8 Places a Cowboy Would Love To Hang His Hat

Lights on Location on returns with yet another fascinating post, and today it is about Cowboys and Westerns!

                Ever felt like riding into the sunset with a trusty steed? If yes, then you've probably watched too many cowboy movies. But who wouldn't though? Cowboy films let us see another world full of action and adventure. Parts of this are the iconic filming locations that have been used in some of the most famous cowboy films. With that in mind, here are 8 of the places that a cowboy would love to hang his hat.

Grafton Ghost Town

The western film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid gave us the unforgettable bike scene with the song “Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head” playing. This town is where that iconic bike scene was filmed.  Head to the New Sheridan Hotel's bar and have a drink for the full cowboy experience.

Monument Valley

This valley is famed for its curious rock formations, and is named by the Navajo as 'Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii' (Valley of the Rocks). Western director John Ford made use of the Monument Valley as house filming location for some of his best work, including the 1950's western flick starring John Wayne – The Searchers.

Bronson Caves in Los Angeles

Another filming location from the westerns of the past up to the present, the Bronson Caves found in Los Angeles is a great place for any cowboy to have a rest from the heat. This cave has been used by big feature films and low budget movies as well.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

The 1976 movie starring Clint Eastwood titled “The Outlaw Josey Wales” was filmed in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area. The surrounding lake is a nice place for a rest and also for fishing all types of bass.

Columbia State Historic Park

The Columbia State Park is another place for filming a western. High Noon made use of this park as their backdrop. The 1982 film Shadow Riders were also shot in this very location.

Tree Canopy at Evergreen Plantation

One of the more familiar filming locations used in a western might be the Tree Canopy. It was recently used in Quentin Tarantino's grisly western film Django Unchained.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park

What better place to give a rousing speech to your gang than in the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park. Hedley Lamarr and his gang were right in this spot when they shot the classic “Blazing Saddles”. Although the rest of the film was shot on soundstages, this location added to the realism tone of the instrumental scenes of the film.

Ouray County Courthouse

Prove your true grit by checking out the Ouray County Courthouse. The movie True Grit made use of the courthouse as one of their filming locations. And when you're feeling hungry, you can also visit the True Grit Cafe named in honor of the film.

6 Unconventional Westerns

Westerns do not have to be set in the mid-to-late 1800s America. Sometimes, a story set in the distant future or other lands can still contain elements of a classic western. Those are the type of movies and TV shows that I highlight today. Also, this is not a list, but rather a collection of fiction that portrays a different take on the western genre.

Firefly / Serenity

Firefly and Serenity are an obvious pick for an unconventional western. Taking place in the distant future where humanity has spread across the stars, space is like a wild frontier with outlaws and smugglers. Everyone knows Firefly as the TV show that ended well before its time. While its short run is unfortunate, we will always have Joss Whedon and company's brilliant first season of television and the feature film, Serenity.

Back to the Future Part III

The third and final part of the madcap time-travel classic, Back to the Future Part III is a fun adventure through the old west with Doc Brown and Marty McFly. It might not be a stellar film by any stretch of the imagination, but it is full of classic western references and witty humor.

The Good, the Bad, the Weird

A South Korean film set in 1800s Korea, The Good, the Bad, the Weird is inspired by Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Much like the original film, it features a memorable cast of cool and zany characters, with Song Kang-ho as the "Weird" being the standout. This South Korean take adds an eastern action flare with lengthy action sequences with practical stunts and superb direction. If you enjoy westerns, foreign films, or entertaining action comedy, give this one a watch!

Trigun

Yes, I know what you are thinking: "An anime? Who would watch that weird Japanese stuff?" But hear me out. Trigun is a sci-fi action comedy set on a new plant that humanity colonizes, and it is a barren wasteland, just like the Wild West. The series follows Vash the Stampede, a man with a 60 billion "double dollar" bounty on his head. What makes Trigun unique is that it starts out as an action comedy with wacky characters and fun action, and then shifts gears to a serious series with complex themes of heroism. Interestingly, the writer of the original comic (manga) that the anime was based on is a Christian, which is evident by the themes expressed. It explores the consequences of a hero that refuses to kill, like Batman, and how that can lead to even more deaths of innocents.

Cowboy Bebop

Another anime, Cowboy Bebop, a classic that everyone should have at least heard of by now, is set in the future where humanity is spread across the stars where bounty hunters, referred to as "Cowboys," roam the galaxy in search of their targets. That's the premise of Cowboy Bebop, but that is only the beginning. The series is heavily influenced by American filmmakers, and the soundtrack varies from smooth jazz to classic rock with each episode being titled after a style of music. Once you get past the slow start, Cowboy Bebop is an unforgettable classic that should be watched by all; I even own the Blu-Ray set! If you are not sold on it after episode 1, skip to Episode 5; that should sell the show to you.

Rango

An animated film starring Johnny Depp, Rango is one of the funniest animated films of the last few years. The plot is a fun twist on classic western stories with animals and shockingly detailed 3D animation.

What are some of your favorite Unconventional Westerns? Have you seen any of the films on this list? Please let me know in the comments, and do not forget to check out my Top 10 Westerns list in the following links: Part 1 & Part 2.

Unless I think of one final post tomorrow for Emma, Plain and Tall's Legends of Western Cinema week on A Lantern in Her Hand & Meanwhile, in the River...., this is the end of my western posts. Thanks everyone for reading, and I hope you have found a few new westerns to watch. My Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies list continues next week, so be sure to check back for that!

