Dir: Martin Ritt, 1963, bw (8*)
This was Larry McMurtry’s first book, called "Horseman, Pass By", which was a tribute to his grandad, last of the ‘old-style’ ranchers, who did things the right way. Oscar winner Melvyn Douglas plays the grandad in this, but the focus was shifted to the ne’er-do-well uncle Hud (just look at the poster!), played by Paul Newman, to capitalize on his box office. Patricia Neal also won an Oscar as the family’s jaded cook, as did Jame Wong Howe’s terrific black and white cinematography. Not as successful as the book but still any film of a McMurtry book is going to be very good. The nearby town of Anarene was later featured again in The Last Picture Show, a "town sequel", with none of the same characters reappearing. 7 nominations, 3 Oscars