Western Gallery

[FrankGrimes]

Go ahead, prove me wrong. What is your favorite scene in MDC?

 

I liked everything about My Darling Clementine. I really liked the people, all of them, and the story means a lot to me, Dave.

 

you are the REAL quick draw, fast-forwarder around here.

 

That's why the handy-dandy fast-forward button becomes so useful for me.

 

Uh-huh.

[MissGoddess]

Ha! I knew it!

[MissGoddess]

I'm so excited that I finally found the original soundtrack cd for The Searchers! It's on it's way in the mail to me. I think Searchers, Liberty and Young Mr Lincoln are my favorite music scores for John Ford movies (so far). The Quiet Man is also great.

[MissGoddess]

I just got "Gunsmoke" Season I on dvd for Mom and I'm watching it (just to make sure all the discs are working properly. Ahem!) and it's amazing to see Matt and Kitty so young for goodness sake! But it's interesting that all the dynamics for the main characters were in place right from the start. I wasn't sure if that was going to be the case. And wow, it's funny to see Chester actually leering at Kitty, ha ha! They make it so clear what her side job is. :0

 

I am also surprised at how talky and contemplative this episode is. It's very interesting so far.

[Bronxgirl48]

I am your little prairie flower. That'll be the day. lol. No, I am, and just as sweet as I can be. (when I've had a good meal)

 

I really warmed to BEND OF THE RIVER. The steamboat scenes on the river were literally refreshing, away from those dusty trails which you know I love, but every now and then in a western I like to see bodies of water.

 

Speaking of bodies, have you seen RIDE LONESOME, and, what do you think of it?

Also, what's your opinion of ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI?

 

Miss G. and now you have given me good answers about Julie London in MAN OF THE WEST.

 

What was that Cagney-Bogart western? Ever see it? The plot probably played like a typical

Warner's gangster picture, except with saloons and ten gallon hats.

 

Message was edited by: Bronxgirl48

[redriver]

"Hold it right there!"

 

I'd love to see season one GUNSMOKE! A lot of people consider the half hour episodes superior to the later entries. I've only seen a few of them, but I can see how that could be the case. The characters were very well defined, a concept that served well for all those years. Even more, the guest characters were strong. That's one of the features that distinguished the series from most of the others. In the long run, it was about the "person of the week" more than the regulars. A very intelligent choice.

 

Are you saying our Miss K was a...professional? Clearly, she employed young ladies to entertain the cowpokes. The show is surprisingly frank about that. But I don't think Kitty, herself, offered that particular amenity. She is, after all, "the marshall's woman."

 

RR

[MissGoddess]

Hi Bronxie! I think you mean *The Oklahoma Kid* with Bogie, right? I've never seen it. I do think Cagney was EXCELLENT in the western Tribute to a Bad Man.

 

Red: I have so far watched 8 episodes of season one of "Gunsmoke" and I keep looking for signs that Kitty was less than a working girl, but the signs are agin' it. So far. Of course, they play it VERY cagey because this is network tv circa 1950s. However, incredible as it is to me, there have been several indications that she is what almost all those saloon girls were, a prostitute. She clearly was not any such thing in the later episodes, after she'd bought the Long Branch and was the proprietress. In the beginning, though, she's just one of the "girls" and a guy named "Sam" is the owner (not Glen Strange; another actor). She is seen going up or coming down stairs with a gentleman in at least one show and different comments made seem to point to her profession.

 

It's very jaw dropping! Because Matt is her guy and yet not, just as he always was. It's funny because she's so young here that she still tries hard to get him to come around. In the later episodes she's more resigned to they way they are, with only occasional bursts of quite natural frustration.

 

It all seem in keeping with the very grim seriousness of the show. It is pretty hard hitting and the way you describe it as being about "the person of the week" is quite right. I love that, because you have the constants: Matt especially, then Doc, Chester & Kitty and then all the new people (guest stars) to stir things up.

 

One exchange between Matt to Kitty kind of surprised me:

 

Matt: "You look mighty pretty, Kitty."

