Think You Know Westerns? Think Again. Opening January 30th, Western Spirit Museum Presents the Definitive Exhibition on the Hollywood Western’s Most Misunderstood Era
Still in the Saddle: A New History of the Hollywood Western opens January 30, featuring over 70 original movie posters, screen-worn costumes, and immersive cinema experiences
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – By the mid-1960s, critics had declared the Western dead. They were wrong. The years that followed produced True Grit, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Wild Bunch, Little Big Man, and The Outlaw Josey Wales—some of the most celebrated films in the genre’s history.
Still in the Saddle: A New History of the Hollywood Western, opening January 30 at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, tells the dramatic and surprising story of this era. Curated by Andrew Patrick Nelson, PhD, the nation’s leading authority on Western cinema, and drawn from the Rennard Strickland Collection—the world’s largest collection of Western movie posters—this expanded exhibition is the definitive look at Hollywood’s greatest genre during its most turbulent and creative period.
A special public preview will be held Thursday, January 29 from 5 to 8 PM. Admission is free for Scottsdale residents with proof of residency during Scottsdale Artwalk; regular admission applies for all others.
An Immersive Journey Through Western Cinema
The exhibition unfolds across six thematic sections, each featuring original movie posters, film stills, and dedicated screens showing curated clip reels. Visitors will encounter over 70 original vintage posters alongside screen-worn costumes from John Wayne, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Charles Bronson, Jeff Bridges, and other icons of the era. The exhibition is bookended by two immersive cinema experiences. At one end, an evocative interpretation of Scottsdale’s historic Round-Up Drive In—complete with the iconic neon cowboy sign and large screen—transports viewers to an era when drive-ins dotted the Arizona landscape. At the other, a late-1960s movie theater lobby with period advertisements and concession menu (with prices that will make modern moviegoers nostalgic) gives way to a cinema screening highlights from the exhibitions major films.
Reclaiming a Misunderstood Era
“The conventional wisdom is that the Western died in the late 1960s,” said Nelson. “But the truth is far more interesting. Against a backdrop of social unrest, political turmoil, and generational change, filmmakers were doing some of their most ambitious, provocative work. John Wayne was still the Western’s biggest star, but he faced stiff competition from Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, and Paul Newman. Established directors like Howard Hawks worked alongside revolutionaries like Sam Peckinpah. The result was a period as rich and exciting as any in the genre’s history.”
Still in the Saddle is based on Nelson’s acclaimed book Still in the Saddle: The Hollywood Western, 1969-1980 (University of Oklahoma Press). The exhibition was organized by and premiered at the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio in 2021; this Scottsdale presentation has been significantly expanded, including a new section devoted to Clint Eastwood’s evolution from icon of change to the genre’s most thoughtful historian.
Exhibition Sections
- The Western in 1969 — Sets the stage with an overview of a remarkable year: Butch Cassidy dominated the box office, The Wild Bunch ignited controversy, and John Wayne finally won his Oscar for True Grit.
- Indians On Screen & Off — Addresses one of the genre’s most contentious aspects: its treatment of American Indians, and how filmmakers of the era began more concerted efforts to portray indigenous peoples with greater sensitivity and complexity.
- Heroes in Changing Times — Examines how Westerns of the era challenged the myths of frontier heroes like Jesse James and Billy the Kid, reflecting a nation questioning its own legends during the Vietnam era.
- The Duke — Focuses on John Wayne, whose later Westerns made the case that the hero’s values must be passed to the next generation if they are to survive.
- The 1980s & Beyond — Traces the Western’s transformation from popular genre to prestige cinema, culminating in Dances with Wolves and Unforgiven both winning Best Picture.
- The Man with No Name — A new section exploring how Clint Eastwood emerged after John Wayne as the genre’s next great interpreter, using the Western to explore questions of violence, justice, and national memory.
“By walking through this exhibition, visitors don’t just learn about these films—they experience how Americans encountered them,” said Nelson. “Whether at a drive-in under the stars or in a grand movie palace, these were shared cultural moments. We want people to feel that, and to come away with a new appreciation for just how vibrant and vital this period was.”
Year-Long Programming
The exhibition will be accompanied by a full year of film screenings reflecting its sections and themes, along with talks by Dr. Nelson and visiting scholars and filmmakers. Screenings and programs take place in the Museum’s newly renovated Virginia G. Piper Theater. Visit westernspirit.org for the complete programming schedule.
Visitor Information
Still in the Saddle: A New History of the Hollywood Western opens at 5pm on January 29, 2026 at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, located at 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
Admission: $28 adults; $25 seniors and military; $12 students and children ages 6–17; free for children 5 and under. Memberships start at $75 for two adults.
Public Preview: Thursday, January 29, 5–8 PM. Free for Scottsdale residents with proof of residency.
For more information, call (480) 686-9539 or visit westernspirit.org.
About the Curator
Andrew Patrick Nelson, Ph.D. is Chief Curator at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West and a leading authority on Western cinema, art, and culture. He is the author and editor of numerous books and essays, including Still in the Saddle: The Hollywood Western, 1969–1980. Dr. Nelson’s insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and on NPR, and he regularly appears as a commentator on the History Channel and other networks. He also cohosts the popular Western movie podcast How the West Was ‘Cast.
For media inquiries please contact:
Jennifer Parks-Sturgeon — Jennifer@PrattMarketingAgency.com (480) 495-3806
Kendra Riley — Kendra@PrattMarketingAgency.com (480) 220-6051
About Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is a world-class cultural destination in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, where art, history, and storytelling ignite the spirit of the American West. As a proud Smithsonian Affiliate, it’s more than a museum — it’s an experience. Western Spirit is Scottsdale’s cultural crown jewel — a Smithsonian Affiliate that brings the West to life through immersive exhibits, world-class collections, and thought-provoking programs. Housed in a stunning LEED-Gold certified building, it’s a place where locals and visitors discover the enduring legacy of the American West — and the stories that still shape us today. Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, or just curious, this is where the West lives on. For more information, call (480) 686-9539 or visit westernspirit.org.