I’m Toby. I’m a writer. A dad. A husband. A record collector. A movie geek (especially if the movies are old and people get hurt in them). And I really really wish I had a hot rod.
On the writer front, I’m researching and writing a book on 50s Westerns, maybe my favorite film (sub)genre. At this point, I’m calling it —
50 Westerns From The 50s.
I wanted to chronicle the book’s progress and have a place to stick some of the cool images and quotes and stuff I’ve come across. Hence this blog. Over time it’s evolved into a bit of a hitching post for related news and some pretty insightful discussion from various readers — I like to just sit back and watch the sparks fly.
Feels like I tossed y’a
ll a ball and you ran with it a very, very long way. You certainly saw more potential in this than than I did. And I’m sure thankful to you for it.
I’ve written a book on the making of Marlon Brando’s One-Eyed Jacks, a movie I went Wig City over when it turned up on the afternoon movie a long time ago. It started out as a chapter in the 50s Westerns book (the 50s Western that wasn’t released till 1961), but screamed to be turned loose. It’s called A Million Feet Of Film: The Making Of One-Eyed Jacks. I was honored to help out with the picture’s DVD and Blu-Ray release from The Criterion Collection. I did a “video essay” on the film’s production history, basically boiling my book down to 23 minutes.
Some DVD commentaries have come my way, too: Night Of The Grizzly (1966) from Olive Films; Dakota (1945), Sunset In The West (1950), The Indian Fighter (1955), The Man Who Died Twice (1958), Singing Guns (1950), The Covered Wagon (1926), Bend Of The River (1952), Canyon Passage (1946), Man Without A Star (1955) and more from Kino Lorber; and One Million BC (1940) from VCI. Preparing for one these things is a lot of work, but it sure is fun.
Thanks for passing through.
Toby
I really hated my name (and considered changing it) till I saw this.
__________
The top photo is Brownie and me (I’m armed with a Mattel Shootin’ Shell Winchester, the Lone Ranger model, I think), taken around 1967-68. The more recent one at the bottom was shot in the projection booth of Raleigh’s Rialto Theater by James Graham for the eventual book covers. By the way, that projector has been given the digital eviction.
And all content © 2009 – 2020 Toby Roan. Oh, the films referred to throughout this blog, and the artwork from them, belong to the studios or individuals who made them — or the folks who own the rights now.
Toby, I hope it’s ok but I passed on a blogging award to you that you can find out about on my site at http://filmjournal.net/livius/about/
Wow. Thanks a million. That really puts the pressure on to turn this thing into something!
Toby,
Love the site, I keep it book marked and check frequently for your updates. I too am a huge Western fan and the 50’s produced several of my favorites. I was wondering if you have ever had a chance to see “The Day of the Outlaw?” It’s from 1959 and has Robert Ryan and Burl Ives. (Plus Tina Louise is you’re a Ginger fan.) I stumbled over this film several months back and it really stood out to me. Talk about a cold, psychological western. If you have not seen it I would highly recommend it, if you have seen it I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. I really enjoyed it and was surprised I had never heard of it before.
-Steve
Thanks for the kind words about the blog. It’s been a real blast.
Day Of The Outlaw is a great, and criminally overlooked, picture. The only thing I’ve done on it so far is this:
https://fiftieswesterns.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/dont-judge-by-color/
Again, thanks for stopping by. Please keep it up!
Hello
I was astounded to find writing like this about the 50’s westerns. You are exploring many of the directors who currently fascinate me: Andre De Toth, Budd Boetticher, and Howard Hawks to name a few.
My friend Gus and I run a new blog called Cinema Station at cinemastationblog.wordpress.com, where we have been writing about some of these guys, as well as exploring different genres and paying tribute to character actors. I hope you can check out the blog.
Would it be alright if I post a link to your blog in our links section?
If you’ve got a thing for Hawks, Boetticher and de Toth, be sure to look at the Westerns of Allan Dwan (Silver Lode, Montana Belle, Restless Breed) and Jacques Tourneur (Stranger On Horseback, Wichita).
