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Giant
Jul 13, 2023 13:31:56 GMT
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Post by Elwood on Jul 13, 2023 13:31:56 GMT
QC mentioned the movie Giant over in the Weir thread. Rock Hudson, James Dean etc. Much of the movie was shot around Marfa, Texas. My mother at the time was attending school in Marfa. She grew up in Shafter, Texas, a small silver mining town about 40 miles south of Marfa. Her mom taught school and her dad drove trucks for the mining operation. Anyway, they sought out extras for the movie in Marfa. My mom’s priest recommended her. She appears in the grave side scene where the young boy who went off to war is buried. Stood right in front of Rock Hudson. She was about 15 at the time. I will try and post a link to the scene. She told stories of the shootings over the years. Said James Dean was very polite, seemed quiet almost shy. He would hang out with kids at the park while they sang Spanish songs.
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Giant
Jul 13, 2023 13:36:50 GMT
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Post by Elwood on Jul 13, 2023 13:36:50 GMT
youtu.be/G-FFCavEy6MShe is the young mourner in black to the right of the gray haired gentleman. Rock moves in behind her.
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Giant
Jul 13, 2023 14:50:52 GMT
Post by quincannon on Jul 13, 2023 14:50:52 GMT
Many years ago I watched an hour long presentation on the making of Giant. I think it was on Turner Classic Movies. They covered the entire effort, including the gathering of local extras from Marfa and Brackettville. You might wish to see if you can find that and see if there are more pictures of your mom the movie star. The presentation included interviews with people who were hired as extras. Maybe your mom is among them.
Giant was a great movie, made from a monumental work by Edna Ferber. Often Ferber would include in her work episodes of racial/ethnic discrimination, which she had herself experienced. If you just watch the diner scene you cannot understand the complete transition of the Hudson character. You must watch the entire movie. It was no accident that the juke box played the Yellow Rose of Texas, as it summed up the whole theme dealing with those strong supporting characters, which was a constant ingredient to all of Ferber's work.
I hope your mom is still with us Mister E., but if not she left a memory for you and your family that will endure through the ages.
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Giant
Jul 13, 2023 17:38:59 GMT
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Post by Elwood on Jul 13, 2023 17:38:59 GMT
Unfortunately she left us this past January, cancer. But she made it to 87, a great run. School teacher/educator all her life.
Yes indeed, Rock’s character underwent a large transformation by the end of the movie. And I believe my sisters watched that Giant special. They said it was interesting but had no new info on our mother.
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Giant
Jul 13, 2023 18:08:24 GMT
Post by quincannon on Jul 13, 2023 18:08:24 GMT
Well, you have my most sincere condolences.
Although you mother may have not been in the Giant special, I am sure your sisters gained some insights into what you mom must have experienced during the filming.
Ferber is a hard read for me, but after seeing the movie I purchased the book, thinking I would learn a little more about Texas history, beyond what I know of the colonial, revolution, and Republic days. Learned a little about Texas history, but a hell of a lot about the people. Another good book covering that subject is "Texas" by Michener. Read it several times and learned something new every time, as I have done with two others by him on what I consider two of my three home states "Chesapeake" and "Centennial". Historical novels give you insights into things that nonfiction history do not.
Just finishing up all five of Bruce Lancaster's Revolutionary War series. "The Secret Road" and "Phantom Fortress" were outstanding. The first concerns the Culper Network and if you watched the mini series "Turn" you will be quite familiar with the subject matter. The second covers the third and final Southern Campaign, and I must say you come away with the accurate impression that Greene and Marion were both without doubt two of our finest military leaders ever. The other three were a notch below those two but really good nonetheless. Well worth your time if you can find them
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Giant
Jul 13, 2023 20:23:43 GMT
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Post by Elwood on Jul 13, 2023 20:23:43 GMT
Thank you Sir for your thoughts!
Read Texas years ago myself. Will look into those other recommendations.
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