Shows
Hellbent for LetterboxBarbarosa (1982)Michael and Pax watch one of Michael's favorite '80s Westerns, Barbarosa starring Willie Nelson, Gary Busey, and Gilbert Roland.
2025-07-041h 12
After Lunch357 | C2E2 Special – Monkey, Robot, Michael CaineYou don't put Christian Nielsen, Michael DiGiovanni, Carlin Trammel, Shawn Robare, William Bruce West, Rob Graham, Michael May, Jeeg, and Paxton Holley in a room together and not record a podcast. While at C2E2, the group (minus Jeff Somogyi who sadly was not feeling well that evening) gathered in Christian and DiGio's hotel room to revive the classic Atomic Geeks topic: "Monkey, Robot, Michael Caine." Each person suggests a movie, TV show, event, etc. and discuss what would best improve it: a monkey, a robot, or... well, you'll see.
2025-04-251h 08Hellbent for LetterboxThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)Michael and Pax finally revisit Andrew Dominik's The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, a movie that Michael liked on first viewing, but Pax didn't, and neither has seen in a very long time.
2025-01-101h 16Hellbent for LetterboxCattle Annie and Little Britches (1980)Always on the lookout for Westerns starring women, Michael and Pax watch Lamont Johnson's Cattle Annie and Little Britches. Amanda Plummer and Diane Lane insert themselves into a demotivated outlaw gang (run by Burt Lancaster and Scott Glenn) as it tries to avoid capture by Marshal Rod Steiger. Pax also watches The Thicket (2024) while Michael takes a look at Heart of Arizona (1938) and The Bold Caballero (1936).
2024-11-221h 05Hellbent for LetterboxComanche Station (1960)Michael and Pax finish watching the Budd Boetticher / Randolph Scott Westerns with Comanche Station, also starring Nancy Gates and Claude Akins. And Michael also watched a couple of 1930s Westerns: Buck Jones and Louise Brooks in Empty Saddles (1936) and William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy in Partners of the Plains (1938).
2024-10-111h 02Hellbent for LetterboxWestbound (1958)Michael and Pax welcome back Evan Hanson (the Classic Film Jerks podcast) as we get back to Budd Boetticher and Randolph Scott's Ranown Westerns. This time Scott plays a Union officer tasked with transporting gold from California to Washington DC through Confederate-sympathizing territory. Westbound also features Karen Steele, Michael Dante, Andrew Duggan, Michael Pate, and Virginia Mayo.
2024-09-041h 05Hellbent for LetterboxThe War Wagon (1967)Michael and Pax continue celebrating their birth month with movies from their birth years. This time, Michael picks John Wayne and Kirk Douglas in Burt Kennedy's The War Wagon. The movie also features Howard Keel, Robert Walker Jr, Keenan Wynn, Valora Noland, Bruce Cabot, and (briefly) Bruce Dern. Pax also talks about the comic Ladies with Guns by Olivier Bocquet and Anlor.
2024-05-291h 11Hellbent for LetterboxBoss (1974)For the month of May, Michael and Pax are doing movies released within their birth year. First, up, Pax picks the Blacksploitation western Boss from 1974 starring Fred Williamson.
2024-05-211h 06Hellbent for LetterboxThe Tall T (1957)Michael and Pax are in the mood for some Ranown Westerns, starting with The Tall T. Directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Randolph Scott, of course. Co-starring Maureen O'Sullivan and Richard Boone. And based on a story by Elmore Leonard. Also: Michael checks out a stage production of the classic Shane.
2023-09-221h 22
Ramblin' ManEpisode 151 - Michael May and Paxton Holley - Westerns and Hellbent For LetterboxIn this episode I speak with Michael May and Paxton Holley about westerns and their podcast Hellbent For Letterbox. Sponsor: Feral Giant Theme song: Adeem The Artist
2023-09-051h 25Hellbent for LetterboxThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)Michael and Pax watch the Coen Brothers' anthology movie, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Plus, Pax listens to the 1001 Stories from the Old West podcast and Michael watches The Secret of Convict Lake (1951) and Calamity Jane and Sam Bass (1949).
2023-06-091h 23Hellbent for LetterboxHatfields & McCoys (2012)Mike and Pax try not to break out into a blood feud when they delve into the History Channel mini-series Hatfields & McCoys starring Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton.
2023-05-111h 41Hellbent for LetterboxMcCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)Michael and Pax watch the Robert Altman revisionist classic, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie with smaller roles for Shelley Duvall, Keith Carradine, and Rene Auberjonois. Pax also checks out Sukiyaki Western Django (2008) and Michael watches a couple of older films: Union Pacific (1939) and Gentle Annie (1944).
