Letter From Ron Deutschendorf
aerie
Conrad Reeder from Ron Deutschendorf, reprinted with permission. Ron's
letter to the LA Times follows.
My heart to yours,
Ann
+++++++++
Connie,
I wanted to send you a letter I wrote to the LA Times following the airing
of
the TV movie, supposedly of my brothers life. As a long time friend I feel
I
can trust you and Roger to send this along for me, without my e-mail
address.
I don't know if they will print it or not at the moment.
You and I have spoken about the lack of truth and fact in this TV movie
about
my brother, and I don't want our friends (Johns fans) to be mislead in the
portrayal of my brothers life.
Those who knew him through his many concerts, TV specials, and music, saw
more the truth of John than what was portrayed in the movie. For him to be
portrayed as some kind of dweeb, not the caring, intelligent, outspoken,
humanitarian, and environmentalist he was, disgust me beyond belief.
I have been reading the message board on the JD net site since the movie and
this is why I am enclosing this letter for you to pass on.
My brother was a wonderful human being, and the folks who I have been
reading
messages from know this. But I don't want them to be mislead by this
portrayal of his life, or the events shown in the movie.
I am not ready to open myself up to our friends yet with my e-mail address,
as many things are still to painful for discussion. I was only able to
force
myself to watch the movie for my Mom as she was so upset about it.
Maybe one day soon I will be able to communicate through this medium. I
feel
like writing the real story now myself more than ever before, or doing the
real movie.
Any way, if you would be so kind as to put this out there for our friends I
would appreciate it.
Thanks
ron
>>Attn: Lee Margulies, LA Times
In watching the CBS television movie, "Take Me Home, the John Denver Story"
which aired Sunday nite last week, I must say I am tremendously
disappointed.
This was not an accurate portrayal of my brothers life, nor are the events
and people included an honest depiction.
The people responsible for this, chose to incorrectly portray John Denvers
life for reasons I cannot imagine, (personal gain?) not to relay the truth
of
my brothers life! I know this is not the fault of CBS, none the less, I
would have preferred an honest portrayal of my brothers life, the good and
the bad!
Our dad, though indeed hard on us, always supported John in his dream. Dad
and Mom were the ones who let John quit college, and go to LA, where they
imposed on friends, for a job and a place to stay for John while he
attempted
to get his start.
Our father never gave my brother a hard time about the name change, though
he
had every right to do so, and the phrase "Howdy Doody is famous" was never
spoken.
The relationship between our father and my brother was great, and though
they
had difficulties when John was younger, (what children don't most of the
time) those had long since been forgotten before Johns first TV Special, not
just before our dad passed away as shown in the movie. Our father was very
quick to relay how "proud" he was of my brother and his accomplishments
throughout John's career, as well as his love for his son!
Nor did John write "Annies Song" just before he and Annie divorced, as we
are
lead to believe in the movie, for the purpose of attempted reconciliation,
but many years prior to their difficulties.
Ask Jerry Weintraub about Hal Thau's involvement in John's career, versus
bookkeeping!
Hal owes all that he has to my brother! For him to say in the Memorial
Service he felt like John was the brother he never had sure makes me wonder,
"How is our mom doing Hal?" As there was supposedly no will, do you think
she is being taken care of as John would have wanted?
The only good to come from this "TV Movie" is a certain exposure of my
brothers music, in prime time!
Ronald L. Deutschendorf
John Denver's only brother
++++++
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"...to live on the land, we must learn from the sea...."
Ann Schnitz, Ph.D.
Malvern, PA
Hiway
Thanks for posting this.
Hiway
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
allth...@ftc-i.net
Best,
Dot
No 8 of 9
And Ron, our hearts are with you and your family. We know the real John. And
he was the one we loved so dearly. Good and bad. Unfortunately 11 million
people were lied to last Sunday.
God Bless You,
Cindy Lewis
Anchorage, Alaska (which, by the way, was another huge part of John's
life......but, you wouldn't know that by watching the movie)
LiteofVega
(and possibly due to Hal Thau). I hope they get the peace they deserve soon.
My thanks to Connie (Conrad) and to Ron. I'm supporting them 100%.
Peace,
Mary in Oklahoma
"If you could see yourself through the eyes of the child you
used to be, would you look up to the person you are today?"
--Anonymous
Syningom
family. Your John is forever in our hearts. His memory and songs we will
treasure always.
~ Joy
Itamazesme
investigative reporting was too tough on Hal what do you think now.?? Maybe i
should have asked a few more tough questions. !!!!! The fact is still when
someone is a producer of a movie of course they have a big say so in the
production and content of the movie. Thats what bothered me. It was a disgrace
and we should not accept it. If Hal reads this ng I would welcome any
comments. I hope Ron does tell Johns true story with love, care and passion.
