SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
General Category => Branson Talk => Topic started by: KBCraig on June 29, 2008, 01:06:49 AM
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From 1970-85(ish), Shepherd of the Hills was just as much a part of our Branson vacation as was SDC. We only missed it once or twice, because of weather. Our routine was to "arrive after 3 (next day free)" at SDC, go to SotH that night, then spend the next full day at SDC.
When I went back in '98, I made sure to take my boys for the tour and the show, using that same routine.
Over the years I fell in love with one Sammy Lane, looked up to (literally) a couple of different Young Matts, booed a few Wash Gibbs, and knew there was only one Old Matt and Shepherd (I really miss those actors from the '70s/'80s, whose voices I can still hear).
And no matter how many times I'd see the show, there was always the threat that Jim Lane was about to finally gun down Gibbs. (With his gun worn cross-draw for the stage, instead of inside his hickory shirt with the missing button, as in the book.)
When we went in '98, the actors were of course quite different, but also good. The only disappointment was Ollie, who was just too much of a caricature.
How many others here are fans of SotH?
I still think of Branson as SDC and SotH, with a side trip to the museum at School of the Ozarks/College of the Ozarks (they changed the name). The only music shows we ever saw were Baldknobbers (once, I think), the Presley Family, and another local family show whose name escapes me. I don't care about Branson for outlet malls, or Vegas/Nashville reviews. I've never been on a lake cruise, but I wouldn't object if I had enough time and money.
I think we went one time to Whitewater. Maybe caught a few go-karts and putt-putts. We seldom went that far east on 76, because for us "Branson" started at Kimberling City (where we usually stayed, when "Branson West" was just an empty crossroads) and ended at Shepherd of the Hills.
We admired that the two attractions bought up all the land between them. As an objectivist/libertarian/free-marketeer, I still admire that: ownership is the ultimate form of zoning. Better to own it, than demand the government restrict other owners.
Anyhoo, I only mentioned that, to mention this: do you remember the Shepherd of the Hills bookstore that was in the middle of nothing between SDC and SotH, on the north side of 76? When I was a kid, there was an elderly widow who owned the place, which was a fascinating bookstore. When I visited in '98, I could see the old building, which looked like it had fallen in.
Sorry for the rambling. SotH: big fan, or not?
Kevin
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yea im a pretty big fan of soth but i just wish they had more to do there. maybe more crafts demos and themed shops like sdc. its such a big place yet you can go there in the middle of the day and there are hardly any people.
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Loved Shepherd of the Hills but only went a few times with my family as a kid and a few more when I worked at SDC. I would like to go back though and see it again.
I very much remember the old bookstore out on the curve. I always wanted to go in there but never made the time (poor excuse) and now it's gone. That cut-through made traffic a little easier to manage, but really took away one of the things I always enjoyed....the twisting and turning drive through the hillside. I know this sounds crazy, but you really did feel like the characters from Harold Bell Wright's novel might have traveled those same windy pathways as you drove on them.
There is mention of the bookstore in the link below:
http://www.themessagetree.com/march2003/therapeofthehills.htm
I did venture up one of the old roads that used to intersect off of the main highway just to see if could locate the old gift shop and I'm not sure if what I found was the same bookstore or not, but here are a few photos of "something" that existed at around the same spot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skinnytie/250878159/in/set-72157594296835039/
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It's a shame about the road, but it did need to be done. I remember traffic backed up for miles as people tried to turn left, and the local folks with stickers on their front bumpers: "I'm a native, I'll help you turn left! <-----"
Dad had a rule of only turning right except at stoplights (there were only a couple of them back then), which helped a lot. We usually stayed at Kimberling City, so we had a right turn into SDC, then turned right to get to SotH.
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Hahaha! Your dad and my dad I think used the same game plan. He would plan out EVERYTHING including when we would hit what and when. We always did the SDC campground though, so that shoots down the right turn angle quite a bit.
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We've been once and we didn't really like it. I was younger so I don't remember it all that well.
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SotH is definately a great show with good effects and an excellent sound system. It's packed with history that we often talk about in regards to rides and other attractions in the area. With much of this history being erased by projects like the Branson Landing, SotH and SDC are two of the last refuges of this history. I think you just have to visit the performance at SotH and tour Old Matt's cabin at least once, but I'm not a fan of any of the surrounding gimmicks they've added or tried. Even much of Old Matt's cabin has been compromised with furnishings not always being of the period. Plus, I thought Inspiration Tower was always a weird addition. I remember when Mercy made fun of it in the evening show at SDC.
