Westerns | Hollywood Yesterday

The Secret of Convict Lake: Wonderful Western with a Spell-Binding Cast

July 18, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Tierney and Glenn Ford: The Secret of Convict Lake

Gene Tierney, Glenn Ford, and Ethel Barrymore lead an outstanding cast in the 1951 Western The Secret of Convict Lake. Directed by Michael Gordon, it’s one of the first Westerns I’d recommend to someone who is either new to Westerns or doesn’t think they like the genre.

As a Westerns fanatic, I’m convinced there is no way under the sun to NOT like a Western… one only thinks they don’t like them until they see the right ones.

Ann Dvorak, Ruth Donnelly, Barbara Bates, Gene Tierney, and Ethel Barrymore

This is one to start with. The acting is flawless, the cast outstanding, and the story holds your interest from start to finish. The excellent cast includes Gene Tierney, Glenn Ford, Ann Dvorak, Ruth Donnelly, Ethel Barrymore, Zachary Scott, and Barbara Bates.

You can watch The Secret of Convict Lake on STARZ on Amazon Prime. Finding the dvd can be a bit of a challenge.. trust me, I’m looking! There’s one on Amazon that’s a “Spanish Release” but it doesn’t play on most American dvd players.

Gene Tierney and Ethel Barrymore: The Secret of Convict Lake

Janet Leigh and James Stewart: The Naked Spur (Such a Unique Western!)

June 28, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Janet Leigh and James Stewart

The Naked Spur (1953, directed by Anthony Mann) is an unusual Western in that the cast is very compact – five stars… that’s it. James Stewart, Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker, and Millard Mitchell.

That’s it… and yet it’s all you need or hope for.

The filming of the movie is also very unique. The camera doesn’t take you to a lot of different places and you don’t visit many different viewpoints or cross times and dates along the way. It’s shot in a very simplistic manner and it just really stands out as being very different.

This is the type of film that depends entirely on its cast and director. THEY will solely determine if it sinks or swims as there aren’t special effects, or larger than life epic scenes that make your jaw drop. It’s entirely up to the director and the cast.

Does the cast draw you in to their story and their circumstances? Do they make you care how they feel? Do they compel you to take the journey with them and see them safely home?
Does the director allow the characters and scenery to tell the story without getting in the way? Does he allow an actor or actress to use subtle expressions to convey meaning without trying to make them shout it?

The answers to the above are YES and YES.

Subtle is a word I often use when talking about The Naked Spur. Whether it’s the film’s overall approach, the romantic aspect of the movie, or the insight we get into each character – this western is more subtle than many westerns, and it’s entirely up to the viewer whether they love, like, or hate the subtlety. Personally, I think it can be a welcome contrast. I love a huge epic western as much as anyone (heck, better than most) but the simplicity of The Naked Spur is always, always, always welcome in my den.

Janet Leigh and James Stewart

If you’ve never seen this unique, entertaining, and wonderful movie, I hope you’ll find it soon. If you HAVE seen it, I hope you’ll revisit the characters again really soon. Each time I see this movie, I like it more and more.

You can find The Naked Spur on dvd (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.

The Outstanding Cast of El Dorado.. The Supporting Stars Give This One its Magic

June 26, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Charlene Holt, El Dorado

One of this western fanatic’s favorite movies is El Dorado (1966). Directed by the wonderful Howard Hawks, the incredibly (downright perfect if we’re being honest) talented cast includes John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Arthur Hunnicutt, Ed Asner, Michele Carey, Christopher George, Paul Fix, and briefly Johnny Crawford (best loved as Mark McCain on The Rifleman).

A movie is only as good as it’s stars and the characters they play, which is why El Dorado is movie gold. The colorful, larger than life characters this cast gives us is a gift that keeps on giving. I honestly believe I fall more in love with this movie each time I see it. The same is true of another Howard Hawks and John Wayne western, Rio Bravo.

James Caan and Michele Carey

The two lead stars in this western (John Wayne and Robert Mitchum) are excellent as always. There is something so right about watching a John Wayne Western and it’s made even more magical when the stars around him were/are just as larger than life and colorful as he was. In El Dorado, the Duke is surrounded by such stars!

