by Loretta C. Rogers/aka L. W.
Rogers
As an author of westerns and western romance novels,
and a lover of the old west, I am part of a western movie discussion group.
Members are historians of the old West, authors of western novels, retired
Hollywood stuntmen, and a few former cowboy actors, now retired.
The recent chat
centered around why doesn't Hollywood make western movies anymore. I'm talking
about classic cowboy movies circa John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck,
Clint Eastwood, and even the more up to date actors such as Tom Selleck and
Kevin Costner.
This question generated an abundance of comments
which ranged from: it costs too much to hire horse and cattle wranglers, plus
the expense of feeding the animals, to dealing with PETA. Another suggestion
was the cost of shooting a western on location vs box office intake.
While these are all legitimate thoughts, there were
several comments about the demographics of today's movie-goers; specifically
the age of average people who enjoy sitting inside a theatre with a bag of
popcorn and soft drink. The general consensus was that Hollywood caters to
teens, tweens, and ages up to 49. Thus, the explaining the popularity of movies
with explosions, car chases, androids, vampires, werewolves, and other sci-fi,
paranormal elements.
Obviously, several movie producers have a different
opinion as to what constitutes a western. For example: Cowboys and Aliens, Hex,
Django Unchained, and a movie slated for release May 2014, "Bone
Tomahawk," starring Kurt Russell. Here's the synopsis: "Bone Tomahawk follows
an outlaw who unknowingly leads a band of cannibalistic Troglodytes into the
peaceful western town of Bright Hope. When the monsters kidnap several
settlers, including a rancher’s wife, a small rescue party consisting of the
injured rancher, the sheriff, his aging deputy and a strong-willed gunslinger,
journey into hell to try and rescue them. They soon find themselves in dark
unknown territories where savage inbreeds armed with the ultimate weapon leave
no hope of survival."
Umm, cannibalistic
Troglodytes, and savage inbreeds in the 1800's old west? This leaves me
scratching my head as to the thinking of Hollywood movie producers. Perhaps
there are viewers out there who are champing at the bit (pun intended) for the
premier of this movie and its cloned relatives.
This brings me to the
age demographics of movie-goers. Studios
seem to forget that the 26 and under crowd is not the only audience. What about
the over 50 crowd? In my humble opinion, it's silly when films are geared toward
"niche" groups. People crave good films, so when there is one, people
go to see it. The majority of the over 50's were raised on Western films. Heck,
a lot of actors still want to do a Western, and for some, it was the reason
they got into the business. There's plenty of room for all types of films, but there
is no reason why the Western needs to be micro budgeted into unearthly realms
which destroys the code of the old west, and suppresses an important historical
period of our great country.
So readers, if Glen Ford, Audie
Murphy, Ben Johnson, John Wayne, or any of the other great cowboy stars were
alive, how do you think they would answer if asked: With all the wonderful Western
novels enjoyed by today's readers, why isn't Hollywood interested in making
authentic movies about the old West?
Loretta, I have no idea how John Wayne, etc. would answer your question. Like you, I'm scratching my head over this one. I know the current crop of sci fi and fantasy movies are also about good v. evil, but think it a shame that their heroes need so many gimmicks to help them out of a jam. I think what I miss most about the old western movies are the long, slow shots of beautiful scenery and the music that accompanied them. Some of those old westerns had great scores. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Loretta! I too scratch my head at the way-out themes of today's so-called Western movies. What's wrong with a cowboy, a horse and a land/water/mine grabbing villain? Simple is better.
ReplyDeleteMy personal take is that the old-style white hatted hero story is too politically incorrect for these days. The old movies epitomized self-reliance, individualism, responsibility and personal honor - all of which seem to be anethmatic to our current big-government-knows-all socialized world. I long for the days when we can once again enjoy the traditional Western, cheer on the guy with the white hat and know that good will triumph over evil.
What a great, thought-provoking post, Loretta. I have to agree with Susan in that old-style westerns may be too politically incorrect these days. The demographics issue is also a huge consideration. Most movies seem geared towards teen-age boys and children (or child-at-heart), explaining the monetary success of the entire Fast and Furious or Transformer franchises and all of the animated films – none of which requiring much thought and must certainly be more expensive than most westerns to make.
ReplyDeletePerhaps westerns will make a comeback, though. I know I grew up on westerns myself, mostly as re-runs watched after school. As my generation has gotten older, I've noticed a lot more 'retro’ movies and television programs that harken back to our childhood memories of the time period (American Hustle, anyone?).
