Classic Westerns Trivia Quiz

Answer: Destry Rides Again

"Destry Rides Again" was directed by George Marshall and, along with James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich, starred Mischa Auer, Charles Winninger, Brian Donlevy and Una Merkel.
The film is a mixture of suspense, romance, often hilarious comedy, music and gunplay. One of the highlights is a knock-down, drag-out brawl in the saloon, between Marlene Dietrich and Una Merkel, which is broken up when the sheriff throws a bucket of water over them. Dietrich had recently been declared box office poison by the Motion Picture Distributors of America. This film completely revitalized her career. (Interesting to note that others on that list were Katharine Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Joan Crawford.)
A quote attributed to Lord Beaverbrook: "Marlene Dietrich standing on a bar in black net stockings, belting out 'See What the Boys In the Back Room Will Have', is a greater work of art than the Venus de Milo." I for one have no quarrel with that.

Answer: The Westerner

"The Westerner" was directed by William Wyler, and also featured Dana Andrews and Doris Davenport.
Cooper resisted being cast in the film, as he saw his character being of secondary importance to Brennan's. However, he was forced by his contractual obligation to Samuel Goldwyn to accept the role. The film was a considerable success, and Cooper and Brennan went on to make a further four films together: "Meet John Doe", "Sergeant York", "Pride Of the Yankees" and "Task Force".

Answer: Texas

Directed by George Marshall, "Texas" also starred Claire Trevor, George Bancroft and Edgar Buchannan.
The two young men on their way to Texas witness a stagecoach robbery and decide to rob the robbers and keep the money for themselves. They split up to avoid capture, and don't see each other again for some time. When they do, they are on different sides of the law. To further complicate matters, they both fall for the same woman.
"Texas" may not make my top 10 Westerns, but it would certainly make my top 50.

Answer: My Darling Clementine

The four Earp brothers are driving a herd of cattle to California. When the three older brothers ride into the town of Tombstone, they leave their youngest brother, James, behind to look after the cattle. On their return they find James dead and the cattle rustled. Wyatt Earp takes the job of town marshall in order to avenge his brother's murder.
The film starred Henry Fonda as Wyatt Earp, Victor Mature as Doc Holliday, and Walter Brennan as Ike Clanton, along with Linda Darnell, Tim Holt, Ward Bond and Cathy Downs.

Answer: Red River

"Red River" was adapted from a story by Borden Chase, and also starred Joanne Dru and Walter Brennan. John Wayne plays a rancher and trail boss, and Montgomery Clift his adopted son. During the course of the cattle drive, there is a growing conflict between the two men.
In 2008, the A.F.I. named "Red River" as number five in the 10 best westerns of all time (number one was "The Searchers").

Answer: Rio Grande

"Rio Grande" also starred Maureen O'Hara and Ben Johnson. John Wayne plays Colonel Kirby Yorke, who is posted to Texas to protect settlers from a band of marauding Apaches who are using Mexico as their retreat from pursuit by the army. Claude Jarman plays Yorke's son, Jeff, a recruit who is posted to his father's regiment.
"Fort Apache" and "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" were the first two parts of the trilogy, and contain some of the best work of both the director and star.

Answer: The Unforgiven

"The Unforgiven" was adapted from a novel by Alan Le May, and also starred Lillian Gish, Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Doug McClure and Charles Bickford.
The Zachary family are ranchers on the Texas frontier. When the leader of a tribe of Kiowas claims that their adopted daughter, Rachel, was stolen from the Kiowa tribe during a raid, the neighbours turn against them, refusing to help even when the Kiowas attack their homestead.
A film which deserves a much better reputation than it has today.

Answer: The Magnificent Seven

"The Magnificent Seven" was directed by John Sturges. It starred Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Robert Vaughan, Charles Bronson, Horst Buccholz and Brad Dexter as the seven gunfighters who are hired by a community of poor Mexican farmers to protect them from a gang of bandits who are terrorizing them and stealing their food. The bandit leader was played by Eli Wallach.
The film was a major success.

Answer: Blazing Saddles

The construction of a new railroad runs into quicksand and has to be diverted through the town of Rock Ridge. The corrupt Attorney General, Hedley Lamaar, plans to buy up the land cheaply and drive the townspeople out. He has the dim-witted Governor LePetomaine appoint a black sheriff to the town, figuring that the townspeople will be so outraged by this that it will make it easier for him and his henchmen to take over the town.
"Blazing Saddles" starred Cleavon Little as Bart, Gene Wilder as the Wako Kid ("I've probably killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille."), Harvey Korman as Hedley Lamaar, Madeleine Kahn, in a wickedly accurate send-up of Marlene Dietrich, as Lilli Von Stupp, who is hired by Hedley Lamaar to seduce Bart, and Mel Brooks as both Governor LePetomaine and an Indian chief who speaks Yiddish.
The film was a huge hit, and was nominated for three Academy Awards.

Answer: The Shootist

Notorious gunfighter J.B. Books (Wayne) arrives in Carson City and is told by the local doctor that he is dying of cancer. As news of his arrival in town spreads, a number of men are determined to face and kill him, some for revenge, others to make a reputation for themselves.
The film also starred Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart, Harry Morgan, John Carradine and Sheree North.
It was adapted from a novel by Glendon Swarthout.
Sadly, the star died of cancer three years after the completion of this, his final film, and for me one of his best and most moving performances.