Name that movie!

"We had a meeting, and we drew straws, and we got you."
"You got me? What do you mean you got me?"
"If you get killed, we take the rifle and avenge you."
"And we see to it that there's always fresh flowers on your grave."

And they did. More:

"That's a mighty big comfort."
"I told you he would appreciate that."
"Well now, don't you kids be too disappointed if your plans don't work out."
"We won't. If you're still alive we'll be just as happy."
"Maybe even happier."
"Maybe."

Damn, there is so much good stuff in this movie! Maybe more quotes another time.

So what's the haps around Casa Banjo?

Well, I'll tell you. Had a nice Christmas. Got a new mini-video camera. Will be seeking out some reactive targets in the near future.

Then went to the ranch for a couple of days of quail hunting with Daughter Number One. Only got one quail, though. They were few and far between, and nearly all were flying at more than 50 yards away. Also fired off my new piece for the first time. Very fun.

Then picked up my new lenses, still getting used to them. Turn my head the wrong way and the world goes a bit swirly.

Then took Daughter Number Two out to the Indian Casino today. She won a few bucks, I won a few bucks, the Sainted Bride lost more than we won. Still, a good time was had by all.

And in what's left of my vacation (the next five days), I plan to do some reloading and a little bit of movie watching. Picked up three DVDs at Borders yesterday. This one, this one, and this one.

I've seen the first, it's spectacular and I wish to own it and see it again.

The second, I've seen part of the remake with Kirk Douglas, Jason Robards, and Darren McGavin. Though, in reality, no fiction can beat the true story.

The third? Never seen it yet, but I've wanted to for a long time.

Anyway, that's what's happening here. How about you?

Merry Christmas, Everybody!

A warm and wonderful holiday to you all!

The Pelosi Gtxi SS/RT lives on

And The Great and Powerful Iowahawk excoriates a thieving duchebag for stealing the post (Note: as of this morning, said duchebag has posted an attribution to Iowahawk - fear the might of The Great and Powerful Iowahawk!)

And more, The Great and Powerful Iowahawk has used Officer Vic's voice-over and added some great video to go with it (so I have removed my poor attempt). Go there and watch it!

Math

How I loves it. But that's not what I came to tell you about...

Well actually it is, sort of.

In my never-ending quest to send the Youtube search function into conniptions, I started searching on the Mills Brothers, then the Ink Spots. Got sidetracked again.

First off, I never knew how old the song "Java Jive" was. Daughter Number Two and friends performed it in high school, and just this evening I learned that it was originally (I think) recorded by the Ink Spots in 1940. I learned this because I was searching in the Mills Brothers, who were (sadly) somewhat eclipsed in the public consciousness by the Ink Spots in 1939 when they were trapped oversees by the outbreak of WWII. Mills Brothers post coming soon, if I remember.

Anyway, DNT (and friends)'s version was very much like this one:



And then, for some "stream of consciousness" reason, my mind wandered to math and the Klein Four. Found lot of good stuff, including their signature tune:



Not only that, I found this:



And this:



And, in the spirit of the Christmas season, this one:

Sidetracked

I am a dismal failure in my quest to give the Youtube search function a nervous breakdown. Popped over there this evening and s/he wasn't even fazed.

First screen: A couple of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band references (Cadillac Ranch and one I will embed below) plus a bonus Emmylou Harris, which (surprisingly - NOT!) prompted me to search on something else. Oh well, Youtube is too smart for me. So I'll go with the flow.

Here's one of the NGDB's rock 'n' roll tunes, tearin' up the highway like a big ol' dinosaur:



Followed by a lovely (and ALL-STAR) version of this lovely song (can't be certain, but I think one of the folks is Vassar Clements, who played with the NGDB on their original recording of the song):



And here's the Emmylou Harris connection: Before she became well-known on her own, she was backup for Gram Parsons. He had lots of good stuff but my favorite song of his is this one:



Oh, and just for fun, a couple of NGDB favorites.

"American Dream:"



And one of their best, written by THE GREAT AND POWERFUL BANJO GOD EARL SCRUGGS, but only one of many great tracks on one of the greatest albums of all time (have a listen to the samples in that link if you doubt me). "Randy Lynn Rag":

Movie themes (updated)

Following on this post, here are some more great themes, not western.

An obvious one, the Colonel Bogie March:



Too cool to talk too much about:



And another "great" one:



And this one is not a movie theme, but I like it and I liked the TV show, and it came up on a search for the last one:



A very nice song for a fun show.

UPDATE: Wolfwalker adds some more excellent themes:

The Longest Day:



And from A Bridge Too Far:



Jeez, how come no one can write stuff like that anymore?