I continue to feel horrible guilt because I bought my son his first toy pistol. It is such a relief to know I was groomed. Thanks, Bob. Another good one, of course.
Even I and every girl on my block had a cap gun. The message to settle disputes with fire-power wasn’t lost on us. Unfortunately there was NO guidance about gun safety as they were seen as harmless playthings which led to some disastrous events, when kids got their hands on the real thing.
You're right, Bob, about a whole generation having been "gun-groomed", and yes, you see the results right here in your own column. All gun-talk. Or as one of your heroes would say, All talk and no gun. Am I the only pacifist Mennonite in your readership? Mind you, as a young immigrant kid I did lust after a Dale Evans outfit. Not the gun so much, but the buckskin frill, the boots, the bandana--so chic.
Dale was lovely, talented, had great outfits and her own horse! She was the one my best friend and I loved to see in the episodes. One year a western skirt and flannel shirt were under the Christmas tree for me. Never as chic as Dale; but it was wonderful to me.
My friend got a horse that she kept at her grandma’s and rode whenever she visited her. As an adult, she had miniature horses that she took to nursing homes and schools. She is as classy as Dale. Thanks for pulling some great memories out, Ms. Epp.
As a kid, I never got the whole Roy Rogers thing. I mean, I assumed Roy and Dale were husband and wife, but they lived next door to each other and didn't share a name, so what was that? I know they made out in a few episodes, and I think he even got to second base, but that seems to have been it. But the horse names told us a lot - his was Trigger and hers was Buttermilk? Seriously, Dale? Maybe you should do the State of the Union response?
Brings back so many memories, Bob. I will admit to having owned a toy-replica "Rifleman" Winchester that actually ejected toy bullets and featured that odd, circular lever. Oh man.
Whew, Linda. When I saw that you had made a comment to my story about guns, I thought you were going to trot out that old story about me firing off a tear gas pistol and emptying your house during a party, which of course never happened...
It’s one of my favorite episodes :) And speaking of restraint, that was Hobie to a “T”. Another fun fact: Culp wrote one of the most cerebral episodes of … “The Rifleman.”
I know. It's the episode where McCain talks about how much he wants to live in peace, and then fires 48 rounds from his Winchester in 12 seconds. Am I right?
Close. It’s the one where he’s trying to save someone and banditos led by I think I Vito Scotti steal his rifle and intend to take his boots and his son Mark after he digs his own grave but instead you know and he births a baby. It was a rare two-parter because you just can’t have the dark dramatic pauses needed in 22 minutes.
You missed Paladin, whose .45 Colt had been customized to his specifications, including rifling, I believe. That and his actual rifle bore the crest of a chess piece, the knight — “the most powerful attack piece on the board” he once explained while trying very hard not to kill some idiots. He was also a dead shot with his backup piece — a standard derringer hidden in his gunbelt.
Oh, and Josh Randall had a sawed off rifle so he could use high-powered rounds because they well you know.
I loved these shows and still do. Even Clint in his movies was always a reluctant killer — “A man’s gotta know his limitations” he once said when he had to kill a few idiots.
What I recall was the restraint, not the bravado.
But yes, the era did over index for casual violence, normalization of the Confederacy and disdain for Native Americans, and I think all three messages did make it harder for our generation to see things in a different light.
Good points, John. Paladin: You have to admire a thug with his own business cards. And the instructions, "Wire Paladin, San Francisco," helped keep the riff-raff away. On the negative side, it's an interesting business model. Instead of having to spend a fortune designing a gimmick gun, they just have Paladin TALKING about modifications you can't see.
He spent hundreds on the cards — to his exacting specifications, of course, so specific they spent an episode on just that. But you missed the best part, journo-boy. He paid $1,000 a year for newspapers from across the country not only because he was a renaissance man and bon vivant, but because he often found situations he could insinuate himself into for business reasons.
I continue to feel horrible guilt because I bought my son his first toy pistol. It is such a relief to know I was groomed. Thanks, Bob. Another good one, of course.
I think you're past the statute of limitations...
Things have sure changed…
Even I and every girl on my block had a cap gun. The message to settle disputes with fire-power wasn’t lost on us. Unfortunately there was NO guidance about gun safety as they were seen as harmless playthings which led to some disastrous events, when kids got their hands on the real thing.
Exactly, Karen...
Good eye on the Steve McQueen ammo belt,. Of course, I had to "do my own research".
I'd have definitely been Pahoo bait, 'cause I would have been laughing pretty hard at Yancy's derringer.
Who wouldn't, Dave? I once saw Lamar try to kill himself with a four-barrel Sharps like that....
