Western Movies

Before he ever road his mule into Dodge City as Festus Haggen, Ken Curtis was a tall, handsome, smooth-singing Columbia cowboy — not yet the scruffy, squint-eyed deputy America would love on GUNSMOKE, but a crooning lawman named Curt Chambers in THAT TEXAS JAMBOREE. It’s a 1946 B-Western with songs, co-starring Jeff Donnell, Andy Clyde as her medicine-show father, and Guinn “Big Boy” Williams as the brawny deputy Big Boy Frazer. This isn’t simply a shoot-’em-up — it’s a Saturday-night country music package, with Carolina Cotton, The Plainsmen, The Dinning Sisters, and those madcap radio favorites, the Hoosier Hot Shots. The story is set in 1890, when Andy rolls into Crescent City with his daughter and sons, peddling a tonic called Golden Panacea. Donnell worries it may be nothing more than spring water, while her old sweetheart Curt is being sworn in as sheriff. Curt cracks down on Steve Brady’s crooked gambling operation, raids the Pot O’Gold casino, exposes a rigged roulette wheel, and runs headfirst into a corrupt mayor who would rather keep the graft flowing than clean up the town. When Curt is forced to close the Warrens’ medicine show, even Jean turns against him. So Curt runs for mayor. Jean runs against him. Brady schemes to use them both. But when a scientific test proves the tonic actually has medicinal value, Jean withdraws from the race — and announces she’s marrying Curt, who looks likely to become the town’s next reform mayor. Now, Ken Curtis here is not Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, or Tex Ritter. He’s a singing sheriff, yes, and he can twirl a gun and carry a tune, but THAT TEXAS JAMBOREE is less a “singing cowboy” vehicle than a western-variety show in boots. The plot is there to move us from number to number: barn-dance comedy, novelty songs, western swing, yodeling, and radio-country acts wrapped inside a B-Western frame. Columbia had already signed the Hoosier Hot Shots — stars of the National Barn Dance — for a series of musical westerns, and exhibitors reported that these pictures worked especially well for rural, small-town, and Saturday-night audiences. They were not prestige pictures. They were crowd-pleasers — made for folks who liked their westerns with a fight, a romance, a comic sidekick, and a whole lot of music. Ken Curtis was born Curtis Wain Gates in Colorado, the son of a sheriff, and before movies he had already sung with major dance bands including Shep Fields and Tommy Dorsey. Columbia put him into a run of musical westerns in the mid-1940s, and later he became a member of the Sons of the Pioneers. Then came John Ford and John Wayne: RIO GRANDE, THE QUIET MAN, THE SEARCHERS, THE WINGS OF EAGLES, THE HORSE SOLDIERS — the kind of work that turned Curtis from a pleasant B-Western singer into a durable character actor. Finally, in the 1960s, GUNSMOKE made him a television institution as Festus, a role he first played in 1962 before joining the regular cast in 1964. Jeff Donnell was born Jean Marie Donnell, and “Jeff” came from her childhood fondness for the comic strip Mutt and Jeff. Columbia often billed her as “Miss Jeff Donnell,” and she became one of the studio’s reliable young comediennes after her debut in MY SISTER EILEEN. She appeared with Ken Curtis in a string of Columbia musical westerns, including SONG OF THE PRAIRIE, THROW A SADDLE ON A STAR, THAT TEXAS JAMBOREE, COWBOY BLUES, and SINGING ON THE TRAIL. Later came notable appearances in ROUGHSHOD, IN A LONELY PLACE, THE BLUE GARDENIA, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, the GIDGET films, and a long television life, including GENERAL HOSPITAL. Off screen, she was married four times, including to actor Aldo Ray; all four marriages ended in divorce. And then there are the sidekicks. Andy Clyde brought decades of comedy experience, going back to Mack Sennett silent shorts and later becoming beloved as California Carlson in the Hopalong Cassidy series. Guinn “Big Boy” Williams was a real Texas horseman, a silent-era western star, a friend of Will Rogers — who gave him the “Big Boy” nickname — and later the amiable, oversized sidekick in major films, including Errol Flynn’s DODGE CITY. Put them together with Curtis, Donnell, Carolina Cotton, the Plainsmen, and the Hoosier Hot Shots, and THAT TEXAS JAMBOREE becomes exactly what the title promises: a little law, a little love, a little larceny — and a whole barn dance riding down Main Street. Kick back and watch Ken Curtis as you've probably never seen him. It's amazing to watch him do some fancy six-gun twirling while singing! Leave us a comment and let us know how you like seeing Ken as the hero for a change. Thanks for watching. #movie #western #countrymusic #musical #cowboys #singing #singer #intro #kencurtis #gunsmoke #variety #varietyshow #sidekick #bwestern #sheriff #election #retro #filmhistory #film #freemovie #fullmovie #movieinenglish #song #cowboysongs #countrywesternmusic #music #introduction #singingcowboy #robword #awordonwesterns