2023-02-221h 07Hellbent for Letterbox3 Godfathers (1948)In this special holiday episode, Michael and Pax watch John Ford's adaptation of Peter B Kyne's Christmas Western novel, The Three Godfathers. Starring John Wayne, Pedro Armendáriz, and Harry Carey Jr. Pax also watches a variety of Christmas episodes of TV Westerns and Michael catches up on a spooky Western, From Hell to the Wild West (2017), as well as Walter Hill's new film, Dead for a Dollar.
2022-12-241h 24Hellbent for LetterboxThe Valley of Gwangi (1969)Michael and Pax stretch the definitions of both Western and Horror in this second Halloween pick, The Valley of Gwangi starring James Franciscus, Gila Golan, and Richard Carlson. And with visual effects by Ray Harryhausen. But their Westernin' picks this month are full on horror-related as Pax reads Tim Seeley, Aaron Campbell, and Jim Terry's vampire comic West of Sundown, and Michael watches Sam Shepard's Western ghost story Silent Tongue and the super cheesy Teenage Monster.
2022-10-281h 12Hellbent for LetterboxMurder at Yellowstone City (2022)Michael and Pax watch the recent Western whodunnit, Murder at Yellowstone City, starring Isaiah Mustafa, Gabriel Byrne, Thomas Jane, Anna Camp, Zach McGowan, and Richard Dreyfuss. It's a mystery and we spoil it, so please watch the movie before listening to our discussion. Pax also reads the next couple of Undertaker comics in his pile while Michael watches a couple of movies: the documentary Bitterbrush and Hell's Heroes, an early adaptation of the Three Godfathers story.
2022-08-291h 34Hellbent for LetterboxThe Ox-Bow Incident (1942)Michael picks a classic that he and Pax have never seen. It's swift justice versus sure justice in William A Wellman's The Ox-Bow Incident, starring Henry Fonda, Harry Morgan, Dana Andrews, and Anthony Quinn. Pax also reads Dead West by Rick Spears and Rob G, while Michael watches The Renegade Ranger (1938) starring Rita Hayworth and Tim Holt.
2022-07-111h 17Hellbent for LetterboxHot Lead and Cold Feet (1978)Michael and Pax complete their Disney Westerns marathon with Jim Dale, Don Knotts, Darren McGavin, and Jack Elam in Hot Lead and Cold Feet. Pax also watches a bonus Disney Western with The Castaway Cowboy while Michael discovers the Call of Juarez video games with Call of Juarez: Gunslinger.
2022-05-061h 09Hellbent for LetterboxThe Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) / The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979)Michael and Pax watch both of Disney's Apple Dumpling Gang movies starring Don Knotts and Tim Conway with costars like Bill Bixby, Harry Morgan, Slim Pickens, and Jack Elam. Pax also checks out the Sergio Corbucci documentary, Django & Django, as well as the first novel in William R Cox's Cemetery Jones series.
2022-03-181h 13Hellbent for LetterboxForty Guns (1957)Michael and Pax watch the Western Noir Forty Guns starring Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, and Dean Jagger. And Michael also checks out Sam Worthington, Machine Gun Kelly, Heather Graham, and Thomas Jane in 2021's The Last Son.
2022-02-111h 16Hellbent for LetterboxHitchin' Post | Our Top 15 WesternsWhen listener Mathias Skeppstedt sent in the list of his Top 15 Favorite Westerns, Michael and Pax decided to come up with their own lists to compare. Each of the three has a mix of classics and surprises, and we run through all of them in this short(ish) episode.
2022-01-2141 minHellbent for LetterboxNews of the World (2020)Michael and Pax finally watch the 2020 Western that everyone's been talking about, Paul Greengrass' News of the World starring Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel. And Pax looks into what the deal is with The Hateful Eight Extended Version.
2022-01-141h 11Hellbent for LetterboxBuck and the Preacher (1972)Michael and Pax welcome back Evan Hanson to talk about Sidney Poitier's directorial debut, Buck and the Preacher, starring himself as well as Harry Belafonte and Ruby Dee.
2021-11-261h 07Hellbent for LetterboxJesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966)Wrapping up a Halloween double-feature, Michael and Pax jaw about Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter with returning Hellbent guest (and co-host with the fellas on the new Crestwood House classic horror podcast), Shawn Robare.