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The tower is definitely strange and out of place. I was reminded of Oral Roberts' "prayer tower".
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It’s a great novel. I would love to see it made into a movie, but the movie should follow the actual novel. The play in Branson is fun, but the script needs a little re-working, but over all a great show.
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As I recall, there have been several movies made from the book, the worst of which stared John Wayne. It made the family moonshiners and was fillmed in the Sierra Madres. The premeried the movie at the Owens Theater in downtown Branson and the locals were more insulted than amused. Were it not for the fact they got to meet John Wayne, they probably would have reformed the Baldknobbers right there and then!
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The John Wayne movie was horrible.
There was a 1919 version which Harold Bell Wright helped direct. Other versions were made in 1928 and 1964. I haven't seen any of these, but I keep an eye out for them.
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Same here. During my childhood, it was always SDC and SOTH. Didn't really do much of the Branson thing. Of course back then it was only the Presley's and the Baldknobbers. Nonetheless, those were the only two things we did. I miss the old days where you could drive for miles outside of "branson" before making it to SOTH. I miss seeing "Jim Lane's" cabin and all the remarks relating to the story. Also, back then, they tried to make out like the story was true and everything was factual. I also remember when taking the Homestead tour, they would take you by "Mad Howard and Little Pete's" cave and describe how they found his living quarters in the back of the cave, but it caved in and is no longer accessable. Oh well....the good old days!
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I picked up a 1969 36-page program at a garage sale, last weekend, and was thrilled with the shape it's in. It featured SDC & Dogpatch, along with many other area attractions. If anybody is interested in seeing the contents, I'll scan them & put them on my flicker account. Still researching, we have a Harold Bell Wright in our family tree from KY/TN...
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Along with my endless supply of SDC ephemera/photos etc, I also have a large mass of SOTH items as well, I will eventually get to those when I am finished with my SDC items.
Funny that yesterday I had a hankering to watch SOTH, and got out my John Wayne version to watch!
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It's cool. I've been to it twice. The first time, it was, like, October or November, and we froze our booties off. The second time I went, it was only about a month after I had finally been able to read the book, and found that having read the book kinda made the show a bit less interesting to me. The best version of SOTH, as it almost always is with anything, is the book.
And the book I have? The 1907 first edition. Not in mint condition, but mostly just with the cover picture fading and the binding worn a bit.
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We have yet to take our youngest group to the show. I love going in the fall when the temp drops and they serve hot choc. Hate the picture takers before the show.
Taking the home tour, tower and the show have become a bit pricey. Can spend the day at SDC which has more to do, see some good shows, for a better price.
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Shepherd of the Hills is probably my favorite place in Branson to visit. The turn of the century era is my favorite time era. I have been going there since I was 8. I turn 38 next week. I never get tired of seeing the performance. Times have sure changed though. When I was a kid my parents, two sisters, and me used to pack a picnic meal and go out there about three in the afternoon. We kids played around the character statues and mom and dad just relaxed. Once we ate we would head down to the theater for the show. I remember my parents carrying my two sisters back up the steep walk way. We never road the jeeps. I have four kids now and all but the youngest has seen the play live. We watch the dvd all winter long to satisfy us in the off season. Yes I am a very big fan of SOTH.
Bransonreg
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I watched the show last year and loved it.. terry sanders was hilarious.
this year i finally made it into inspiration tower for the first time it was a nice ride to the top with my eyes closed.. lol
i'm terrified of slow glass elevator rides
well, that's it.. hahaha
the view from the top is amazing i liked the open air portion better than the top
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Two nice videos, about 5 minutes each.
I'm glad to see the wagon slide has become an iconic part of the show. It was something my dad always loved, and seeing the video makes me wish he was still here to see it. :-\
I just noticed we don't have a TUBE mod here... Shave, can we get that?
Here are the direct URLs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjIFCXgjWp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeI0zPQ4e_8
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Having read the book, seen the show, and having collected almost all of HBW's works (go figure, me...collecting things!), I love this book/show. I went on a 13 hr trip (Alabama/Florida) this week, and have difficulty reading in vehicles w/out feeling bad, so I downloaded the audio book of SOTH from iTunes, and just listened to that! The voice took a bit to get used to at first, but it is the full unabridged version.
