My Favorite Western Comedies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Support Your Local Sheriff!

In the film Jason McCullough, (James Garner), reluctantly becomes sheriff, although he claims throughout that he is really just passing through on his way to Australia. He selects Jake, (Jack Elam), as his deputy and arrests Joe Danby, (Bruce Dern), for murder. A comedic battle of wits ensues with Pa Danby, (Walter Brennan). Meanwhile the sheriff engages in a romantic relationship with Prudy Perkins, (Joan Hackett), daughter of the town mayor, (Harry Morgan). Despite a poor box office start and discussions of pulling it from theaters, the film finished the year as a very respectable 20th most popular movie of 1969.

James Garner, Jack Elam, Henry Jones, Walter Burke, Gene Evans, Kathleen Freeman, Harry Morgan and Willis Bouchey star in both this film and "Support Your Local Gunfighter" (1971). The two films have completely different characters and settings, but include many similarities. The romantic interest for Garner's character in "Gunfighter" is played by Suzanne Pleshette. Joan Hackett and Walter Brennan do not appear in "Gunfighter", which takes place in the fictional community of Purgatory.

Answer: Maverick

The part of U.S. Marshall Zane Cooper is played by James Garner, who was the original Bret Maverick in the 1950's television series on which the film is based. Jodie Foster is cast as Annabelle Bransford, a poker playing con artist with a fake southern accent. Foster was nominated for an American Comedy Awards honor for her performance.

The male lead was awarded to Mel Gibson, as Bret Maverick. Also making appearances are numerous country music singers, and stars of 1950's and 1960's television westerns. James Coburn is cast Commodore Duvall, and the host of the very exclusive poker tournament. Graham Greene plays Indian Chief Joseph, who is currently conning a wealthy Russian seeking American wild west adventure.

Answer: McClintock!

The movie "McClintock!" is a western comedy set in the year 1895, based on the William Shakespeare story "The Taming of the Shrew". John Wayne is cast as George Washington "G.W." McClintock. Although Wayne has a reputation for his use of the word "pilgrim" he only does so in two films, speaking the word one time in "McClintock!".

The movie may be best known for its spanking scene near the conclusion, which Maureen O'Hara later said was very authentic.

Answer: Little Big Man

"Little Big Man" stars Dustin Hoffman as 121-year old Jack Crabb, along with Faye Dunaway, Chief Dan George, Martin Balsam, Richard Mulligan and William Hickey. Throughout the film Jack Crabb is portrayed only by Dustin Hoffman, even as the character ages from his teens through adulthood, and ultimately the 121-year old storyteller.

In order to film the eldest version of Crabb the actor spent five hours having facial coverings applied, and an hour screaming in order to generate the scratchy, aged voice. Chief Dan George was nominated for both an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe for his supporting role as Old Lodge Skins.

At times serious and dramatic this movie also includes plenty of laughs during its 2 hour and 19 minute run time. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Berger.

Answer: Paint Your Wagon

Musicals were actually going out of style when "Paint Your Wagon" was adapted for film from the original Broadway play. Although based on a stage play very little of the story line was retained for the film. The movie, much of which was filmed in a remote location in Oregon, was far over budget, received largely poor initial reviews, and at least partially led to Eastwood forming his own production company.

It has aged better than it was initially received and still has plenty of laughs. At 154 minutes this is the second longest running film in this quiz.

Answer: A Million Ways to Die in the West

"A Million Ways to Die in the West" (2014) stars Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Liam Neeson, Neil Patrick Harris and Sarah Silverman. Also watch for appearances by Christopher Lloyd, Ewan McGregor, Kaley Cuoco, Jamie Fox, Bill Maher, Ryan Reynolds, and the voice of Patrick Stewart.

This incredible cast produced a movie that will never win any serious cinematic awards, and frankly just isn't a good movie. But, every time I watch it I laugh. I laugh a lot, even when I feel guilty for the laugh.

Answer: Cat Ballou

Lee Marvin won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Actor in his role as Kid Shelleen and his twin brother Strawn. Marvin famously gave credit to his horse in the film who is recognizable for the scene in which it leans, cross-legged, against a wall. The film also starred Jane Fonda, as Cat Ballou. Nat King Cole was already ill with lung cancer during filming and passed away before the movie was released.

The original story was serious and based on stories of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with comedy added only for the cinematic release.

In 2008 "Cat Ballou" was ranked by the American Film Institute as the 10th greatest western of all time. Ironically the 1969 film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, was ranked number 7 on the same list.

Answer: Waterhole #3

Of course, "Waterhole #3" is the location where the map indicated the gold had been hidden. Country Music Hall of Fame member Roger Miller is the Balladeer, or narrator, for the film which some have thought of as a comical remaking of the 1966 epic "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". Probably not politically correct today in some respects, but many older films are not, and it is still funny.

Answer: The Hallelujah Trail

Presented in a documentary style the film may be best described as a western mockumentary. It was intended to be another long-running epic comedy similar to "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", but in a western format. While it was epically long the end result was not epically successful, and the film was generally considered a failure.

However, it does have numerous laughs and an epic cast which included Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Jim Hutton, Donald Pleasence, Martin Landau, and Brian Keith. A film sequence in which a wagon goes over a cliff resulted in the death of stuntman Bill Williams and the stunt was retained in the film release.

Answer: Blazing Saddles

"Blazing Saddles" was directed by Mel Brooks, and he makes appearances in the film as three different characters. The movie also includes stars such as Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Slim Pickens, Dom DeLuise and Cleavon Little as Sheriff Bart.

While a film that fans of classic westerns might not take seriously, it is also a movie which intentionally highlights the racism of the old west traditionally omitted from films of the genre. It is difficult to find sixty consecutive seconds in the film without a joke, and if you do it is likely that you missed something. Gene Wilder was quoted as saying "They have smashed racism in the face, but they're doing it while you laugh."