Best Western (not the hotel)

[The Ancient Enemy]

I still contend that the best Western ever made is Sergio Leone's 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly', which is in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. All the Leone westerns are incredible. I did however rent a Leone film that is not a western, 'Once Upon a Time in America' with Robert DeNiro, and it was pretty slow.

The other night I rented 'Shane', a classic western. I had no idea this movie came out in 1953! Alan Ladd, the guy who played Shane, DIED 44 YEARS AGO!!!!! I about had a heart attack when I saw that. Jack Palance is in this as well, and so is a guy named Van Heflin. Interesting story about Van Heflin is that he was top billing in the movie 'Cry of Battle' that was playing in the theatre where Oswald hid after he (supposedly) shot Kennedy. I haven't seen 'Cry of Battle' yet, but I feel like I should watch that sometime.

Now, George Stevens, as some may know, would go on to direct 'Giant' with Rock Hudson and Liz Taylor and James Dean. Also probably in my top 10 favorites. The scene at the end where Hudson fist fights that cook is one of my favorite scenes to date.

But back to 'Shane', this movie is really good. When westerns are done well, they can be some of the best movies of all time. There's so many westerns that were made that are just run of the mill stuff, but this isn't one of them. This is one that stands out, and it is highly recommended. The little kid was played by a guy named Brandon DeWilde, and I think he won an award for this role. I can't say enough good stuff about Ladd and Heflin and Jack Palance, in one of his earliest roles as a bad guy. Go rent this.