Search - Great American Western V.17, The on DVD

4 In Color...Made for TV ,and Sunset Carson

L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 12/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Platinum has put together many volumes of old oaters and some newer Westerns.They come as single discs or in package deals of anywhere from 2 to 10. The single volumes have 4 films each. They are all on one side, and all have about eight to ten chapter stops. It can get a little confusing, as the multi-packs are also called Volume 1 and 2 etc. You can usually tell by the price how many are in a set. Also the multi disc sets are called Great American Westerns(Plural) instead of Great American Western. The earlier single volumes 1-10 usually feature a specific actor, the later volumes seem to follow some sort of theme(outlaws, women of the west,Indian wars, famous lawmen, etc).

"Great American Western Vol 17",are mostly made for TV movies. It's a mix of drama and comedy and ranges 40 years and are all in color. There are some very recognizable names, and some good action sprinkled throughout this mixed bag of drama and comedy.

First up is "Yuma"(1970) Clint Walker mosies into town as the new lawman who is determined to clean up the lawlessness that has taken over. He works double duty though trying to keep law and order and also trying to prove his own innocence in a murder rap that is a frame up.This was a pretty good film, I liked it the best of these 4. Barry Sullivan and Edgar Buchanan also star.

1977 "The Wackiest Wagon Train In The West". Okay this film is kind of goofy. Bob Denver, is a silly Scout assistant to a bumbling Wagonmaster. Sound familiar? wait you haven't heard it all. There's an older wealthy couple, a showgirl, a girl next door type and a really smart guy. And we follow all their misadventures in the Old West. It may as well be Gilligan's Island, in a different setting, with different people in the roles. Forrest Tucker, Lori Saunders and Jeannie Riley also star. Good for a few laughs, but not as funny as Gilligan.

An old Sunset Carson oater is included. "Sunset Carson Rides Again" from 1948 is an enjoyable view. Sunset takes in a wayward youth who think Sunset killed his Pa. Crooked partners are also trying to best Carson, and singing cowboys the "Rodeo Revelers" add their charms. The box says this in in Black and White, but it is in color.

"The Gunfighters" from 1987, the newest of the group are 3 cousins trying to rescue the family ranch from greedy land grubber George Kennedy.One has visions of being like Billy the Kid, and has a taste of what that is like as they become outlaws in the process.

Don't expect a Criterion like transfers of these films. They are not the greatest. Grainy pictures and sometimes color that goes in and out. But for the price, and the fun of these, western lovers really cant go wrong. Each volume comes in a keep case, each with different cowboy artwork. Each film has been enhanced in DD5.1. There isn't anything about the films that will take away from your viewing pleasure.

Saddle Up and Happy Trails To You...Laurie

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