There Should be a Biography Movie about John Moses Browning

[Hugo]

The title would be so easy too. The Gunsmith or 1911 would fit nicely. Who would play JMB though? Paul Newman as the old JMB maybe? Who as the young JMB?

Plus it would probably have to be an Independent film. Hollywood might not touch this bio pic.

Same thing for Alvin York or Audie Murphy. Thier stories would make good, original movies today, even if remakes of movies from 50 years ago.

 

[longeyes]

Young: Ed Norton.

Old: Bruce Willis.

 

[hub]

that would be great. one of the first books i read all the way through(that i didnt have to) was a autobiograpy about him and the weapons he designed that my dad bought me when i was about 13.

 

[TimboKhan]

I don't know if we read the same book, but the biography that I read was really good, and actually would serve as a good basis for a movie, although I can't imagine anyone but us gun-people would watch it.

 

[sm]

Well Phooey!

Related.

Who has the link for the John Moses Browning illustrated story that was linked either here on THR or on TFL? I did a quick search and did see it on either forum.

Link sent you to a PDF file and I forget how many pages?

I have it "somewhere" I hope. It is not on this HDD as I thought.

Just a nice illustrated story about JMB, his family, guns and all.


Please tell me someone still has this.


Steve

 

[Chipperman]

I copied it to my hard drive at home. If nobody can find the link, I'll send it to you.
I was annoyed that they conveniently ignored the 1911, though.


Who can play Audie Murphy better than himself?

How about Tobey Maguire for a young JMB?

 

[Chipperman]

Found it
http://www.herstalgroup.com/english/pdf/bd.pdf

 

[longeyes]

How about Tobey Maguire for a young JMB?

That would be the kinder, gentler, more sensitive JMB?

 

[das028]

"That would be the kinder, gentler, more sensitive JMB?"

Yeah he could play a gay JMB!

 

[Bill73]

See these links:

http://www.theunionstation.org/museums/browning/browning.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Browning

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3707/is_200008/ai_n8927492

http://www.bobtuley.com/johnbrowning.htm

The Musem is well worth the trip if you are ever in the Salt Lake City area. I was told there were more of his guns in the basement than were on display.

 

[leadcounsel]

The history channel has a good 1 hour bio on him. I learned alot.

 

[Cliff47]

That was part of the 'History of the Gun' series. Well produced, contained a wealth to historical information. IIRC.

 

[sm]

Chipperman

Thank You For having that link !




Steve

 

[Hugo]

I think the Mormons would love it. JMB was a Morman. Any other casting ideas?

 

[default]

No idea for the young JMB. Sure, Paul Newman for the old JMB, excellent idea. How about Ben Kingsley for the middle-aged JMB? Seriously, he looks a lot like Browning, and he's an exceptionally versatile actor - Gandhi and Sexy Beast. And who will play Dieudonne Saive of FN?

 

[mjolnir]

Paul Newman? PAUL NEWMAN?#?(*&@???????
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (BCPGV)

Staff: 32
Founding Chair: Nelson T. "Pete" Shields, III
Chair: Sarah Brady
President: Michael Barnes
Treasurer: Mark Ingram
Secretary: Lois Hess

Board of Directors:

David Birenbaum
Carl Bogus
John Corderman
Lee Fisher
Larry Lowenstein
John Phillips
Helen Raiser
Maurice Rosenblatt
Jeanne Shields
Odile Stern
Edward O. Welles

Publication: Washington Report, quarterly
PAC: National Handgun Control Voter Education Fund
Membership: 250,000 dues-paying members. HCI claims 1,000,000+ members, but this includes contacts by interested parties by any means.

In 2001, Handgun Control, Inc. changed its name to Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The organization originated (1974) as the National Council to Control Handguns (NCCH), a group which lobbied for government restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms through support for restrictions on the manufacture, importation, sale, transfer, and civilian possession of handguns. The organization voiced a desire for an eventual handgun ban through gradual steps, but changed its name and espoused goals due to results of a survey. In 1991, then HCI amended its Articles of Incorporation to reflect its support of restrictions on rifles and shotguns as well.

