Author Topic: movie cowboys (Read 5011 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** March 17, 2003, 03:29:42 AM »

i, sittin here thinkin again--who, in your opinion and why, presented a clear picture of the cowboy on the silver screen?

i will start by saying i've considered a number of folks-not all of them actors-some of them directors some writers.
lets see-randolf scott--always had feed for the hoss. was not always a good guy. his movies were not always spectactural but were very introspective-maybe not historical-but thinking. the first adult westerns in many ways.
john wayne--bigger than life-probable bigger than he really was--but boy can't argue the impact. just a after thought--what would he have been without john ford. historically accurate? close call here but in many ways-most of them in the character of a western man a no brainer--read the history of the folks that were real cowboys--their character was the same.
modern- no question in my mind-tom selleck. character of a cowboy without parallal. historically correct-the outfits and weapons-absolutely. has presented some of the best writers of western fiction in a way that does the story justice.
end of string here-can't spell this am-no apologies as it will not get any better.
blessings

.45 COLT · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2003, 03:35:21 AM »

For modern, Sam Elliot runs Tom Selleck a pretty close second.

Capt Hamp Cox · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2003, 10:29:00 AM »

Ben Johnson as probably one of the most believable cowboy "types" in everything he appeared in, and Robert Duvall for a really bang up job in Lonesome Dove. Duvall had (down pat) the old west mannerisms (hand movements, facial expressions, sense of humor, vocabulary etc.) displayed by many of the old timers I remember when I was growing up in central Texas. Out of the current crop of actors, I've got to go along with Tom Selleck and Sam Elliot (in that order). Selleck's personal interest in all things "Old West" comes through loud and clear in the historical accuracy of his recent movies.

Hud · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2003, 01:23:05 PM »

Wilford Brimley has to be included with Wayne, Selleck, and Elliot.

Hud

Capt Hamp Cox · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2003, 02:39:12 PM »

Got in too much of a hurry and forgot Richard Farnsworth.

Capt Hamp Cox · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2003, 03:07:12 PM »

Speaking of Western movies----

http://www.couchcowboy.com/

http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Western/

http://www.cowboypal.com/

http://www.surfnetinc.com/chuck/magers3.htm

williamlayton · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2003, 11:09:14 PM »

MY OPINIONS AN TAKES
ben johnson---i'm an idiot, of course. was a oklahoma wrangler who got hired as a extra and stuntman after delivering horses for a picture. has got to be considered among the greats in western films
sam elliott--i like him--but--he like wayne and, omygoddon'tshootme, steve mcqueen, have some good moves but i've got to differ with ya in acting ability. to me wayne had a few directors who got good stuff outta him, and when they did he is great.
brimley---great side-kick, in one movie.
tom steele, rex and those boys--pards, i've seen those movies(allofem), and they are great sat.PM movies(steele my fave.) but not great stuff just good memories of some awfully good days of my life(got to seperate these things from good pictures).
some good post here boys--bring up reasons with the names-and my opinions are just my opinions.
who else we got

blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2003, 12:19:07 AM »

opinions and takes II--chores done
farnsworth---not an actor or an act--th real deal.
duvall--a real actor, I MEAN A REAL ACTOR. got more moves than mcqueen and they are less obvious, as in, natural. sits a horse pretty good too. pretty earthy guy.

williamlayton · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2003, 12:58:05 AM »

gregory peck---gotcha on this one. not so much the actor as the man. he is solid. his characters come across solid. had he been born in thre right place and right times--he would have been the real deal.
blessings

MOGorilla · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2003, 03:59:54 PM »

Hands down, I am a John Wayne fan. He took the blame from my mother for many of the scuffs and scrapes I had as a child. Several times she didn't want me to watch his movies as being too violent. Of course, dad had boxed professionally and bought me boxing gloves when I was 3. So the Duke can't be blamed for everything.
After John Wayne, I tend to like the villians. Jack Elam in his early years and Lee Van Cleef. Both could send chills down my spine. Elam evolved well into character/comedic roles as he got older. To see how Lee Van Cleef flowed into my shooting, check my recent post in the cap and ball forum.

Gatofeo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2003, 04:09:04 PM »

Gary Cooper. Did an admirable job in the classic horse opera, "High Noon."
But more than that, he was a Montana kid who grew up on a ranch, as I recall. He knew and worked around cowboys at an early age.
His fellow actors of the time said he was the real deal, and one of the nicest guys in Hollywood.
You've all mentioned some greats but I felt that Gary Cooper should be on the list too.

williamlayton · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2003, 07:50:37 PM »

jack, lee, gary--real good post. agree with all said.
jack elam is special. lee was in a lot more films for more years than we want to admit to remembering. wasn't a baad coyboy either--except he was raise in jersey---and before you jump--aint nuthin wrong w/jersey--jest aint been a lot cowboys there for a long time.
blessings

Capt Hamp Cox · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2003, 09:37:07 AM »

Re: the John Wayne comments. Ever stop to think what we'd have missed if the westerns starring Wayne had never been made?

