California gold in TRUE GRIT --- great movie!
Dentuck
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I went to see "True Grit" with the fam last night --- the new version with Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. It was a hoot! Highly recommended. Actually a very well-done Western, with beautiful use of language (sections of the dialogue were picked up directly from the novel, according to what I've read in various reviews). I've never seen the John Wayne version (apologies to fans of the Duke), and I've never read the book, so I only have this self-contained production as a frame of reference.
Two California gold pieces play a minor role in the film, with one of them briefly pictured. They're discussed several times, with mention of their being rarely seen "in these parts."
Money was featured in the movie in several scenes (as a theme of discussion, but also pictured in the form of obsolete bank notes being counted out).
Longacre in particular will be delighted by the scenes of young Mattie Ross running legalistic circles around a hard-nosed businessman, spouting off about writs of replevin and retainers of counsel. I can picture 14-year-old Longacre doing the same, but in urban Connecticut or Vermont instead of a Western boomtown, and in curly golden ringlets instead of pigtails.
I highly recommed "True Grit." Come for the California gold pieces, but stay for the fine acting and good old-fashioned storytelling.
Two California gold pieces play a minor role in the film, with one of them briefly pictured. They're discussed several times, with mention of their being rarely seen "in these parts."
Money was featured in the movie in several scenes (as a theme of discussion, but also pictured in the form of obsolete bank notes being counted out).
Longacre in particular will be delighted by the scenes of young Mattie Ross running legalistic circles around a hard-nosed businessman, spouting off about writs of replevin and retainers of counsel. I can picture 14-year-old Longacre doing the same, but in urban Connecticut or Vermont instead of a Western boomtown, and in curly golden ringlets instead of pigtails.
I highly recommed "True Grit." Come for the California gold pieces, but stay for the fine acting and good old-fashioned storytelling.
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When they mentioned the California gold pieces I was pretty intrigued, and when one was shown I tried to look for the names of the assayers. Nice-sized chunk of gold. I thought the bank notes were early U.S. Treasury notes.
Overall a very enjoyable film.
<< <i> I thought the bank notes were early U.S. Treasury notes. >>
Yes, you're right.... that makes more sense, given the timeframe. I guess the main action takes place around 1880, which would be after the era of the obsolete bank note.
You simply can't go wrong with a movie done by the Coen brothers!
...for a REAL treat you MUST see the original grit. ol' wayne is fantastic in the movie.
As for the Gold, it was interesting to see, but it would have been nice if another second or two allowed for a better, closer look...
A great movie, very well done, with superb portrayal by Bridges.
A Truth That's Told With Bad Intent
Beats All The Lies You Can Invent
made me think of this old thread.
I'm looking forward to seeing "Lincoln"!
All the recent talk of coins and paper money in movies got me hankering to revive this bit of Old West palaver.
I was always told that the book was chock full of historical and political references from the Gold Rush and Civil War Eras all the way to the early 1930s. Only read excerpts, however, and had to look up certain obscure historical references that Rooster C. made in the 1969 movie.
John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Kim Darby all gave truly great performances in the 1969 movie.
Jospeh T. Robinson (of Arkansas Half Dollar fame) even gets mentioned by Mattie in the book.
The 2015 U.S. Marshal commemorative silver dollar shows a wanted poster that mentions Ft. Smith, where some of the action in the book and the movies takes place.
Noticed the original post was from December 26, 2010 2:34PM.
I never heard about the remake.
Sounds pretty good!
Hailey Steinfeld (sp?) was the Kim Darby part, and she was excellent. Not to mention Josh Brolin, always great. Steinfelds uncle is Jake Steinfeld, the body building guru that used to have TV commercials selling some sort of fitness program.
Both movies were very good, although I may favor the remake slightly.
The 2010 film version of "True Grit" follows the book closer than the 1969 version does.
Here are three views of the "California gold coin" in the 2010 film "True Grit":
True Grit (2010) California gold coin views
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
I think it's probably supposed to be a Parsons and Co.
This thread resurrection reminds me - they just do not make western movies anymore it seems...too bad. Cheers, RickO
The prop piece has been identified by thebeav and I was able to find the side shown in the film.
It is copied from a Colorado pioneer gold piece made in 1860 by Dr. John D. Parsons, an assayer in that state.
The piece in the film reads "CARAT 18 1/2 DWT 25 6/10"
The original unique piece is in the Eli Lilly collection housed at the Smithsonian Museum.
There are copies made of base metal and one of these is probably the source for the prop.
I have added the film to my "Coins in Movies" website.
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television