2021-10-2952 minHellbent for LetterboxDuel at Diablo (1966)Michael and Pax watch the first of only a few Westerns starring Sidney Poitier, Duel at Diablo. Also starring James Garner and Dennis Weaver.
2021-10-081h 09Hellbent for LetterboxDamsel (2018)Michael and Pax discuss the Zellner Brothers' underseen and unexpected Damsel starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska. As always, we discuss the whole movie and this one is especially best seen without knowing anything about it, so we highly recommend watching the film before listening to this episode. Pax also reads Bullet Catcher by Joaquin Lowe and Shaolin Cowboy by Geof Darrow, and listens to the How the West Was 'Cast podcast. And Michael watches Jane Russell in Montana Belle (1952).
2021-08-271h 29Hellbent for LetterboxBelle Starr (1941)Following Belle Starr's appearance in The Long Riders, Michael and Pax watch a highly fictionalized biography of the character starring Gene Tierney, Randolph Scott, and Dana Andrews. Pax also checks out the Italian Western version of The Belle Starr Story while Michael continues watching mountain man movies with Clark Gable in Across the Wide Missouri.
2021-07-091h 00Hellbent for LetterboxJohnny Guitar (1954)Michael and Pax watch another much-requested picture, Nicholas Ray's gorgeous Johnny Guitar starring Joan Crawford, Ernest Borgnine, John Carradine, and Mercedes McCambridge as an all-time great movie villain.
2021-06-041h 18Hellbent for LetterboxReturn of Sabata (1971)Michael and Pax finish up the Sabata series as Lee Van Cleef comes back to the role for Return of Sabata. Something else that returns is the "Whatchoo Been Westernin'?" segment with Pax reading the comic The Legend of Oz: Wicked West by Tom Hutchinson and Alisson Borges and listening to Zaron Burnett's Black Cowboys podcast. Meanwhile, Michael's been watching the 1998 sorta-Western TV series, Little Men.
2021-05-051h 07Hellbent for LetterboxEpisode 100: The Searchers (1956)Michael and Pax celebrate their 100th episode with a long-requested classic: John Ford's The Searchers starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, and Natalie Wood.
2021-04-071h 29Hellbent for LetterboxEl Dorado (1966)After loving Rio Bravo, Michael and Pax come back for more with the similarly plotted Howard Hawks / John Wayne / Leigh Brackett classic El Dorado. Robert Mitchum steps in for Dean Martin, James Caan subs for Ricky Nelson, and Charlene Holt replaces Angie Dickinson, but how do the films compare?
2021-02-241h 07Hellbent for LetterboxDuel in the Sun (1946)Shawn Robare returns to help Michael and Pax discuss the David O. Selznick mess, Duel in the Sun, featuring a legendary cast, but also six directors, a terrible script, and a central relationship that no one (including the movie) cares about. Happily, that makes for a great conversation anyway.
2020-12-281h 27Hellbent for LetterboxDeath Rides a Horse (1967)This month Michael and Pax are joined by their good friend Shawn Robare to discuss the 1967 Spaghetti Western Death Rides a Horse starring Lee Van Cleef and John Phillip Law.
2020-12-0850 minHellbent for LetterboxThe Sisters Brothers (2018)Evan Hanson returns to help Michael and Pax analyze The Sisters Brothers starring John C Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Riz Ahmed. (Deep apologies for the audio quality on Michael's microphone this episode. It was a technical issue that we were unable to correct, but we thought the movie and conversation were good enough that we wanted to release it anyway.)
2020-11-231h 00Hellbent for LetterboxHitchin Post - Curse of the Undead (1959)In this very special Halloween Hitchin Post, Michael and Pax discuss the 1959 Universal Studios horror western, Curse of the Undead, featuring a vampire gunfighter.
2020-10-3056 minHellbent for LetterboxBandidas (2006)Michael and Pax definitely wanted to watch Penélope Cruz, Salma Hayek, Steve Zahn, Dwight Yoakam, and Sam Shepard in Bandidas. Pax also reads the graphic novel Calamity Jane: The Calamitous Life of Martha Jane Cannary by Christian Perrissin and Matthieu Blanchin. And Michael gets in the Halloween spirit with Curse of the Undead.
2020-10-2659 minHellbent for LetterboxLittle Big Man (1970)On this episode of Hellbent Michael and Pax discuss the 1970 dramatic comedy Little Big Man starring Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway.
