SERGEANT YORK (1941)

I have some thoughts about our American entry’s take on the intersection and patriotism, and also on the completely ridiculous accents basically everyone in this movie has. A lot of people like it though!

JOHNNY GUITAR (1954)

A deeply weird and strangely “psychosexual” Western, mostly centering on two women. Sort othe exact opposite of stereotypical John Wayne stoicism.

RIO BRAVO (1959)

A very well-made, enjoyable western with John Wayne as a stoic small-town sheriff and Dean Martin as his alcoholic deputy.

THE QUIET MAN (1952)

John Wayne romances Maureen O’Hara against a backdrop so stereotypically Irish, you might puke.

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)

Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert predictably fall for each other in this gleefully larger-than-life early road trip romantic comedy

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

The ultimate feel-good movie, or harrowing exercise in existential angst? Possibly both.

THE SEARCHERS (1956)

John Wayne drags a handsome guy around the American West because he is so racist. It’s kind of like the Odyssey.