Sissy Spacek – My Favorite Westerns

The Guns of Laredo … Part 3 … the Rifles

In Streets of Laredo we see mainly 3 standard rifles – plus a couple of oddities. There are others long guns, but their appearance is too brief to mention.

Firstly we have the Winchester 73′ rifle – ‘the rifle that won the West’? Combined with the Colt 45 pistol, these are backbone of many a Western Film and probably a good chunk of Old West history as well.

James Garner (Captain F. Woodrow Call) carries two rifles (not sure why .. but Why Not?): a Winchester 73′ and a 1860 Henry Rifle Brass Frame .45 LC.

Streets of Laredo Garner with Yellowboy — **Woodrow / Garner with his Henry**

Streets of Laredo Garner with Yellowboy 2 — **Garner using the Henry – folding sight.**

Ned Beatty (Judge Roy Bean) and his Winchester 73‘

Between drinking and hanging people the Judge shoots things.

George Carlin gets ready to demonstrate the ‘Yellow Boy‘.

Hang on to your ears.

The 2 Unusual Weapons

Streets of Laredo Smith and Cannon — **Smith and Cannon**

Charles Martin Smith and Cannon? Sounds like a Law Firm. And he’s got the guns to back it up.

The first of the 2 unusual weapons that I spoke of, is the The Holland & Holland Paradox shotgun (well named).

From the Internet Movie Firearms Database (http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Holland_%26_Holland_Paradox)

“The Holland & Holland Paradox was an interesting design. It was a smoothbore until the end of the bores where there was rifling … The 8 and 10 gauge shotguns were considered to be the most effective against Elephant, Cape Buffalo ect, but lacked the accuracy and range of a rifle. The Paradox design was a compromise which offered improved performance from the smoothbore design … “

In other words, Charles Martin Smith is carrying an elephant gun. Sheesh.

This weapon eventually contributes to the demise of our main antagonist.

Thanks to my brother Richard for finding this information.

Don’t ask me what the pistols are though … he never pulled ’em.

Charles Martin Smith seems to have a fondness for shotguns:

Streets of Laredo Smith and Shotgun — **Charles Martin Smith with shotgun in *The Untouchables* – 1987**

That other weapon is claimed to be a Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin rifle with Scope.

Streets of laredo Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin rifle — **Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin rifle – without scope**

Apology: I lost my sources for this reference. I do recall the the individual who recognized this rifle said that this weapon did not exist in the era of Streets of Laredo. I would not be surprised as we find this quite often in Westerns (and other movies) where technology from the future is imported to the past. Most often nobody cares or notices, but some Gun and Western history fans/experts do take note.

The only thing I can say for sure it that if Joey Garza (Alexis Cruz) takes a liking to your gun, you better just give it to him. And run away. Fast.

But it might not do any good.

The Guns of Laredo … an interesting mix.

The Guns of Laredo … Part 2 … the Handguns

Bob Dylan

Streets of Laredo contains most your standard Western gunfare: Yer Colt 45, Yer Winchester ’73, and Yer double barrel shotgun ….

But it also has 2 unique weapons – plus another that’s fairly uncommon.

I was not able to locate any resources that specifically itemized the Guns in Streets of Laredo. It took considerable detective work to discover the identity of at least 2 of the firearms. A Thank You goes to my brother Richard who identified the mysterious and unusual shotgun carried by Charles Martin Smith.

The Handguns:

Most of the main characters use handguns at some point Streets of Laredo – including Sissy Spacek and Sonja Baca.
The handgun of choice appears to be the famous Colt 45 – either long or short barrel.

Alexis Cruz

Sonja Baca

Ned Beatty

A Colt Refused

Near the beginning Episode 1 (of 3) of Streets of Laredo, James Garner (Captain Woodrow Call) is offered a pearl handled Colt by his employer – which he refuses – upon advice there may ‘strings attached’.

Uncommon Gun Number One

Randy Quaid, who plays the very surly John Wesley Hardin in Streets of Laredo, brandishes a nickel plated handgun that looks almost too grand to be a ‘shootin’ iron’ of the Old West.
But there it is. This gun was not easy to for me to identify and I’m still not certain I have it right, but I’m going with a:

Smith & Wesson Schofield

Subsequent editions of a successful weapon design often remain or appear almost identical to the original – even over years of production – with only minor refinements. Or can be copied by other Manufacturers.
In other words, they aren’t easy to identify. So this is just a guess on my part.

Randy Quaid

Top Breaking handguns.

When you consider that the ‘top breaking’ feature (similar to double barrel shotgun) of this handgun appears to be make loading and unloading quicker and easier, you’d think they would have been more popular, but it seems the side loading style of the Colts was more common. I do not know who originally invented this design, but it was clearly used by other manufacturers as well – including Colt.

Next:

The Guns of Laredo … Part 3 … the Rifles

James Garner Westerns: Streets of Laredo: the Cast

Casting Director, Lynn Kressel won Casting Awards for Streets of Laredo. Let’s see why …

James Garner

Nothing much needs to be said about James Garner as a Western Film Actor He’s an icon.