2020-10-131h 08Hellbent for LetterboxPale Rider (1985)Michael and Pax follow Pale Rider into town, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Also starring Sydney Penny, Michael Moriarty, Chris Penn, and Richard Kiel. Pax also shares insights from the Pale Rider novelization by Alan Dean Foster. And Michael watches another mountain man movie (Richard Harris and John Huston in Man in the Wilderness) and some Doctor Who.
2020-09-281h 20Hellbent for LetterboxThey Call Me Trinity (1970)Pax and Michael watch the first of the Terence Hill and Bud Spencer comedic Trinity movies, directed by Enzo Barboni.
2020-09-1457 minHellbent for LetterboxFlaming Star (1960)Michael and Pax visit their second Elvis Presley Western with Flaming Star, a movie about racism that also stars Steve Forrest, Barbara Eden, Dolores del Rio, and John McIntire. Before that, Pax talks about vintage Western-themed advertising and Michael makes progress in his Western History film project and reviews the Batman Western comic, Batman: The Blue, the Grey, and the Bat.
2020-08-101h 10Hellbent for LetterboxRed River (1948)Michael and Pax watch the Howard Hawks / John Wayne classic Red River featuring Montgomery Clift, Walter Brennan, and Joanne Dru. Also: Comics! Pax reads Wild West, Book 1: Calamity Jane by Jacques Lamontagne and Thierry Gloris. And Michael reads IDW's collection of Doug Wildey's Rio: The Complete Saga.
2020-06-2254 minHellbent for LetterboxJane Got a Gun (2015)Michael and Pax watch Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, and Joel Edgerton in Gavin O'Connor's film about a woman defending her home from a gang of ruthless killers. Pax also talks about Yul Brynner and George Segal in Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964), while Michael watches more Zorro and reads the collected webcomic High Moon by David Gallaher and Steve Ellis.
2020-05-2547 minHellbent for LetterboxThe Kid (2019)On this episode Michael and Pax discuss The Kid from 2019 starring Ethan Hawke and Dane Dehaan as Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.
2020-05-091h 15Hellbent for LetterboxQuigley Down Under (1990)Michael and Pax revisit the '90s classic about a sharpshooting cowboy (Tom Selleck) who teams up with a troubled woman (Laura San Giacomo) to fight a ruthless land baron (Alan Rickman) over his treatment of Aboriginal Australians. There's also a quick review of the graphic novel The Grave Doug Freshley by Josh Hechinger and mpMann.
2020-04-2843 minHellbent for LetterboxHitchin' Post - Hellbent for LatherMichael and I discuss men's hand soaps and recommend two great companies, Boll Weevil Soap Co and Outlaw Soaps.
2020-04-1603 minHellbent for LetterboxGun Fury (1953)On this episode Michael and Pax talk about Gun Fury from 1953 starring Donna Reed, Rock Hudson, and Lee Marvin.
2020-04-1555 minHellbent for LetterboxAdiós, Sabata (1970)Michael and Pax check out the sequel to 1969's Sabata (which they covered three years ago; how time does fly). Lee Van Cleef's character is played by Yul Brynner this time, so the fellas talk about that and other changes between the films, and attempt to reconcile the two. Also, Michael watches Errol Flynn play General Custer in They Died With Their Boots On.
2020-03-3155 min2020-03-161h 02Hellbent for LetterboxThe Paleface (1948)Michael and Pax break down this Bob Hope brew co-starring Jane Russell as super spy Calamity Jane. Pax also talks about the 1952 sequel, Son of Paleface, while Michael's reconsidering Joan Crawford as a contemporary cowgirl in 1930's Montana Moon.
2020-03-021h 03Hellbent for LetterboxHitchin Post - State of the Camp 2020Michael and Pax talk a little about the podcast's third birthday, what we could see on the show in 2020, and we go through the AFI Top 10 Westerns list.
2020-02-1125 minHellbent for LetterboxDeadwood: The Movie (2019)Michael and Pax wrap up Deadwood December with the reunion movie from earlier this year and talk about whether or not it was a fitting conclusion to the legendary TV series.
2019-12-231h 24Hellbent for LetterboxDeadwood Season 3 (2006)Pax and Michael finish watching David Milch's Deadwood and talk about how the show ended as well as their hopes for Deadwood: The Movie.
2019-12-161h 30Hellbent for LetterboxThe Professionals (1966)Michael and Pax are joined by Shawn Robare (Cult Film Club) to ruminate on Richard Brooks' end-of-the-West saga starring Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Woody Strode, Robert Ryan, Claudia Cardinale, and Jack Palance.
