Paxton Holley and Michael May hit the dusty trail in search of great Westerns
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Nevada Smith (1966)
Pax and Michael seek out the 1966 revenge adventure Nevada Smith starring Steve McQueen, Brian Keith, and Susanne Pleshette. We also talk a bit about the movie The Carpetbaggers from 1964 where the Nevada Smith character originated.
A great western to check out is Hondo (1953). Directed by John Farrow. Starring John Wayne. Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate, Ward Bond, James Arness, Leo Gordon, and Paul Fix. Also playing John Wayne’s dog companion is Pal a border collie who is most famous for being the original Lassie. John Wayne plays Hondo Lane an army scout who comes upon the homestead of Geraldine Page and her son Lee Aaker and becomes they’re protected in the midst of an Indian War. If the name of this movie rings a bell that might be because of the tv show Married With Children it is the favorite movie of Al Bundy.
I recently picked up a few blind buys of George Peppard movies that I couldn't find on demand. The one Peppard movie that I've seen many times and enjoyed the most is Tobruk (1967), which ia s War World II Film set in North Africa. It has a great role for Peppard. Some of the Westerns with Peppard that I enjoyed were Rough Night in Jericho (1967) and One More Train to Rob (1971). I did not like The Carpetbaggers. Peppard does play irascible very well. This role is similar to his role in The Blue Max where plays a very serious single-minded aviator. Even when Peppard plays the good guy, he's still a darker character. Steve McQueen is the complete opposite, where he often plays likable characters even when he's playing a serious role. I enjoyed Nevada Smith because of Steve McQueen, but it's not my favorite McQueen film.
A great western to check out is Hondo (1953). Directed by John Farrow. Starring John Wayne. Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate, Ward Bond, James Arness, Leo Gordon, and Paul Fix. Also playing John Wayne’s dog companion is Pal a border collie who is most famous for being the original Lassie. John Wayne plays Hondo Lane an army scout who comes upon the homestead of Geraldine Page and her son Lee Aaker and becomes they’re protected in the midst of an Indian War. If the name of this movie rings a bell that might be because of the tv show Married With Children it is the favorite movie of Al Bundy.
ReplyDeleteHondo is definitely on the list! It's one I've been meaning to get to for a while, so thank you for the nudge. Lassie may put it over the top. :D
ReplyDeleteI recently picked up a few blind buys of George Peppard movies that I couldn't find on demand. The one Peppard movie that I've seen many times and enjoyed the most is Tobruk (1967), which ia s War World II Film set in North Africa. It has a great role for Peppard.
ReplyDeleteSome of the Westerns with Peppard that I enjoyed were Rough Night in Jericho (1967) and One More Train to Rob (1971).
I did not like The Carpetbaggers. Peppard does play irascible very well. This role is similar to his role in The Blue Max where plays a very serious single-minded aviator. Even when Peppard plays the good guy, he's still a darker character.
Steve McQueen is the complete opposite, where he often plays likable characters even when he's playing a serious role. I enjoyed Nevada Smith because of Steve McQueen, but it's not my favorite McQueen film.