Ben Johnson

[pvitari]

I had a great time at the John Wayne Birthday event and I apologize in advance but it will be a couple more days before I post more at the Ben page, as within a few hours after my return flight the symptoms of a truly nasty cold appeared (a frequent occurrence after going on a trip) and today I have been mostly flat on my back. Hopefully in a day or two I'll be able to post something more about the trip with some pictures but meanwhile you can go here for stories and pictures:

http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/news.html#JWBC_2013

Plus I have some really great stuff for the Ben page coming up -- eventually. OK, back to bed. *HACK* *COUGH* *SPIT UP*

[MissGoddess]

Hope you feel better soon, Paula. I look forward to your re-cap!

P.S. That still photo of Ben is gorgeous!!

[pvitari]

The cold is going away -- still coughing and blowing my nose but otherwise feel more or less OK, with energy level back to normal. I was really a goner for a few days though!

Finally posted the John Wayne birthday celebration report, http://benjohnsonfanpage.shutterfly.com/festivals.

But first I recommend you head over to the John Wayne, Lest We Forget thread to see a bunch of pictures with some comments from me. ;)

I plan to start posting Ben stuff again very shortly.

[mongoII]

Paula, the Maureen O'Hara stuff is very impressive and I thank you.
Also enjoyed reading about Ben.

[JackFavell]

Wonderful pics and info Paula! Glad you are feeling better.

[pvitari]

Glad you all enjoyed the John Wayne Birthplace/Maureen O'Hara photos.

Back to Ben. :)

Here's a pic from The Getaway. ;)

Jack Benyon is one of my favorite Ben villains. :) Unfortunately the photo is a little beat up but I'm glad I got it because it's the only one I've ever seen of it. That shag rug is so late 60s, early 70s. I had one just like it in my bedroom when I was a kid, except mine was pink. ;)

[pvitari]

Another publicity still from The Getaway. I guess this one is a spoiler if you haven't seen the movie. :)

[CineMaven]

Spoiler? Well, when a girl says no, she means "no!"

[pvitari]

But I don't think Carol (Ally McGraw's character) said no. It's not shown on screen, but you get the idea that she does agree to sleep with Benyon in order to get what she needs from him for Doc. That doesn't mean she liked it, of course. :) In fact, given what happens, I'd say she didn't like it at all. :)

[Sue Sue Applegate]

Glad you are feeling better! Thanks for the lovely posts on John Wayne's birthday!

[pvitari]

And another picture of Ben taking a dive, from Shane. I'm including the back which has a snipe with some interesting info. Actually this is the first of a set of six publicity photos from the fight -- I also have the last in the set, which I posted not too long ago, you can see it here: http://benjohnsonfanpage.shutterfly.com ... ry/432#432

There's another picture on ebay of Ben going flying in Ten Who Dared -- one of these days I'll get that one too. :)

[pvitari]

A week from today will be the 60th annual Ben Johnson (Sr.) Memorial Steer Roping, which always takes place the day before Father's Day during the annual Osage County Cattlemen's Association meeting. It's a big event in Pawhuska. ;) Ben (Jr.) used to compete in the annual ropings unless he had to be on a set somewhere and couldn't get home to participate.

http://www.oc-ca.com/roping.php

[pvitari]

Here are some screencaps from Ben's first Gunsmoke episode, "Quint-Cident." This is the one where he playing the racist, rapist son of a &*#)@)## -- IMHO his nastiest villain, the only one I don't love to hate. I just hate him. I am always amazed at how someone as kind and thoughtful as Ben could be so good playing scum, but -- that's why they call it acting! ;)

This is about half of the screencaps, I'll post the rest very soon when I get everything online.

First batch.

In these opening scenes, Marshall Dillon (James Arness) is bringing in outlaw Ben Crown -- he's wanted for murder. Crown keeps insisting he didn't do it, but Dillon is just doing his job. They encounter Quint on the way -- he's been hunting. It's not long before Crown gets in some nasty digs at Quint, since he is half Indian.

























I really like the light in this one.






This poor lady is a farmer's wife who is trying without much success to dig a grave for her husband, who just died -- behind her are the graves of her three children. :( The actress' name is Mary LaRoche.




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[pvitari]

Second batch.

















Dillon makes Crown dig the husband's grave.














More soon!

[pvitari]

OK, the screencaps are up at the page so here are the rest of the samples.

Third batch.











This is a nasty small rancher who hates Quint on sight simply because he's half-Indian.




Matt with the much friendlier wife.




















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