I discovered Charles Starrett six years ago while cataloging and preserving old still photographs. Many of them were photos from the sets of Starrett’s films. I have spent a good amount of time thinking about him since but, until recently, I have not been able to actually view any of his films.
This is my journal as I attempt to watch them all.
very interested,have just had a family reunion in derry ,northern ireland where family history disscused,and charles starret is related to my wife via marrige of rebbeca charlotte(charles sister)of spencer road.londonderry to patrick mc laughlin,we have had a new headstone placed on their grave as the old one was in very bad condition.At the family service at creggan cemetary and later at the city hotel in derry 130 adults and 28 children attended the family “get together”
Is there a remote [or strong] possibility that Chas.Starrett might hold the record for being a marquee performer for the most films in Hollywood history? In other words Starrett starred [also a play on words] in more feature films than anybody!
If this be true let’s make it known and added to his legacy. –169 is an imposing figure and he probably was not leading man in only a handful of those!
Did you get my account of a day I spent with Charles at his home at Laguna Beach in 1984?.I posted it on your site about two months ago.
I corresponded with him form 1969-1980.Finally met him at the 1980 Memphis Film Festival.
Spent a whole day with him & Mary in July 1984 along with Colin Momber of England,publisher of the 30 year old magazine Wranglers Roost And Western historian,Ab Breeden of Los Angeles.
A day to remember for all time.
Regards
Bruce
A blog run by someone who clearly has no understanding of the b western & what it meant to the kids of the Saturday Matinees.
B Western fans who I correspond with in the US,England & Australia are both appalled by the foul language & the sarcastic comments by this blog operator.
Charles,who i had the pleasure of corresponding with for 16 years & who I visited with would be disgusted by this blog.
A big fat zero is the rating.Even the illustrations are crap.
Hi Steve: I’ve enjoyed reading your website and looking at your great pictures. I had the pleasure of knowing Barry Shipman who wrote many of the Durango Kid scripts. He gave me a lot of insights as to why and how they wrote the scripts. I have a collection of Starrett photos that I would be willing to sell if you need any photos. I also have some of the Durango movies. If you are interested, contact me at frontrowkid2002@yahoo.com. Mike Newton.
I’m impressed by the photos you have collected, particularly those taken at his home. James Horowitz, a free lance writer for Rolling Stone Magazine, interviewed Starrett at his Laguna Beach home in the early Seventies for his book, “They Went Thataway.” This was probably the only interview Starrett had done in years, not counting those movie magazine “puffs” that you might have come across.Even with his failing eyesight, he signed Bill Black’s photo book on Durango for me. His wife Mary enclosed a printed notice telling me that “Charles” did sign the book despite his vision. When he appeared at Raleigh in 1984, they had a special stamp of his signature so that he could stamp his autograph. Otherwise he would have tried to sign. He really appreciated the support of his fans.
Good to see people remember Charles Starrett..
My Grandfather’s cousin is Virginia Hunter. She is now in poor health living in a private assisted living facility. I am interested in her history after seeing the many amazing pictures she has accumulated over the years. It is so interesting to see that people are still interested in the work she was involved in.
Its great to see that quite a number of people are interested in B – westerns and especially Charles starrett. I am a fan and collector of Durango Kid movies. I have about 18 still to trace and would be particularly interested if anyone has Durango DVD’s for sale. It maybe that some of the ones I am looking for may not yet be released but I know that Frontier Gunlaw and Rustler of the Badlands are out there.
During my tour of the States from the UK in 1970 I visited Charles Starrett and Mary at their Laguna home. I was staying with family of Columbia B western star Bob Allen in Los Angeles and I arranged the visit by phone. I travelled own by bus and Charles was most concerned because the bus was delayed. By the time I got to Laguna he had been on the phone to LA, saying how worried he was. When I arrived he was waiting for me with a big smile – he was more like my favourite uncle than a childhood movie idol. We talked a lot about all kinds of things, walked his dogs over the heath and for lunch he made what he called Cheese Dreams – better known to me as just plain cheese on toast!!
After my visit we stayed in contact and when our 4 children were born they received signed pictures from Durango. We still have them. The last time I called he had just got back from the hospital and although he said he was OK Mary had told me the news wasn’t good. I will be writing a full length report of my visit in Western Clippings soon. I would very much like copies of FRONTIER OUTPOST and any of the other ‘missing’ Durangos.
Hey, found your website tonight… great info… I am working on research about the previous some of the old movie back lot Western Streets, which I recognized several of the photo’s you have as these backlots, how were you able to get Sony to let you into their archieves? Well I am going to try to find these movies to watch for research material, do you know of a good place for me to get them? I am intersted in talking to you if you have a minute…
Thanks
The Durango Kid was a motivator for me. Charles Starrett, Steve, was always a good guy, trying to right the wrongs of the West, never giving up. I was born in 1938 in Muncie, IN, Dad joined the Marines in 1942, Mom & I moved to San Diego ,Linda Vista, to be close.
When Dad had a leave, they would take me to the base movie theater or one close, buy me popcorn and say “stay put till we come back”. That was my introduction to Durango and I never stopped. In the later 40’s, after the war we lived in Amarillo, TX (‘46-48} I would shine shoes on the street corner, then go to the Star theater, pay 9 cents to see the Kid. In 1949 we moved back to Muncie and I’d save my lunch money, buy newspapers for .03 and sell for a nickle. My profits would pay for a whole Saturday of Cowboy shows. The Wysor Grand (old Opera Theater) charged .25 for a double feature. Then I would go to the Liberty Theater for 14 cents and see two more. I could go on and on. I ‘ve had a Great Life. Long Live the “Durango Kid” and his memory. Dr. Phil
Dear steve something: I received your “warning” about my comments and oh my gosh, I was so scared. How can you say you appreciate the work of somebody when you make implications that he could be “gay” or that there were inneundoes in the script that had mixed messages, such as a guy putting his hand on another guy. You were the one who sought the advice of your friend Todd who as you put it put on his “gay dar.” And what kind of a name is Peter Potter. Is that your real name or one of your secret identities? Never mind, I won’t be coming to your website so don’t get your panties in a twist.
Happy trails, Mike.