Welcome again to another list of new High Chaparral articles:

• Rudy Ramos (Wind) is featured in this month's lead article, in an interview by Penny McQueen
• Warm Heart, Cool Hands, a new CD featuring the music of Harry Sukman.
• Listen to Blue's Theme from The High Chaparral - you'll be among the first in the world to hear this brand new arrangement!
• Announcing the new High Chaparral Blog
• Holiday photos from the ranch.
• A reprint article on Mark Slade from Australia, TV Week, May 9, 1970.

Vintage photo from BRAVO, the German fan magazine, reads:

Rudy Ramos: Second Wind
by Penny McQueen

As long as the revolution brings us samples of work like those found at rudyramos.net, I won’t complain. If you remember Rudy only as Wind from High Chaparral, do yourself a favor and check out the Reel section of his website. Prepare to be surprised; this is no One Note Johnny. In rapid fire sequence, he morphs from one character to the next, barely recognizable, displaying a range of characterization and comedic talent that’s dizzying to watch. Try not to laugh at his bebop sleezeball Carlos from NYPD Blue, talking a good game in the interrogation room. “Only time my hands touch her naked body would be if I’m falling out the window and there ain’t nothing else to hold on to.” Nice man, he remembers his manners. “But I didn’t say that to her.”

Flashback to 1971, when news of High Chaparral’s cancellation arrived. Rudy hung up his leather costume, contacted his agent, and parlayed his stint as a co-star into a five decade career as a hardworking actor. Roles in Hawaii Five-0, Helter-Skelter, The Rockford Files and other projects came regularly. Then in 1980 he shot an episode of Paris, a standard-issue California cop show starring James Earl Jones. Aside from the role, always welcome for an actor, the part brought an unexpected bonus. “Mark Slade and I played police officers and best friends in the show. We never discussed The High Chaparral until we were saying goodbye on the final day of shooting. He gave me a hug and said, ‘it was nice working with you – Wind!’ I didn't know he knew until that moment.” The idea of Chaparral’s two favorite young rebels together is intriguing for fans, and also for Rudy. “Mark is a very nice person and we spent about 10 days together. I'm sure we would have had a very good relationship on The High Chaparral had that happened.”

Years passed. Always musical, Rudy continued to be passionate about this aspect of his art. Horses and Parelli Natural Horsemanship training filled his spare time, acting roles kept him busy at work. If he barely thought of a half-Pawnee youngster, then why would anyone else? Then a friend gave him some interesting news. “Two years ago a musician friend of mine happened to be browsing The High Chaparral website and told me there was a section on me. I looked, was blown away, and contacted the webmaster to congratulate her and to introduce myself. Charlotte got back to me and that was the beginning of being in touch with all of the wonderful people associated with the site and the discussion group.”

Forward thinking and busy, in the years since his last Chaparral scene was shot, he’d had few reminders of his big break. “I really had no contact with anyone from the show for 35 years except running into Henry Darrow from time to time.” The 2005 reunion was an occasion for Rudy to meet many of his fans and see some of the colleagues from the beginning of his career. “When I came to check in, Ginny Shook was greeting people and I said my name is Rudy Ramos and I am a guest. Her reaction was subtle but she made we feel welcome and special. Seeing people I had worked with 35 years ago and hearing the stories they told brought back great memories.”

A special highlight was being seated next to Rose and David Dortort, the producer of High Chaparral. When Rudy asked if Mr. Dortort remembered him as Wind, he received a touching response. “He studied me for about 15 seconds and then this huge smile came to his face. He touched my face very gently with the back of his hand and said, "Of course I remember you Rudy, you were wonderful!" Just about brought tears. The love and admiration I have for the man I could never put into words.”

On March 13, 1994 an accident with a kicking horse sidelined him, shattering his eye socket. Requiring six surgeries to fix the orbital, face puffy and bruised, he was out of circulation, unable to work. It was a long stretch for an actor, as he explains, “I figured possibly because of the five year absence that my career was over except for an occasional job.”

But a second wind can jumpstart a career from the most unlikely place. Four years ago in a restaurant, George Lopez introduced himself to Rudy, saying he was a big fan of his movie work. And Rudy is a big fan of George. “He has been very encouraging and supportive about me getting back to acting full time. His belief in me has made me believe in me again.” The friendship between the two men resulted in a role on The George Lopez Show for Rudy. Watch a clip from this appearance on his website, his straight man delivery deadpan perfect as he sets George up for the punchline of the scene. “George is a very nice person and he does a lot of things for people all the time. That's why I did that funny scene with him on his show, because he wanted me to play that part opposite him. I am very humbled to have his friendship.”

The second wind is blowing strong for the ruggedly handsome actor. “I've had THE best parts of my life since I started working again, they just don't come as often as they used to.” His most recent project is as Juan Carlos in Mr. Sadman, a comedy/satire feature-film currently in post-production. Cast photos and the movie trailer can be seen at www.mrsadman.com/. “The film is a unique script written and directed by a very young film maker. The part of Juan Carlos is probably the best film role I have ever had and I am not the bad guy this time,” Rudy said. Set in 1990, the storyline follows a Saddam Hussein body-double who loses his job, then moves to Los Angeles in search of a new start. “Juan Carlos is a ‘been there, done that’, seen it all kind of guy who has made his mistakes in life but has learned from it all,” Rudy explained. “He minds his own business, doesn't bother anyone, and definitely doesn't let anyone bother him. He's a tough guy, but not a bad guy. I think both men and women will like this guy. He is very, very cool. It is a real joy for me to be playing the kind of part that has never been offered to me.”

