Western Movie Rambles

[MissGoddess]

I'm glad you brought up about the scenes in the beginning where Brennan gets bucked and loses his mount. At first, I had no idea what that whole "prologue" was inserted. It seemed too lengthy just to explain why he hitches a ride on the stagecoach. Now I agree with you, it shows Brennan's attitude about himself, about LOSING, and about life in general. Frank had to come back, he could not lose. He wanted to know he could finish what he started and whether he could outwit or outdraw Frank. He had to win no matter what. Brennan was the exact opposite.

 

I'm glad I figured that out because the scenes with the brahma bull riding had annoyed me somewhat, they seemed pointless until now.

[FrankGrimes]

Howdy, Sonora Town -- I'm glad you brought up about the scenes in the beginning where Brennan gets bucked and loses his mount. At first, I had no idea what that whole "prologue" was inserted. It seemed too lengthy just to explain why he hitches a ride on the stagecoach. Now I agree with you, it shows Brennan's attitude about himself, about LOSING, and about life in general.

 

That's right. It's all about us knowing a little more about Brennan, where he's been, and where he's headed. And it's all told in that one scene. It's very similar to Man of the West. Plus, we also get to see how he handles a challenge. So when Frank speaks of wanting what Brennan has, we know Brennan is earning it the hard way. He's going it alone.

 

Frank had to come back, he could not lose. He wanted to know he could finish what he started and whether he could outwit or outdraw Frank. He had to win no matter what. Brennan was the exact opposite.

 

Yes, I definitely agree with that. Frank couldn't walk away from a loss. He was much too arrogant for such a thing. That was one of his greatest weaknesses. Of course, there's also $50,000 just waiting for him. All he has to do is eliminate Brennan and he's set for the rest of his life.

 

I'm glad I figured that out because the scenes with the brahma bull riding had annoyed me somewhat, they seemed pointless until now.

 

You also get a "Mims":

 

 

[movieman1957]

Scott talks about his ranch once or twice. This helps set up that part in addition to what you both mentioned. As I recall he invites Mrs. Mims to join him even without the bull.

[JackFavell]

Hey, Billy Jack!

 

It's not a crime to be a hurrah gal, is it?

 

I loved what you wrote, slick. You really hit the nail on the head, talking about Brennan's ability to

 

1. laugh at himself

 

2. let it go

 

3. admit when he's wrong or scared

 

4. lose

 

This leads him to appear weak, but actually, he is like a blade of grass, he bends with the wind, which Frank and the boys cannot do.

 

I agree with MissG - the first time I saw it, I had no idea what that bucking bull scene was stuck in for. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

Even in his scenes with Doretta - he is teaching her to learn how to let go, to lose.

 

 

I thought of something when I was on my way to bed last night - and it made me laugh hard -

It takes one to know one.

 

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Sep 8, 2010 1:04 PM

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Sep 8, 2010 1:05 PM

[fredbaetz]

People have been asking that question since the film opened. It was never explained. "The Tall T", is it Target or Texan { does it take place in Texas? }. The original story was written by Elmore Leonard and thtled "The Captives". We can't ask Burt Kennedy who did the screen play or the director Budd Boetticher or Randolph { Chorus Please } Scott, they'have all gone to the final round-up. So i guess it stands for whatever you want it to stand for....To me it stands for "Terrific"

[FrankGrimes]

Hey there, Fred -- People have been asking that question since the film opened. It was never explained. "The Tall T", is it Target or Texan { does it take place in Texas? }.

 

I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who was wondering. I was thinking it was something such as a title being taken, hence the shortening a word to a letter. The towns of Brisbee, Contention, and Sonora suggest it's Arizona.

 

Howdy, Hurrah Gal! -- It's not a crime to be a hurrah gal, is it?

 

Not in Sonora Town!

 

I loved what you wrote, slick. You really hit the nail on the head, talking about Brennan's ability to

 

1. laugh at himself

2. let it go

3. admit when he's wrong or scared

4. lose

 

This leads him to appear weak, but actually, he is like a blade of grass, he bends with the wind, which Frank and the boys cannot do.

 

Very good! I like that, Windy. Brennan not only seems to have a grasp on his surroundings, but also himself. Still, he can be pushed into some things, such as the bull riding bet. He initially turns down the offer but is then egged on.

 

Even in his scenes with Doretta - he is teaching her to learn how to let go, to lose.

 

Definitely. He's attempting to teach her strength in self. She's just as weak as her husband, Willard (John Hubbard). It starts with self. Although, it is true, that someone else can help you find your courage, your confidence, your self-esteem. You get the sense she would become a far more beautiful woman with a guy like Brennan. Willard makes Doretta feel ugly. Her father makes her feel ugly. Brennan makes her feel beautiful. If a man can make a woman feel beautiful, he's doing something right.

 

I thought of something when I was on my way to bed last night - and it made me laugh hard

 

You don't fancy **** a ladies man?

