Most of you surely remember the classic John Wayne movie, TRUE GRIT. How many know that TRUE GRIT was filmed in 1968 just down the road from us at Ridgway??
Backing the Duke , as Rooster Cogburn, were Glen Campbell, Kim Darby, and Robert Duvall. TRUE GRIT finally brought Wayne his much deserved Oscar.

Kim Darby

Since 2007 is the 100th birthday of John Wayne, the lil town of Ridgeway decided to celebrate TRUE GRIT DAYS with a big shindig that included inviting movie stars that had worked with the Duke. Kim Darby, who played Mattie Ross in TRUE GRIT, Johnny Crawford , of the Rifleman and El Dorado, and Angie Dickinson, who played in Rio Bravo, were all invited.

Bob Boze Bell

Annee & I headed down to Ridgeway on Saturday , September 8 to join in the fun and get a look at all the stars. The town park , where the "hanging scene" in the movie took place was full of folks enjoying the country music, cowboy poetry, and great barbecue. Quite a few vendor tents were around offering everything from arts and crafts to posters of the Duke. One tent was set up by True West magazine, and low and behold was tended by none other than Bob 'Boze" Bell, the CEO of True West and host of the Western Channel on TV. Annee and I stopped in to chat with him and have our picture taken. He was quite the western historian.

Johnny Crawford

Kim Darby and Johnny Crawford were signing autographs, so we slipped to the front of the line for a quick look and a photo op. Both of them sure looked OLD! But then, I remembered them from 40 years ago.

Peggy Godfrey

Waiting for Angie Dickinson to appear, we ran into fren Peggy Godfrey, Cowboy [gal] Poet Laurettress, from over in the San Luis Valley. She was there to recite her homespun cowboy poetry for the crowd in betwixt the several country bands. We snapped a shot of her and listened to a couple of poems, before moving off in search of Angie.

Angie Dickinson

Pretty quick Angie appeared surrounded by Sheriff Deputies for her autograph signing. I was surprised to learn that she was now 75, but she sure looked great and was very personable. In spite of a pushy crowd, we were able to get a couple of shots as she walked by us.

Next year plans are to try to get Glen Campbell, Robert Duval, and maybe one or two others, who worked with the Duke. So, if you're heading to the high country of Colorado next year, plan a visit with us and set aside time for TRUE GRIT DAYS!