The character Joel McCrea played in so many of his Westerns was a confident, moral man — absolutely true to his word (even when he was an outlaw). Many say that character is a perfect match for McCrea himself. Here in the States, with our contentious, divisive 2016 election coming to an end just a few days after McCrea’s birthday, there’s an irony there that’s hard to miss. There’s also a realization that we could sure use someone like McCrea today.
I could go on and on about Joel McCrea’s incredible career, working with some of Hollywood’s greatest directors on some of their finest films (many of which will be covered over the course of this blogathon), but there’s a quote from a 1978 interview that pretty much says it all —
“I liked doing comedies, but as I got older, I was better suited to do Westerns. Because I think it becomes unattractive for an older fellow trying to look young, falling in love with attractive girls in those kinds of situations… Anyway, I always felt so much more comfortable in the Western. The minute I got a horse and a hat and a pair of boots on, I felt easier. I didn’t feel like I was an actor anymore. I felt like I was the guy out there doing it.”
Below you’ll find links for a series of posts from a very fine roster of bloggers, writers, fans, etc. Keep checking back.
Day 3
South Of St. Louis (1949)
50 Westerns Of The 50s
Day 2
These Three (1936)
The Jade Sphinx
The Outriders (1950)
50 Westerns From The 50s, by Blake Lucas
Gunsight Ridge (1957)
Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings
Day 1
Ride The High Country (1962, by Jerry Entract)
50 Westerns From The 50s
The Virginian (1946)
Caftan Woman
Wichita (1955)
The Round Place In The Middle
Four Faces West (1948)
Speakeasy
The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
The Hannibal 8 (by Jerry Entract)
Stranger On Horseback (1955)
50 Westerns From The 50s by Allen Smithee
50 Westerns From The 50s. 