Best WESTERN?????

Oh yes! Dunno how I forgot that one. I'd go camping with Robert Redford anytime ...

 

When Ronald Reagan was president, the most popular movie was probably one of Reagan's grade B westerns. It was always easy for me to imagine Reagan flashing that "ah shucks" grin after massacring an Indian village.

 

Well, supposedly "High Noon" was one of Reagan's alltime favorite movies. And according to Wikipedia, Bill Clinton screened it in the White House 17 times (he was later overheard to say that he never "ate popcorn with that woman").

It's also interesting because the movie was not particularly well-received by audiences when it first came out, although it did win several Academy Awards. John Wayne hated it, and considered it to be "communist", although oddly he stood in for Gary Cooper who wasn't able to be present to receive the Oscar.

Wayne's attitude was fairly widespread, and several members of the production team were blacklisted by Hollywood because of it. Remember this was the time of Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee. There were communists behind every bush, and university professors were castigated for even teaching what communism was.

When I watch the movie now, I do think it might be a little overdone in some places, but there's no denying the tension that builds as noon approaches. I also like the interaction between Will Kane (Gary Cooper's character) and the two women. And I just love the theme song.

 

I don't care much for the movies but I'll go with John Wayne.


I prefer the shows, especially The Rifleman.

 

mmmm...mmmmm. Yes Indeed-y.

 

High Noon is a great one.

No one has mentioned Fistful of Dynamite. You get a look into the soul of the characters like no other Leone movie. The Nazi overtones are almost spooky. I think it is Leone's masterpiece. And possibly James Coburn's finest performance ever as the Irish revolutionary, Sean Mallory.

 

I only like the first part of Fistful of dynamite. Hehe, that part when they give the poor peasant a lift in their fancy coach and he turns out to be a revolutionary. When the motorcycle comes in it gets less interesting for me. Not that I don't like the character of that Irish fellow, it's just that I can't really see it as a western from that point.

 

"the treasure of the sierra madre" one of bogart's best films....."the shootist" john wayne's final film.....there was discussion of "high noon" and the politics of the early 1950's.some people feel that that was the reason for it not getting the academy award that year.instead it went to "the greatest show on earth".i find the greatest show interesting because of jimmy stewart's portrayel as buttons the clown.buttons never takes off his makeup because he is hideing out in the circus.he is a doctor wanted by the law for the mercy killing of his wife.it seems a little far fetched but stewart does a memorable job in the role.

 

Yep. And just to clarify, "High Noon" did win several Oscars. It just didn't get "Best Picture", which as you point out went to "The Greatest Show on Earth".

"Greatest Show" was a fine film, but in retrospect I doubt many people would call it better than High Noon. Hmmm ... how many times has that happened in the history of the Oscars? I can think of three or four right off the top of my head ...

 

one of my favorites :"Two Mules for Sister Sara"....really funny, too

 

I liked that one as well. But I recently watched it in it's whole for the firste the time and it was kind of disappointing. Probably because I had too high expectations. It was good but just not excellent in any way I think.

 

I recently also watched Open range again with my brother. After it was finished he said he thought it was a great movie but he didn't really liked the shoot out I thought that one was pretty damn great!

 

WHAT???? Its one of the best gunfights ever!!!

 

I thought so as well, it lasted at least 15 minutes :cheers2:

 

waukegan---glad you reminded me of Treasure of the Sierra Madre.One of my all time favorites.Most everything John Huston directed turned out well and his dad Walter Huston was really good in it.I think he won best supporting actor for his work.And of course the line that has become part of American lexicon---"badges?we don't need no stinkin' badges!"

 

if anyone is into musical here are a few that used the vastness of the west adapted to both the stage and silver screen. i liked all of these..........seven brides for seven brothers, oklahoma ,annie get your gun , paint your wagon.....oh yes the treausure of the sierra madre is right up there on my list too.the hustons were great.the story really pulls the viewer into it.i found myself thinking as a prospecter trying to survive and get rich.it is a good one....as an eastwood fan i took in the film he did with shirley mclaine . two mules for sister sara.it was a fun entertaining,surpriseing movie.and remember the music?open range i saw the ad for haven't seen it yet.but it sounds as good as the ads looked.

 

Yes ,I loved all those musicals too ,as I sat in the dark in my 12 cent seat as a youngun and wished I could sing and dance like the guys in 7 brides.!What is the one "we got trouuble right here in river city"?Riverboat?I loved that one.

 

yes that's from "the music man" i think but i'm not sure.that's another fantastic musical.very entertaining.

 

The Outlaw Josey Wales -

JOSEY: You a bounty hunter?

BOUNTY HUNTER: A man has to do something these days to earn a living.

JOSEY: Dyin' ain't much of a living boy.

 

Spaghetti westerns are my favorites.. I just love the Dollars Trilogy with Clint Eastwood.