Westerns | Hollywood Yesterday

The Wild Wild West: My Newest Wild Wild Obsession…

May 23, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ross Martin and Robert Conrad: The Wild Wild West

Today’s Picture of the Day is a publicity photo for The Wild Wild West with Ross Martin and Robert Conrad. As my confession in the post’s title admits, I am obsessed with this tv series. Oddly enough – in spite of growing up with a father who LIVED for Westerns, I’d never seen a single episode until recently.

I guess my dad couldn’t fit it in with Gunsmoke, western movies, Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, and The Big Valley. Heck, a fella only has so many hours in the day, right?!

My husband introduced me to The Wild Wild West recently and we’ve been plowing through the episodes – thanks to a great channel, FETV, that shows a lot of great classic television shows.

The Wild Wild West ran for four seasons from 1965-1969.

You can find the complete series on dvd on Amazon (See: The Wild Wild West) – this is one extra special series. I’m so sorry my dad missed it!

Merle Oberon and Gary Cooper: The Cowboy and the Lady Lobby Cards

May 3, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gary Cooper and Merle Oberon

In the 1938 film The Cowboy and the Lady, Merle Oberon plays a lonely, somewhat bored socialite (Mary) who pretends to be a maid to add color and variety to her life. She meets a humble and kind cowboy named Stretch Willoughby (how’s that for a name?!) who has no idea of her true identity.

This is a really cute film that’s heavier on comedy than anything else. It’s a lot of fun, doesn’t take itself too seriously, has two wonderful leads in Merle Oberon and Gary Cooper AND co-stars Walter Brennan (he makes everything even better, doesn’t he??).

You can find The Cowboy and the Lady on dvd on Amazon or watch the movie in Prime.

Sue Ann Langdon and Henry Fonda, The Cheyenne Social Club

March 12, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Sue Ann Langdon and Henry Fonda, They Cheyenne Social Club

With so much bad news going around, I thought it was a great day for extra-fun pictures of the day. Here are the one and only (and ever so wonderful) Sue Ann Langdon and Henry Fonda.

These photos are from The Cheyenne Social Club (1970 – also starring James Stewart and Shirley Jones). It has been entirely too long since I’ve seen this one!

You can find a “Double Feature” DVD Set on Amazon – The Cheyenne Social Club and Firecreek (James Stewart and Henry Fonda).

Sue Ann Langdon and Henry Fonda, The Cheyenne Social Club

Dodge City: A Great Western with a Seemingly Non-Western Cast!

December 1, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, and Ann Sheridan, Dodge City (1939)

Dodge City (Amazon link) is a fairly underrated Western, but one that is very, very good. VERY good. When I first sat down to watch the film (a few months back), I had no idea what to expect. For one thing, you don’t exactly associate any of its main three stars with Westerns, do you?! And yet, each one came across as though they were as accustomed to Westerns as horses and cowboy hats.

In a role he handled perfectly, Errol Flynn is the hero (Wade Hatton) in charge of bringing law and order to a wide open town (Dodge City). He has an eye for the lovely Abbie Irving (Olivia de Havilland) but she wants nothing to do with him because he had to shoot her brother.

Dodge City Trivia

Errol Flynn’s character, Wade Hatton, was based on Wyatt Earp.
This was the 5th of 9 movies made together by Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn.
The barroom fight (which was pretty darn epic) was the largest ever filmed at the time.
Olivia de Havilland wanted the saloon singer role that went to Ann Sheridan. During this period of time, reportedly, the wonderful actress was uninspired by the roles she was getting. The fact that, during a professionally unhappy time she STILL turned in a wonderful performance shows just how devoted to her craft she was.
Alan Hale appears in this film – it is always fun to see “Skipper” show up in a movie!

You can find Dodge City on Amazon.

Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn, Dodge City

Barbara Eden, Flaming Star (1960)

November 22, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Barbara Eden, Flaming Star (1960)

When I started out making the Old Hollywood blog Hollywood Yesterday, I intended to focus mainly on the Golden Age of Hollywood. However, along the way, I realized that limiting the fun was in NO way the best way to go about this whole celebration of “Hollywood Yesterday.” After all, I enjoy classic television and many movies from the 50s, 60s, and even 70s as much as I do the earlier films.

What’s more, some of my absolute favorite stars were shining in these years. One of my very favorites is pictures above in all of her glory and beauty – Barbara Eden!

Due to the fact that many Old Hollywood blogs and social media accounts DO focus primarily on Hollywood’s earliest days, many of these wonderful stars are often overlooked. Not going to happen here! Barbara Eden, Elvis, Ann-Margret, Elizabeth Montgomery and the rest of them deserve to be celebrated, appreciated, and introduced to new generations as much as anyone.

Sorry… I’ll go ahead and step down off of my soapbox now!

