BILLY BONES

You can take pictures, and I'll be forever damned that I didn't think of that, but I won't be going back until after October. By then, they'll be on POTC II, but maybe I'll make a special trip when they come back. Hope I didn't sound like I was gloating. I was, but I hope I didn't sound like it. It's funny, I'm a tough old fart, worked in this business for almost 30 years, worked with a lot of great actors, traveled the world on shows, and I never got star-struck or anything when I was working---it's just a job----but when I saw those 10 racks of props from floor to ceiling, I got kinda giddy! Guess it was just Pyrate overload---like seein' Flint's treasure for the first time.

By the way, as an encouraging note, the folks at POTC II are picking up the props next week, I believe.

I've got about 30 of the coins from POTC. It was all legal, but read how under PIRATE POP. No, I don't want to sell them!

As some of you may know, I'm a propman in the film industry. This week, I went to L.A. to gather some props for my current project. As I walked into a friend's prophouse, guess what I saw? The sign reading PIRATES YE BE WARNED, with some skeletons hanging in gimlets, Boxes of treasure (coins, goblets, jewels, gold nuggets, etc.), the see-saw wagon that Jack and fought on, Jack's boat with the crow's nest that he rode in on, all the swords, 30 cannon, several row boats, the rigging from the Black Pearl, all the ship's flags, the leather drinking jacks, pewter mugs, bottles, barrels, lanterns, rubber swords, the statue from the blacksmith's shop,the Governor's curtains,in fact, almost everything used in the film!!!! Being a pirate, I ended up with some of the treasure and a couple of mugs. I was there for three days, renting props, but also playing with all the cool stuff. I just got back, and thought I'd better spill my guts before I went to bed.

I don't have a specific quote. All I know is that the lovely Miss Death has been the most consistently kind, encouraging, and welcoming pyrate on the board (kind for a pyrate at least). True, she's rather free with other people's money, but she does share, on occasion. No one works as she welcoming new mates to the pub. I'm a lazy ol' bas--- well, salt. I get tired of writin'---even for rum, but she's always there. Maybe she needs to get a life (just kiddin' darlin'). She's one of my favorites, for what that's worth, even when she's been ready ta run me thru. I don't know about the nice ass part, but everything else seems ta be true.

Hatcrafters is great, and used alot by the film industry for obvious reasons, but the felt is rather cheap. The hats actually crease, kinda like cardboard. I don't know if there's different qualities.

I'm pretty sure you have to be certified in Canada. I worked at a black powder store for 13 years, and have shot blackpowder for 30, and I've never had to be certified.

I've gone the last 4 years or so. Hope to be there again this year.

Yes, The War That Made America. I'm not in Pittsburgh yet. They're paying me to stay home right now. Duncan, I'll be there for about 3 months, starting around the 7th of May. Bill

You really don't have to worry about a flag being made out something too heavy to fly. Old flags were usually made out of a wool similar to broadcloth. I've made pirate flags out of heavy cotton with double thicknesses, and it flew beautifully. The skull, or whatever was sewn on. Sewed it on 2 separate fields, then sewed them together. ....after all, Viking sails were a heavy wool, and they flew just fine!

You know, this is the second time I've wondered about this particular cutlass. I thought the blade looked quite a bit shorter than the Museum Replicas version. And so much more reasonably priced...makes me wonder if it's a kind of knock-off (I'm not casting aspersions about the quality). What do you think?

If you look closely at the sword that Will Turner sticks into the doorlatch of his shop, the blade is aluminum. I have aluminum versions made of almost every sword used by anyone in a film, not just actors. They are a much safer alternative in movies,and as stated, almost all sound is added in post-production, so that any dialog can be isolated. Even spurs don't jingle jangle jingle til post-production. I also have rubber versions of swords made for horse falls, etc. Deacon, I was one of Hayes' Rangers in North & South 1 (Swayze pulls my Paterson after I'm shot.) Made props for 2.

Me grandson has been a pirate since he was fished up on land. He's never without his piratey clothes on, but it's a high quality Halloween costume. Not overly authentic, but he looks and feels good in it! I've had to resew the belt three times from wear. You can get them for a pretty young little scamp, and I venture to say for an infink (thanks Popeye). Anyway, I don't think authentic clothing for a baby would be very piratical, since the kid would wear a christening gown type thingy, I would imagine. ..........Congratulaions!

I have many old sword wounds from me two sons and grandson. It's a hard life bein' a pirate dad.

OK, last month I was headed for Texas to work on a Civil War film, but it got pushed to mid summer. Now I'm definately flying to Pittsburg to work on a French & Indian War documentary for WQED (public TV) next week. Any pirates in Pittsburg?

Bet yer wonderin what happened to me. The movie got pushed til July or so. I'm sorry to all for not lettin ya know sooner. Now I'm going to Pittsburg to do a film on the French & Indian War.I'll contact all of you when I really get to Texas. Thanks!

Well, I got on once, but being a rather poor typist, I couldn't keep up with the conversations.I'm really not the chat-room type, I guess. Had no problem with the site itself, and I'm on a mac.

Jas. Townsend has a nice period buckle, but you'd have to bend a brass wire around the center post to make a tongue.

As I stated on another thread, I made one by buying a black sheet at Walmart. You can get a king-sized sheet for under 4.00, and buy a white one for your design. Already hemmed!

I've never had a problem other than scorching my beard alittle.

The impression is even better in that such a beautiful woman is wearing it! You compliment each other.

I worked with Joe Pantiolano on a movie where he played a gay dime novel writer in the old west. Kind of a different role for him.

Now my first reply shows up!

Zorg,I wrote earlier, but I guess I must have still been asleep, and didn't post it. Is the buttcap much different from the one pictured on their site? Cool pistol! 2 days ago,I was daydreaming of getting a pair of them with belthooks. Congratulations on your new baby!

Cool, Zorg! I was actually thinking a couple of days ago that a pair of those with belthooks would be nice, if I ever get rich again. I'm glad to hear they're as nice as I thought they'd be. It says that the buttcap would be plainer. Is that pic from their catalog, or does yours have a different buttcap? Congratulations.