Loved the lines from "the Shootist." There was a comparable set to the main character in "Big Jake." The rescue of the Scotsman shepherd, who was about to be hanged, and the role of the dog in the movie, to me exemplify much of the code you describe.
People forget that the writers for many of the early westerns were cowboys themselves, or only a single generation removed. Up to the 1970's many of the bit parts and extras in Westerns were hired from rodeo and show champions and cattle riders. While there's always the "tall tale," entertainment and sensational elements throughout the genre, we do get some glimpses of what the West was really like.
Of your examples for ranch owners who laid out codes of behavior is a real life character who was played on screen in a different John Wayne movie. John Tunstall of New Mexico and the Lincoln County wars, Billy the Kid, and Pat Garret -- all given character parts in the otherwise mostly fictional "Chism." Not a Texas story, but worth your while. If you travel to Ruidoso, Tunstall's murder site - so critical to the Billy the Kid story and the plot of the Chisum movie - is marked on the highway, just outside Glencoe, the site of his ranch.
Nice racing and rodeo at Ruidoso, according to friends. A nice place to stay in any case. A lot of Lincoln County War history all the way from Roswell to Alamogordo. Pat Garret ambush site just outside of that town. Looks nothing like the terrain for the Chisum movie, but Billy the Kid didn’t look much like Geoffrey Deuel, Val Kilmer, Kris Kristofferson, or Emilio Estevez, either.
Thank you so much, Matt. I was looking for a way to work in the Wayne quote. Among his many quotable lines delivered in his movie, this is a favorite. I thought closing with The Shootist quote might be a nice touch since I opened with a Wayne statement from Pilar Wayne's biography. I'm glad you enjoyed the piece.
John Wayne's quote at the end for the finish, and an opportunity for fresh appreciation of a line that was actually more than just tough talk. Nicely constructed, Derrick, I enjoyed reading the whole thing.
Thank you, Misty. I completely agree.
You're welcome Derrick. I've shared this to a couple of friends, hope they subscribe! 👍
Loved the lines from "the Shootist." There was a comparable set to the main character in "Big Jake." The rescue of the Scotsman shepherd, who was about to be hanged, and the role of the dog in the movie, to me exemplify much of the code you describe.
People forget that the writers for many of the early westerns were cowboys themselves, or only a single generation removed. Up to the 1970's many of the bit parts and extras in Westerns were hired from rodeo and show champions and cattle riders. While there's always the "tall tale," entertainment and sensational elements throughout the genre, we do get some glimpses of what the West was really like.
Of your examples for ranch owners who laid out codes of behavior is a real life character who was played on screen in a different John Wayne movie. John Tunstall of New Mexico and the Lincoln County wars, Billy the Kid, and Pat Garret -- all given character parts in the otherwise mostly fictional "Chism." Not a Texas story, but worth your while. If you travel to Ruidoso, Tunstall's murder site - so critical to the Billy the Kid story and the plot of the Chisum movie - is marked on the highway, just outside Glencoe, the site of his ranch.
Great comment, Winston. Thank you. On Tunstall, I’ve been there and Fort Sumner. It’s been a day or two. I need to go back.
Nice racing and rodeo at Ruidoso, according to friends. A nice place to stay in any case. A lot of Lincoln County War history all the way from Roswell to Alamogordo. Pat Garret ambush site just outside of that town. Looks nothing like the terrain for the Chisum movie, but Billy the Kid didn’t look much like Geoffrey Deuel, Val Kilmer, Kris Kristofferson, or Emilio Estevez, either.
And Monument Valley doesn’t look anything like Texas in The Searchers. 🤣
Thank you for this list. May I add a couple more?
When you come to a gate that is open leave it open, when you come to a gate that is closed, close it behind you.
Don't squat with your spurs on.
Absolutely! Thanks for the additions, especially about not squatting on your spurs. 😉
The code of the West might actually have emerged from the cowboys who populated Gower Gulch in the early Thirties. Best read The Hollywood Posse.
Thanks, Jeff, for the recommendation. I've not read Hollywood Posse, but now have it on my list.
Thank you so much, Matt. I was looking for a way to work in the Wayne quote. Among his many quotable lines delivered in his movie, this is a favorite. I thought closing with The Shootist quote might be a nice touch since I opened with a Wayne statement from Pilar Wayne's biography. I'm glad you enjoyed the piece.
That is very kind of you, Misty. I appreciate it.
Thanks Derrick, really appreciate a good read! If only more people lived by the high standards of those cowboys the world be a much better place! 👍 🤠
John Wayne's quote at the end for the finish, and an opportunity for fresh appreciation of a line that was actually more than just tough talk. Nicely constructed, Derrick, I enjoyed reading the whole thing.