#5 – Dodge City, 1939
Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Ann Sheridan
[ IMDB Link ]
Dad’s Comments: I chose this movie for the interesting plot, stirring musical score, and great action sequences. The barroom brawl is considered one of the best.
#4 – The Iron Horse 1924
Director: John Ford
Cast: George O’Brien, Madge Bellamy, Charles Edward Bull
[ IMDB Link ]
Dad’s Comments: I chose this movie for the plot, the wonderful locations, and great action sequences such as the Indian attack on the train.
#3 – The Searchers, 1956
Director: John Ford
Cast: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Natalie Wood
[ IMDB Link ]
Dad’s Comments: I picked this movie for great musical score, beautiful scenes of canyons and plains, intriguing plot, and acting of Wayne and Hunter
My Comments: I found this western fascinating because John Wayne’s character Ethan is so much more complex than some of his more fun but superficial roles. As a child I found Ethan scary; I was confused as to why he was searching for Debbie as he seemed to both love and hate her at the same time.
#2 – Stagecoach, 1939
Director: John Ford
Cast: John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine
[ IMDB Link ]
Dad’s Comments: Film features excellent cinematography and score. I picked this movie because it made Wayne a star and had a very interesting group of characters.
Claire Trevor & John Wayne
#1 – High Noon, 1952
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Cast: Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell
[ IMDB Link ]
Dad’s Comments: This western has the western triple threat: cinematography, score and plot. I picked this movie because of Cooper’s wonderful acting and exciting editing. One example: continuous shots of the clock, emphasizing how little time Cooper has before outlaws arrive. Finally, it’s important to note that the non-stereotype role of Helen Ramirez, a strong and competent Hispanic businesswoman (well played by Katy Jurado) was a rarity in 1950s Hollywood!
