True Writing

Today's picture is of Marguerite Roberts, screenwriter for the original movie. I learned from watching a short feature on the DVD that Ms Roberts specialized in writing "tough guy" westerns for Hollywood before she was blacklisted in the 1950s. Like so many good people in Hollywood, Ms Roberts refused to "name names" in front of HUAC.

She never thought, when she submitted the script, that John Wayne would even read something with her name on it, considering how "right wing" his politics were. Nevertheless, he did, and liked the script so much that he couldn't wait to do the film.

Another tidbit I picked up from the short feature is that Wayne was really perplexed by Kim Darby, who had read Portis' book and fallen in love with both Mattie and Portis' language. According to some other folks who worked on the movie, Wayne didn't quite get it, saw the movie as a standard shoot-em-up, and wondered why Darby was so intense about the part and the language and about staying true to the book.

At any rate, it's an interesting short feature. I still haven't watched the film, though. This weekend for sure.

So this is a picture of the True Grit daffodil. I'm hoping that I start seeing some of these soon. I'm so over winter. If I hadn't lived in Fort Smith, I never would have believed that most of the novel's plot-line takes place in the snow. Folks, it can really snow here!

Lots of stuff pending but nothing immediate to report. If you're just joining us, don't miss the January archives. I was reading and blogging the novel in January, but that's now why you should go back to those posts. The fun part is that there are tons of insightful, fun, and thoughtful responses from students and teachers and readers of all types who responded as they have read the chapters. Go back to the January archives and look at the posts that have chapter numbers.

I'm still looking for guest bloggers, too. If you'd like to blog as you read let me know. Or if you have other items you'd like me to post on the blog, those are welcome, too. Just email them to me and I'll post them to the blog.

Don't forget the True Grit Facebook page, too. We now have almost thirty members over there. Geez, is there a facebook page for everything? YES! Believe me, after all this is over I'll be writing some scholarship about networking in the academic community. I'm learning so much from this experience.

In the meantime, I'm still trying to find a moment to watch the movie. Speaking of which, I have three copies, if anyone would like to borrow one. I also still have some copies of the text if you need one of those.

Keep reading and responding!

Ah, you never know what the day will bring. Thursday brought this interesting story:

One of the students in Dr. Whiting's class checked out the copy of True Grit from the Fort Smith public library. On closer examination they noticed that on the inside cover was a taped-over synopsis of the storyline. It was also apparent that some type of message with an accompanying signature was underneath the yellowing "recap." The student believed that the signature was Charles Portis's, the author of True Grit. Well, right at that moment they knew they had to find out. Don't try this at home: the student produced a small pocket knife, and carefully pulled off the pasted on synopsis. Sure enough, it was a book dedicated to the Fort Smith Public Library with a "thanks" for some obvious historical help through mimeographs or microfishe. It was signed by Charles Portis and the date was 1968. In other words, the student checked out a signed FIRST edition of True Grit. We may have to talk to them about getting the book out of circulation.

I just posted an album of pictures to the Got Grit? Facebook site (for those of you on FB) called "Cultural Appropriations of True Grit." The album contains photos of things like the True Grit type font, the True Grit daffodil, True Grit jeans, and the plans for the True Grit boat. Fun stuff.

The photo for today's post was taken in the San Bois mountains.

Facebook Grit

Cool. I forgot I set up a Facebook page for the True Grit project. I just found it! Check it out if you're on Facebook; it's here or you can find it under Got Grit?

Thanks!

I am so enjoying reading all your posts to the blog. I've been so busy this week that I haven't had time to watch the movie yet to see how it compares to the book. I plan on doing that for sure in the next few days, though. I'll post about that when I get the chance.

Another project I've thought about doing for the blog is a quick review of all the brands and stores and bars and stuff that have been named "True Grit." There are several True Grit saloons, True Grit restaurants, True Grit tire stores, True Grit dog kennels. There's even a kind of daffodil named the True Grit.

I'll have some big news about a campus True Grit activity soon. Keep on reading even if you finish the book. Go back and read the other people's posts. It's interesting and smart!

Keep on posting and reading the blog folks, and thanks so much for participating!