37 episodes
How the West Was 'Cast A podcast
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- TV & Film
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4.9 • 38 Ratings
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Whether you grew up watching the movies of John Wayne, cut your teeth on Clint Eastwood’s “Man with No Name” trilogy, or consider Kevin Costner to be the screen’s quintessential cowboy star, HOW THE WEST WAS ‘CAST is just the podcast you’ve been waiting for. Join screenwriter and journalist Matthew Chernov and film historian and professor Andrew Patrick Nelson as they discuss the beloved masterpieces, forgotten treasures, and curious cult movies that make up the Western film genre. From the timeless classics of the 1940s and ‘50s, to the bold and bloody titles of the 1960s and ‘70s, to the prestige Westerns of today, HOW THE WEST WAS ‘CAST explores one of cinema’s most fascinating and enduring genres.
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Western Movie Books – with Authors Henry C. Parke and Cory Everett
Read any good Western movie books lately? On this page-turning episode, we’re highlighting some of our favorite books about the Western genre. From biographies and coffee table books to scholarly studies and acclaimed film guides, you’ll find plenty of reading recommendations here that will deepen your love of Westerns. And joining us to talk about their own recent Western film books are two authors you’ll definitely enjoying meeting. First, Andrew interviews Henry C. Parke about his new book The Greatest Westerns Ever Made and the People Who Made Them. After that, Matthew chats with Cory Everett about his adorable children’s book My First Spaghetti Western. It’s an episode you’ll want to listen to from cover to cover!
Books discussed on the show:
The Greatest Westerns Ever Made and the People Who Made Them
My First Spaghetti Western
100 Westerns
Once Upon a Time in Italy: The Westerns of Sergio Leone
Horse Opera: The Strange History of the 1930s Singing Cowboy
John Wayne: The Life and Legend
American Titan: Searching for John Wayne
Bloody Sam: The Life and Films of Sam Peckinpah
"If They Move . . . Kill 'Em!": The Life and Times of Sam Peckinpah
Hang 'Em High: 110 Years of Western Movie Posters
Click HERE to watch the trailer for Cory Everett’s My First Spaghetti Western -
Horizon: An American Saga (2024) – Trailer Reaction
The official trailer for Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga was just released, and Matthew Chernov and Andrew Patrick Nelson are sharing their first reactions to it in this special episode! What clues to the film’s story and characters are hidden within this 3-minute trailer? What tone is Costner going for this time around, and how will his wildly ambitious cinematic epic fit into his already impressive Western filmography? There’s a lot here to chew on, so join Matt and Andrew as they break down the images, themes, dialogue, atmosphere and emotion on display in the brand new trailer for Horizon!
Check out the Horizon: An American Saga trailer for yourself RIGHT HERE.
To receive an exclusive link to our “Secret Episode,” email us at howthewestwascast@gmail.com, and tell us what you think of our podcast. -
A "Secret" Announcement from How the West Was 'Cast!
Want to hear a secret episode of How the West Was ‘Cast?
We’ve recorded a new hourlong show that won’t be published online. But we’ll gladly send you the secret episode in exchange for reviewing our show on the Apple Podcast platform, or the Audible platform, or whatever platform you use. Simply review our podcast somewhere, take a screenshot of your review and email it to us, or just email us a message letting us know you reviewed the show, and we’ll send you an exclusive link to the secret episode.
You can reach us by email at: howthewestwascast@gmail.com
There are two additional ways to receive the secret episode. First, you can spread the word about How the West Was ‘Cast on social media. Share a link to our show on your Facebook page. Tweet your thoughts about our podcast on your Twitter account. Or mention our show on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. Then email us a message letting us know that you spread the word on social media, and in exchange we’ll send you a link to the secret episode.
And the last way to receive the secret episode is simply to email us directly and let us know what our podcast means to you. What do you enjoy most about How the West Was ‘Cast? What are your favorite episodes? What films would you like us to cover in the future?
Again, you can reach us by email at: howthewestwascast@gmail.com
So that’s our “secret” offer. We look forward to hearing from you soon! -
Warner Brothers and Westerns - with Author Chris Yogerst
This year marks the centennial anniversary of Warner Brothers, the legendary Hollywood studio founded by Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner. To commemorate the occasion, we're joined by author Chris Yogerst, whose latest book - The Warner Brothers - was recently published by the University Press of Kentucky. On this fascinating episode, Chris and Andrew Patrick Nelson discuss the history of the Western film genre at Warner Brothers, and they look at several of the most memorable and important movies the studio released.
To purchase a copy of Chris's new book, The Warner Brothers, in hardcover, audio, or digital download, visit the book's Amazon page. -
Revenge of the Horror Westerns
It’s the Halloween season, so we’re returning to the terrifying topic of horror Westerns! Join us as we discuss, dissect, and dismember six of the scariest, eeriest, and just plain weirdest Westerns ever made. From a moody 1959 vampire film to an occult oddity released in the '70s to a would-be Hollywood blockbuster from 2010, these macabre movies are guaranteed to send shivers down your spine.
And as a blood-curdling bonus, we’ve got a special interview with author and editor Patrick R. McDonough at the very end of the show. Don’t miss our creepy conversation with Patrick about his brand new horror Western anthology, Hot Iron and Cold Blood. It’s a collection of 16 disturbing short stories that will shock even the bravest Western movie fans. To order your very own copy of Hot Iron and Cold Blood in paperback or digital download, visit the book’s Amazon page. -
BONUS EPISODE! Into the Wild Frontier - with Showrunner Paul Epstein
On this special bonus episode, we take a look at the factual Western drama series Into the Wild Frontier, which is entering its fourth season on the INSP network. Our very own Andrew Patrick Nelson has appeared numerous times on the series, providing info and commentary about the legendary figures and historic events covered on the show. Joining us on podcast to discuss the series is Emmy-nominated filmmaker Paul Epstein, the executive producer and showrunner on Into the Wild Frontier. Don’t miss this engaging conversation between Andrew and Paul, who talk about a wide range of topics related to the Western film and TV genre!
To learn more about Paul Epstein and his work, visit the Paul Epstein Productions website.
For additional information about Into the Wild Frontier, visit the INSP network webpage.
Customer Reviews
Great for film buffs of any stripe
Anyone interested in westerns, or in Hollywood genre films more generally, should listen to every episode. The hosts combine an incredible depth of knowledge with a polished, engaging style.
Easily one of my top favorites
This is not only my favorite Westerns podcast, But also right now, one of my favorite podcasts period. it’s a veritable course in movie westerns. it reminds me of another favorite podcast of mine, Out Of the Past podcast.That was an audio course in film noir.
And although that one ended a long time ago, I still listen to episodes over and over again, like a good audiobook or audio course. And while this one is still going, I’ve already found myself listening to certain episodes more than once. I especially like the episodes where there is a lecture that one of the hosts has given. But the discussions on movies are also just great. Both entertaining and educational.Highly recommended. Actually, for me, I’d give this my highest recommendation.
The Best Western…Podcast
The first of several, (and formerly favorite), western cinema podcast I listened to was “Westerns With Dad”. It was very entertaining, but “How the West was Cast” takes this genre to another level. It is not only entertaining but insightful, intelligent, and incisive.
I enjoy its discusions on westerns ranging from classic, (High Noon), revisionist, (Little Big Man), box office flops, (The Lone Ranger) and contentious (Heaven’s Gate). I also enjoy the deep dives into some of the more obscure elements of film, such as scores and costumes. This is a must for anyone with any interest in westerns or any fan of film history in general.