2019-11-191h 21Hellbent for LetterboxThe Stranger and the Gunfighter (1974)On this episode of Hellbent, Michael and Pax discuss the 1974 East meets West spaghetti western, The Stranger and the Gunfighter, produced by the Shaw Brothers and starring Lee Van Cleef and Lo Leih.
2019-10-2856 minHellbent for LetterboxSeraphim Falls (2006)Michael and Pax watch Liam Neeson hunt Pierce Brosnan in David Von Ancken's thriller (and probably parable) co-starring Michael Wincott and featuring cameos by Anjelica Huston, Wes Studi, Jimmi Simpson, and Xander Berkeley. Also: a podcast recommendation, Wild West magazine, a couple of silent Jesse James films with James' real-life son playing the legendary outlaw, and this excellent primer on Hong Kong cinema.
2019-10-151h 05Hellbent for LetterboxBlazing Saddles (1974)Michael and Pax are once again joined by Evan Hanson, this time to discuss the 1974 Mel Brooks western parody, Blazing Saddles.
2019-09-2640 minHellbent for LetterboxA Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)Guest Evan Hanson returns to help Michael and Pax survey Seth MacFarlane's Western comedy.
2019-09-1755 minHellbent for LetterboxWinchester '73 (1950)On this episode Michael and Pax discuss the first collaboration between director Anthony Mann and Jimmy Stewart, Winchester '73 from 1950.
2019-08-191h 05Hellbent for LetterboxLonesome Dove (1989)In this Texas-sized episode, Michael and Pax cover the classic mini-series starring Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, and a supporting cast as epic as the story itself. Also: Pax reads Larry McMurtry's Buffalo Girls while Michael does something Westerny for Fathers Day and reads a Mickey Mouse Weird West comic.
2019-08-052h 05Hellbent for LetterboxOne Eyed Jacks (1961)On this episode of Hellbent, Michael and Pax discuss the one movie Marlon Brando directed as well as starred in, the 1961 western, One Eyed Jacks. Also starring Karl Malden and Ben Johnson.
2019-07-111h 12Hellbent for LetterboxThe Man from Snowy River (1982)Michael and Pax jaw about George Miller's (not that George Miller, though) Australian Western. One remembered loving it; the other remembered hating it. Have they changed their minds? Do they agree? What happened to Cookie's leg? A couple of those questions actually get answered. Also: DC Comics discussion as Pax reads the early adventures of Bat Lash and Michael checks out the beginning of the 2006 Jonah Hex series.
2019-06-241h 15Hellbent for LetterboxBad Girls (1994)On this episode of Hellbent Michael and Pax are once again joined by their wives, this time to discuss Bad Girls from 1994 starring Madeline Stowe, Andy McDowell, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Drew Barrymore.
2019-06-051h 11Hellbent for LetterboxFive Bold Women (1960)Michael and Pax welcome their wives, Stephanie Holley and Diane May to weigh in on the women-focused Western, Five Bold Women starring Irish McCalla and Jeff Morrow. Pax also shares a couple of Western comics he's been reading: the first volume of Stern from Europe comics and the first couple of issues in Dynamite's Man With No Name series. Meanwhile, Michael's been watching the contemporary Western, The Rider (2017) by director Chloe Zhao.
2019-05-2258 minHellbent for Letterbox7 Men from Now (1956)On this episode of Hellbent Michael and Pax return to the Budd Boetticher-Randolph Scott oeuvre to talk about their very first collaboration in 1956, 7 Men from Now. Also stars Gail Russell and Lee Marvin.
2019-05-081h 12Hellbent for LetterboxDodge City (1939)Michael and Pax visit Michael Curtiz' Dodge City with Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, and Bruce Cabot. But before that they also talk briefly about a couple of '70s Robert Redford movies (The Sting and The Hot Rock) and Vincent D'Onofrio's new Billy the Kid movie, The Kid starring Dane DeHaan, Ethan Hawke, and Chris Pratt.
2019-04-221h 01Hellbent for LetterboxBuffalo Boys (2018)Michael and Pax talk about the Indonesian Western Buffalo Boys by director Mike Wiluan. Also, Pax reads more Hex (guest-starring Batman!?) and Michael watches Charles Bronson as Wild Bill Hickok in The White Buffalo.
2019-03-141h 01Hellbent for LetterboxButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)In this episode Michael and Pax discuss the 1969 western classic, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid starring Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and Katharine Ross.
