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!

Road Trip

We took a trip downtown this past week to check on some historical sites pertinent to our reading of True Grit. We went to the Clayton House, which is the former home William Clayton, who was the Federal Prosecutor during the time of Judge Parker's reign in Fort Smith. Our friend and former student Jacqulyn West works there. She gave us a most interesting tour of the home and it's a must-see for readers of True Grit. They will be happy to take individuals or small groups or even whole classes (call and make a reservation) on a tour of the house. You should go; it's cool. Coincidentally--or maybe not--Jacqulyn lives in George Maladon's house. He's the hangman mentioned by name in the novel. A real character he was. Jacqulyn will probably be doing a True Grit presentation for us on campus, too. Watch this space for an announcement.

We also toured the Fort Smith National Historical Site, which contains the old courthouse and prison where lots of the first part of the novel takes place. It's cool to go into the courtroom and imagine that great scene from the trial. They will also take individuals, small groups, or whole classes (go on-line and fill out the reservation and fee-waiver form) on the tour. There's lots of cool stuff here. If you go on March 17th at 11am or 2pm they tour the gallows on the anniversary of Cherokee Bill's hanging. Of course, you can tour the gallows any time they're open, too. This is a great place that many of us have probably been to at some point, but it's nice to go back with the True Grit perspective. The pictures of all the old Marshals are incredible. You just look at their faces and you can see how there really could have been a Rooster Cogburn. There is a group that does reenactments of court cases and we're waiting to get a new schedule of those. That would be fun to see. They may have the schedule published on the website by now.

Another place we toured--and I hadn't been to this one--was the Fort Smith Museum of History. This place is way cool and deserving of much attention. They really run the entire gamut of Fort Smith history (quite a story, too) but they do have lots of exhibits about Judge Parker and the gallows and all that. In fact the current special show is about the changing perceptions of the whole Judge Parker time in Fort Smith history. This place is great! They are very heavy into the whole Bass Reeves story right now. This is a very interesting story and emphasizes the diversity of this region. They will take individuals or small groups or even whole classes (call and talk to them first).

These are amazing resources folks! If you're a student or friend of the college and you're reading True Grit you should go and take your friends. If you're a teacher and you're teaching the novel, you should encourage your students to go. Most of these places are free or cheap or will waive or reduce the fees for educational groups, but please be sure to call and talk to them if you're doing anything in a group. And if you go, whoever you are, please be sure to mention the True Grit connection to UAFS.

Reading True Grit is a fabulous way to give ourselves a sense of place, but to really do it right, you need to get out and see some of these places. College should not take place only inside a classroom.

In the meantime, watch this space for news about these special True Grit places and events.