BCPGV National Committee:

Lauren Bacall
Marjorie Benton
Ellen Burstyn
Jackie Cooper
Joseph Curran
Stephan Dart
William Dorman
Gerald Dunfey
Kenneth Gibson
Rabbi Jos. B. Glaser
Betsy Gotbaum
Michael Gross
Elliot Jones Halberstam
Mariette Hartley
Richard Hatcher
Janet Gray Hayes
Andrew Heiskell
Hal Holbrook
Maynard Jackson
Albert Jenner, Jr.
Shirley Knight
Patricia Kennedy Lawford
Edward Levi
John Lindsay
Marsha Mason
Jane McMichael
Patrick Murphy
Paul Newman
George D. Newton, Jr.
Victor Palmeri
Russell Peterson
Sol Price
Milton Rector
Will Rogers, Jr.
James W. Rouse
Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler
Neil Simon
Dr. Emanuel Taney
Eli Wallach
Ruth Warrick
Francis Wheat
James Whitmore
Andy Williams
* * * * * * * *
(also for you "Tremors" fans, note Michael Gross, who played the paranoid gun/survival nut...ironic, hunh?)

 

[Bill73]

Browning was recruited to come to Salt Lake by John Smith after the settlement was made. He had three wives and at least nine to 12 children by each. Most of the cars in the Musuem were his collection, donated by a couple of daughter after his death.

 

[longeyes]

How about a sitcom? The Browning Bunch.

 

[hksw]

Ugh. I would prefer JMB's magnificent history NOT be soiled by hollywood's dramatic creative licensing. I've no doubt he would come out as a womanizing, racist, alcoholic with an evil mind bent on making efficient designs meant to destroy everyone and everything.

 

[Chipperman]

Wasn't that Maxim's intent?

"If you wanted to make a lot of money, invent something that will enable these Europeans to cut each other's throats with greater facility."

I love that quote.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

It would be an interesting study of technology, but I doubt that it would sell a LOT of tickets.

The History Channel might make something of it -- if it hasn't already.

 

[Preacherman]

I don't know that Hollywood would ever stick to reality. They'd be too tempted to "slick up" the story for box-office mojo. Imagine Johnny Depp as JMB and Kiera Kightley (sp?) as his first wife???

 

[Bill73]

That reminds me of the movie with Jimmy Stewart about the Winchester Rifle. Can't recall the exact name, Winchester '73 I think.

 

[Husker1911]

Three or four years ago, I attended a weekend Libertarian event outside Keokuk, IA. Before leaving the area, I was compelled to travel over the river to Nauvoo, IL. There JMB's first gunshop is restored, and nice Mormon folks will give a guided tour of the historic facility. I felt I was stepping on hallowed ground! I didn't have the heart to tell the nice people there that the pistol displayed in the glass case as a Colt 1911 was actually a Browning 1935 Hi-Power!

 

[sm]

One of my wishes...

...

Does anyone remember Hal Halbrook portraying Mark Twain in a play? IIRC it was a One Act Play.

I have always thought a Play, showing early, mid and late life of JMB , would be great.

Tom Selleck.

Mr, Selleck could be the lone actor doing this and travel about perfoming this in conjunction with various RKBA efforts.

Then again a few other Pro Gun folks could be on stage as well, even have Cameo performances of local folks such as DeVos running for Gov of MI, if the play was performed there.

In TX have Suzanna Gratia-Hupp be on stage as a member of JMB's family.

This could be done with other Folks as well - single actors, small cast, short plays of folks like Keith, Applegate, Jordon...

Still think how great to have a Pro Actor do a one man, one act play of JMB in WI in conjuntion with the Fund Raiser coming up?

--
I like live theatre. I still like Children's Theatre. One of the best plays was "Swiss Famliy Robinson". Oh yes the guns went BANG! and The Smoke was there...12 year actor firing and not only kids in the audience wide eyed and jumping back in seats - the adults too.

Imagine talented Kids doing a JMB performance. Some 10 year old playing JMB, and having to demonstrate his design to Win, FN or somesuch.

Someone needs to write a short simple play. One kids and adults - even Tom Selleck, could do anywhere, anytime in conjunction with something Pro Freedom and RKBA.

All that would be needed is a stage, could be anything, outdoors, warehouse, a business willing to let someone use facilities, Church...anything.

Who writes plays that is a member here?