The Viewing Files: Cowboys and Indians

There's something about the scenery and the laid back attitude of westerns that appeals.   Give me a decent western and I'm pretty happy.  Of course finding a decent one isn't always easy...

The Sons of Katie Elder

Starring: John Wayne, Dean Martin

Original release:1965

Synopsis:  Four brothers return home for their mothers funeral

 

I've lost count on how many John Wayne western's I've watched and I've still haven't found one I've liked. Are they really all this long and boring?

Rio Bravo

Starring: John Wayne, Dean Martin... again

Original release:1959

Synopsis:  A sheriff tries to bring a murderer to justice

 

In keeping with my trend of finding John Wayne's westerns so far being all a bit long and slow, here's another one to add to the pile of "kind of boring and why did I bother".

Gunfight at the OK Corral

Starring: Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas

Original release:1957

Synopsis:  Earp, Holliday and that gunfight

 

The romantic fantasy version of "the gunfight' of the Old West with ton of male testosterone running rampant and women knowing their place.

 

The fact that I find Kirk D rather dashing in this is probably seriously twisted. I blame it all on my love for a bad boy with a gun and snarky attitude.

Paint Your Wagon

Starring: Clint E and Lee Marvin

Original release:1969

Synopsis:  The hunt for gold

 

Clint sings.

 

Yeah I know that's a bit of a shocker. But if you can overlook that and some of the other singing then as a comedy western it kind of works.

 

Really though I only watched it for "They call the wind Maria" musical interlude.

Cat Ballou

Starring: Lee Marvin and Jane Fonda

Original release:1965

Synopsis:  A woman hires a gunfighter

 

Jane Fonda when she was going through her Brigitte Bardot phase; all long blonde hair, dewy eyes and glossy lips. Somehow it just doesn't seem to belong in a western. Then again there is also singing so maybe it does.

Shotgun

Starring: Sterling Hayden

Original release:1955

Synopsis:  A Marshall hunts a deadly gang

 

Sterling Hayden shirtless and shaving... well that's reason enough to watch this.

The Last Wagon

Starring: Richard Widmark

Original release:1956

Synopsis:  Survivors of an Indian attack have to rely on a man wanted for murder to get them to safety.

 

I could watch Richard Widmark throw axes at people all day. The 'kids' on the other hand were kind of annoying.

The Man from Laramie

Starring: James Stewart

Original release:1955

Synopsis:  Apaches

 

James Stewart has become my western hero. Who knew that could even be a thing...

Bend of the River

Starring: Jimmy... again

Original release:1952

Synopsis:  Two men lead a wagon train to Oregon.

 

Why are James Stewart's western always so much better The Duke's... and shorter. Whatever the answer is I'm a fan.

The Far Country

Starring: Jimmy yet again

Original release:1954

Synopsis:  The Alaskan gold rush

 

Jimmy Stewart being an anti-social loner and annoying people left, right and center and I can so relate.

 

The Canadian scenery is an added bonus.