Btw. Dave, I'm a little hurt. I thought you would be impressed by my antique gun collection...
You're right, Bob, about a whole generation having been "gun-groomed", and yes, you see the results right here in your own column. All gun-talk. Or as one of your heroes would say, All talk and no gun. Am I the only pacifist Mennonite in your readership? Mind you, as a young immigrant kid I did lust after a Dale Evans outfit. Not the gun so much, but the buckskin frill, the boots, the bandana--so chic.
Dale was lovely, talented, had great outfits and her own horse! She was the one my best friend and I loved to see in the episodes. One year a western skirt and flannel shirt were under the Christmas tree for me. Never as chic as Dale; but it was wonderful to me.
My friend got a horse that she kept at her grandma’s and rode whenever she visited her. As an adult, she had miniature horses that she took to nursing homes and schools. She is as classy as Dale. Thanks for pulling some great memories out, Ms. Epp.
What a delightful surprise your comment was, Patricia! Gosh, you just never know who you'll meet at Bob's parties.
As a kid, I never got the whole Roy Rogers thing. I mean, I assumed Roy and Dale were husband and wife, but they lived next door to each other and didn't share a name, so what was that? I know they made out in a few episodes, and I think he even got to second base, but that seems to have been it. But the horse names told us a lot - his was Trigger and hers was Buttermilk? Seriously, Dale? Maybe you should do the State of the Union response?
I think most of my readers are pacifist Mennonites, Anne-Marie. Did you try throwing. your computer off a tall building?
Oh, there are so many replies to that…
Will keep my mind on good thoughts.
Cross my palm with a cross of palm and peace and love for everyone.
I know, I know. It’s Sunday and I’m misbehaving once again.
actually, Pat, it's Palm Sunday....
“Is that a buntline in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” Mae(be) West
Brings back so many memories, Bob. I will admit to having owned a toy-replica "Rifleman" Winchester that actually ejected toy bullets and featured that odd, circular lever. Oh man.
I will admit to the same, Bob. Matell, I believe...
Yes, that sounds pretty accurate to me.
John Slaughter was a Texas Ranger. There’s a street named after him in Austin.
Whew, Linda. When I saw that you had made a comment to my story about guns, I thought you were going to trot out that old story about me firing off a tear gas pistol and emptying your house during a party, which of course never happened...
“So, what do you do for a living, Mr. Slaughter?” “Gee, that’s a little on the nose, don’t you think?”
It’s one of my favorite episodes :) And speaking of restraint, that was Hobie to a “T”. Another fun fact: Culp wrote one of the most cerebral episodes of … “The Rifleman.”
I know. It's the episode where McCain talks about how much he wants to live in peace, and then fires 48 rounds from his Winchester in 12 seconds. Am I right?
Close. It’s the one where he’s trying to save someone and banditos led by I think I Vito Scotti steal his rifle and intend to take his boots and his son Mark after he digs his own grave but instead you know and he births a baby. It was a rare two-parter because you just can’t have the dark dramatic pauses needed in 22 minutes.
You missed Paladin, whose .45 Colt had been customized to his specifications, including rifling, I believe. That and his actual rifle bore the crest of a chess piece, the knight — “the most powerful attack piece on the board” he once explained while trying very hard not to kill some idiots. He was also a dead shot with his backup piece — a standard derringer hidden in his gunbelt.
Oh, and Josh Randall had a sawed off rifle so he could use high-powered rounds because they well you know.
I loved these shows and still do. Even Clint in his movies was always a reluctant killer — “A man’s gotta know his limitations” he once said when he had to kill a few idiots.
What I recall was the restraint, not the bravado.
But yes, the era did over index for casual violence, normalization of the Confederacy and disdain for Native Americans, and I think all three messages did make it harder for our generation to see things in a different light.
And did you know, Wanted Dead or Alive was a planned spin-off of Trackdown? Steve McQueen meets Robert Culp!
Good points, John. Paladin: You have to admire a thug with his own business cards. And the instructions, "Wire Paladin, San Francisco," helped keep the riff-raff away. On the negative side, it's an interesting business model. Instead of having to spend a fortune designing a gimmick gun, they just have Paladin TALKING about modifications you can't see.
He spent hundreds on the cards — to his exacting specifications, of course, so specific they spent an episode on just that. But you missed the best part, journo-boy. He paid $1,000 a year for newspapers from across the country not only because he was a renaissance man and bon vivant, but because he often found situations he could insinuate himself into for business reasons.
I prefer Jim Rockford's method, making business cards in the back seat of his car....