Part VIII   High Chaparral   
Buck Turns the Tables But Not Before He's Undressed Under Duress!

High Chaparral, a highly successful and popular television western set in the 1870's, aired back in the 1960's. Buck Cannon (Cameron Mitchell) is taken unawares and stripped to his underwear by a powerful gang in southern Arizona near the border. But true to the unwritten code of TV westerns, the hero soon turns the tide and wins the day.

Buck had agreed to set out and find the missing husband of an old girlfriend of his who had unexpectedly turned up at his ranch. Ann gave Buck her diamond ring so he could prove his legitimate connection once he found her husband. He was successful in his quest but on the way back, Buck fell into the hands of the Truscott gang. Having come down with a bad cold, he was not his usual careful self. He soon found himself at the wrong end of a gun. Not good.

Upon finding nothing valuable on him except for the ring he was carrying, the outlaws thought it great fun to strip Buck down to his underwear. One outlaw got his hat, another his shirt and vest, another his boots, and finally one ended up with his pants. That night after binding the sickly Buck in his long underwear, they all got some shut eye. The night was bitter cold; Buck got sicker and sicker. 
But lo and behold, Ann's husband showed up in the middle of the night and quietly freed Buck from his ropes. The boys got the drop on the highwaymen and Buck got his clothes back.

The gang members were then tied up themselves at gun point but not before they were stripped down to their union suits. Buck abandoned them in their underwear without boots in the middle of nowhere. He wished them “luck” getting loose and walking back to town barefoot in their union suits.

The March 14, 1969 episode, “No Bugles, No Guns” aired in Season 2 on NBC.

Part VII   The Sheriff and Deputy     Undressed Under Duress

          Hulu's 2013-2014 Western Series - “Quick Draw”

In 1875 a new sheriff arrives in the quirky town of Great Bend, Kansas. He brings a Harvard degree with emphasis in forensics and an enthusiasm to set this town straight. He plans to use his scholarly knowledge of the emerging science to solve crimes. And are there ever a lot of crimes in Great Bend. This television show stars John Lehr as Sheriff John Henry Hoyle and his loyal, yet reluctant deputy, Eli Brocias played by Nick Brown. It's been reported that this western is partially improvised which added to my interest. The series lasted only two seasons but is pretty funny entertainment in my book. I found myself wishing for a couple more seasons.

In my favorite episode, Sheriff John Henry is called to the coroner's office to find three very dead men laid out stiff on slabs having been stripped to their union suits. Now this is a puzzle. John Henry is going to get to the bottom of this mystery. He and deputy Eli set out in pursuit of the murderer. After a long, dusty trip they take refuge at a well kept, two story farm house. They hope to refresh themselves before traveling further. The inhabitants are an attractive young woman living with her parents. The boys are graciously asked to join them for lunch and drink. Deputy Eli soon quietly disappears while John Henry is too infatuated with the maiden to notice his absence. He imbibes a tasty alcoholic beverage with the young maiden.

It is soon apparent that Eli has been abducted by the parents, taken to the basement, gagged, and undressed under duress down to his red union suit. He is bound to a chair and held at knife point by the maiden's mother. John Henry, oblivious to Eli's plight, is soon knocked unconscious as well and is dragged to the basement. And wouldn't you know he too is tied up in his union suit.

That evening the boys are forced to perform vaudevillian acts in their long underwear for the entertainment of the threesome. Self conscious to be performing in their union suits, they persevere, singing and dancing. The results are pretty hilarious.

John Henry and Eli are once again tied to chairs. The young maiden hangs around talking to the captives, hungry for conversation, hungry for eventual murder. Then for reasons you'll have to watch the show, John Henry wiggles out of his ropes, grabs the knife the girl is holding, stabs her hand pinning it to the table and releases Eli. 

Then with the maiden screaming, the boys run up the stairs and out the door in their union suits and boots. No explanation as to why they were allowed to keep on their boots. And never mind how their captors managed to strip their britches off over those boots. Across the Kansas prairie the boys flee pursued by the maiden and her parents. Pa carries a shot gun. The fun times are over.

John Henry and Eli become so exhausted they can't go on. The union suited pair stop to rest in the hot sun. Now surely they'll be shot and killed by the rifle toting daddy. But alas, they look back at their pursuers and discover the girl collapsed. She is being attended to by the older folks. 

Perhaps the boys can get away and save themselves after all. John Henry and Eli help each other up and limp up the hill. Still horseless and in their union suits, they journey back towards Great Bend.

We, the viewers, are not privy to how they are greeted back in town in only their underwear. But never mind, you can imagine the town folks' relief to see their lawmen back safely and sound. The series, only a half hour in length, leaves loose strings in most episodes. Nevertheless, this fickle western comedy is most entertaining for union suit fans. Check this show out and enjoy.

Hello Union Suit Fans:

Today is an anniversary for me. It was on this day, May 4th in 2016, that I began a blog on of all things Long Underwear. A specific kind of long underwear: Union Suits. The kind worn by men and boys (and some women) for generations. Four years ago I named my new blog, Union Suit Fan, for that is what I've been since I was a boy. Two years later I began this, my second blog, Union Suit Fans in the Limelight to recognize those who enjoy performing in their full body long underwear. There are enough Union Suit wearing guys around these days for two sites.

Now, admittedly, that was a pretty silly thing on which to base a social media subject. Union Suits! I wasn't sure such a topic would be of interest or enjoyable for anyone besides me. But, as things turned out, others thought the subject of Union Suits with articles and photos was fun too.

Men and women from all over the country and many parts of the world have checked in here. I've heard from so very many of you in emails and through notes you have left on this sight. I've heard from Union Suit Fans from most every state in the U.S. I have met new friends through their emails from Canada, the U.K., Poland, France, and Australia. Readers from nearly thirty countries have viewed my blogs. I've learned from you Union Suits have universal appeal.

Men who have never worn one-piece underwear have read about them and seen photos of other men and boys wearing and enjoying them. They have bought one or two and, with only one exception, have adopted them as their new winter underwear. Together, we have poked a little fun at each other and viewed famous people in their Union Suits.

In this trying time of Corvid-19 with the illness and deaths spreading all over the world, I pause this anniversary day to pray for the lost souls and the families of deceased love ones. It is my sincere hope today, my friends, that you are well and safe. 

I want to thank the many, many of you who have contributed over this time with your pictures, comments, and above all your guest articles. It has been my pleasure to get to know you through our "intimate" apparel.

Tomorrow, I will search for new ways to bring you a little cheer, a little warmth, and a little fun. Humor in this time is a tonic. Union Suits are to be worn, shown, laughed at, remembered, and enjoyed. In the meantime dear friends stay safe and warm, wear those masks, follow directives, stay alive so we can remain friends through this blog for a few more years to come.

Sincerely,

Chris Ayers


Added from May 5, 2020 emails. This from Buckeye Mike of Canton, OH:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CHRIS!!!!! 

       Really nice post today. I appreciate you and your writing / storytelling abilities more than I can find words to express. You have an uncanny ability to put smiles on the faces of your readers. Keep up the good work. Our world needs more of your type of human interest based work...Buckeye Mike 

and from Sandra of Waco, TX:

My husband and I really really enjoy your humorous take on the world of long underwear. He's always been partial to long john union suits. Your stories make us laugh. Happy Anniversary and many more... Sandra 

Thanks, Mike and Sandra. Great to have you on board! ... Chris