Happy Birthday, Randolph Scott.

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Happy Birthday, Randolph Scott.

January 23, 2023 by Toby

George Randolph Scott
(January 23, 1898 – March 2, 1987)

Let’s raise a glass to Randolph Scott, born 125 years ago today. He’s seen here in Budd Boetticher’s Buchanan Rides Alone (1958).

Posted in 1958, Budd Boetticher, Randolph Scott | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on January 23, 2023 at 2:17 am | Reply Jerry Entract

I’ll second that emotion! Here’s to the Number One!
on January 23, 2023 at 3:36 am | Reply Vienna

My favourite westerner!
on January 23, 2023 at 7:56 am | Reply Walter

Randolph Scott is my favorite Western actor and has always been and always will be.
on January 23, 2023 at 10:14 am | Reply Dr. Boyd D. Cathey

Toby,
Thanks for this. In March 1987 I authored an appreciation of Randolph Scott; my father’s people had known his family in Charlotte years back. My article somehow found its way into the hands of Patricia Scott, Randy’s widow, and she contacted me. Over the years we became very good friends. I would make videos of his movies and send them to her; she would call me up, usually late at night (from her home out at Indian Springs in the Southern California desert), and we would chat about all sorts of things. She also sent me a number of precious photos–we exchanged, additionally, photos of our pets. For me that was of my cocker spaniels, and for Mrs. Scott, of her cats.
When she passed away a few years ago, I received a black-bordered card from her executor letting me know that she had gone on to be with Randolph Scott in that Heavenly “Big Sky” country.
I treasure that communication very much.
I have over the years written several essays on Scott (and Joel McCrea). He was truly unique.
Boyd D. Cathey
- on January 25, 2023 at 1:30 am | Reply Barry Lane
  
  Me as well, Walter.
on January 23, 2023 at 5:22 pm | Reply Arby

Under appreciated and overshadowed by, first, John Wayne, and, second, by Clint Eastwood, Randolph Scott was, in my opinion, the epitome of the Western hero and gentleman. Sixty-one years after his last movie (1962), Mr. Scott remains the best of those actors who have ventured into the Western movie genre.
- on January 23, 2023 at 5:51 pm | Reply Toby
  
  I’m so happy to see all this love for Randolph Scott. He’s my favorite by far.
on January 23, 2023 at 10:22 pm | Reply Hondo

Despite my lifelong love of westerns, I discovered Randolph Scott relatively late in life. After I thought I had seen all the essential mid-century westerns, the incredible Ranown cycle was a revelation.

One of my fondest memories occurred on January 25, 2015 when I dragged three buddies to go see my favorite Scott film, “Ride Lonesome”, shown in 35mm at the New Beverly Cinema on Los Angeles. As suspected, that film impressed all three of my pals and made them instant Randolph Scott fans.

I look forward to one day sharing with my buddies the other classic Scott western, “Ride the High Country.” The closing image of Scott disappearing from the frame is the perfect elegy for that era of western cinema.

Great job on this blog, Toby. Thank you for giving this important period of Western cinema the attention it deserves.
on January 24, 2023 at 10:23 pm | Reply Barry Lane

Ride Lonesome is personally significant. I was in Montreal checking out an assisted living facility for my wife, who remained in Toronto with a caregiver. When I returned after two days she was thrilled to have seen Ride Lonesome, although she modified the title to Lonesome Cowboy.
- on January 25, 2023 at 1:00 pm | Reply Toby
  
  Such a great story, Barry. Love how films can have a connection like that to our real lives and our loved ones.
  
  I have such a connection to both Buchanan Rides Alone and Comanche Station, oddly enough.
  - on January 25, 2023 at 2:56 pm | Reply Barry Lane
    
    I believe it, Toby, and thanks for your thoughts on this subject.
on January 25, 2023 at 2:20 am | Reply Jerry Entract

That’s a very poignant memory, Barry.
- on January 25, 2023 at 12:36 pm | Reply Barry Lane
  
  Jerry, there are no words.
on January 25, 2023 at 10:24 pm | Reply chris evans

Love my Randolph Scott Blu set from Mill Creek. Just watched ‘The Tall T’ a few weeks ago. It was lovely as ever.