MetaFilter posts tagged with western

Heroes only slightly less evil than villains

amyms — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:01:37 -0800

In their heyday in the 1960s and '70s, "spaghetti westerns" redefined a genre. The Spaghetti Western Database has a Beginner's Guide to the Spaghetti Western, a tribute to Sergio Leone, and Top 20 viewing lists, including Quentin Tarantino's favorites. A Fistful of Pasta has its own Essential Top 20 and an article about Spaghetti Westerns and Politics. Shobary's Spaghetti Westerns has trailers and bloopers. More on the history of the subgenre from Images Journal. More to explore at A Fistful of Westerns.

How The West Was Monkey And Where It Got Us

Len — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:09:30 -0800

The Lonesome Stranger: An All-Monkey Western!

"Get up, you scum suckin' pig!"

ageispolis — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:32:47 -0800

Cult western classic One-Eyed Jacks (1961) is the only film ever directed by Marlon Brando, who happened to replace the original director, none other than Stanley Kubrick.

Crambone

Smedleyman — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:08:22 -0800

And now ladies and gentlemen introducing for the first time a new singing television star: Uncle Pecos. Chronic stutterer, character actor, singer, member of the legendary (on 78's) western vocal group the Sons of the Pioneers, and supporting player in film and TV westerns over a 40 year career - Shug Fisher sang as Uncle Pecos in the Tom and Jerry cartoon Pecos Pest. He was also "Old Man Harris" who enjoyed a snort of sodie pop in The Giant Gila Monster (as seen on Mystery Science Theater 3000)

All I want is to enter my house justified.

nola — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:21:45 -0800

David Samuel "Sam" Peckinpah (February 21, 1925 – December 28, 1984) was an American film maker who directed 15 major motion pictures, and created the television series The Westerner, starring Brian Keith and John Dehner. His second film Ride the High Country, " [Starring aging Western stars Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott in their final major screen roles, the film initially went unnoticed in the United States but was an enormous success in Europe. Beating Federico Fellini's 8½ for first prize at the Belgium Film Festival, the film was hailed by foreign critics as a brilliant reworking of the Western genre.] THE WILD BUNCH The Ballad of Cable Hogue Straw Dogs to name just a few. And for your viewing pleasure, the meat of the post; Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Plucked Spaghetti

Blazecock Pileon — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:27:43 -0800

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain travels south of the border

Social tagging by museums

tellurian — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:34:24 -0800

Seeing Tibetan Art Through Social Tags - An interesting paper on social tagging. What can tags tell us about how images are perceived by diverse cultures? If it gets all tl;dr just enjoy Himalayan Art Resources (previously) - maybe the Initiation Cards.

Asian socities drive like this...

afu — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:57:34 -0800

David Brooks, Social Psychologist, Mark Liberman at Language Log looks at the science behind David Brook's latest column in which he claims there is a fundamental differences between the thought processes of individuals in Asian "collectivist" societies and Western "individualist" ones. (via)

The sound of close harmony

nola — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:56:03 -0800

Close Harmony is one of the most distinctive sounds in traditional country. Hank Wangford's A to Z of Country and Western looks at the Louvin Brothers music in this style. Close Harmony is one of the most distinctive sounds in traditional country. The term refers to the keening two (occasionally three) part harmonies that acts like the Louvin Brothers and the Delmore Brothers popularized. The sound of close harmony grew out of the high, lonesome sound of bluegrass, yet most close-harmony songs were closer to traditional country than bluegrass. During the late '40s and early '50s, close-harmony acts became quite popular, thanks to a string of brother acts. The Louvin Brothers, perhaps the definitive close-harmony group, became popular at the end of the era. Their popularity was impeded by the emergence of rock & roll, which cut the country audience dramatically. Ironically, close-harmony acts in general — and the Louvins in particular — were an influence on the harmony style of the Everly Brothers, who happened to write the template for rock & roll harmonies with their late '50s singles. The Everlys' influence was as apparent in the Beatles as the Louvins were in the Everlys, and that is just one testament to the depth and influence of close harmony. Jim and Jesse. When I stop dreaming Louvin Brothers ~ Cash On The Barrel Head EVERLY BROTHERS SING "I'M HERE TO GET MY BABY OUT OF JAIL cover The Blue Sky Boys

"All he ever talked about was building that vestibule for his maw"

MegoSteve — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:18:44 -0800

Low Plains Drifter is an award-winning short film featuring artistically photographed 8" custom and kitbashed action figures in painstakingly crafted scale sets. It's the first of a series of Wee Westerns, the latest project from Jason DeWitt, a man who believes very strongly that toys are for playing.

Do not forsake me oh my android

fearfulsymmetry — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:17:24 -0800

High-Tech Noon. What makes a classic Western even more classic? Blasters and force-fields, that's what. (SLYT)

Now it's dark.

dhammond — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:00:40 -0800

Lost America is a purdy website featuring night photography of ghost towns, urban exploration, decommissioned military facilities, airplane graveyards, and other roadside abandonments of the American west.

If your beer keg runs out early, there is probably a drunk midget inside

Astro Zombie — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:27:26 -0800

Hollywood Midget Movie Stars. They started as popular vaudevillians. (From a review: "The chief feature, however, was the ten scenes in which the Singer Midgets appeared. The Midget strong man, the Midget conjurer, the Midget "Cleopatra" with the winning ways--these and many more were there.") They stormed the New York stage. They were members of The Lollipop Guild (YouTube link), as well as playing other Munchkins. They were suspected of being German sympathizers. But they may be best remembered for starring in the world's first all-midget musical western. Now available for your viewing pleasure from YouTube: Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Love thy Neighbor

doug3505 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:07:46 -0800

Love thy Neighbor Photographer and author Steven Hirsh has photographed the homes of registered New York State sex offenders. A wonderful writer and photographer, this work is chilling, alarming, beautiful. I get that Quentin Tarantino feeling of beauty and disgust. Look at me, nooooo look away. The series of 24 images are on Hirsch's website.

