Western | Piddleville

Stagecoach (1939)

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Bill Wren

Directed by John Ford For what is essentially a simple western, Stagecoach is a pretty imposing little film. It’s daunting for all the film history associated with it, beginning with the introduction of John Wayne as movie star. (His first … Read more →

The Professionals (1966)

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Bill Wren

Directed by Richard Brooks There is something about westerns and widescreen that attracts great cinematography. Conrad Hall handles the job on The Professionals and the movie looks great: dusty, dry, hot and very large. The movie on the other hand … Read more →

Is Shane too aware of itself as a western?

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Bill Wren

I wrote the bit below about 8 to 10 years ago after seeing Shane for the first time. It’s strictly a gut response and an attempt to figure out that gut response. But I think it may be time for … Read more →

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Shane (1953)

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Bill Wren

Directed by George Stevens I’ve never seen Shane before. I haven’t discussed it in Film Studies classes. I haven’t spent hours in bars or cafes talking about it. I just like westerns, knew it was considered one of the best, … Read more →

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The fantastic western of George Pal

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Bill Wren

You can see a number of actors best known for their television work in the 1960s and 1970s — Tony Randall, Barbara Eden and Arthur O’Connell — in one of the oddest films: 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. Is it … Read more →

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7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Bill Wren

Directed by George Pal This movie, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, is peculiar to say the least, and in its peculiarity is a wonderful fantasy that doesn’t make for the greatest film ever made but a delightful one nonetheless. Once … Read more →

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Bandolero! (1968)

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Bill Wren

Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen While it won’t likely ever be confused with great movies, Bandolero! is quite an entertaining film in a traditional, mid-sixties Hollywood kind of way. In a way, it’s admirable for it’s meat-and-potatoes approach and execution. … Read more →