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Cult Classics: 20 Movie Pack

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
from: Mill Creek Entertainment

September 17, 2007

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High Noon

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Grace Kelly
directed by: Fred Zinnemann

February 22, 2000
This is probably one of the greatest, if not THE greatest western ever made. For some reason, when the name is mentioned, people always think John Wayne starred in this spectacular film. Not so. Gary Cooper, who was perfectly suited for the role, is a model actor who gets beneath the surface of the character to give us a multi-faceted sherrif.

Now, while most B-westerns (and this is not one) lack for plot, "High Noon" does not. It's right up there with "Western Union" and "Red River" as far as this is concerned and you'll find yourself appaled at how fickle human beings can be, especially in a time of crisis.

For me, this movie was really symbolic of desertion in many forms. One word, it is not an uplifting movie. ... Read More:

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The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: John Huston, Paul Newman, Roy Jenson, Gary Combs, Fred Brookfield
directed by: John Huston

August 02, 1993
The 60's and early 70's produced several great comedic westerns i.e. Cheyenne Social Club, Dirty Dingus Magee, McClintock, Great Scout, The Rounders, Evil Roy Slade, Support Your Local, etc. The list goes on and on. Those movies were all great, but pretty much one dimensional and set the tone for some collective disappointment over the content of Judge Roy Bean.

There are some great hilarious moments in this film but I never really got it until recently. It's actually a love story above all else, and a comedy, as well as John Huston's own statement about the retreating old west. If you view it in that context you'll be very impressed. If you're looking for pure comedy you may find that it drags in moments. However, this is the last ... Read More:

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Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: Paul Newman, Joel Grey, Kevin McCarthy, Harvey Keitel, Allan F. Nicholls
directed by: Robert Altman

September 01, 1998
This is a quirky take on white/native relations in the late 19th/early 20th century, a mad mix of historical fact and whimsical fiction. Newman is masterful as the addled demagogue into which Buffalo Bill has morphed. I recommend this film for students enrolled in our college's AMERICAN WEST class; it is provocative fodder for good discussion, good writing on alternative views of history.

Robert Altman fans will recognize stock characters from his other films, but will be entertained (perhaps delighted) throughout.

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The Roy Rogers Collection: 20 Movie Pack

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: Roy Rogers, George Hayes

September 17, 2007
This is a quirky take on white/native relations in the late 19th/early 20th century, a mad mix of historical fact and whimsical fiction. Newman is masterful as the addled demagogue into which Buffalo Bill has morphed. I recommend this film for students enrolled in our college's AMERICAN WEST class; it is provocative fodder for good discussion, good writing on alternative views of history.

Robert Altman fans will recognize stock characters from his other films, but will be entertained (perhaps delighted) throughout.

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McCabe & Mrs. Miller

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Rene Auberjonois, William Devane, John Schuck
directed by: Robert Altman

August 02, 1993
I saw this movie in the theatre many years ago, my first exposure to Robert Altman's fluid style. The movie is a portrait - the cinematography is beautiful, it left me with the same feelings I get while looking at great photographs. I was stunned by the dark mood the movie creates and by some of my feelings, especially my shock at the central murder scene on the bridge.

I thought Keith Carradine's role as the cowboy is the best acting in this film, and if you watch him play Bill Hickok in Deadwood, you'll hardly believe you're seeing the same actor, so great are his talents.

This movie has remained on my all-time favourites list since 1971. But you will not find "excitement" or "action" here. It's simply an exceptional ... Read More:

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Union Pacific

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Akim Tamiroff, Robert Preston, Lynne Overman
directed by: Cecil B. DeMille

April 04, 1995
I hate the way people look at a black and white classic film and automatically think that the movie has to be bad. People only see the poor special effects and the absense of color but never judge a book by it's cover. " Union Pacific " is has a great western backed by a terrific director, great actors, and a large scale plot. Definently a great movie and a true classic.

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Silver River

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, Thomas Mitchell, Bruce Bennett, Tom D'Andrea
directed by: Raoul Walsh

December 07, 1994
Errol Flynn stars as an unfairly disgraced Union officer who decides to look out for number one in post-Civil War America. He quickly builds a financial empire, methodically taking over Silver City, a town dependant on its silver mines. Of course, a lot of people have to pay for his ambition and ruthlessness, and in the end, so must he.

Flynn's performance is better than usual throughout most of the film, his own personal sense of disillusionment no doubt contributing. Ann Sheridan, as the feisty woman he loves, is stronger in the first half of the film. Thomas Mitchell, as the sermonizing lawyer, gets some great speeches which he plays for what they are worth.

Unfortunately, the movie's moral message is laid on a bit heavy. A little ... Read More:

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Giant

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Carroll Baker, Jane Withers
directed by: George Stevens

January 22, 2002
I recently decided to view this film. Let's see - a reference to Neiman-Marcus - some wide open spaces, some cattle and oil wells. O.K. - but this film does not really tell about Texas and Texans. Thankfully, Chill Wills (from Seagoville, TX) was in it. He was the most Texan thing about this film. I wish I had something more positive to say - but I don't.

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Streets of Laredo

Childrens Toy Shop > VHS > Westerns
starring: James Garner, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, Ned Beatty, Randy Quaid
directed by: Joseph Sargent

August 18, 1998
STREETS OF LAREDO has taken considerable heat for missing Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow F. Call. Yes, the film would have benefited from a reprise by Mr. Jones in the role that he created but don't write it off because of that. There are aspects of this adaptation that are actually stronger than LONESOME DOVE.

After reading the book and watching STREETS OF LAREDO numerous times, I have to admit that, in his own right, James Garner does well as Captain Call, bringing his own enterpretation to the part and departing from most of the mannerisms that Jones brought to LONESOME DOVE.

Sam Shepard as Pea Eye Parker is a considerable improvement over Tim Scott, the original Pea Eye. I like Shepard's honest performance as a simple man rather than Scott's as a moron. ... Read More: