Western Movie Rambles

[fredbaetz]

I have seen every Western from FrankG's 59 to fxreyman list of VHS/DVD's and all the others mentioned at least once . most two times or more.There may be those that say "What a wasted life", but I would do it all over again I have about 250 DVD's and at least 50% are Westerns. I just finished watching "Texas Rangers" with Fred MacMurray and Jack Oakie remade as "Streets of Laredo" with William Holden and "The Man From the Alamo" with Glenn Ford. Wish they would release more Tim Holt's oaters pre and post war also more of the Audie Murphy Universal collection. We need more Westerns made.

[MissGoddess]

Wow, Fred, that's impressive. Have you seen a movie called *The Texans* starring Randolph Scott and a blonde Joan Bennett? I ask because I found this cute picture of her from it:

 

[fredbaetz]

WOW MissG, that's strange. Last month at Big Lots I bought DVD of Classic Westerns. 2 DVD's that were "The Texans" with Randy Scott and Joan, also included were "California" with Ray Milland and Barbara Stanwyck and "The Cimarron Kid" with Audie Murphy and "The Man From the Alamo". That was Volumn 1 and Volumn 2 has The Texas Rangers with Fred and Canyon Passage with Dana and Kansas Raiders with Audie and The Lawless Breed with Rock Hudson. If you have a Big Lots near try and drop by, they have good deals on DVD. Each volumn was 6 dollare with 4 films each...

 

Edited by: fredbaetz on Oct 7, 2010 7:25 PM

[MissGoddess]

No Big Lots near me, I'm afraid.

 

Did you watch *The Texans* yet?

[fredbaetz]

Its been about 30 years since I last watched "The Texans", but I'm going to get to it witthin the next 2 days. I remember it being a well done Western {its got Randy}, but don't remember too much about the plot. Will report back to you after I watch it...

[MissGoddess]

At your leisure, Fred. I look forward to your review.

[rohanaka]

Yo.. Grey Guy... far be it from ME to point out ANYONE else's TYPO's but I am SURE you have the following two NUMBERS mixed up....

 

1. Once Upon a Time in the West

59. McLintock!

 

Ok.. I am being rotten.. but I had to do it. ha. And PS: I KNOW you had to put McLintock further down.. (though I STILL think you are just being "stubborn" ha.) but HOW (oh how oh HOW????) could you ever list Once Upon a Time in the Blah Blah Blah ahead of.. # 3 and/or #8?????????? OH.. and let's not forget # 11... sigh...

 

What ARE we going to do w/ the likes of you??? ha.

 

Actually.. all kidding aside, and to be honest.. I am IMPRESSED that you have them as high up as you do.. I am glad you are giving Mr Ford such high ratings on your list, sir.

 

OH..and PS: do I recall a certain someone saying they had recently watched Hell's Hinges?????? I am surprised to not see THAT one on your list. Where do you rate it if I may be so curious as to ask??

 

The OK Kid (alias Jackie Favell) says: I cannot understand how you guys see all these movies! I will never catch up. My list of movies to watch runs from here to the painted desert... and back again

 

YEAH.. what SHE said, ha.

 

OH my golly, you folks and your lists are making me DROOL. ha. I dearly love some of the titles you have listed here... but only DREAM about more of them. (and I have been a "western fan" probably since before the Grey Dude tasted his first bite of Saur Kraut. What kind of "classic western" person do I think I AM anyway, ha)

 

Truth is.. my movie collection is WOEFULLY inferior to almost ALL of you folks.. I have seen many of the ones on the various lists I am seeing here.. but I do not have copies of most of them.. I just am such a "rotten" movie collector" ha. Maybe someday I will catch up.. but by then I will be such an old woman... ha. I will likely have to take a NAP in the middle of the movie and then I will NEVER catch up. ha. (oh wait.. that happens now anyway.. oh brother.. I am a lost cause, ha)

 

PS: Jackie... I say you come on over here for a cookout before it is too late and my mind is gone forever and we will let the kids play out back and send the hubbies out to man the BBQ grill.. And meanwhile we will just sit around and watch MOVIE after MOVIE after MOVIE to our hearts' content.. and if they come indoors.. we will look busy.. like we are peeling potatoes for potato salad or something.. ha. (yeah.. it takes 10 hours to make a big bowl doesn't it???) Hey.. it could happen.. ;-)

[MissGoddess]

I want in on that potato salad deal.

 

KC-Ro, your collection is getting there. It takes time. I wish you could get the Encore Westerns Channel. You would really enjoy it.