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 10 Westerns: Part 2

My Top 10 Westerns list concludes today with my Top 5! And here is Part 1 if you missed it.

5: The Magnificent Seven

As you may know from my recent Versus post, The Magnificent Seven is based on the Japanese film Seven Samurai, and if you want to read a comparison of the films, click here. For the film itself, it tells the classic story of seven gunmen hired to protect a village from bandits, and of all the remakes, this is, undoubtedly, the finest. From the all-star cast to the fun action and adventure, The Magnificent Seven is a classic that should never be forgotten.

4: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Arguably Humphrey Bogart's best film, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is an enduring tale of greed and gold and how it can turn friends against one another. Unlike the other westerns on the list, the film does not have gunfights, traditional cowboys, or the other tropes, but it a film about the thing that drove people to go west: gold! John Huston's direction creates a sense of tension as the characters begin to distrust each other and Bogart's role as Fred Dobbs is one of his most layered and complex. If you have yet to see this classic, what are you doing!? Go watch it!

3: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is not like other westerns. In fact, it is almost similar to many modern day flicks with its witty script and chemistry between the leads. Paul Newman and Robert Redford played one of film’s first "Bromances," although I don't like that term. If the old fashion westerns in John Wayne's error do not appeal to you, check out Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; you just might enjoy it.

2: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

After watching Sergio Leone's other Spaghetti Westerns, which, while good, were a little disappointing, my expectations for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly were rather low. To my surprise, however, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly turned out to be one of the best westerns and films of all-time. Sergio Leone used his unique directorial style to great effect throughout the film by creating the sense of tension between these witty outlaws. Clint Eastwood’s cool demeanor and humorous wit added to the film as well. 

1: The Outlaw Josey Wales

One of Clint Eastwood’s earliest directorial efforts, The Outlaw Josey Wales is my favorite western of all-time. Following a Confederate soldier directly after the end of the Civil War, The Outlaw Josey Wales is the pinnacle of revenge flicks, and a unique spin on the western genre. Sure, it might not be everyone’s favorite, and that’s fine, because there are so many fantastic westerns. Unfortunately, they are rarely watched by today’s audiences. 

*Warning: Despite the PG rating, it would be R by today's standards.*

What are your favorite westerns? Please comment below and let me know!

Honorable Mentions: Unforgiven, Hondo, The Westerner, Destry Rides Again, High Noon, The Naked Spur, Pale Rider, Rooster Cogburn, True Grit (2010), 3:10 to Yuma, A Fistful of Dollars, Dances with Wolves

While this list concludes today, my westerns posts are not over! A "5 Unconventional Westerns" is on the way to continue Emma, Plain and Tall's Legends of Western Cinema week on her blog A Lantern in Her Hand & Meanwhile, in the River....

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 10 Westerns: Part 1

Westerns, a genre of film that is now long forgotten in the depths of cinema history. Back the 40s, 50s, and 60s, westerns were big money makes; essentially the equivalent of summer blockbusters. Today, however, you are lucky if one western is released a year, and ever since the Lone Ranger bombed, it seems that there is little hope for the genre's revival. Thankfully, we will always have the classics, and today I rank the Top 10 Westerns that you need to see. Even if you are not a fan of westerns, maybe I can convince you to check out a few of these classics.

Today's post is the first of three Western themed posts for Emma, Plain and Tall's "Legends of Western Cinema Week" on her blog A Lantern in Her Hand & Meanwhile, in the River....

10: Tombstone

What Tombstone lacks in historical accuracy, it makes up for in being fun to watch. Not only does it contain one of the best shootouts in cinema, it is full of memorable quotes and an entertaining quest for revenge. Val Kilmer is the real star of the film as the always entertaining Doc Holliday. He is what makes the film so much fun to watch.

9: Rio Bravo

Director, Howard Hawks, teams up with legendary actors, John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, and Walter Brennan to create one of the finest westerns of the era! It tells the tale of a sheriff arresting the brother of a powerful rancher, so the sheriff and other characters band together to defend the town. Some say that Rio Bravo is a direct response to High Noon, because the story mirrors the events with townsfolk abandoning the sheriff in time of need instead of helping. Rio Bravo's more optimistic outlook on humanity is my favorite of the two.

8: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Starring two of the best actors of the era, James Stewart and John Wayne, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is the first film where you can see both legends in a film together. The film is a departure from the typical Shoot 'Em Up westerns, and the result makes it one of the best. James Stewart gives his reliably superb and likable performance as as Ransom "Ranse" Stoddard, and John Wayne plays off him well with yet another classic performance.

7: True Grit (1969)

Some may prefer the 2011 Coen Brothers remake, but for me, John Wayne's original will always be my favorite. Sure, the remake is more accurate to the book and contained better performances, but you cannot top the classic charm of the original.

6: The Searchers

John Wayne is known for playing the typical straight-laced "good-guy," but not in The Searchers! Wayne plays a darker, more troubled character on a quest to find his niece, who was kidnapped by Indians. Even if you don't like old movies or westerns, if you love movies, The Searchers is a must-watch, as Wayne gives his finest performance of his career. 

What do you think of the list? Are these some of your favorite westerns? Please comment below, and check back in the following days for more Western themed posts.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.