Chinese (zodiac) Year of the Horse

Happy New Year, but wait the best new year doesn't start until Jan. 31, 2014.  I'll explain...

If you were born between the following dates: 02/11/1918 - 01/31/1919, 01/30/1930 - 02/16/1931, 02/15/1942 - 02/04/1943, 02/03/1954 - 01/23/1955, 01/21/1966 - 02/08/1967, 02/07/1978 - 01/27/1979, 01/27/1990 - 02/14/1991, 02/12/2002 - 01/31/2003, you were born during the Chinese (zodiac) Year of the Horse.  The Year of the Horse starts from Jan. 31, 2014 (the Lunar New Year and Spring Festival of China) and lasts to Feb. 18, 2015.

Because I was born during the Year of the Horse I have always considered these years as very lucky for me.  My son Michael was also born during one - what could be luckier?

Lord knows we could use a little good luck around our place, so I'm really looking forward to Jan. 31, 2014

Merry Christmas 2013

If you've been following of my blog over the past couple of years I hope you've enjoyed my many tales about cowboys, horses, canoeing, Chatsworth movie locations and family history.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  We hope to see you again in 2014.  Until then Kasidy sends her best Holiday kisses.

Three Stooges at the Iverson Ranch

The Three Stooges started out as a vaudeville slapstick comedy act in the 1930s, and are best known for their numerous short subject films.

The act started as Ted Healy and his Southern Gentlemen, consisting of Moe Howard, his brother Shemp, and Larry Fine.  Over the years the stars changed, and -- at one time or another -- included Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard, Joe Besser and Joe DeRita.

Three Stooges films lensed on the Iverson Ranch in Chatsworth include:

Gold Raiders (1951) starring George O'Brien and (Three Stooges) Moe Howard, Shemp Howard and Larry Fine (Iverson Ranch) United Artists 

Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959) starring (Three Stooges) Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe DeRita (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962) starring (Three Stooges) Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe DeRita and Vicki Trickett (Iverson Ranch) Normandy Prod.

‪Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- John Agar‬

John Agar (1921–2002) was an American born film and television actor.  His premier role was opposite John Wayne, Henry Fonda and Shirley Temple in John Ford's Fort Apache (1948).  His first wife was Shirley Temple.

John Agar's Santa Susana locations filmography includes:

Fort Apache (1948) starring John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple, Pedro Armendáriz (Corriganville) RKO

The Magic Carpet (1951) starring Lucille Ball, John Agar, Patricia Medina, George Tobias (Iverson Ranch) Katzman Corp.

Flesh and the Spur (1957) starring John Agar, Marla English, Mike Connors, Raymond Hatton (Iverson Ranch) AIP

Waco (1966) starring Howard Keel, Jane Russell, Brian Donlevy, Wendell Corey (Iverson Ranch) A.C. Lyles Prod.

The Undefeated (1969) starring John Wayne, Rock Hudson, Antonio Aguilar, Roman Gabriel (Iverson Ranch) 20th Century Fox

"The Virginian" (TV Series) episodes: The Mustangers (1968);  Another's Footsteps (1964)

"Death Valley Days" (TV Series) episode: Pioneer Doctor (1963)

"Bat Masterson" (TV Series) episode: Farmer with a Badge (1961)

"Whirlybirds" (TV Series) episode: Four Little Indians (1960)

Adios Katie, vaya con Dios

Miss Kate's Best Gingham aka Katie born Jan 26, 2006, Tampa, FL

Katie, my registered Dalmatian, died with bone cancer Dec 9, 2013, Woodland Hills, CA

RIP Katie darlin'.  You will be missed.  Katie was a true coach dog that loved our horses.

More Funny Business on the Iverson Ranch

With it's magnificent rock outcroppings, rugged chaparral, and oak tree studded landscape Chatsworth's Iverson Movie Ranch, and it's 25 miles of scenic chase roads was the perfect back drop for the antics of such comedy greats as Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and Marjorie Main.

Over several decades dozens of delightful comedies were lensed on the Iverson Ranch.  Included here is a second list of a few of my favorites... 

Son of Paleface (1952) - Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Roy Rogers and Trigger (Iverson Ranch) Paramount

Fancy Pants (1950) - Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Bruce Cabot and Jack Kirkwood (Chatsworth Trains) Paramount

Mexican Hayride (1948) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Virginia Grey and Luba Malina (Iverson Ranch) Universal

The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Marjorie Main and Audrey Young (Iverson Ranch) Universal

The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959) starring Lou Costello, Dorothy Provine, Gale Gordon and Jimmy Conlin (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Fred Clark and Lynn Bari (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm (1951) starring Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Richard Long and Meg Randall (Iverson Ranch) Universal

The photo above was taken just west of the old Chatsworth train depot shot during a scene in Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955)

In another post we'll have a look at the Three Stooges and their Iverson Ranch adventures.