[CineMaven]

Howdy...it's your fav'rite tin-horn here visiting the West. This is my list of Westerns I own on DVD (in alphabetical order):

 

1. Buchanan Rides Alone

2. Comanche Station

3. El Dorado

4. Far Country

5. High Noon

6. Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

7. Ox-Bow Incident

8. Red River

9. Ride Lonesome

10. Rio Bravo

11. Rio Lobo

12. Tall In the Saddle

13. The Tall T

14. Trail of the Lonesome Pine

15. True Grit

 

Ha! Pitiful ain't it.

 

I had a fleeting thought of trying to create a Western montage similar to what I saw in the femme fatale tribute cited in the Noir thread. But who am I kidding. I don't have ten films you'd call a classic. Guess I'll go make potato salad with wimmin folk, if even they'll have me.

[movieman1957]

A short list maybe but it is full of good films. I bet you've seen plenty.

[JackFavell]

MAva -

 

I think your list is great! You have picked all wonderful movies - you should be proud.

 

Ro -

 

I have my potato ready....

 

Man, it's tough making these lists! These are my favorites (today), in order, from favorite to least favorite. Don't expect me to stick to any decisions. If you confront me on them, I will fall apart.

 

Three Bad Men

Wagon Master

The Searchers

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

My Darling Clementine

Shepherd of the Hills

Shane

Fort Apache

Hell's Hinges

Lone Star

Three Godfathers

Rio Grande

Destry Rides Again

Angel and the Badman

Decision at Sundown

The Big Trail

Treasure of the Sierra Madre

The Vanishing American

High Noon

Seven Men from Now

Ride the High Country

Blazing Saddles

The Westerner

They Died With Their Boots On

The Tall T

Bad Day at Black Rock

The Misfits

Go West Young Lady

Annie Oakley

Tumbleweeds

The Furies

Stagecoach

The Shootist

The Naked Spur

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

Man of the West

Little Big Man

The Ox Bow Incident

3:10 to Yuma

The Wild Bunch

Bad Company

Roughshod

The Iron Horse

Red River

Sergeant Rutledge

Winchester 73

Broken Arrow

The man from Monterey

The Star Packer

Once upon a time in the west

The Tin Star

Giant

The Great Train Robbery

The Great Silence

For a Few Dollars More

Border Incident

The Long Riders

The Cowboys

Bite the Bullet

Chisum

Norht to Alaska

Wagon Train -Tim Holt

Hud

McCabe and Mrs. Miller

Cat Ballou

Duel in the Sun

Dances With Wolves

The great Northfield Minnesota Raid

Shanghai Noon

The Plainsman

Hang em, High

Union Pacific

The Man from Laramie

Firecreek

McLintock

The Horse Soldiers

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Will Penny

City Slickers

True Grit

Last of the Mohicans

Cimarron

Cimarron

Jeremiah Johnson

Gunfight at the OK Corral

The Train Robbers

The Undefeated

Northwest Passage

Unforgiven

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Oct 8, 2010 11:27 AM

[movieman1957]

Sir Francis is going to have a stroke that you like "Star Packer" better than "Once Upon A Time...." Interesting that you have "Cimarron" and "Cimarron" next to each other. Too bad "Gunfight At The OK Corral" is so low. I like that one.

[JackFavell]

I loved the B westerns they showed last year! The only ones I can remember are the two on my list - the Star Packer and The Man from Menterey. thought they were grand. And I just remembered the Tim Holt western I watched a few weeks ago...what the heck was it? I really liked it too. There is a lot to be said for B's - when they are done well, they are a lot of fun, and I discovered while making my list that I like fun movies better than really heavy duty movies. Mostly.

 

I tried to separate Cimarron and Cimarron, but then realized I don't like either one any more than the other. In fact, I DON'T like them equally.

 

I have never liked that Gunfight at the OK Corral. It is SOOOO serious.... I can't take it. I do watch it occasionally for DeForest Kelly.

 

I deleted a few that I just didn't think of as westerns, because I was having trouble placing them - they are on some westerns lists.

 

The Last Picture Show

Drums Along the Mohawk

Young Mr. Lincoln

 

I almost deleted Last of the Mohicans and Hud for the same reason.

[movieman1957]

You listed "Wagon Train" with Tim Holt. Was that the one? (You're too young to start that kind of thing,)

 

The funny thing about those old "B" westerns is that some of the music is all synthesizer. The other is that there seems to be an inordinate amount of time watching chase scenes. Some of those films have the best or most dangerous looking stunts. They are fun.

 

I'm not fond of either "Cimarron" either. Richard Dix is so over the top, as I recall. The later version is long and not all that exciting.

