Comments on: Blame Nate

By: nativesou

nativesou — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:47:00 +0000

According to another website that I recently read, Val Kilmer was quoted as saying the actual line in the script was “hucklebearer”, huckle being late 1800 slang for “casket”. I will try to relocate that particular site and post it here.

By: tonny

tonny — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:25:31 +0000

CJZTv1 http://mMs93Hfppskd6wngIosSu.net

By: WaterBoy

WaterBoy — Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:49:47 +0000

OK, DC…try this link.

It’s the best explanation I have found, so far.

It quotes the Dictionary of American Slang: Second Supplemented Edition (Crowell, 1975):

“A man; specif., the exact kind of man needed for a particular purpose. 1936: “Well, I’m your huckleberry, Mr. Haney.” Tully, “Bruiser,” 37. Since 1880, archaic.

In that context, it fits perfectly with the scenes in which Doc says it, e.g., “I’m your man”.

By: digitalcowboy

digitalcowboy — Wed, 09 Feb 2005 03:33:14 +0000

Dammit, Elena. Now I’m itchin’ to watch it again. I guess I should blame waterboy since he started it.

Get the special edition DVD. Well worth the money, especially if you already like the movie. It’s a true director’s cut – the deleted scenes aren’t an extra feature, they’re in the movie where they belong. The bonus disc is top-rate as well.

Looks like I’m gonna be watching “Tombstone” again tonight and it’s all Elena’s fault. It’s probably gonna lead to a post, too.

By: Elena

Elena — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 21:39:34 +0000

I didn’t say it wasn’t a good fake Southern accent. It was good. I just know his normal speaking voice isn’t Southern.

I like the movie too. I own it. Just need to get the DVD version to replace the VHS. Doc is one of my favorite characters. And I agree: Val did an excellent job!

By: digitalcowboy

digitalcowboy — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 03:29:02 +0000

“Fake” southern drawl? The combination of writing, directing and acting makes Kilmer’s portrayal of Holliday the greatest performance ever put on film!

OK. So I kinda like it a little bit.

You’re right, though, about the accent. In fact, it’s one reason I’m not convinced by those that argue it’s “huckleberry.” If you listen closely, it even sounds like a southern drawn “hucklebearer.”

By: Elena

Elena — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 01:04:50 +0000

Well, now, that does make sense. I suppose the “erry” sound was just Val’s fake Southern drawl on “earer.”

You get extra points for proper spelling and punctuation, by the way.

By: digitalcowboy

digitalcowboy — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 00:27:51 +0000

“Hucklebearer” was a term commonly used in the 19th century in the southeast U.S. (where Doc Holliday was born and raised) as we now use the term “pallbearer.”

Thus it makes far more sense than “huckleberry.” Both times in the film when he said, “I’m your hucklebearer,” he was challenging Johnny Ringo to a showdown and using the phrase as a statement of confidence or bravado to intimidate. What would “huckleberry” mean in that context? I’ve heard some wild suggestions but not yet heard one that makes sense.

And the debate rages on. Waterboy hasn’t even come close to convincing me yet, so unless you have a connection to Kevin Jarre (the writer of the screenplay), you stand little chance. In fact, I’ve been having this debate with various people for nearly 10 years now. There are some strong arguments on both sides, but only Kevin Jarre’s own words would convince me at this point.

Sure is nice to have ya hangin’ around, though.

“I’m at your feet. Just at your feet.”

*tips hat*

By: digitalcowboy

digitalcowboy — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 00:16:14 +0000

The 411?

“You wouldn’t like me, Dottie. I’m a loner. A rebel.”

By: Elena

Elena — Mon, 07 Feb 2005 23:22:45 +0000

Oh, and yes, it’s “huckleberry.” What in tarnation would a “hucklebearer” be?