1950s Westerns part 1 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rio Grande

The third instalment in the John Wayne/John Ford cavalry trilogy, the first two were "Fort Apache" and "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon". "Rio Grande" tells of the effort of the Cavalry to quell an Apache uprising in the American southwest after the civil war. "Rio Grande" stars John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen, Ben Johnson, J. Carrol Naish, Harry Carey Jr and Chill Wills.

Answer: The Gunfighter

Considered the start of a trend in movies, of ageing gunfighters looking for a place to rest but being challenged to a final showdown, "The Gunfighter" is a superb western starring Gregory Peck in the title role. The very able supporting cast includes, Millard Mitchell, Karl Malden, Ellen Corby and Richard Jaeckel.

Answer: Rocky Mountain

A cavalry western, "Rocky Mountain" is set during the civil war. Union and Confederate troops must cooperate to fend off a band of Sioux Indians. It stars Errol Flynn in his last western, Patrice Wymore, Slim Pickens and the ever reliable Guinn (Big Boy) Williams.

Answer: Along The Great Divide

Directed by Raoul Walsh, "Along The Great Divide" is a revenge story, a staple western plot. The script is well written albeit a little slow. In his first western Kirk Douglas shines as the hero, ably supported by Virginia Mayo, John Agar and Walter Brennan. Veteran character actor Morris Ankrum plays the avenging father who chases Kirk Douglas and Walter Brennan.

Answer: Wagon Master

John Ford often cited this as his favourite movie of all he directed. Starring Ward Bond as the "Wagon Master" this was a precursor to him starring in the long running "Wagon Train" television series. Ward Bond, himself a John Ford regular, is here surrounded by other regulars such as, Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr, Joanne Dru, Russell Simpson, Jane Darwell, Francis Ford and in an early film appearance, and James Arness.

Answer: The Red Badge of Courage

Stephen Cranes story is brought to the screen by John Huston who also wrote the script. "The Red Badge of Courage" is a very good movie despite the interference from the studio. The movie stars Audie Murphy, Arthur Hunnicutt, Andy Devine, Royal Dano and John Dierkes.

Interestingly, in the book there are some female characters but this movie has none. A book titled "Picture" by Lillian Ross chronicled the trials and tribulations John Huston endured in getting this movie to the screen.

Answer: Bend of the River

Directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart "Bend of the River" is a wonderful movie. The story is of a settlement being starved of supplies by a corrupt town council who want to supply goldminers. This is the second collaboration between Mann and Stewart, the first was "Winchester '73".

The two would collaborate a further six times. "Bend of the River" also stars, Arthur Kennedy, Julie Adams, Rock Hudson, Lori Nelson and Jay C Flippen.

Answer: Colt 45

"Colt 45" stars Randolph Scott as a salesman for the Colt firearms company. His new model Colt 45s are stolen by an outlaw and he and his gang go on a spree protected by a local sheriff. Scott is ably supported by Zachary Scott, (no relation) Ruth Roman, Lloyd Bridges and Alan Hale.

Answer: High Noon

Lauded as one of the best westerns ever made, "High Noon" stars Gary Cooper who received his second Academy Award for his role of Will Kane. He had earlier won for his portrayal of Alvin York in "Sergeant York". The plot of the movie is basically a man alone against the odds.

The cast includes Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Sheb Wooley and, in his first movie appearance, Lee Van Cleef.

Answer: Lone Star

"Lone Star" stars Oscar winners Clark Gable, Broderick Crawford, Ed Begley and the Marvellous Lionel Barrymore in his last film. The two standout ladies in the cast are Ava Gardner and Beulah Bondi. The story is about early Texas and Sam Houston's idea of creating a republic and Andrew Jackson's efforts, via Gable's character, to dissuade him.

Although panned by critics on its release, "Lone Star" holds up well today.