.

It was there that I met and obtained the autographs of actor Hank Worden (Mose Harper of The Searchers) and Hal Roach Sr. on my program.

Above, actor Hank Worden. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the table I was seated at was actress Joyce Compton, who was tickled that I remembered her starring with Bela Lugosi in Scared To Death.

Other stars were in attendance at the banquet, including Vivian Blaine, Alan Young, Henry Brandon and Anthony Caruso.

Above, yours truly with Mark Rosenthal (center) and Glenn Thornhill at the banquet.

Herald-Examiner columnist James Bacon was also in attendance and he wrote this in the October 20, 1983 edition:

Some of us were discussing John Wayne this morning and I noted that I met two actors in a clip from The Searchers: Hank Worden and Henry Brandon (Comanche Chief Scar). This led me to dig though my files of the banquet. 

"Henry Brandon Film Festival"

Above, Henry Brandon as Chief Scar in The Seachers.

Since I decided to remain home this Christmas Eve, I watched a couple of movies this evening.

The first, with somewhat of a Christmas theme was the 1934 Laurel & Hardy/Hal Roach version of Babes In Toyland (MGM). Watching it is a bit of a Christmas tradition with me, like people will watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The movie is also known as March of the Wooden Soldiers.

Above, The Mittens and Merrick Butte in Monument Valley, Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After watching it, I decided to pop in the 1956 western classic, The Searchers starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Ward Bond and Natalie Wood. Since Henry Brandon played Silas Barnaby in Babes In Toyland, that gave me the idea to watch The Searchers as he played Comanche chief Scar. So, in a way, tonight was a "Henry Brandon Film Festival", if you will. The movie was primarily shot in Monument Valley by director John Ford.

I had met Brandon back in the 1980s when I was a member of the Los Angeles "tent" of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel and Hardy fan organization. He was a regular attendee. I also met one of his co-stars of The Searchers, Hank Worden at a Sons of the Desert banquet.

Not a bad night of movie-watching on Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas!

Watched "The Searchers"

Above, the Three Sisters in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night, I decided to watch the 1956 John Wayne classic, The Searchers, since I recently visited the locations of that movie in Monument Valley with the Goulding's tour company.

Above, John Ford directs John Wayne with the Three Sisters in the background.

While watching it, it dawned on me that I had met two actors of The Searchers: Henry Brandon (Comanche Chief Scar) and Hank Worden (Mose Harper).

Above, Henry Brandon as Chief Scar.

I met both at various functions of the Los Angeles tent (Way Out West Tent) of the Laurel & Hardy fan group, The Sons of the Desert back in the 1980s.

Above, Hank Worden as Mose Harper.

Henry Brandon was a regular attendee of the Way Out West Tent as he starred in Babes In Toyland (1934) as the evil Barnaby. Worden attended one of the tent's annual banquets at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City.

Above, John Ford's director's chair at the Monument Valley Visitors Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Another Monument Valley location in The Searchers was Chief Scar's camp with the Totem Pole rock formation in the background.

Above, The Mittens and Merrick Butte. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, from left, Ward Bond, Jeffrey Hunter and John Wayne with the Right Mitten and Merrick Butte in the background.

Visiting Monument Valley was an enjoyable excursion. I recommend it!

Loaded Up On A Few DVDs

Yesterday, I went to the local Fry's Electronics store and picked up some DVDs.  They consisted of one new release and three old favorites (to replace my old VHS copies).

I'll start off with the three "oldies but goodies."

Two of them were the first and second sequels to 1971's Dirty Harry with Clint Eastwood:

Magnum Force (1973), which involves rogue motorcycle cops acting as judge, jury and executioner on baddies in San Francisco.  These guys made Inspector Harry Callahan look like a moderate.

The Enforcer (1976), which pits Inspector Callahan against radical killers (inspired by the real-life Symbionese Liberation Army) and a woman partner (played by Tyne Daly).

I had myself a Dirty Harry mini-film festival this morning.

True Grit (1969) with John Wayne as U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn.  Wayne's performance garnered him a Best Actor Oscar.  It was interesting to see some familiar faces such as Myron Healey (uncredited), James McEachin (uncredited), Hank Worden (uncredited) and Jay Silverheels (uncredited).  While watching the movie last night, it dawned on me that I've met two actors who were in this movie: Jeff Corey and Hank Worden.

The new movie I picked up was the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp Dark Shadows.  I bought the Blu-ray edition. As I knew what to expect ahead of time, I was prepared for it.  Fortunately, I found myself enjoying it (not quite as much as Burton's Ed Wood) and was entertained.  It was nice to see the cameos of original series stars Jonathan Frid, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Lara Parker and David Selby.  It was also good to see Christopher Lee's cameo as a grizzled sea captain.  It really looked great in Blu-ray.  My grade: A.