The West Lives On

Deep in the heart of nearly every young boy or girl is a rooted desire for adventure. It is this insatiable thirst that most movie studios strive to quench with an unending array of silver-screen productions. Although most movies deliver to some degree on this promise, it is the Western that rarely fails to delight world-wide audiences.

While there is some chatter in certain circles that the Western has followed the tumbling tumbleweed out of town, the fact is that a resurgence is on the sunlit horizon. While it is arguable that the Western genre has fallen from the saddle somewhat since its high popularity in the 1950's and 1960's, studios are turning back to those days gone by for new inspiration.

While there may never be another star that could fill the boots of Western stars like John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Clint Eastwood or Maureen O'hara, big name stars are lining up to take their place in Western movie fame. Audiences have already begun to see such a transition with Russell Crowe's remake of the 1957 hit, 3:10 to Yuma.

The beauty of the Western is that it remains a canvas upon which producers, directors and actors alike can still paint their own unique view of a raw land awaiting conquest. Even more, the former constraints of the "formula" Western have been shattered with the likes of movies such as "Brokeback Mountain" which was based on a novel by the legendary Western writer Larry McMurtry.

Westerns can be funny or sad, action packed or dark dramas, or anywhere in between and beyond. Television producers have caught the trend as well with such intriguing series as FireFly and the made for television series, "Love Comes Softly."

A short jaunt down the aisles of local bookstores also indicate that Westerns still make for good reading and sales are picking up nationwide.

If you doubt the longevity of the Western genre, keep your reins tight in the coming years as you will witness a tide of several box-office hits coming soon to a picture show near you!