But your wait is over!
(Or if you’re new around here and you didn’t realize this was something you were in fact waiting for and you’re wondering what I’m talking about, here’s the gist: Author Clay Morgan and I gush about classic movies on YouTube. And it is fun.)We took a little summer hiatus while I was chained to my desk writing and editing and Clay was traveling all over chasing ghosts and spending the night in old prisons for book research. (Um, decide for yourself whose summer sounds more exciting.)
But now we’re back with a bit of a new look, a new name (which we—ok, Clay—came up with after we recorded this episode) and our very first western. It’s a good one, too:
Rio Bravo (1959)…with John Wayne, Dean Martin,
Ricky Nelson and Angie Dickinson.
Warning: There’s a fair bit of drama in this episode in the form of contentious debate between Clay and I over the number of films John Wayne was in. To be honest, IMDBcould back up either one of us depending on which section you’re looking at. But because this is my post and I can, I’m declaring myself the winner. (However I’ve forgiven Clay for not believing me on the number of films because a) I’m nice like that and b) he gives my book a shout-out at the end of the video.)
All right, what’s your take on westerns, folks? Ever seen Rio Bravo? Any thoughts on what movie we should do next? AND you totally side with me on the John Wayne debate, don’t you??
Comments 48
WooHoo! I've been waiting for another one of these and I may or may not have done a little happy dance when I saw this blog post!
That being said I don't think I've ever seen a John Wayne. I am curious about them though and this one sounds like a good place to start! My best friend's dad is a big western fan so I'll have to see if he has it!
As for which movie you guys should do next I really want to see you do Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!
And WooHoo for Made to Last! It is next up on my reading list and I CAN'T wait!
I love Dean-o! And I think you spinning side to side in your chair is cute. lol
This was a lot of fun. I am not a fan of John Wayne. But my dad loved westerns and ole John was his favorite, so I've seen many of them. Them, and Clint Eastwood films. 🙂
LOL, we can't watch a John Wayne movie without cringing at how badly he rides a horse. 🙂
Melissa, I loved this. 🙂 Nice to know you're talking movies. 🙂 Honestly, I haven't watched a ton of Westerns. I've seen some, but I couldn't name one because, um, it's been awhile since I watched one. 🙂 The movies I've seen John Wayne I liked. And Yes, I'm a John Wayne fan. I love all the facts you guys put up on the screen. 🙂
Since I've missed earlier Movie Gushes, have you done any Bing Crosby?
My favorite John Wayne movies are the one he did with John Ford (arguably the best storyteller ever to come out of Hollywood): “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” “Fort Apache,” “Rio Grande,” and the best one of all (though not a western), “The Quiet Man.”
As for what to do next, have you ever done a good Tyrone Power swashbuckler like “The Black Swan”? Or a silent comedy like Harold Lloyd's “Safety Last”? Or a classic tearjerker like “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”?
Yes, I'm quite possibly a BIGGER old movie nerd than the both of you put together. 🙂
Saw Rio Bravo. I perosnally love all of the John Wayne/John Ford Cavalry movies.
John Wayne also starred in a movie call El Dorado which is very similar to this one. Robert Mitchem was the Dean Martin part and James Caan was the Ricky Nelson part. It's good, too, but I like Rio Bravo better.
I think I saw Rio Bravo as a teenager, but I'll definitely have to find and rewatch it again after this! Thanks, y'all!
I can't watch the video where I'm at currently, but personally, Blazing Saddles is my favorite western:)
Melissa, Totally siding with you on the JW debate!
I not sure what movies you've already covered, but anything with my favorites stars: Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. We're big fans of Hitchcock in my house too.
I've seen Rio Bravo a few times & don't get tired of it. Maybe that's the true test of “classic.” And MTagg, just 2 hrs. ago I finished Made to Last–wow, we're talking classic here. I was prepared to like it 'cause I enjoy you, your blogs, what I know of you personally, but you went way beyond in delivering the goods. I felt like a kid delighted to see and eat their 1st Christmas pudding and pulling out all kinds of delicious fruit stuffed, candles blazing. You've accomplished some amazing tender, sweet, skillful, moving writing here. Sincere congratulations & I will be making similar comments on Facebook.
Fun post! I haven't seen Rio Bravo, but it sounds like a fun movie. 🙂
I'm also not sure what movies you've already covered, but “It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert is a really good movie. 🙂
Melanie
Yay for the happy dancing. I do think Rio Bravo is a great place to start with westerns…great star power, fun humor and again, Dean Martin's performance is just fabulous.
I just re-watched Seven Brides this summer. There is a LOT I could say about that one. 🙂
LOL one day–ONE DAY–I will learn to sit still while filming stuff. 🙂
If I'm remembering right, Clint Eastwood wanted to appear in a film with John Wayne once, but John Wayne wouldn't have any of it. In fact, I think he even criticized some of Eastwood's films or something. Might need to re-do my research on that, though. 🙂
This post got me to thinking – I don't know if I've ever really watched a western! I know my parents love them, but I guess Mr. Wayne and Co. have escaped my view. I'll have to remedy that!
Fun fact: my brother's name is Jonathan Wayne. He is a twin (their middle names rhyme) and my aunt picked it out, but I don't know if the actor was her inspiration!
Ha, okay, I don't think I've ever studied his horse-riding technique…next time I'll have to. Actually, I'm not sure he even rides a horse all that much in this one.
