View Poll Results: Who's the better Cowboy?
Henry Fonda
31
39.74%
Jimmy Stewart
47
60.26%
Voters: 78. You may not vote on this poll
Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda?
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda?
So TCM had a Jimmy Stewart day and I dvr'd a few westerns I hadn't seen. Far Country, Bend of the River, and Naked Spur among them...as well as Who Shot Liberty Valance and Anatomy of a Murder. watching them all I was reminded just what a great actor he was, and how in some of the westerns (especially w/ Ford and Mann directing) he really sheds the aw shucks routine and shows a darker side.
Meanwhile, there's Henry Fonda, particularly in Once Upon A Time in the West. Both are great, legendary actors. but which do you prefer? I've always considered Fonda one of my favorites, second only to Paul Newman. But Stewart was much more versatile than he gets credit for, and his westerns were almost unanimously very very good. The man's run from the 50s into the 60s is really quite amazing.
So who's the better cowboy? Of course, John Wayne kicks everyone's ass, and there were many others that could be added here, but i'm just curious to hear thoughts on these two in particular.
Meanwhile, there's Henry Fonda, particularly in Once Upon A Time in the West. Both are great, legendary actors. but which do you prefer? I've always considered Fonda one of my favorites, second only to Paul Newman. But Stewart was much more versatile than he gets credit for, and his westerns were almost unanimously very very good. The man's run from the 50s into the 60s is really quite amazing.
So who's the better cowboy? Of course, John Wayne kicks everyone's ass, and there were many others that could be added here, but i'm just curious to hear thoughts on these two in particular.
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Damn, I LOVE James Stewart - especially his westerns.
But Fonda in My Darling Clementine, The Tin Star, Once Upon a Time in the West, and one of my all time favorites, Warlock, was just brilliant.
This question is just not fair. It's like asking a parent to choose between his/her kids!
But Fonda in My Darling Clementine, The Tin Star, Once Upon a Time in the West, and one of my all time favorites, Warlock, was just brilliant.
This question is just not fair. It's like asking a parent to choose between his/her kids!
#6
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Henry Fonda by a mile.
OUATITW, the grapes of Wrath, Young Mr. Lincoln, OX-bow, My darling Clemintine, 12 angry men, etc.
as far as i am concerned Fonda is THE MAN. My favorite classic film star.
Jimmy Stewart doesn't really do it for me for some reason.
OUATITW, the grapes of Wrath, Young Mr. Lincoln, OX-bow, My darling Clemintine, 12 angry men, etc.
as far as i am concerned Fonda is THE MAN. My favorite classic film star.
Jimmy Stewart doesn't really do it for me for some reason.
#8
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Jimmy Stewart is my all time favorite actor, but it's a tough call for who did better westerns. I'm gonna vote a slight edge to Stewart, but really it doesn't matter, they both gave us great films (not a western, but Mister Roberts is in my top ten all time list with Fonda).
And yeah John Wayne and Clint Eastwood are worlds above both in the western movie world.
And yeah John Wayne and Clint Eastwood are worlds above both in the western movie world.
Last edited by The Cow; 08-06-07 at 11:05 PM.
#9
DVD Talk Legend
I voted for Fonda...did Stewart ever play a bad guy like Fonda did?
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Fonda's a good actor, and has been in many great films, but he was kind of a dick in real life, so I'll have to go with Stewart, who I think was a better actor and was in even more great movies, and he was an all around swell guy too boot.
#11
Moderator
If one were to evaluate them only on their work in westerns, it would be close. But when you add Stewart's work with Hitchcock it becomes a simple decision. I don't think Eastwood's work as an actor comes close to either of these gentlemen.
#13
Banned
Originally Posted by wendersfan
If one were to evaluate them only on their work in westerns, it would be close. But when you add Stewart's work with Hitchcock it becomes a simple decision. I don't think Eastwood's work as an actor comes close to either of these gentlemen.
The poll doesn't ask about their body of work. It asks who is the better cowboy. Eastwood was better than both as a cowboy.
#14
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I was all set to vote for Stewart - until I clicked on the thread and saw the question was cowboy. Once Upon A Time In The West trumps anything Stewart ever did in spurs.
#15
Moderator
Originally Posted by Lt Ripley
It asks who is the better cowboy. Eastwood was better than both as a cowboy.
#16
En vacance
Originally Posted by B5Erik
.
But Fonda in My Darling Clementine, The Tin Star, Once Upon a Time in the West, and one of my all time favorites, Warlock, was just brilliant.
But Fonda in My Darling Clementine, The Tin Star, Once Upon a Time in the West, and one of my all time favorites, Warlock, was just brilliant.
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by FRwL
I didn't like Warlock, even the high-voltage cast can't energize that slow-paced "adult" Western, with a lack of action and instead concentrating on the homosexual aspects of the relationship between Fonda's and Quinn's characters. Richard Widmark is all about lost in the background as the sheriff.
And Fonda is in warmup mode for Once Upon A Time In The West - only he didn't know it!
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
I voted for Jimmy.
Since this seems to be based on Westerns, Jimmy gets the nod because of his Radio Series "The Six Shooter". 39 episodes in 1953-54.
Since this seems to be based on Westerns, Jimmy gets the nod because of his Radio Series "The Six Shooter". 39 episodes in 1953-54.
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by will travel
I voted for Jimmy.
Since this seems to be based on Westerns, Jimmy gets the nod because of his Radio Series "The Six Shooter". 39 episodes in 1953-54.
Since this seems to be based on Westerns, Jimmy gets the nod because of his Radio Series "The Six Shooter". 39 episodes in 1953-54.
They SHOULD have made a movie out of that - it would have been great seeing Jimmy Stewart playing Britt Ponsit on screen. I'm sure someone thought about it back then, but it just never got made.
If they had filmed a Six Shooter movie this debate would have been over before it started. Jimmy was that good in the role.
Last edited by B5Erik; 08-10-07 at 07:57 AM.
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thanks for mentioning "The Six Shooter"! I'd never heard of it, but I love Jimmy Stewart so I googled it and found that it's available for download here:
http://www.archive.org/details/OTRR_...hooter_Singles
I'm looking forward to checking it out.
http://www.archive.org/details/OTRR_...hooter_Singles
I'm looking forward to checking it out.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by kitkat
Thanks for mentioning "The Six Shooter"! I'd never heard of it, but I love Jimmy Stewart so I googled it and found that it's available for download here:
http://www.archive.org/details/OTRR_...hooter_Singles
I'm looking forward to checking it out.
http://www.archive.org/details/OTRR_...hooter_Singles
I'm looking forward to checking it out.