2019-02-271h 12Hellbent for LetterboxShane (1953)Michael and Pax come back to shoot the breeze about George Stevens' classic Shane, starring Alan Ladd, Van Heflin, and Jean Arthur. Is Marian in love with Shane? Is Joey the most annoying character in cinema? What's up with that ending? And how does Batman fit into all this? There's also Pony Express mail and short discussions of the Wrong Reel podcast's Billy the Kid episode and a couple of films: Blood on the Moon and Woman Walks Ahead.
2019-02-111h 09Hellbent for LetterboxJeremiah Johnson (1972)On this episode Michael and Pax discuss Robert Redford in the 1972 classic, Jeremiah Johnson, written by John Milius and directed by Syndney Pollack.
2019-01-091h 09Hellbent for LetterboxOpen Range (2003)This Kevin Costner/Robert Duvall classic is easily the most requested movie that listeners have asked us to cover, so Michael and Pax finally hit the Open Range. Also: Pony Express brings talk of a Western Christmas Carol, the real-life history behind The Night Riders, and the 2003 TV show Peacemakers. And Pax and Michael share some cool, Western comics: El Mestizo and Bat Lash.
2018-12-311h 06Hellbent for LetterboxRiders of the Whistling Skull (1937) / The Night Riders (1939)Michael and Pax explore the Three Mesquiteers. They talk about the history of the long-running series, then take a look at Riders of the Whistling Skull, in which Robert Livingstone, Ray Corrigan, and Max Terhune help a woman find her missing father and some lost treasure. Then in The Night Riders, Livingstone is replaced by John Wayne who leads the trio as masked vigilantes fighting an evil land baron. It's '30s Saturday matinee pulp, but is it any good? The boys find out.
2018-11-191h 03Hellbent for LetterboxEpisode 50: Young Guns (1988) and Young Guns II (1990)To celebrate the 50th episode of Hellbent for Letterbox, Pax and Michael set aside the Pony Express and Whatchoo Been Westernin' to focus exclusively on the two Young Guns movies starring Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, and a couple of posses' worth of other '80s Brat Packers. Michael and Pax are both crazy about Young Guns, but have different opinions about the sequel. It's a great discussion, so make yourself comfortable and settle in for this double-size celebration.
2018-10-142h 56Hellbent for LetterboxThe Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)On this episode Michael and I are discussing Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josey Wales from 1976.
2018-09-201h 27Hellbent for LetterboxJonah Hex (2010)Michael and Pax raise the corpse of the DC Comics box office flop to figure out if it's as bad as its reputation and maybe even how to fix it. Jonah Hex stars Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, and John Malkovich and was written (in part) by the notorious Neveldine and Taylor. Pax also talks about the 1985 Jonah Hex comics reboot, Hex, and Michael wanders away from comics completely to review 1952's Bend of the River, starry Jimmy Stewart, Julie Adams, and Rock Hudson. All this and Pony Express!
2018-09-071h 05Hellbent for LetterboxA Man Called Sledge (1970)On this episode of Hellbent Michael and Pax discuss the 1970 spaghetti western A Man Called Sledge starring James Garner and directed by Vic Morrow.
2018-08-161h 00Hellbent for LetterboxGeronimo: An American Legend (1993)Michael and Pax talk about Walter Hill's misleadingly titled film starring Matt Damon, Jason Patric, Wes Studi, Robert Duvall, and Gene Hackman. Also: quick reviews of Rick Geary's The True Death of Billy the Kid and the 1920 silent film, The Daughter of Dawn.
2018-08-0347 minHellbent for LetterboxThe Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)Michael and Pax talk at length about the financial and critical disaster that was William Fraker's Legend of the Lone Ranger, starring Klinton Spilsbury, Michael Horse, and Christopher Lloyd. But along the way, they cover other iterations of the masked rider's adventures, including the original radio dramas, the 1938 serial, the Clayton Moore TV show, and a couple of cartoons. Also in this episode: Pony Express mail featuring two lists of Must See Westerns as compiled by comics writer Chuck Dixon: "Must See" Westerns A More Advanced List of Western Movies
2018-06-241h 23Hellbent for LetterboxTrue Grit (2010)This time on Hellbent Michael and Pax are discussing the Coen Brothers' re-adaptation of Charles Portis' novel. We also get in some discussion on the original John Wayne version.
2018-05-2448 minHellbent for LetterboxStagecoach (1939)Michael and Pax finally visit the John Ford/John Wayne classic, also starring Claire Trevor, John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell, Tim Holt, Tom Tyler, and (uh oh?) Andy Devine. Also: Pony Express mail and quick reviews of McLintock! (1963) and The Great Missouri Raid (1951).
