Westerns Westerns
Stories About

Westerns

Mel Brooks' satirical Western Blazing Saddles got mixed reviews when it opened in February 1974, but it became the year's biggest box office hit. Above, Cleavon Little, left, as Sheriff Bart and Gene Wilder as the Waco Kid. Warner Bros./Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Warner Bros./Getty Images

50 years ago, 'Blazing Saddles' broke wind — and box office expectations

Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1234699365/1234998901" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves. Lauren Smith/Paramount hide caption

toggle caption
Lauren Smith/Paramount

Bass Reeves deserves better — 'Lawmen' doesn't do justice to the Black U.S. marshal

Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1210170873/1210800446" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript