BILLY BONES

Put me down for a pair. BB

Just a note: The mainsprings on the Pederasoli Queen Anne are flimsy, and are the same on the Harper's Ferry pistol. Granted, the Queen Anne's on POTC have been through more than any pistol has a right to go through, but I've changed the mainsprings on several. They seem to break right at the bend in them.

Whoever wrote that has never seen Kiera Knightly. She is friendly, cooperative, funny, and has no entourage. When she's not delivering lines, you might see her sitting on the steps to the quarterdeck of the Pearl reading a novel. Yesterday, she gave a long performance and was magnificent. She is the most striking woman on the set, but only through her natural beauty. She is quite friendly with the crew, and everyone I've seen her come in contact with. Where do they get this stuff?

My office is a captain's cabin. I'm still in the Bahamas, but return home Saturday, so maybe I can post some pics. Might give you some ideas. BB

But Foxe! Not for sale? Is it a rather large size?....Oh yeah...not for sale.

OK, mates. Being in the prop department of 2 & 3, and knowing the whereabouts of the props from the first movie, I can truthfully say that not one single actual prop has been sold on ebay, unless it was a Disney sanctioned sale, as were some of the original costumes sold early on. We are still using 90% of the props from 1, and I know what prop houses still have the remaining props. Even the coins are not the type used in 1,2,or 3. They were actually cast for the films, and are unlike any you can buy on the market. As far as cutlasses, they also were created for the film, and are unavailable anywhere at this time. The Sword in the Stone has some lookalikes available of Barbossa's sword, but since they made the original, it seems only fair. No props would be available to anyone, unless they were stolen, and the chances of that are extremely slim. Beware of locks, chests, etc. as well. Most of the chests used are made from scratch, or they are able to be purchased at pier 1, or someplace. No letters of authenticity are valid. Barbossa's hat was for sale? Yikes!!! Don't fall for that one! BB

I forgot. It's my feeling that bucket boots may have been worn as a stylistic trend, much as they are now, but only on shore, not universally, and certainly before 1700.

I, for one, ocassionally wear bucket boots to functions that I feel warrant it. By this, I mean that if I'm at a Halloween party, or a function where the general public will be present, I feel compelled to wear them, since that's what the public expects. Otherwise, I'm barefoot, sandaled, or wearing shoes.....OK, now there are the inevitable questions about educating the public about what a pirate really wore. Hey, I look good in bucket boots! I know what's right, but at certain times, I wear them anyway. As stated by previous posters, wear 'em if you feel like it. Just know what's correct for the function you're attending. BTW, I'm frankly quite sick of bad bucket boots, as it seems that every "pirate" on POTC must wear them, except, of course, the actual ship riggers, who go barefoot or wear tennis shoes. BB

Anything about Roberts could calso be good. Do you have a propmaster? I am one, and would be very interested!!!

When you watch Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and most especially 3, watch for a beautiful pistol-cutlass and a double-barreled blunderbuss with bayonet. There is also a grenade launcher present, and an original 4 barreled duckfoot. Pretty cool stuff, and should get some oooos and awwws from the oddball gun enthusiast. There are some pretty unconventional deck guns you might enjoy as well, but they're somewhat of a surprise. BB

Foxe,

I was going to add something here, but I couldn't get past Hiram V. Noodlewhacker. My apologies.

Actually, that sounds like a tome I would be interested in reading.

Hey mate. Sorry we couldn't meet. On the allotted time for your visit, we were filming in the Exumas, with no internet service to speak of. I apologize. BB

I think I'd go for a more serious saying, which mates more adept than I have already suggested. Just personal taste, but if I'm going to have something permanently on me body, it had better mean something to me. BB

Correct me if I'm dreaming this, but as encouragement to those who prefer to use a latex paint to simulate tarred items, I seem to recall a study of several Civil War (American) tarred haversacks, and the results on their analization concluding that many were covered in something closely resembling black latex paint. I'm sure that many were Confederate manufactured haversacks, which could have dubious ingrediants in their mixture. I have seen some reenactor haversacks which had been painted with latex, and in time, the stuff actually gets that kind of brown cast in the wear spots that actual tarring gets. It also repels water to a point, but doesn't seem to permeate the fibers like tar does. In other words, you get leaks. Just throwing that out there. BB

OK, I've made the flags, and every day, we fly one over the basecamp. There's been alot of nice comments, but also some controversy. Mainly on the shapes of the flags (proportions). Some of my flags are bordering on square. It looks better with some of the designs, and when flying your ensign from the mizzen, they don't interfere with the guns or drag in the water. I have yet to find a Pirates Flag Regulation Manual, but the production designer is appalled that they don't all fit the 3x5 type of format.

It also seems irksome to him that some are 20 feet on the fly, and some are 10 feet, once again alluding to regulations. Of course, many flags of the period were almost square. I also took the liberty of painting a couple of the flags, rather than sewing on the design. It's my opinion that this is correct as well on some of the more intricate patterns. As far as materials, I've used linen, hemp, wool, and yes, due to budget, some cotton. Let's face it, the industry thinks that all pirate ships are the Queen Anne's Revenge, and that all pirate ensigns should be of the size for a flagship. No dugout canoes, pinnaces, sloops, etc. Now as far as the supposed Jack Rackham flag, The design is pleasing and the message straight forward. I can understand picking it. It would, however, have been just as easy to design something original. The ensign is well made, by the way, and is of linen.

I was commissioned to make these flags in a month, during which I was home for Christmas, my mother broke her hip, my basement flooded, my dog died, etc., so it turned out to be the month from hell. Frankly, I don't care if even one flag makes the film at this point. I just want to go home. Oh, am I whining? Thanks again for your input. BB

The thing in Jack's hair is a bone. It actually, on close inspection, looks like the penis bone of some aquatic animal. When I get back after the holidays, I'll ask somebody.

Thanks again Foxe, et all. Of course, please remember that I'm dealing with writers, directors, and everybody else's concepts of piracy. As has been pointed out to me, this is a fantasy, and we must have things that the general public will be comfortable with (in their opinions). I am sneaking in some of your research and ideas. I had a pretty good idea what I was going to do, but it pays to get some other perspectives. I've found that in this business, ocassionally, you can slip in a more authentic perspective or item, and it will slowly open up people's minds to the idea. Thanks again for your help! BB

I just found out that the "head of production" mentioned in the story was actually an extra we had for a couple of days. Tells you a little about the validity of his story.

All etc.

Let me know when you're coming down. I'm going to Nassau also, for a day. Maybe I could get you on set during POTC III, if you don't bring a camera. We're about an hour away by plane.

Oddly enough, I've never heard of a Jason Kakabean (or whatever), and I never heard of this incident, and I'm living at Port Lucaya. There were a couple of robberies out of rooms there, but people running for their lives seems a bit much. BB

We were fortunate enough to have a showing of the trailer about 3 weeks ago at a party to boost morale. It was on a wide screen with dolby sound. Cool!

Foxe, I didn't get the e-mail, I'm afraid. Sorry it'sd taken so l;ong to get back to everyone.

Once again, the Rackham flag flies over the Pearl, but the one we have is quite well done, not silk screened. I'm not sure if this is the same one used in the first movie.

Bess, sorry, but the baldrics weren't made by Sword In The Stone. I just hesitate giving out the guy's address or number until I talk to him. First name's Brennan, and he works out of a small garage, not a shop. He's made most of the baldrics for these shows as well (for the principles). BB

The man that made Jack Sparrow's baldric has a small leather shop in the San Fernando Valley. I know he got the buckles from England. Not much help, but maybe it's a lead.

Help me with research for POTC III. Thanks!!!