 

Don't tell anyone but there are three or four on your list I haven't seen.

[MissGoddess]

Wonderful reading over the lists, seeing what others have watched gives

you an idea what kind of westerns they're drawn to.

 

I'm not fond of the Cimarrons either.

[wouldbestar]

:)I couldn't stay awake for this one last week. I had no idea it is as good as you all say it is. Another one to put on my "to see list". Education is good at any age and I'm always picking up something from you all.

 

I'll be away from the Board from next Thursday until the next one. My big 65 is that week-end and since my father has already left us I'll be spending the day with the other responsible party, my Mom. I can only wonder what hell will break loose in between for me to catch up on as she is even more computer Gillette than I am but will everybody please stay healthy and alive until I get back. I really love all of you, even you self-described grumps.

 

Edited by: wouldbestar on Oct 8, 2010 12:25 PM

 

Edited by: wouldbestar on Oct 8, 2010 12:28 PM

[JackFavell]

Wouldbestar - have a wonderful 65th! Enjoy yourself and we'll try not to get into too much trouble while you're gone.

 

I don't know maybe it was just me who really liked the Tim Holt movie *Wagon Train*. (movieman, I added it to my list after that last post - I went and looked up the title). It started out like any average B, but ended up really quite thrilling. A movie doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles to be well written or acted or directed. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, though.

 

I realized that though I do like dark movies, for this list I went with entertainment value, since it's about favorites. That is probably why Ford appeals to me so much - even his dark, which is very dark, is captivating. I don't have a hard time watching The Searchers, though certain scenes are difficult. The movie on a whole is so fascinating that it never seems difficult to get through.

 

I was having a hard time listing things like High Noon, The Wild Bunch, and Man of the West. Though I like them all, and think of them as some of the best westerns of all time, I don't necessarily find them "entertaining".

[fredbaetz]

We are on the same page with Tim Holts "Wagon Train". it was a really well done "B" Western. I thought the production value was very good considering it was a "B". They went on location for the exteriors Kanab, Utah. Usually the "B"'s didn't leave So. Ca., but they gave Tim in his first starring role a good debut. I enjoyed all the films of Tim that aired a few weeks, but I thought this was a very good opening act for him I was a big fan of his, but I had not really seen a lot of his pre war films. I was introduced to him in the late 1940's in the post war westerns with Richard Martin as his side kick Chico.

I am a big fan of the others you mentioned, but I think films like "The Wild Bunch" were in part responsible for the western's decline.Not the only reason. BUT, I m still have seen "The Wild Bunch" many times and think it an American classic.

 

Wouldbestar, Have a great B. day celeberation, but remember when the cops arrive, don't give yoir right name....

 

Edited by: fredbaetz on Oct 8, 2010 3:41 PM

[fredbaetz]

Shades of "Red River": ---"The Texans"*****SPOILER ALERT

I just watched "The Texans" for the first time in 30 years or more. I was impressed.About all I remembered was it was about a cattle drive and that was it.

This turns out to be an epic film that deals with a lot of subjects that is only touched or mentioned in other films.The first quarter of the film deals with Carpet baggers, unfair taxes imposed on the South, crooked politicans. All basically true. Randolph {chorus please } Scott and Joan Bennett are the leads and they do a good job.Randy is an ex Johnny Reb who wants to put the war behind him. Joan and boyfriend Robert Cummings wants it to continue. Scott is still finding his nitch as an actor, but still good. Joan is fine, but I would have liked to see Barbara Standwyck, Jean Arthur or my #1 go to "Gal" Claire Trevor as the owner of the cattle that finally head to Abilene . May Robson as "Granna" steals all her scenes.There are moments in this film that rival "Red River" or goes it one better. The cattle crossing is a wonderful piece of film making.. With the cattle, cowboys, horses, wagons all crossing at the same time, it out does Hawks. Is this a better film then "Red River". NO, Hawks film is a more complax and character driven piece of film making and it's brillant, but some of the scenes out does "R.R." There snow, dust storms,Indian attacks,prairie fires,calvery chasing them.When they finally arrive there's scenes like R.R. with the cattle moving through the main street and "Ladies of the eveing" cheering them on.After seeing the "Ladies" Walter Brennen jumps off Granna's wagon and shows up later and ask "Granna" Guess where I've been? smiling.The wonderful Raymond Hatton as Randy's sidekick and Robert Barrett as the crooked carpetbagger round out theis well done film. The final scene with Cummings telling Bennett that the Soiuth will rise again with this new secret society. She ask "What is it" and he answers "The Klu Klux Klan ", we wear mask and ride at night", she replies "That sounds stupid like a bunch of little boys". The director James Hogan, mainly noted for the "Bulldog" Drummond and Ellery Queen movis had his best film here.It's a fine film, but not better then Union Pacific or Western Union or Red River, but it has its moments......

