Summer has come crashing into Tennessee, and with it summer movie time. I’m introducing western films to the Good Dr. soon. She’s curious—or, at least, patient—but doesn’t know the genre, really, and her brief encounter with (the tail end of) Rio Bravo was…how do you say?…not good. Making things more difficult, I’ve been limited to three movies. I’d like to hit the Big Classics, of course, while possibly offering a look at different eras and film styles. Also, no goddamn Silverado.
So far, here’s what I’ve got:
1. The Searchers
2. High Noon
3. Unforgiven
4. Shane
5. My Darling Clementine
6. Bad Day at Black Rock
7. Stagecoach
8. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Obvious choices, but that’s kind of the point. I basically think I have to do The Searchers, but I think you could make a case for swapping out the other two for anything else on the list.
wrong! the best western ever is “Ride The High Country”, followed closely by “Treasure of Sierra Madre”