Once upon a time, the Western dominated the silver screen. Dating all the way back to the 1940s and 50s, the genre proved to be one of the first true box office hits, transforming Hollywood from a small-time fad into a bonafide industry. In fact, many studios today owe their wealth and success to those Western hits of yesteryear.
Westerns have gone in and out of popularity. They were all the rage during the Silent Film Era, but their popularity dipped in the late 1930s. It went back up again as one of the most-watched movie genres of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Westerns speak to a bygone era, but the history in each Western makes them valuable. From Disney to Warner Brothers and MGM, studios cemented their box office revenues with dependable flicks (and movie stars). Without these classic Westerns, it’s unlikely the entertainment industry would be as profitable as it is today.