If you’ve never seen Flaming Star (Amazon Link), check it out. It was, literally, a movie caught between the 50s and 60s and it is very apparent, as it has great elements from each decade. Best of all, it has Elvis Presley and Barbara Eden – a beautiful pairing if there ever was one!

Barbara Eden and Elvis Presley, Flaming Star

Stagecoach (1939): One of John Wayne’s Best Westerns and a Personal Favorite

November 20, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Claire Trevor and John Wayne, Stagecoach

One of my favorite genres of movies is Westerns. My dad was a huge Westerns fan and I watched them with him from the time I was old enough to walk. In fact, my first memories of Westerns involve horses, cowboys, and women in long dresses. John Wayne was one of his favorites and he is, most definitely, one of my own favorites.

Seriously, there aren’t many things better than grabbing raspberry tea, a big bowl of popcorn, and losing yourself in a John Wayne Western for a few hours… two Westerns if you have the time!

I recently re-watched one of my favorite Westerns of all time, Stagecoach, and wanted to take a few minutes to talk about it.

Plot: A group of colorful people are on what should be an uneventful stagecoach trip – two women, a doctor who likes… no, loves.. to drink, a banker, the drivers, and the famous Ringo Kid (John Wayne). The peaceful trip suddenly becomes very eventful when they learn that Geronimo is in the area and looking for big trouble.

The wonderful movie stars an absolutely perfect cast: John Wayne (Ringo Kid), Claire Trevor (Dallas), John Carradine (Hatfield), Andy Devine (Buck), Thomas Mitchell (Doc Josiah Boone), Donald Meek (Samuel Peacock), Louise Platt (Mrs. Lucy Mallory), Berton Churchill (Ellsworth Henry Gatewood), and George Bancroft (Marshal Curley Wilcox).

Continued below the cast photo!

Orson Welles (someone who knows a thing or two about film-making) stated that Stagecoach was the perfect textbook of film-making and said he watched the film more than forty times in preparation for the making of Citizen Kane (1941).

Smart man!

Although John Wayne had minor roles in John Ford’s Mother Machree (1927) and Salute (1929), Stagecoach truly marks the beginning of their partnership. It also, in my opinion, marked the beginning of Wayne’s legendary career.

If you’ve never seen this simply outstanding Western, I hope you’ll get your hands on a copy (or find it on television) as soon as possible. As a bona fide John Wayne fanatic and expert Westerns viewer, I guarantee you this – Stagecoach is one of the best ever made.

Fast Facts About Andy Clyde: California Carlson to William Boyd’s Hopalong Cassidy

October 23, 2019 By Joi 2 Comments

Andy Clyde and William Boyd in the 1941 Hopalong Cassidy film, Outlaws of the Desert

Andy Clyde was born on March 25, 1892 in Scotland. Yes, Scotland! When I first read that he was born in Scotland, I have to admit I dug a little further in my research because I suddenly didn’t trust my source. In all the years I’ve listened to him on the radio, watched him in movies, and laughed at him in his television appearances (playing Frank Myers on the “Mayberry Goes Bankrupt” episode, for example) – I honestly assumed he was from Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona… one of the other beautiful states in the Midwest.

It just goes to show what a talented actor he was – he had me convinced he was a tried and true cowboy.

Andy Clyde in the 1940 “Short” A Bundle of Bliss

Below are more facts about this very talented and hilarious man.

He played California Carlson in the Hopalong Cassidy radio and film series. He was in 36 of the 66 Hopalong Cassidy films. If you have DirecTV, you should look for these films on channel 538 (SEWS). I have this channel on so often in my den that my cats are starting to walk like cowboys and cowgirls. The channel shows western movies as well as television shows.
As California (and many of his other roles), Andy Clyde can be seen grizzled, poorly-groomed, crusty, and wearing mismatched and crazy outfits. In real life, however, he was very clean-shaven and was known for being very well-dressed.
He became a naturalized citizen in 1943.
Clyde had regular roles in several tv series including No Time for Sergeants (1964), The Tall Man (1960-1962), The Real McCoys (1957), and Lassie (1964, 1966).
He was married to actress Elise Tarron from 1932 to his death in 1967. They had one child, a son, in 1935.
He played Frank Myers on the “Mayberry Goes Bankrupt” episode of The Andy Griffith Show in 1961. He was the older man (with a Civil War bond) the Mayor wanted to evict.
He played “Gimpy” in It’s a Wonderful World.
He enjoyed a film career that lasted over 40 years!
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6758 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
Andy Clyde died at the age of 75 on May 18, 1967. Not surprisingly, he was still working at the time.

Andy Clyde as California Carlson

Watch the highly entertaining Outlaws of the Desert (1941) below. Andy Clyde was one of the best sidekicks of all time. In fact, if you watch closely, you can tell where many other sidekicks “borrowed” certain expressions and traits from this master of the craft.

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.

(Continued Below…)

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 kind of in spite of itself.

You can find The Naked Spur on Amazon.

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)