And a joy for fans. Let's hope there will be more clips added to the website soon.

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by Penny McQueen

Showcasing the talents of Vincent Falcone, pianist and conductor for Frank Sinatra, Warm Heart…Cool Hands is a must-have for any Sukman afficianado. For Chaparral fans, hearing the new Blue’s Theme – which is surprisingly appropriate for the holidays - alongside other legendary work such as Nightfall and Gold Wedding Ring, is well worth the price of admission. The Eleventh Hour is another TV theme (from the show of the same name) and is used as the introduction for the radio show, Getting to Know You, with Susan McCray. Love On a Merry Go Round is another familiar tune, as it’s used for KSAV radio’s signature song, along with Susan’s added lyrics.

Billy Blue Walks Out

This article is reprinted in it's entirety
from Australian TV Week
May 9, 1970. The subject matter, quotes, and opinions are those of the original writers and editors.

In a major upheaval that recalls Pernell Roberts’ stormy divorce from Bonanza, Mark has ridden out of its sister Western in a clash of wills over his movie-making ambitions. There may also be further repercussions for High Chaparral. One German network is reportedly about to drop the Western in protest and at least two other members of the cast are deeply upset by the producers’ tough stand.

Mark’s dramatic walk-out came after creator and executive producer David Dortort denied him a three week leave from High Chaparral to film Better Times Are Coming, a “now” Western he has created with writer William Lansford, later this year.

“It all happened in 10 days,” Mark recalled. “The first indication I had was when someone on Dortort’s office staff asked, “Would you go as far as giving up Billy Blue for your movie? Then a few days later I was accepting the Bambi Award and not a word was said. Dortort was beside me all smiles and he shook my hand. Next day the whole thing blew apart. Dortort didn’t even have the guts to come to me and tell me personally. He had an underling do that…Bitter? I’m only bitter about the way it was done. I guess I’m rather naïve. I think the best of everyone. Now I look back at the show and… well, I’m just going to put all my energies into the movie.”

Mark’s mood was more one of quiet disillusionment than anger. Despite obvious disappointment at the cast’s general reaction to his exit, he talked of it without rancor and carefully avoided any mention of Leif Erickson although, according to a reliable source, there is a wide rift between the two men. It is understood to have stemmed from the collapse of plans for Leif to play a sheriff in the movie, although the source said Mark had deliberately removed himself from any negotiations because of their High Chaparral relationship.

“Nothing that happened really surprised me.” Mark mused over the events that led to his shock departure. “The surprising thing is how cold it becomes. You really find out who your friends are. Cam (Mitchell) and Linda (Cristal), and she’s very upset, are the only ones I heard from. Oh, Hank (Darrow) called and cleared his conscience. A couple of others, not those in the lead roles, called, but that wasn’t until a couple of weeks later. Cam and I have had our blow-ups with each other, it has been an uncle-nephew relationship with us. But Cam tried for two days to reach me – my wife, Melinda and I just got out of the house when it happened. Finally he rang me at midnight to be sure of catching me. Cam talked to me on the phone till three in the morning.”

The High Chaparral role, however, is not the only sacrifice Mark is making for Better Times are Coming, in which he and Gary Lockwood star as two losers, unable to win in any society, who team up in Texas at the turn of the century. Not only is he risking his career, but as a married man with a pre-school child, his financial security, and he frankly admits the decision to quit was as much his as his wife’s. “I don’t know if I would have done it myself,” he said. “My wife felt I was getting tied, typed, into Billy Blue. By the time the series ended people would take me at face value as an actor. In a series you get pretty used to security. I was thinking of delaying the movie at one stage, but planning was too far advanced, and the question was answered for me… I think my wife saw something like this coming up. Melinda and I have saved our money – we’ve always kept our horns in…What if they asked me to return? I would probably go back, but not until we’ve finished the movie. I am now completely committed to it.”

Better Times Are Coming, which begins shooting late this month in Mexico, already represents a triumph over great odds for both Mark and Bill Landsford. “When my partner and I get together we say it’s our own project, and we aren’t going to give it away to anyone,” Mark said. Bill is making just as many sacrifices as I am, believe me. He has turned down about $25,000 in potential earnings to work on the movie and it’s been harder for him than me. He has a wife and two kids. I’ve lent him some money to help him through this period. Financially, he’s starting to get into shape”

The pair, who have formed Friends and Partners Productions to produce the film, first tried to interest a major studio in their original screenplay, and Mark is frankly disgusted at their indifference. Despite their Hollywood setbacks, they refused to give up the project, eventually winning the backing of a group of Mexican film makers.

Mark makes no secret that it is a shoe-string production, eventually expected to cost $500,000, less than the cost of two High Chaparral episodes. But their conviction that “we have a good product” is shared by everyone involved, including Gary Lockwood, Slim Pickens, and Joanna Moore who are all appearing on an “act now, pay later basis.”

“We don’t have any fancy offices, ours is the nearest telephone booth,” Mark said. “We don’t have any business managers, we use our own attorneys. Now comes the big test. We’ve had indications that if this goes right we will have financing for our next one.”

Later a visitor asked if the title, Better Times Are Coming, had a personal significance. “It didn’t,” Mark Slade grinned slowly. “But it sure does now.”