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Love Shepherd of the Hills! I have fond memories of the place. I graduated high school in Branson in 1980, and graduating with me was Kelly Trimble, whose dad, Mark, OWNED "the farm!" Kelly and I sat together with some other friends each day at lunch at the high school, and he once invited me to a sleep over, where a bunch of us guys would take sleeping bags and spend the night in Old Matt's Cabin. I regret I never had the chance to take him up on his offer. Kelly and I graduated with a girl named Shawna Snadon, and her dad, Gary, bought the farm when Mark Trimble sold it! Shawna was a great gal, we worked together in the summer of '81 at Hee Haw Theater in Branson. Several of the people I worked with at SDC had night jobs at Shepherd of the Hills. See how many of these names are familiar to you: Terry Sanders, Jeff Kimes, Jennifer Cameron, Bill Signs, the list goes on.
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I didn't go until I was in my 20's and that means I had been going there for 20+ years before attending. I had read the book and loved it, we just never went! I enjoyed the play, and was very happy with the portrayal of the book. I would think that spending the night in Old Matt's now would not be allowed, if it is....SDCFANS SLUMBER PARTY!!!!!!
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We have not been to the show in years. I do love the hot choc and hot apple cider in the fall. When we last went for the day we found it a bit to pricey for what we got. Love the show not fond of the park.
Does it really cost that much for someone to ride to the top of the tower?
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Interest in "historical" attractions in Branson has dropped significantly. In recent years SDC has cut back on the arts and crafts stuff, a staple since the park was founded, in favor of rollercoasters and other things that attract a younger demographic. Shepherd of the Hills attendance has dropped in recent years. In the days I worked at SDC, it would have been impossible for "Veggietales" to be presented there, 'cause it really does not fit the 1880's theme. When My wife and I visited SDC during the kidsfest a few years ago, the shops were stocked with all sorts of neon colored plastic and rubber toys (crap) that would not have passed the muster for theme twenty five years prior. TRENDS CHANGE. PROGRESS OCCURS. TO BE PROFITABLE, A BUSINESS MUST ADJUST TO CURRENT FADS, POP CULTURE, and so on. To be honest, very frank, Mark Trimble probably sold SOH at the right time, now Gary Snadon has to charge more for things like the tower and the play in part because not as many people attend. I've noticed in recent years the play schedule has been pulled way back from what it used to be. In the "old days" when I lived in Branson, you could never pass by the homestead without their being a parking lot full of cars, and people all over the place. Last time my wife and I visited, we pulled right up next to the McDaniel homestead, walked through the gift shops, and left in about 30 minutes. There were more employees there than visitors, and that was in August. Has anyone ever visited Bonniebrook? It's the home of the lady that invented Kewpie dolls. It's north of Branson just off Highway 65. When my wife and I visited there about three years ago, we had the place to ourselves. I took a tour of the house, and I was the only one on the tour. The caretaker of the place, who lived on site, gave me the tour. When my wife and I were leaving, only one other visitor was there. The historical attractions and arts and crafts were most popular in the 1960's and through about the mid-1980's. For better or worse, it's a part of the romantic past we all remember from your youth.
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In recent years SDC has cut back on the arts and crafts stuff, a staple since the park was founded, in favor of rollercoasters and other things that attract a younger demographic. Shepherd of the Hills attendance has dropped in recent years.
SDC sent out a survey last year asking about new craft demonstrations on park, so it seems they're considering adding to (or at least changing some) of the crafts on park. Perhaps greater visibility of the crafts at SDC will increase interest in SOTH. It's a stretch, but it's possible. :)
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^I was thinking about that same thing recently. I do hope, however, that with the aggressive move of some of those proposals it doesn't end up being just a "factory tour", but that it retains the romantic quaintness of the Ozarkian olden days.
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Personally, I hate the tower at SOTH. It would be one thing if it was themed like a fire tower or otherwise fit in, but it's just plain ugly.
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I always remember when the tower was first built. Mercy Purvis the third-and-a-half would make fun it (implying that it ruined the landscape) during the evening show with Rodney Dillard and the Dillards.
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I love Shepherd of the Hills!I only went once but the family usually wants to do other things or we run low on funds.I need to correct myself,ive been to the play once and two years ago i went up in the tower and took the tour.There were not very many people last time i went.
I think partly why the crowds are not what they used to be at SOTH is cause there is so much more to do in Branson.Maybe its just cause the times they are achangin or people have or both.
