Well, my “hooey!” meter goes off in the first sentence:
.ndiana Jones’ character is composite of stock characters from 30s action serials like I Love A Mystery, etc.
And the name isn’t a nod to a real person, it’s a reference to Nevada Smith.
I didn’t read past that, but I’m inclined to shout “bunkum!” anyway.
Looks like Vendyl Jones is a real guy, or at least someone did a lot work to make 800+ fake references to him on the web.
No doubt he’s a real person – but he’s pure bunkum.
Nonsense. Apart from the Nevada Smith reference, “Indiana” was chosen specifically as the replacement state-name because that was Lucas’ dog’s name. In the original script, it was “Indiana Smith,” but it got changed to Jones in later revisions because it was more euphonious.
I’d take his claims with all the salt in the Dead Sea. He has as much credibility as the crackpot who claims that the Wachowski Brothers ripped her off for The Matrix.
I’ve heard Vendyl Jones’ name before, but I can’t say that I know anything about him. Still, he’s not just a name that was made up for that article.
wasnt wendell jones the name of the little black scientist kid from bloom county?
It was Oliver Wendel Jones
Even if he’s full of BS, it would be cool if he found it.
Sounds like he’s full of it regarding Indiana Jones, but maybe his archeology is legit.
What the heck does the Western Nevada Smith have to do with Raiders?
It’s about a kid growing to adulthood as he seeks to avenge his parents death.
Plotwise, nothin’. But Lucas said he liked the whole “state for a name” thing and cribbed it from Nevada Smith, which he enjoyed. No idea if he called the dog “Indiana Smith,” playing off the movie, shortened it to Indiana, and then recycled the name for the movie, or what. But he’s on record saying that Nevada Smith was the inspiration for the pattern of the name that Indiana Jones has. And also that Indy is named after his dog.
Make of that what you will. 
That doesn’t sound likely, either. (PDF Link)
Meanwhile, over in sci.archeology,
Bwahahaha.
Wouldn’t it be most likely that the Ark was melted down for its gold by its captors? Or that it’s buried in a Freemason vault under Philadelphia?
The terms are mutually exclusive. ;j
Larry: thanks for the info. I’ve heard it a couple of times and though Raiders was supposed to be a ripoff on NS.
I was afraid this day would come.
You see, Vendyl Jones is family - my father’s cousin (and Dad’s threatened to disown me if I admit to it in public. Hope Dad never reads this board.). He is a total and complete flim-flam artist. For a while, he sent newsletters on his expedition to my parents. I remember reading one. In it, he listed his archeological accomplishments as tons of dirt moved. I’ve met him once. Very nice, agreeable man, and he set off all my BS detection alarms when I was only 14 or 15.
We share genes. I’m very disturbed by this.
I have some friends who I am going to share a good laugh at this with.
Are you kidding?!? :eek: Remember what happened the last time it was found…
To tell the truth, I’ve always suspected that “Indiana Jones” owes his name, at least in part, to the SF 1930s-40s pulp hero “Northwest Smith”.
As for his character, I wrote an essay in Teemings that will, I hope, be up again soon.It argued that IJ owes an awful lot to…
…Donald Duck.
And I mean it sincerely. Read the essay.
I got the impression that Vendyl was either downplaying or had left his Christianity in favor of B’nai Noach.
Really!? :eek: You’re not whooshing us, are you? Nah, you’re an established Doper and wouldn’t do that… but really?! OK, I believe you. That is so amazing. With about 3,000 active Dopers, it astounds me the connectedness of this group. Jones does sound a bit out there.
And Cal, I read the essay a few years ago. It was great. Well written and researched and very convincing. I do hope it is available to read again soon.
Not as much as you may think. Many of the more fundie types are very pro/interested in Israel. They want the temple reconstructed on the Temple Mont so Jesus can come back and fry everyone that dosen’t think like they do.