Posts

Cold War Cinema: How ‘Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet’ Became a Unique Cultural Crossover

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Written By: Ken Hulsey The film “Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet” may be the most interesting science fiction film to be produced in the 1960s’. Although the film in itself is very well done and features some excellent special effects shots, it’s the film's origin and two different Americanized versions that may be of most interest to fans of this genre. You see, the film was not an American product, but a film made in the former Soviet Union. Although scenes that starred Basil Rathbone and Faith Domergue, filmed by Roger Corman, were inserted into the film for American viewers, the film is still basically “Planeta Bur” (Planet of Storms – 1962) in most respects. In this version, almost all Soviet references were removed from both the film and its credits, although it was hard not to notice the Russian insignias on all the spacecraft. American International must have been very nervous about releasing a Soviet sci-fi film during the middle of the “Cold War.”

Unraveling the Mystery of the Alligator Snapping Turtle: A Roadside Attraction Adventure

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Have you ever been leisurely driving down a remote highway when all of a sudden you spot something so unusual that you immediately stop and make a U-turn to try and figure out exactly what you thought you saw?

In the Footsteps of Steam Giants: Celebrating the Timeless Journey of Santa Fe Locomotive #3751

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 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey Back in 2012, the San Bernardino Railroad Days in San Bernardino, California, featured a true star of railroading: the ex-Santa Fe "Northern" locomotive #3751. The event attracted a lively crowd of railroad enthusiasts and photographers who eagerly lined the tracks in front of the beautifully preserved vintage passenger depot, all hoping to capture a glimpse of this remarkable piece of living history. As expected, this proud locomotive of the Santa Fe steamed down the Metrolink tracks from her home in Los Angeles, presenting an impressive sight for all to behold. 

From Gold Nuggets to Family Ties: The Endearing Charm of The Apple Dumpling Gang

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 Written by Ken Hulsey A couple of weeks back, I decided to start posting the trailers from some of my favorite movies. Being a child of the 70s, I naturally opted to start my new series in that decade. The first film that I went with was the 1976 action/comedy Silver Streak. Today I decided to feature The Apple Dumpling Gang from 1975, which holds the distinction of being the first film that I ever saw in a movie theater. 

Echoes of Transportation History: Unearthing the Forgotten Trolley Bus of Ford Park

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Last week, I posted a very popular article about the Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad 2-6-0 Steam Locomotive #10 at Ford Park in Shreveport. Thanks to Brad Driggers of the Abandoned Louisiana group on Facebook, I learned that old Number 10 isn't the only transportation-related relic residing there. Thanks to the directions provided by Brad, I was able to go on an expedition into the remote northwest section of the park where, deep in the tree line, sits the remains of an old Shreveport Railway Trolley Bus. At this time, the old trolley is barely visible, with only the tail end sticking out of the vines. Though I wanted to explore it more thoroughly, I could only manage to climb through the flora enough to access the rear window and stick my camera inside for a few photos. I also want to give a shout-out to Rick Lewis of Abandoned Louisiana for warning me that the area is home to several venomous snakes. Thanks to Rick's warning, I made a lot o...

Finding Freedom in the Sabbath: Practical Steps to Rest, Renew, and Reconnect with Jesus

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Photo By Ken Hulsey "Lighten Your Burdens: Practical Steps for Finding Rest in God" In this inspiring sermon, learn how to lighten your burdens through practical steps and spiritual insights. Discover the importance of rest and renewal, and how embracing God's teachings can radically change your life. Pastor James W. Greer breaks down the four key words that can transform your approach to handling life's challenges: Come, Rest, Learn, and Light. Join us as we explore how to find true rest in God and make your burdens easier to bear. Don't miss next week's sermon on the deeper meaning of the Sabbath and its blessings!

Strolling Through Serenity: Discovering the Hidden Beauty of Lecompte at Sunset

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey One of the things that I really used to love about living in the small farming town of Lecompte was the ability to take quiet walks around town every Sunday evening. I rarely ever encountered a soul on these walks, and it provided me the opportunity to meditate and have a conversation with the Lord while enjoying the beauty of his creation.

Louisiana for Sale: Find Out How Big Business is Buying Our State Away! | The Shocking Truth Behind Our Environment and Our Future!

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 Written By Ken Hulsey As each day passes, it becomes increasingly clear to me that the state of Louisiana is for sale. Every day, we Louisianians hear about new data centers being built, farmland being converted into solar farms, and plans for carbon capture facilities. If you spend any time reading comments on social media, you can see the frustration many residents feel right now. Many are confused about what is happening in our state.

Save Our Rail History: Join the Fight to Rescue Shreveport's Abandoned Steam Locomotive!

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey I honestly should change my official title to 'Louisiana Railroad Archeologist' because I have the knack of finding all sorts of abandoned railroad equipment all over the Pelican State. Case in point, last week I was driving around Cross Lake in Shreveport looking for a place to view and photograph the water when I stumbled upon this old steam locomotive just off the road in a closed portion of Ford Park. Wanting to get a good set of photos of the locomotives I snuck in an open gate and weaved my way through twisting roads to the back of the park, dodging crews cutting down all the trees along the way. The old steam locomotive is in bad shape, as is the case with all such locomotives in the state, and it was obvious that the workers at the park had stopped taking care of it long ago.

A Summer Escape: Rediscovering the Serene Beauty of Big Bear Lake

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey When we lived in California, one of the things that my wife and I loved to do on a Saturday afternoon was to pack up a picnic lunch and travel up into the San Bernardino Mountains for a hike around Big Bear Lake. The mild temperatures were a relief from the hot temperatures down below in the Mojave Desert. The trails that follow the rim of the lake are easy to navigate, and there are plenty of scenic places to stop and enjoy that packed lunch. On this particular outing, my wife and I picked up a bucket of fried chicken on the way to eat.