Westerns | Hollywood Yesterday

McLintock! Starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara…. Love This One!

June 27, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

While I have a great number of “favorites”when it comes to actresses and actors from Old Hollywood, Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball are my measuring sticks. All others are held up to them as a means of determining if they’ve achieved “absolute favorite” status or not.

Some make it. Some don’t.

I had just as soon be sitting in front of a Maureen O’Hara movie as anyplace in the world. Even one I’ve seen far more times than I could even begin to count. Which, if we’re being honest is most of them.

It’s just that way with measuring sticks, you know.

The Quiet Man, McLintock, How Green Was My Valley, Rio Grande, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Parent Trap, The Black Swan… she has had some incredible movies – which makes being a fan extra fun.

McLintock (1963) is one of my favorites. John Wayne is one of those stars who passed the measuring test and made “absolute favorite” status – which means I watch movies he and Maureen were in together often… make that OFTEN. It’s actually playing right now as I work online.

It may or may not be the third time I’ve seen it just this year. It is.

Westerns are just in my blood. Sometimes I think I’d rather watch a bad Western than a good movie from another genre. Naturally, a good Western is preferable and, cowboy oh cowboy, is McLintock ever a good one?! It’s hilarious, fun, colorful, and just an awful lot of fun.

I think of McLintock as a Comedy-Romantic Western because it’s quite a bit different from Action Westerns (or Traditional Westerns) such as Stagecoach, Rio Bravo, El Dorado, The Undefeated, etc. If you go into McLintock looking for lots of action and shoot-outs, you’ll be left wondering what in the heck happened.

But if you go into it looking for an awful lot of fun and laughs and a little bit of romance, you’ll have a great time.

I should know!

The movie stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara as an estranged married couple. Stephanie Powers is their daughter. Patrick Wayne (John Wayne’s son), Yvonne DeCarlo, and Jerry Van Dyke are part of the excellent cast. Jerry Van Dyke’s role isn’t a big one but it’s a heckuva memorable one.

You can see the movie below in its entirety, so grab your popcorn and kick back for a fun ride.

John Wayne Coffee Mug Features One of His Best Quotes

November 6, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

If you have fans of John Wayne on your Christmas list, here’s a great gift idea. This is the John Wayne Courage Mug and it’s gorgeous. I love the Western-themed colors and the Western font used on the John Wayne quote printed inside the mug (“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”) is absolutely perfect.

Features:

20-ounce Mug
Dishwasher Safe
Microwave Safe
Material: ceramic

Click through the picture or the link for more information.

Also on Amazon: More John Wayne Coffee Mugs

Fun Gift Idea for John Wayne Fans: John Wayne Comic Boks

September 30, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Over the many years of publishing this Old Hollywood blog, I’ve discovered just how many fans of John Wayne there are – as well as how loyal their love for The Duke is! As a fan, myself, I get a huge kick out of hearing from fellow John Wayne fans.

Like a lot of fans of Old Hollywood and Classic Movies, fans of John Wayne love to surround themselves with collectibles – movies, art prints, posters, books, mugs, photos, etc. I recently saw something on Amazon that these fans would get an especially big kick out of: John Wayne Comics.

I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t even know such a thing existed, until I saw the comic pictured here, John Wayne Adventure Comics Number 1. What a fun gift idea this would be for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries… or anytime for that matter.

John Wayne was (and IS for those of us who watch more old movies than new) one of the biggest movie stars of all-time. His impressive career spanned from 1930 to 1976 and turned out some of the most memorable movies and characters in movie history.

While The Duke is remembered mostly as a cowboy, he starred in nearly 200 motion pictures, which weren’t all Westerns. In fact, he played a wide variety of roles… and, yet…. whenever I think of John Wayne, he is always in a cowboy hat and almost always on a horse.

From 1949 until 1955, he starred in a series of 31 comic books, which are now, apparently, pretty difficult to find in circulation.

Whether you want to start a collection for yourself or someone you love, Amazon makes rounding up this particular cowboy much easier!

Review: The Violent Men with Glenn Ford, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, and Dianne Foster

September 14, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Violent Men may not receive the attention many other Westerns do, but it’s an excellent movie. In fact, I think it’s far better than some Westerns that are practically household names.

The strength of Violent Men doesn’t lie so much in the plot or scenery as it does the cast. Glenn Ford, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Dianne Foster, and Brian Keith are each outstanding. Although, if (like me) you’re most familiar with Brian Keith as loving and kind Uncle Bill on Family Affair, it’s odd seeing him play such a smarmy character. Seriously, it took some getting used to.