[rohanaka]

Hiya Jackie.. I am IMPRESSED that you have such a nice long list little youngun, (especially since you are a "western newbie!) I think you have put ME to shame, ha. So PLEASE bring that potato and come on down, little Missy!! And PS: Miss G.. GERMAN potato salad would be MOST welcome ha so PLEASE feel free to join in.. (see.. I NEVER forget the IMPORTANT stuff, ha) :-)

 

So OK, if I have read through these lists right, these are not necessarily ALL the westerns that folks have SEEN, but just films that you OWN either on DVD or VHS. (I hope I have that right)

 

And now you have all inspired me, ha. (even your short but SWEET list Miss Maven!) So here is my paltry contribution . And PS: I did not list the little ?B? movies on that 25 John Wayne Westerns DVD I got a couple of years ago from Walmart, though I DID list the two ?BIG? films that are on it (#?s 19 and 21)

 

I have sort of ranked them in order of preference, but I am SURE if I wanted to, I could end up sitting here all day and night trying to get it just right, ha) What I actually did was pretend I was going to go sit down and watch one of them RIGHT NOW and see what ones I would choose FIRST based on how well I enjoy them, ha) And by the way, I am pretty sure #?s 1 and 2 could go either way, pretty much. But this is how I am ranking them today.

 

Anyway, there are a lot of films that I only WISH I owned and are NOT on this list and so I know I would have to mix them all in an throughout THIS list if I were to be making a ?favorite westerns of all time list? (and PLEASE don?t? ask me to do THAT, ha. I think I did that a couple of years ago on here and it about did me in! And I am SURE my list today would be way different from what it was back then, by the way. Funny how that works out, ha)

 

At any rate, the movies below are ONLY the ones that I actually own (either storebought or by homemade vcr tape) So ha, try not to be TOO impressed, ha (ok, what I really meant to say was TRY not to LAUGH at me! Did I mention I was a pitiful excuse for a film collector???? Ha)

 

Oh..and like you Jackie.. I had a few I left off my list that MIGHT have gone either way.. as in: "western or not western")

 

Ok, here goes nuttin?:

 

1 The Searchers

2 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

3 Lonesome Dove

4 3 Bad Men

5 Stagecoach

6 Ft Apache

7 Rio Grande

8 Rio Bravo

9 3 Godfathers

10 Big Jake

11 Hondo

12 She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

13 Destry Rides Again

14 Shane

15 The Furies

16 Bend of the River

17 The Horse Soldiers

18 The Far Country

19 Angel and the Badman

20 The Hanging Tree

21 McLintock

22 Wagon Master

23 The Plainsman

24 Night Passage

25 The Rare Breed

26 The Man From Laramide

27 Silverado

28 The Westerner

28 Sgt Rutledge

29 North To Alaska

30 Appaloosa

31 Monte Walsh (T. Sellek version)

32 Crossfire Trail

33 Winchester 73

34 The Undefeated

35 The Cowboy and the Lady (sort of a western)

 

And again, I have numerous odd John Wayne western ?shorts? from early on in his career that are part of that VERY inexpensive package deal I got a couple of years ago, but in truth I do not count them as I have only watched a handful of them and don?t really have TOO much to say about them other than they are fun for a little ?smile? now and then.

 

OH and there are actually 4 more films I COULD list but do not know how to rate them yet because an ?honorable mention? goes to a recent purchase from Big Lots last month. (Woo hoo Ha. I LOVE a good bargain) Oddly enough it is the very same package that Fred B mentioned a few posts back. (The one w/ The Texas Rangers, Canyon Passage, Kansas Raiders, and The Lawless Breed) I picked it up when I saw it had CP on it as that was one that the Grey Guy had mentioned and I just realized I have had it almost a MONTH now and have yet to watch a single one! (golly, if I am not careful he'll be calling ME "shiftless", ha. So thanks for the reminder Fred... and PS... after seeing your post NOW I am going to have to toss a coin between TTR and Canyon Passage as to which one I will watch FIRST)

 

OH.. and PS: Miss Goddess, have I missed YOUR list ma'am??????????? (or are you still typing it? ) :-) I imagine it is a LONNNNNNNNNNNNNG one and would put us ALL to shame. ( I BOW in advance to your movie collecting prowess ma'am)

 

Edited by: rohanaka on Oct 8, 2010 7:25 PM

[MissGoddess]

> {quote:title=fredbaetz wrote:}{quote}

> Shades of "Red River": ---"The Texans"*****SPOILER ALERT

> I just watched "The Texans" for the first time in 30 years or more. I was impressed.About all I remembered was it was about a cattle drive and that was it.

