WORKERS AT THE RANCH 8


Beauty was something we had plenty of at Corriganville. The two cowboys on the right, Jack Gallagher and Bill Willingham, seem to be wondering how they might get a little better acquainted with these three lovely ladies, Vicky Swaim, Debby Gillum, and Connie Soto. If only their chaperone, "Big" Jim Steller, wasn't so doggone large. But Big Jim might be the least of their worries: the cowboy in the middle might have something to say also--he is Joe Soto, Connie's daddy.
(from the Joe Soto collection)


(L to R) Debby Gillum, Vicky Swaim, ? Soto, unknown, Connie Soto
(from the Joe Soto collection)

 

 

(L to R) ? Soto, Johnny Cash, Joe Soto
(from the Joe Soto collection)

In the following three pictures, Crash Corrigan is shown throwing Monty Laird around, from one end of the street to the other. Monty was a stunt instructor at the Stunt Academy at the Ranch, where students would learn stuntwork and other performing arts. He was also Ray's favorite target when it came to roughhousing in front of the crowds on the street. They would put on some very entertaining improvisational shows for the guests. (Bill Raymond)

Click for a larger view.

(L to R) Bill Raymond, Bill Willingham, Curtis Holt, Monty Laird, Crash Corrigan, Jim Stellar, Ricky Silva, Joe Soto, Bill Wendy
(from the Bill Raymond collection)

Click for a larger view.

(L to R) Bill Willingham, Joe Soto, unknown, Curtis Holt, Jim Steller, Monty Laird, Crash Corrigan, Bill Raymond (ear), Bill Wendy, unknown
(from the Bill Raymond collection)

 

 

Monty Laird and Crash Corrigan
(from the Monty Laird collection)

Monty Laird (seen at left--from the Monty Laird collection) was, arguably, the fastest gun to come out of Corriganville. After leaving the Ranch, he spent many years involved with several fast-draw organizations, winning many championships. He was also extremely talented at fancy gun handling, including gun-spinning. For over forty years he was greatly in demand at the film studios as a weapons expert, and gun coach, teaching and doubling such stars as Ben Murphy, Pete Duel, Monty Markham, and William Campbell. Monty was not alone with these skills on the Ranch. Corriganville produced a number of truly accomplished gun-artists: Bob Bickston, Gary Edwards, Ricky Silva, and Jesse Wayne, just to name a few. (Bill Raymond)

 

 

(L to R) Steve Gillum, Joe Soto, Gene Cordis,
during the 1988 reunion
(from the Joe Soto collection)

 

 

Joe Soto during the 1988 reunion
(from the Joe Soto collection)