How the West Was 'Cast

Join Andrew Patrick Nelson and Matthew Chernov as they discuss the six greatest Western films of Hollywood legend Rock Hudson. From the 1952 classic "Bend of the River" to the unjustly forgotten "Showdown" from 1973, this episode chronicles Hudson's surprising success in a genre that he's not typically associated with. 

An interview with director Steve Carver about making the modern-day Western "Lone Wolf McQuade," and about his spectacular new book "Western Portraits: the Unsung Heroes & Villains of the Silver Screen." Steve fills us in on what it was like to shoot that Chuck Norris action classic, and he discusses working with more than 80 legendary Western character actors that he photographed for his book. Don't miss this in-depth conversation!

On February 5, 2020, Hollywood lost Kirk Douglas, one of the last remaining movie stars from its golden era. On this special episode, Matthew Chernov and Andrew Patrick Nelson each choose their three favorite Kirk Douglas Westerns, and discuss why this cinematic legend was such a natural fit for the genre.

Film historian Andrew Patrick Nelson provides a new interpretation of the celebrated Westerns of John Ford, including fresh insights into masterpieces like "Stagecoach," "The Searchers," and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance."  

Co-hosts Matthew Chernov and Andrew Patrick Nelson offer a spirited debate on the merits of Lawrence Kasdan's 1994 biopic about the legendary lawman of Tombstone, Arizona. Matt loves the film, but Andrew considers it "lumbering." Will they see eye to eye by the end of the episode, or can their argument only be settled with a duel at dawn?

An insightful interview with film historian Andrew Patrick Nelson about his book, "Still in the Saddle: The Hollywood Western, 1969 - 1980." Demonstrating that there was far more to the 1970s Westerns than mere revisionism, Nelson provides a challenging new history of the genre's most controversial period.

A provocative discussion about Henry King's Oscar-nominated classic "The Gunfighter," starring Gregory Peck as a retired gunslinger whose notorious reputation follows him everywhere. Why isn't this masterful psychological Western at the top of every fan's list of favorite oaters? Co-hosts Matthew Chernov and Andrew Patrick Nelson tackle the question.