Ooh, we have not done Bing yet. But we'll have to. Maybe White Christmas or Holiday Inn around the holidays…or some of the “Road To…” movies with Bob Hope!
I LOVE She Wore a Yellow Ribbon! Hmm, I hadn't thought of doing a silent one…good thought. Oh my goodness I haven't seen Goodbye, Mr Chips in forever!!
OH yeah, together they made such good movies!
Oh yeah, interestingly enough (and we should've mentioned this in the video!) El Dorado is basically a total remake of Rio Bravo…though I think I read that Howard Hawks usually denied it. In fact, it's one of a couple redos. But I'm with you, Rio Bravo is by far the best!
You're welcome. 🙂 It's a great one to rewatch!
LOL as in Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, right? HAHA!
Ooh, ooh we've done some Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Hitchcock too. I need to get our older ones moved over to the the new YouTube channel. But yeah, we've done Philadelphia Story (with Grant and Stewart) and Hithcock's Suspicion…
I think I agree with you, Dee…it's the movies I can watch over and over again that are the most “classic” to me.
And thank you SO much for the nice things you said about MTL. Seriously, made me smile so much. Thank you, thank you!
We did indeed do It Happened One Night…one of my faves!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQDOZnU-bzg
🙂
Ooh I like your fun fact. Additional fun fact: So, John Wayne's real name was Marion. Kinda don't blame him for changing it. Nothing wrong with the name Marion but it doesn't sound all that cowboyish. 🙂
I enjoyed your chat! I love talking old movies, and Rio Bravo is a great one. I must admit to a fondness for John Wayne movies because I used to watch them w/ my dad. Our faves were Sands of Iwo Jima and True Grit. And how suave is Dean! I've enjoyed him in several movies. He made The Sons of Katie Elder–also w/ John Wayne. I'm not sure what other movies you've done, but a few classics I love are Mrs. Miniver and An Affair to Remember.
Haven't really watched a lot of Westerns, and never this one. Might have to see it!! I love your banter and all the fun facts you present. 😛
I am also looking forward to the next Coldplay album. They are my favorite band. What'd you think of their new single Atlas?
I have never watched a western. I guess I am missing out 🙂
I don't think I watched an entire John Wayne movie….but I love watching reruns of THE RIFLEMAN on Me-TV.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Great post! I love westerns. Rio Bravo, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, well, anything with John Wayne and directed by John Ford. Have you seen Mclintock? It's funny! Stars John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.
I just want to say that I'm totally right. Can I use your blog space to do that? 😀
My favorite westerns are Tombstone and the Dollars Trilogy. Does An American Tail count?
I didn't know you guys did these. How fun! Loved the banter.
Rio Bravo… Love that movie! It's the first of John Wayne's movies I actually liked. Colorado and Dean Martin's character totally won me over. 🙂
I need to watch more old westerns. They knew how to make them back then.
Blessings to both of you!
Andrea
Goodness, loved this blog! I watched Rio Bravo when it came out…at a Drive-In Movie. lol
True Grit is SO good. Have you seen Dean Martin in All in a NIght's Work? It has Shirley MacLaine too. Makes me laugh so much. And we haven't done Mrs. Miniver or An Affair to Remember yet…both such good ones. An Affair to Remember might be the ultimate tearjerker of all time. 🙂
Linz, we are going to watch SO many old movies when you are here next week! 🙂
Yes, another Coldplay fan. I love them so much…SO much. I loved Atlas!! What did you think? I think I listened to it about 300 times over the weekend. 🙂
Haha, you are, Lisa, you are. 🙂
I've never watched The Rifleman before. I'll have to give it a viewing sometime. 🙂
YES McLintock is awesome! And Maureen O'Hara is amazing. 🙂
HA you can use my blog space to say you're right but that doesn't make you right! I win!
An American Tail! Fievel! Now I've got that song from it in my head…”somewhere out there, beneath the pale moonlight…”
Yep, I like both Colorado and Dean Martin's character too. Every time I watch it, I can't get over Dean Martin's acting….there's something about it that tugs at my heart every time!
THAT is awesome, Pat. Also awesome: I get to see you in a few days!! 🙂
Holiday Inn is my FAVORITE!! I saw a couple of the “Road To…” movies too. Not my favorite, but they are uber funny together. 🙂
I'm with Amy—loved “The Quiet Man.”
My Dad is a huge John Wayne fan, and . . . he is from the same town as my dad, so. . .
My favorite John Wayne movie is the Cowboys. I don't know why I liked it so much, but I liked it. It was one of J.W's last movies before he died. I also liked Angel and the Bad man.
Also, when I lived in L.A., I actually got to see his L.A. home. It was a pretty sweet spread in Encino.
Seven Brides! Can't find it anywhere! Where did you find it?
Sue, I own Seven Brides. 🙂 Want to borrow it?? Are you coming to the launch party? Because if so, I'll try to remember to bring it for you. 🙂
And you saw his LA home? That's too cool!
Wow. Yes, love the movie. I love Ricky Nelson and Dean Martin. I know this was one in a series of like movies, but by far was a favorite. Westerns just aren’t the same these days. The last one I can truly remember enjoying is Lonesome Dove. I would probably have to say my favorite John Wayne movie was “The Quiet Man”.