Down and Out, But Not for Long!

Last week, I heard again from friend and union suit wearer, Spencer Hastings. He was a "Guest Contributor" in past years to my companion blog, Union Suit Fan. His memorable contributions included Abe's Long Underwear which ran on August 20, 2023. And an article about Grant Wood, American artist, who had created a 1939 lithograph, Midnight Alarm. This one of a farmer descending the stairs late one night in his union suit was featured on April 4, 2018. The long underwear clad farmer was followed up by postings of other Wood creations, including one on April 20, 2018 of native Americans stealing union suits from a pioneer woman's make shift clothes line.

This time around, Spencer is recommending a classic televison series to us.... 

Chris: Back in June, 2018, a superb television show, Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner, began a multi-decade run, including two “prequels,” Yellowstone 1883 and Yellowstone 1923. I didn't miss a single episode. I dutifully recorded the ones I otherwise may have missed because like millions of Americans, I followed the lives of the Dutton family from the time they journeyed west to Montana. I believe the prequels were even better than the original show.  

The story is of these travelers, settlers, and finally a prestigious family overcoming great perils that could have consumed them. Through perseverance they became very powerful Montana land owners in the 1920's.

For Union Suit Fans, like you and me, I've pulled out one scene of loyal ranch foreman, Zane Davis, played by actor, Brian Geragty. He worked for Jacob Dutton, Yellowstone ranch owner starring Harrison Ford in this period drama. Jacob's wife, Cara played outstandingly by Helen Merrin, deserves special mention. She is one of the greatest actresses ever to grace large and small screenes. She was vital in the success of this exceptional story. Yellowstone 1923 was created and written by Taylor Sheridan and co-directed by Ben Richardson and Guy Ferland. The production companies include Bosque Ranch Productions, Linson Entertainment, 101 Studios and MTV Entertainment Studios. This drama aired from December 18, 2022 through April 6, 2025 on Paramount+.  

Zane had been beaten and left for dead in Yellowstone 1923's second season. Boss man, Jacob Dutton, rescued Zane, bringing him and his family back to the ranch for recovery. But life for Zane just became worse....

After reading Spencer's email, I was so interested that I asked him if he would review the aforementioned episode of Yellowstone as a guest contributor to Union Suit Fans in the Limelight. He consented. 

So look for the trials and tribulations of ranch foreman, Zane Davis, in next week's blog. After which, I'm betting you'll want to see this prequel and the Yellowstone trilogy....Chris

 

Hunting deer in his Union Suit ...Coming in July, Watch for It!

Belgians In Heaven, Really?! 

This past week I received an email with photos from Jacob of Madison, Wisconsin who told me he recently discovered my blogs, Union Suit Fan and Union Suit Fans in the Limelight.  Jacob mentioned he's 25 years old and has been wearing union suits himself since the age of 10. 

In his correspondence, he inquired if I would be interested in a musical he had attended, popular near his hometown. It featured two brothers who were farmers. One of whom, particularly, was partial to red union suits. So much so, he always wore one under his overalls.  

Jacob sent me a couple scenes from the American Folklore Theatre in Peninsula State Park, Wisconsin. The Book and Lyrics are by Lee Becker and Frederick Heide; Music by Frederick Heide and James Kaplan. The setting is of Southern Door County's Belgian community.  

The two brothers in this popular show, Roger and Leo, are Wisconsin farmers who can not get along with each other. Their personalities being so different, they bicker, complain and downright dislike one another. The show also features a couple of angels, a talking chicken, St. Peter and a couple of other folks. I was able to find more photos from this musical which has had a long run at the American Folklore theater.

In short the brothers end up in heaven, hence the title of this show. No surprise there. One of the brothers is reduced to just his union suit underwear up in heaven. By the conclusion of Belgians in Heaven, the boys relationship has been mended and they acturally see value in each other. 

  

 

 

It's not long before Leo loses his overalls! 

 

And bewildered, realizes he ends up in Heaven wearing only his union suit underwear, boots and a hat! 
 

 

 

  

 

  Thanks to the production company, theatre, 

cast and crew of Belgians in Heaven!

 The Emperor's New Clothes?! 

Proud of the New Clothes his Tailors had made for him.

 

Embarrased to be caught out in public in only his union suit

Fuming, he returns to the palace humiliated

Seems Prince John gets caught out and about in his kingdom frequently without clothes, stripped to his royal union suit underwear!

 

This young Emperor is suprised he had been duped wnding up in his underwear with no clothes on. He soon realized he was actually wearing nothing but a red union suit in this School Production:

What's a leader to do but to give in!

 A special salute and thanks to Disney Studios for a fun, entertaining subject and the other contributors who appear in film and on stage in their long johns. 

Out early in the morning in their red flannel long underwear, just for what or for whom are these kids waiting??!! 

Well, for daddy who's wearing only his union suit to finish up in the one holer outhouse, of course!  Whew, that was a wait!

 

Thanks to Lazy One Union Suit Company for very timely ads to add to my OutHouse Series!

Union Suits for All Ages!

And Thanks to Clyde, Union Suit Fan, of Howell, Mich for sending these union suit ad photos!