When I first saw this movie a few years back, my first reaction to seeing him sleaze across the screen was, “Uncle Bill.. what the heck?!”

While Ford and Keith are wonderful in their roles, make no mistake about it, this is Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, and Dianne Foster’s movie. More about them in a minute.

The Violent Men Trailer:

Plot Synopsis: Glenn Ford plays an ex-officer in the Union, John Parrish. Because his fiance is desperate to move out of town (and I do mean desperate), he agrees to sell his land to the ruthless Wilkisons of Anchor Ranch. Because his fiance is so eager to move east, he even considers the ridiculously low offer Anchor’s owner (played to perfection by the great Edward G. Robinson).

However, when he sees what bullies the Wilkisons can be – especially after they murder one of his men – he decides to stay and fight, calling upon his Civil War experience.

The wonderful, strong, and sultry to a fault Barbara Stanwyck plays Martha Wilkison who is married to Edward G. Robinson’s character (Lew) but carrying on a long-term affair with Lew’s brother Cole Wilkison (played by Brian Keith). The fact that Lew has lost use of his legs and is confined to crutches makes it easier for the dastardly duo to cavort behind his back.

Hence the, “Uncle Bill… what the heck?!”

In a relatively small role, Dianne Foster chews up the screen as Lew and Martha’s daughter Judith. Her chemistry with Glenn Ford is the stuff you hope for anytime you sit down to watch a movie.

She has an obvious beauty and tons of talent but she has that certain something “special” that, I don’t know, maybe only those of us who obsessively watch movies could recognize. You can’t take your eyes off of her when she’s on the screen – which, ironically, is the exact same thing I’ve always said about Barbara Stanwyck who plays her mother in this movie.

Foster (particularly with her hair light, as it was in this movie) actually reminds me A LOT of Barbara Stanwyck. The casting, makeup, and hair departments hit it out of the park with this one.

As for the one and only Barbara Stanwyck, she was at her best in The Violent Men. Here’s the thing about Stanwyck, whether she’s playing a good character or a bad one (which Martha certainly is), one thing is for certain…. you want her on your side!

Barbara Stanwyck, in any role, is an absolute force to be reckoned with. That’a one of the reasons she’s one of my top all-time favorite actresses. She’s like a female tornado gliding across the screen. And like a tornado, you do not want to cross her. Admire and respect from a distance? Absolutely. But cross? Not on your life.

What can you say about the great Edward G. Robinson? The man was simply one of the best actors of his time or any other time. Period. Like Stanwyck, he was a force to be reckoned with, so (as you’d imagine) their scenes together left you wanting more and more.

Edward G. Robinson was one of those stars who made everything look so easy and effortless than you often don’t realize just what a remarkable actor he was.While this may not be one of his most famous roles, it is (in my opinion, for what that’s worth) one of his best.

One of the things I liked most about Glenn Ford’s performance in The Violent Men is the fact that he played it with a “quiet strength.” It would have been easy, as the lead in a Western, to dial into a larger-than-life persona. In scenes with Stanwyck and Robinson, it would have, of course, been a disastrous ploy. I mean, how can you possibly be larger than two tornadoes circling one another?!

Ford’s John Parrish was exactly and precisely the sort of hero this movie called for. His understated performance was sheer perfection and, as I said, his chemistry with Dianne Foster was especially nice.

Whether you’re a fan of one of the stars of this excellent cast (how could you not be??!) or simply love Westerns (again… how could you not??), The Violent Men is one you’ll want to both watch as well as add to your collection. It seems that each time I watch it, I notice something else phenomenally brilliant Ford, Stanwyck, Robinson, Keith, or Foster do.

Such a STRONG cast.

Buy The Violent Men DVD on Amazon.

The Naked Spur with James Stewart and Janet Leigh

June 6, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

I recently re-watched The Naked Spur for probably the 12th time in my life. How could I not? James Stewart is one of my all-time favorites and Westerns are my jam… and jelly… and toast.

I have a ridiculous confession to make concerning this movie. Like 85 percent of Westerns I’ve seen, my first experience with them was as a child. My dad lived for Westerns, so they were pretty much on 24/7 in our home. Cowboys, “Indians,” saloon girls, deputies, and sheriffs were like family.

When growing up, whenever my dad had The Naked Spur on tv, I had the same three initial reactions each time:

I don’t like George Bailey like this.
I don’t like the lead girl.
I’m out.