One of the problems with making westerns today is that Hollywood is lacking good, western hero-type actors to star in them. John Wayne, James Garner (ohh, Maverick!), Kevin Costner, Tom Selleck… They just don’t make them like that anymore! I can’t visualize any of the current generation of actors in any western role. They just don’t have the stature, gravitas, or acting skills to make them believable as a true cowboy. They probably can’t ride a horse, either. ;-)
Sandy, I'm with you about the movie scores for Westerns. John Wayne's movie, "El Dorado," and "The Sons of Katy Elder" are wonderful examples.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I totally agree with how Western movies epitomize self-reliance, individualism, and my personal favorite--"honor." My 22 yr old grandson, just home from Afghanistan, called last night. He posed a thought-provoking question: What would happen if the world suddenly reversed itself, but the people maintained their modern day knowledge--how man would know how to life off the land? So, true. We can learn lessons from the old Westerns.
ReplyDeleteC.T. Thanks for dropping by. You've hit upon several important factors--who, today, has the masculine, rugged features to portray cowboys? Horse-back riding is an essential tool. In the remake of The Lone Ranger, many scenes had to be cut because the actors kept falling off their horses.
ReplyDeleteMy mother adored the movie cowboy of the 1940's, Johnny Mack Brown. I don't know what he or the other old western stars would say about the dearth of true westerns in today's art arena and marketplace. Because my mind tends to jump around and form connections (much like the hybrid movies you mentioned, I'm sorry to say) a thought popped into it from Bobby, a character in the tv show Supernatural. Bobby is very much like one of the old western whiskey slugging, tobacco spitting codgers. He often says this word when disgusted. The word? "Balls"! That's his reaction to the fading of the cowboy heroes he grew up with. I predict that westerns will eventually make a comeback.Thanks for the thought provoking post.
ReplyDeleteHi Library Faery, Johnny Mack Brown was one of my favorites when I was a kid. Of course, I think I was more in love with his horse, Rebel, than with JMB. A few TV pseudo-western contemporaries are currently popular: "Longmire" and "When Calls the Heart." Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteI can think of a few modern westerns.
ReplyDeleteUnforgiven is one and also The Missing from 2003. I'd read the Thomas Eidson book the Last Ride, and loved both book and movie.
I enjoyed the recent remake of True Grit, too.
So there are some out there but I agree, more would be good.
Lis, thanks for dropping by. Remakes are okay, but with thousands of great Western stories waiting their turn to be told, Hollywood is missing the boat by doing remakes.
DeleteGreat blog, Loretta!
ReplyDeleteI agree there are no 'cowboy' heros out there today. John Wayne, James Garner, Clint Eastwood and Tom Selleck are worthy of playing the roles, but it is also a fact that they stand above most actors today.
I'm not being politically correct is the best way to go. Look at the roles these actors modeled in the old movies. They weren't perfect, but they lived by a code...personally, I love 'the code of the west'. So...we build our DVD stash of John Wayne, a younger Clint, a twinkled eyed James Garner and allow Tom Selleck to join our favorites. Let the teeny boppers have the vampires. I love the cowboys.
Carol, when I plan a new Western novel, I usually pick one of the great Western movie stars as the image for my hero. I agree, today's crop of male stars are missing that rugged masculinity. After watching Hugh Jackman in "Australia" I'd add him to my short list. Thanks for your comments.
DeleteWow -great question. I, for one, loved the old westerns on TV - Boy was I in love with Cheyenne Bpdie.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the needs and wants of movie goers and readers have changed from good stories to sex and smut, pardon the generality. The pendulum will swing back, but who knows how soon?
Oooh, Clint Walker (Cheyenne Brodie), I'm with you all the way, Kathye. Some of the old-time movie stars (I'm talking now in their 80's) sure would like to see the pendulum swing back. Me too!
DeleteGreat post! As a writer of Westerns, my sister Loretta and I certainly agree with everything you said. Unfortunately, movies are not made with the average viewer in mind, but to make quick money. Because people can watch films at home, they won't spend the twenty dollars or so to go to the theater unless there are big explosions, spaceships, and sensational visual effects. Westerns are very popular on Netflix. Hopefully, publishers and filmmakers will begin to realize that there is a strong market for Westerns and material that doesn't rely totally on commercialism.
ReplyDeleteVickie, I was speaking with James Best (better known at the sheriff on Dukes of Hazards), and Larry Young, retired stuntman who worked with John Wayne, and other greats. They voice the same sentiments. Unfortunately, Hollywood investors who 'front' money for movies don't want to take a chance on not seeing a return on their investments because they believe Westerns do not draw audiences. VBS, they may be correct. But, I for one, would like to see traditional westerns sans the sci-fi elements. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThis is a constant question in my head. Hollywood doesn't make good films of any genre, in my opinion, any more. Special effects and computer generated action are cheaper than actors, stunt men and a good script. Audiences get smoke, mirrors, shallow story lines and fakery in the name of entertainment. Hollywood as it is now will destroy the tradition of the Old West, make of it something tawdry and low to further undermine the real spirit of this historic era. I'd rather read a Western novel by a good writer than see any Hollywood film, so I don't worry about their commercialism. Thanks for this, Loretta.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Leigh. Unfortunately, it seems many publishers have gone the way of Hollywood, and are not interested in contracting traditional westerns. Sad isn't it.
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