 

Mims shoots his mouth off to mask his incompetency. **** looks to shoot a gun to mask his incompetency. He's as much a phony as Mims.

[MissGoddess]

>

>

 

CUTE

[JackFavell]

You noticed how many caps I've made of Richard Boone.... :x

[FrankGrimes]

I was just about to check out Budd Boetticher's filmography, since I'm now interested in seeing more of his work and I stumbled across this:

 

"Taut! Torrid! Tremendous! T Is for Terror!"

 

That's the tagline for The Tall T. I wonder if it's on any posters for the film.

[JackFavell]

> {quote:title=fredbaetz wrote:}{quote}

The Tall Tale?

 

 

> Very good! I like that, Windy. Brennan not only seems to have a grasp on his surroundings, but also himself. Still, he can be pushed into some things, such as the bull riding bet. He initially turns down the offer but is then egged on.

 

Does that mirror Frank's mistakes a bit? Or is it the opposite of Frank? Brennan will risk.... and this is important also to the plot.

 

Doretta has the same problem that Frank has - she can't win if she doesn't try.... Frank won't try to change his life in order to get his ranch - they both say just about the same thing: "Sometimes you don't have _a choice_." But Brennan shows Doretta she does. She didn't have to take the measly crumbs offered. Neither did Frank, but he's too lazy or blind to take the initial small risk. So Frank and Doretta also mirror one another.

 

> You don't fancy **** a ladies man?

 

 

> Mims shoots his mouth off to mask his incompetency. **** looks to shoot a gun to mask his incompetency. He's as much a phony as Mims.

 

Exactly! It's easy for **** to say he's a big man to Billy Jack - who wouldn't have a clue anyway.

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Sep 8, 2010 4:05 PM

[MissGoddess]

> {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote}

> You noticed how many caps I've made of Richard Boone.... :x

 

Heck, yes! I've got this big grin on my face at work....

[movieman1957]

I wonder if that fits the trailer rather than the poster?

 

 

 

Interesting that the outfit is wrong and I don't remember Scott looking like that at any point.

 

Edited by: movieman1957 on Sep 8, 2010 4:28 PM

[MissGoddess]

He looks like he's trying to hitch a ride.

 

Regarding the title, I always assumed it was the name of Brennan's ranch but where I got that from I don't know because they don't mention it, do they? Nor does it explain why the'd title it after a ranch we never see. How funny.

 

Edited by: MissGoddess on Sep 8, 2010 4:54 PM

[FrankGrimes]

Thanks for posting the poster, Cowboy Chris.

 

He looks like he's trying to hitch a ride.

 

Well... wasn't he?

[FrankGrimes]

Does that mirror Frank's mistakes a bit? Or is it the opposite of Frank? Brennan will risk.... and this is important also to the plot.

 

Sometimes you have to take risks at the price of losing and possibly looking like a fool. But Brennan is doing it the hard way. Frank is taking some mighty risks, but he's going the easy route, using force and violence as his "assurance." Ironically, Brennan's advice to Doretta of sometimes taking what you want can be said of what the gang is doing.

 

Doretta has the same problem that Frank has - she can't win if she doesn't try.... Frank won't try to change his life in order to get his ranch - they both say just about the same thing: "Sometimes you don't have a choice." But Brennan shows Doretta she does. She didn't have to take the measly crumbs offered. Neither did Frank, but he's too lazy or blind to take the initial small risk. So Frank and Doretta also mirror one another.

 

You've got it, Hurrah Gal. "Nobody tries." It takes some real courage to believe in yourself, to try and make a go of it with anything. Brennan broke away from a safe position because he wanted something of his own. Doretta has been afraid to break away from her father. Frank has come to long a meaningful life but he's afraid to change. I can relate to both Doretta and Frank in their weaknesses. It's one thing to desire something, it's another to do something about it.

 

Exactly! It's easy for **** to say he's a big man to Billy Jack - who wouldn't have a clue anyway.

 

Boy, ain't that the truth. Billy Jack is highly impressionable. He's a pup.

 

 

[MissGoddess]

> He looks like he's trying to hitch a ride.

>

> Well... wasn't he?

 

I reckon.

 

>

> Ironically, Brennan's advice to Doretta of sometimes taking what you want can be said of what the gang is doing.

>

 

My goodness! That was right smart!

 

You've been posting some really great insights lately...is this FrankGrimes or Usher?

[FrankGrimes]

You've been posting some really great insights lately...is this FrankGrimes or Usher?

 

Is there a difference? Then again, this is much more "me":

 

[MissGoddess]

Yes! You are more Mims than Bims.

[FrankGrimes]

Oh, I don't know...

 

[MissGoddess]

Yes, the Peacemaker and I almost had you treed that time. Then

you snuck out west, changed your name, and we had to send

Usher and his gang after you.

[FrankGrimes]

[MissGoddess]

You can stand there with a naked spur and say that!! A bullet's too good for you, Layne!

[FrankGrimes]

[MissGoddess]

You even make **** look tough!

[FrankGrimes]