The Virginian's Hat - The Virginian (1962) Discussion

[–] dclady55 14 years ago

Yes, I've noticed it, too, about James Drury's hat. When I see him on the EncoreWesterns inserts about the recent 'The Virginian' get together in Pigeon Forge, TN, I wonder if that is an original hat he is wearing from the show(I don't think it is). I'm a detail watcher of TV shows, like the above poster,too. Clothing, furniture, I love to look closely at the sets and outdoor locations. The producers of 'The Virginian' were so good about filming outdoors in the beautiful scenery. Some of the wonderful old TV westerns use soundstage sets too often. To me, its cheap looking and distracting in the scene. Poster, my family accuses me of being too picky, oh, well...I think we're just more observant.

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[–] jvr1980 14 years ago

I mean no Dis-respect to the Virginian, but his hair looks as if its a 'Hair Piece' Always; ever hair in place. This could have something to do with the size of the hats he wore. Just my humble thoughts.

Its just the cowboy way.

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[–] shelby0296 14 years ago

No disrespect taken from here (and I doubt he'd have any thought of it). If you look at the older tv series (and movies), the male leads rarely got their hair mussed. If they did muss, it would quickly be made right by one swipe through the hair with the hand. Don't we all wish *our* hair did that?

The reason I don't think it's a "rug" is because of the scenes when he fights, and loses his hat. His hair flops around, and he has to run his hand through it to get it back in place. Not something that any "rugs" would do. I do notice that it always looks freshly combed, when he takes his hat off. I wonder how much "styling product" was used on it (lol).

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[–] jvr1980 14 years ago

Thank you Shelby0296. Yes I have noticed The Virginian running his hand through his hair. But glad you mentioned it, as I hadnt given it any thought. We get 'The Virginian' on Monday nights on the 'Retro Channel' on our Dish programming and they only show 1 episode a week and they are still in the 'Judge Garth and Betsy' days. And of course with 'Steve'.. Of course, ever day Mon-Fri; we watch the show on Encore. We still Miss, "Betsy, Steve and Randy' but it is still our Favorite. Trampas, just couldnt be beat. I Wish to Thank All who Share Input on this Great Western. Its good and Knowledgable to hear others thoughts, On This Great TV Silver Screen Program.

Its just the cowboy way.

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[–] shelby0296 14 years ago

So far, I do prefer the earlier years. On another thread, we had been discussing that we didn't much care for Elizabeth Grainger, but that she was better than Jennifer Somers. Although, I'm starting to find "better" to be doubtful.

The original cast just had such a great chemistry, well, except for Molly, it was a bad idea to try to have a female character playing the three primary male leads against each other. I don't think that the viewers liked a woman trying to come between them like that.

I only have Encore Westerns, I bought the first season DVD (but have managed to lose it in a move, I'm sure I'll find it again, but I'm pretty upset right now). I hear the second season is out, and I'm looking into getting that one. I probably won't buy any of the seasons after Steve left though.

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[–] shelby0296 14 years ago

@ dclady55. Oh good, someone else who notices that stuff <smile>. I prefer "more observant" too!

I have noticed that on some of the outside shots, that they used different film stock, different lenses (and frequently stock footage of cattle drives, with no regulars to be seen).

I love to note when they switch out from their standard film to a different type (the picture becomes very grainy).

I sort of miss the "good" costumers though, in The Virginian. You can tell it was made in the 60s (so far on Encore), because the styles of the tops of the dresses are not 1890s style. Another little nit (the hair isn't generally right either, but I'll give a pass on that), I know.

The furniture they used just makes me smile. I *adore* Victorian furniture.

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[–] jvr1980 14 years ago

Thanks for your posts Shelby-0296. In regards to the Stock footage, Being raised on a farm, I noticed that in some episodes, even in the same 1, They will show a Herd of Long Horned mixed breed cattle and the next time They will be Short Horn White Face Herefords. But as 1 gentleman on here posted once. "Thats Hollywood Baby". Thanks.

Its just the cowboy way.

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[–] ronaldt49 14 years ago

I've enjoyed your and Shelby-0296's posts. Let me throw my two cents worth in.

Watch the opening of the Virginian with James Drury riding his horse following the camera vehicle. Look to the right of your screen at the vehicle tracks left there. Notice they are fairly large tracks, too large to have been left by the buggies of the day. These tracks could have been anything (car, pickup, farm wagon etc.) since this looks like a typical country dirt road you might even see today in open country. If you have dvr, this is easy to see when you pause it.

The show is based in the 1890s during the days of the early automobiles but at the time the autos had tires that left tracks about the same size as the buggies and stage coaches of the day, not as wide as they became later.

For a better reference of the cars of the times, recall in the movie Titanic, based in 1912, the car that Rose and Jack played around in. Also watch the John Wayne movie, Big Jake, based earlier than Titanic, the tires on the REO Speedwagon featured briefly in the movie.

By the way, you now know how the musical group of the 1980s REO Speedwagon got its name if you didn't already know.

