december posting meme: my fave versions of doc and wyatt
December 17
muccamukk asked me to compare and contrast different takes on Doc/Wyatt. I don't think I can really compare/contrast, that sounds too much like a homework assignment. *g* But I will talk about five of my favorite flavors of Doc/Wyatt, in media and print.
The first incarnation I'll highlight is the Doc and Wyatt written for us by Mary Doria Russell in her books Doc (which is mostly about, you guessed it, Doc), and Epitaph, which is more about Wyatt. The books are really character studies, and aren't solely about Doc and Wyatt's relationship. But throughout these books, she builds a portrait of a very quiet, fierce and devoted friendship. For instance, from Epitaph:
...Wyatt Earp was a man without guile and could not imagine it in others. He did not anger easily or often. When he did, there was no subterfuge, no nurturing of grudges, no waiting for the right moment to strike back.
Within fifteen minutes of leaving Doc Holliday's room, Wyatt had located Johnny Tyler, flung him against a wall, and uttered a single short sentence, making it plain to Tyler and the rest of the Slopers that they would be unwise to venture back inside the Oriental Saloon. Ever again.
As intended, word got around: Anyone who laid a hand on Doc Holliday would answer to Wyatt Earp.
Best profic, or best fanfic? Flip a coin!
Fave number two is the fabulous hit of old west cosplay you can get several times a day at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, AZ. Very little in the current town re-enactment of those events bears any resemblance to the real-life version, but for that, you can stroll on over to the old offices of the Tombstone Epitaph and spend a couple hours squinting at the contemporaneous newsprint and newspaper accounts/interviews. (I did that; I literally read every word, and I only left because a) I was afraid
killabeezish might drag me away forcibly, and b) it was time for the re-enactment. Which was epic and ridiculous and hammy and dumb, and involved a crew of actors being DELIGHTFULLY self-aware, and getting the audience in on the joke. During the show we watched, a dog broke loose from its owner in the audience when the shooting started, and ran down and bark-attacked various heroes and villains and guys trying to play dead, who were all laughing so hard it was a lost cause. And what did those actors do?? Yep, they incorporated it right into the show. I was so impressed, I did something I never ever do; I worked up the nerve to go get my picture taken with those dudes playing Doc and the Earps after the show. Worth it. (Sidebar: be sure you buy a huckleberry soda while you're in Tombstone, because OH MY GOD it is pure heaven in a little glass bottle.)
The third incarnation of Doc/Wyatt I love is the 1957 movie version of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral starring Kirk Douglas as Doc and Burt Lancaster as Wyatt. Honestly, this movie is the slashiest, most self-aware film of that era; Lancaster and Douglas knew exactly what they were doing. (For proof, see Trapeze and Spartacus.) ANYWAY. Wyatt and Doc trade off saving each other. Wyatt then develops a strange and irritating compulsion to save Doc from himself, and his loyalty gets him into trouble. They spend some time gazing adoringly/admiringly at each other. It's all very manly. But it's the kind of manly that will make you break out in a huge grin every so often, much like Monty Clift and John Ireland in Red River. Bonus: DeForest Kelley as one of the Earp Bros.
The fourth fave, and my personal favorite, is the movie Tombstone. I mean, I already created my fannish love letters to it, with a vid (one of my all time faves among my own stuff, tbh) and a story. But what isn't to love? Actors who aren't afraid to embrace the deep and abiding love Doc and Wyatt had for each other, and their weird yet relatable friendship? An epic death scene with tears and heartfelt pleas to go and be loved and live life?? Hand clasps? Self-sacrificial competence?? Surprise!Heston? Excellent character actors doing the best, most gleeful work of their lives?? I mean. This is one hell of a great movie. I don't entertain folk who say otherwise. *g*
And finally, let me point you toward
astolat's Yuletide 2004 Doc/Wyatt story Blood and Whiskey. Her story sparked my imagination about the pairing, and inspired my Tombstone vid years and years later, and my own subsequent fanfic.
Bonus flavor: Although I am decidedly Not A Fan of the Kevin Costner movie Wyatt Earp (but I do give Dennis Quaid some grudging respect for his raspy, emaciated Doc, I guess) - that movie has one of the most gorgeous and atmospheric soundtracks ever written for film, by James Newton Howard with homages to Aaron Copland and other greats, and it's a go-to set of music for me when I feel like writing. Highly recommended.
muccamukk asked me to compare and contrast different takes on Doc/Wyatt. I don't think I can really compare/contrast, that sounds too much like a homework assignment. *g* But I will talk about five of my favorite flavors of Doc/Wyatt, in media and print.
