The High Chaparral Blog

Don Collier's new movie

Ginny Shook — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:21:23 GMT

Starting September 5, Don Collier's latest movie, Jake's Corner, opens throughout Arizona at Harkins Theatres. Here are some of the locations and September dates:

Nor Terra 14
North Valley 16
Arrowhead Fountain 18
Gateway Pavilion 18
Tucson Spectrum 18
Superstition Springs 25
Arizona Mills 24
Chandler Fashion 20

There will be a special premier of the movie at the real Jake's Corner on September 3. Go to the Jake's Corner site for more details, view the trailer or listen to the music.

Introducing Mark Slade

Ginny Shook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:37:54 GMT

This article and photo appeared in the January, 1968 issue of 16 Magazine, under the title "Introducing Mark Slade."

Need to see a bigger copy? Go to The High Chaparral Reunion site.

The High Chaparral Reunion 2009

Ginny Shook — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:24:16 GMT

http://highchaparralblog.com/2008/07/20/the-high-chaparral-reunion-2009.aspx

To see a larger version, visit The High Chaparral Reunion site.

Mark of the Turtle stunts

Ginny Shook — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:27:23 GMT

Stuntmen during The High Chaparral era (and before) never asked to be recognized for their work. But the stunts in this scene from the episode "Mark of the Turtle" are just too great not to give them credit for their outstanding work.

The first dramatic fall from a horse is done by Henry Wills, stunt coordinator for The High Chaparral. This is followed by a breathtaking fall from a cliff by Bill Shannon. Next are two more saddle falls close together; first by Henry again, followed by the great Jack Williams.

http://highchaparralblog.com/2008/06/10/mark-of-the-turtle-stunts.aspx
Stunts from Mark of the Turtle - The High Chaparral

Bob Hoy at the Memphis Film Festival

Ginny Shook — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:15:35 GMT

Come see Bob Hoy this weekend at the Memphis Film Festival. This year is a celebration of 75 years of The Lone Ranger, and 70 years of Superman. Bob doubled Jay Silverheels in several episodes of The Lone Ranger and worked with Jay again in the movie Saskatchewan. He also played the part of Perlmutter, one of the bad guys, in the 1981 movie Legend of the Lone Ranger. There will be many great celebrities at the Memphis Film Festival with wonderful stories to tell - don't miss it.

Bob Hoy in Legend of the Lone Ranger

Don Collier for Arbuckles Coffee

Ginny Shook — Sat, 31 May 2008 07:01:15 GMT

Don Collier just made a commerical for Arbuckles' Coffee (the best coffee in the world, honest). Click on the link below to go to their site and watch, or tune in to Cowboy Flavor on the RFD network. Also appearing in the commerical is Fred Imus, host of Sirius Radio's Fred's Trailer Park Bash, on which Don is the sidekick. Fred's horse Lilly makes a cameo appearance.

Arbuckle's is currently offering the Don Collier Special; a great deal. While you are visiting the site, click on Listen to the Arbuckle Legend to hear Don tell a story.

www.arbucklecoffee.com

Don Collier for Arbuckle's Coffee

Joseph Pevney, High Chaparral Director Sept. 15, 1911 - May 18, 2008

Ginny Shook — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:02:34 GMT

Joseph Pevney, who directed three episodes of High Chaparral, passed away on May 18th. He had an incredible career as a director, with many TV Westerns to his credit, such as Bonanza (6 episodes), Wagon Train (11 episodes), The Loner (6 episodes), The Virginian (7 episodes) - as well as 14 episodes of Star Trek (including the famous episode "The Trouble With Tribbles".

Here is a special remembrance about Joe, recorded by Susan McCray.

Bob Hoy in Steve Canyon

Ginny Shook — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:01:41 GMT

Check out this wonderful blog about the 1958-1959 TV series Steve Canyon: http://stevecanyondvd.blogspot.com/2008/05/roll-call.html

Plans are underway to get this series released on DVD (here's hoping the same thing happens to The High Chaparral). Bob, who played Sgt. Charley Berger, has been asked to participate in the interviews that will be included in the DVD package.

Bob Hoy in Steve Canyon

Bob Hoy at the Showstopper Western Roundup

Ginny Shook — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:43:39 GMT

Bob Hoy will be part of the All-Star Western Roundup May 17 & 18 at the CBS Studios in Studio City, CA. Over 80 stars are scheduled to appear. Spend some time chatting with Bob and get a chance to stroll along the New York street of the CBS Studios lot. Vist with High Chaparral guest stars Morgan Woodward (Saturday only), BarBara Luna, and Malachi Throne. Recently added to the celebrity list is Leif Erickson's (Big John Cannon) stunt double Jack Lilley.

For more information, go here: http://showstopperstars.com/

Happy Birthday Mark Slade

Ginny Shook — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:43:04 GMT

A very happy birthday to Mark Slade, who played Blue Cannon on The High Chaparral. Here is a scene with Mark and Bob Hoy (Joe Butler) from the episode "Tiger by the Tail."

http://highchaparralblog.com/2008/05/01/happy-birthday-mark-slade.aspx

Happy Birthday Bob Hoy

Ginny Shook — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:27:47 GMT

Today is the birthday of Bob Hoy, who played Joe Butler on The High Chaparral.