So I never watched it in it’s entirety. I had a problem getting past Janet Leigh for some reason. As a young girl, my ideal leading lady in Westerns (as well as tv and other movies) looked closer to the dolls I played with. She needed the flowing brunette, red, or blonde hair and pretty clothes. Janet Leigh, with her sassy short hair and decidedly “boy clothes” didn’t amuse the child version of me any more than angry “George Bailey” did.

Fortunately little girls grow up. When I was older, I watched the movie past the 10 minute mark (all the way to the end) and wondered how I could have been so wrong. James Stewart was, of course, wonderful in the role (the range of this actor is amazing) and as for Janet Leigh… gorgeous.

The kid version of me couldn’t get past the clothes, the adult version of me can’t get past the face. Seriously, this is the exact face you’d expect angels to have. She was a stunning actress and doesn’t get enough credit for being one of the loveliest and most talented actresses ever. Although she doesn’t smile often in the movie, when she does it lights up the screen. Her’s is one of the most beautiful smiles to grace any screen, small or large.

Although I love Westerns as much as anyone and probably more than most, I’ll be the first to admit that the “story” isn’t always the star. In fact, many times (after watching a Western), you’ll find yourself asking, “Okay, what was the plot exactly??” The Naked Spur has a creatively-written plot – an actual story, if you will. The characters are all flawed to a certain degree, which makes it even more entertaining.

The Oscar-nominated story stars Academy Award-winner James Stewart (“It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Vertigo”) as a ruthless (or as I always thought of him, an “angry George Bailey”) bounty hunter (Howard) who’s looking to bring in an outlaw (Ben) portrayed by Oscar-nominee Robert Ryan (“Crossfire,” “The Wild Bunch,” “Bad Day at Black Rock”). The bad guy’s beautiful co-traveler is Lina, played by Oscar-nominee Janet Leigh (“Psycho,” “Touch of Evil, “Little Women”).

The film also stars Ralph Meeker (Roy) and Millard Mitchell (Jesse). Mitchell’s Jesse is my personal favorite character in the movie. Little greedy, but you know what, I’m going to go ahead and forgive him for that.

Filmed in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains, The Naked Spur is considered by many as one of the best westerns ever made.

When watching The Naked Spur, you, of course, have to keep in mind that it was made in 1953. Going in, expecting more than should be expected from this period will rob you from enjoying the movie as it should be enjoyed. Then again, that can be said of all the wonderful movies we celebrate here on Hollywood Yesterday.

The film is beautifully done and perfectly cast. It’s one of those films that I would (and do) watch every time it’s on television.

Did You Know?

Included in “1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.”
Was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Director Anthony Mann also worked with James Stewart in The Man from Laramie.
James Stewart despised the nickname Jimmy (wish I’d known that before naming his “category” on Hollywood Yesterday!)

The Official Trailer for The Naked Spur

The movie is (MUCH) better than the trailer – although it’s a hoot in spite of itself.

You can find The Naked Spur on Amazon. Speaking of the DVD… for those of us who’ve seen the film… ummm, can you believe the far-fetched art work on the front? Pretty funny!

Rio Bravo Trivia, Movie Poster, and Video Clip

May 10, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Every now and then I get an overwhelming urge to watch a particular movie. Sometimes it’s a musical like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma, Wizard of Oz, or My Fair Lady. Other times it’s a classic like Gone With the Wind, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Casablanca, or Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Other times, the only thing that I want from life is an evening with an Abbot and Costello or the Three Stooges.

In all honesty, however, the type of movie I crave time with the most often is a good old-fashioned Western – specifically a John Wayne Western. And if we’re going to get even more specific.. it’s usually Rio Bravo, El Dorado, or Rio Grande that I need in my life!

While I love all three, if I had to choose one it’d be Rio Bravo. Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, and Walter Brennan make this movie (in my opinion). In fact, as far as I’m concerned you could have named it Dude, Feathers, and Stumpy instead of Rio Bravo.

Okay, maybe that’s going a little far, but you get the idea. How Hollywood kept from putting Angie Dickinson in more starring roles is beyond me. She’s the perfect combination of talent and beauty. Well, she’s the perfect combination of a lot of things, but we won’t get into that right now!

