when legend becomes fact...

...print the legend.

john wayne and james stewart made a memorable film in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence.  Story takes place when US senator, ransom stoddard returns for a friend's funeral.  ransom used his fame and "fortune" to propel his political prowess on the fact he shot and killed the meanest bully of the texan territory.  or did he shoot?

this friend tom doniphon was played by john wayne.  he was everything a woman would want in a gentlemanly cowboy.  he was loyal, strong, brave, honest and did everything for someone else, especially if that someone else is beautiful miss hallie.  tom doniphon reminds me of the current country song, winner in a losin' game, by rascal flatts.  tom sums up the chorus:

"Have you ever had to love someone
That just don't feel the same
Tryin' to make somebody care for you
The way I do
Is like tryin' to catch the rain
And if love is really forever
I'm a winner at a losin' game"

 tom doniphon is the man hallie should have married.  not to say hallie did wrong with ransom stoddard - but isn't ransom a fraud?  ransom finally told the truth about his deed to a newspaper man, who tore up his notes and threw them into the furnance.  ransom was shocked and questioned the act, to which the reporter replied, "when legend becomes fact, print the legend." 

as for me, if i were carrying around a lie and making a living off a legend, i'd feel pretty guilty for the rest of me life.  maybe ransom didn't quite have the same morals, or maybe...the public wouldn't allow him to tell the truth. 

tom doniphon is definitely a winner at a losin' game

i give this film 4.25 stars out of 5.