Robert Mitchum and Arthur Hunnicutt go with John Wayne as beautifully as Dean Martin and Walter Brennan do in Rio Bravo. When they’re on the screen together, you’re pretty sure they were born for the moment.

John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Arthur Hunnicutt

When it comes to supporting stars, El Dorado also has an embarrassment of riches: James Caan, Arthur Hunnicutt, Ed Asner, Christopher George, Michele Carey, and Charlene Holt do exactly what a supporting cast should do.

They simply make the film even better.

James Caan could just as easily be considered a lead star in this film (he gives my favorite performance in the film), he is usually treated as a supporting star… you couldn’t ask for any more support than he gives! The same is true of Arthur Hunnicutt, Christopher George, Ed Asner, and Charlene Holt. This movie wouldn’t be as timeless and perfect without this group of talent.

You can find El Dorado on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the wonderful western on Prime Video.

John Wayne, Christopher George, and Ed Asner

Rhonda Fleming, Kirk Douglas, and Burt Lancaster: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

June 25, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Rhonda Fleming

One of the movie genres most associated with me is Westerns – I’ve spent a lifetime perfecting this association! I absolutely love them. In fact, a perfect day in my book would be sitting in the den (preferably in my pajamas), drinking raspberry tea and watching one western after another.

Seriously… talk about Heaven on earth!

The photos here are from the 1957 western Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (directed by John Sturges). The entire cast is outstanding and give great performances but, as far as I’m concerned, Kirk Douglas steals the entire movie. He gives one of my all-time favorite Kirk Douglas performances as Doc Holliday.

The cast also includes Burt Lancaster (as Wyatt Earp), Rhonda Fleming, Jo Van Fleet, John Ireland, Lyle Bettger, Frank Faylen, Earl Holliman (love him in everything), Dennis Hopper, and Ted de Corsiaand.

In his autobiography The Ragman’s Son (Amazon link), Kirk Douglas detailed how he planned precisely how many coughs (and how severe they’d be) in each scene so that continuity wouldn’t be a problem when the film was edited.

The type of incredible dedication you’d expect from such a dedicated and professional actor!

You can find Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on dvd (Amazon link) or Prime Video.

Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster

Angie Dickinson, Glenn Ford, and Chad Everett in The Last Challenge

June 23, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Angie Dickinson and Glenn Ford, The Last Challenge

While I am a bona fide Westerns fanatic AND one of Angie Dickinson’s most devoted fans, I only saw The Last Challenge in the last few years. I have no idea why, actually… I guess I don’t quit watching and rewatching John Westerns long enough to venture out! Seriously, I just rewatched The Sons of Katie Elder for, like, the sixth time and that’s no where near as often as I’ve seen Rio Bravo, El Dorado, The Trian Robbers, Stagecoach, or The Searchers!

The Last Challenge is a very good western and I love the three leads – Angie Dickinson, Glenn Ford, and Chad Everett. There’s just something very agreeable about Glenn Ford in a western and the same can be said about Angie Dickinson. I also love Chad Everett in his role. I have to admit, sentimentally, I wish the film had gone in the direction I personally wanted it to but fairy tales don’t often play out in the old west. Nor should they.

I often have to remind myself of this very thing when I’m caught up in the middle of a great western and this is most certainly a great one.

Chad Everett and Angie Dickinson

BOTD in 1917, the Wonderful Dean Martin!

June 7, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Dean Martin

Dino Paul Crocetti was BOTD in1917 in Steubenville, Ohio, to Gaetano Alfonso Crocetti, a barber who was an Italian immigrant, and his wife, Angela, who was born in Ohio.

We often talk about great singers and obviously name Dean Martin. We talk about great comedy teams and obviously name Lewis & Martin. We all talk about great entertainers and obviously name Dean Martin. However, when we talk about all-time great comedians, we don’t bring up the name Dean Martin nearly enough.

Yet, the man was absolutely hilarious. When you watch his comedy routines and his hilarious talk show appearances, you realize he had a wonderful gift for comedy. I think the reason many don’t realize it is they believed him to always be drunk off his butt. He wasn’t, of course, but he acted the part to absolute perfection.