It's good to touch the green green grass of home

smartyboots — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:47:02 -0800

Porter Wagoner has gone to his reward. Known for his flashy suits and lurid songs, Porter Wagoner was a force in country music for decades. As the rhinestone studded host of the Porter Wagoner show, he brought us performances by young up-and-comers like Waylon Jennings, Jerry Reed and Merle Haggard, and introduced the Dolly Parton. The acrimony following her departure from the show inspired her classic song I Will Always Love You. Although he was in ill health, he released Wagonmaster last year, which became his critically best received album.

100 miles in 24 hours - can your horse do that?

po — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:14:29 -0800

The Western States Trail Ride, more commonly known as the Tevis Cup, is an equestrian competition held annually in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It begins near Squaw Valley, and ends in Auburn - a distance of 100 miles, to be covered in under 24 hours. With 17,040 feet (5,194m) of climb and 21,970 feet (6,696m) of descent, taking place in the worst heat of late summer, it's not so much a race against the other riders as it is a challenge of simply enduring. The trail passes through old Gold Rush towns and over some spectacular terrain, including the famous Cougar Rock (youtube, see 3:52, 5:02, 6:33, 6:56, and 8:41 for the heart-stopping bits, if you're not inclined to watch 10 minutes of mostly smooth passes). Around 50% of the 250 entries complete the ride, the rest either pulling out voluntarily or being taken out for unsoundness or signs of fatigue at one of the vet checks along the way. All finishers within 24 hours whose horses are judged "fit to continue" by the veterinarians at the end of the race are awarded a silver belt buckle. In addition, the first-place finisher is awarded the Tevis Cup, and the Haggin Cup is given for the horse considered in the best condition of the first ten across the line. And the record time? 10 hours, 46 minutes (equal to 9.29 mph or 14.95 km/h) in 1981 - Boyd Zontelli on Rushcreek Hans.

A futuristic instrumental classic rock fusion look at life.

zonkout — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 07:42:29 -0800

Mr. Frank J. Stola (flash): a self-described professional musician who mangles any and all genres he attempts. Don't miss his take on instrumental fusion rock classical jazz, revolutionary country n western traditional, or heavy metal instrumental on CD Baby. Equally marvelous are his strange, minimal videos. And don't forget to pick up Mr. Stola's myriad products at his Cafepress store. Is he serious?

y2karlTube - Simply Beautiful

y2karl — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 12:56:06 -0800

Clarence Ashley - The Coo Coo
Skip James - Crow Jane
Howlin' Wolf - How Many More Years
Son House - John the Revelator
Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys - Close By
Houston Stackhouse & Joe Willie Wilkins - Cool Drink Of Water
Muddy Waters - Honey Bee
Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys - Lone Star Rag
Mississipi John Hurt - You Got To Walk That Lonesome Valley
Maybelle & Sara Carter - Cannonball Blues
Al Green - Simply Beautiful
Enjoy. Note that, too, save for Mississippi John Hurt, there is more by each of the above artists linked on each clip's page.
The first is via FaheyGuitarPlayers, the rest were all in a day's surf. On dial-up, even.

How many italo zombie western do you know?

namagomi — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 14:47:50 -0800

Wasted West is a nice short film that pumps some fresh blood in those dried up veins of the western genre.

We chased lady luck, 'til we finally struck Bonanza.

Ogre Lawless — Thu, 05 Aug 2004 11:53:07 -0800

In 1967 the television program Bonanza enjoyed a three-year run as the most-watched television show in the United States. Bonanza had not started well; its first two seasons returning disapointing ratings but kept alive by the bequest of (then) NBC-parent RCA. RCA had a vested interest in keeping the color series alive in order to push sales of their color technology.

That same year Bill and Joyce Anderson created The Ponderosa Ranch tourist attraction near Incline Village, Nevada on the site allegedly shown by the burning map in the opening credits. The property annually attracts nearly 350,000 tourists to Lake Tahoe's north shore to enjoy the surroundings of a period recreation including mock gunfights, cowboy rope tricks and an honest 1860's-style saloon. (more inside)

Ouch!

thisisdrew — Fri, 08 Aug 2003 16:14:21 -0800

Ouch! Kurt falls to the dirt, surely hurt, while a clown on the alert wearing a skirt made of shirts, attempts to distract, to divert, a raging bull, ...one of many documented attractions at the Valley Center Western Days Rodeo.

My particular favorites are the "man vs steer", the stalemate, and nothing describes kids on sheep better than "mutton busting".

James Coburn

tomcosgrave — Tue, 19 Nov 2002 02:37:50 -0800

James Coburn passes on...
RIP James...

rschram — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 14:15:25 -0800

Kava exporters in Pacific react to Western Kava bans
Pacific countries who export kava called for an international review of its alleged health risks. They are reacting to a recent spate of warnings on its use and, in some cases, bans on its sale (1).
Growing concern over a link between kava use and liver toxicity has prompted Germany, Switzerland and France to ban the sale of kava-derived herbal medicine (1, 2, 3). The US, Canada, and NZ are advising against its use, pending their own reviews (1, 2, 3, 4).
Kava is cultivated and brewed to produce an narcotic ceremonial drink in much of the Pacific. Recently it has become a cash crop for an herbal-enthused Western market (1, 2), as well as part of a growing drug-abuse problem (1) in Pacific countries.