Right now, I’m on a bit of a John Payne binge. Shame his 50s Westerns are so hard to find.
Here in England westerns were so popular in the 50’s that there was a book called Western Film Review published annually that listed every western released during the year along with a synopsis. It survived into the 60’s by which time a lot of its editorial content was devoted to TV material.
I’d love to see some of those!
Hi from what I can gather the annual was produced during the 50’s up to the early 60’s. It was originally called “The Western Film Annual” and by the early 60’s it had been renamed “The Western Film and TV Annual”.
The compiler/editor was F.Maurice Speed who also compiled an annual called “Film Review” which started in the late 40’s and is still produced appearing around xmas time with reviews of all films released since the previous year.
The format of film review is basically a number of articles but more usefully a short review of every film released during the year leading up to publication. The western version was similar but obviously only dealt with westerns.
I have seen issues of WFA from ’51 (which dealt with the 1950 releases) up to 1963 which dealt with the 1962 releases) not sure if that would be the first and last published. The articles were specific to the annual but the reviews were those included in the “Film Review”
Amazon UK have many copies available ranging from a realistic $10 to more hopeful prices, but they are quite common at memorabilia fairs for $10 or less.
Guess I got some shopping to do!
By the way will you be tackling any of the comedy westerns of the 50’s? Martin and Lewis in “Pardners” and Bob Hope in “Fancy Pants” or “Alias Jesse James” spring to mind. I even have a soft spot for “Sheriff of Fractured Jaw”.
Son Of Paleface (1952) is on my list. Right now, that’s the only one.
SoP was probably the best. Although the appearance of many ‘B’ western stars in colour at the end of “Alias Jesse James” makes it of interest to me.
Haven’t seen Alias Jesse James in years, but I’m kinda planing on doing a short piece on it as a “coda” to the Son Of Paleface chapter.
Cool Blog! thanks for all the nice work!!
Thanks for stopping by.
Toby
Since finding your western blog about 6 weeks ago I now visit it nearly every day, there’s always something interesting to read. I’m especially interested in the Universal International westerns, many of which are now available on DVD in mainland Europe.
One film I’d like you to consider for your book is Apache Drums (U.I. 1951) starring Stephan McNally, it’s a little gem.
Keep up the good work.
from Mike
Hi Toby
very nice site you have, and made with good taste too !
Would you be interested in a kind of link exchange with my site, ???
Anyway, i’ll keep visiting your pages !
Bye
Pierre
The link is , it’s in English and French, and it’s the only serious “western movies database” I know about.
Thanks
Hi Toby
I am impressed with your hard work. You clearly love Westerns.
It is a bit embarrassing but I only recently got interested in Budd Boetticher. I have been watching Westerns by Anthony Mann, John Ford and Howard Hawks for years, but I have finally started exploring the lesser-known directors.
If you are interested, I would be happy to exchange links.
Good luck with your research and the book.
Take care
Andrew
Toby,
I wasn’t sure where to post this as I didn’t want to clog up comments on varous topics. Peter Bogdanovich blogged about The Searchers and I thought you might like to check it out.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/peterbogdanovich/archives/the_searchers/
Keep up the good work.
Kevin
Hello,
I just watched ” Two Flags West” on TCM this afternoon and I quite enjoyed it. I was wondering if you had any comments on it and/or information about it. I did not find much about it from the usual sources.
Thanks,
Chris
It is a good one. Just banged out a quick post on it —
https://fiftieswesterns.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/two-flags-west-1950/
Thanks for bringing it up.
Toby,
I came across the video for the new Christmas single by The Killers, called “The Cowboy’s Christmas Ball”, if you hadn’t picked up on it already – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9d9qd9o_lU – as a doyen of Westerns, you might find it as hilarious as I did.
