Hi everybody, gosh, my little question did generate a vivid discussion.
Well, very intersting it is. I think I have to research if there is a
German version of that story, and it is good to know that there is an
online version abvailable on the Gutenberg site. Now I'm curious. I love
Kipling, but did never come along the story.
And, of course. if the instrument in the book actually were a gurdy I
would have remembered it. So thanks to everybody for the input.
Another question arises: how come Hollywood producers in the 30s to 40 did
know about such obscure instruments like a hurdy-gurdy? Fanfan wasn't that
success, was it?

Well, interesting topics to discuss anyway.

Have a nice weekend,
your's,
 Uli


-- 
Ulrich Joosten
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.gambrinus-folk.de





Am 09.04.11 02:36 schrieb "Jon Lucas" unter <[email protected]>:

>Hi Felicia
>Yes, I just skimmed Captains Courageous on the Gutenberg website, and
>there is this slight mention of it: "Manuel drew out a tiny guitar-
>like thing with metal strings which he called a machette."  Hollywood
>turned it into a hurdy gurdy and killed off Manuel (Spencer Tracey) so
>the boy could inherit it at the end, which didn't happen in the book.
>There are several scenes of Spencer Tracey playing the HG; don't know
>who was really playing it. Well, that's Hollywood!  I have searched
>'machette' without success; don't know what Kipling had in mind.
>Yes I know about the Couth Buzzard and have been meaning to go.  I
>look forward to seeing you there.
>
>
>On Apr 8, 1:08 pm, Felicia Dale <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Hi, Jon,
>> I've read Captains Courageous a number of times but I can't remember
>> the exact instrument in the book.  However, it doesn't play that big a
>> role in the story which may be part of why I don't remember it.  I
>> didn't care for the movie as it departed so strongly from the book
>> which I read first.  I imagine Kipling knew about gurdies but frankly,
>> taking one on even a steel ship would be troublesome for everyone let
>> alone the instrument!  I have read of a French sailor carrying one
>> with him on board of a sailing ship but when he took it out to play
>> (on land after a long sea voyage) it had essentially fallen apart due
>> to dampness during the trip.  I've played on board of a variety of
>> boats from permanently moored "exhibit" ships such as the ones at
>> Mystic or San Francisco and on boats under sail.  Neither situation
>> was easy despite having a very stable Volksgurdy.
>>
>> Not to pry, but if you live near Seattle you aren't so far from me and
>> a lot of other players.  Come out to the jam at the Couth Buzzard if
>> you get the chance!  We'd love to meet you and your instrument.  The
>> Couth Buzzard is a very nice bookstore/coffee house in Greenwood and a
>> great place to play.
>>
>> Hope to see you there!
>>
>> Felicia.
>>
>> On Apr 7, 2011, at 2:18 PM, Jon Lucas wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> > Just received my instrument (finally!) so this seemed a good time to
>> > introduce myself to the forum.  I'm a retired Master Mariner living in
>> > a small town near Seattle.  I'm especially interested in old Scottish
>> > songs and transcribing themes from classical music and adapting them
>> > to the HG.  I've wanted a hurdy gurdy for a long time but it wasn't
>> > practical taking it on ship board.  Now I'm retired, maybe I can learn
>> > to play the beast.  BTW, I chanced to see the old movie Captains
>> > Courageous the other day and was intrigued to see a hurdy gurdy as a
>> > main plot device.  Does anyone know of other movies which feature the
>> > instrument as part of the story, rather than just a walk-on
>> > appearance?
>>
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