Thursday, November 24, 2016

Thursday Movie Picks-Westerns-I picked this theme!!


I am excited because, way, way back, at the beginning of the year, Wandering Through The Shelves asked for some of us to fill in a few dates with a theme. I suggested Westerns because I love westerns and Voila! My mind has been all in a dither because I could choose some classics like Shane or High Noon. I could go to the man with no name in the Spaghetti Westerns which I love. I could even pick much newer films like the remake of the remake, Magnificent 7.  I decided to go with one of my favourite actors ...John Wayne whom I love! There is some negativity & bashing now about this dignified man  because of his politics and not going to war in WW2 but let's just set things straight...I do disagree with his stance on HUAC and his conservative leanings but I so respect his unshakable belief in his patriotism. He believed the States were in a crisis in the early 50's and he was not the total A-hole made out in the film "Trumbo". He had an ongoing injury from his football days plus he had  the head of the studio stopping him from getting into the action during the war ( without Wayne knowing). Wayne tried more than once to get in but was denied. This man is not a coward. Anyhoo, I went all John Wayne this week and am proud of it. I think because, Wayne reminds me of my Dad and I think my dad and Wayne looked similar (when they were older)

1. RED RIVER-1948


This film, I believe, started to really capture John Wayne as a great actor. He plays a man who, with the help of his sidekick pal and an orphan, build up his land and his cattle. They start out on an epic cattle drive but as time passes, Wayne's character becomes more obsessive and tyrannical to the point where the orphan, now a grown man, mutinies with the other men and leave Wayne behind.  Sounds like a dry land Mutiny on the Bounty with Wayne  not happy and set for revenge. This is a classic film in so many ways from the hee-hawing at the start of the cattle drive to even the contrived ending... this film is stellar!

2. THE SEARCHERS-1956


I may have spoken about this film before but I don't care because it is so good. Wayne plays Ethan, a veteran from the civil war who reunites with his brother and the brother's family. You can instantly see that Ethan and the brother's wife have an unspoken love which is dealt with  great respect. Soon, unfortunately, Ethan's brother and his family are ambushed and killed by Indian warriors except for the little girl and the adopted son who is part Indian. So begins an epic 5 year search for Ethan and the adopted son in tow, for the little girl taken by the tribe ruled by Scar.  You get to see how prejudiced Ethan is, making you wonder whether he means to save the girl or kill her. It is John Ford all the way from his stock actors he always used (Ward Bond etc..), the music to the great Monument Valley. This is another true classic.

3. THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE-1962


OK This film stars John Wayne and my favourite actor, James Stewart (who also played in a number of Westerns) as uneasy "friends" in a town who are very fearful of this gang led by a deliciously evil Lee Marvin. Wayne plays the old west where the law meant the gun. James Stewart's character is a lawyer who represents a newer west who wishes to bring peace and order to the town. Vera Miles is the gal both leads are sweet on and she ends up choosing Stewart but you know it was not the right choice (strangely enough). This is one western where I cry when Wayne, realizing he lost the girl, destroys his home. It is actually quite a moving, but sad commentary on the life of the old west. This is why it is best to print the legend.


OK, OK...2 more.... I can't stop!

4. MCLINTOCK-1963


This is a fun, comedic western starring John Wayne and his best partner, the beautiful Maureen O'Hara as once married, now separated, couple. She was living out east with a lot of airs where he stayed out west where he was comfortable. She is one feisty lady who can look beautiful in a feathered hat but can get down and dirty with the men and be their equal. This is a little bit of the Taming of the Shrew and I love how he tames her at the end because it is all sexual chemistry between those 2. Yvonne DeCarlo (Munsters) was down on her luck at this time and Wayne asked her to act in this film and he helped her out and she never forgot.

5. TRUE GRIT-1969


This is the film that I prefer...WAAAY over the remake with Jeff Bridges. I like this actor a lot but disliked his portrayal...felt he was trying too hard. Anyway, This is the film that won Wayne his Oscar...finally (He should have won it for The Searchers). He plays a grizzled, drunken SOB called Rooster Cogburn who is hired by the spunky Mattie to bring her father's killer to justice. Along comes Glen Campbell who also wants Chaney brought to justice but for another crime. The 3 of them start riding out on the trail and come across the Ned Pepper gang.  "Fill your hands, you Son of a Bitch". I love that line!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American blogger friends and stay away from the malls on Friday:)

64 comments:

  1. I too love Westerns but I cannot abide John Wayne, sorry. That being said, I watched 'The Searchers' after reading a book about the actual incident it was based on. And I really did like 'TMWSLV.' I still remember seeing 'Shane' as a child, probably taken by my Dad who was a huge Western fan. But, if asked to pick my favorite western off the top of my head it would be 'Silverado.' As for current westerns, I need to start up my Netflix account again so I can watch the new season of 'Longmire'. The AMC network dropped it cause the audience was 'too old'. Well, I guess that's me, LOL. Now I'm off to start preparing the turkey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe i remember that you dislike Wayne. He is one that people either like or hate, no real in between. Silverado is excellent and I finally (yup finally) saw it just a month ago. I love Kevin Kline. Happy Thanksgiving!

      Delete
    2. We got to discussing this topic after dinner today. I had forgotten '3:10 to Yuma' which is another one of my favorites. We all love our westerns thanks to Dad and 1950's TV.

      Delete
  2. Hi Birgit hope you are feeling better today...
    Many memories of John Wayne films . sitting on a Sunday afternoon watching films with my dad..who was a western mad dad....he had resisted buy a tv for many years but gave in when he saw he could watch John Wayne....xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for your dad to finally buy a TV:) I am a bit better today, Thank you so much:)

      Delete
  3. Hi, Birgit!

    Clearly you like Western movies and John Wayne (and musicals :) a lot more more than I do, dear friend, but that is a strange admission since I watched and enjoyed nearly every Western television show that came along in the 50s. I haven't seen any of these movies except True Grit, but two Westerns that I did see that immediately come to mind are another John Wayne picture, Rio Bravo, (with an all star cast that also includes Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan, and Ward Bond), and the classic you mentioned, High Noon, starring Gary Cooper.

    It's Turkey Day stateside and I need to scoot. Year in and year out you present a blog that genuinely interests me and when I give thanks with family today I will also be giving thanks for my family of faithful blog friends. You are one of the best, Birgit. Thank you! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rio Bravo is excellent and El Dorado, which is almost a remake of Rio, also. Funny, in El Dorado, it co-stars James Caan and Ed Asner who would later reteam in Elf! What you said hear made my eyes moisten. This is very sweet of you and i wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving

      Delete
  4. Totally passing on this one - not a western fan! Hope all is well with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bummer...so many are not. Wishing you a great day Anabel

      Delete
  5. So you're reaponsible for this week! Lol, I'm not a Western person. This was a tough week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahaaaa-I am! I guess this is for all the indi films and films made in countries that I could never see:)

      Delete
  6. I don't mind a good western. Rio Bravo is the one Wayne film I enjoyed. Saw a bunch of others but barely remember them as I was like 8 at the time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rio Bravo is a lot of fun and love Dean Martin in the role.

      Delete
  7. I love Westerns so thanks for picking this theme! And a theme within a theme, love them! Plus we have a match! I think it would be nigh impossible to do Western picks and NOT have a John Wayne movie included.

    Of your five The Searchers is my favorite by far and I agree the Duke should have won the Oscar for that rather than True Grit. But the other four are all good films with McLintock probably the least known but the most fun of them all.

    I tried to stick to the trio required but my bonus is one that I love and has such an unusual leading lady for a western I had to include it.

    Silverado (1985)-Reformed thief Paden (Kevin Kline), left for dead in the desert is rescued by Emmett (Scott Glenn) who’s passing by on his way to meet his rakish quick draw brother Jake (Kevin Costner) so they can visit their sister in Silverado before heading out to California. Along the way they befriend Mal (Danny Glover) who’s heading the same way. Once there Paden finds the town is run by his old gang led by Cobb (Brian Dennehy) now the sheriff as well as the owner of the saloon operated by the wise Stella (Linda Hunt). There’s a range war brewing and the boys are pulled in leading to a showdown. Solid western directed well by Lawrence Kasdan.

    Hannie Caulder (1971)-After she’s been raped, her home burned and her husband murdered before her eyes by three brothers Hannie Caulder (Raquel Welch) is hell bent on revenge. She tracks down bounty hunter Thomas Price (Robert Culp) and pressures him into training her to be a deadly shot then starts her hunt for justice. Tough, violent western with Welch hard as nails in the lead.

    The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)-When Senator Ransom Stoddard (Jimmy Stewart) arrives in the small western town of Shinbone for old friend Tom Doniphon’s (John Wayne) funeral a curious reporter pursues him and tries to find out why he would travel so far for a man no one knows anything about. Stoddard shares a story of arriving in Shinbone a greenhorn young lawyer years before and how he rose to his current position by being the infamous Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin), a notoriously evil outlaw, and what part Doniphon played. A study of myth building and busting is director John Ford’s last great film.

