Can You Complete These Classic Western Film Titles?

By: Robin Tyler
Image: 20th Century Fox via youtube

About This Quiz

Well, howdy there, partner!

Fancy yourself as the fastest gun in the West, especially when it comes to naming classic western films? Well, then you come to the right town! In American film-making, the western has a place of pride. From Hollywood's earliest beginnings, the western has been at the forefront of American filmmaking.

In the last 50 years, however, the art of the western has certainly faded from Hollywood memory. It might just be time to bring it back! Many great actors made their start in the western genre or at some point made a western. Even Errol Flynn tested the western waters at some point in his career. Some made the genre their home; think of the legendary John Wayne in this regard. And a western isn't just about cowboys, stagecoaches, banks to rob and the like. Some serious tales were told over the years through the western genre. It's a real pity that Hollywood seems to have forgotten that.

But back to you. You love your westerns, right? But how many of the classic Westerns do you remember? Luckily, we are going to give you some help. We will provide you with most of the title, and you just have to guess the missing word.

So get ready to round them up and head on out!

Good luck!



Starring Robert Redford, "_________ Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was released in 1969.

Released in 1969, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" starred Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Acknowledged as a true classic, the movie was ranked in 71st position on the American Film Institute list of greatest American films.

"The Magnificent _______" is a movie starring Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson, amongst others.

Released in 1960, "The Magnificent Seven" has a stellar cast, including Steve McQueen, Yul Brunner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and more. It was directed by John Sturges. It is based on the 1954 movie, "The Seven Samurai" but obviously set with a western theme.

Many consider "______coach" to be the movie that made John Wayne into a megastar.

Although John Wayne had already acted in many movies at that point, it was "Stagecoach" that set him on his way to becoming a Hollywood legend. The movie, directed by John Ford, is cited by Orson Welles as a major influence - he watched it over 40 times before shooting his epic, "Citizen Kane."

Finish the name of this western: "The Man Who ____Liberty Valance"

"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," directed by John Ford, starred John Wayne and James Stewart in the lead roles. There was much tension on set between Ford and Wayne during production, even though they had made many movies together. Luckily, they didn't shoot each other!

Clint Eastwood was the star of this western, "The Good, The Bad and the ______." Can you finish the name?

The final movie in the Dollars Trilogy, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" again features Clint Eastwood in the lead role. It was also the last time he worked with director Sergio Leone, after getting annoyed with the Italian’s perfectionist ways.

Directed by the legendary John Ford, complete this western's name, "My Darling _________."

"My Darling Clementine" is considered one of the greatest westerns ever made and certainly the best from legendary director John Ford. It starred Henry Fonda as Wyatt Earp in events leading up to the OK Corral incident, although most of these are heavily dramatized.

What is the missing word in this classic western title, "She Wore a ______ Ribbon."

"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is the second of three of director John Ford's "Cavalry" trilogy, all starring John Wayne. Painter and sculptor Frederic Remington's work was the inspiration for cinematographer Winton Hoch's imagery in the movie. He won an Academy Award for his contribution.

"______ River" is the name of a western based on a story by Borden Chase.

"Red River," considered one of the best westerns ever made, is based on a Borden Chase story called "Blazing Guns On The Chisholm Trail." The movie centers on John Wayne's character, Thomas Dunson, and his journey to Texas to set up a cattle ranch. Naturally, this is easier said than done.

Could you finish the name of this western, please? "They ______ With Their Boots On."

"They Died with Their Boots On" was made in 1941 and starred Errol Flynn as General George Custer. Despite many inaccuracies in the storyline, it was one of the biggest films at the box office that year and saw Olivia de Havilland star opposite Flynn for the eighth time.

Charlton Heston starred in "Will ______," a western from 1967.

"Will Penny," released in 1967, saw Charlton Heston in the lead role. Heston has cited this role as the favorite of his career. "Will Penny" is considered one of the best westerns ever filmed.

"The ___ Bow Incident" saw Henry Fonda in the lead role of Gil Carter.

"The Ox-Bow Incident" sees Henry Fonda in the lead role as Gil Carter. The role was initially offered to Gary Cooper, but he turned it down. The movie was adapted from a 1940 novel of the same name, by author Walter van Tilburg Clark.

Any idea as to the missing word in this western title, "The _______."

1950's "The Gunfighter" saw director Henry King and Gregory Peck team up for their second western together. Peck's role was originally offered to John Wayne, who turned it down.

"Lonely Are the ______" was a black and white western starring Kirk Douglas.

Featuring Kirk Douglas in the lead role and also starring Walter Matthau, "Lonely Are the Brave" is a western set in modern times. Douglas said that playing John W. 'Jack' Burns was his favorite role ever.

With John Wayne in the lead role, "Rio ______" was released in 1950.

1950's "Rio Grande" is the final of director John Ford's "Cavalry" trilogy, all starring John Wayne as Kirby Yorke. It was shot on location in Monument Valley and other areas of Utah.

"The Wild _____" is a name of a western from 1969.

Released in 1969, "The Wild Bunch" is ranked as the sixth best western of all time by the American Film Institute. It placed director Sam Peckinpah firmly on the map as an up-and-coming American director at the time.

Are you able to finish this western's name? "_______ Raid"

1972's "Ulzana's Raid," directed by Robert Aldrich, features Burt Lancaster in the lead role. It was very well received, with many critics placing it in the best movies of that year. Its portrayal of the U.S. Cavalry chasing brutal, raiding Apaches is seen as a metaphor for the United States’ participation in the war in Vietnam.

Robert Mitchum stars in the western "Blood on the ________." Can you complete the name?

