Opua: RED RIVER
Opua: RED RIVER
By chance I watched two 1948 movies in succession.
The second was Howard Hawks’ classic Western, RED RIVER, about the first cattle drive from Texas to the new railhead at Abilene, Kansas, which took place in 1865. John Wane and Montgomery Clift star, with an impressive supporting cast that includes Walter Brennen.
HAMLET to RED RIVER might seem a decline, and Shakespeare’s words compared to the dialog in Red River it is; but it is also a transition from the tragic to the epic; and my preference is a matter of record.
Although it was filmed in black and white, Hawks captured the grandeur of the land, the hardship of the trail, and a dramatic stampede.
I don’t know how historically accurate RED RIVER is. I suspect that it is closer to the truth than Olivier’s HAMLET is to Shakespeare. Something like that cattle drive took place, and it and the opening of the American West were epic.
----------
My hopes of spending time on deck the other evening were blown away by a cold south wind. I had a glass of wine standing in the companionway, above deck from chest up, beneath the protection of the small dodger.
Because there has been only light wind both days, I’ve been able to lower, fold and stow the jib; remove the servo-rudder from the Monitor; scrub the dinghy; and get coats of oil on the tiller and most of the interior, including the forward cabin.
Today I walked about half way to Pahia and back.
The “No Exit” boat is still there, sinking in a sea of weeds.
----------
More than a dozen boats were in last evening’s race.
I was on deck for the start. I enjoy studying the sails, seeing who is moving and who not and why.
The first leg was to windward toward Pahia. After the boats disappeared, I came below and had dinner.
About an hour later I looked out and saw the leaders returning under spinnaker.
----------
A week from now I should just be landing in Chicago.
Saturday, October 31, 2009