Western Movies Give Us a Glimpse of the Simple Life
| November 18, 2011 | Posted by berns under Westernfilms |
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We see so many gory scenes and morbidity in the movies today that it is easy to forget about all those Western movies from decades past. Millions of us grew up watching the gallant sheriff capturing the bad guy with the blonde beauty patiently waiting back at the saloon for his safe return. Alternatively, how about all those nights of quick riders and daring adventurers, riding into the sunsets happily-singing their favorite songs. Most kids across America at the time thought that is how people lived in the Wild West.
Some History on Western Movies
Back in 1905, famous performer Will Rogers did his act at fairs and vaudeville as an expert roper and comedian. After that, he was in 50 silent movies and 21 talking ones. As the technology was enhanced, the number and quality of Western movies also improved. In the thirties, came the class-B westerns, low-budget and low-quality films. The multitudes watched him perform as they truly believed his conversations and opinions were the way cowboys truly acted and lived.
In the fifties, the singing cowboys such as Gene Autry, Rex Allen and Roy Rogers and Dale Evans began their entertainment careers. No matter what the crisis these famous cowboys and cowgirls sang their way through the problems and good once again prevailed. The golden era of Westerns lasted from the 1940’s through the 1970’s. Who has not seen shows like Gunsmoke with James Arness, along with fellow characters Miss Kitty, Doc Adams and Festus who were all popular during that time.
After many years, there came all of the Clint Eastwood Italian-made western movies like, A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, Pale Rider, and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. We all remember going to see any of these at your local drive in or movie theatre. Mr. Eastwood brought to the screen a more rough and tough character. For most people, that was surely how the wild men of the West were living and acting.
The Icon of Western Movies
Lastly, the most acclaimed Western movies hero of them all, the duke or John Wayne. The popular actor was bigger than life in over 84 westerns. This was the tough-talkin, tough-riding no nonsense cowboy. Millions followed is career on both the big screen and on the TV. John Wayne was synonymous with the Wild West and good versus evil. He was a kind of symbol of the West and was such a popular actor in so many westerns his persona became the personal of the people who lived West of the Pecos and in those surrounding areas.
So the next time you are searching for a classic film, head on over to your local video outlet and pick up an old favorite Western movie and have a great time. We can all have fun and viewed and imagine what the real Wild West was supposed to be.
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