Season 11, Episode 2- An Invitation to Cross Plains

Hey cromrades! Today we have a surprise addition to our western season. Instead of covering a story, we got to talk with Robert E. Howard super-fan, "Indy" Bill Cavalier! Think of this as an open invitation to come to Cross Plains, TX this summer so you can take part in Howard Days 2020. This year everyone will be celebrating 50 years of Conan in the Comics and we get to do so with "Rascally" Roy Thomas! So tune in and hear all about why you should mark your calendars for June 12-13th and pack your saddle bags! We'll see you there!

Check out Howard Days on the web at the links below!
https://www.facebook.com/RobertEHowardDays/
http://www.howarddays.com/
Be sure to register for dinner and bring some petty cash with you so you can participate in the silent auction!

Special thanks to our guest Indy!

"Indy" Bill Cavalier himself!

Questions? Comments? Curses?

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Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Outro: "For a Few Dollars More" by Ennio Moriconne. Music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 11, Episode 1 - Law-Shooters of Cowtown

Howdy, friends! We're lighting out down The Western Road this season, taking a look at Robert E. Howard's Western stories, along with tales from other influential western authors! We kick things off in wild fashion this week with "Law-Shooters of Cowtown" by Howard! You can find this story in  "The End of the Trail" collection from Bison Books.

We Know The Editor!

Interested in some actual Texas history as told by an actual Texian? Visit our friend Ben Friberg's podcast "The Texian"! Tell him The Cromcast sent you!

Luke cites Frank Gruber's list of seven basic plots for westerns (via Wikipedia):

1. Union Pacific story. The plot concerns construction of a railroad, a telegraph line, or some other type of modern technology or transportation. Wagon train stories fall into this category.
2. Ranch story. The plot concerns threats to the ranch from rustlers or large landowners attempting to force out the proper owners.
3. Empire story. The plot involves building a ranch empire or an oil empire from scratch, a classic rags-to-riches plot.
4. Revenge story. The plot often involves an elaborate chase and pursuit by a wronged individual, but it may also include elements of the classic mystery story.
5. Cavalry and Indian story. The plot revolves around "taming" the wilderness for white settlers.
6. Outlaw story. The outlaw gangs dominate the action.
7. Marshal story. The lawman and his challenges drive the plot.

Josh calls out the TV Tropes page for Westerns. Check it here. The relevant quote to us is as follows: 

Much has been made of the distinction between the "classic" Western and the "revisionist" Western, the former being shiny and heroic, the latter Darker and Edgier and often embodying a paradox: "Civilization can only be defended from barbarians by men with guns, but once you pick up a gun, you become a barbarian yourself." 

Seems to align with some themes we frequently discuss on the show, doesn't it?

One Things
Jon: The Political Process, a game in early development on Steam!
Josh: The Mandalorian, a very satisfying space western set in the Star Wars universe!
Luke: Mr. Robot, which is highly recommended television!

Next week - We try to catch the "Stage to Lordsburg", an influential western short story written by Ernest Haycox, which forms the basis for the 1939 John Ford western "Stagecoach", starring John Wayne. Read it online here!

Questions? Comments? Curses?

Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Outro: "Desert's On Fire" by Murder by Death. Music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!