The new Chronicle has a nice long write-up with pics on the progress being made on the Billy and Blaze movie and how well they have taken to heart keeping it original. https://www.billyandblazemovie.com/ browse the webite! I as a Grandma to a 4 yr old horse crazy little boy am really looking forward to my ‘movie date!’
Thanks for the link. It looks like they have done a great job with casting both Billy and Blaze. I remember a past thread debating whether Blaze was bay or chestnut - I had always pictured him as chestnut myself, but C.W. Anderson said bay so… the pony they cast really appears to be true to the conformation, type, and presence of the Blaze in the book illustrations.
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Oh I love that! I can’t wait.
Thank you for the link. 
I used to love those books.
Ok no helmet I get, historical accuracy and such…but bare legs?! Yowch! I know too well that pinchy feeling exposing delicate leg flesh to stirrup leathers!
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Children without horsey parents often rode in shorts when this book was written. Kids here ride in shorts a LOT. I ride in shorts in summer - it’s too hot for breeches all day long. Wear shorts to the competition and change into breeches for classes and then change back into shorts.
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I’ll have to borrow a kid as soon as this comes out!
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I guess. All I know is we would get pretty bad bruisy pinches right below the knee, I can even remember the thwack! noise the pinchy leather made if a naughty pony tried to duck after a jump. Mostly we just said F it and ride bareback when it was too hot for breeches.
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Whenever my horse jumps over a log on the trail I call it a “Billy and Blaze moment.” I remember they jumped over a lot of logs.
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I read this article and hope they get to complete and release it! Looks good. I never read the books, but now I want to. 
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Billy and Blaze … and do not forget Rex the German Shepherd Dog …
https://www.billyandblazemovie.com/looking-for-rex
appears the producers are doing a meticulous job to remain true to the book
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I love these books too, read them as a child, and collected all of them plus two original CW Anderson drawings, from ‘Blaze and the Forest Fire’ . I am looking forward to seeing this film, child or no!
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I’m helping with set direction as casting director for the “horse show scene” - we filmed a day last fall, and crews are returning again for a full week - at the Warrenton Horse Show grounds in Virginia.
I’m on the lookout for background extras - mostly spectators who can pull together a good 1936 outfit, but also a few horses and riders who can look as if they were out of central casting for the time period.
Email me betsyburkeparker@gmail.com and I’ll send details. Looking like after the Warrenton Horse Show on Labor Day weekend for a week’s worth of scenes.
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mostly spectators who can pull together a good 1936 outfit,
when they shot Seabiscuit at Keeneland race track in Lexington a similar call for extras in period outfits went out… it was no problem as every one there had the clothing
Aw. When I was a reader at my son’s class I read “Blaze and the Forest Fire.” the kids all loved it. my favorite.
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I give the entire set of Billy and Blaze books as either shower or new baby gifts, and I selfishly bought my own set. I also read the series for my daughter’s class when she was in first grade like fordtraktor.
These books were such a cherished part of my childhood. I hope the movie makes it to completion and release.
