coronado3 wrote:The first one I will keep forever even though it does not fit. It was a gift to me from Mr. Ford.
Tell us more....
I regretted making that comment the instant I sent it. I'll tell the story though I recognize this is a tough house wherein which to tell it.
Some years ago, long after ROTLA but well before LC or even Saving Private Ryan (I'll connect the two) I was called directly on the phone by Mr. Ford, he wanted to talk to the curator of the 45th Div Museum ... me. Seems he'd was considering a roll in a film centered around a sergeant in the 45th Infantry Division during WWII. (This project latter became SPR I was told later)
He was at his home in Wyoming (or is it Montana?) we spoke about the subject in great detail for some time. Before we parted I asked him about the jacket he wore in the movie as Indiana Jones as I was of the opinion that it was a pre WWII G-8 Navy aviators jacket and was engaged in an argument with a fellow I know. He was quite candid in his response.
He told me he had no idea. That it was just the costume he had to wear for the film. He went on to explain that there was a rack of these jackets on site with what he thought was up to 20 jackets, just in case he ruined one. His stunt men had special jackets as well. There were also a large number of hats, shirts, and trousers on set for the same reason. The jacket he had on when he was running from the natives at the top of Raiders was not leather but some cloth material.
Mr. ford asked me if I could recommend some books he could read about the history of the 45th in WWII. I told him yes, a vast number of books.
He provided me an address to Paramount Studios upon my request where I told him I would mail him a list. What I did was to gather up all the books we sell out of our gift shop, package them up and I mailed the package to the address he provided and to his attention. About three or four months latter I signed for a package sent to me from Paramount Studios. Inside was this leather jacket and a note from a woman stating that Mr. Ford thanked me for the books and sent this jacket in appreciation.
Neat, eh?
Well... I don't know where this jacket originated but it was by no means screen worn because it was brand new when I got it. I did notice, as it was glaring, that the manufacturers label had been removed from the back of the collar. It never did fit me but it swallows my wife who has worn it every winter since then.
Well, there it is. Please don't inundate me with mountains of questions about it. Remember, it's possible that he had his people just buy one from some vendor and sent it to me. Who knows?????
I found Mr. Ford an amiable, pleasant fellow and easy to talk too. A very nice guy. We have not spoken since. No doubt the conversation was unremarkable to him, but very memorable to me.
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