Garner’s Westerns

Maverick with Jack Kelly 1957-1962 TV
Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend with Randolph Scott / 1957 Movie
Alias Jesse James with Bob Hope 1957 Cameo as Maverick Movie
Duel at Diablo: with Sydney Poitier 1966 Movie
Hour of the Gun with Jason Robards 1967 Movie
Support Your Local Sheriff with Jack Elam and Walter Brennan 1966 Movie
Sledge with Dennis Weaver and Claude Akins 1970 Movie
Support Your Local Gunfighter with Suzanne Pleshette 1971 Movie
Skin Game with Lou Gossett 1971 Movie
Nicols with Stuart Margolin 1971-1972 TV
The Castaway Cowboy 1974 Movie
Young Maverick with Charles Frank 1979 TV
Bret Maverick with Ed Bruce 1981-82 TV Movie
Murphy’s Romance with Sally Field 1985 Movie
Sunset with Bruce Willis 1988 Movie
Maverick with Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Coburn and others 1994 Movie
Streets of Laredo – 1995 TV Mini-Series

Sam Shepard

Sam Shepard seems to have Western written all over him – so we’re bit surprised that he hasn’t been in more. Yet I believe All the Pretty Horses is massively under-rated and may fare better in time. The Assassination of Jesse James … ??? the jury is still out. Thunderheart is well known – an entertaining enough movie … but a good Western? Blackthorn could have been Classic, but poor support acting let it down.

Verdict? Streets of Laredo is probably the best Western Sam has ever done. And he’s damn good in it.

Shepards’s Westerns

1978 Days of Heaven – with Richard Gere
1992 Thunderheart – with Val Kilmer and Grahame Greene
1995 Streets of Laredo with James Garner
1999 Purgatory with Eric Roberts and Randy Quaid
2000 All the Pretty Horses with Matt Damon
2005 Bandidas with Penélope Cruz and Salma Hayek
2007 The Assassination of Jesse James with Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck
2011 Blackthorn
1994 Silent Tongue / Writer / Director
2014 Klondike with Richard Madden

Randy Quaid

Randy Quaid has been in at least 2 notable Western: The Missouri Breaks and The Long Riders – both pretty highly regarded by most Western Movie fans – some holding them as Minor Classic in quality. In Streets of Laredo he plays the famous gunslinger John Wesley Harding.

Quaid Westerns

1976 The Missouri Breaks with Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando
1979 The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang
1980 The Long Riders with Dennis Quaid, David Carradine, Keith Carradine, Stacy Keach …
1999 Purgatory wtih Sam Shepard
2004 Home on the Range with Judi Dench, Cuba Gooding Jr., Rosanne Barr …

Sissy Spacek

We probably think Sissy Spacek has been in a few Westerns because she did Coal Minors Daughter (1980) and has done some Country Music singing and writing. But not so. Despite a ton of great work in her acting career, Sissy has done no real Westerns.

She’s in a great one this time though.

Decent Western roles are tough to find for female actors- mainly because most Westerns are written by – and for – men. But McMurtry is different and Streets of Laredo includes 3 great roles for the ladies – one of which is also an excellent role for a child female actor. Good job Mr. McMurtry.

Wes Studi

Wes Studi is another actor that has well established himself as a Western Film Icon. His first 2 Westerns are undeniable Westerns Classics: Dances with Wolves and The Last of the Mohicans.
Most everything else he’s done is quality work as well.

Wes Studi Westerns

1990 Dances with Wolves with Kevin Costner
1992 The Last of the Mohicans with Daniel Day Lewis
1993 Geronimo: An American Legend with Gene Hackman
1995 Streets of Laredo
1997 Crazy Horse with Ned Beatty
2005 Into the West with Russel Means
2005 Miracle at Sage Creek with David Carradine
2005 The New World with Colin Farrell, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale
2007 Seraphim Falls with Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson, Anjelica Huston
2007 Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
2008 Comanche Moon with Val Kilmer
2009 Trail of Tears
2011 Hell on Wheels with Colm Meaney
2014 A Million Ways to Die in the West (post-production)
2014 Palominas (pre-production)

Charles Martin Smith

We wouldn’t normally think of Charles Martin Smith as being a Western Actor but, incredibly, Smith has appeared in at least one bona fide Western Classic: Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and two other worthy Westerns: Culpepper Cattle Co. and The Spikes Gang. That’s 3 out 3 Chuck – Not bad for a green horn.

In Streets of Laredo, Smith plays the ‘everyday man’ – that’s you and me – the guy we’re supposed to relate with. His character can’t handle the rugged and vicious Western world he suddenly finds himself in – and makes us wonder if we could cut it either. Possibly not.

