Back in 2014, gathering everybody’s favorite DVD and Blu-Ray picks for the year turned out to be a lot of fun. It’s since become an annual thing.
Thanks to everybody who sent in their picks for 2016. This was a great year for 50s Westerns on DVD and Blu-Ray (and 2017 is shaping up to be just as good, or maybe better). Here’s the Top 10, according to your votes.
10. Desperado (1954, Warner Archive, DVD)
It was a tie between this Wayne Morris picture and his earlier Desert Pursuit (1952). They’re both solid, offbeat little Westerns — and it’s real treat to have them available in such stellar condition.
9. Yellow Sky (1948, Kino Lorber, Blu-Ray)
Thanks to William Wellman, we didn’t have to wait till the 50s for Hollywood to start making 50s Westerns. The town of Yellow Sky is populated by only an old prospector and his daughter — until some slimy outlaws come riding up.
8. Western Union (1941, Kino Lorber, Blu-Ray)
Randolph Scott in Fritz Lang’s second Technicolor movie. There’s so much cool stuff in this movie, and it looks wonderful.
7. Black Horse Canyon (1954, Universal Vault, DVD)
For years, Joel McCrea’s Universal Westerns were missing on DVD. It’s great to have them so easy to track down. This is a good one.
6. Comanche Station (1960, Explosive Media, Blu-Ray)
The last of the Scott-Boetticher Westerns turns out to be the first to make its way to Blu-Ray, and as I see it, the others can’t get here soon enough. This thing’s incredible.
5. She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1948, Warner Archive, Blu-Ray)
John Ford’s She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1948, above) is one of the most beautiful color movies ever shot. The proof is pressed oh-so-magnificently into this Blu-Ray. It also features one of John Wayne’s finest performances.
4. Roughshod (1949, Warner Archive, DVD)
This gets my vote as the best of the “noir Westerns.” I was real happy to see the response this picture got. It’s a shame it’s not better known.
3. Cariboo Trail (1950, Kino Lorber, DVD/Blu-Ray)
The transfer here is a minor miracle, demonstrating how good CineColor can look. They wisely didn’t go overboard with the cleanup, so it still retains its true film look. And, of course, this is a solid picture from Edwin Marin and Randolph Scott.
2. Johnny Guitar (1954, Olive Films Signature Edition, DVD/Blu-Ray)
Olive’s new Signature edition is a marked improvement over their old release, which was terrific. The restored 1.66 framing makes a big difference, and the supplemental stuff is excellent.
1. One-Eyed Jacks (1961, Criterion Collection, DVD/Blu-Ray)
Opinions of Marlon Brando’s Western are all over the place, so I was really surprised to see it land in the top spot. However, judging it simply in terms of its superb presentation, I don’t see how anything could beat it. It’s stunning, a big fat reward to all of us who’ve suffered through those awful tapes and discs over the years. I’m proud and honored to have been involved with Criterion’s work here. (Note: Having worked on the One-Eyed Jacks extras, I did not feel comfortable taking part in the vote this time around.)
In closing, the discs on this list highlight the impact the video presentation can have on our appreciation of these old movies. Many of these have been available, in some form, for years. One more thing: your reasons for not buying a Blu-Ray player are rapidly running out.
50 Westerns From The 50s. 
I’ve taken the first step, I bought the Blu-ray of Holiday Inn to be sure to get the colorized version before they stop making it. I don’t even own a blu ray player yet. But I did the same with CDs, I bought a Bing Crosby CD before I ever owned a CD player. Yep, I’m a big Bing fan.
Great lineup of Best of ’16 releases, my vote goes to Roughshod and Black Horse Canyon for favorite releases of ’16.
Cannot argue with people’s choices-it all goes to show the “taste”
FWOTF regulars have.
As great as 2016 was it looks as if 2017 may top it.
The year has hardly started and already we have seen stellar Blu Ray
editions of NO NAME ON THE BULLET and BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK.
Hot on the heels of those two are THE BRAVADOS,ULZANA’S RAID,
NIGHT PASSAGE and THE TRUE STORY STORY OF JESSE JAMES all
soon to look incredible in high-def.
It’s most interesting that Gary at DVD Beaver has just given a brilliant
review to Signal One’s Blu Ray of the neglected THE CULPEPPER
CATTLE COMPANY a film ripe for rediscovery if ever there was one.
As Gary,I suspec, quiet rightly observes, the film just does not get
the respect it deserves.
One things for sure great 70’s character actors certainly deserve more
respect:Geoffrey Lewis,Billy Green Bush,Luke Askew,Bo Hopkins-
I really miss those guys.
One film that I’m sad got lost in the ether is Twilight Time’s stunning
Blu Ray of THE GLORY GUYS. Sure the leads are not stellar ( think
how great the film would have been with James Garner and James
Coburn) but James Wong Howe’s photography is wonderful-the combat
scenes are stirring AND the Indians WIN!
