One of the genre that comes from the Western that I like and is under-representated is Rodeo. In 1962, television introduced to the people two series about the genre: "Stoney Burke", starring Jack Lord "The Wide County", starring Earl Holliman
In the 1972, three films epitomized the genre very well.
"J.W. Coop" directed by Cliff Robertson, starring Cliff Robertson "Junior Bonner" directed by Sam Peckinpah, starring Steve McQueen "The Honkers" directed by Steve Ihnat, starring James Coburn
I'd like to see STONEY BURKE because it's a Jack Lord program, and the fact that Warren Oates made a few appearances. Has "Stoney" ever been shown in reruns?
The Honkers is great. The last time I saw it was about 12 years ago on TV. It seems to have disappeared without trace.
I saw "The Honkers" on TCM some years back, although I don't think it was 12 years ago. It's never appeared on video. I saw "Junior Bonner" last year. I preferred "Junior Bonner" if only because I like Steve McQueen over James Coburn. If I recall, the critics at the time preferred "J.W. Coop" over the others, but I've never seen it. 1972 certainly was the year for rodeo. Besides those 3 films, there were a few ethnic rodeo films: the documentary "Black Rodeo," narrated by Woody Strode, and "When the Legends Die" with Frederic Forrest as a Ute Indian on the rodeo circuit.
Robert Mitchum's "The Lusty Men" (1952) and Gig Young's "Arena" (1953) are also well-regarded rodeo films. "Arena" was filmed in 3-D.
My Dad used to take part in rodeos, trick riding etc - he taught a (of the time - 1970s) UK champion trick rider. He loved Westerns (film TV and literary) of course and yes, those featuring rodeos also.
You know what I find interesting... that science fiction TV series have at least one 'Old West' episode... Star Trek with Spectre of the Gun; Battlestar Galactica did it also - may have been the flashback episode for Galactica 80 featuring Starbuck, can't remember now; The Martian Chronicles may have not been Old West but Darren McGavin's character acted like it was. Any others?
THE HONKERS (1972) is on in one hour @ encore westerns. I will be able to watch it this time.
I'm looking forward to my comments on this rarely-seen James Coburn film.
I hope you're going to write a full analysis with all the details that go with it: acting, story, ideological interpretation, film-making, editing, cinematography, music score.
THE HONKERS (1972) is on in one hour @ encore westerns. I will be able to watch it this time.
I'm looking forward to my comments on this rarely-seen James Coburn film.
I hope you're going to write a full analysis with all the details that go with it: acting, story, ideological interpretation, film-making, editing, cinematography, music score.
THE HONKERS (1972) is on in one hour @ encore westerns. I will be able to watch it this time.
I'm looking forward to my comments on this rarely-seen James Coburn film.
I hope you're going to write a full analysis with all the details that go with it: acting, story, ideological interpretation, film-making, editing, cinematography, music score.
See you around, pal!
Nothing quite so ambitious...
Besides, no one but you would care!
That's unfortunate, only I, care for anything so specific! A damn shame! Adios, Stoney Bonny!
All three movies are character studies about n'er-do-well rodeo riders and their personal problems and dealing with aging. Yes, another character study. I don't think rodeo movies lend themselves out to be anything but character studies. All three films are largely interchangeable, with the same look, semi-documentary footage of rodeo riders, Americana parades, barroom brawls, touches of humor etc. The Honkers owes more than a small debt to Hud (1963) because of the protaganist's dilemma at the end of being left alone, having lost everything because of his own actions, or inactions.
Ihnat shoots some artsy shots, like when Lou Lathrop (Coburn) is walking away from young hottie Anne Archer's (who plays an indian!) Ferrari in town. Ihnat shoots from above with a rooftop tracking shot and follows Coburn as the sun hits the camera and Archer follows Coburn on the wrong side of the street in the car. There's a slow focus on Coburn and his estranged wife Lois Nettleton at the beginning when he is forcibly reconciling with her on her doorstep. The similarities to BONNER are there, too. Instead of a fatcat brother, Lou Lathrop has a town big shot who's wife was having an affair with Lou.
The score is by Jimmie Haskell, a folk producer whose style is evident here, kind of like The Kingston Trio's album Something Special. The songs are typical country/folk sounds you'd hear in Jerry Fielding's THE OUTFIT, where they narrate the character's emotions and biography. One of the songs is written and performed by Slim Pickens, who is Coburn's sidekick here.
All three movies are character studies about n'er-do-well rodeo riders and their personal problems and dealing with aging. Yes, another character study. I don't think rodeo movies lend themselves out to be anything but character studies. All three films are largely interchangeable, with the same look, semi-documentary footage of rodeo riders, Americana parades, barroom brawls, touches of humor etc. The Honkers owes more than a small debt to Hud (1963) because of the protaganist's dilemma at the end of being left alone, having lost everything because of his own actions, or inactions.
Ihnat shoots some artsy shots, like when Lou Lathrop (Coburn) is walking away from young hottie Anne Archer's (who plays an indian!) Ferrari in town. Ihnat shoots from above with a rooftop tracking shot and follows Coburn as the sun hits the camera and Archer follows Coburn on the wrong side of the street in the car. There's a slow focus on Coburn and his estranged wife Lois Nettleton at the beginning when he is forcibly reconciling with her on her doorstep. The similarities to BONNER are there, too. Instead of a fatcat brother, Lou Lathrop has a town big shot who's wife was having an affair with Lou.
The score is by Jimmie Haskell, a folk producer whose style is evident here, kind of like The Kingston Trio's album Something Special. The songs are typical country/folk sounds you'd hear in Jerry Fiedling's THE OUTFIT, where they narrate the character's emotions and biography. One of the songs is written and performed by Slim Pickens, who is Coburn's sidekick here.
I've always enjoyed Junior Bonner, but now I love it.
Wonderful editing over the opening credits which still manages to tell the story, the John Ford-esque attention to "ceremony", with the use of the Star Spangled Banner, later employed for a comic relief punchline in the bar room brawl, the relationship JR has with both Ida Lupino and Robert Preston--both of whom are magnificent here--and even Joe Don Baker, who provides more evidence that he is a fine performer.
There's also the "Death of the Old West" theme and old America that's a recurring theme in Peckinpah's films. Junior Bonner is a great character study with a cast that's relaxed and at ease with the material, and a director who, if only briefly, seemed happy.
Oh, the music: Notice the proto-version of Fielding's "Her Daddy Passed Away" theme from THE OUTFIT in those opening credits, which were changed for the DVD? Here's the original opening, with the song "Arizona Morning."
And what about THE ROUNDERS? Fonda and Ford were in the picture; Ron Hayes in the series. They were bronco busters. Did they ever get into rodeos?
Also Abbott & Costello's RIDE 'EM COWBOY with Dick Foran as Bronco Bob, a dude western writer from the east who learns to buck 'em from lovely Anne Gwynne (see below in here rodeo costume).
And what about THE ROUNDERS? Fonda and Ford were in the picture; Ron Hayes in the series. They were bronco busters. Did they ever get into rodeos?
I still have visions of Sue Ane Langdon and the other girl walking away from the camera wearing nothing but diner curtains! LOL Oh, such grand visions you had, Burt Kennedy!
Here's a rodeo film that I wouldn't mind seeing. Warner Bros. knows how to sell rodeo (and it ain't with them cowpokes). I wonder if this will ever make it to the Warner Archive Collection.
