Top 10 Western Films About Entertainment Shows

Description: While primarily a tale of law and order, the film includes scenes where characters attend a vaudeville show, highlighting the entertainment aspect of Western towns.

Fact: This film is often cited as the end of the classic Western era, with its theme of the passing of the old West. It's also famous for the line, "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

Description: This comedic Western features a saloon singer, Cat Ballou, who becomes an outlaw, blending entertainment with the Wild West's lawlessness.

Fact: Jane Fonda won a Golden Globe for her role as Cat Ballou, and the film also features Lee Marvin in a dual role, winning him an Academy Award.

Description: This musical Western revolves around a mining town where a traveling show arrives, bringing entertainment to the rough-and-tumble miners.

Fact: The film stars Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin, who both perform in musical numbers, showcasing their versatility.

Description: This film features a scene where the outlaws attend a temperance show, which serves as a stark contrast to their violent lifestyle, highlighting the entertainment of the time.

Fact: Known for its graphic violence and complex characters, this film is often considered one of the greatest Westerns ever made.

Description: Cable Hogue, after being left for dead in the desert, finds water and builds a way station that becomes a hub for travelers, including entertainers. The film showcases how entertainment was a part of the Western experience.

Fact: This was one of the last films directed by Sam Peckinpah before his more famous "The Wild Bunch." It's known for its blend of comedy, drama, and a unique take on the Western genre.

Description: While primarily a coming-of-age story, the film includes a scene where the cowboys encounter a traveling circus, adding an element of entertainment to their journey.

Fact: This was one of John Wayne's later films, and it's notable for its cast of young actors who went on to have successful careers.

Description: Judge Roy Bean, a self-appointed judge, brings law and order to a town, but also indulges in the entertainment of the time, including a traveling show.

Fact: The film was directed by John Huston and features a star-studded cast including Paul Newman, Ava Gardner, and Jacqueline Bisset.

Description: While not directly about entertainment shows, the film includes scenes where characters attend a local fair, showcasing the entertainment of the time.

Fact: This film marks one of the few collaborations between Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson, with Brando's performance being particularly memorable.

Description: Josey Wales, a Confederate guerrilla, finds solace in a traveling medicine show, which provides a brief respite from his violent life, showcasing the entertainment of the era.

Fact: The film was directed by and stars Clint Eastwood, who also contributed to the screenplay. It's known for its iconic line, "Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy."

Description: While not directly about entertainment shows, this silent film is a pioneering work in cinema, featuring a staged train robbery that was a form of entertainment for early audiences. Its inclusion in this list celebrates the birth of film as an entertainment medium.

Fact: This film was one of the first to use narrative storytelling and is often credited with being the first Western movie. It also includes one of the earliest examples of a close-up shot.