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[–] shelby0296 14 years ago

@ronaldt49... Thanks for the positive comments <smile>.

I have noticed that, at least before they changed the "ride in". Had you also noted the road was 'wet', while the sides were dusty/dry?

What I have often wondered, watching these shows daily (rather than the original weekly)... What prompted them to change the *way* that Mr. Drury rode his horse.

The first 3 seasons, he rode with his right hand on his thigh, holding both reins in his left hand. Looking very relaxed and comfortable. Then they changed the "ride in", and he was holding the reins in both hands, with his elbows bent, looking very stiff and uncomfortable.

I never got why they'd want that. He should have looked at home on horse (as he did originally), but he looked (in later seasons opening credits), like he had never ridden a horse for more than an hour or two.

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[–] gallopinggandalf 13 years ago

In the day, the classic western style of riding was to hold the reins in the left hand, with the right hand on the thigh (or in moments of panic, on the horn of the saddle!). Over the years, this position has been pretty much abandoned in films. If you look at the riding style from Gene Autry films, to John Wayne films, to the most recent "Cowboys and Aliens," you'll notice a huge difference in western riding style. Be mindful as well---not only are actors expected to make their marks, the horses are expected to as well! Actors may have to ride to a specific mark--which may require several takes--and the director/editor chose the shot where the actor looked the least comfortable, but the best shot for horse and rider. I love your attention to detail!

I ride western and dressage, and have ridden all my life--trust me, as I have gotten older, I don't have the same comfortable riding style I did when I was in my 20s...

BTW, Mr. Drury DOES wear a very expertly fashioned toupee in the series. His hair aside, Mr. Drury is an awesome horseman, who demonstrated his obvious love for horses in such small details as patting Joe D's neck or by running his hand over the horse's croup to let Joe D know he was walking behind him. Mr. Drury's own attention to detail brought his passion for horses to the screen...just one of the many things I love about the Virginian series!

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[–] microx96002 14 years ago

Regarding Mr Drury's hair, it was just his style I guess, as it never changed, no matter what TV or Movie he was in. I'm sure it's still the same today. The stock footage of the cattle drives, I'm sure they were taken from old Universal westerns, thus the color change and graininess. I even have noticed an occasional black and white shot in the stock footage scenes. As for James' riding technique, I agree, he did look more relaxed and professional in the early "ride-in" sequences. Did anyone maybe consider that the day they shot the new scene, maybe he was hurting, that might account for the "stiff" ride. Incidentally, this is my absolute favorite TV western, leaves all the others in the shade. I've been a fan since I first saw TV back in 1963.

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[–] shelby0296 14 years ago

RE: Mr Drury being hurting, it's possible, but considering how often they would shoot varying scenes, they could have shot one where he didn't look like that. I have noticed that in the mid 60s when they showed the "real men" riding, almost all of them held their arms that way.

Heck, when I was a kid, and making believe I was riding a horse, I always held my arms bent at the elbows (and so did all my friends). I think it was the "in" thing at the time.

I just know I dislike it (because it even makes Doug McClure look tense and uncomfortable). Come to think of it, all the guys ride that way in the later seasons ride ins.

Annie

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[–] debrajosbo 14 years ago

Yes, I have noticed the hat thing but I always gave them the benefit of the doubt that maybe cowboys had more than one hat and switched up.

I, too, thought James Drury eventually wore a hair piece held securely in place with glue. In the first couple of seasons his hair was a little thinner (he wore it to the side) then suddenly became thicker and darker. Regardless, he was
GORGEOUS!

"Can I ask a dumb question?"
"Better than anyone I know!"

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[–] shelby0296 14 years ago

You know, that man would have been gorgeous bald, even if Hollywood bigwigs thought that no one would watch a bald guy (well, until Telly Savalas). Even older, he is still as cute as a bug.

Anyway, having watched a show he did, after TV ended, his hair was back to slightly thinner, but less fake looking. Not sure what was up with the bushy hair he had going for a while (you know, the wig looking stuff).

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[–] debrajosbo 14 years ago

I had THE biggest crush on James Drury. ( I also had rotating crushes on Trampas, Steve, and Emmett) but the Virginian was my #1! Don't know if the studio thought the "fuller" looking head of hair was de rigeur or if perhaps
J.D. might actually have been a little vain about his thinning hair. What ever
the reason, the "mop" definitely wasn't necessary. The man was (and is) SEXY!
I still love the strong, silent type!

"Can I ask a dumb question?"
"Better than anyone I know!"

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[–] js5905 11 years ago

I've noticed the hairpiece, at least in the Charles Bickford episodes, on Mr. Drury; bit it may have nothing to do with his vanity- maybe he was told to wear it for the part. An awful lot of actors wore them; especially back then, it was just considered part of the work.
As far as the wheel marks in the opening credits, and in town, I have to believe they are intended to be buggy tracks. they are so visible; it can't have been an oversight- appearing week after week. they had better than average attention to detail on this show. was a pretty big budget production for NBC.

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