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Why so much hype?

Crappy film

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Joan Crawford once again displays that natural screen presence in the role of Vienna, a saloon owner who is regularly targeted by people in town. Her primary nemesis is Emma (Mercedes McCambridge), a self righteous bitch who is absolutely hellbent on either running Vienna out of town or actually having her hanged. Sterling Hayden is the title character, a traveling musician and a lover from Viennas' past. And charismatic young Scott Brady is The Dancin' Kid, the rascally character who stole the hearts of both women.Director Nicholas Ray does know how to reel you in right away, with an opening action set piece and the intense confrontations in the saloon that will soon follow. His is an interesting, intentionally offbeat Western. Based on the novel by Roy Chanslor, it spins a yarn in which the women take centre stage and the men often plod along in their wake. It's been praised for its symbolism, and some viewers see it as an allegory for the "Red Scare" of the era. It's gorgeously shot in "Trucolor" by Harry Stradling Sr., with the lavish interiors of Viennas' saloon contrasting with some of the stark exteriors. Victor Youngs' music is also aces. The dialogue is quite literate at times and has some choice quips as well. Although Philip Yordan is credited with the screenplay, it was actually director Ray himself and the blacklisted Ben Maddow who worked on it.The actors ignite some definite sparks. Behind the scenes friction between the principals results in some great film moments. Crawford, Hayden, McCambridge, and Brady are extremely well supported by a cast full of recognizable faces: Ward Bond, Ben Cooper, Ernest Borgnine, John Carradine, Royal Dano, Frank Ferguson, Paul Fix, Rhys Williams, Ian MacDonald, Trevor Bardette, Robert Osterloh, Denver Pyle, and Sheb Wooley. Borgnine steals his scenes as the Dancin' Kids' volatile associate Bart, but McCambridge is the true MVP of this production. She's superb at playing severely repressed and indignant."Johnny Guitar" was not a hit in its time, but appreciation for it has only grown over the 63 years since its release.Eight out of 10.

If you like western scenery, this one is for you. The outdoor shots were filmed in Red Canyon Crossing, Sedona,AZ. The red rocks and the Arizona colors are spectacular. The movie itself, however, not so much ! Much has been said about the "plot" and the "cult wonderfulness" of the film. I did not "get it". I usually just watch a film and either like it or not. This one tho' PHEW! I was distracted by so many things, the awful makeup done by Crawford herself and by the gosh-darn-terrible scene chewing by the "leading ladies" BOTH of them. Not to mention the total lack of chemistry between the "love interests" . The supporting players did their best with what they were given. Carradine, Borgnine, Bond and Royal Dano among the best.Don't usually react to stuff like this but : Johnny Guitar tells Vienna that it's like hiding out with a lit lantern as she is flouncing around the woods and rocks in her White Chiffon swirly whirly dress. She just happens to have a clothesline in her cave's basement with garments handy for changing into. So what does she pick ? A SCARLET SHIRT ! For hiding in the woods !The whole "phantom of the opera" like scene with the piano in the cave ... ugh ! Another "pick-picky". McCambridge gleefully shoots down the chandelier and the building immediately erupts into total flame mode. The go to the bridge and do their little rope trick and come back much to the STILL BURNING BUILDING ! It's that kind of a picture. Called a "masterpiece" by some but not by all.

This is one of the more interesting old westerns featuring screen legend Joan Crawford. Two strong willed women fight a power battle against the backdrop of a murder. Most westerns featured women mainly as the love interest but this is different in that the women featured are both tough and both willing to use a gun. This to me is a more realistic version of the old west. Joan Crawford is excellent as the feisty hotel owner waiting for a railroad to come through town and make her rich. Her nemesis played brilliantly by Mercedes McCambridge wants her out of town and seeks to do this by blaming her for the murder of her brother. The acting is excellent and it features an early appearance by the excellent Ernest Borgnine. There are good performances too by John Carradine and Scott Brady. The only downside coming from a predictably wooden performance by Sterling Hayden as Johnny Guitar. The action and story rattle along at a good pace and the smart script mainly steers clear of many of the old western clichés. It all culminates in a great final few scenes. This is a very good entry in the western genre and all the better for making the women the lead protagonists. Highly recommended to western fans.

Hello. My Mother took me to see the movie Johnny Guitar on my sixth birthday in 1954 at the Majestyk Theater in San Antonio, Texas. I remember many of the cast and the plot and within the last year caught the movie during the wee hours one night on TV. The movie theater was memorable as well, like I am still standing in it. Inside, it is a striking, pleasant 50's Mexican-deco with splashy, flashy swirls of colors including oranges, yellows on the walls and in the plush carpets throughout including the carpets on the stairs. The movie house is in the downtown district very near the Alamo. The whole event is engraved in my memory.