It got me thinking – are there any Christmas themed 50s Westerns? I couldn’t really think of any, though I’m sure you’ll probably do a post in the lead up to Christmas.
Cheers,
Andrew.
I just nominated you for a blog award. You can read about it here:
http://livius1.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/ending-the-year-on-a-high/
Wow!
I’ve been thinking lately how much I enjoy riding herd over this blog and all the swell folks I’ve met through it.
Thanks a bunch, Colin.
ha, I just did the very same as Colin (we bought you the same gift!) obv you don’t need to do a response to me as well, but I definitely wanted to include you as a thank you for your support and linkage! HAPPY NEW YEAR Toby and thanks for your amazing blog, I love it!
http://hqofk.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/comfy-chair-my-1st-award/
This makes this a double honor!
It’s cool to be recognized for such a thing, but it’s even cooler to have them come from bloggers you hold in high esteem.
I’m really stoked. Thanks so much.
Wow I can’t believe your blog. My husband and I are both writers and classic movie fans, especially Westerns, musicals and noir. I was astounded to find my new old movie pet listed, Bitter Tea of General Yen. Not a great Capra fan after It Happened One Night, but that early early movie has become an instant favorite. My husband has a lifelong list of his favorite 100 Westerns. Very few from the 1950s made it and only one after (John Wayne True Grit), so your list is of interest. Shane is his all-time favorite, so many of the Fords and we love Four Faces West with Joel McCrea and Frances Dee based on a beloved book about New Mexico by Eugene Manlove Rhodes. It will take me years to savor your blog and I plan to.
Toby, your site and blog is a great trip down memory lane for western movie fanatics like myself. I was a child actor during the 50’s & 60’s and co-starred with George Montgomery in “The Toughest Gun in Tombstone.” I was also featured in over 70 TV shows most of which were classic westerns. There’s just nothing around like that today.
Keep up the fine work!
Hi Toby: This blog contains many pictures of cowboy movies films bearing my childhood memory, I to the cinema to see the matinee with these wonders. Thanks for sharing this magnificent work.
The 1950s are my absolutely favorite period for westerns. So I love your blog!
My Favorites include HANGMAN’s KNOT, HIGH NOON, RIO BRAVO, SEVEN MEN FROM NOW, THE NAKED SPUR, FORTY GUNS, FASTEST GUN ALIVE,THE HANGING TREE.
hope we see your book soon
Vienna
Very nice blog with tons of info and a lot of gorgeous pictures concerning the westerns of the Fifties! I have just finished reading with interest an article of yours about Ernest Borgnine, who sadly passed away the last July, one among my favourite actors. From there I found out also the other article/interview on the “Cowboys & Indians Magazine” website. Thank you for your contribute: I bookmarked your blog! Go on with your interesting work and good luck for your future book! Greetings from Piedmont, Italy!
Thanks for the kind words — and for finding the blog. Hope you’ll make it a frequent stop.
I’ve passed on a brace of blogging awards to you. Hope you enjoy.
See – http://livius1.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/new-year-awards/
Colin
Hi Toby, Just want to make sure you are aware of the new book coming out in April. It is Three Bad Men: John Ford, John Wayne, Ward Bond. It is written by Scott Nollen. Here is a website for it and Scott answers questions and replies to comments regularly. I believe this is his 18th book, and not only is it thoroughly researched, but it also offers a better insight into the triumvirate that was Pappy, Duke, and Ward both on and off screen. It is the first book I know of to properly include Ward Bond and give the credit due him. I hope you will feature it. It can be ordered now. Scott would be glad to write you an article if you would like. Thanks Toby. I believe this book is long overdue and cannot wait until my copy arrives! KEITH
Sorry, Toby, it is a Facebook page and not site…….I forgot to give you the link. Here it is: http://www.facebook.com/ThreeBadMenJohnFordJohnWayneWardBond?fref=ts
Toby, I just turned 70 in late 2012 and have loved westerns since I was a kid. However, for many, many years I did not pay much attention to them in adulthood. Then in 2008, as a retiree I realized that I wanted to watch all the great westerns, mostly made when I was much younger. In finding out that I could not find them, much, at the local rental store I began perusing Amazon and other sites on the net. I became a collector of westerns and have a want list and closely watch the schedules also on Turner Classic Movies and Encore Western channel. So, into my 5th year of collecting/viewing westerns and loving it. I just discovered your web site by accident a couple days ago and now have it on my favorites so I can read all the older posts gradually. I love the information that I read in one recent post about ones coming out on dvd (like the 1966 version of STAGECOACH, bought it immediately) so information like that is extremely helpful to me. You can be assured I am going to read all the old posts back to when you started the site. Keep up the great work and wish you well on your planned book(s). I am Moe Wadle (wad-lee)
Welcome aboard, Moe!
