I know it's technically not a Western but I'd recommend Kevin Kostner's Hatfields and McCoys that's running now on Lifetime East this week. They seem to have gone to great lengths to make it look like 1800s Kentucky and West Virginia and it's as wild and violent as anywhere on the other side of the Mississippi. It was over more than just a pig; there doesn't seem to be anything worth starting a feud over but the codes of honor and justice these mountain folk lived by seemed to dictate otherwise. There are a number of well known actors involved as well as "unknowns" who shouldn't be after this. Everybody with a part in making this should be proud and if the Emmys ignore it they will lose a lot of creditability with me.

"Wells Fargo" is a well made Western directed by Frank Lloyd, who is all but forgotten today. But by the time he directed "Wells Fargo" he had already won two Oscars for directing. A big scale oater with two very likeable stars. McCrea and his wife Dee made 5 films together. 6, if you count "Cattle Drive" where he shows a picture of his sweetheart to Dean Stockwell and it's Francis Dee.
But for my money the best film these two ever did together was a wonderful little movie called "Four Faces West" in 1949. A Western where not one shot is fired nor a punch thrown. But what I consider a beautiful and very underrated film.. McCrea is a down on his luck cowboy who robs a bank , using his gun as collateral and leaves an I.O.U.. Dee is a young nurse he meets on the train while on the run from Pat Garrett {the great Charles Bickford} and is helped by a gambler Joseph Calleia. Someone compared it to "3 Godfathers" to a degree and I agree. If you get a chance to watch this little gem of a movie, do yourself a favor, you won't be disappointed....

In 1942 all 3 teamed again with "Pittsburgh", with the story of coal mines and miners sort of a Eastern Western. It takes place in the years leading up to WW2 with Wayne becoming a success and losing his way. Some compared it to a remake of "Boom Town" with Gable, Tracy and Colbert. Not on the same par with "The Spoilers", but still fun to watch....

Howdy Grey Dude,

I have it ranked 21st out of the 36 "Duke" films that I've seen

I have no idea where it would fall in a list like that (if I ever were to make one) but I would list it up higher on my list of "earlier" Dukes than I likely would my "overall" John Wayne films. Though admittedly.. in terms of a time line, this one would likely be a "latter early Duke" ha, because he was beginning to get a pretty good name for himself by then.. and then anything after the mid 40's.. he was really starting to come into his own.. at least that is how it looks to me. (though I am NO expert whatsoever) Ha.. now do you see why I could never be so organized as to make a list.. ha. Too many details to keep track of.

Marlene is an actress that not everyone likes, so she's hard to predict if someone is going to like her or not. I like Marlene and the kind of character she plays in *The Spoilers *is one that I like. She's the "chaser" in this one. Typically, it's the other way around

I'd have to say that there are a couple of movies for her that I liked her better.. but I am not as educated on her career as I should be to say too much about her overall. But the ones of hers that I DO like her in.. I really like her a lot.

whenever I see Richard in these "later" films, he seems to be the guy getting the short end

Poor fella.. he does seem to fulfill that whole "some gotta win, some gotta lose" sorta role, ha.

It really is funny to see Randolph Scott this way, especially after watching his Boetticher films

I am used to seeing him "tough and menacing"... but ha.. "creepy" and menacing is a whole new look for him to me.

Seven Sinners

It is one that I would like to eventually see for him, but I have read a little on it.. and it is not too high on my "wanna see's" at the moment. I will hope to get to it one day, though.

He's playing you

Ha.. "Peacemaker" minds think alike.. even if Betsy wasn't exactly a "peacemaker" style. But I DID like her style all the same. And I love his matter of fact way of talking to her. He was definitly a shoot first and don't worry about the questions later kinda guy. (Maybe I should channel my inner Harry Carey" the next time you get smart mouthed. ha)

PS. Mr. Movieman.. how does Well's Fargo compare to Union Pacific? I really liked that one a lot.

Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 7, 2012 1:21 AM

Excellent information, Fred, as always. You know your stuff.

May not be a classic, but this is a slam bang no holds barred "B" Western when they knew how to make them....

Very much so. It seems like the western of the early-40s (or pre-WWII) was typically offered as such.

Howdy, Quiet Gal -- I found The Spoilers to be a very entertaining film. I think you'll enjoy it

To which Rohanaka now replies: "WOO HOO, chalk one up for Mr. Grey. I DID enjoy it.. a lot!"

Terrific! I thought you would like it. It's a "good fun" film.

What a fun movie.. not by ANY stretch of the imagination would I call it the best Duke film ever.. but still.. entertaining is exactly the right word for it.

I agree with that. I have it ranked 21st out of the 36 "Duke" films that I've seen.

And really.. it was not just because of John Wayne.. what about Marlene.. and poor little Richard Barthelmess.. alas. ha.

Marlene is an actress that not everyone likes, so she's hard to predict if someone is going to like her or not. I like Marlene and the kind of character she plays in The Spoilers is one that I like. She's the "chaser" in this one. Typically, it's the other way around.

And whenever I see Richard in these "later" films, he seems to be the guy getting the short end.

And OH that sleezy, smiling (did I just say SMILING????) Randolph Scott!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (who KNEW he had such a smiling rotten side???)I don't think I have ever seen him smile so much in my LIFE (and I gotta say he was really starting to creep me out! ha)

It really is funny to see Randolph Scott this way, especially after watching his Boetticher films.

Really.. the entire cast was just perfect.

Again, we're in agreement. Where I think the cast makes a film is with Seven Sinners. In that film, the Duke isn't the "Duke." You probably wouldn't like the film as much becuase of that. I think it's much more of a "Jackie" picture.

But OH me.. you are two for two, Grey Dude, because I thoroughly enjoyed Harry Carey. He really was perfect in this movie... just the right mix of fun, sweetness.. and downright tough and grisled old guy.

And on THAT note, I can only say.. I gotta get me a BETSY!!!!!!!!!!!

He's playing you! That's why you like him!

one of the great, long saloon fights in westerns

Oh my golly, Mr. Movieman.. that was among the most brutal fistfights I think I have ever seen in a western. With so much humor in this movie it COULD have turned in to more of a 'free-for-all" kinda fight, but there was NOTHING funny about it. Good gravy they were going at it.. and it lasted a good long while too. Very grueling. I think it was among one of the roughest Duke "duke-outs" (and possibly even among the more realistic looking ones) that I have ever seen. Wowsa.