Surf music, fast cars and art! The story of rock and pop legends Jan and Dean continues in the Lone Ranger Canyon of Lone Pine with an evening concert of hit tunes. Oscar and Emmy nominee Bruce Davison portrayed Dean in the hit 1978 TV movie DEAD MAN’S CURVE and returns to Lone Pine for a reunion with Dean. The film was instrumental in reviving the careers of Jan and Dean which sent them back on the road for several more decades of successful touring and record sales. Dean Torrence and the Surf City All Stars performed at the annual Concert in the Rocks, a fundraiser for the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History in June 2026. It was a great excuse for Bruce and his stuntman in the film, Diamond Farnsworth, to attend the concert and a screening of DEADMAN’S CURVE at the museum. Since Bruce’s birthday is June 28, the band serenaded him as he and Diamond got up on stage for the birthday tribute. The rousing rock concert brought many of the 500 attendees to their feet dancing the night away. Not only is Bruce an in demand character actor, but he is also an accomplished painter. He and producer Rob Word took advantage of the famous western movie location of the Alabama Hills, with Mount Whitney in the distance, and brought portable easels to do some plein air painting. Returning to the Dow Villa Hotel in Lone Pine after painting, the two dropped by the room of Dean Torrence for a surprise conversation. Bruce’s almost mystical resemblance to Dean Torrance is still amazing. They recalled the fun they had working together and the confusion their similar looks often caused. All this and more are part of this special edition of A WORD ON WESTERNS. So, thanks again to Steve Latshaw and the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History, Bruce, Dean, Diamond, and all the rest. And...happy birthday, Bruce! #music #concert #interview #western #lonepine #surfmusic #lonepine #actor #awordonwesterns #top40hits #brucedavison #birthday #birthdaycelebration #art #painting #pleinair #characteractor

Wild Bill Hickok sends Matt Dillon a telegram. Two gunmen named Teeters and Gridler are headed for Dodge. Keep them there until I arrive with a murder witness. Matt faces them down at the train depot with nothing but nerve. "I'll kill the first one of you that moves for that train." They stay. This week on Word's Western Radio: the John McIntire birthday celebration continues, with the great character actor playing Wild Bill Hickok himself in one episode and Kitty Russell's con-artist father in the other. Two performances, two opposite shades of the same versatile man. EPISODE 1: "Hickok" (July 25, 1953) The most famous lawman of the real West turns up in fictional Dodge City, hiding in a baggage car with a witness named Sam Trimble who can put Teeters and Gridler at the scene of an Abilene murder. Matt does his part. He holds the two gunmen at the depot through pure intimidation. Then Trimble is shot, and his dying words reveal the cruel twist. Teeters and Gridler had nothing to do with the Abilene killing. They were never the right men. John McIntire plays Hickok with weariness and weight, and his last line will send a chill down your spine if you know your history. "Maybe I'll go up to Deadwood with Charlie. Find me a little peace and quiet." Hickok was shot dead in Deadwood on August 2, 1876. John Meston wrote this one at the peak of his powers. Starring: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, John McIntire, Lawrence Dobkin EPISODE 2: "Daddy-O" (June 10, 1956) Matt returns to Dodge after six weeks away to find Kitty has become co-owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Then her long-absent father, Wayne Russell, rides into town claiming to be a prosperous freight-business owner in New Orleans, here to reunite with his daughter. He is, of course, a con man. And Kitty, sharp as she has ever been, sees right through him. McIntire plays Russell with smooth charm and a dangerous edge, a complete tonal opposite to his Hickok. Starring: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, John McIntire, Lawrence Dobkin --- Word's Western Radio presents classic old-time radio westerns hosted by Rob Word. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@AlgonquinCowboy A Word on Westerns: https://www.youtube.com/@AlgonquinCowboy #Gunsmoke #OldTimeRadio #ClassicWesterns #RadioDrama #WordsWesternRadio #western #actor #wildbill #wildbillhickok #johnmcintire #characteractor #mattdillon