> This turns out to be an epic film that deals with a lot of subjects that is only touched or mentioned in other films.The first quarter of the film deals with Carpet baggers, unfair taxes imposed on the South, crooked politicans. All basically true.

 

Fantastic, Fred! Thank you so much for reportign back. Because now you (and rohanaka) have about decided me to order that Western Pack.

 

> Randolph {chorus please } Scott and Joan Bennett are the leads and they do a good job.Randy is an ex Johnny Reb who wants to put the war behind him. Joan and boyfriend Robert Cummings wants it to continue. Scott is still finding his nitch as an actor, but still good. Joan is fine, but I would have liked to see Barbara Standwyck, Jean Arthur or my #1 go to "Gal" Claire Trevor as the owner of the cattle that finally head to Abilene . May Robson as "Granna" steals all her scenes.There are moments in this film that rival "Red River" or goes it one better. The cattle crossing is a wonderful piece of film making.. With the cattle, cowboys, horses, wagons all crossing at the same time, it out does Hawks. Is this a better film then "Red River". NO, Hawks film is a more complax and character driven piece of film making and it's brillant, but some of the scenes out does "R.R." There snow, dust storms,Indian attacks,prairie fires,calvery chasing them.When they finally arrive there's scenes like R.R. with the cattle moving through the main street and "Ladies of the eveing" cheering them on.After seeing the "Ladies" Walter Brennen jumps off Granna's wagon and shows up later and ask "Granna" Guess where I've been? smiling.The wonderful Raymond Hatton as Randy's sidekick and Robert Barrett as the crooked carpetbagger round out theis well done film. The final scene with Cummings telling Bennett that the Soiuth will rise again with this new secret society. She ask "What is it" and he answers "The Klu Klux Klan ", we wear mask and ride at night", she replies "That sounds stupid like a bunch of little boys". The director James Hogan, mainly noted for the "Bulldog" Drummond and Ellery Queen movis had his best film here.It's a fine film, but not better then Union Pacific or Western Union or Red River, but it has its moments......

 

 

I didn't know Brennan was in it, too. Tough I can gag a little over Robert Cummings being cast, it sounds like his role just fits him. That last line of Joan's was a good one.

 

I'm curious to see Joanie B in an oater. I bet she hated doing it.

[MissGoddess]

How do, KC-Ro!

 

You and Fred have inspired me to order that Western Pack with Canyon Passage and The Texans. So I'll be adding those titles to my work-in-progress list. I have quite a few on dvd-r and DVD, as you guessed, and am currently updating my looooong list. I hope to have it done soon. And no, I won't bother with even trying to list all the ones I've actually seen, my memory isn't good enough for that! And I may just put the total number down, rather than try to list each title I own.

 

I'm impressed with YOUR list, because you have a really nice spectrum of A to B titles in your collection. I have the same Duke 25 Pack, and I think Chris and Grimes do, too. It's fun to see so many of the same ones on all our lists.

 

I was also curious to see where *Stagecoach* would land on various lists. I have it fluctuating, because every time I see it I want to shoot it up near the top and then I forget when I see some of my other old favorites. You have it ranked high, Jackie has it rather lower like I used to. I saw its remarkable depth only lately with the Criterion remastered, special DVD.

 

And one huge order of German potato salad coming up (as soon as I can actually eat anything with mustard or vinegar. Two of my favorite ingredients currently off limits )

[fredbaetz]

Amazon has volumns 1&2 for as low as $ 6.76 each + shipping..Enjoy them....

[MissGoddess]

gracias, Fredito.

[fredbaetz]

My Top Westerns:

1= The Seachers

2= Shane

3= She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

4=- The Wild Bunch

5= Rio Bravo

6= Fort Apache

7= Stagecoach

8= Wincvhester 73

9= Red River

10= The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

11= 7 Men From Now

12= Three Godfathers

13= The Tall T

14= Tombstone

15= True Grit

16= My Darling Clementine

17= Tall in the Saddle

18= Western Union

19= The Ox-Bow Incident

20= Dodge City

 

These are not in any special order. The order can change with each viewing, but for the most part they fall into the top 20 listing.....

 

Edited by: fredbaetz on Oct 8, 2010 8:51 PM