(Continued Below Dude…)

Dean Martin as Dude, Rio Bravo (1959)

Another thing Dean Martin doesn’t’ get enough credit for (IMO) is his acting. He gave each and every one of his roles exactly what it needed. He was never too large for the scene and certainly never too small. Drama, comedy, and everything in between. I love his westerns, comedies, and most definitely his Matt Helm movies.

Delirious fun!

My personal favorite Dean Martin Movies:

Rio Bravo (in arguably his best performance)
The Stooge
The Wrecking Crew
The Silencers
Airport
The Cannonball Run
Oceans 11
The Sons of Katie Elder
Artists and Models
Hollywood or Bust
You’re Never too Young
Pardners
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Living it Up
3 Ring Circus
The Caddy
That’s My Boy
At War with the Army
My Friend Irma
My Friend Irma Goes West
Sailor Beware
Jumping Jacks
Money from Home

Suffice to say, I’m a HUGE fan.

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis Behind the Scenes of The Stooge

BOTD in 1896, Wonderful Director Howard Hawks

May 30, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Howard Hawks With Crew and Cast Members, Rio Bravo

One of my absolute favorite directors, Howard Hawks, was BOTD (born on this day) in 1896 in Goshen, Indiana. This talented director was behind some of my personal favorite movies…

Rio Bravo
El Dorado
Red River
Bringing Up Baby
Monkey Business
The Big Sleep
Only Angels Have Wings
To Have or Have Not
Ball of Fire
Rio Lobo
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Hatari

As I see more of his movies, I have NO doubt that other favorites will join the list.

Not only do we owe him a debt of gratitude for his wonderful films, he is responsible for discovering Lauren Bacall. That, alone, earns him my undying devotion!

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, To Have and Have Not

Gene Tierney and Louise Beavers, Belle Starr: The Bandit Queen

May 29, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Tierney and Louise Beavers, Belle Starr: The Bandit Queen

The two actresses pictured above?? LOVE them! Gene Tierney and Louise Beavers sharing screen-time is almost too much goodness for my heart. Like movies starring Henry Fonda and James Stewart… or Murphy’s Romance with James Garner and Sally Field… or the one film that starred Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball (Dance, Girl, Dance).

Almost too much for my heart and mind to handle.

Belle Starr: The Bandit Queen (1941) is such a good Western and the cast, which also includes Randolph Scott and Dana Andrews, could not possibly be any better.

I have absolutely no idea why it isn’t better-known. I mention it and 9 times out of 10, someone asks, “Who was in that one?” or they say, “Never heard of it!”

Sigh. The life of a classic film lover. So many movies and so many stars to try to shine a spotlight on. So much work – I mean there are just countless movies from silents through the 80s and even more stars to either introduce people to or remind others of. Exhausting.

Yeah. I love every second of it.

You can find Belle Starr: The Bandit Queen on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video. I very much hope you’ll seek this one out. Gene Tierney and Louise Beavers deserve to be seen and appreciated.

Happy Birthday, John Wayne!

May 26, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

John Wayne, The Searchers

I’ll have a follow-up post later about the wonderful John Wayne, but I wanted to simply say… as a Western-fanatic… I SO appreciate this man’s career and all he did for the genre.

He’s one of my very favorite actors and I say that without an ounce of hesitation. He gave films everything he had and it was absolutely more than enough.

Pictured: The excellent The Searchers (on dvd on Amazon or Prime Video)

John Wayne, The Searchers

James Stewart, John Wayne, and Lee Marvin: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

May 23, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

James Stewart and John Wayne

There’s just something about two or more of your absolute favorites sharing the screen, isn’t there? I’m lucky that some of my favorites did so frequently: Maureen O’Hara, John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and James Stewart have given me a lot of films to obsess over.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance doesn’t just star three of my favorite actors (James Stewart, John Wayne, and Lee Marvin), it was directed by one of my favorite directors, John Ford.

No wonder it’s such a spectacular film – it’s loaded!