2018-05-041h 01Hellbent for LetterboxThe Villain (1979)Michael and Pax giggle and groan over Hal Needham's slapstick comedy starring Kirk Douglas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Ann-Margret. Also: a brief Lone Ranger discussion and mini-reviews of 1967's Hour of the Gun (with James Garner as Wyatt Earp) and Mighty Marvel Western featuring Rawhide Kid, Kid Slade, and Two-Gun Kid.
2018-03-191h 02Hellbent for LetterboxGodless (2017)Michael and Pax are joined by special guest Shawn Robare (Branded in the '80s, Cult Film Club) to talk about the Netflix mini-series Godless starring Michelle Dockery, Jeff Daniels, and Jack O'Connell. And in "Whatchoo Been Westernin'?" we discuss the '80s cartoon Bravestarr and the movie Hostiles starring Christian Bale and Wes Studi.
2018-02-221h 16Hellbent for LetterboxBite the Bullet (1975)This episode Mike and Pax are talking about the 1975 western, Bite the Bullet starring Gene Hackman, James Coburn, Candice Bergen and Jan Michael Vincent.
2018-02-081h 00Hellbent for LetterboxSunset (1988)On this episode, Michael and Pax take a detour from traditional Westerns and talk about Blake Edwards' murder mystery in which Western movie star Tom Mix (Bruce Willis) and Western legend Wyatt Earp (James Garner) try to catch a killer in 1920s Hollywood. And as long as we're covering not-quite-Westerns, Michael shares some thoughts about last year's The Hero, starring Sam Elliott, Laura Prepon, Nick Offerman, Krysten Ritter, and Katharine Ross.
2018-01-2852 minHellbent for LetterboxHitchin' Post - Day of Anger (1967) recastIn this Hitchin' Post Michael and Pax recast the 1967 spaghetti western Day of Anger with a modern cast!
2017-12-2816 minHellbent for LetterboxMaverick (1994)It's cold out there, but Michael and Pax stay warm by talking about one of their favorite Westerns, 1994's Maverick with Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner. And in a special "Whatchoo Been Westernin'?" segment, they discuss some of the episodes of the Maverick TV show that they watched, too.
2017-12-111h 12Hellbent for LetterboxThe Outrage (1964)Michael and Pax are joined by special guest Evan Hanson to discuss The Outrage, a remake of Akira Kurosawa's Rashômon, starring Paul Newman, William Shatner, and Edward G Robinson. And in "Whatchoo Been Westernin'": Grit TV (feat. Death Valley Days), a comics adaptation of True Grit, and Jeff Bridges in Wild Bill.
2017-10-2550 minHellbent for LetterboxBarquero (1970)Michael and Pax continue their love affair with Lee Van Cleef by talking about this Spaghetti-inspired, American-made thriller co-starring Warren Oates, Forrest Tucker, Kerwin Mathews, Mariette Hartley, and Marie Gomez. And in "Whatchoo Been Westernin'?": DC Comics' Jonah Hex/Yosemite Sam Special and the Billy the Kid episode of Brad Meltzer's Decoded.
2017-09-2753 minHellbent for LetterboxThe Outlaw (1943)Michael and Pax discuss the weird relationships and mega misogyny of Howards Hughes and Hawks' The Outlaw. It's Billy the Kid vs Doc Holliday with Jane Russell and a horse as the prizes (and Pat Garrett kind of crying in the corner, but with a gun in his hand). Also: Pony Express mail and quick reviews of The Undertaker and Hombre Rosa comics and the movie Three Godfathers (1936).
2017-08-0259 minHellbent for LetterboxHitchin' Post - The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979), More Wild Wild West (1980) & Wild Wild West (1999)On this Hitchin' Post Michael and Pax discuss the two reunion movies for The Wild Wild West starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin. We also delve into the 1999 Wild Wild West movie with Will Smith and Kevin Kline.
2017-06-2350 minHellbent for LetterboxThe Wild Wild West (1965)This time on Hellbent Pax and Michael discuss the 1965 TV series The Wild Wild West starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin. We talk about the stars, we talk about the villains, we go all through our favorite episodes. It's a deep dive into the 4 season long TV series.
2017-06-221h 39Hellbent for LetterboxHow the West Was Won (1962)Michael and Pax finally watch the epic classic from directors Henry Hathaway, John Ford, and George Marshall; starring Carroll Baker, Debbie Reynolds, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, and George Peppard. And with cameos by everyone else alive at the time. Does it live up to its reputation? Will the fellas finally be able to tell it apart from Once Upon a Time in the West? Only one way to find out. Also: Pony Express mail and quick reviews of The Way West (1967) and The War Wagon (1967).
