THE DINGUS PROJECT
James James in Film #08

Who was that masked man? Well, in 1947 actor Clayton Moore was playing Jesse James, not The Lone Ranger. That TV role came later. The Lone Ranger role on TV was surpassingly similar to the imaginary "good" Jesse James who thrilled Saturday matinee movie-goers with high action melodrama. Also look for the actress later to play Lois Lane in the TV series Superman.

LADY BIRD JOHNSON (1912 – 2007)

The mayor made it official. June 10, 1957 was declared Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Day in Portsmouth. Four decades later "Lady Bird" Johnson died at age 94. SeacoastNH.com recalls the details in this footnote to history. A year later, her husband chose not to run for office at the height of the Viet Nam War.

THE DINGUS PROJECT
Jesse James in Film #07

Historical accuracy is rare in films about Jesse James, but this old B-movie makes a solid attempt to tell the story straight. No horses jumping through windows. No Robin Hood legend. Just the facts in a well-constructed drama. The Dingus Project recommends it highly for those who want to know what really happened.

THE DINGUS PROJECT
Jesse James in Film #06

He was great in West Wing, and he looks a little like the real Jesse James. But this is Hollywood, not history. Rob Lowe, a proto-Brad Pitt, took on the outlaw role in 1994. Lowe’s version is miles ahead of Colin Farrell’s, but that isn’t saying much.