When discussing the history of the Western genre, many names and movies spring to mind, whether it be the landmark John Wayne film Stagecoach (1939) or Clint Eastwood’s masterful deconstruction of the genre with 1992’s Unforgiven. However, there is one series of movies that are often overlooked and underrated.
The team-up of actor Randolph Scott, director Budd Boetticher, and producer Harry Joe Brown created a series known as the “Ranown Cycle” of Westerns. We will examine why these Westerns remain underrated, their importance in the genre’s history, and why you should watch them.
The Ranown Cycle of Films and The Studio Behind It
The “Ranown Cycle” refers to a series of Western films made between 1956 and 1960, directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Randolph Scott. Prior to their collaboration, Randolph Scott was already a notable presence in Hollywood since 1928, with his first breakout role coming in 1931 when he starred in the film Women Men Marry. Scott would also become a regular in the Western genre leading up to his work with Boetticher. Budd Boetticher had also established himself as a director in the Western genre before collaborating with Scott, having previously worked with Audie Murphy on The Cimarron Kid, and Glenn Ford in The Man from the Alamo.
Related
Best Western Movies of the 1960s, Ranked
While Western movies have been growing in popularity over the decades after a long lull, the ’60s was one of the last great decades for the genre.
The two would work together for the first time on the set of 7 Men From Now, considered the first Ranown Cycle Western despite the production coming from Batjac Productions. The rest of the movies included in the beloved Western series were produced by Scott-Brown Productions, which was owned by Randolph Scott and producer/director Harry Joe Brown. Brown had been working in the industry since 1924, bringing decades of experience. The Ranown Cycle gets its namesake from the production company combining ‘ran’ from Randolph and ‘own’ from Brown.
List of Films in The Ranown Cycle
- 7 Men From Now (1956)
- The Tall T (1957)
- Decision at Sundown (1957)
- Buchanan Rides Alone (1958)
- Ride Lonesome (1959)
- Comanche Station (1960)
An honorable mention when discussing the Ranown Cycle is 1958’s Westbound which some will include. While this one would see Budd Boetticher directing and Randolph Scott starring, it was produced by Warner Bros., with Boetticher not considering it “his film.” Scott-Brown Productions would also be responsible for several other Westerns outside the Ranown Cycle, which often saw Randolph Scott in the lead; this includes notable films like The Desperadoes (1943), Gunfighters (1947), The Nevadan (1950), and The Stranger Wore a Gun (1953).
“Why are you here, Boone? A man needs a reason to ride this country. You got a reason?” Randolph Scott as Ben Brigade in Ride Lonesome
Praise for The Ranown Cycle Westerns
The Ranown Cycle of films may not have as much infamy as others in the modern landscape of discussing the genre’s history, leading them to be slightly underrated; they certainly are not spoken in the same light as revisionist or spaghetti Westerns. However, fans of Randolph Scott have long held the series in high regard as the actor’s best work. Scott’s performance throughout the films is exceptional, but it is the content of the Westerns that, despite their ‘B-movie status,’ pushed the genre in new and exciting ways that made them stand out from many of the era.
While sticking to a brief runtime, under 90 minutes, the movies had a deceptive depth to their content, dealing with mature themes, moral ambiguity, and psychological elements that were uncommon for the genre. The movies are often seen as a stepping stone between the traditional Westerns and the revisionist approach that would go on to define the genre; the Ranown Cycle is often seen as a precursor to standouts like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
The execution of each film in the Ranown Cycle also benefited from Scott’s grizzled and mature persona, making him atypical of many heroes at the time. Additionally, the movies have a unique visual presence with Budd Boetticher’s extensive use of location shooting, with a particular appreciation for the Alabama Hills. The movies are tied together as much thematically as they are visually.
Related
Best Western Movie of Each Decade
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Western genre has evolved with time, producing a diverse range of approaches with many great movies.
In an extended article for the Duluth Reader, Jim Lundstrom summarizes the appeal of the films and the stark contrast to other Westerns of the era:
The characters are not all black & white. There are shades of gray in good and bad characters. Several of the bad guys in these movies have ample opportunity to take Scott’s character out without a showdown. They might admit they could have killed him, but they also admit not being able to live with themselves had they done him like that.
The movies have also been met with critical praise, with all the films resting at 100% fresh except for Ride Lonesome, which has a score of 90%. Looking at the reviews for the first film in the series, 7 Men From Now, critic Rich Brody for the New Yorker summarizes the film as “Offers a Hemingwayesque intensity of unspoken emotion and bitter wisdom, with a visually terse style to match.” This sentiment is carried into the other entries in the series.
How to Watch The Ranown Cycle Westerns
The Ranown Cycle Western of films has been released through The Criterion Collection in a collectors’ edition. For streaming options, you can rent 7 Men From Now, Comanche Station, and Buchanan Rides Alone through YouTube, Apple TV, or Prime. The other films are more readily available, with streaming options on free platforms like Tubi and Plex to watch The Tall T, Decision at Sundown, and Ride Lonesome. The movie sometimes included when discussing the Ranown Cycle, Westbound, is available for rent through YouTube, Apple TV, or Prime.
