Welcome.

This is the Official Website and Blog of Ryan Scott McCullar. I am a Professional Graphic Designer, Writer, and Visual Artist currently working for the State of Illinois. Previously, I was an adjunct college art professor for 20 years who also worked in marketing and communications. 

Outside of my day job, I am the creator-owner of THRILL SEEKER COMICS ANTHOLOGY Pulp Action & Adventure Series featuring The Yellow Jacket: Man of Mystery™ that I write and illustrate under my independent publishing banner named Bandito Entertainment™. I also currently write and illustrate the brand-new comic strip series SEA SHANTY FUNNIES™ featuring the public-domain character POPEYE. 
Visit www.thrillseekercomics.com and www.seashantyfunnies.com for more information on the comics.

Topics of Interest Covered: Comic Books. Music and Vinyl Record Collecting. Films. Books. Action Figures. Philately (Stamp Collecting). Karate. Politics. Blogging and Life.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are my own. This is my personal account and does not reflect my employer.

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Thursday, January 30, 2025

FILMS: The Man Who Would Be King

Just a little missive here from my thoughts.

Last night, I rewatched the John Huston film THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING released back in 1975. It is based on a novella by Rudyard Kipling. The film stars Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Christopher Plummer.



The film is set in 1880s India, follows the story of two former soldiers of the British Army who decide to set themselves up as Kings in Kafiristan, a land where no white man had set foot since Alexander the Great in Fourth Century B.C. The two sign a contract with Rudyard Kipling being the witness. Off they go on their great and tragic adventure. I won't spoil it for you, but it was one heck of a buddy movie (real life pals) with Connery and Caine together.

John Huston had tried to make this movie back in the 1950s. He originally picked Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart to play the leads. Sadly, Bogart died before the movie could be made and not too much later, Gable also passed away. I can only imagine what that film would have been like with two of my favorite American actors -- but I do believe having an Englander and a Scot playing ex-sergeants from Her Majesty's British Army seems to be a little more authentic.

It had been almost 20 years since I'd seen this movie. I had forgotten how much I really enjoyed this film.




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