The Western is the quintessential American film genre. Probably more Westerns have been made than any other sort of film, and generations of Americans have grown up with images of cowboys riding across the plains in pursuit of rustlers and ruffians.
The Western is the quintessential American film genre. Probably more Westerns have been made than any other sort of film, and generations of Americans have grown up with images of cowboys riding across the plains in pursuit of rustlers and ruffians.
The Kamana Senior Center’s upcoming Friday Film Series will feature 10 significant Western films to show how they embody and help shape America’s view of itself.
All films are shown at 12:45 p.m. on Fridays at the Kamana Senior Center, 127 Kamana St. in Hilo. The series costs $10 (whether you watch one film or 10) and is payable at the door. Register for the class at the Kamana center either in person or by phone at 961-8710.
For further information, call Patsy O’Toole at 333-9850.
Jan. 8
“The Searchers” (1956), directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne. After an attack on their settlement, men search for years for a girl kidnapped by Comanche Indians.
Jan. 15
“The Magnificent Seven” (1960), directed by John Sturges. The great Japanese film “Seven Samurai” was remade as a Western: a town hires gunmen to protect it from bandits.
Jan. 22
“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” (1962), directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne and James Stewart. An idealistic lawyer opposes outlaw rule of a small town.
Jan. 29
“Ride the High Country” (1962), directed by Sam Peckinpah. Two elderly ex-gunslingers are hired to protect a gold shipment, but the story is much more complex than that.
Feb. 5
“Hallelujah Trail” (1965), directed by John Sturges, starring Burt Lancaster. A winter’s worth of whiskey, headed for Denver in 1867, is the target of various hijackers. The results are unpredictably hilarious.
Other films include:
“Support Your Local Sheriff!” (1969), a comedy directed by Burt Kennedy, starring James Garner.
“The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing” (1973), directed by Richard C. Sarafian, starring Burt Reynolds.
“The Outlaw Josey Wales” (1976) and “The Unforgiven” (1992), both directed by and starring Clint Eastwood.
“Blazing Saddles” (1974), a zany comedy directed by Mel Brooks, starring Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder — a fun and great way to end this series.