    Bonus: River of No Return (1954)-Vigorous tale set in the 19th century Pacific Northwest of widowed farmer Matt Calder (Robert Mitchum), recently released from jail for an honor killing, his young son Mark, the beautiful showgirl Kay (Marilyn Monroe) and her ruthless gambler fiancé Harry Weston (Rory Calhoun) who cross their path and a perilous raft journey down The River of No Return in a quest for gold and redemption. Big stars, standard story and beautiful location filming in the Canadian Rockies make this worth seeing. Marilyn sings several good era appropriate songs well including the title song though Mitchum sings it over the credits.
    Side note: Mitchum & Monroe (when she was still Norma Jean Dougherty) knew each other well pre-fame, he worked with her first husband, which adds a bit of background dimension to their interaction in this film.

    Just one more thing, surprised I haven't seen you drop by Dell's site for the Girls Week he's doing. He's been kind enough to let me do a few posts. Would love to hear your thoughts on them. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so glad you love the western theme. I knew some would hate it-lol Love your picks and that we match again! Hannie Caulder is a gem that i saw just this past year. This is when raquel was given some meaty roles and she can kick ass. River is a fun movie and glad Marilyn made at least one western. I didn't know that the 2 knew each other before. I have been dealing with some things so I didn't do the theme over at dell's but I will head on over to check it out:)

      Delete
  8. The Searchers is such a fantastic movie. And yes, Wayne is just perfect in it. I really love True Grit, too. We have a match their, but I must say I ever-so-slightly prefer the remake.

    Side note: I was recently at an arts and crafts festival and came across a vendor selling some John Wayne dolls he had made. They looked great, but I couldn't justifying spending $60 on one. That would've been an impossible sell to the wife, lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOh we have a match! The one thing I do like better in the remake is Hailee Steinfeld who is better than Kim Darby. Those dolls sound interesting but I would pass as well at $60

      Delete
  9. A very nice selection. I just watched The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance a few weeks ago. Great performances by all.

    By the way, I just wrapped up a four-parter on my blog. If you have time, check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it a good movie? I love it. I have read the first part and will be reading the rest:)

      Delete
  10. It looks like someone really loves westerns! Anyway, I haven't seen any of these, but most of them are already on my watchlist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, I love westerns and hope you get to see all these.

      Delete
  11. I enjoyed Rooster Cogburn more than True Grit, but that's because I's a Hepburn fan. I wonder if that movie still holds up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I love that one too and yes, it holds up. Hepburn really enjoyed working with Wayne even though they were polar opposites in beliefs

      Delete
  12. Yea that it was your theme this week they used!

    I only saw True Grit of the movies above (the original one you listed here). Did enjoy it. If you ever come to Arizona, you must visit Old Tucson where a lot of westerns were shot. We were down there a few weeks ago and it was fascinating to see and take the walking tour to learn about what movies were filmed there.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh gosh...love to see this since it was used in so many films. There are so many places I'd love to visit.

      Delete
  13. BIRGIT ~
    Alright, now we're yakkin'! The Western is my all-time favorite movie genre. In fact, an old girlfriend and I (well, she wasn't "old" THEN!) created in 1990 'CALAMITY CAT AND BLACK COLE KID'S UNCOMPLICATED GUIDE TO WESTERN MOVIES FOR THE SIMPLE-MINDED COWPERSON'. Therein we reviewed hundreds of Westerns. We even had it bound and sold some copies at a movie rental shop in Santa Monica.

    Because of my love of Westerns, I have a huge list of favorites. I have a pretty fair sized list of those I dislike, too. I think 'HIGH NOON' is one of the most overrated movies ever, and I've written the essay that proves it! (In my opinion, the truly GREAT Gary Cooper Western is 'THE WESTERNER' with Walter Brennan. Now THAT one is fantastic!)

    But favorites...

    I think the greatest Western movie ever made is 'THE WILD BUNCH'...

    http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-wild-bunch-is-cinematic-masterpiece.html

    But for very personal reasons, my #1 choice is 'MONTE WALSH' -- the 1970 original with Lee Marvin and Jack Palance. I feel that in many ways, 'MONTE WALSH' could stand as a biography of my own life.

