When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion

When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion (1979)

** (out of 4)

Clayton Moore (The Lone Ranger), Jack Kelly (Maverick), Peter Brown and John Russell (Lawman), Ken Curtis and Milburn Stone (Gunsmoke), John McIntire (Wagon Train), Doug McClure and James Drury (The Virginian), George Montgomery (Cimarron City), Barry Sullivan (The Tall Man), Jack O'Mahoney (Yaney Derringer), Guy Madison (Wild Bill Hickok) and Will Hutchins (Sugarfoot) are joined by Slim Pickens, Pat Buttram (The Gene Autry Show), Alan Hale, Jr., Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford (The Rifleman) as well as bad guys John Ireland, Denver Pyle, Lee Van Cleef and Neville Brand in this tribute to the various television cowboys.

Glenn Ford hosts this television reunion of some of the most famous actors to play Western characters on television. If you're a fan of these shows then you'll obviously enjoy getting to see how they looked at the time this was made and there's no question that it's rather cool getting to see everyone together. On top of the people i mentioned, several others make special appearances here so you've got a wide range of talent on display.

The idea to this special was a lot better than the end result however. I say this because the majority of the time we're just seeing clips from the television shows and none of the clips are overly entertaining. In fact, a lot of the clips are just the opening titles from the shows. You'd think that a special would make you want to watch the actual series but that actually doesn't happen here. There are a couple musical numbers thrown in here but the amazing number of talent is usually off camera or just get a couple lines. It's really too bad more wasn't done with them.

Like most people in their 50s to 90s today, we grew up watching western shows. This is an absolutely must watch show for us. Try not crying especially in the first 20 minutes.

By chance i happen to watch a poor quality VHS of the show this being the year 2017, Where has this show been for almost 40 years? I am someone that never buys movies, i would buy this show just to say Thanks to the people who made it in 1979.

Wish i had the ability of a writer to express better how i feel about the show and the significance.