ctodd1000
Joined Jan 2000
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"Gunsmoke" A Hat (1967)
This episode contains some of the most beautiful poetry and moving philosophy I have ever heard in a TV episode of any kind, written by Ron Bishop. Bishop wrote a number of episodes for Gunsmoke and other similar shows. The character of Sorils, gunfighter, crude and stubborn man, describes a "Divine Experience" up in the mountains. The philosophy of Gunsmoke and Ron Bishop comes through continuously, even given the "owning" philosophy of men towards women in those days. This episode has moved me like no other. I wish I could meet the writer, Ron Bishop, and thank him for imparting such a beautiful piece of wisdom and life to us all in a simple hour-long TV show. This episode is like reading a prayer book, over and over again, in five small lines. This episode shows that all men, and women, have something they hold dear in their hearts. Something. Some days. Even if it is just five small days.
Story line: Clint Sorils (Gene Evans), a gunfighter, has been shot over a stray bullet through his hat, is lying in bed with little hope of recovery. Some of the townspeople don't want him in town and send an emissary, Mr. Brewer, to tell Matt Dillon that they don't want him in town. Here is some of the dialogue (paraphrased in part):
Brewer: "Clint Sorils is a gunfighter."
Dillon: "That's probably what he will be remembered for. A lot of people probably forget that it was him and men like him that opened up this country, hunting, trapping."
But Sorils took a gun and killed a man.
In self-defense, yes...
Why jeopardize the health of a town for a crude mountain of filth like that?
Mr. Brewer, he has the legal right to be here. ...
Very simple Mr. Brewer. Just tell them he stays. In the first place, he can't be moved. We don't even know if he's going to live. In the second place, on the outside he may be a mountain of filth, inside he's a man."
Later, in the company of Miss Kitty, Sorils begins to recall his beloved squaw Amy and the finer times in his life, as a religious experience. He begins to recite a story of "five days of silence" in the mountains, with "no need" to talk, and sheep whose feet are "like prayer books" and the great happiness he felt at the time.
"Five days. I recall five days when no one talked. No need. Mountains pushing God higher. Elk. Moose low to the willow. Mountain sheep climbing and looking back, as if they had prayer books on their feet. (Hesh maomi) Don't lie. Don't quit. (wheezes) Amy. Amy. (I know you?) You couldn't die. But the hardest piece of day mo. Not you Amy. Oh Amy.
Remember our first Spring? And that meadow we has? Furs all around and that meadow. And the snows just gone now. And us lying there and all the time close swallows and even a sky fox. A girl don't need no more than that, does she? And there was a time I shot the supper grouse. The hen had chicks. I didn't know. Chicks. I always liked young-uns. Always... liked 'em. We never had no young-uns Amy. Why? A woman always will have them.
Amy. Oh Amy. You're the best squaw a man ever owned."
This episode contains some of the most beautiful poetry and moving philosophy I have ever heard in a TV episode of any kind, written by Ron Bishop. Bishop wrote a number of episodes for Gunsmoke and other similar shows. The character of Sorils, gunfighter, crude and stubborn man, describes a "Divine Experience" up in the mountains. The philosophy of Gunsmoke and Ron Bishop comes through continuously, even given the "owning" philosophy of men towards women in those days. This episode has moved me like no other. I wish I could meet the writer, Ron Bishop, and thank him for imparting such a beautiful piece of wisdom and life to us all in a simple hour-long TV show. This episode is like reading a prayer book, over and over again, in five small lines. This episode shows that all men, and women, have something they hold dear in their hearts. Something. Some days. Even if it is just five small days.
Story line: Clint Sorils (Gene Evans), a gunfighter, has been shot over a stray bullet through his hat, is lying in bed with little hope of recovery. Some of the townspeople don't want him in town and send an emissary, Mr. Brewer, to tell Matt Dillon that they don't want him in town. Here is some of the dialogue (paraphrased in part):
Brewer: "Clint Sorils is a gunfighter."
Dillon: "That's probably what he will be remembered for. A lot of people probably forget that it was him and men like him that opened up this country, hunting, trapping."
But Sorils took a gun and killed a man.
In self-defense, yes...
Why jeopardize the health of a town for a crude mountain of filth like that?
Mr. Brewer, he has the legal right to be here. ...
Very simple Mr. Brewer. Just tell them he stays. In the first place, he can't be moved. We don't even know if he's going to live. In the second place, on the outside he may be a mountain of filth, inside he's a man."
Later, in the company of Miss Kitty, Sorils begins to recall his beloved squaw Amy and the finer times in his life, as a religious experience. He begins to recite a story of "five days of silence" in the mountains, with "no need" to talk, and sheep whose feet are "like prayer books" and the great happiness he felt at the time.
"Five days. I recall five days when no one talked. No need. Mountains pushing God higher. Elk. Moose low to the willow. Mountain sheep climbing and looking back, as if they had prayer books on their feet. (Hesh maomi) Don't lie. Don't quit. (wheezes) Amy. Amy. (I know you?) You couldn't die. But the hardest piece of day mo. Not you Amy. Oh Amy.
Remember our first Spring? And that meadow we has? Furs all around and that meadow. And the snows just gone now. And us lying there and all the time close swallows and even a sky fox. A girl don't need no more than that, does she? And there was a time I shot the supper grouse. The hen had chicks. I didn't know. Chicks. I always liked young-uns. Always... liked 'em. We never had no young-uns Amy. Why? A woman always will have them.
Amy. Oh Amy. You're the best squaw a man ever owned."
"'Jail bait' rockers The Runaways tell their own tale -- their hopes, dreams and eventual implosion due to incessant media hectoring, infighting among the band members and chronic drug use. Directed by Victory Tischler-Blue, the film shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians. Includes live performances, a special appearance by Suzi Quatro and new songs by Quatro and Lita Ford."
