REEL vs REAL

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

I've got an idea for an article called "Reel" vs "Real" that focuses on the '73 Winchester and the '92 Winchester.

It seems to me that except for Ray Mann's Jimmy Stewart classic, "Winchester ',73" you almost never saw a lever gun in am American western that wasn't a '92 Winchester. The real departure seemed to come when Sergio Leone's spagetti westerns hit the scene in the late '60's. Since Leone didn't have to depend on Hollywood prop houses stuffed full of '92s and he had access to the burgeoning Italian replica industry, he used Henries, '66s and '73s in his movies.

Silverado was the first American movie that I remenber with historically appropriate rifles.

What are the earliest films which you recall that didn't use '92 Winchesters?

[Major 2]

One comes to mind is Tribute to a Bad Man (1956)
An Orginial Henry is prominent carried by James Cagney

[Will Ketchum]

I have a Burt Lancaster movie called I beleive "The Lawman"  He carries a 73 in it.  In some of the old Westerns the badguys not only dressed more authentic but they carried more authentic hardware.  We might try and look in the back grounds of some of the scenes to see if that holds true with the rifles.  I know I have seen some interesting handguns.


Will Ketchum

[Early Graves]

In Leone's "Fora few dollars more",the bank guard was carrying a pump-action Colt Lightning.

[St. George]

If you look at the 'stock' actors - you'll often see original gear and appropriate costuming - including saddlery.

The camera's focus is centered on the hero, who's dressed in a more 'dramatic' manner, while the sidekicks and bit actors are outfitted from wardrobe, without regard to a camera-grabbing look.

Look at Wallace Beery Jr. some time, and you'll see that he'd fit into any old-time photo with no problem.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Texas Lawdog]

My Friend, Buck Taylor is always attired in the period correct clothes in what ever movie he is in.