RED SUN (1971) – I had originally planned to review this international production during Frontierado Season of 2025, but French superstar Alain Delon’s recent death made me decide to post it now. Red Sun was a French-Italian co-production starring America’s Charles Bronson, France’s Alain Delon and Japan’s Toshiro Mifune in a Spaghetti Western.
Directing the film was Terence Young, who had helmed Dr. No and From Russia with Love. Ursula Andress and Capucine added to the massive international star power.
Red Sun is set in 1870. The new Japanese Ambassador to the United States, along with his retinue and bodyguards, arrived in California and as the movie opens is traveling via train across the West in order to reach Washington DC. Ambassador Sakaguchi is bringing with him an ancient Japanese sword as a gift for President Ulysses S. Grant.
The train also carries a shipment of gold targeted by a gang of outlaws led by a charismatic but cruel man called Gauche (Alain Delon) and his longtime partner in crime Link Stuart (Charles Bronson). The bandits rob the gold as the train passes through the western deserts. Gauche displays his callous ruthlessness by not caring that he has to kill an innocent passenger while gunning down a man trying to play hero.
Despite the best efforts of samurai Kuroda Jubei (Toshiro Mifune) the gunslinging outlaw leader even steals valuables from the Ambassador’s party, including the sword intended for President Grant. This sets in motion the rest of the storyline. Continue reading
2. THE BOURNE IDENTITY (1980) 
FMU CONQUERS D2 – Each year various teams topple opponents who play in higher divisions. Yesterday the NAIA’s FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY LIONS welcomed the EDWARD WATERS UNIVERSITY TIGERS from NCAA Division Two. The Lions led EWU 10-0, 17-0 and 24-14 in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Quarters, respectively. In the 4th FMU won 31-21. 
SEAHAWKS CONQUER D2 – Also from the NAIA, the KEISER UNIVERSITY SEAHAWKS traveled to face the NCAA Division Two NORTH GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS. A 7-7 1st Quarter tie became a 14-10 Seahawks edge by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with KU up 17-13 before the Trailblazers forced OT with a 20-20 deadlock in the 4th. The Seahawks won 23-20 in Overtime. 
LONGSHOT Vol 1 #1 (September 1985) 
At length, Longshot escapes through a random portal and ends up on Earth. We readers learn he has lost his memory and has two hearts and only three fingers and a thumb on each hand. His first superpower (aside from his incredible agility) is revealed to be incredible “luck” and that luck prevented his pursuers’ blaster fire from actually hitting him and instead hitting everything around him. 
Balladeer’s Blog has covered many, many Movie Hosts over the years. Pioneers from the 1950s like 
Among the many others that I’ve examined were big names like Elvira, Joe Bob Briggs, and Joel Hodgson of MST3K. Balladeer’s Blog even covered YT figures who combined movie hosting schtick with online film reviewing like 
CANTO ONE – The jungle and mountain god Tan Vien was accompanying the semi-divine Emperor Hung Vuong XVIII on a Royal Hunt. A turn of fate puts them in a position to save the imperiled son of Long Vuong, the chief sea god. CLICK 
CENTURY CLUB – The INDIANA FEVER (17-16) took it on the road against the DALLAS WINGS (9-24). 
WELCOME TO UNCASVILLE – The CONNECTICUT SUN (24-9) hosted the SEATTLE STORM (20-13) at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. 
A VOYAGE INTO TARTARY (1689) – The real author of this work is unknown. It is a fictional encounter with a lost race, advanced technology and more. It’s possible that the writer wanted anonymity due to his then-blasphemous attitudes toward religion. 
Happy Labor Day! And yes, I know it’s traditionally the Labors of Hercules, but last week’s blog post about 
DOWN GOES NUMBER TEN – The 19th ranked BENEDICTINE COLLEGE RAVENS played the number 10 MORNINGSIDE UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS in their own house. The 1st Quarter ended with the Ravens up 21-3, and they would need all those points. The Mustangs pulled to within 28-17 at the Half and 35-30 in the 3rd Quarter before Benedictine held on in the 4th to win it 48-45. 
CUMBERLAND ON THE ROAD – The CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY PHOENIX traveled to face the MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SPARTANS. The opening Half of this game was deceptive as the Phoenix led by a score of 28-3 by the midpoint. After the break, the Spartans made it a whole different game, pulling to within 28-25 to end the 3rd Quarter, but Cumberland U. held on in the 4th for a 35-28 win. 
UNDER THE RADAR THRILLER – This game pitted the AVILA UNIVERSITY AVALANCHE (now the Eagles) against the visiting BETHANY COLLEGE SWEDES. The Avalanche seized a quick 7-0 1st Quarter lead, following which neither team scored again until after the break. The Swedes tied things up at 7-7 in the 3rd Quarter, and an action-packed 4th saw Avila triumph 24-21. 
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