Boler! / Exploring History / Hikes And Summits / Other Fun / Then And Now
by Chris Doering · Published May 1, 2024
…franchise of the late ’70s/early ’80s. Many scenes were filmed in the Calgary area and Southern Alberta and we visited many of these locations about a decade ago. Those Then & Nows…well, frankly they suck…and we’re determined to reshoot as many as we can and update the postings. Barons Alberta… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…from some old west movie or TV series, you’re about right. It’s part of a film production set, located where the plains and majestic Rockies meet south of Calgary. If you’ve watched something western themed on the tube, silver screen, laptop, whatever, there’s a chance you’ve seen these very buildings… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…we can tell. They quit providing accommodations at some point, the pub providing the only income. In the late 1980s it appeared in a movie no one’s ever seen, Dead Bang, doubling as a bar in Mexico. Is the El Coyote sign from then? Makes sense – might as well… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…a fairly busy road. Couldn’t even hear in when on the property, the coulee blocking all the noise. It was still and quiet, in the cool air of a spring morn. The keyword is ranch… Scott Ranch – actually a movie set. Brokeback Mountain then and now – Twist Ranch… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…rocks, debris, downed timber and still lots and lots of snow (in places deeper than my height…and I’m tall). And this was late June. They might still be there! Avalanche Sharks: a D movie (or worse), staring no one you’ve ever heard of nor will hear of again. Stupid but… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…to had a Hollywood connection, appearing in the 1970s Linda Blair flick Wild Horse Hank shot in the area. This author viewed the film and indeed there were some of this make and model playing a part in the movie, although not painted up with horses as seen here –… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…canal and turn right, taking the path beside it. We’ll parallel that water course, the Little Bow System, for the next kilometre or two. At one point we have a view of Lana Lang’s house from the 1980s movie Superman 3. We pass a trailer park, one of two in… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…of us. This lake by the way, was a used as a setting in a movie (1987 – Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge – a film no one has seen) and I came here to not only soak up the views, but also to do one of our trade “then and… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…pawn shop or second hand store, or you can use old and retired equipment you already have lying around. If you frequent this site you have no doubt seen the time lapse movies we’ve made and after being asked numerous times, we are going to share our little secret on… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…Chris and Connie This engine is quite a movie star having appeared in many films. Noteworthy of that is “Days of Heaven” by Terrence Malick. We have the privilege of working with this director (actually his costumer) in the making of the film “Tree of Life”. We used to have… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…in movie screen. I’m still not completely sure how it works. Just beyond is a nice lookout point on the top of some cliffs. There are nice views of Mt Baldy to the east, Barrier Lake below and many more peaks to the south. To the north, there are lowly… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…some early to mid 1940s International K series medium duty trucks. One appears complete and is for sake, the other is perhaps a parts vehicle for the first. Interestingly, we saw a third K Series in a movie that same night. Also at this location is a mid 1970s Dodge… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…elevation gain was fairly significant this feature gives one the illusion that you are not that high. Looking around there are nice clear views of the connecting Jumpingpound Ridge extending for many kilometres to the south. Turning east there is Moose Mountain (Brokeback Mountain to movie buffs) with its visible… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…and Bobby Brown lived at Walkers Landing about a half mile from the east side tower. “Everything was scheduled for Thursday, March 6 as THE big day. All the bigwigs were there, newspapermen and movies. Nothing happened, however. They had a rockslide on the west side. This delayed operations for… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…to boutiques and some bistro that serves kale, or something like that, but famously in the 1970s was the city’s bluvie-movie theatre. Trenchcoat central! Pinball @ Pinbar! Resist the urge. We have a rule on these city walks – if we pass a non-chain convenience store, we have to stop… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…Brooks: tonight we roam! Exploring with Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd) Movie Experts: Here’s a hold over from another era, even if that era wasn’t all that long ago, an honest to goodness movie rental place. Remember those? Late fees? Rushing to the shop to get the latest title… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
Exploring History / Hikes And Summits / Old Things / Other Fun
by Chris Doering · Published March 12, 2020 · Last modified February 8, 2022
…were. This was not planned, making the discovery all the more pleasant. Finally, the piece has been published April 08th 2020…King of Bolertown (again). _____________ The perfect horror movie set. Category: Exploring History. All that’s needed is some half dismembered body hanging from that hook. A perfect slasher movie setting,… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