Thanks for saying such nice things about the blog. My main goal is to provide a bit of a guide for someone wanting to make their way through 50s Westerns. What I’ve found over the last few years is that for every Western you know and love, there’s at least one worthwhile film you haven’t seen. It reminds me of Dick Powell’s great line in Murder My Sweet: “A black pool opened up at my feet. I dived in. It had no bottom.”
Can’t wait for your book and I’ll be sure to mention it on my website! (directedbyjohnford.com)
Thanks by stopping by. Your site is a wonderful thing.
Toby, I notice you have no cross-reference for Dana Andrews..He made some very fine westerns and some not-so-fine perhaps. Maybe his best is THREE HOURS TO KILL (1954). He was also in KIT CARSON, COMANCHE, SMOKE SIGNAL (pretty darn good, now running on Encore Westerns and made in 1955.), TOWN TAMER, THE OX-BOW INCIDENT (Okay, not 1950s), CANYON PASSAGE (1940s maybe). If nothing else I advise all you fans to see THREE HOURS TO KILL also with Donna Reed. More later. Moe
I add people as I get to them. Been meaning to do something on Three Hours To Kill, but haven’t gotten around to it. I will.
Question for the Toby and the crowd: I just watched SMOKE SIGNAL, a 50s western with Dana Andrews a couple days ago. About 13 minutes into the film there is battle between cavalry and Indians near a river…the soldiers are trying to get away in boats and are under attack. There is one soldier who is trying to get to the river and is attacked by an Indian and does not make it. We only see his face briefly but I would swear it is James Coburn. This is a very, very short scene in a 1955 movie and Coburn made his debut in a 1957 film. However, this would have been an uncredited part so it fits. Does anyone know? Does anyone want to check his/her copy of this film to offer another opinion. Thanks.
Again…I just read a comment in the July 2012 postings that someone really wants a copy of SIERRA BARON, even if it is pan and scan. FWIW the Fox Movie Channel is running it in the very early morning hours of Feb 5…that is Central Time Zone. But you can do your checking if you want to set your DVR or recorder.
Regarding the western classics DVD to be released by SHOUT FACTORY in May,Amazon have it listed as 1 disc,however when I contacted SHOUT they said it was 2 discs but on their site they have it listed as 1 disc.The link they give me was for a different western comp.
The good news is that they have more planned in the future,but no release dates yet.I suggested some westerns not as yet on DVD,including 3 ALAN LADD westerns.
Toby – On May 4th, 2013 at 12:00 pm on Turner Classic Movies (TCM), Randolph Scott’s elusive FIGHTING MAN OF THE PLAINS is being shown in Color. Please pass this along as this is an extremely hard to find movie and one of Randy’s best westerns before his run with Budd Boetticher.
I just read where FIGHTING MAN OF THE PLAINS is to be released on DVD in July but running time is 80 mins instead of 90mins .I read it on Movie mail in the UK. Does anyone else have any news on this .It will be released in colour.
It’s probably a bit early to be sure of the running time – though there will be the PAL speed-up to take into account.