The first incarnation I'll highlight is the Doc and Wyatt written for us by Mary Doria Russell in her books Doc (which is mostly about, you guessed it, Doc), and Epitaph, which is more about Wyatt. The books are really character studies, and aren't solely about Doc and Wyatt's relationship. But throughout these books, she builds a portrait of a very quiet, fierce and devoted friendship. For instance, from Epitaph:
...Wyatt Earp was a man without guile and could not imagine it in others. He did not anger easily or often. When he did, there was no subterfuge, no nurturing of grudges, no waiting for the right moment to strike back.
Within fifteen minutes of leaving Doc Holliday's room, Wyatt had located Johnny Tyler, flung him against a wall, and uttered a single short sentence, making it plain to Tyler and the rest of the Slopers that they would be unwise to venture back inside the Oriental Saloon. Ever again.
As intended, word got around: Anyone who laid a hand on Doc Holliday would answer to Wyatt Earp.
Best profic, or best fanfic? Flip a coin!
Fave number two is the fabulous hit of old west cosplay you can get several times a day at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, AZ. Very little in the current town re-enactment of those events bears any resemblance to the real-life version, but for that, you can stroll on over to the old offices of the Tombstone Epitaph and spend a couple hours squinting at the contemporaneous newsprint and newspaper accounts/interviews. (I did that; I literally read every word, and I only left because a) I was afraid
killabeezish might drag me away forcibly, and b) it was time for the re-enactment. Which was epic and ridiculous and hammy and dumb, and involved a crew of actors being DELIGHTFULLY self-aware, and getting the audience in on the joke. During the show we watched, a dog broke loose from its owner in the audience when the shooting started, and ran down and bark-attacked various heroes and villains and guys trying to play dead, who were all laughing so hard it was a lost cause. And what did those actors do?? Yep, they incorporated it right into the show. I was so impressed, I did something I never ever do; I worked up the nerve to go get my picture taken with those dudes playing Doc and the Earps after the show. Worth it. (Sidebar: be sure you buy a huckleberry soda while you're in Tombstone, because OH MY GOD it is pure heaven in a little glass bottle.)
The third incarnation of Doc/Wyatt I love is the 1957 movie version of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral starring Kirk Douglas as Doc and Burt Lancaster as Wyatt. Honestly, this movie is the slashiest, most self-aware film of that era; Lancaster and Douglas knew exactly what they were doing. (For proof, see Trapeze and Spartacus.) ANYWAY. Wyatt and Doc trade off saving each other. Wyatt then develops a strange and irritating compulsion to save Doc from himself, and his loyalty gets him into trouble. They spend some time gazing adoringly/admiringly at each other. It's all very manly. But it's the kind of manly that will make you break out in a huge grin every so often, much like Monty Clift and John Ireland in Red River. Bonus: DeForest Kelley as one of the Earp Bros.
The fourth fave, and my personal favorite, is the movie Tombstone. I mean, I already created my fannish love letters to it, with a vid (one of my all time faves among my own stuff, tbh) and a story. But what isn't to love? Actors who aren't afraid to embrace the deep and abiding love Doc and Wyatt had for each other, and their weird yet relatable friendship? An epic death scene with tears and heartfelt pleas to go and be loved and live life?? Hand clasps? Self-sacrificial competence?? Surprise!Heston? Excellent character actors doing the best, most gleeful work of their lives?? I mean. This is one hell of a great movie. I don't entertain folk who say otherwise. *g*
And finally, let me point you toward
astolat's Yuletide 2004 Doc/Wyatt story Blood and Whiskey. Her story sparked my imagination about the pairing, and inspired my Tombstone vid years and years later, and my own subsequent fanfic.
Bonus flavor: Although I am decidedly Not A Fan of the Kevin Costner movie Wyatt Earp (but I do give Dennis Quaid some grudging respect for his raspy, emaciated Doc, I guess) - that movie has one of the most gorgeous and atmospheric soundtracks ever written for film, by James Newton Howard with homages to Aaron Copland and other greats, and it's a go-to set of music for me when I feel like writing. Highly recommended.