Charles Martin Smith Westerns

1972 The Culpepper Cattle Co.
1973 Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
1974 The Spikes Gang

Sonia Braga

Brazilian actress and International Film Star, Sonia Braga has 75 film credits to her name.
And when you see here performance in Streets of Laredo, it’s hard to believe she too has no Westerns among them.
She was Nominated for NCLR Bravo Award 1996 for her performance in Streets of Laredo.

Ned Beaty

In Streets of Laredo, Ned Beaty is well recognized – even with his Santa Claus beard. Beaty is another actor we are surprised to find has made very few Westerns – in his long career where he has appeared in over 100 films – and has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, an MTV Movie Award and a Golden Globe Award; he won a Drama Desk Award also.

But he’s done a couple.

2011 Rango
1996 Crazy Horse
1994 Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart
1975 Gunsmoke (TV)
1972 The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean with Paul Newman

George Carlin

You might have to shake your head for a second when you see George Carlin in Streets of Laredo. The second surprise is that he does a hell of job. Completely believable and in command of his part. Makes you wish he’d done more.

Vanessa Martinez

Vanessa Martinez is that 3rd female role I was talking about – playing Sonia Braga’s blind daughter. She is superb – and we wonder why we haven’t seen more of her either ??

Alexis Cruz

An unlikely badguy we may think – almost baby faced. But Cruz is ominous and lethal as the psychopathic killer tracked by Garner. Yet another actor we’ve seen little of since Laredo.
Though still active in TV and Film, Cruz seems to have fallen from view.

Alexis Cruz Westerns:

1997 The Brave (A Western?) I note this here because it Stars Marlon Brando and Johnny Depp.

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An impressive cast. In an excellent production.

James Garner Westerns con’t: Streets of Laredo / 3 part mini-series 1995 / Part 1

“Capt. Woodrow F. Call: I will not tolerate rude behaviour!”

Fortunately, Streets of Laredo is chock full of rude behaviour.

I selected this version of the very famous song The Streets of Laredo by Ed Bruce (http://www.edbrucemusic.com/) (writer of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had“) because Bruce is a close friend and co-hort of James Garner. And I like it.

Larry McMurtry’s Streets of Laredo • Official Trailer • Miniseries

I have no problem understanding what people like about McMurtry’s writings: Lonesome Dove (1986 Pulitzer Prize winner) etc. of which Streets of Laredo is part of his enduring saga of Woodrow Call – and others – It’s the people in his stories. They are fully realized and believable. Real. And we like them and admire them. His people are honest, hard working, caring, loyal, honest … good people. Not perfect in any way – but good. They have standards and they have a code – and they stick by – and stick together. We come to care about them and relate quite a bit with them – I hope. McMurty’s stories are good too – filled with these interesting characters and his great knack for excellent dialogue. No problem finding quotes in his writing.
Streets of Laredo is excellent. Streets of Laredo starts out with a coyote howling in the sunset and plaintive death march of the song Streets of Laredo … giving a sense of loss – that something is ending rather than beginning. And in the opening scene we see the no longer young Woodrow Call (Garner) preparing for a journey … his last quest ??

Posters

They don’t usually make many posters and such for TV events (tell that to Game of Thrones) so we often have to rely on DVD covers and the like for any promotional images. As such:

Notice anything about one of these DVD images?
It’s reversed. Yes. This is something that you encounter
very often on the internet – reversed images. Why? I don’t know.
It’s annoying. For one thing it’s dishonest. Secondly, sometimes
you can’t tell which is the honest/correct/original image.
Why do people do this? It can’t be done accidentally.
It’s a head scratcher … ??

Reviews

SOL IMDB — **I rate it an 8 out of ten**

SOL Rotten Tomatoes — **“54%” !!??? – that’s insane.**

STREETS OF LAREDO – DVD review
I was completely caught up in this gritty Western.
http://moviemet.com/review/streets-laredo-dvd-review#.UrWy6tJDtwA

James Plath

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 – 12:00 am
” … a considerably better-than-average Western . . . even if it isn’t quite the same caliber as “Lonesome Dove.” It hooked me right from the beginning, and that’s worth something. Like the best mini-series, “Streets of Laredo” depends upon strong characters to make the difference, and they do.”
“Alexis Cruz does a fantastic job as the child killer, but so does Randy Quaid as John Wesley Hardin and Ned Beatty as the self-appointed law west of the Pecos, Judge Roy Bean. Even comedian George Carlin turns in a decent performance as grizzled carryover from “Lonesome Dove.”
Bottom Line: As a stand-alone mini-series, “Streets of Laredo” merits a high 7 to a low 8 out of 10. As a sequel? It’s probably not going to satisfy anyone looking for consistency from film to film. But I think the first point trumps the second. Always.”

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If interested in finding Streets of Laredo you’ll have no problem – it’s freely available on YouTube – all 3 parts in blazing Hi Res that you can watch right on your computer – though I downloaded it and Rose and I enjoyed watching it on her big screen TV.

That’s enough for today …

Category: Sissy Spacek

The Guns of Laredo … Part 3 … the Rifles