That release is by Simply Media, who have a whole slew of titles lined up for release:
Billy the Kid’s Smoking Guns
Captain Apache
Dakota Lil
His Name was Madron
Lulu Belle
Northwest Stampede
Rose of Cimarron
Ramrod
The Cariboo Trail
The Restless Breed
FIGHTING MAN OF THE PLAINS will be shown on TCM Channel on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 11:00 Central Time. TCM web site lists it at 90 minutes in length and IMDB lists it at 94 minutes. I know this information about TCM does not answer the question(s) about the dvd release but someone should find it useful. Good old TCM always comes through with many desirable old films if you are patient and persistent in keeping a very close eye on their schedule. I have watched many great or desirable old westerns, for the first time, on TCM>
I recently stumbled onto your website and was instantly hooked. Thanks for
taking the time to keep this going. I am rediscovering a decade that I had
overlooked except for the blockbusters like Shane and Winchester .73.
The RANDOLPH SCOTT WESTERNS COLLECTION from TCM looks good .Another collection similar to HORIZONS WEST would be great also. I would like to see them do a ALAN LADD WESTERN COLLECTION in the future .Anyone who is a western movie fan should check out the classic western DVD from SHOUT FACTORY.
Toby,
This is Todd from the Forgotten Films blog. I enjoy your blog immensely! I wonder if there is a way I can contact you through e-mail. I have some movie/blogging related questions for you, but really longer form than is appropriate for here or Twitter. You could send that to me as a direct message through Twitter if you don’t wish to share that here. Thanks, I hope to hear from you soon!
Todd (and anyone else who sees this) —
The “official” email address for this blog is fiftieswesterns@gmail.com
Thanks for the kind words about this blog. It’s sure appreciated.
Highly informative and interesting blog you’ve got.
Wow–what a treat to land on your blog here–love your passion for the 50’s westerns, one I share. A great resource for which I’m grateful. Best wishes for success on the book!
My name is Bruce Sanders. My father was Hugh Sanders who appeared in many 1950’s Westerns both movies and tv. He grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois, and probably never rode a horse before going to Hollywood. Would be interested in any specific information about him.
Hello Toby,
“Thank you” for all that you’ve managed to write in recognition of Tim Holt’s legacy.
Kind regards,
Anthony Aaron
Thanks for the kind words. It’s always good to hear from another Tim Holt fan.
Just before the 50s, Randolph Scott’s “Abilene Town” (Edwin L Marin, 1946) restored from fine grain 35 mm material, fully graded transfer to 2K HD with LPCM lossless audio, is being released on Blu-ray on August 10th, co-star Rhonda Fleming’s birthday. All they way from Scotland, the Blu-ray is all regions, pre-order at: http://www.panamint.co.uk/abilene-town-blu-ray-region-free-2946-p.asp.
Comes with subtitles, 16-page illustrated booklet, with writings by Rhonda Fleming and Robert Nott.
Best wishes
Russell Cowe, Panamint Cinema
Old westerns are the best
Great project. Good blog. Felt the same way when I saw One-eyed Jacks in the theater long ago.
I’ve got a question. There was a 50s western where a native american went to college and came back a medical doctor. The tribe ridiculed him and refused treatment—made him sit with the women and children. Have you run across that one and if so, what is its name?
Great blog, I almost visit it every day to check on new DVD/BD releases. By the way, I saw on Mill Creek Ent. site that they will release a second Randolph Scott Round-Up volume with Santa Fe, Stranger Wore a Gun, Hangman’s Knot, Man in the Saddle, The Nevadan and The Desperadoes on it. I have them all but I’m picking this up to free up more space for more Westerns. The link to the product is as follows, http://www.millcreekent.com/the-randolph-scott-round-up-volume-two-6-classic-westerns.html.
Previous post made me think to tell everyone this. It might be useful information on seeing a R. Scott film that seems to be rarely available. On Friday April 8 TCM, Turner Class Movies, will broadcast THE WALKING HILLS. Whatever the background is on this film, rated pretty highly by critics, it has not been available to buy or to record from TV or watch on TV. So, be watchful for it in April. I think broadcast time is 10:30 am Central Time.