by Chris Doering · Published April 21, 2021 · Last modified June 27, 2021
…next time we’re in Champion. Across the road, it’s the Gas Plus closed for many years now. The building is briefly seen in the 1990s road movie Leaving Normal (a too-cute Thelma & Louise according to one critic). Other parts of Champion are seen too, but most of the filming… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…let our minds wander. All those weddings, funerals, fundraisers and regular Sunday services – we can see it playing out like a movie before us. Then after many moments lost in thought and with a blast of chilled-air, it’s back to reality. Damn that’s refreshing and tingly blowing up your… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…cold! If not for the movie Amityville Horror ruining it for us in regards to gambrel (barn) roof structures, we’d pick number two as our favourite. It’s a pleasing design in every way but we can’t stop thinking portal to hell and hidden demons. Saw that movie as a kid… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…has stopped and seemingly some long ago. Given the historic nature of downtown it’s no wonder that a number of movie and TV productions have filmed here. It’s been used in the latest Ghostbusters movie, the series Fargo and most recently the Last of Us. Then! We’re looking up Main… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…us guys with the cameras. Accompanying them is a “junk yard dog”. Stereotypes here, right out of a movie… 9) From another chapter in the “handbook”, this home made tractor. Love how farmers can take what ever is lying about and make something useful and productive out of them. They’re… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…all hell and seems to sell or offer a little bit of everything. A short list: general groceries, smokes, smoker’s paraphernalia, movie rentals & sales, there’s a candy counter, a pizza joint inside and a coffee bar. Yum, crispy chicken too. But wait, now it gets interesting. Plumbing parts? Dry… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…pooled power on this line in particular account most trains are US bound. UP locomotives are most often seen. The train was photographed at two locations, one using an old building for framing and some two dozen clicks west at the bridge just above scenic Lundbreck Falls at the entrance… (Search hits: 0 in title, 1 in body, 1 in comments.)
…the event. Locations are pre-scouted (each year it’s in a different area) and a schedule made, both tasks a great deal of work. There is and has been other Ghost Town Conventions across the prairies, organized by others. The Saskatchewan one was the original we believe. Let’s get on with… (Search hits: 0 in title, 1 in body, 1 in comments.)
…sense that helps us lock onto their locations, even if well hidden. Such was the case here, a feeling overpowering, directing us to this one. As though possessed, we turn in unison, and even before our eyes lock onto the target, point in that direction and together shout “Boler!” This… (Search hits: 0 in title, 1 in body, 0 in comments.)
…edition. A big shout out to Jason Sailer, who organizes the event. The effort put in to finding locations and arranging access with land owners (where applicable) is no small task and for this we thank him for his hard work. There’s sometimes GTCs in other prairie provinces, but these… (Search hits: 0 in title, 1 in body, 0 in comments.)
…it, is the Unity Cenotaph War Memorial and its surroundings. We’ll seek the subject out and do our best to duplicate every aspect of the original in angle and composition and then we’ll post it all here and chat about it. There’s two locations to visit in this case –… (Search hits: 0 in title, 1 in body, 0 in comments.)
by Chris Doering · Published August 9, 2017 · Last modified February 8, 2022
…detail demonstrated by the BIGDoer team. Beforehand there is a commitment to contacting the stakeholders, gaining their confidence, and getting permission to explore some of these remarkable locations. Afterwards there is a dedication to fully researching the subject and obtaining as much valid and important information as possible. This combined… (Search hits: 0 in title, 1 in body, 0 in comments.)
…when wet. Please help us by sharing this article. By the way Valley Motorcycle Park is not the full name of the facility. We have to be a bit vague on details like this and in regards to locations, to protect the property. The owners don’t want people dropping by…. (Search hits: 0 in title, 1 in body, 0 in comments.)
Kenopsia: "the eerie atmosphere of a place that's usually bustling with people but now vacant or abandoned."
Posted
Don Wilson: The Greenhill Hotel Blairmore AB is Timeless
Byron Robb: Superman 1978: Cemetery Scenes
Don Wilson: RCAF/CFS Alsask Radar Dome
Sharon Wingenbach: You Are Here: Corral 4 Drive-in Calgary
Rob Pohl & Arturo Pianzola: Alexandra Bridge Fraser Canyon BC
Bob Fortin: CPR Illecillewaet Bridge Revelstoke BC
Rory Brown: Downtown Calgary & CPR Tracks 1977-2014
Dale: The Forgotten Cemetery of Morrissey BC
Sharon Wingenbach: MacDonald Bridge Calgary ~70 Years Apart
Gary Small: Polish Hall Coleman Alberta (1927)
Twold7: Calgary Inglewood Haskins/Victory Block
Gary Small: CPR Bow River Bridge (Abandoned)
Ken Newel: Grain Elevators of Turin Alberta
Gary Small: Silver Creek Coal Mine Skunk Hollow
Bonita Hudson: Coleman Miners’ Hospital 100 Years Apart
Posting soon!
Byron Robb - Zeke - Rob Pohl & Arturo Pianzola - Don Wilson - Johanna (Connie) Biggart - Dale
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