Description
Fun Fact Wednesday - Here we go. This one is for all of you TV Western Fans.
The opening scene of the early black and white Gunsmoke TV series shows Matt Dillon drawing and shooting a lone gunman. What some people may not know is that the actor who played the unnamed man with the doomed destiny, was actually the man who taught James Arness, better known as Matt Dillion, how to draw so darn fast. Arvo Ojala said as a joke on the producers, James Arness and Arvo actually did the opener once where Arvo shot Matt Dillon and he fell to the ground.
The lone gunman was the quick-draw technical advisor to Hollywood stars, Arvo Ojala. Arvo taught other actors such as Hugh O'Brian, Clint Walker, Paul Newman, and James Garner, just to name a few. When a close-up of speed or spinning revolver shot was called for, that was actually Arvo's hand.
How fast was he? His speed was clocked and verified numerous times. He could draw, fire and hit the target in 1/6 of a second. That is literally faster than the blink of an eye. When Arvo watched the westerns, he noticed they were slow because the cylinder of their guns got stuck on their holster. His technique was to keep the cylinder free. He even made special holsters lined with metal for quicker release.
Daisy put out a special line of custom Arvo Ojala holsters and a booklet which cost 25 cents. The booklet, put out in 1960, was called "How To Spin a Six Gun and Secrets of the Fast Draw". Lots of photo instructions on how to draw and spin like a pro. There was even a catalog in the back with his holster rigs.
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Tab title
Fun Fact Wednesday - Here we go. This one is for all of you TV Western Fans.
The opening scene of the early black and white Gunsmoke TV series shows Matt Dillon drawing and shooting a lone gunman. What some people may not know is that the actor who played the unnamed man with the doomed destiny, was actually the man who taught James Arness, better known as Matt Dillion, how to draw so darn fast. Arvo Ojala said as a joke on the producers, James Arness and Arvo actually did the opener once where Arvo shot Matt Dillon and he fell to the ground.
The lone gunman was the quick-draw technical advisor to Hollywood stars, Arvo Ojala. Arvo taught other actors such as Hugh O'Brian, Clint Walker, Paul Newman, and James Garner, just to name a few. When a close-up of speed or spinning revolver shot was called for, that was actually Arvo's hand.
How fast was he? His speed was clocked and verified numerous times. He could draw, fire and hit the target in 1/6 of a second. That is literally faster than the blink of an eye. When Arvo watched the westerns, he noticed they were slow because the cylinder of their guns got stuck on their holster. His technique was to keep the cylinder free. He even made special holsters lined with metal for quicker release.
Daisy put out a special line of custom Arvo Ojala holsters and a booklet which cost 25 cents. The booklet, put out in 1960, was called "How To Spin a Six Gun and Secrets of the Fast Draw". Lots of photo instructions on how to draw and spin like a pro. There was even a catalog in the back with his holster rigs.
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