Note the most important line in this review from Netflix: "shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians."
Finally, someone who is telling it like it was. That's it in a nutshell. Thank God (some of) those times have changed... on second thought, have they? The whole new crop of girls have probably gone through exactly the same thing. Christina Aquilera, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Rhianna, what's the difference, really? Some things never change. And worst of all, we do it to ourselves. We imprison OURSELVES. We buy in to the promise of "fame and fortune," and to "be somebody." That's all it takes for the devils of the world - the Kim Fowley's of the world - to capture one's soul and "make them mine."
Fowley was their notorious manager who practically destroyed these girls, stole their money, hearts and soul... yet these girls have somehow managed to survive. Bravo to them for telling their true tale even at this late date. The truth will set you free!
Pretty incredible film. Glad I never got trapped; at least not in that world. I escaped by the skin of my teeth and the Grace of God and all the angels above. Somehow I made a slightly different choice and somehow survived. All it took was "NO" at the moment of truth, the moment of commitment, and the Devil had no hold. And then some pretty fast running! Hahahahahah to all the Kim Fowleys of the world - and a big middle finger holding straight up!
Ten stars for this film, and the women themselves have my GREATEST ADMIRATION. Bravo to you ALL!
Note the most important line in this review from Netflix: "shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians."
Finally, someone who is telling it like it was. That's it in a nutshell. Thank God (some of) those times have changed... on second thought, have they? The whole new crop of girls have probably gone through exactly the same thing. Christina Aquilera, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Rhianna, what's the difference, really? Some things never change. And worst of all, we do it to ourselves. We imprison OURSELVES. We buy in to the promise of "fame and fortune," and to "be somebody." That's all it takes for the devils of the world - the Kim Fowley's of the world - to capture one's soul and "make them mine."
Fowley was their notorious manager who practically destroyed these girls, stole their money, hearts and soul... yet these girls have somehow managed to survive. Bravo to them for telling their true tale even at this late date. The truth will set you free!
Pretty incredible film. Glad I never got trapped; at least not in that world. I escaped by the skin of my teeth and the Grace of God and all the angels above. Somehow I made a slightly different choice and somehow survived. All it took was "NO" at the moment of truth, the moment of commitment, and the Devil had no hold. And then some pretty fast running! Hahahahahah to all the Kim Fowleys of the world - and a big middle finger holding straight up!
Ten stars for this film, and the women themselves have my GREATEST ADMIRATION. Bravo to you ALL!
How do we learn how to forgive? How can I forgive if the person is no longer here? No longer speaking, nowhere near, no grave to visit, no unknown granddaughter to bring us together, no bear which forces us to face our fears. How do we learn to Love?
Love this film, love the soundtrack, the music, the vistas, the views; have watched it three times in a row right now. If only life could be like this. How can we do it? Questions remain.
I personally did not like Robert Redford's character. His rage is outstanding, inappropriate and wrong. He is not much different than the young man that took his anger out on Jennifer. He just uses words with women and fists with men. In a normal place, he would be in jail for his behavior. The worst of it is that he isn't even drinking anymore, and his rage and violence remains. It's so "American" to make the hero an angry warmonger. Out of the entire cast and film, this was my only complaint. When Captain Call in Lonesome Dove (Tommy Lee Jones) behaved this way, at least he knew he had overreacted, and felt some sense of shame. Redford shows none. What did he learn about "accidents" and forgiveness and rage? That "the bad guy" still "deserves it?"
I could see Mickey Rourke acting in this part with the ice-cold smoldering anger he carries to his films, but Redford? Never. Didn't like it at all. The day would come all too soon when the daughter-in-law or granddaughter would do "something" to instigate his ire, and then LOOK OUT.
Everything else was fantastic, Freeman (of course), the young grand daughter, and Jennifer Lopez was excellent. She is one of the most underrated actors of her generation. Sheldon Mirowitz, who did the soundtrack, is one of the most evocative composers of our time, practically unknown to me until now. I "listened" to this film three times in a row!
Great film and important story. Thanks to everyone concerned. Now if I just can just figure out how to do it for myself. "Face my bear" but what is his name? Where is he, except hungry & growling inside of me?
Love this film, love the soundtrack, the music, the vistas, the views; have watched it three times in a row right now. If only life could be like this. How can we do it? Questions remain.
I personally did not like Robert Redford's character. His rage is outstanding, inappropriate and wrong. He is not much different than the young man that took his anger out on Jennifer. He just uses words with women and fists with men. In a normal place, he would be in jail for his behavior. The worst of it is that he isn't even drinking anymore, and his rage and violence remains. It's so "American" to make the hero an angry warmonger. Out of the entire cast and film, this was my only complaint. When Captain Call in Lonesome Dove (Tommy Lee Jones) behaved this way, at least he knew he had overreacted, and felt some sense of shame. Redford shows none. What did he learn about "accidents" and forgiveness and rage? That "the bad guy" still "deserves it?"
I could see Mickey Rourke acting in this part with the ice-cold smoldering anger he carries to his films, but Redford? Never. Didn't like it at all. The day would come all too soon when the daughter-in-law or granddaughter would do "something" to instigate his ire, and then LOOK OUT.
Everything else was fantastic, Freeman (of course), the young grand daughter, and Jennifer Lopez was excellent. She is one of the most underrated actors of her generation. Sheldon Mirowitz, who did the soundtrack, is one of the most evocative composers of our time, practically unknown to me until now. I "listened" to this film three times in a row!
Great film and important story. Thanks to everyone concerned. Now if I just can just figure out how to do it for myself. "Face my bear" but what is his name? Where is he, except hungry & growling inside of me?