2017-06-051h 20Hellbent for LetterboxTombstone (1993)After a brief in memoriam for Bill Paxton, Michael and Pax are joined by historical-adventure comics writer/artist Chris Schweizer (The Crogan Adventures) for the first part of an OK Corral double-feature. Chris brings his extensive knowledge of the turbulent making of Tombstone as well as the original script. What works, what doesn't, and how did the movie get that way? We talk about it all in this extra meaty discussion. And in "Whatchoo Been Westernin'?" we cover Jeff Guinn's book The Last Gunfight, the recent Western episode of Timeless, and a couple of not-so-recent episodes of Tales of ...
2017-03-131h 54Hellbent for LetterboxDestry Rides Again (1939)Pax and Michael dig into the first '30s Western on the podcast, George Marshall's Destry Rides Again starring Marlene Dietrich and Jimmy Stewart. And in "Whatcha Been Westerning," Michael recommends The Duel (2016) starring Woody Harrelson and Liam Hemsworth.
2017-01-1341 minHellbent for LetterboxRustlers' Rhapsody (1985)At last! Pax and Michael discuss one of the greatest Westerns of all time. Or at least, certainly one of their very favorites. Grab your feather cape and gather 'round the campfire as we talk about the comedy classic starring Tom Berenger, GW Bailey, Marilu Henner, Sela Ward, Andy Griffith, and Carson from Downton Abbey. Also up for discussion are the comic book series Six-Gun Gorilla, Trailblazer, and The Sixth Gun, the role-playing game Deadlands (which Michael can't remember the name of), Gary Cooper in 1929's The Virginian, Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson's Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights...
2016-07-221h 04Hellbent for LetterboxOnce Upon a Time in the West (1968)Pax and Michael bring noodles and meatballs to the campfire with the podcast's first Spaghetti Western episode. It's the Sergio Leone classic, How the West... no, wait... Once Upon a Time in the West. Keep getting those confused. Pax also shares Western reads To Hell on a Fast Horse and the two Rawhide Kid mini-series, Slap Leather and The Sensational Seven. Michael discusses the weirdness of the Shirley Temple short, Pie-Covered Wagon.
2016-06-1755 minHellbent for LetterboxForsaken (2015)Pax and Michael discuss the recent movie, Forsaken starring Kiefer and Donald Sutherland, Demi Moore, Brian Cox, and Michael Wincott. We also briefly touch on the concept of contemporary Westerns and whether or not those scratch the Western itch for us.
2016-05-0744 minHellbent for LetterboxHitchin' Post - High Noon II (1980) and Outland (1981)In this bonus episode Pax and Michael each picked a movie that was based on the themes and plots of High Noon, which we previously talked about in episode 5. First, Michael chooses Outland from 1981 starring Sean Connery in a sci-fi take on the High Noon concept. Next Pax chooses a 1980 TV movie sequel called High Noon II: The Return of Will Kane starring Lee Majors, David Carradine and Pernell Roberts.
2016-04-2737 minHellbent for LetterboxThe Big Country (1958)Michael and Pax discuss the 1958 epic starring Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Jean Simmons, Chuck Connors, and Sam the Snowman. Also: Pax talks about the TV shows Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, and The Wild Wild West, while Michael mentions Tumbleweeds (1925) and Jesse James (1939). Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck may come up as well.
2016-04-0946 minHellbent for LetterboxSetting Up CampWelcome to the very first episode of Hellbent for Letterbox. This is a new monthly podcast hosted by Michael May and Paxton Holley talking about Westerns. In this episode Michael and Pax introduce themselves and start setting up camp, talking about their love of the Western genre including movies, TV shows and books. They also talk about what to expect from this show each month and Michael reveals what movie we'll be reviewing in our next episode.
2016-02-1126 minAfter LunchEpisode 16 - The Trial of Michael BayDirector Michael Bay stands accused of crimes against movie going audiences everywhere. Arguing the case for the prosecution is Jeeg, leading Bay's defense is CT, acting as star witness is Jeremy of Geekchunks.com, and presiding over our podcast courtroom is the honorable Judge Paxton Holley. Find out if Transformers, Bad Boys, Pearl Harbor, and the rest warrant keeping Bay off the streets and out of the director's chair. To paraphrase the late Johnnie Cochran (well, not really), "if the earbuds fit, you must listen to this."
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