WESTERNS: A Guide to the Best (and Worst) Western Movies on DVD

by John Howard Reid

Although Hollywood is no longer producing westerns at the rate of over 100 a year, the western movie enthusiast has over 1,000 classic films available on DVD. This guidebook, written in the same vein as the author's previous "goldmines of information" (to quote one reviewer), "Silent Films & Early Talkies on DVD", "Mystery, Suspense, Film Noir and Detective Movies on DVD", and "British Movie Entertainments on VHS and DVD", is a must-have item for even the casual western movie fan. Over 400 DVDs were examined: 136 are described in exhaustive detail and a further 100 summarized. All 66 Hopalong Cassidy movies are featured and there are chapters on Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Alan Ladd and Buck Jones as well as a guide to a few of Hollywood's worst westerns.

Genres: Westerns

244 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2011

Reviews

[Annemarie Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLLENT insight, great great eye for film and a really wonderful and unique criticism of American culture through Western cinema. Being a sucker for a great western (the Searchers being my alltimefav) I picked up this book just because the Duke was on the cover. Holy cow, the insides were fantastic Reid has clearly spent his time studying the nuances and behind-the-scenes knowledge that made up the American studio industry, and he clearly can read pop-culture. This books is a great read for any film buff, but more importantly it would be a welcomed addition to anyone interested in revamping their curriculum for something alittle punchy.

[Brian Burhoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are more complete histories of the Hollywood Western than this. And I disagree with some of the judgements. But then not all of the thousands upon thousands of Westerns are on DVD (especially from the Silent Era). And a lot of Northwesterns (that genre of Mounties, sled dogs and wolves) are not mentioned. But within its mandate (listing Westerns on DVD), this book by John Howard Reid accomplishes its mission. Well worth hunting down. Saddle up!