Was this letter printed in the LA times?.
Hollie Darlin
No 8 of 9
Not yet. I checked the LA times to no avail. I wouldn't see why they
wouldn't. It was a very well stated letter. And as for Hal, my feelings are
mixed. While I feel a bit thankful for what he's done for John, I can't help
but agree with the comment that Ron made. He owes everything he has to John.
I broke into tears when Ron asked "How is our mother? Is she being taken care
of the way John would have wanted?" Wow! That says alot.
I too hope Ron writes his version of the story. Maybe with a little
encouragement from his friends (us) he'll do it. I kind of felt like it was a
slap in the face that Ron wasn't even represented in the movie. But, then
again maybe it was better he wasn't. Who knows how they would have portrayed
him.
Once again, my heart goes out to the Deutschendorf family.
Peace,
Cindy
Laura
I STILL think we have no business sending anyone mail stating
that they lined their pockets or that they dishonored John
in any way.
I think that FANS don't have a clue as to the "behind the scenes"
workings and that if we start sending hate mail to people that
John loved (at least at one time), we are going to appear to
be nothing but FANatics.
I don't want to sound rude.. I just really think this way.
We really have NO idea of what went on, and to say anything
is not our place. It may be Ron's place, but I'm sure he
didn't expect people to start sending upset letters to Hal
or Annie.. and that is what I was responding to last week.
The fact that people were ready to start sending mail when
they honestly don't know what happened.
Even Ron's letter does not confirm anything enough to make
that happen.
So, sorry Hollie, I don't mean to go off on YOU, personally,
but I have wanted to say that since I saw his letter. Simply
because I knew that someone would say HA! for how I did
defend them.
Laura
And no, I've been told it hasn't appeared in the paper.
I am almost uncomfortable with it, seeing that its a forward of
a forward of a forward, etc. etc. etc.
Can ANYONE completely confirm that this did come from Ron?
I'm not saying I don't agree with content, not at all..
but I hate taking anything off the internet (particulary
forwards) as an absolute without confirmation.
In article <20000509111045...@ng-fn1.aol.com>,
itama...@aol.com (Itamazesme) wrote:
>Thanks Ann. Now........ for those of you who thought I, with my
hard nosed investigative reporting was too tough on Hal what do
you think now.??
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
Christine Moon
--
Peace, in John's memory,
Christine
*********************************
moon...@netcomuk.co.uk
"Friends of John Denver"
http://www.fojd.org.uk
*********************************
Hiway <hiway333_1...@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:11aa577c...@usw-ex0104-031.remarq.com...
> Hi Anne,
>
> Thanks for posting this.
>
> Hiway
>
JDNVR
Laura -
I feel very comfortable confirming that very thing. I belong to the group
where the original post was made, by a person who was a long time good friend
of John's, and who also happens to be married to a man who produced several of
John's albums. Therefore, she is also very close to his entire family. Ron
sent the letter to her so she could post it without it having to come through
with his e-mail addy showing. (and yes, he does indeed read here.)
Debbie
Christine Moon
Ron's sign off "Ronald L. Deutschendorf, John Denver's only brother", after
pointing out that Hal had said that "he felt like John was the brother he
never had "
How can we encourage Ron to write his version of the story? John deserves
for the truth to be told!
--
Peace, in John's memory,
Christine
*********************************
moon...@netcomuk.co.uk
"Friends of John Denver"
http://www.fojd.org.uk
*********************************
No 8 of 9 <no8...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20000509115951...@ng-fd1.aol.com...
Itamazesme
is not who I am at all. Dont you know me yet goofy girl. I m just saying I had
a feeling there was alot more to why this movie was so terrible. Thats all.
If I ever sent a letter it would only contain respectful critizism. I wouldnt
even know how to write hate mail.
Hollie Darlin in Calif, plus im just too darn sweet for that kind of stuff dont
ya know!!!!!!!!!!
Hiway
I've had the opportunity to read Ron's letter several times now.
Something just isn't sitting right.
There are some pretty heavy implications in it... regarding
siuations that I would have thought to be more of a private
matter.
I think it's in questionable taste, and I'm not certain that it
would be considered suitable for publication in a major
newspaper.
We all have our bad days...
Best,
Ladron23
I am glad and thankful that Ron's letter was
posted here, and on Rory's page, and it was also sent along to the Windstar
Discussion site.
Thank-you Ann for posting the letter. I have a comment about what Ron
stated------that he was thinking of doing his own movie about John. I would
willingly donate money for him to do this. Please keep us infomed if Ron is
serious about this venture........
