Author Pages

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Great Lines from the Westerns

By Alison Bruce

This is just a sampling of great movie western lines. I would be up all night digging them all up and I can't do that two nights in a row. Now, if you'd like to share some of your favorite quotes in the comments, I reckon I'd be right grateful.

"They're making me run. I've never run from anybody before."
Will Kane, High Noon (1952)

In some ways, High Noon is the Hamlet of westerns. It has been quoted, excerpted and paid homage to so many times, you don't have to watch the movie to recognize it.

Jake Cutter: It would break my heart if I had to put a bullet in your back.
Paul Regret: It would make me sad also.

Comancheros (1961)

Comancheros is one of my all time favorite John Wayne movies largely because of the banter between the two main characters.

“You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.”
The Man with No Name, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. (1966)

"Is that a ten-gallon hat, or are you just enjoying the show?"
Lili Von Shtupp, Blazing Saddles (1974)

What can I say? I love Madeline Kahn and Blazing Saddles. (I've been known to sing "I'm Tired" in the shower.)


"I've made over 250 pictures and have never shot a guy in the back. Change it."
John Wayne when filming his last movie The Shootist (1976)

Not a movie line but so characteristic of The Duke that I couldn't resist including it.

"We'll give you a fair trial... Followed by a first class hangin'."
Sheriff Cobb, Silverado (1985)

It came a big shock to me when I discovered that Silverado was a bona fide western and not a spoof. The trailers made it seem more like a comedy, perhaps because most movie-goers hadn't seen a real western in years.

“It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.”
Will Munny, Unforgiven (1992)


“You must pay for everything in this world, one way and another. There is nothing free except the grace of God.”
Mattie Ross, True Grit (2010)





Anna: You're a good sheep farmer!
Albert: Oh my god, please! I suck at sheep. Louise was right, I can't keep track of them. There was a sheep in the whorehouse the last week.
Anna: Really?
Albert: Yeah. Wandered in there, and then when I went to pick it up, somehow it had made 20 dollars.

A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)


What are your favorite lines? 

7 comments:

  1. What a fun post, Alison!
    One of my favorite movies is 'The Quick and the Dead' with Sharon Stone, Russell Crowe and the great Gene Hackman (and who can forget a very young Leo DiCaprio). Favorite line, delivered by Hackman, "It takes a lot to frighten me."

    ReplyDelete
  2. "Yikes! It's the Sidewinder!"
    "Your sister's name is Prudence."
    From that wonderful western with Suzanne Pleshette, Support Your Local Gunfighter (I think...or is it Sheriff?)
    fun post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. If it's Suzanne Pleshette, it's Support Your Local Gunfighter. I love those movies!

    ReplyDelete
  4. One of my favorites will always echo in my mind. "Shane, Shane! Come back!"

    ReplyDelete
  5. BTW, first time I saw the movie, Shane, I was a little girl!!😆

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loved both "Support Your Local Gunfighter" and "Support Your Local Sheriff". Another one I loved was "The Apple Dumpling Gang". Bill Bixby was so cute--sad he had to die so young.

    ReplyDelete
  7. From "Quigley Down Under"
    Matthew Quigley: "God created all men. Sam Colt made them equal."
    And
    Matthew Quigley: "This ain't Dodge City. And you ain't Bill Hickok."

    ReplyDelete

Our readers: If you like a post, please consider sharing on your Facebook and/or Twitter pages, and leave a comment. The cowgirls welcome them and will respond if you ask questions. Any Spam will be deleted.