Western (genre) and retribution, which is often dispensed through a shootout or quick-draw duel. The Western was the most popular Hollywood genre from the early 20th century to the 1960s. Western films first became well-attended in the 1930s. John Ford's landmark Western adventure "Stagecoach" became one of the biggest hits in 1939 and it made John Wayne a mainstream screen star. Westerns were very popular throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the most acclaimed Westerns were released during this time, including "High Noon" (1952), "Shane" (1953), "The Searchers" (1956), and "The Wild Bunch" (1969). Classic Westerns such as these have been
The Peacemaker (1956 film) The Peacemaker (1956 film) The Peacemaker (1956) is a western film directed by Ted Post and starring James Mitchell, Rosemarie Bowe, and Jan Merlin. Hal Richards based the script on the novel of the same name by Richard Poole. Producer Hal R. Makelim intended "The Peacemaker" to be the first of a series of low-budget productions. According to Merlin, who played the villain, shooting took only "seven or ten days." Although the film featured some successful character actors like Hugh Sanders in supporting roles, none of the performers qualified as marquee names; in fact, at this point in his career,