hud (1963) - martin ritt

'Hud' has got everything going for it.  Paul Newman never won the Oscar for his portrayal of the eponymous anti hero, but is strikingly magnificent throughout.  His performance is matched by Patricia Neal (as the housekeeper) and  Melvyn Douglas, (as Homer Bannon, Hud's father).  The black and white cinematography (by James Wong Howe) is sharp yet moody (a bit like Hud himself), and Neal, Douglas and Howe did win at the 1963 Academy awards.
Hud is disillusioned and just wants to enjoy himself, with no thought as to the consequences of his actions. His father however, is honorable and believes in behaving and living in the correct way.  This causes a dilemma with the young Lonnie Bannon, who idolises Hud, but ultimately, has to choose the correct path to take.  There are modern day concerns that Hud rages against, such as 'foot and mouth' disease, crooked politicians, bankers and TV game shows, but it's also about the changing of the ways and facing up to the modern world that is encroaching, whether they like it or not.  Superb.

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the hanging of tom ketchum and kid curry

Tom Ketchum, who was also known as 'Black Jack' Ketchum, was a member of the  'Hole in the Wall' gang and committed various robberies and crimes until he was apprehended and sentenced to be hanged.  So far, there's nothing unusual at all, as he is, after all, a wild west outlaw.  However (and this is where the tale gets juicy), when he was hanged on April 26th 1901 (at Clayton, New Mexico), the rope was too long, Ketchum had gained weight, and he fell (so it's said) about 9 feet, which resulted in him being decapitated.  That's not even the only gory bit (not by a long chalk), as it gets better (or worse).  Afterwards, his head was sewn back onto his body so that it could go on show before being interned in Clayton.  Now that, brothers and sisters, is what l call a hanging and aftermath.

As an aside, he also hung around a bit (see what l did there) with Kid Curry (Harvey Logan), although they apparently never got on.  Curry was later to become well known due to the TV series 'Alias Smith and Jones' (starring Pete Duel and Ben Murphy!), a favorite show of mine from when l was younger.  Kid Curry was portrayed in the show as likeable, but extremely fast on the draw.  I'm sure the real Kid Curry would have been a pretty nasty guy, and nothing at all like his TV portrayal.  The top picture is Ben Murphy as Kid Curry, whereas the bottom (scruffy and unattractive) one is the real deal.  I think l can spot a tiny bit of a difference between them.

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geronimo (1962) - arnold laven

 The real Geronimo

Geronimo, played by the blue eyed Chuck Conners, surrenders to the army for a life in the reservation, but rebels against the way the Apache were treated, going on the run with his small band of followers, before gaining respect and surrendering again. Conners certainly looked the part (although he should have worn some contact lenses), but it was not exactly historically believable. The films dialogue and acting was often wooden, and pretty much all the white men were baddies (apart from Adam West - AKA Batman). At least it gave the Apaches point of view, which was rare back in the day. Conners later married his love interest in the film, Kamala Devi, and she really reminded me of Samantha (In Sex and the City) and Jenna (In 30 Rock). Maybe she is secretly their mothers (or at least one of them).
Geronimo (and his life), is well worth checking out, and it's amazing that he didn't die until 1909 (of pneumonia). That is just before The First World War. As l've often said, the past is not that far away. Saying that, Conners life, both as a sportsman and actor was also pretty impressive.
Now l might go and dig out the old 'Branded' TV series that l have on DVD and give that a dusting off. It's much better.

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the spikes gang (1974) - richard fleischer

An old (ish) western l hadn't seen before, The Spikes Gang features Lee Marvin as Harry Spikes, an outlaw who is found by three impressionable and innocent boys. After fixing him up and helping him on his way, they decide to hit the road, where they meet Spikes again. This time he feeds and clothes them, and they become his bank-robbing gang (after an earlier unsuccessful bank robbery by the boys). At first the boys worship Spikes, but mistrust and greed start to take over (as it normally does). It doesn't end too well (for anybody), but Marvin is his usual excellent self throughout, which is the reason l taped the film in the first place, so at least l was happy.

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destry rides again (1939) - george marshall

Take back what l said below about them not making films like 'Sheriff of Fractured Jaw' anymore, as 'Destry Rides Again' is pretty much the same (OK, l know it's an earlier film).
James Stewart (as Tom Destry jr) arrives in town to become the new sheriff, only with a twist - he's against using or carrying a gun. The baddies make fun of him until they realise he can draw fast, and the bad girl (Marlene Dietrich), falls for him (once again, pretty quickly).
Not predictable at all, but, as before, good to pass the time chilling out with.

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billy two hats (1974) - ted kotcheff

Starring Gregory Peck as 'Arch', a 'hoots mon, it's a braw bricht moonlicht nicht taenicht' Scottish outlaw and Desi Arnaz, Jr as his half breed mate (the Billy Two Hats of the title). They are pursued across the desert by Gifford, a mean old sheriff (Jack Warden), who can't understand why they are so close to one another, when they are not related. Peck's Scottish accent is pretty broad and kind of unbelievable coming from him, and Arnaz is better at acting when he is just being silent and moody, rather than trying to get the dialogue across convincingly (which he fails to do). Warden however, is excellent. Rugged, old, bitter and looking for retribution. There is also an appearance by four whisky loving Indians, Copeland, an old timer (David Huddleston) who helps the sheriff out (by shooting and wounding Peck), and (of course), there is a love interest (Sian Barbara Allen) for Arnaz. Superb (if you are into old school westerns).

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the sons of katie elder posters

The posters for The Sons Of Katie Elder. More crap l would like to own.

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the sons of katie elder (1965) - henry hathaway

This is the kind of film l grew up with.
The Sons Of Katie Elder is based on the true story of the Marlow brothers, who, like the Elder boys in this film, are ambushed while supposedly being moved to safety by the law.
The four brothers had come home for their mothers funeral, and try to find out who shot their father. They are then framed for a murder and then ambushed while being transported away from town.
The Duke does get some revenge at the end, but after a high cost to the brothers.
I can watch pretty much any cowboy film with Dean Martin in, and John Wayne is his usual self (even after his recent bought of cancer). As a bonus for me, it also features a young Dennis Hopper as a cowardly baddie, and George Kennedy (from Cool Hand Luke) as a not so cowardly baddie, so l was quids in with this.
Also, Katie Elder was a real person, more commonly known as 'Big Nose Kate' and was very friendly with Doc Holliday. She didn't die until 1940, which is just amazing to me, as that seems so recent.
Top stuff.

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