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The Christmas dinner Cowboy Campfire thing was pretty neat. My entire family attended that when we went to SDC over Christmas. The "Trail of Lights" wasn't all that great though.....bumper to bumper and some of the themes made me say out loud a few times..."what were they thinking?" It's pretty neat to drive around the area though. Behind the stage was pretty cool. After 40 years of Branson, I never knew what was behind the "mill".
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Some SOTH brochures
Pre 1971 season
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/SOTHpre72-1.jpg)
1971 season
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/SOTH71.jpg)
Regional guide 1971
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/SOTHentguide.jpg)
map of the farm
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/SOTH1970map.jpg)
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Wow, Rube! More neat stuff I'd never seen before. You collection of material is great!
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Some sad news, this week...
Earl Lewis Maggard
Funeral services for Earl Lewis Maggard, age 88 of Reeds Spring, Mo., will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson with Rev. David Easley officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Mo. He died at 10:51 a.m. , Monday, February 1, 2010 at Skaggs Regional Health Center in Branson, Mo. Earl was born on September 13, 1921 in Mayes County, Oklahoma, the son of William H. and Annie Roberts Maggard . He was a longtime resident of the area and for many years, was employed with Shepherd Of The Hills Farm where he was a blacksmith, tour guide and played Jim Lane in the Outdoor Theater. He was also owner and operator of Maggard Buggy Sales in Reeds Spring, Mo. He is survived by his wife, Cathy Foster Maggard of the home; three sons, Earl Leon Maggard of Kuna, Idaho, Larry Duane Maggard of California and Richard L. Maggard of Anchorage, Alaska; one brother, Robert Maggard of Eugene, Oregon; four sisters, Lea Bimat of Bakersfield, California, Dora Davis of Visalia, California, Freda Green of Texas and Thelma Braun of Branson, Mo; 17 grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Danny Joe Maggard; a daughter, Bonnie Watson; and one sister, Claudia Green. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.
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Today at SOTH they announced the new Vigilante Extreme ZipRider, launching off the top of Inspiration Tower beginning Memorial Day Weekend, 2010!
I will be doing this for sure.
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Finally! A use for the tower!!!
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The draw of SOTH has never been that big for me. An attraction and outdoor play based upon a novel...no matter how important it was to the area....never sounded like a good time to me. History buffs I am sure will disagree. I did take the time, and I do mean time...2 hours, one Christmas to drive through their display. It was definitely a been there, done that moment for me.
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The play is an adventure. Don't count it out in lieu of a Christmas display or a look from the tower - not just from a historical perspective, but it's just a good, adventurous program. You might even see Terry "SDC" Sanders and his family in some of the roles.
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after riding fire in the hole i became interested in SOTH. im a huge fan of what they have going there but i do think they should add a few things. what to add im not sure
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LOVE the book. LOVE the play. One of my favorite places in Branson. I think its wonderful but strange how more people don't really know about it.
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LOVE the book. LOVE the play. One of my favorite places in Branson. I think its wonderful but strange how more people don't really know about it.
Same here. It's sad that a lot of people don't even know SoTH is there. I've heard some visitors to SDC ask why that tower is there in the distance.
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Please understand, that in the '60's, '70's, and early to mid '80's, Branson was a very different place. Our country-nation was in a different place. During that period, because of the folk music scene, because of a heightened interest in "getting back to the land" and in arts and crafts, HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS like Shepherd of the Hills, Silver Dollar City, and places like Colonial Williamsburg were HOT tourist destinations. There was a big interest during that time in the Kewpie doll inventor and illustrator Rose O'Neill, who lived in Branson. This trend led to the development initially of Mutton Hollow and Lloyd Durre, who for years played the shepherd in the play, even had his own TANGLEWOOD nature trail tourist trap on Fall Creek Road (All that's left of it is a couple of hewn log cabins along side the road that have been rented out as shops in recent years.) Also, Shad Heller's Wilderness Settlement and Toby Show was a part of that era. As you all know, trends change, and interest in historical attractions has waned. Note even SDC has cut back on the arts and crafts emphasis. IT PAINS ME to read in this thread that some of you younger folks didn't even understand why Shepherd of the Hills was even there, But I understand. Anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the development of tourism in the Branson area should pick up an excellent book by Lynn Morrow and Linda Myers-Phinney titled "SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS COUNTRY: TOURISM TRANSFORMS THE OZARKS, 1880s-1930's. The book is published by the UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PRESS and is available in book stores, or if it's not on the shelves, you can order it as it is still in print. As I said in another thread on SDCfans, last time I visited Shepherd of the Hills, my wife and I were in and out of there in 15 minutes...there were few visitors...and when we visited Bonniebrook, home of Rose O'Neill, located north of Branson, we about had the whole place to ourselves. I went to high school with Kelly Trimble, whose dad, Mark owned Shep. Hills...I said it before, and I'll say it again...Mark sold Shep. Hills at the right time in the early 80's, he saw that it was time to retire and get out...Gary Snadon, current owner, has had to jump through hoops and make many changes to the homestead to keep at least some visitors going back. The tower did that in the 80s/90's, and a zipline will do it for the next few years. Business is business, ya gotta make money to keep it all going. Somebody will come up with another new idea in a few years and places like the Shep. Hills Homestead will shift and change to meet the demands of new, younger visitors, who don't realize what the origins of the homestead are, or what the place meant to the Branson area fifty to a hundred and twenty years ago. God Bless! (Junior now gets off the soapbox, again!)
