1951 – with Walter Brennan and Virginia Mayo – Kirk’s first Western – he was 35 years old.1952 – Acted for free, in order to break up his contract with Warner Bros.1952 – Directed by Howard Hawkes – nominated for two Academy Awards1955 – Rotten Tomatoes says Kirk “shines in the hyper-macho role …” Jack Elam appears as a treacherous gunslinger.Rated at IMDB (Internet Movie Database) as “6.4” out of 10. I rate Elsa Martinelli as a 10 out of 10.1957 – Directed by John Sturges Considered by many to be one the top Western Classics of all time – including myself.1959 – An under-rated and worthy follow-up to Gunfight at OK Corral1959 – Written by Bernard Shaw Lawrence Olivier – Kirk Douglas – Burt Lancaster1961 – Directed by Robert Aldrich (Vera Cruz) who never knew how to make an ordinary movie.1962 – A Classic – and unusual Western Kirk was nominated for a 1963 BAFTA Award as “Best Foreign Actor”.1961 – Three great actors plus Sally Field in her first major film role– 1967 – Douglas: “Mine hit the ground first” Wayne: “Mine was taller.”1970 – Also starring Henry Fonda, Burgess Meredith, Warren Oates … Never hide your loot in a rattlesnake pit …Two men who have paid their dues …Douglas plays an ambitious politician … Dern plays himself.A comedy … what else could it be with Arnold as a cowboy?A jewel in Kirk’s crown Should have been nominated for Supporting role(s)1984 – Two great actors – Westerns or otherwise – shining in their sunset
I love so many of these movies I don’t even know where to start. They are the stuff of my youth and often of Garry and my late nights. Michael look so much like him now, minus the dimple.
Hey! Thanks for following my little blog! I thought I was following you back, but something must have gone wrong somewhere. Since I LOVE westerns, I’m returning the favour. Cheers mate! 😀
They sure did! A lot of ‘B’ movies were westerns and they’re all pretty good viewing, except for the few that wanted to be “psychological” and not a real western. LOL 😀
Leave a Reply