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When discussing the history of theWesterngenre, many names and movies spring to mind, whether it be the landmark John Wayne filmStagecoach(1939) or Clint Eastwood’s masterful deconstruction of the genre with 1992’sUnforgiven. 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 toa 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 filmWomen Men Marry. Scott would also become a regular in the Western genre leading up to his work with Boetticher. Budd Boetticher had also established himselfas a director in the Western genrebefore collaborating with Scott, having previously worked with Audie Murphy onThe Cimarron Kid, and Glenn Ford inThe Man from the Alamo.
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The two would work together for the first time on the set of7 Men From Now, considered the first Ranown Cycle Western despite the production coming from Batjac Productions. The rest of the movies includedin the beloved Western serieswere 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 companycombining ‘ran’ from Randolph and ‘own’ from Brown.
List of Films in The Ranown Cycle
An honorable mention when discussing the Ranown Cycle is 1958’sWestboundwhich 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 likeThe Desperadoes(1943),Gunfighters(1947),The Nevadan(1950), andThe 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 waysthat 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 elementsthat were uncommon for the genre. The movies are often seen as a stepping stone between the traditional Westerns andthe revisionist approachthat would go on to define the genre; the Ranown Cycle is often seen as a precursor to standouts likeThe Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, andButch 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.
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In anextended 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 alsobeen met with critical praise, with all the films resting at 100% fresh except forRide Lonesome,which has a score of 90%. Looking at the reviews for the first film in the series,7 Men From Now, criticRich Brody for the New Yorkersummarizes 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 releasedthrough The Criterion Collectionin a collectors’ edition. For streaming options, you can rent7 Men From Now,Comanche Station,andBuchanan Rides Alonethrough YouTube, Apple TV, or Prime. The other films are more readily available, with streaming options on free platforms like Tubi and Plex to watchThe Tall T,Decision at Sundown, andRide Lonesome. The movie sometimes included when discussing the Ranown Cycle,Westbound, is available for rent through YouTube, Apple TV, or Prime.