Kind of surprised no one has mentioned Clint Eastwood. I wasn't particularly fond of his "spaghetti westerns", but did really like him in "Unforgiven". Maybe it's because I can identify with someone who's getting old, broken down, and wore out.

williamlayton · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2003, 03:52:28 AM »

dear OLD, broken down and wore out--
the best of john is the character of the man--his acting stunk--his character is flawless-when the director could get it out. :twisted:
blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2003, 03:55:28 AM »

there are some good ones left and opinions give us the imputus to think.
blessings

Old Griz · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2003, 06:44:00 PM »

My wife and I watched an old John Wayne movie the other night that I hadn't seen in years, "The Comoncheros." It was supposed to take place in 1843, however, it abounded with Colt SAA pistols and lever action rifles. If anyone can tell me, were there ANY weapons from that time period used in the movie at all? I couldn't tell what Lee Marvin carried. It was old, but not old enough. :grin:

williamlayton · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2003, 10:38:45 PM »

most movies are not concerned with historisticity( i don't know if this is a word or not :roll: ) or for that matter any type of historical accuracy of story line. they in effect are mostly plastic and out for the $$
blessings

Holiday · « **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2003, 03:26:00 PM »

John Wayne is by far my favorite! Ben Johnson and Sam Elliot are two of the best, and also personal favorites. But lets not forget James Garner! To me, the humor of "Maverick" and "Support Your Local Sherriff" are unforgettable!

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2003, 11:50:05 PM »

good thinkin--had not even thought about him--well duh on me. he is most likely a character of the real deal type. oklahoma boy if memory serves me correctly and not a person who suffers people too well. has a fast fuse reputation privately. he has done a lot of good work in a lot of bad films.
blesssings

williamlayton · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2003, 04:19:23 AM »

how bout ol "hank fonda"--has great character personally. some of his westerns were not great as far as the pictures go-but his characters were always real. nobody stands sraighter, more erect and merits more respect. great craft in him.

Holiday · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2003, 04:26:14 PM »

I'll vote fer that, William. Ol' Henry makes a good cowpoke!

Old Griz · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2003, 04:44:13 PM »

Stewart and Fonda were great together in the Cheyenne Social Club. Some terrific lines.

williamlayton · « **Reply #22 on:** April 05, 2003, 04:37:17 AM »

i need help here--yea i know--ya sure do :oops: -- the duke had a favorite actor he liked--did mostly westerns--the duke paid him an honor at the end of "the searcher" when he was standing on the poarch in a stance this actor was known for--who am i thinking about--i can see him but cannot remember his name--was a good one ta nominate--and i do nominate him, whoever it is.

blessings

rwng · « **Reply #23 on:** May 04, 2003, 03:40:39 PM »

The all time classic cowboys (for me) are Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. Just what I grew up with. Guys that portray the real thing, I would say Tom Selleck, Sam Elliot & Robert Duval (he was increadible in Lonesome Dove and Geronimo). A couple guys not mentioned that I would like to throw in are Charlton Heston and Tom Beringer. In my opinion, you can't beat a "good" western.

bigfish44 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 08, 2010, 01:22:20 PM »

I dont know his name but he played nex to Jimmy Stewart in Winchrster 73 he struck me as a real cowboy

Fotto · « **Reply #25 on:** February 08, 2010, 02:14:31 PM »

Millard Mitchell perhaps?
acted in a goodly number of movies, often cast as sardonic, stolid characters. Although dressed as a cliché in the Anthony Mann western, The Naked Spur (1953), he eluded the usual geezer-sidekick persona as an old prospector who falls in with James Stewart as a bounty-hunter after laughing villain Robert Ryan.

Duke0313 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 08, 2010, 09:41:10 PM »

It was indeed, Millard Mitchell!

Lucky Joe · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2010, 10:32:51 AM »

http://oldfortyfives.com/thoseoldwesterns.htm

Old Griz · « **Reply #28 on:** March 14, 2010, 10:42:02 AM »

Thanks Lucky Joe, that was fun.

Duke0313 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 24, 2010, 01:29:30 AM »

Quote from: williamlayton on April 05, 2003, 04:37:17 AM

i need help here--yea i know--ya sure do :oops: -- the duke had a favorite actor he liked--did mostly westerns--the duke paid him an honor at the end of "the searcher" when he was standing on the poarch in a stance this actor was known for--who am i thinking about--i can see him but cannot remember his name--was a good one ta nominate--and i do nominate him, whoever it is.
blessings

Guess I'm about 7 years late...but the actor was Harry Carey sr. "The Searchers" also featured Olive Carey (his widow) and Harry Carey jr. (his son).