Stories

By Henry C. Parke Since 2008, the fourth Saturday in July has been celebrated as National Day of the Cowboy. There are a dozen times “whereas” appears in Senate Resolution 450, the first being, “Whereas…

By Darlene Cah Pick and rank the top 10 Western movies? Where do you start? Fear not, the INSP programming team took on the challenge, stating, “These films capture a snapshot of the life of cowboys…

By Sophia Ulmer Curating INSP’s official list of favorite Sam Elliott western movies was no small feat, but INSP’s programming team was up to the task. Here’s their collective list. Feel free to let us know…

Audie Murphy is known as a heralded Western star, but was also an American soldier, widely celebrated as the most decorated American soldier of World War II.

By Darlene Cah Key Takeaways A Hollywood talent scout signed Fleming to a large contract—without a screen test—while she was still in high school. Fleming wasn’t interested in movies; she wanted to be a singer.…

Fess Parker stars in Davy Crockett and the River Pirates, but who was the real Davy Crockett—the American folk hero known as King of the Wild Frontier!

Fess Parker’s series portraying Daniel Boone ended in 1970. So what did Parker do after he took off the coonskin cap?

If you notice an uncanny resemblance between the two actors, you might wonder: Are James Arness and Peter Graves brothers?

By Reagan Johnson In the 1944 film The Fighting Seabees, John Wayne portrays Wedge Donovan, a civilian construction boss who pushes for the creation of a combat-ready construction unit within the U.S. Navy. The movie dramatizes…

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By Reagan Johnson Before he became the face of Western cinema, he was just Marion Morrison—a lanky college kid with a football scholarship, a summer job in the film business, and a dog named Duke.…

By Darlene Cah  Key Takeaways  Robertson got into acting by accident.  Robertson earned bronze and silver medals in WWII.  Robertson rode his favorite horse on Tales of Wells Fargo.  Overview  Though Dale Robertson made 40…

By Darlene Cah Choosing entertaining classic and contemporary Westerns starring some of Hollywood’s greatest actors is a fun job. Recently, INSP’s programming team gave themselves a challenge—more like a nearly impossible task—to rank their top…

Explore the unique on-screen bond between John Wayne and son Patrick Wayne through 10 memorable movies that span more than 20 years of film history.

By Darlene Cah Key Takeaways The Quarter Horse is the only breed that originated in America Quarter Horses have an innate “cow sense” Quarter Horse racing dates back to colonial times In the old days,…

By Robert Deason Key Takeaways Why he first appeared in credits with a middle initial Ford only took a drama class to overcome shyness The friendship that led to an amazing casting opportunity You know…

By Darlene Cah Key Takeaways Among Western actors, Audie Murphy was considered one of the best riders Murphy bought and bred champion Quarter Horses Murphy raced his own horses as an amateur jockey Most know…

Discover 10 fascinating facts about Western star Chuck Connors, from his dual-sport career to his iconic role in The Rifleman.

By Jay Coffin Key Takeaways Nelson’s early life and musical beginnings His influence on the Outlaw Country movement Personal challenges and overall legacy Willie Nelson is known not only for his distinctive voice and contributions…

Curious about the U.S. Cavalry? This Cavalry 101 guide explains its origins, key battles, legendary units, and lasting legacy in history and film.

By Reagan Johnson When it comes to Western icons, James Garner and Tom Selleck stand tall. Garner was the fast-talking gambler Bret Maverick and the no-nonsense lawman in Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969), while Selleck made his…

The 1979 movie Concrete Cowboys is not based on a true story, but rather is a made-for-TV film that follows a fictional portrayal of two friends, Will and Woody, who head to Nashville in search of fortune…

Overview  Known for his gruff, booming voice and burly appearance Claude Akins played mostly supporting roles in Westerns and war movies, with TV appearances including in 10 episodes of Gunsmoke and four episodes of Bonanza,…

By Reagan Johnson March is National Reading Month, making it the perfect time to crack open a classic Western novel. But let’s be honest—Louis L’Amour’s towering tales don’t need a designated month to shine. His stories…

By Reagan Johnson Cowboys of the Old West were known for their grit, hard work, and unshakable code, but that doesn’t mean they ignored signs and superstitions. After all, life on the frontier was unpredictable,…

Did the Duke, an American icon and one of the toughest men ever to be seen on the big screen, have a bestie?

Kirk Douglas left an enduring mark on the Western genre, bringing complexity and charisma to his roles. Here are seven of his best Westerns, ranked and celebrated for their gripping narratives and standout performances.