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Branson just isn't Branson without the Shepherd of the Hills. Whatever it takes to keep the rich history of this area alive is something that I highly support. That is what makes Shepherd of the Hills, and Silver Dollar City more than just a generic attraction. They are both based heavily upon the real foot steps of the people that explored this great area before us.
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...and the choir says, "Amen!" ;D
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I really do love SOTH. But have you ever tried to read the book? I've tried several times, but I am not real good at reading the original King James Version. It's just too hard to understand fully. I wish they'd make a New American Standard version...(note the obvious Bible reference)
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Big fan of the book. I read it long before I saw the play. My first read was around grade 11 or 12, and I haven't read it since. I did download the audio version since I cannot read in cars though does that count?
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HAHA Yea it counts ;D
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From the "You learn something new everyday" category: I never realized local Branson residents protested the showing of the John Wayne film "The Shepherd of the Hills" because it differed greatly from the book. I have a copy of Jerry S. Madsen's booklet "Branson a Time Line History," (Purchased at SDC a few years ago) and there is a photo of a guy protesting the showing of the film at the Owens Theater in downtown Branson in the 1940's. The sign reads "Paramount's Shepherd of the Hills Unfair to original characters, We uns dont like 'hit! Hillbilly Local No. 0001"
A banner hung below the marquee on the theater by Jim Owens, the owner, reads in part "Neighbors we don't like it- but here it is."
I posted the photo for you to view on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
The text by the photo reads in part: "All the business people and dignitaries of Branson dressed in their finest and with smiles on their faces entered the theater with great expectations...but before the film progressed very far folks were leaving the theater in disgust. Aunt Molly, a very kindly woman, was portrayed as a vicious bootleg moonshiner and the story differed from the book almost entirely. After just a few minutes of the film, the town's people offered to hang producer, cast and all." Madsen added, "The movie folks did make it out of town without harm or tar and feathers..."
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From the "You learn something new everyday" category: I never realized local Branson residents protested the showing of the John Wayne film "The Shepherd of the Hills" because it differed greatly from the book. I have a copy of Jerry S. Madsen's booklet "Branson a Time Line History," (Purchased at SDC a few years ago) and there is a photo of a guy protesting the showing of the film at the Owens Theater in downtown Branson in the 1940's. The sign reads "Paramount's Shepherd of the Hills Unfair to original characters, We uns dont like 'hit! Hillbilly Local No. 0001"
A banner hung below the marquee on the theater by Jim Owens, the owner, reads in part "Neighbors we don't like it- but here it is."
I posted the photo for you to view on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
The text by the photo reads in part: "All the business people and dignitaries of Branson dressed in their finest and with smiles on their faces entered the theater with great expectations...but before the film progressed very far folks were leaving the theater in disgust. Aunt Molly, a very kindly woman, was portrayed as a vicious bootleg moonshiner and the story differed from the book almost entirely. After just a few minutes of the film, the town's people offered to hang producer, cast and all." Madsen added, "The movie folks did make it out of town without harm or tar and feathers..."
That's great, Junior!
I had pretty much the same reaction. I first saw SOTH in the early '70s, bought the book at the gift shop, and saw the show (and re-read the book) almost every year thereafter. When I saw that John Wayne abomination, I wanted my money back for the video rental.
I love the book, even with the hillbillification of the local lingo. I read it again last year (the 1969 printing that I bought as a kid), and I've encouraged the rest of the family to read it. None have, but they probably need to experience the magic of the live show first.