Paging David Rayner-with your love of “Colonial Westerns” I think you
will love Sidonis’ WHEN THE REDSKINS RODE apart from the horrible
“forced” subtitles there is stacks of great battle scenes and the
SuperCinecolor looks stunning. The film gets pretty cheesy at times,
especially with the sexy antics of the female leads but it’s all good fun.
The Gospel according to Mr Roan…………
“Your reasons for not buying a Blu Ray are rapidly running out”….
Amen,brother Amen.
Well I didn’t vote so no complaints with the list – I thought She Wore a Yellow Ribbon was unbelievable – applaud the Yellow Sky & Western Union choices – would have substituted Stations West – as the noir choice – would have paired Cariboo with Canadian Pacific – added The Loner if allowed a TV choice and finally thought Man with the Gun – 1955 Robert Mitchum was my favorite undiscovered Blu ray of 2016 – if I have the release year right:} I know I did not watch it until 2016!
re-read this before posting and reiterate no complaints – despite my senior status have never seen One Eyed Jacks or Johnny Guitar which like a poll tax may disqualify my opinions on alternative list options.
GUN FEVER de et avec Mark Stevens, chez Sidonis en mai 2017.
GUN FEVER is very grim and downbeat,even for a Mark Stevens
picture…no budget pulp poetry indeed.
Try as we may we cannot persuade Sidonis to dispose of their
horrible “forced” subtitles-they just don’t realise how much we all LOATHE
them-Sidonis are the only company that do this.
Trouble is they are releasing films that no-one else wants to so we are
stuck with them.
Their recent release of WHEN THE REDSKINS RODE was quiet a
surprise and the Supercinecolor is glorious.
Was very impressed with leading lady Mary Castle who sadly like her
namesake Peggie had an early demise due to a drink problem.
Mary looks simply ravishing in Supercinecolor-don’t know too much about
her except that she appeared in a couple of Universal Fifties Westerns
as well.
Sidonis’ INDIAN UPRISING has even more glorious Supercinecolor
and is a typical lightning paced Ray Nazarro picture.
I could not find WHEN REDSKINS RODE available to buy BUT I did find this interesting card sheet showing scenes from the movie:
I’m not a big fan of these colonial times movies anyway, but I’d still watch this movie if it ever shows up on TV.
Johnny Guitar ,WHEN THE REDSKINS RODE is available from Amazon France. As for buying Blu Rays ,I’ll only buy them when a movie I really want is available on that format only .I have too many DVDs to be doubling up now. Best out of the 10 for 2016 is ONE EYED JACKS .
OK, I imagine then it’s not in the format for U.S. DVD players. This is one I can live without, but I’d watch it on TV, if that day should ever happen. I don’t own a blu ray player yet, that Holiday Inn Blu ray is the first & only blu ray disc I’ve bought. But it’s a matter of time before I succumb to blu ray fever. But I agree with you, I’m not about to start doubling my collection all over again, that would be true madness, as I’ve said before, I’ve played that losing game before with laser discs, beta tapes, VHS and then DVDs. How many times can a person keep buying the same thing over again? But I’ll buy when it’s warranted. But first I’ll need a blu ray player.
Thanks for sharing those great lobby cards Johnny.
WHEN THE REDSKINS RODE was far better than I expected.
I’m an analog man living in a digital age.
I don’t have the tech know-how to remove “forced” subtitles but I
know a man who can.
This means that he burns a new disc subtitle free and for his efforts gets
a free movie so we’re both happy.
I only buy Sidonis discs if they release a film that I’m sure will not
appear anywhere else. Other Sidonis releases,especially of more
mainstream films I’m prepared to wait like their forthcoming Blu Ray of
ALVAREZ KELLY which is sure to be released elsewhere over time.
Sure,ALVAREZ KELLY is not an all time great but it’s good fun and has star
power.
I still don’t understand how Sidonis can be so flippant about losing lots
of potential sales.
3 Randolph Scotts in the Top 10. I think Toby’s thumb may have tipped the scale, but I agree wholeheartedly.
Ha! With the Scotts and One-Eyed Jacks in the top spot, I was afraid someone might think I’d monkeyed with the results. But, nope, it’s just that we have some folks around here with good taste.
On Sunday afternoon I came across Comanche Station being shown on Sony’s HD movie network. It was interesting to see it in HD and, of course, once I came across it it was impossible to turn off.
I would also like to enter a plug for Henry Hathaway’s Rawhide (written by Dudley Nichols) with Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward and a terrific supporting cast of favorite character actors. Power once again proves what an underrated actor he was, and Hayward is magnificent as always.
COUNT THREE AND PRAY, GUN FEVER, AL JENNINGS OF OKLAHOMA in May chez Sidonis- Calysta