Posted by Rich on July 24, 2000 at 12:21:52:
In Reply to: Re: Against All Odds posted by Vita on July 24, 2000 at 11:58:43:
: : Yes, Diana! I cannot let this pass by without comment, even though I'm probably repeating myself from a couple years back ...
: : Ed Blatchford plays Lieutenant W.W. Cooke in "Son of the Morning Star." Cooke was Custer's adjutant at Little Bighorn & a close family friend and long time member of the US 7th Cavalry. His body was found very close to that of Custer on Last Stand Hill. His distinctive LONG sideburns were a novelty to the Indian warrior Wooden Leg (Cheyenne) who removed one as a "souvenir."
: : Blatchford is visually extremely hard to identify as Captain Jack, with the dark hair & beard & sideburns. It is as you say, the voice definitely gives him away!
: : As a film, "Son of the Morning Star," despite its errors, is one of the more historically accurate films I've ever seen. It leaves something to be desired in its impact ... certainly could have been done better, but I enjoyed it tremendously anyway. Read the book of the same name by Evan S. Connell. A masterpiece of storytelling for the uninitiated ... The book tells the tale in a tapestry-type fashion. The film borrows from that style by allowing the events to play out through the eyes of two women, Libby Custer (Custer's wife) & Kate Bighead (Cheyenne).
: : If interested, go to:
: Hi Rich!
: I just went to your other site and had to post right away there...
: Amazing the productivity you and Elaine are capable of dishing out, and still raise a bunch good children!
: On that board, the discussion about Custer's "gayness" is provocative, too. Why can they not let him rest in his grave? Who cares if he was gay or not? Being gay does not necessarily make you prone to cruel behavior; I've seen many straight man who have behaved like the devil's lowly cousin; and I say lowly because the devil himself, being a fallen angel, has some style, even some compassion.
: Anyhow, good work, Rich, good platform, good info, good all around site.
: And you and Elaine are good folks.
: Regards,
: Vita
Thanks Vita ...
That thread about Custer's "gayness" is an absurd assumption based on nothing. Very, VERY strange.
Back to "Son of the Morning Star" for a moment, I agree with PP's assessment ... Rodney Grant was the perfect Crazy Horse & the actor who played Captain Benteen (names escapes me, but he's a known guy) is also very good, as is Tom Custer ... You'll see other familiar faces in there as Sitting Bull & others ... Gary Cole, though, would not be my choice as THE Custer. Who would? I'm not sure. Sam Elliott would have been perfect in the movie, if not as Custer. Myles Keough (not portrayed, strangely) maybe?? And Rosanna Arquette as Libby? Yuk! Buffy Sainte Marie did a good job doing Kate Bighead's narration.
Now ... Custer as cruel, TC?? We must discuss that sometime ... George Armstrong Custer is a VERY misunderstood person in our history. He was not some wanton Indian killer, though he has come to symbolize such by misinformed parties looking for a scapegoat. He was a complex man, like most of us are, whose every action at Little Bighorn has been taken apart by some as if he were a total lunatic. I love the film, with Dustin Hoffman, Chief Dan George, & Faye Dunaway, called "Little Big Man." It's a great movie, very entertaining. Unfortunately, there are those who REALLY think Custer was as portrayed in that film!
Anyway, I could ramble on about Custer, but won't ... now ... :(