 

Kitty: "How come you never tell me that in the daytime?"

 

:0

 

One thing that the first season has that they eventually dropped is a mini-prologue by Matt that takes place in each episode. He walks through Boot Hill and gazes down on Dodge City below while his voice-over narrates his thoughts, generally of a very philosophical bent. Like a sort of Wild West Socrates, lol!

[lzcutter]

Are you saying our Miss K was a...professional? Clearly, she employed young ladies to entertain the cowpokes. The show is surprisingly frank about that. But I don't think Kitty, herself, offered that particular amenity. She is, after all, "the marshall's woman.">>

 

Red,

 

Yes, in the beginning, Miss Kitty was a...professional. I remember watching the show on Saturday nights (the babysitter would let me stay up) and I had all sorts of questions about Miss Kitty which to her credit, she answered.

 

Miss Kitty ultimately bought the Long Branch as I recall and made running the saloon her full time job but she still had the er, professional area, upstairs for a few years after. Finally, probably at CBS's behest, all storylines and references to what the girls actually did was dropped.

[MissGoddess]

Isn't it ironic, Lynn, that by the '70s which were much more liberal, Miss Kitty's act had to be cleaned up whereas when the show started it was allowed to pass? I can't think of another show, really, that did that kind of reversal.

[FrankGrimes]

Hi, My Little Prairie Flower! -- I really warmed to BEND OF THE RIVER. The

steamboat scenes on the river were literally refreshing, away from those dusty trails

which you know I love, but every now and then in a western I like to see bodies of water.

 

That does make Bend of the River more appealing to me. I think one of the most

inviting ingredients to westerns are the real outdoor locations. The grand view of the

American west can be awe-insipiring at times. John Ford? Never heard of him.

 

Speaking of bodies, have you seen RIDE LONESOME, and, what do you think of it?

Also, what's your opinion of ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI?

 

No, I haven't seen either of them. And, to tell you the truth, I haven't seen that many

westerns overall. I'm sure you have seen many more than I have.

 

Miss G. and now you have given me good answers about Julie London in MAN OF

THE WEST.

 

That's a bad cocktail. You should feel nauseous in a matter of days.

 

Howdy, Miss Kitty! -- She is seen going up or coming down stairs with a

gentleman in at least one show and different comments made seem to point to her

profession.

 

One exchange between Matt to Kitty kind of surprised me:

 

Matt: "You look mighty pretty, Kitty."

 

Kitty: "How come you never tell me that in the daytime?"

 

That's all the evidence I need, Counsellor.

 

Because Matt is her guy and yet not, just as he always was. It's funny because

she's so young here that she still tries hard to get him to come around. In the later

episodes she's more resigned to they way they are, with only occasional bursts of

quite natural frustration.

 

I'd love to see Miss Kitty trying to get Matt to take the next step in the episodes you

speak of. That's very interesting.

 

Isn't it ironic, Lynn, that by the '70s which were much more liberal, Miss Kitty's act

had to be cleaned up whereas when the show started it was allowed to pass? I can't

think of another show, really, that did that kind of reversal.

 

It was the time of Mary Tyler Moore. Go ahead, take your shot at you know what.

 

I liked everything about My Darling Clementine. I really liked the people, all of them,

and the story means a lot to me, Dave.

 

Ha! I knew it!

 

[redriver]

I really didn't know this about Miss Kitty. I guess, at four years old, it didn't occur to me! Thanks for enlightening me.

[Bronxgirl48]

Unlike moi, you can make large lists of your favorite westerns. I haven't seen half of what you have!

But I'm adding, almost week by week! Recently saw THE TALL MEN.

 

"I want a tall man, don't want no small man...." sings luscious Janey. A satisfying Cinemascope western -- very entertaining -- rugged, colorful, beautiful scenery, great interaction between Russell, Gable, and Robert Ryan. The gruff sentimentality of the ending reminded me of Billy Wilder's THE APARTMENT.

