Michael R. Pitts - Western Movies: a Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d ed.

Also by MICHAEL R. PITTS
AND FROM MCFARLAND

Allied Artists Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films (2011)

Columbia Pictures Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 19281982 (2010)

Western Film Series of the Sound Era (2009)

Poverty Row Studios, 19291940: An Illustrated History of 55 Independent Film Companies, with a Filmography for Each (1997; paperback 2005)

Charles Bronson: The 95 Films and the 156 Television Appearances (1999; paperback 2003)

Horror Film Stars, 3d ed. (2002)

Western Movies: A TV and Video Guide to 4200 Genre Films (1986; paperback 1997)

Horror Film Stars, 2d ed. (1991)

Hollywood and American History: A Filmography of Over 250 Motion Pictures Depicting U.S. History (1984)

Horror Film Stars (1981)

SECOND EDITION

McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
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BRITISH LIBRARY CATALOGUING DATA ARE AVAILABLE

e-ISBN: 978-1-4766-0090-1

2013 Michael R. Pitts. All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

On the cover: Poster art from the 1960 lm The Magnicent Seven (United Artists/Photofest)

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For Carolyn, Angela, Juan Carlos and Jacob

A quarter of a century has passed since the rst edition of Western Movies was published, and this new edition updates and expands the initial volume. More than 5,100 feature films are included, with more than 900 newly added. Many of the original entries have been fine-tuned and expanded. The criterion for inclusion is simple: an extant film that is, or has been, available for public viewing in some format. This includes theatrical, television, 16mm, 8mm and Super 8mm film and various video formats, along with prints housed in archives. The initial volume had purchase sources for some titles but with the ever changing video market this has been dispensed with since a check of the internet can usually determine availability.

Each entry includes film title, release company and year, running time; if available in color (otherwise the movie is in black and white); a thorough cast listing, a plot synopsis and a brief critical review.

The following two abbreviations are used in the entries: D for Director and SC for Script.

Only feature films (running nearly four reels or approximately 40 minutes or more) are included in the text; there are no X-rated movies unless an R-rated version has been released. Running times may vary according to source. When films have been edited (mainly for television) they have a shorter running time; the original running times are included in the text. A number of films, especially from Republic Pictures, were edited to 54 minutes for television showings.

Regarding cast listings, sometimes spellings vary and a Screen Names appendix is provided to help sort these out as well as alternate names. Actors sons often drop the Jr. in the later years of their careers, such cases including Noah Beery, Jr., Lon Chaney, Jr., and Alan Hale, Jr.

The book includes all aspects of the Western film genre, not just shoot-em-ups, with the bottom line having the plot take place on the frontier. As America developed frontier boundaries extended westward, thus Drums Along the Mohawk is a frontier drama of the 1760s while Stagecoach is part of the postCivil War frontier of the West. In these pages will be found north woods dramas, south of the border action films, outdoor adventures and foreign titles that either deal with the American frontier or have plots indigenous to the Western.

As noted in the first volume, opinions on movies are purely subjective and should be taken for that and nothing more. What appeals to one viewer may not appeal to another. My reviews of the movies are my own opinion and are no more than suggestions for the reader and hardly the final word. It is my hope the readers of this volume will find it enjoyable as well as useful.

Any additions, corrections or comments regarding this volume are welcome, sent in care of the publisher.

Thanks goes to John Hellstrom and Douglas Deegan for additional title suggestions and the Moving Image Section, Library of Congress (Rosemary Hanes), for reference assistance.

Bad Men of the HillsColumbia, 1942. 58 min. D: William Berke. SC: Luci Ward. With Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, Cliff Edwards, Luana Walters, Alan Bridge, Guy Usher, Joel Friedkin, Norman Jean Wooters, John Shay, Richard Botiller, Art Mix, Jack Ingram, Ben Corbett, Carl Sepulveda, Frank Ellis, John Cason, Steve Clark, Budd Buster, Ray Jones. Crooks try to murder a man investigating the killing of a marshal but he is befriended by the citizens of a lawless town who are really ranchers opposing the killers. A complicated plot and lots of action make this Charles Starrett-Russell Hayden vehicle pleasant viewing.

Bad Men of Thunder GapProducers Releasing Corporation, 1943. 60 min. D: Al Herman. SC: Elmer Clifton. With Dave OBrien, Jim Newill, Guy Wilkerson, Janet Shaw, Jack Ingram, Charles King, Tom London, Michael Vallon, Lucille Vance, I. Stanford Jolley, Bud Osborne, Jimmie Aubrey, Kermit Maynard, Hank Bell, Carl Mathews, Artie Ortego, Cal Shrums Rhythm Rangers. When outlaws plague a small town, members of the Texas Rangers try to stop them. Dull entry in the Texas Rangers series. Reissued in 1947 by Eagle Lion in a 39-minute version entitled Thundergap Outlaws.

Bad Men of TombstoneAllied Artists, 1949. 74 min. D: Kurt Neumann. SC: Jay Monaghan. With Barry Sullivan, Marjorie Reynolds, Broderick Crawford, Fortunio Bonanova, Guinn Williams, John Kellogg, Mary Newton, Louis Jean Heydt, Virginia Carroll, Dick Wessell, Claire Carleton, Ted Hecht, Harry Cording, Lucien Littlefield, Harry Hayden, Olin Howlin, Robert Barrat, Julie Gibson, Joseph Crehan, Ted Mapes, Rory Mallinson, Ted French, Douglas Fowley, Dennis Hoey, Morris Ankrum, George Chesebro, Tom Fadden, Billy Gray, William Yip, Dick Foote, Gerald Courtemarche, Bonnie Lou Donaldson. During the Gold Rush era a young man tries to make a fortune but instead turns to a life of crime as a gunfighter. Average plot with good work by Barry Sullivan and Broderick Crawford as ruthless gunmen.

The Badge of Marshal BrennanAllied Artists, 1959. 74 min. D: Albert C. Gannaway. SC: Thomas G. Hubbard. With Jim Davis, Arleen Whelan, Carl Smith, Lee Van Cleef, Louis Jean Heydt, Marty Robbins, Harry Lauter, Douglas Fowley, Lawrence Dobkin, Rick Vallin, Eddie Crandall, Darryl Guy, Edward Colemans. A outlaw on the run is mistaken for a dead marshal and goes up against an evil land baron. Low budget but pleasing affair sporting country music stars Carl Smith and Marty Robbins.

The BadlandersMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1958. 85 min. Color. D: Delmer Daves. SC: Richard Collins. With Alan Ladd, Ernest Borgnine, Katy Jurado, Claire Kelly, Kent Smith, Nehemiah Persoff, Anthony Caruso, Robert Emhardt, Adams Williams, Ford Rainey, John Day, Richard Devon, Gregg Barton, Henry Wills. At the turn of the last century, two men plan to rob gold from an Arizona mine while each plans to double cross the other. Fairly good Western remake of