Curator’s Talk: The Westerns of John Wayne
Join Western Spirit Museum Chief Curator and film historian Andrew Patrick Nelson for an engaging exploration of the Western films of John Wayne—from his first starring role in The Big Trail to his poignant farewell in The Shootist, with key stops along the way including Stagecoach, Red River, The Searchers, Rio Bravo, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, True Grit, and more.
Through carefully selected film clips and expert commentary, Nelson traces Wayne’s remarkable journey decade by decade: from the low-budget B-Westerns of the 1930s, to his landmark collaborations with directors John Ford and Howard Hawks, to his reflective, late-career roles that looked back on a lifetime in the saddle. Along the way, he offers fresh insights into how Wayne came to embody the Western hero on screen, and how the genre, in turn, shaped the enduring image of “the Duke” as an American icon.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just curious about the history of the Western on screen, this presentation offers a thoughtful and entertaining look at the career of the star who, for generations of moviegoers, was the Western.
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Program Info:
Thursday, October 22, 2026
3:00 p.m.
FREE for Museum Members (Members, log-in first to reserve tickets)
FREE with Museum Admission
$10 for just the program
About the Curator
Still in the Saddle is curated by Dr. Andrew Patrick Nelson, Chief Curator at Western Spirit Museum and one of the nation’s leading authorities on Western cinema, art, and culture. His expertise has been featured in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, NPR, and the History Channel, and he is widely recognized for reshaping how audiences understand the Hollywood Westerns.
Dr. Nelson developed this exhibition from his acclaimed book Still in the Saddle: The Hollywood Western, 1969–1980 and has significantly expanded the version that premiered at the Briscoe Western Art Museum in 2021. Today’s exhibit includes new sections, additional rare movie posters, and deeper explorations.
As both a scholar and storyteller, Dr. Nelson brings his insight into how the Western evolved during one of the most turbulent periods in American history and why these films continue to shape our understanding of the West today.