Actor Darby Hinton, who many readers will remember as young Israel Boone on the TV series "Daniel Boone," recently paid a visit to the Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, Calif.
It was a homecoming for Hinton, who shot some memorable scenes on the movie ranch back in 1965. The beloved NBC frontier series was still in its first season at the time, but Darby was already a veteran actor at age 7.
The youngster struggled with the heft of the iconic firearm, also known as the Pennsylvania long rifle. The famed flintlock weapon could be a lot to handle for even a grown man, much less a 7-year-old boy.
Earlier this month, Hinton revisited the Iverson Ranch, where he was schooled by Fess Parker in the proper use of the long rifle more than a half-century earlier. The actor surprised us by bringing along "Tick Licker." 
Darby with "Tick Licker" at a key filming location for "Doll of Sorrow"
Legend
has it that the real-life Daniel Boone nicknamed his hunting rifle
"Old Tick Licker" — a name Hinton still uses for his own long rifle, a
prized souvenir from his six seasons on the TV show.
Artist's depiction of Daniel Boone and "Old Tick Licker"
Daniel Boone reportedly once claimed the rifle was so accurate he could shoot a tick off a bear without harming the bear. The tall tale became a part of frontier lore — and the backstory behind the "Tick Licker" nickname.
Henry Fonda wields the long rifle in John Ford's "Drums Along the Mohawk," 1939
The long rifle has been a staple of Hollywood's representations of frontier life for decades.
Daniel Boone sets up an impromptu stand to help Izzy steady the rifle
But when young Israel Boone got his first chance to fire "Old Tick Licker" in the episode "Doll of Sorrow," things did not go as planned.
A wagon races out of control after the horses were startled by the shot
Izzy hit his target, but the shot frightened a team of horses driven by a traveling merchant, who just happened to be passing through the area with his wagonload of goods.
The merchant's wagon plunges down a hill
The wagon ends up crashing down a hillside in the Iverson Gorge, destroying the merchant's wares.
Edward Binns, as traveling merchant Seth Jennings, watches as his goods are ruined
The merchant, played by Ed Binns, turns out to be an especially short-tempered fellow, and he does not take it well when he loses not only a wagon, but a full load of merchandise.
It's "swing first and ask questions later" as the merchant and the frontiersman go at it
Binns' character, Seth Jennings, picks a fight with Daniel Boone before either Daniel or Izzy has a chance to explain and try to make good on the merchant's losses.
Izzy keeps a safe distance as the grownups sort things out
The two men get into a nasty fistfight as young Israel Boone finds a safe spot where he can follow the action.
A vicious punch from Jennings sends Daniel to the ground
With the element of surprise on his side, Jennings lands some good punches in the early rounds. 
Izzy reacts to seeing his father take one on the jaw
Young Israel Boone grimaces at the sight of his dad in distress. 
This time it's Daniel who lands a solid shot, sending Jennings to the mat
As the fight continues, the tide turns, signaling that Boone will eventually prevail. 
Izzy reacts to a good punch from his dad
Young Darby Hinton shows a full range of emotions as Izzy tracks the ebb and flow of the fight.
Izzy and Daniel share a moment after Daniel's victory
Even in a fight scene, the popular family-oriented show featured moments of tenderness and father-son bonding.
The parties talk things over after the fight
The action in the "Doll of Sorrow" sequence takes place in a section of the Lower Iverson just off the main trail into the Garden of the Gods. I've been calling this area "the Arena" in my research since I first ran across it years ago.
The Arena as it appears today
The Arena remains completely intact today, with a number of the rocks being immediately recognizable.
A rock star is born
For a few years now, I've been referring to this rock in my research as "Darby Hinton Rock," because it's the spot where Darby, as Israel Boone, cheered his father on while Daniel and Ed Binns' character slugged it out.
Darby Hinton, stationed at the rock in "Doll of Sorrow"
The rock is conveniently positioned right off the main trail into the Garden of the Gods, on park property, where it is accessible to the public during daylight hours.
Darby Hinton returns to "Darby Hinton Rock" in 2022
I've been wanting to find a way to make the "Darby Hinton Rock" designation more formal for some time now, and when I reached out to Darby, he agreed to help out.
The rock's most instantly identifiable feature: the crack
One of the rock's distinguishing features is this small crack, which makes it easy to identify.
Izzy stands next to the crack in "Doll of Sorrow"
You can't miss the crack in some of the closeups of Izzy when he was standing near the rock.
Darby checks out the crack in the rock
I also got a nice shot of Darby while he was taking a look at the crack. Darby suggested it might be appropriate that a rock named after him would be a little cracked — but then, I think that would be true for yours truly too.
Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys, Calif. — where San Fernando Valley memorabilia roars back to life
If you plan to be in the Los Angeles area on May 28, you can learn more about Darby Hinton and Darby Hinton Rock as part of a special presentation we will be giving at the incredible Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys. -PS-King%20Vidor%20perch.jpg)
Famed director King Vidor oversees his town built for "Billy the Kid,"
filmed in 1930 in what today is Porter Ranch
Besides delving into Darby's film and TV career and unveiling all the details on Darby Hinton Rock, the presentation will peel back some of the secrets from the 110-year movie history of the San Fernando Valley. 
"E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" (1982): Taking flight over Porter Ranch with an alien in a basket
The presentation kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, but come early so you can spend some time browsing the sprawling Valley Relics Museum. The presentation is included in the museum's general admission price of $15.
"Malibu Express" (1985), starring a ripped Darby Hinton
This is your chance to find out all about the guest of honor's surprising career trajectory in the years after "Daniel Boone" — and maybe even ask Darby what it was like to star with five Playboy Playmates in "Malibu Express." -flier-movie%20history%20of%20the%20San%20Fernando%20Valley-Valley%20Relics%20Museum-May%2028,%202022.png)
Flier for May 28 presentation, with guest of honor Darby Hinton
I hope all my blog readers will come on up and say howdy!
Daniel Boone reportedly once claimed the rifle was so accurate he could shoot a tick off a bear without harming the bear. The tall tale became a part of frontier lore — and the backstory behind the "Tick Licker" nickname.
The long rifle has been a staple of Hollywood's representations of frontier life for decades.
But when young Israel Boone got his first chance to fire "Old Tick Licker" in the episode "Doll of Sorrow," things did not go as planned.
Izzy hit his target, but the shot frightened a team of horses driven by a traveling merchant, who just happened to be passing through the area with his wagonload of goods.
The wagon ends up crashing down a hillside in the Iverson Gorge, destroying the merchant's wares.
The merchant, played by Ed Binns, turns out to be an especially short-tempered fellow, and he does not take it well when he loses not only a wagon, but a full load of merchandise.
Binns' character, Seth Jennings, picks a fight with Daniel Boone before either Daniel or Izzy has a chance to explain and try to make good on the merchant's losses.
The two men get into a nasty fistfight as young Israel Boone finds a safe spot where he can follow the action.
With the element of surprise on his side, Jennings lands some good punches in the early rounds.
Young Israel Boone grimaces at the sight of his dad in distress.
As the fight continues, the tide turns, signaling that Boone will eventually prevail.
Young Darby Hinton shows a full range of emotions as Izzy tracks the ebb and flow of the fight.
Even in a fight scene, the popular family-oriented show featured moments of tenderness and father-son bonding.
The action in the "Doll of Sorrow" sequence takes place in a section of the Lower Iverson just off the main trail into the Garden of the Gods. I've been calling this area "the Arena" in my research since I first ran across it years ago.
The Arena remains completely intact today, with a number of the rocks being immediately recognizable.
For a few years now, I've been referring to this rock in my research as "Darby Hinton Rock," because it's the spot where Darby, as Israel Boone, cheered his father on while Daniel and Ed Binns' character slugged it out.
The rock is conveniently positioned right off the main trail into the Garden of the Gods, on park property, where it is accessible to the public during daylight hours.
I've been wanting to find a way to make the "Darby Hinton Rock" designation more formal for some time now, and when I reached out to Darby, he agreed to help out.
One of the rock's distinguishing features is this small crack, which makes it easy to identify.
You can't miss the crack in some of the closeups of Izzy when he was standing near the rock.
I also got a nice shot of Darby while he was taking a look at the crack. Darby suggested it might be appropriate that a rock named after him would be a little cracked — but then, I think that would be true for yours truly too.
If you plan to be in the Los Angeles area on May 28, you can learn more about Darby Hinton and Darby Hinton Rock as part of a special presentation we will be giving at the incredible Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys.
-PS-King%20Vidor%20perch.jpg)
filmed in 1930 in what today is Porter Ranch
Besides delving into Darby's film and TV career and unveiling all the details on Darby Hinton Rock, the presentation will peel back some of the secrets from the 110-year movie history of the San Fernando Valley.
The presentation kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, but come early so you can spend some time browsing the sprawling Valley Relics Museum. The presentation is included in the museum's general admission price of $15.
This is your chance to find out all about the guest of honor's surprising career trajectory in the years after "Daniel Boone" — and maybe even ask Darby what it was like to star with five Playboy Playmates in "Malibu Express."
-flier-movie%20history%20of%20the%20San%20Fernando%20Valley-Valley%20Relics%20Museum-May%2028,%202022.png)
I hope all my blog readers will come on up and say howdy!