"Blood on the Moon," directed by Robert Wise and starring Robert Mitchum, is considered to be a psychological western. Shot in black and white, it is based on Luke Short's book, "Gunman's Chance."

"High ______" starred Gary Cooper and is considered a classic western.

"High Noon," although not well received at the time, is now recognized as one of the best westerns ever made. On its release, it was very different from other westerns, with no high-speed horse chases, beautiful vistas, or canteen brawls. Gary Cooper starred in the lead role.

With Anthony Mann in the director seat, "Bend in the _______" starred James Stewart. It was the second time they had worked together.

"Bend of the River" was the second of five western collaborations (eight movies in total) between director Anthony Mann and actor James Stewart. Although not that well received by critics, it grossed over $3 million at the American box office, of which James Stewart received $750,000, as his contract stipulated he would receive a share of the profits.

Complete this western name, please. "______ City."

1939's "Dodge City," filmed in Technicolor, was directed by Michael Curtiz and starred Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. It was Flynn's first foray into the western genre.

John Ford directed "Fort _______," which starred John Wayne. Complete the name, please.

Another John Ford directed western with John Wayne in the lead role, 1948's "Fort Apache" is the first of Ford's "Cavalry" trilogy, which included "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and "Rio Grande," filmed in 1949 and 1950, respectively.

"The Naked ______" was only one of a handful of movies nominated for an Oscar for Best Screenplay. Complete the name of the movie, please.

The third of five movies directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, "The Naked Spur" received a rare honor for westerns in the fact that it was nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award. It did not win an Oscar, however.

A tough one! Yet another John Wayne movie, can you complete the name of this western, "The __________?"

"The Searchers," a 1956 John Ford movie, features John Wayne in the lead role. Although it was a massive commercial success, it received no Academy Award nominations. Certain aspects of the movie were a big influence on many of George Lucas' scenes in "Star Wars."

"_______ 73" is a movie that stars James Stewart in the lead role.

James Stewart wanted to ensure that he was skilled with the iconic Winchester rifle, the subject of the film, and spent many hours practicing his shooting before filming began. Although he became an excellent shot, all trick shooting in the movie was carried out by expert Herb Parsons.

"Rancho ______" was originally going to be called "The Legend of Chuck-a-Luck." Good thing they stuck with the second name.

"Rancho Notorious," a 1952 western, was originally supposed to be called "The Legend of Chuck-a-Luck," but the name was changed on instruction from Howard Hughes, who headed up RKO Pictures. This movie starred Marlene Dietrich in the lead role. She plays the leader of a notorious band of criminals living in a hideout called Chuck-a-Luck. It received mixed reviews on release.

Can you completed this western name, "The _____ from Laramie."

"The Man from Laramie," directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, was released in 1955. Its theme song, recorded by two different artists for release in the United States and the United Kingdom, was a number-one hit for Jimmy Young on the UK charts.

What is the name of the western released in 1950 starring James Stewart? Its title consists of two words, the first is "Broken." What is the second?

"Broken Arrow," released in 1950 starred James Stewart in the lead role and was directed by Delmer Daves. It never won an Academy Award, despite three nominations, but it did win a Golden Globe for Best Film for Promoting International Understanding, for portraying Native Americans in a sympathetic manner.

"For a Few _____ More" is another classic western starring Clint Eastwood.

The second in the "Dollars" Trilogy, "For a Few Dollars More" is considered by many critics to be the best of the three movies, even though at the time of its release, it was not that well received.

"_____ Day at Black Rock" was released in 1955 and starred Spencer Tracy.

"Bad Day at Black Rock" featured Spencer Tracy in the lead role and is considered to be part western, part film noir. It was well received by critics and made close to $1 million profit, an impressive amount for a 1950's movie.

Do you have any idea as to the full name of the western, "Monte _____?"

A directorial debut for cinematographer William Fraker, "Monte Walsh" starred Lee Marvin and Jack Palance. In 2003, Tom Selleck starred in a made-for-TV remake.

"Once Upon a Time in the ______" was a flop when it was first released. Now, it is recognized as one of the greatest westerns ever filmed.

Although it originally flopped in America, 1968's "Once Upon a Time in the West" is now recognized as a true cinematic tour de force. It appears in many Greatest Movies of All Time lists, including those drawn up by Time and Total Film. It was added to the National Film Registry in 2009, as it was deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

Name this 1948 western that won John Huston a Best Director Academy. "The _______ of the Sierra Madre"

Filmed mostly in Mexico, "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" was directed by John Huston and saw Humphrey Bogart in the lead role. Huston won the Best Director award at the 1949 Academy Awards, while his father, Walter, won Best Supporting Actor, the first ever father-son win in the history of the awards.

Can you finish the name of this western, "Johnny ______"?

The two main female leads in Johnny Guitar, Joan Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge, disliked each other intensely, mostly because Crawford had previously dated McCambridge's husband. Director Nicholas Ray did nothing to ease the tensions, feeling that it added to the film. Sterling Hayden, the male lead, swore never to work with Crawford ever again, stating, "There is not enough money in Hollywood to lure me into making another picture with Joan Crawford. And I like money."

Complete the title of this 1959 western, "____ Bravo."

"Rio Bravo," released in 1959 and starring John Wayne, was based on the short story of the same name by B.H. McCampbell. Featuring John Wayne in the lead role, this movie also starred singer Dean Martin and teen heart-throb, Ricky Nelson. It was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2014.

Directed by Robert Altman, "________ and Mrs. Miller" starred Warren Beatty.

"McCabe & Mrs. Miller," starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie, was based on the book "McCabe," by Edmund Naughton. Robert Altman chose to shoot the film practically in sequential order, something not done often in movie-making.

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