3 More Exciting SKY KING adventures! Classic Western Action! “Out with the Old...In with the New” is what this SKY KING triple feature is all about. Since the beginning of the long running western TV series, Sky had used a World War II vintage airplane made by Cessna, The T-50 ‘Bobcat.’ Named “The Songbird,” the twin engine aircraft appeared in every episode and helped make SKY KING an exciting and unique western show. But The Fabulous 50’s were kicking in and Detroit led the way with Chrysler’s “Forward Look” automobiles, sporting big rear tail fins and low, sleek profiles. The Cessna Aircraft Corporation introduced their 310 series of twin-engine planes that took mid-century design and flung it years ahead of the boxy T-50. A 310B became Sky’s new plane. SKY KING’s final new episode with the old Songbird was broadcast in April of 1956. “Dust of Destruction” is the story of a Navy veteran who inherits a ranch outside Grover, Arizona. But the mortgage holder has his eye on the property and sabotages the fields with poisonous weed killer dropped overnight by his partner, a crooked crop duster. Sky suspects skullduggery and pursues the truth against all odds. Kirby Grant stars as Sky, Gloria Winters as Penny, Ewing Mitchell as Sheriff Mitch Hargrove, Billy Lechner and Rhodes Reason as Kinnard. Season 3’s “Mystery Horse” is the first appearance of Sky’s new plane, the Songbird II. Using his new airship, Sky has been aerial dropping bales of hay to a horse stranded in a remote canyon. A sports reporter has a hunch that the mare is actually a missing race champion, “Lady Lucy.” But a rapidly spreading fire is heading towards the canyon and Sky must use his wits (and new plane) to free the horse before she’s consumed by the approaching flames. Starring Kirby Grant, Gloria Winters, Ewing Mitchell, Richard Vath, Rick Vallin and Joe Turkel. Part 3 of our triple feature harkens back to the radio origin of SKY KING. Starting in 1946 and continuing to 1954, the radio version of SKY KING was a big success that led to the TV series. “The Lady Sheriff” radio episode from 1951 involves a diamond mine, stolen claims, a kidnapped Penny, Sky shot down in a borrowed plane and more! The plot introduces “Lady Ellis,” the only woman Sheriff in the state. Don’t fool around with straight-shooting Lady Ellis! Earl Nightingale stars as Sky King and the show’s announcer is future 60 MINUTES reporter, Mike Wallace. Link to Sky King documentary https://youtu.be/J8ws-VIqo1A?si=FxYFDQNY7DTr1-SJ #western #airplane #flying #tvshow #sheriff #skyking #tvwestern #classic #classicwesterns #cessna #pilot #kirbygrant #triple #oldtimeradio #retro #radiodrama #awordonwesterns #1950s #retro #airport #lonepine #intro #introduction

In the violent retelling of the Earp/Clanton saga, HOUR OF THE GUN, stage actor Monte Markham made his movie debut. The 1967 feature was written by Edward Anhalt and directed by the man who had helmed the successful 1957 GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL, John Sturges. Like a gun, the cast in the sequel was loaded. James Garner as Earp, Jason Robards, Jr. as Doc Holiday and Robert Ryan as Ike Clanton. Monte Markham was Sherman MacMasters who joined Earp on his vendetta following the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral. Others in the cast included Robard’s drinking buddy, William Windom, Albert Salmi, Charles Aidman, Steve Ihnat, Lonny Chapman, William Schallert and newcomers Sam Melville and Frank Converse as Morgan and Virgil Earp with Jon Voight as Curly Bill Brocius. For Markham the production was an eye opener to moviemaking. Shot in Mexico by legendary cinematographer Lucien Ballard ("True Grit," "The Wild Bunch"), lifelong bonds of friendships were created during the shoot. Unlike most movies about the Earp/Clanton clash, "Hour of the Gun" begins with the gun battle at the O.K. Corral and then follows Earp on his vendetta. Perhaps it wasn't what audiences expected when they saw the violent widescreen presentation of TV's Bret Maverick hunting down and killing, in cold blood, survivors of the historic gunfight. Following his film debut in HOUR OF THE GUN, Monte Markham continued his western cinematic adventures in his second western feature film by journeying to Almeria, Spain for a follow up to the popular MAGNIFICENT SEVEN franchise. Co-starring with Academy Award winner George Kennedy, James Whitmore and Joe Don Baker, Monte strapped on his pistol for GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, the best reviewed sequel of the popular series. Monte recalls explosive gunplay, bull fights and mini-skirts. Hey, it was 1967! Even more westerns followed with Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson's TV series, THE QUEST, reuniting with James Garner on an episode of BRET MAVERICK and even a satirical western movie written by William Bowers, SHAME, SHAME ON THE BIXBY BOYS. Join Monte and producer host Rob Word as Monte remembers his fun experiences making westerns. You'll also learn why he quit acting, took out a mortgage on his home and why it was the right decision. Recorded July 16, 2019 at the Autry Museum. #western #wyattearp #interview #filmhistory #gunfighters #tombstone #magnificent7 #magnificentseven #montemarkham #robword #retro #truestory #truewest #okcorral #sequels #jamesgarner #characteractor #stuntman #vendetta #talkshow #podcast #baywatch #tvwestern