 

And! Saw my second Scott Boetticher, THE TALL T. Not quite sure what the title refers to though, it doesn't seem to be referenced in the movie. I'm really enjoying this director's westerns - they're compact, well scripted and acted, with the haunting aridity of his settings almost a character in itself. I'm beginning to really appreciate Randolph Scott more and more in this genre. Unexpected casting of Maureen O'Sullivan is actually a brilliant stroke; she adds a lot of dimension. And what can I say about Richard Boone -- a GREAT performance. He's runnin' with callow violent youths **** and Billy Jack but he's lonesome, and wants to settle down....poor guy. .you'll feel sorry for him....NOT.

[FrankGrimes]

Howdy, Prairie Flower! -- Unlike moi, you can make large lists of your favorite westerns.

 

That's just because I'm a fool who loves to make lists.

 

I haven't seen half of what you have! But I'm adding, almost week by week!

 

I actually think you've pulled your wagon ahead o' mine, BG. Your trail is a blazin'!

 

I've seen about 40-50 westerns in my life. That's about it. I've seen a lot of the later episodes of Gunsmoke and I've seen many episodes of Rawhide. That's where I've laid my hat and boots in all my years.

 

I've never seen The Tall Men or The Tall T. Are you going down the western catalogue in alphabetical order?

 

The gruff sentimentality of the ending reminded me of Billy Wilder's THE APARTMENT.

 

Now that sounds like my kind of film. I really like The Apartment.

 

I'm beginning to really appreciate Randolph Scott more and more in this genre.

 

You just brought a big ol' smile to Lynn's (lzcutter) face.

 

I always love your film reviews. They are bursting with energy and life. You've got a uniquely brilliant style of writing.

[Bronxgirl48]

Aww, thank you Frank, but Bronxgirl brilliant? What are you smoking??

 

Yeah, THE OKLAHOMA KID, that's the title. I guess maybe Jimmy's the title character.

I can't imagine Bogie being called kid. I'd love to see this. Probably the Warners stock company is in it; I can see Frank McHugh as Cagney's sidekick. (I'll have to check the imbd board and see if I'm right)

 

Haven't seen TRIBUTE TO A BADMAN.

 

I'm so glad I get Encore's Western Channel; that's where I've been seeing all these Boettichers, Manns, etc.

 

I want Jane Russell's cute flowered bathtub, in THE TALL MEN. Cameron Mitchell to Gable, of drunk Russell: "She's out cold" -- Clark: "She's never been cold in her life"

 

Wherefore art the Jane Russells, Gables, and Randolph Scotts of today?? Everybody now is CRAP!!!

 

Hmm, it's an interesting mixture I just stated -- of poetry.....and meanness.

 

Get it? Get it?

 

I want your honest opinion.

 

Message was edited by: Bronxgirl48

[redriver]

There are a lot of good westerns out there. Chiefly, the ones we always talk about. But there are others. WARLOCK is interesting. LONE STAR, with Gable, Gardner, and Lionel Barrymore as Andrew Jackson! THE GUNFIGHTER and THE BRAVADOS, by Henry King. And Mr. Grimes will like this. RANCHO NOTORIOS. A cute little movie by Fritz Lang! Demille and Cooper had fun with the genre. As did Curtiz and Flynn. And there's the poetic and moving WILL PENNY, a mature story that features the best work of Charlton Heston and Joan Hackett.

 

I know where there's a copy of THE MEDIC, an early TV series with Richard Boone. I don't know anything about this. But I've seen it referenced on the board. Maybe I should buy it.

 

Message was edited by: redriver

[Bronxgirl48]

I really appreciate your recommendations -- I'll put them on my list, and I'll bet the Western Channel will run some or all of them.

 

MEDIC sounds vaguely familiar to me.

 

You can never go wrong with Richard Boone.

 

Message was edited by: Bronxgirl48

[FrankGrimes]

Howdy, Prairie Flower! -- Aww, thank you Frank, but Bronxgirl brilliant? What are you smoking??

 

I guess that was the loneliness of the trail speaking.

 

No it wasn't, Brilliant BG.

 

I want your honest opinion.

 

Uh-oh. I've heard this before. Come to think of it, I need to post my thoughts on this film among many others.