Peace,
Wendy from Oregon
Laura
I was only saying that I STILL felt
the way that I stated during the whole
week.. now remember I said that I
was not directing this at you, but
to everyone that said that.
YOU were the only one who asked..
sorry! lol!
Laura
Laura
I meant you! No.. I don't even remember who.. but it came up.. a letter
writing campaign or something.
And it also involved Annie.
Anyway.. how are you? Miss
your humorous psychological input!
Laura
>I *never* suggested that I or anyone else write such letters... but in
>one of my very first posts responding to the movie (posted while the
>movie was still "airing," in fact) I wrote: "Hal, what were you
>THINKING???"
>
>--
>MG
>
>
>
Itamazesme
thread asking him to please write it and why. I not a movie then maybe a
wonderful documentary with the real John singing.Whata think?
Hollie Darlin in calif
Itamazesme
Hollie Darlin
Laura
but for some reason I thought Rory's
was implied.. not sure why..
Laura
Itamazesme
long line!!!
Hollie Darlin
>>>>>>>
LOL! Still looking for a decent couch! Hey, Hollie - find any good
casting couches out there in Hollyweird? ;-) MG
Laura
She is NOT that kinda girl!
;-)
Laura
Itamazesme
Hollie Darlin
aerie
say this' more than just someone having a bad day.
Ann
(aer...@sprynet.com)
Hiway wrote in message <07779ac8...@usw-ex0107-055.remarq.com>...
Pamela Beasley
I would scrape up all my pennies to add to this!!!
Pam
Rosemary Good
Pamela Beasley <pamela....@airmail.net> wrote in message
news:25ED28AB76C575F8.465A929E...@lp.airnews.net...
> I would
> > willingly donate money for him to do this. Please keep us infomed if Ron
is
> > serious about this venture........
> >
> > Peace,
> > Wendy from Oregon
>
> I would scrape up all my pennies to add to this!!!
>
> Pam
Well now, here's a new fund-raising possibility....maybe we need to get
something going here to make a difference.....
Rosemaryt
BaxTerr
>wonderful documentary with the real John singing.Whata think?
>Hollie Darlin in calif
>
Hollie,
I thought that Let This Be A Voice was a wonderful documentary! :-) And while
it wasn't a "JD" documentary, John never looked more beautiful, being where/as
he loved to "be".
Just wanted to mention LTBAV, nothing against your suggestion.
peace - Terri
BHoehn123
because there was no will this really peeved me. John Denver loved his Mom very
much....and she has been a real trouper at the Aspen events...She did a great
job being John and Ron's Mom....
So why don't Zak, Anna Kate and Jessie Bell simply put her in the will
toooooo......maybe it wouldn't be her son's love but it could be her
grandchildren's love.
As far as the movie goes, I can't bring byself to look at it again..... it was
awful.
I think the only person who will got hurt by this movie is Hal Thau because we
thought so highly of him, and that opinion is a little tarnished now.
I think something positive came out of the the whole thing, the lovely CD that
was produced "Take Me Home" its very good, only because its the real thing
"John Denver"
Barbara
Itamazesme
Hollie Darlin
Itamazesme
would like something more about his entire life. Like a 30 hour docu.
Hollie Darlin
Absolutely Cynthia Marie
jlo...@aol.com (JLOVEG) wrote:
>Most of the time, if a will has been drawn up, the attorney
will keep a copy in
>his office. As well known as John was I found myself
dumbfounded that he
>didn't have one. He certainly had a lot of advice and advisors
during his
>career and it's hard to imagine that such an important document
was not
>completed! It eliminated his brother and his children as well
as his mother.
>Too bad that we will never know.
I'm sure his soul in Heaven is kicking himself for this. I
think John had no intention of dying any time soon.
Absolutely Cynthia Marie
http://mypage.goplay.com/BobbyDylan
No 8 of 9
>Hollie Darlin
From all the reports I read, it was only stated that a will could not be found.
Hmmmmm.
Cindy
JLOVEG
patricia
I think it would be a good idea to write a book, and/or do a movie about John.
I for one would buy the book,watch a movie, go see a movie about John.
if you don't think there's alot of folks out there that would pay attendion to
it.
let me say that the "FAKE movie " got 11 million viewers watching it.
just think what yours would pull in.......900 million.
Just one little piece of advice........
DO NOT DO THE WIG THING! : }
we all loved john, just like you did. we all want to see the REAL movie.
Love,
patty tran
Jdnof
Yep. Not only does Ron need to defend his brother, but his father too. It's
sad they were both depicted so poorly in the film.
I just hope that the networks can finally see that there is still a demand to
see JD. What part don't they understand? "Wildlife Concert" was a huge
success, "Let this be a Voice" was a huge success, and now, "Take me Home."
Will they ever "get it?"
Diane