Rio Bravo Trivia

The sets were built to 7/8th scale which allows the stars to appear larger than life.
Claude Akins recalled that during filming all the actors found themselves starting to talk like the Duke. John Wayne wasn’t amused.
Ricky Nelson turned 18 years old just days into shooting the movie.
Rio Bravo is included on Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” list.
Director Howard Hawks wanted an actor in the role of Colorado who would draw teenagers. Allegedly, his first choice for the role was Elvis Presley. While Elvis was interested in the role (some people even say he was pretty excited about it), his manager (Colonel Tom Parker) not only wanted too much money but also top billing. Can you imagine – billing over The Duke?! Not happening.
Although Rio Bravo was actually a 1959 release, the opening credits say 1958.
Walter Brennan once said that, after Rio Bravo, when people would meet him for the first time, they’d expect him to limp like Stumpy. He said he just chalked it up to good acting – after all he had to remember which leg to limp on in each scene!
For most of the film Chance (John Wayne) has the front of his cowboy hat turned up to make him look friendlier and more approachable. However at the point in the movie where Chance has to stand up to the villain, the front of the hat is turned down, making him appear more menacing and tough.
For the first four minutes of the film, (including credits), there is no dialogue.
Included among the “1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.”
Angie Dickinson was cast in the role of Feathers after Howard Hawks saw her on an episode of Perry Mason.
Rio Bravo was HUGE in Italy. It actually led the way for the legendary (and fun) Spaghetti Westerns era.
Members of the Western Writers of America chose “My Rifle, My Pony, and Me” as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. (Video Below)

Rio Bravo singing scene with Dean Martin & Ricky Nelson:

Find the great looking Rio Bravo Movie Poster pictured above on Amazon.

John Wayne Brand Socks: With the Promise of Honor America

March 30, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Have you seen the John Wayne Cowboy Boot Socks on Amazon? They are sharp, let me tell you.

If you click the link above, you’ll see the entire collection.

40% Wool, 40% Polypropelene, 10% Nylon, 7% Polyester, 3% Spandex
Made in USA
Durable
Strategic Cushioning
Reinforced heel and toe to improve wear and durability
Arch Support keeps sock in place and provides added support in the arch of your foot
Light Weight with Natural Breathability and softness

See the entire beautiful collection by visiting John Wayne Cowboy Boot Socks.

John Wayne Courage Is Coffee Mug… Gorgeous!

August 11, 2016 By Joi Leave a Comment

I’ve always loved this quote from John Wayne, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” That’s just vintage John Wayne and sounds like it could have rolled off the tongue of any of his larger than life characters.

The John Wayne Quote Coffee Mug pictured here is nothing but gorgeous. It’d make a wonderful gift idea for anyone in your life… including yourself.

Design: Deep teal mug has a brown rim. The center of the mug has a cream embossed design with a western scene. The back of the mug has a decal message “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”
Size: 4 1/2″ H X 3″ Opening; Holds 18 oz
Material: Porcelain
Dishwasher/Microwave safe, FDA approved

Rio Bravo: It’s Never the Wrong Time to Watch this Classic Western

August 14, 2015 By Joi Leave a Comment

Fun Every Time You Watch it: Rio Bravo

I guess the fact that I am infatuated with Westerns shouldn’t surprise me – my dad was one of the three biggest Westerns fans in the entire world. Literally, the first movies I remember watching involve cowboys, dirt roads, shootouts, ladies in long skirts, and lots of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. Even some of my earliest television memories are of Gunsmoke.

Now married to another Western fan, my love for the genre continues. I was once asked who I preferred in Westerns, John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. I told them that was like asking me to choose between coffee and sweet tea – the answer is whichever one’s in front of me at the moment.

Two of my favorite all-time Westerns are Rio Bravo (1959) and El Dorado (1966). Even today, they’re just good, clean, outrageous fun to watch. I actually feel sorry for anyone who can’t sit back and enjoy a good old movie and simply take it for what it is. F-U-N.

Although I love James Caan’s Mississippi in El Dorado about as much as I love any movie character (and Robert Mitchum is mesmerizing as Sherrif J.P. Harrah ), I’d say my favorite of the two is Rio Bravo…. but just by a “feather.”

John Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan, Angie Dickinson, and Ricky Nelson – with a cast like this, how could it not be a classic? Although it’s darn near impossible to pick any out of that group, I’d (personally) say that Martin, Dickinson, and Brennan make the movie extra special.

In a pretty limited role – Carlos Robante, as Pedro, is also the very definition of scene-stealer.