Bob got his start in motion pictures as a stuntman in 1952. He has over 200 appearances in movies and TV as both a stuntman and an actor, most recently in a 2007 episode of the TV series NCIS.

Here is a clip from the 1959 movie Operation Petticoat, with Cary Grant. That's Bob at the end, getting in the last word.

http://highchaparralblog.com/2008/04/03/happy-birthday-bob-hoy.aspx

Alex Sharp

Ginny Shook — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:23:01 GMT

Stuntman, writer, actor Alex Sharp passed away on Thursday, March 6th, 2008. He contributed two outstanding scripts to The High Chaparral - "The Covey" and "A Fella Named Kilroy." Seven episodes of Bonanza were penned by Alex. He was stunt double for James Arness in Gunsmoke and appeared as an actor in nine episodes of the show. With a career that began in 1948, Alex made a profound contribution to movies and TV, particularly Westerns.

We were lucky enough to enjoy his stories at the 2005 High Chaparral Reunion.

He will be missed.

http://highchaparralblog.com/2008/03/08/alex-sharp-at-high-chaparral-reunion-2005.aspx
Alex Sharp talks about his good friend Jerry Summers at The High Chaparral Reunion in 2005.

Happy Birthday Linda Cristal

Ginny Shook — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 09:21:48 GMT

Happy Birthday to the talented and beautiful Linda Cristal - Victoria Cannon on The High Chaparral. Enjoy this clip from the episode The Guns of Johnny Rondo, with a very young Kurt Russell.

Don Collier in Jake's Corner

Ginny Shook — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:54:38 GMT

Check out the promo trailer of Jake's Corner on the official movie website. You'll see a great shot of Don Collier. While you are on this site, take a listen to the music video by B.J. Thomas, who is featured in the movie.

Don Collier from another time -
as Will Foreman in Outlaws

Bob Shelton on Getting to Know You with Susan McCray

Ginny Shook — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 09:36:23 GMT

Bob Shelton, founder of Old Tucson studios (home to The High Chaparral) will be Susan's guest on the Feb. 12th edition of Getting to Know You at 6:30PM PST / 9:30 PM EST on www.ksav.org. Bob made Old Tucson the premier Western film location. Besides The High Chaparral, Old Tucson was the setting for John Wayne movies Rio Bravo, El Dorado, McClintock, and Rio Lobo, episodes of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Have Gun, Will Travel , Death Valley Days. Little House on the Prairie and The Young Riders. For a great insight into Western TV and movies, don't miss Bob's interview with Susan.

In the meantime, here is a great article from the Arizona Star about Tucson in TV, in which Bob Shelton and Don Collier are featured.

Leif Erickson (Big John Cannon in The High Chaparral)
and Bob Shelton on location in Old Tucson

Susan McCray interviews Bob Shelton at The High Chaparral Reunion
August, 2007

Even brothers fight

Ginny Shook — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:59:26 GMT

Another fun scene from the episode The Covey, with a great exchange between Blue and Buck and an even better fight between Sam and Joe.

http://highchaparralblog.com/2008/02/07/even-brothers-fight.aspx

Mark Slade in Waikiki

Ginny Shook — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:31:31 GMT

Here is a little clip from the 1980 made-for-TV movie, Waikiki, in which Mark Slade has a co-starring role. Mark plays a character that is a 360 degree departure from Blue Cannon.

http://highchaparralblog.com/2008/02/03/mark-slade-in-waikiki.aspx

Susan McCray Live on KSAV

Ginny Shook — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:01:26 GMT

Getting to Know You with Susan McCray on KSAV.org is going to be live again! Tune in to this very special broadcast on February 19th at 6:30PM PST / 9:30 EST. You can call in to ask Susan anything - about The High Chaparral, Little House on the Prairie, Father Murphy or any of the many other shows she cast, her husband Kent McCray, her father Harry Sukman, Michael Landon, or one of the many exciting guests she has had on her program. The phone number to call in will be 1-800-407-KSAV - but don't call in to talk to Susan until February 19th at 6:30PST / 9:30 EST.

Susan McCray

Don Collier at the Sedona Film Festival

Ginny Shook — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:47:08 GMT

The movie that Don Collier filmed last summer, Jake's Corner, will be presented at the Sedona Film Festival in Sedona, Arizona. The festival runs from February 27 through March 2. Jake's Corner is scheduled to run on Friday, February 29. Go to the festival's website for more information.

Don plays a former rodeo star named Eight Seconds. He says his lines are few but he has a lot of "face" time.

Don's latest photo

Bob Hoy in the LA Times

Ginny Shook — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:09:11 GMT

There is an article about Bob Hoy in the LA Times today (January 24th), with a great photo of Bob doing a stunt in the movie Wings of the Hawk. Click HERE to check it out.

Joe Butler never fell like this - Bob Hoy doing a stunt in
Pillars of the Sky (1956)