Death Ride of Bonnie and Clyde

Texas folk heroes -- Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

by blogSpotter

You've read the story of Jesse James--
Of how he lived and died;
If you're still in need
Of something to read
Here's the story of Bonnie and Clyde

from "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde" by Bonnie Parker, 1934

I watched the 1967 movie, Bonnie and Clyde last night on Apple TV. I hadn't seen the movie in its entirety since the 1970's -- had forgotten many elements. The movie was controversial at the time it was released; reviewers felt that it glorified violence and celebrated the criminals. It was linked to the mood-shifting, anti-authoritarian style of French new wave films in the late sixties. It was also part of its own "American" new wave, featuring more nudity and graphic violence than previously seen in movies. Also new were the actors; no less than four actors in the movie were relative new-comers whose careers were made by Bonnie and Clyde: Estelle Parsons, Gene Hackman, Gene Wilder and Faye Dunaway. (Beatty and Pollard were already established names).

The criminal couple portrayed, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, hailed from West Dallas. In fact, much of the movie was filmed in places like Red Oak, South Lake, Midlothian and Denton. Dallas has been known as "the city that shot John Kennedy" since 1963 -- I guess our link to history-making violence is preordained. Our only other association in the public's mind is the TV show Dallas which does little to dispel a trigger happy image.

When they met, Barrow was a 23 year old ex-convict whose prior crimes were relatively petty (car theft, stealing turkeys). Bonnie was a 21 year old cafe waitress. Over their two year reign of Texas terror (1932-1934) they killed approximately 9 law officers. Insiders have said that Bonnie never actually fired a gun, but that she helped with logistics and getaways. The movie melded some of the characters together (into C.J. Moss) and simplified much of the goings-on -- pretty much a necessity for a 2 hour movie.

They were ambushed in Louisiana and controversy surrounds that also. The duo was never given an opportunity to surrender or "come out with your hands up". Also, Bonnie Parker was never even served any kind of warrant. Parker's family would not let her be buried "side by side" with Clyde as the more recent ballad would imply. The couple actually became folk heroes to Depression-era poor people and it's estimated that 20,000 people attended Bonnie's funeral (actually preventing the immediate family from access). It's not just the 60's film producers that saw a legendary saga in the yards of yellow police tape and chalk outlines.

The Bonnie and Clyde "death car" has been a favorite of county fairs throughout the South since 1934; funny that there are several such cars in different year models and colors. The fact that this handsome couple forsook all safety and future well-being for a shoot-em-up thrill ride still intrigues people today. If you get a chance, pick up a copy of the 1967 movie. If you happen upon the "real, genuine death car" at a county fair, take that with a grain of salt. If you are a citizen of Dallas or a nearby area, ponder why the city is so indelibly associated with so much violence and brutality.

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