Plot: In a small town in Texas, John Wayne is Sheriff John T. Chance. Along with his “drunk” deputy/friend, Dude (portrayed brilliantly by Dean Martin), a crankly old man deputy with a limp “Stumpy” (Walter Brennan at his best), and a singing young sure-shot named Colorado (a VERY young Ricky Nelson), he has to keep an eye on a murderer whose very wealthy and powerful brother is trying to break out of jail. As if Sheriff Chance doesn’t have his hands full with these characters, a beautiful distraction named Feathers (beautifully played by Angie Dickinson) comes to town on the stagecoach. She’s mysterious, chatty, and filled with equal amounts of energy and trouble.

Let the games begin!

I could watch this movie once a week and never complain – even though I’m pretty sure I could quote every line that comes out of “Stumpy” and “Feathers.” How are you going to miss with names like those? The wonderful Walter Brennan (Stumpy) and too gorgeous to even be believed or forgiven Angie Dickinson (Feathers) are at their best – and that’s saying something.

If you’ve never watched Rio Bravo or El Dorado, I’d whole-heartedly recommend buying the DVDs. You’ll fall in love with both movies. If you HAVE seen them, watch them again.

Somehow they just get better and better with each viewing.

DVDs on AMAZON: Rio Bravo and El Dorado

My Rifle, My Pony, and Me/Cindy – Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Walter Brennan:

Rio Bravo Trivia

The sets were built to 7/8th scale, so the performers look larger than life.
Ricky Nelson celebrated his 18th birthday during filming of Rio Bravo.
Director Howard Hawks didn’t want Ricky Nelson in the role of Colorado. He thought he was too young and unproven to handle his own with Martin and Wayne. He was so sour on the idea that he deliberately gave Nelson the fewest possible number of lines he could for a third-billed star. Undoubtedly, after Ricky Nelson proved himself (and surely helped with the success of the movie), he realized he’d been wrong.
Howard Hawks’ first choice for Colorado was actually Elvis Presley! Elvis was excited about the idea but his manager asked for too much money along with… get this.. top billing! Over John Wayne! Naturally Hawks and Wayne would have none of it, so the search for Colorado continued. Elvis Presley went on to join the US army in March 1958, two months before filming of Rio Bravo began.
One of the movie’s most famous fans is none other than actor/producer/writer Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino has said that before he enters into a relationship with a girl, he shows her Rio Bravo. If she doesn’t like it, the deal is off – there is no relationship! I can appreciate that.
John Wayne was 51 during the filming of Rio Bravo.
Montgomery Clift, who happened to be a very liberal Democrat, turned down the role of Dude because he’d have to work with very conservative Republicans John Wayne and Walter Brennan. Clift suggested Dean Martin for the role and the rest is history.

John Wayne Hondo Poster and DVD

July 16, 2015 By Joi Leave a Comment

Hondo John Wayne Poster

In the 1953 Western Hondo , John Wayne portrayed the role of Army dispatch rider Hondo Lane. The plot entails Hondo finding a woman and her son living in the midst of warring Apaches. Naturally, he feels compelled to become their protector.

The movie stars Geraldine Page as Angie Lowe and James Arness (best known to all of us as Marshal Dillon) as an Army Indian Scout.

Buy the Full Screen DVD on Amazon: Hondo.

Did You Know?

Pal, the dog that played Sam, was the son of the one and only Lassie.
Katharine Hepburn was originally planned to star in the role of Angie. However, as the script continued to come together, the female role grew smaller – soon becoming one that wouldn’t be suitable for a star of Hepburn’s stature.
Katharine Hepburn and John Wayne would finally become co-stars more than twenty years later in Rooster Cogburn (1975).
Apparently the very liberal and “left wing” Geraldine Page did not see eye-to-eye, politically, with her right-wing co-stars John Wayne, Ward Bond, James Arness and John Farrow.
After viewing the finished film at a private screening, John Wayne jokingly said, “I’ll be damned if I’m not the stuff men are made of!”
Hondo was the film debut for the Broadway actress Geraldine Page.
Geraldine Page was offered the role of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), but she turned it down. Louise Fletcher, who then took the role, went on to win the Best Actress Oscar for the performance.
Very often in his career, the 6’7″ James Arness was surrounded by co-stars standing on apple boxes. Other times, he actually had to stand in a ditch so everyone would fit in one shot!
James Arness got the role of Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke in 1955 after John Wayne suggested it. Although rumor has it that Wayne turned down the role, he was never offered the role.
Made four movies with his close friend John Wayne during the 1950s.