C. W. Johnson, Jr.

Westerns.

That Should Be A Movie: The Leadership of Red Cloud

By on Tuesday, December 3, 2024

A set piece would be when Red Cloud holds a council fire to discuss the situation with the US Cavalry in Fort Phil Kearny. Crazy Horse speaks up and says that they should attack the whites. Red Cloud agrees with him. He consults the spiritual advice of a Half-Man. The Half-Man takes him to the ridges near the fort and begins running back and forth. In his convulsions, he opens and closes his hands four times. He tells Red Cloud that he is scooping up the lives of the blue soldiers and that in the chief’s next battle, a hundred enemies will fall into his hands. Red Cloud makes his battle plans to lure the cavalry over the ridge that the Half-Man ran up and down. He gives the honor of being the bait to Crazy Horse. When the battle comes, 80 blue soldiers follow Crazy Horse over the ridge.

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Korean War

That Should Be A Movie: The Real Heartbreak Ridge

By on Monday, November 4, 2024

It is a war drama

In the vein of Hamburger Hill

It is like Hacksaw Ridge meets 12 Strong

It follows brilliant maverick Col. James Y. Adams

And battle-loving veteran Maj. Virgil E. “Gene” Craven

As they fight for three hills atop Heartbreak Ridge

Problems arise when the well-dug-in Communists refuse to give ground and American commanders continue to send men to their deaths using the same ineffective tactics over and over.

Together, Adam and Craven’s love for their men and personal courage will create a strategy that captures the ridge line.

The idea came to me when I read Heartbreak Ridge by Arned L. Hinshaw to find out more information about the real battle mentioned in the Clint Eastwood movie of the same name.

My unique approach would be the brutality of battle contrasted with the bravery of the men fighting it and the courage of their officers who stand up for them at headquarters.

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War on Terror

That Should Be A Movie: Operation Pineapple Express.

By on Monday, October 7, 2024

The idea came to me during the dark days of August 2021 when reports of the heroic efforts of retired service members helping their Afghan allies escape shined like a bright light of hope.

My unique approach would be the clashing juxtaposition of retired service members in peaceful and prosperous America as they use modern technology to help their allies in tumultuous Afghanistan escape the Dark Age beliefs and behavior of the Taliban and ISIS-K.

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Texas Westerns.

That Should Be A Movie: The Conner-Smith-Low Feud of Sabine County

By on Wednesday, May 1, 2024

A set piece would be when Texas Rangers with the help of a local sheriff are making their way through the impregnable thickets that cover the floor of the piney forest. All is quiet. All of a sudden dogs rush out of nowhere and everywhere in the underbrush, barking, snarling, and howling. The Rangers raise their weapons, expecting to see the feudists burst out of the woods. Instead, their ears are met by the sound of cow horns blowing through the tree limbs. One comes from the northeast. Does another blow come from the south? Southeast? As soon as the dogs appeared, they vanished toward the blowing of the horns. “Well, that does it,” says one of the Rangers, lowering his Winchester. “We’ve lost the element of surprise and might as well head back to Hemphill.” The local sheriff smiles with relief.

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African American History Hurricane Katrina Louisiana Saints

That Should Be A Movie: Saints in the Broken City

By on Monday, February 12, 2024

It is called Saints in the Broken City

It is a sports drama

In the vein of Remember the Titans

It is like The Blindside meets Invictus

It follows the long-suffering but passionate Who Dat fanbase

And the powerful national corporation the National Football League

As they seek to rebuild New Orleans after a disaster using the New Orleans Saints and the Superdome as symbols of hope.

Problems arise when the Saints lose games and the NFL seeks to exert its power over the local economy

Together the power of the local community will win over corporate commoditization and inspire the nation

The idea came to me when the Saints won the Super Bowl, and it inspired me that anything was possible as I headed to college.

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American Civil War Louisiana Strong Women Westerns.

That Should Be A Western: Whiskey Chitto Woman by Marguerite Hudson

By on Tuesday, January 23, 2024

It is called Whiskey Chitto Woman

It is a Western road trip drama.

In the vein of Nomadland

It is like Little Women meets Cold Mountain

It follows determined pioneer woman Ellen Johnson

And naïve teenage boy Sammy Jones

As they take a hazardous journey through the outlaw-infested, devastated countryside of post-Civil War Louisiana to retrieve her husband Aaron whose leg has been amputated.  

Problems arise when they encounter highwaymen and Ellen wonders how Aaron will adjust as a disabled man in an agrarian society.

Together their determined pioneer spirit and love will overcome the obstacles in their way and finish their journey strong.

The idea came to me when I was doing genealogy research while reading Whiskey Chitto Woman I found out that Aaron and Ellen Johnson were my great-great-great uncle and aunt.

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