    Of course I'm a huge JOHN WAYNE fan. He and James Dean are my two favorite actors. 'TRUE GRIT', 'THE SHOOTIST', 'RED RIVER', 'THE SEARCHERS' -- all of Wayne's movies are worth watching and some are masterpieces. A comedic one that gets wrongly overlooked is 'NORTH TO ALASKA'.

    Best "Spaghetti Western": 'ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST' (That's also the title of a great Dire Straits song.)

    I love, Love, LOVE 'THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN', 'SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF', 'RUGGLES OF RED GAP' (with Charles Laughton) and so many more.

    And as much as I dig 'BLAZING SADDLES', I think I even slightly (very slightly) prefer the horribly underrated (bombed at the box office) Western genre satire 'RUSTLERS RHAPSODY' with Tom Berenger, Andy Griffith, and John Wayne's son, Patrick. That movie is a howler! But if you don't really know the Western genre well, some of the jokes will go over your head. It's wild like 'Blazing Saddles' but slightly more subtle. The "Good Guy Versus Good Guy" gun duel is not to be missed! ("CONFIDENT heterosexual?")

    BIRGIT, see if you can find the nearly unknown 1982 movie 'THE BALLAD OF GREGORIO CORTEZ' starring Edward James Olmos. Originally made for PBS, it's one of the most unusual, unique Western movies ever. It's made to seem like live footage (documentary style) which shows two opposing views of the same event.

    'BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID', 'HOMBRE', 'SHENANDOAH' with yer boy Jimmy Stewart, 'HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER'... I could go on and on...

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I would love a copy of your book! The Westerner is a film I still have to see and it is high up there. I will have to look out for all the films you mention here. I own The Wild Bunch and it is a hoot for sure. My mind went dizzy with this week which I picked because most seem to not care for Westerns...what a shame:) love Sam Peckinpah and almost picked Ride the High Country with Joel McCrea and, sing it with me, Randolph Scott! My favourite is also Once Upon a Time in the West...it's so great. I love The Professionals as well. So many are just great!

      Delete
  14. Some absolute classic films in there, I've seen The Searchers, the racial theme is an interesting theme, especially for the time it was released.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it was and still resonates today. Great film.

      Delete
  15. Not a big western fan, nor have I seen many John Wayne movies. One of these days I'll fix that. Did you know there's an airport named after him. (I know this because it's local. In Orange County, CA.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, I knew there was an airport named after him no I think that's great. If you like. Good comedy, you should try McLintock

      Delete
  16. Oh Be Still my Heart! Duke was my ALL time hero! As for his politics, he grew up in another era, very unlike modern times. He had the standard ideas that most men of his generation had, and he was truly a patriotic, and not afraid to speak out. I have seen each of these movies, many, many times, and he's still my hero. I loved him in westerns, which I felt was his true forte. Not so much in the 'non-westerns', but he always delivered a good performance. He's someone that I admired-he lived by his beliefs, whether you & I agree with them or not. He didn't waffle! They don't make 'em like Duke anymore!! The Searchers and McClintock are my fav, and I watch just about any time either is on. (and yes I do have the DVD's for every movie listed here! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah!!! You said it so well here and in a way that I couldn't so I'm glad you commented here. My dad was born in 1913 and had very similar views as Wayne and I respected my dad so much and I respect John Wayne as well. Glad you have all these movies

      Delete
  17. Some good picks. But I don't agree with your explanation for why Wayne destroyed his home in Liberty. I recall it occurring after

    SPOILER ALERT

    he saved Stewart from being killed by Marvin in the gun-fight. Wayne's character lived by a certain moral code, which didn't include cheating. So he felt guilty about it.

    Anyway, I like True Grit and The Searchers. Shane, Young Guns, Once Upon a Time in the West, and High Plains Drifter as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's possible that I'm not remembering it right. Might have to watch it again.

      Delete
    2. I would watch the film again ....and me too because I never looked at it from this angle. When he noticed how Vera Miles's character went straight to Stewart and not to him when he was the one that shot the SOB and lost the woman he loved, he drank and destroyed the home he was making for her (and him). He knew his ways were dying so all he cared about and lived by went up in smoke...literally. You can see Stewart's character, later on, never would have amounted to anything if it wasn't for Wayne's sacrifice. You can also see that he and Miles no longer love each other and that she always loved Wayne and made the mistake from the way she left the cactus rose on his casket and tenderly touched it. I think Wayne's character realized his life seemed to mean nothing...when it meant everything

      Delete
  18. Coen bros all the way! I wouldn't call it a remake more another adaptation but I'm huge Coen fan.

