WHITEY HUGHES - WE WILL MISS YOU

It is with extreme regret and sadness that I announce the passing of a stuntman supreme and dear friend, Whitey Hughes. Whitey was one of those great men - and he was a great man - who you alway looked forward to seeing. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word.

Whitey wasn't a tall man in stature, but no one was bigger in kindness and action.

Born Robert James Hughes in Arkoma, Oklahoma on November 9, 1920, due to his small frame Whitey stunted for women as well as man, doing stunt work for such stars as: Reno Browne, Lynne Roberts, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, and Virginia Mayo as well as, Johnny Crawford on The Rifleman, Bobby Diamond on Fury, and my friend, Jon Provost as Timmy on Lassie. Other shows he worked on include: Wyatt Earp, Bonanza, Rawhide, and Gunsmoke. For 4 seasons (1965 - 1968) Whitey was the stunt co-ordinator for the popular television show, The Wild, Wild West.

Whitey would continue to work through the 1990s in such shows as: Wonder Woman, Buck Rogers, The Fall Guy, and films like Men in Black.

My sympathy and love go out to his wife of almost 60 years, Dottie. For more info check out his official website. We'll miss ya Whitey!

TRUST ME, I'M A DOCTOR

For a great time and a delicious dinner, come to the Copperstate Dinner Theater, May 29- August 16 for Trust Me, I'm a Doctor. And guess who's playing the doctor? Yours truly.

The info is below:

Friday & Saturday Evenings: Dinner 6:30 Curtain 8:00.

Sunday Matinee: Dinner 12:30 Curtain 2:00

DINNER AND SHOW IS GENERALLY $39.95. Mention my name and get a special discount for dinner and show!

CALL (602) 279-3129

OR email for info: www.copperstatedinnertheater.com

MONTE HALE

I have been way too late in getting this tribute to Monte Hale up on the site. The very last of the living singing/Republic Pictures cowboys passed away on March 29th. He was the first of the "B" cowboys at Republic Pictures to have his own "Color" series of films. He will be missed by his fans who felt the comfort in the knowledge that he was still with us. Adios old friend.

SPIRIT OF THE WEST ALIVE AWARD

Thank-you to LeeAnn Sharpe and all those at the Wild West Gazette; Sid Hagel, and Bob Roloff - as well as John Wayne Anderson and everyone else involved, for the honor of being a recipient of the Spirit of the West Alive award on Wednesday, April 15th. This award is given to those who have helped to keep the western spirit alive. Past recipients include: Bob Boze Bell, Marshall Trimble, Hugh O' Brian, Michael Dante, and Bruce Dern.
Added thanks to "The Arizona Duuude" Bob Roloff for the great Spirit of the West T-Shirt which I will wear proudly! Also, a very big thanks to local Arizona personality and great friend, Sam Meranto, for the special framed and autographed photo of the two of us. It is on the wall beside the wonderful award I received.
And a very big thanks to those who attended the ceremony!

Buzz from the Stars

According to Buck Taylor, when I asked him about the goatee he was growing, he told me that it was for the prequel to Tombstone. Val Kilmer has written the script concerning Doc Holliday before the famous gunfight. Kilmer will of course star.

Another Batman alumni is in the buzz about a Lone Ranger re-do. During a panel discussion at the Festival of the West this year, one of the stars told me that George Clooney is rumored to be set to play the Lone Ranger, while Johnny Depp will play Tonto! Anyway, that's the buzz!

19TH ANNUAL NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE WEST

It was quite a year at the festival. Bruce Dern - a great guy and a terrific interview - was there. Hugh O' Brian held court and performed some magic tricks. Robert Fuller, Denny Miller, Buck Taylor, and Ben Cooper were terrific as usual - they are always anxious to answer their fans' questions and have a bit of fun. Clint Walker was mobbed by his fans, as usual, and only made one of my panels, but he is always terrific.
Also, Ed Faulkner was a joy as always, as was Stella Stevens, Beverly Washburn, Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, Peter Brown, Ty Hardin, Michael Dante, Wyatt McCrea - keeping the family name alive - classic bad guy, Tom Reese, Mike Moroff, and Rex Allen, Jr.
I met the great screen and television writer, Paul Savage - one of my new best friends. Child actor, Richard Eyer was there as well but I didn't meet him. Many memories of my childhood come from films like: "The Invisible Boy," and "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad," that Eyer appeared in.
On to next year!

REVIEWS of NEW VIDEO WESTERNS

Check out my review of: "Sukiyaki Western Django" at BC - Blogcritics Magazine.