Search - Saddles Saloons & Six-Shooters - The Wild Westerns Collection on DVD

The oldest titles are the most interesting

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 07/01/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"SADDLES, SALOONS & SIX-SHOOTERS contains a few historic movies, including the first American film to tell several stories at once, via the use of intercutting edits. Edison Studios shot THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (1903) in rural New Jersey. Original prints of this historic 12 minute work were hand-tinted (example: at the end, a pistol fired directly at the camera has red smoke emanating from it).

D.W. Griffith's 1909 short, THE RED MAN'S VIEW, is a sympathetic portrait of the plight of Native Americans. This film demonstrates Griffith's career-long penchant for historical drama. Among the cast is Mack Sennett, who would eventually become the leading comedy director of his day.

The grim hour-long HELL'S HINGES (1916) features the screen's first cowboy superstar, William S. Hart. A friend of Wyatt Earp, Hart's stage career began in 1899 when he played Messala in an adaptation of BEN HUR. In the early '20s, an unsuccessful paternity suit caused his popularity to wane. Hart's last film was TUMBLEWEEDS (1925).

Based on a Zane Grey novel, THE VANISHING AMERICANS (1925) is about a conquered people's attempts to adapt and become good American citizens. Filmed in part at Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, this is a gorgeous-looking movie, even if the story's a sad one. One of the last great silent-era films.

The balance of this DVD set are the more common public domain westerns. All are of good quality. The best of the lot just may be ONE-EYED JACKS (1961), a story of betrayal and revenge that stars Marlon Brando and Karl Malden. This unusual western was filmed principally in Monterey, California.

Another western collection worth consideration is MEAN GUNS 20 MOVIE PACK. Lots of great action here and many fine actors!

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The following alphabetized program list includes 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings for each title, plus years of release and leading actors.

(6.3) Abilene Town (1946) - Randolph Scott/Edgar Buchanan/Ann Dvorak
(6.4) Arizona Bound (1941) - Buck Jones/Tim McCoy/Luana Walters
(5.0) Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer (1956) - Bruce Bennett/Lon Chaney Jr./Faron Young
(5.1) The Desert Trail (1935) - John Wayne/Mary Kornman/Paul Fix
(5.8) Fighting Caravans (1931) - Gary Cooper/Lili Damita/Eugene Pallette
(7.5) The Great Train Robbery (silent-1903) - (no credited actors)
(6.5) Hell's Hinges (silent-1916) - William S. Hart/Clara Williams/Jack Standing
(7.1) One-Eyed Jacks (1961) - Marlon Brando/Karl Malden/Ben Johnson/Slim Pickens
(5.5) The Outlaw (1943) - Jane Russell/Walter Huston
(5.6) The Painted Desert (1931) - William Boyd/Clark Gable
(6.4) The Red Man's View (1909) - Owen Moore/James Kirkwood/Mack Sennett
(6.0) Santa Fe Trail (1940) - Errol Flynn/Ronald Reagan/Olivia de Havilland
(4.8) Trouble in Texas (1937) - Tex Ritter/Rita Hayworth/Yakima Canutt/Glenn Strange
(7.2) The Vanishing American (silent-1925) - Richard Dix/Lois Wilson/Noah Beery"

Lots of movies for one price...most are pretty good

Rick M. Pilotte | Victoria BC Canada | 10/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a lot this is a great bargain and you get lots of movies spanning nearly 60 years from 1903-1961....including 4 silent movies! (the great train robbery. 1903, The Red Man's View 1909, Hells Hinges 1916, & The Vanishing American 1925.

The Great Train Robbery: Well as a famous early film this is a must for every collector. As a movie... pretty bad. Poor continuity, and sort of half documentary ish and half action. Thankfully it's short but it is a historic peice and for that alone it's important.

The Red Man's View. This wasn't particularily memorable...but hey 1909 that's cool by itself.

Hells Hinges: Wow! This was a great movie! Far above 1916 standards! And interesting in a historical way too. I'd watch this one over again easily. Since I watched them all in order I can't comment on the movie as well now, except to say that I really enjoyed this one,very intreaguing indeed. Excellent even by later western standards, but Outstanding considering how early this one is.

The Vanishing American: The KEY MOVIE of the set. Finaly I see a movie that tells the truth about just how the Indians were treated. Well this was bitter sweet. The heroin was very wonderful and we were always hoping things would work out...they do...sort of...only to once again snatch victory from us. Quite a frustrating movie in many ways.

It starts out kind of weird. A whole half hour is dedicated to seeing the Indians history through time on the continent. I didn't get this beggining at first, but at the end of the movie the beggining made really "poetic" sence. I don't use that word often, but as screwy as the beggining of the movie was,it, at the end of the movie seemed to fit perfectly.

The heart of the movie was frustrating. You always were rooting for the hero, but the white man's ongoing treatment of the hero and his people was a constant interuption to their getting ahead. And I guess that was the point of the movie. Really a good look at the other side of racism...from the recieving end. A great statement movie, but sad that never ever does the hero get a break. But his understanding of a single scripture at the end sort of makes up for the dissapointing nature of the Indians plight. Makes you think. I highly reccomend this one.

Arizona Bound: Apparently part of a series.It had poor camera work...especialy when there was a lot of sky in the shot.
However it was a typical But CLASSIC western in every other regard. And I don't use the word "CLASSIC" lightly. One thing I found really intreaging about this movie was just how incredible some of the horse riding scenes were, near the end of the movie. I mean it really made you marvel at the ridership and the imagery, and you really got the sence that here were the heros or "calvary" coming. Especialy in one scene where the three heroes rode fast and in close formation. It's worth it just for this scene. In this regard the camerawork was good in capturing these riding scenes very well. Great story. and great fun

Many other movies on this set a good bargain and some very interesting movies all around. A good selection or "western" movies. Normally I can take or leave westerns but the vast majority of these movies were very watchable.

The Howard Hughes directed "Billy the Kid" was really cool and a fabulous "alternative" ending. The smile on Jane Russels face (In context) at the end makes the movie. Brilliant! And the camera work was superb! Made up for the previous one that was poor. If a black and white movie can have good scenery, this was it. Very good tonal balance.

Abilene town. loads of fun and even though you knew what the end was going to be(including what girl gets who) it was fun getting there.

Sante fe trail (See My review under that movie)

This was an incredibly great selection of movies to package together,and virtualy every one of them was worth buying in thier own right.. so this is an incredible bargain...at any price. Only one movie had low quality camerawork that was distracting, as mentioned above but it's riding scenes were far above average to make up for the low quality filming.

The Brando Movie (One Eyed Jacks) took lots of turns and though you knew the eventual end there were strange twists getting there. The movie that shows you Can change your mind...sort of.

And I had no trouble loading any of the discs, so quality was up in that department."