    I love Liberty Valance such a great film can't believe I didn't pick it. Favorite moment is when Wayne over reacts to news and runs crying to his house then promptly destroys it. I still need to see The Searchers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the Coen Bros as well but nothing beats the original...to me:) See what I wrote above about Wayne destroying his home. You must see The Searchers!

      Delete
  19. I'm afraid I am not much into Westerns although I did love Magnificent Seven (the Yul Brynner one) - thinking about it, there have been a number of Westerns I enjoyed and yet as a genre I avoid them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You might be thinking the typical shoot 'em up western when there are others that are just quite funny or quite moving. Love The Magnificent 7

      Delete
  20. I've seen and enjoyed all of these. The Searchers is definitely a classic and a masterpiece.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Searchers is great! Glad you saw all of these

      Delete
  21. I've always loved the old westerns and John Wayne. How nice that he looks like your father.

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog about my feral cat and leaving your insightful comments!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's weird but, to me, he does. Not when my dad was young but when he was older. There is a certain look Wayne gave and my dad gave that same look....you knew you were in trouble. You are so welcome.

      Delete
  22. I've seen The Searchers (excellent movie) and True Grit (I actually prefer the more recent version that stars Jeff Bridges). I think we should judge artists for what they create without dwelling on their personal lives, although I suppose I might make exemptions for my own rule.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right about trying to keep the person away from their artistic merit but many people have a hard time. Glad you saw these films

      Delete
  23. I've never seen any of these, but I have an internet friend who might enjoy your blog, because she often features westerns, spaghetti westerns, and other forms of movies. I'm going to send her your blog address.

    Thank you for your lovely recent visits, even though I wasn't around to return the courtesy. They are certainly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome and maybe, on day you will see these. Thank you for showing my blog to Divers

      Delete
  24. Hi! I'm the blogging friend Elizabeth is talking about above, and I'm excited to see some film talk here. I'm sorry I missed out on westerns, but I look forward to seeing what else comes up :) I admit John Wayne's not my favorite, but you can't go wrong with The Searchers and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is one of my husband's favorites. I liked both of the True Grits and was glad the remake was respectful of the original.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be visiting your blog and glad you came to visit. Glad you liked my picks and you are right that the remake was respectful of the original. Glad that was the case.

      Delete
  25. Outstanding! I watched all the trailers. I'm sure I told you this, but "The Searchers" was the only movie I've seen that was better than the book. And you're right, Wayne SHOULD have won an Oscar for that film (also for "The Sands of Iwo Jima," in my opinion). I also agree with your evaluation of "True Grit." The remake tried too hard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you watched the trailers. I'm also glad you prefer the original like me and get what I mean.

      Delete
  26. John Wayne is certainly an icon. It's violent, but I think my favorite movie of his was Big Jake.
    Happy weekend, bud.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Big Jake is also excellent and I like this one also...no big surprise:)

      Delete
  27. I haven't seen the old True Grit, but I have seen the remake. I liked it. Mattie is a great character.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you do see the original because I love Wayne in the part. Massive is a great part and Haillee Steinfeld did the character justice.

      Delete
  28. I love classic westerns too! I loved all these and I'm so glad you included True Grit. I was so disappointed by the remake. Their accents were so ridiculous I couldn't even understand most of the film. I also love his war movies and that Irish one he made with Maureen. You just can't get more macho-but-sympathetic than the Duke!

    (My stupid blog refuses to send me emails when you comment. It sends them for everyone but you. Go figure. So please forgive me if I don't return blog visit as much as I should.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's weird that it doesn't hook up. I have no clue why it doesn't. Glad you did visit. The Quiet Man is an excellent film of these. 2 great leading people. Wayne and O'Hara had great chemistry.

      Delete
  29. Great theme, Birgit. Of the ones you've featured, my favourite above all the others is True Grit. I agree that the latest remake isn't a patch on the original!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Glad you like the theme and The original True Grit is much better.

      Delete
  30. I never warmed to The Searchers. He played such a bitter, biased role.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love a good western and you've chosen some of the classics!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I hate to admit it, but I'm not big on Westerns. Though I do own and love The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. My dad was a big John Wayne fan, as was my ex-wife. That's why we broke up. I'M KIDDING. No, but she did love John Wayne. Of all the ones you highlight here, I have seen the Man Who Shot Liberty Vallence. I remember liking it and would watch it again.

    ReplyDelete