This is one of the movies that gets commentary.  This is a Western, but of a very rare genre.  It is considered an Acid Western by those more learned than me.  Acid Western is basically psychedelic.  They were made in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  El Topo (The Mole) was a favorite of none other than John Lennon. And John knew his acid induced art.  The violence is a shade beyond Peckinpaugh.  Blood flows freely.  The music is as complex as Lucy in the Sky.  The cinematography is flawless, embedded with deep meaning, allegory, and stark beauty. The star (and director, writer, etc) is a stark, very silent gunslinger is search of redemption.  This film is best seen–no description pays due. There is a violence–but all well orchestrated.  El Topo is more like a Wagnerian opera than a pedestrian western. High marks for this film—banned, misunderstood, left in the deep cult status—it is a winner beyond mere words.

This spoofy, goofy Western is both classy on one level and boorish and inane on another. The male lead played by Tab Hunter is a fairly aloof drifter who rides into town, a town of mouthy whores and a very loud, obnoxious Mexican bandit played by a way over the top Henry Silva (irritating, yet vaguely entertaining).  There is the consummate treasure, a limerick, Scottish geography, and posterior map reading—this does not take into account a helping of double crossing, a midget, a less than predictable ending, and innuendo galore.  If not adult, at least for mid-teen onward.  Lust in the Dust is racy, sassy, and in the Blazing Saddles camp of campy Western humor.

Another cinematic example of poor taste.  This contemporary Western is long on busty babes, but short on everything else.  This was also side “B” of Bikini Academy so draw your own conclusions.  This silly movie is meant to be silly and maintains its lowbrow silliness.  One or two of actresses show some talent in acting.  Even some of the humor gets a chuckle. “Cheesy ripoff” comes to mind.  But far from a total loss–this does little to advance Western Civ.

An anti-hero anti-western comedy goes where no movie goes—back home.  Truly awkward because this was John Candy’s last movie (died during shooting), there is an eerie air despite the silly laughter and contrived humor. There is also a serious streak–not all pioneers soldiered on to glory.  Many gave up and went back home. Despite the comedic angle, this is a rare movie showing history of the more embarrassing tone. Far too few movies of this genre get made. Kudos to Wagons East! for bucking the trend and keeping John Candy alive.

Gary Cooper is a good start. Add Rita Hayworth. Mix with Van Heflin and Tab Hunter. Finish  with Dick York and Richard Conti. Bake in the heat of modern western and you get a good story with good cast and an ethical western set during the Pancho Villa Expedition (itself a rather ethical western adventure). There is action and issues, highly relevant in our cowboy presidency times. Cooper is his usual glamorous. Hayworth is hotter than the desert heat. They Came to Cordura is small group interaction in a dangerous environment–both natural and man made.  This is pre-CGI, 1959, so Cooper and company have made a fine film, dust and all.