Western Fans

[Ian]

This "probably" is relevant to older Weggies (but maybe not). Just wondered if there are any western fans out there and if so, what are your favourites? Could be a TV series as well as movies. I'll kick-off with "The Searchers". Classic!

Ian

[crackers]

movies - the wild bunch and clint eastwoods unforgiven but for tv shows got to go with one that's showing currently - hell on wheels. John.

[Ian]

Yes, Unforgiven would be probably my favourite Clint Eastwood movie. Loved the bit where "Little Bill" got his comeuppance. Pale Rider wasn't bad either, similar sort of movie. Also liked Josey Wales, Joe Kidd and of course High Plains Drifter.
What about the older "traditional" 50s early 60s westerns, any stand out there for you?

Haven't seen Hell on Wheels. Is that on Sky?

[crackers]

don't know if hell on wheels is on over here,i get it off the net.really stretching my memory I remember watching the cisco kid,rawhide,wagon train,the lone ranger and gunsmoke which is currently being re-run on cbs action.soldier blue is also one of my favourite movies.

[Titus3:2]

Don't forget Shane.

[Ian]

Yes, another classic Shane. Alan Ladd was amazing, Perfectly cast. Yes, I was brought up on Rawhide (Clint), Wagon Train, The Virginian, Lone Ranger, Casey Jones. In my teenage years it was High Chaparral and Alias Smith and Jones (loved those 2 shows).
Crackers, can you get cbs action online? And I liked Soldier Blue too.

One offbeat western I loved was Shalako with Sean Connery. What did you guys think of it?

[mishb]

Trinity and They Call Me Trinity - Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (love them).......spaghetti westerns

Next would be Shane

.......and, of course for some fun, you have to go with Blazing Saddles

[Titus3:2]

I am 53,and spent many hours watching TV westerns instead of doing homework.I just wish I had back all those hours spent watching The Love Boat.Ha,ha.

[Ian]

Wasn't a great fan of spaghetti westerns except those with Clint. Blazing Saddles though -hilarious! Off the western theme - also Mel Brooks - Young Frankenstein! Wonderful!

[Ian]

Yes Titus. I'n 56 and also guilty. Lol
Wasn't Robert Urich the captain on The Love Boat? Sad loss to die so young.

[crackers]

Ian cbs action is a satellite/cable channel but not available online as far as I can see.funny how all these old shows keep popping up in my head like Laramie and maverick not to forget bonanza and the high chaparral.i'm feeling quite old right about now.

[Ian]

Yes crackers. It does make you feel aged remembering all these old westerns. I always thought that the "modern" westerns from the late 60s on, although more true to life, just didn't compare with the old Randolph Scott, James Stewart, Joel McCrea, John Wayne era movies. I know most of these guys appeared in more modern westerns too (True Grit eg) but these oldies just had something special. By the way, there's a treasure trove of old western movies and series on You Tube. Tons and tons of them! The Restless Gun, Lawman, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, The Cimarron Strip, High Chaparral, Smith and Jones, Laramie, Maverick, Bonanza... it's endless! Ian

[drz]

Yes crackers. It does make you feel aged remembering all these old westerns. I always thought that the "modern" westerns from the late 60s on, although more true to life, just didn't compare with the old Randolph Scott, James Stewart, Joel McCrea, John Wayne era movies. I know most of these guys appeared in more modern westerns too (True Grit eg) but these oldies just had something special. By the way, there's a treasure trove of old western movies and series on You Tube. Tons and tons of them! The Restless Gun, Lawman, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, The Cimarron Strip, High Chaparral, Smith and Jones, Laramie, Maverick, Bonanza... it's endless! Ian

The western channel plays the old westerns and many of them are the classics plus a lot of cheaper ones that never made the cut for heavy distribution. Things were so much simpler then when the good guys wore white and always prevailed in the end and usually got the girl too.

[Ian]

Are you in the States drz? I'm in the UK. I remember watching the western channel when I was in Florida on holiday. I distinctly remember watching Escape From Fort Bravo then. Great movie.

One thing always puzzles me in westerns. Why when they need to shoot out of a window do they always break the glass instead of opening the window?:rolleyes1:

Yes, much simpler when the good guy always won and got the gal. Always found the gals a distraction though. Would fast forward the smoochy scenes - no interest!:sad: They spoiled it most times!

[drz]

Are you in the States drz? I'm in the UK. I remember watching the western channel when I was in Florida on holiday. I distinctly remember watching Escape From Fort Bravo then. Great movie.

One thing always puzzles me in westerns. Why when they need to shoot out of a window do they always break the glass instead of opening the window?:rolleyes1:

Yes, much simpler when the good guy always won and got the gal. Always found the gals a distraction though. Would fast forward the smoochy scenes - no interest!:sad: They spoiled it most times!

It was a surprise to me when I visited some countries in Europe to see how much many often embraced our western dress and music. Expensive Stetson hats in Germany and Norwegian country western singers and bands were two I remember. It is easier for us to believe Australia might share much of country western traditions and a more similar history.

[mr.g]

I am 80. We had radio only. William Boyd's voice as...(you guess) was great. Clayton Moore as...(you guess). This guy's horse was Toni???? We got TV when work and school took me away from the set. So, I liked all of the above and a lot more. How about the original "Lonesome Dove"? Stagecoach? How about the one where they hung the wrong guys? High Noon (It was filmed in Eastern Washington. The "hanging tree" was still standing until the early 90s.) I digress.... I, we, love them all. I am reminded of Hoot Gibson...? Ev

[Ian]

Hopalong Cassidy and The Lone Ranger but confused about the horse Toni? The Lone Ranger's horse was called Silver (Hi -ho Silver, away). I think Hopalong Cassidy's horse was called Topper.

Yes, the original Stagecoach was a classic. They did a remake I think mid-60s with Bing Crosby as the Doc and Alex Cord as Ringo (he's no John Wayne!). Wasn't a patch on the original.

I grew up with radio only too. Can't really remember westerns on the radio then here in Ireland/UK but they probably were.

Have to admit I never heard of Hoot Gibson. I checked it out on Google and see that he was a children's matinee western star. Before my time!

My mother loved Gene Autry and Roy Rogers (and of course "Trigger").

[mr.g]

Maybe this will help...about the horse named "Tony" not Toni. My wife's name is Toni as in female, Tom Mix's horse was Tony, as he was a stallion. I thought more people would join us in our listing good old westerns, movies and TV. There has been thousands of them. Thanks to the internet I can search for them and download them to watch later on my big screen. It is fun to go back to movies I saw as a kid. Ev (mr.g)

[Ian]

I remember Tom Mix (BIG hat) - a bit before my time but definitely recall him. So his horse was Tony? Didn't know that. I also remember (again really before my time) Tex Ritter!

They don't make movies like the old ones anymore. The late 40s & 50s classic black-and-white thrillers (and westerns) were just brilliant.

Trying to recall a black-and-white western name (late 40s I think) with John Payne. Starts off with him and his buddy goldmining in Apache country. They have to make a quick getaway when the Apache arrive and shoot a couple of them and take their ponies to escape. Does anyone recall this movie?