The Left Handed Gun (1958)

[Scott]

Encore's Western Channel just showed THE LEFT HANDED GUN (1958) today. Its stars Paul Newman and was directed by Arthur Penn. The story must be based on the actually stories of Billy the Kid because Sam Pekinpah's PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID had pretty much the same story, but not exact. Pekinpah's film was bloodier than Penn's early version. Both were very good in their own way. Paul Newman in THE LEFT HANDED GUN is good as he did his best Marlon Brando style performance. Newman of coarse has his own screen presence. Only saw the second half of THE LEFT HANDED GUN and it's a quality production.

[Scott0]

You really like westerns, don't you? How'd you get hooked on them? Has where you live, made a difference? I'm kinda curious. I never really gave them much serious interest other than knowing who is in what, and what happens.

Scottie

[Scott]

Well, without revealing to much about myself.  I've just found alot of films in this genre that I haven't seen. Most notable the speghetti western.

I have run out of Horror/Sci-Fi films to watch without buying or renting hard to find films over the internet. The Western has been the easiest genre to find new material to watch.

Film is a small part of a lifetime project that I'm working on. Its a quest or rather an investment of sorts and that's all I can say at this time. Thanks for asking ScottO.

[Scott0]

Are you doing a crew psychological report?



of course---- just a moment-----just a moment--- I'm picking up a fault in the AE35 unit.

Hehe. I hope you at least credit the good people at this site in your work, especially Andrew for his work to create this monument to the lesser quality works of film.

Scott0

[Scott]

Yea, actually I have discoverd quite a few films that I have never heard of while browsing this messageboard. Sometimes I get off the topic of this site, but I just like the format Andrew is using. The messageboard is easy to post on and it has just enough traffic to keep it interesting and informative. I don't have the most insightful thoughts on film, but its the lasting impact of a film that interest me.

[BoyScoutKevin]

Enjoy your westerns, Scott. I enjoy them, too. I don't know how you developed your interest in them,  but, I developed my interest, because I grew up with them. If the reality show is the wave of today's TV, then the western was the wave of yesterday's TV, when I was growing up. Indeed, there were so many westerns on television, that there was a special Emmy just for the best western on television. And I can't think but yesterday's TV was better then today's TV.
As for "The Left Handed Gun," it is what is known as an existential western. Whether it is more or less an accurate portrayal of William (Billy the Kid) Bonney, I can't say, as.
there have been many films about the KId, some of which I have seen, and some I haven't, dating back to Tefft Johnson in "Billy the Kid" (1911) Some of the more notable ones being . . .
Jack Buetel "The Outlaw" (1943)
Chuck Courtney "Billy the Kid vs. Dracula" (1966)
Geoffrey Deuel "Chisum" (1970)
Emilio Estevez "Young Guns" (1988)
Kris Kristofferson "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" (1974)
Audie Murphy "The Kid from Texas" (1950)
Roy Rogers "Billy the Kid Returns" (1938)
Robert Taylor "Billy the Kd" (1941)
Donnie Wahlberg "Purgatory" (1999)
At ;least Murphy had the advantage of being more or less the same age as the real Billy the Kid. Plus like the real Billy, he was left handed.

[Scott]

BoyScoutKevin which of those films you listed do you think are the better movies about Billy the Kid?

Been wanting to see BILLY THE KID VS DRACULA. Bet its as poor as THEY SAVED HITLERS BRAIN.

[Scott0]

I've got a copy of Billy the Kid vs. Dracula. I looooove it. John Carradine is so funny to see up close and looking a jagged as ever. Another "western" of the sort is Jesse James vs. Frankenstein's Daughters. Just as bad as Billy the Kid v. Dracula.

Scott0

[Neville]

I love western myths like Billy The kid, and I have tried to watch this one several times, but never could finished. Paul Newman's overacting here is too much for me. I haven't given up yet, though.

[Scott]

Yea, ScottO thats another one I've been hoping to see. BILLY THE KID VS FRANKENSTIENS DAUGHTER.  The only way to see those titles is to buy them.

[Scott0]

Not for meeeeee!! My local store has all of these, and lots more. They don't integrate their westerns into the "action" or "drama" section of the store; they give westerns their own row (about 30 movies across and 4 rows tall). I tell you all, I live in luxury in renting unheard of movies. I really wish everyone here could see this place. It's amazing.

Scottie

[Scott]

Wow, sounds like a dream come true ScottO. Seems like I'm talking to myself on this thread. : )

[BoyScoutKevin]

Scott, I like "Chisum," if for no other reason then the cast. John Wayne, of course, and Forrest Tucker, Christopher George, Ben Johnson, Glenn Corbett, Andrew Prine, Bruce Cabot, Patric Knowles, Richard Jaeckel, Lynda Day George, John Agar, Ray Teal, Edward Faulkner, Hank Worden, Pedro Gonzales Gonzales, "Big John" Mitchum, brother of Robert and uncle of Chris, who also appears in the film, and Pedro Armendariz, Jr.
"Purgatory" is an interesting film. Sam Shepherd as Wild Bill Hickcock, Randy Quaid as Doc Holliday, J. D. Souther as Jesse James, and Eric Roberts. I always knew that God would look like R. G. Armstrong. There is more then one reason they called the town Purgatory.
Or, see it on television. I saw "Billy the Kid vs. Dracula" once on television.

[Deej]

Just a little useless info, Billy the Kid wasn't actually left-handed. The famous  
daguerreotype picture of him was published first as a mirror image, which is why the gun and holster are on his left side. Apparently, he was ambidextrous but primarily right handed.

This is totally unimportant trivia that only I find interesting but feel compelled to share anyway.

[Scott]

Hey Deej seen your picture and read your earlier post about going to the Middle East. Should be interesting. Well I haven't had a chance to watch any movies since Wedneday night due to the war in Iraq. Amazing, hopefully President Bush will continue his campaign that he promised just after 9/11. That anyone harboring or training terrorist will be dealt with. I'm not quoting exactly but I know I'm on the mark. Bush is a good President.

Deej thanks for the info on Billy the Kid. Strange how I've never heard of THE LEFT HANDED GUN till I rented it recently.

With all the news on TV I've had to hold back on my two recent rentals HOMBRE and CAPTAINS CORAGEOUS. Maybe when the news slows down.

BoyScoutKevin I've seen PURGATORY on the shelve and will put it on my list. Sounds like its worth viewing. Thanks.