THE WALKING HILLS is available on youtube to watch or download.
I stumbled across your excellent site, sir, as I was researching the frequent good looking, in 50s standards, female 2d to 3d fiddles of both Maverick and Cheyenne tv series. I forgot about my research because I spent the few hours alotted to this research reading your site. What a museum and storehouse of knowledge this is on our past time, 50s westerns.
Have you ever been stumped by a western you know very little?
When I was 9 years old (1959) every time I visited my two cousins in Philadelphia went to the movies once during my stay. That meant I went to that mivie house with them 3 times during that summer for the Saturday matinee with 2 films and a few cartoons in between. Two times that theatre was showing “The FBI Story” with James Stewart, along with a western. The 3d time we went i have no idea what the film was but it was the SAME western. :)) What was the western? I have no idea; no idea played in it, not even its plot. The only thing I remember it was in color because a woman with dark hair and a checked dress was serving a bunch of men sittingat a table, the spoon with which she’s ladling the food seems to have had (mashed) potatoes on it before she used it to ladle the meat looking slop. Everyone looks up as someone rides from the distance.
Weird what our memories hold. Everytime I see an in-color western from that period I hope that scene pops up just to give an answer to a really unimportant question that has stayed with me all these years with so many very important memories. Nor do I ever expect it to be answered.
Weird stuff. And funny.
I have to come back to read more. Great site.
donald
Hi Toby,
I’m a 35 year-old Australian who thinks ’50s westerns are “just exactly perfect” in the words of Bob Weir. (I’m a Deadhead, too, and their cowboy songs are among my favourites.) I’ve always been especially addicted to the Anthony Mann/James Stewart films. So nuggety and intense.
Anyway, I’m thrilled to have recently discovered your blog, even if my bank manager isn’t! So many solid little films from just one decade.
I’ve just watched Quantez after grabbing a copy based on your recommendation – thank you! Many more DVDs to go, including the just-ordered Fury At Showdown.
Cheers,
Nick Howard.
Hello Toby,
I love your site. When you get around to it, do you think you can start up something about King Vidor? I’m beginning to feel his westerns are being seriously neglected. I met him once in London. Be around 1971. There was a day long retrospective of his films at the Round House, and he was in attendance. I had arrived early and occupied a middle of a theatre seat and was watching four workmen going frantic, trying to lower a grand piano down from an overhead skylight onto the stage. The ropes were all in knots and the piano just hovered dangerously in space. They were screaming at each other, when somebody behind me cleared his throat, with a remarkable booming sense of command. All four workmen turned obediently to listen, and this professorial fellow with a shock of white hair, said, “You there, the foreman. Would you just let go of your rope. Thank you. And you in the checkered shirt? Can you give your rope a sharp tug?” The fellow had the command of a lion tamer. They did exactly what they were told. The belligerent Sergeant Major foreman stepped into the corner as meek as a lamb. And sure enough, all the knots miraculously unknotted, and the piano descended gracefully onto the stage without so much as a bump. I thought it was the best demonstration of what it takes to be a film director that I could ever imagine. He didn’t even raise his voice. The intruder, of course, was King Vidor.
Thank you again, for your wonderful blog.
Warm greetings,
Peter Blow
Ontario, Canada
Peter, first, thanks for the comment — and for stopping by here in the first place. Second, that’s a great story.
Vidor hasn’t turned up on this blog much, mainly because he only made one Western in the 50s, Man Without A Star. I should do something on it, after all I did plenty of research on it for the Blu-Ray commentary. It’s an add movie, in a way, but I really like it.
You could also include Streets Of Laredo, I guess, since he worked on the script for that one, or so they say. He’s not credited.
Again, thanks for the comment and sharing your story. I’ll try to make sure Vidor gets a little more attention. He’s certainly deserving of it.