 

Hiya, Double R -- Grimes will like this. RANCHO NOTORIOS. A cute little movie by Fritz Lang!

 

Rancho Notorious is an elusive Lang title for me. I hope to corral it some day.

 

One of my favorite westerns is The Shooting. It's a heavy, psychological western noir that features a deadly femme fatale performance by Millie Perkins. It was shot at the same time as Ride in the Whirlwind, which is a film I've yet to see.

 

Has anyone else seen The Shooting?

 

Monte Hellman's The Shooting.

 

 

 

 

Millie Perkins as "Woman" in The Shooting.

 

 

 

 

[mrsl]

It's amazing how many people who don't consider themselves western fans, are now realizing how much they have missed by seeing all the old Randolph Scott movies that have recently been shown on the Western Channel. Also, due to TVLand, and others, all kinds of people are discovering Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Rifleman, Bat Masterson, the Big Valley, and so many others. All those old shows illustrate how a story can be told in less than a half hour yet be just as full and compelling as a 2 hour movie. Those writers introduced a character, told us his past, explained his present problem and eased his weary head all in about 25 minutes. Hopefully it's making people realize what they're missing, and in many cases using your imagination can be better than seeing everything in red and red.

 

Sorry, had to add my 2 cents.

[MissGoddess]

Hi Anne! It's great to see you on this dusty trail! And thank you for your comments; I'm just about done watching the first season of "Gunsmoke" and quite agree about the half-hour format. I first took notice of how effectively one can tell a story in that time by watching the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" show, but these early "Gunsmoke" episodes are just as brilliant and getting better all the time. I also see they share at least one director in common on some of the credits: Robert Stevenson.

[MissGoddess]

*The Tall Men* poster

 

[MissGoddess]

*James Cagney* in *The Oklahoma Kid*

 

 

 

[MissGoddess]

*Tribute to a Bad Man* (AFI Salute to Robert Wise program)

 

 

 

Irene Pappas and Don Dubbin

 

 

 

 

[FrankGrimes]

Hi, Anne! -- It's nice to see you around.

 

Also, due to TVLand, and others, all kinds of people are discovering Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Rifleman, Bat Masterson, the Big Valley, and so many others.

 

TV Land is where I first got to see Gunsmoke. The show really did make an impact on me because it was the first western that touched my heart. I was used to the testosterone westerns prior to Gunsmoke.

 

Howdy, Fordy Guns! -- Thanks for the pics! I especially like the posters.

[MissGoddess]

I finished watching all the episodes of Season I of "Gunsmoke". It was really full of surprises and got consistently stronger and better with each successive show. The writing was certainly exceptional from the start, with interesting teleplays by Sam Peckinpah and many that were just as good if not better by other, less well known writers. But I certainly could see something different in the shows directed by Robert Stevenson, and one in particular by Harry Horner, than those by the series' producer, Charles Marquis Warren (who helmed the majority of them).

 

There is a stark contrast present (in Season I) which seems to have blurred by the series end (the shows I've always seen). A push and pull between rough justice and compassion for what made the people so hard and harsh and its primarily depicted in the Marshall's own conflicting reactions. He's very, very young so of course he's more spry and quick tempered, in fact, it's a bit jarring to see Matt Dillon become really SCARY when he's mad----and then there are other scenes where he's so much more patient than he ever was in the later years (too patient for me, sometimes). It's an odd contradiction. Dodge was definitely more "civilized" in the later end of the series and had acquired a more settled, quasi-respectable fascade compared to how wild it is here. Boot Hill is always present in the monologues which open each episode, reminding you how almost daily a new "tenant" was added.

 

Great stuff! I highly recommend fans of the genre get the complete season discs, it's so interesting to see the development of a series that lasted almost a whole generation.

 

P.S. Boy howdy, they make NO bones about the prostitution going on in the saloons. To me it's more patent than even many feature length movies made it.

[movieman1957]

"Run For Cover" is another mid-50's Cagney western that shows up now and then on Encore's Westerns channel. Not lately as I recall though.